Looking forward to taking back 10 years of my youth.  I want to be more active.  Stop sleeping with a cpap machine.  Stop shopping the Plus sizes and accomplish my goal of taking care of ME now.  Kids all grown.  I'm taking my turn now.  Want to get into a swim suit without hiding. Behind a towel.   I want to live my life like it's Golden!
Updated on 24 Apr 2015:
This has been a very busy week for me.  2 Trips to the Cardiologist, Trip to the Pulmonologist, Psch Evaluation now complete.  I believe I have 2 more hoops to jump through......blood work and h. pylori.  This week I came out of pocket with a little less than $400 for my testing.  Not bad for a life changing experience.  The doctors and staff were all supportive and encouraging.  I started to feel the  reality that I am really going to change my life.  I feel excited and motivated.  I don't know if this is good but I haven't told my siblings that I am about to do the surgery.  I feel as though I am walking around with a deep secret.  I am afraid they will continue to try to discourage me.  However, I have prayed about this Mission over and over.  My husband is at peace with it and my daughters are supportive.  That is all the approval I need.  I realize this is a very serious step and this weeks test shows me that I will be in good hands with professionals who care.  I choose Celebration Hospital in order to ensure I would be choosing a Hospital of Excellence.  I leave the rest in the hands of my God and Creator Jehovah, with him all things are possible.  On  a different note, now its time to strategize and get serious.  I don't know why when I have been told to avoid Soda, alcohol, and the like, I seem to really crave it.  My husband reminded me I am not sticking to my diet to shrink my liver.  I explained that I will but I have to get my last HOORAH and deal with my cravings then I will get busy.  Sunday starts a new week of change.  I am following the support teams advice as follows
Action Plan
- Exercise 5 mins/day and increase 5 each week as able, include variety, mini trampoline, swim, etc.
- drink half my weight in water
- Cease Alcohol
- Practice healthy eating, focus on proteins, fresh fruit, and veggies, avoid starches, sweets, etc.
- Begin taking my vitamins
- Begin reading my Boundaries book by Cloud and Townsend
- Develop a variety of exercise plans to avoid boredom
- Attend weekly support group
- Seek Individual therapy/counseling to deal with depression
- Develope a list of calming , soothing rewarding actions, and hobbies to replace emotional eating, include prayer and journaling at bedtime and in the mornings
Updated on 17 Jul 2015:
Jumped through alot of hoops.  All good because I realize I am healthy enough to endure a serious surgery.  Can't wait to join the loosers bence.  Visit me on Facebook at Black Girls Get Sleeved Too and Bariatric Sugery over 50.
Updated on 17 Jul 2015:
Where do I start, so much to do. First of all I finally cleared everything on my Doctors to do list. I had a minor setback with a pseudoaneurysm courtesy of my Cardiologist surgeon. After a 3 day stay in ICU I started my preparations for Gastric Sleeve. My family, (except Hubby) are still not excited about the idea of surgery to loose weight. However, the good news is I m sceduled for suegery July 31 and I am ecstatic. I am currently on 3 week liquid diet. I give myself a B+ on liquid diet because I ate a few things, healthy but not liquid. I enjoy Premier Shakes, especially chocolate and vanilla. I have loss 12 pounds in 1 week. SW 288 1 week liquid 266.
Updated on 4 Aug 2015:
Had surgery on Friday July 31.    The pain for sleeve was very tolerable.  Still learning how to consume liquids.  Had problems with gas and indigestion.  I'm so glad I followed through.  I will be attending my support group starting next Wednesday.
Updated on 17 Sep 2015:
Monday September 14 I had my 6 week followup with Practitioner and Exercise Physiologist.  (So Glad for all this personal attention after surgery with Celebration Hospital and Dr. K. Kim).  I went to the appt feeling discouraged because I was being the old Tamara ie, not wanting to exercise, being depressed, complaining about taking my meds and vitamins and just being a jerk.  Why, I don't know just a little depressed and feeling self-defeated because the scale was not showing me what I wanted to see.  Despite my lack of cooperation, my sleeve allowed me to loose a total of 31 pounds, mostly fat not muscle.  (Check and a Star), My metabolism has increased (Another Check and a Smiley face) and my overall report was good.  No weight gain since I sarted liquids and Everyone is complimenting me on loosing weight off my face, neck, back and hips.  So This positive report propelled me to start a walking regiment with the encouragement of my daughter.  Another major accomplishment, I am no longer in excrutiating pain while walking.  Who knew I would feel better so soon.  I look forward to picking up the pace and get serious about my goals.  I feel i can really do this with the help of Miz Missy (My Sleeve).
Updated on 17 Sep 2015:
Can You see a difference?  Its subtle, but my face and stomach has shrunk.  More to come later.
Updated on 1 Oct 2015:
My weightloss has been slower than expected.  I have only lost 4 pounds for the month.  It makes little since to me with having the Sleeve and all.  I have been at a stall going into my second month.  I lost more than this on my own.  But always returned to my previous weight and then some.  Well I will have to learn patience because I know I have a crappy scale.  I am slowly shrinking but I need to boost my exercise routine because my metabolism sucks.  My next appointment is Oct 26.  I hope to drop 3-5 pounds by then.