I have been overweight most of my life. As a teen I weighed 160 at my lowest. I had my first 2 children and by my 30's was around 280 to 290. I was having skin problems what seemed like severe psoriasis all over my body especially the back of my neck and scalp. I had to start taking Glucophage to manage my Adult onset Diabetes. I knew I had to take action to shed the weight and improve my health.After extensive research I felt like the risk of weight loss surgery was not as high as the issues I had with my weight. I had tried everything to lose weight. I tried weight watchers, medical liquid fast, exercise programs and would lose minimal weight due to being insulin resistant. I had been diagnosed with polycystic ovaries in my early 20's. After gastric bypass in 2004, I got down to 180 to 190. The lowest weight after bypass was 172, which was during my Law Enforcement Academy. The academy was a boot camp style setting where I was required to run 5 miles a day, participate in extensive exercise, spar and participate in obstacle courses 4 days a week. In 2011 we moved because my husband got new orders, he is active duty Navy. I was at home full time which I was not used too. I changed my depression medication. I ballooned up to 230 in a period of 10 months. I worked with my Doctor get off the new medication and changed to a new medication. I visited a Biatric Surgeon and had everything check with my Gastric Bypass. My Stoma was dilated, the opening that empties the stomach into the body. What that means is that my restriction was gone, I felt hungry all the time because my stomach would empty out quickly after eating. I decided to do band over bypass to allow restriction again.I decided to incorporate jogging into my daily life. It took almost a year to make a habit and I hated every day. Now I can’t imagine my life without it. I had band over bypass in June 2013. I got back down to 180-195. I had an apron and a lot of loose skin. I wanted to be 160 to 170 before any plastic surgery, but realistically I have plateaued at 180 to 195. I decided to start my plastics in hopes it would allow me to move pass my plateau and enjoy exercise and life in general better.I had a Corset abdomaplasty and Arm Lift on June 26, 2014. Insurance paid for my panniculectomy and I paid the balance for the Corset abdomiplasty and Arm Lift. PS gave me 3 choices between an extended Tummy Tuck, Fluer De Lis and Corset abdomiplasty. I choose the corset because of the amount of skin from the weight loss. It was also the most expensive. After insurance is applied for the paniculectomy…. I still paid 4000.00 for the arm lift after a discount. The abdomiplasty portion of surgery was 6222.50, Corset fee 3277.50. Total out of pocket for my surgery 13,500.00. This was a sacrifice for my family and we had to finance the entire portion.I wanted to document my journey to help others in their journey. There is not a lot of information or postings on the Corset technique. I hope this helps others. Also I need some support as I go through this phase of changes. Updated on 1 Jul 2014: I am sharing these pictures because I want to help others in making decisions and go through the difficult processes. I am not shy and I am a open person. I hope these pictures help anyone through their journey. I had Corset Abdomiplasty and Arm Lift June 26 2014. I will post pictures Thursday which will be one week Post OP. Updated on 8 Jul 2014: I am very swollen, I am concerned about not seeing a hourglass torso, which is an advantage to the corset technique. Very sore. Meds control pain well. Updated on 8 Jul 2014: Still swollen, I survived a fall in kitchen with just a few staples lost. It was a miracle, my front falls practiced in my law enforcement field saved me. Muscle memory made me fall in plank position and my legs were suspended on the kitchen drawer someone left open that I tripped over. My tummy never hit the floor. Only my for arms, I had turned my face due to my training being engrained in my mind anytime I felt a front falling sensation. I also had arm lift, so that would have been ugly. Thank you God for protecting me!! I do see less swelling and more of a hourglass shape, feeling guarded excitement. I hop I have a lot of swelling left. My abdomen protruding has had me worried.

I am so ready, I have lost 24 lbs during pre op dieting. I have become so "disciplined". I started my journey right before the holidays. That was my true test. During that time I lost 13lbs. I have learn that foods that are not good for me is my enemy. I will post my updates after my surgery. Fingers crossed!! Updated on 10 Feb 2016: Surgery was a success. Day 2 was a challenge. The good thing is I work for the hospital and I knew from a clinical standpoint that the pain meds were too strong. I had them stop the pills and made them give me liquid pain killer instead. That made all the difference in the world. I was discharged today.yay! Updated on 13 Jun 2016: It's been 4 mths and I have lost 36lbs since my surgery date. I am down from a size 14 to a size 10. Sometimes Size 8. My shoe size has shrunk too. EveryonEveryone tells me I look 10 yrs younger. That is so good to hear. The only side affects I have is hair loss (which should stop in a couple of months) and smelly gas. I bought Devrom online which has help with that. Other than that my Blood sugar levels has gone down and my metabolism is working the way it should. Updated on 7 Jul 2017: I have lost a total of 70 lbs. I weigh 150 now and I have been able to maintain it. I know what to eat and I work out at least 3 days per week. My knees feel great and I have so much more confidence. Updated on 7 Jul 2017: 150lbs

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.

Sleev Gastrectomy. I've been over weigth all most all of my life. I've tried all kinds of diets and fades I cant even count. I just recieved my call today from my pulmonolgist that I've been cleared for surgery. Yay!!! That was the last clearance that I needed to be able to keep my September 20, 2013 surgery date. I called my husband with the good news. He is so supportive with this life changing experience to better my health. I'm sooooo excited and want the days to come fast. I still have a little butterflies in the bottom of my stomach. Next week I start my liquid diet.