Gabby Sidibe rocks long braids and slimmer figure in recent picture taken in the elevator

After using 2018 as her "recovery year," Gabby Sidibe has been looking much better as she flaunts her new long braids and slimmer figure in a selfie she took while inside an elevator.

Gabourey Sidibe has suffered being overweight in the past, and this has caused some health complications that she didn't want to be experiencing at such a young age. At 34-years-old, the "Empire" actress had to take some time off of showbusiness to recover from having her tonsils removed earlier this year.

“I’ve decided to get a tonsillectomy and I deserve to take all of 2018 off as personal time to rest from this huge adult decision I just made. Please respect my privacy at this time.”

However, after her fans started wishing her a speedy recovery, even saying that they would miss her on television, she made sure to clarify that she was just joking about having surgery.

Nonetheless, Sidibe, who is an Oscar nominee for Best Actress for her performance on "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire," has used this year to lose some weight and become a healthier version of herself. Some of her weight loss was also the result of her laparoscopic bariatric surgery, which she had after she and her brother were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

"I did not get this surgery to be beautiful. I did it so I can walk around comfortably in heels. I want to do a cartwheel. I want not to be in pain every time I walk up a flight of stairs. I just didn't want to worry. I truly didn't want to worry about all the effects that go along with diabetes. I genuinely (would) worry all the time about losing my toes."

Hoping to take much better care of herself, Gabby has also been hitting the gym to supplement her healthier lifestyle, and it has been working so well for her.

Now, the actress confidently wears whatever she wants, and shares numerous selfies of herself now that it has been much better for her to be in her skin. This has also given her an extra boost in motivation, which would mean that her fans can most definitely expect more from the actress in the near future.