Hello RS, I have decided to share my journey because I have stalked this site for information for almost 8 years. Let me tell you, the RS community is everything! I am 42 with a 25 year old and an 9 year old, my weight has always been an issue for me; there were times that I would gain 20 and loose it with proper diet and exercise, no bigee! Honey, but after 35 not properly maintaining things can get out of hand! I realize now it's just about keeping the balance, always choosing YOU first and being kind to yourself (let me tell you it isn't rocket science but it was a struggle to understand). Fast forward to 2013; I was overwhelmed with the office, two year old and teenager, new house, husband - I just wasn't present and although I looked like I had it together on the outside - life was getting out of control. I realized (my aha moment) at my grandfather's funeral; I didn't want to go to because I didn't want anyone to see me at 298 lbs./ size 22 - but I had to be there; it was my beloved grandpa! I didn't want to take pictures; I didn't want to speak before the family. Someone got a pic of me and it was at that moment when I reflected; I was like WTF with myself! I needed help and I sought out Dr. Titus D. Duncan at Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics here in Atlanta. In October of 2014 I underwent a bariatric sleeve (VSG) no complications - just followed the rules! My insurance covered the procedure, I sought out group physical training at my gym and simply committed to the life change! I initially lost 130 pounds! Now I got from family members, you are loosing too much weight" - I should have learned to tune that noise out! Lol! 2019 Well here we are...I'm like I need to do this for me, all this loose skin (HITT, protein, personal training just ain't doing it). and I simply want to be the highest expression of me - wanna live my best life! I'm am realistic, don't want to be a video vixen, but I want my pre-mom body back and to be able to confidently wear an outfit without the illusion wear garments underneath (Spanx, booty lifters, etc) 2020 I have secured my surgery date for 7/30/20. Stay tuned for my mommy makeover journey with Dra. Fatima Almonte with photos and info I researched to follow!
Very patient doctor, has patience and took the time to address all of my concerns. Staff was friendly. He has 2 convenient locations. Most of your clearances can be completed in house. Unlike other bariatric clinics, I would have had to driven all over the place to see different specialists just to get my clearances.
I have been over weight most of my life. I have always heard "You are cute to be a big girl." I hated it. I have done all kinds of diets and pills I've lost some weight but it always comes back plus some.I'm so tired of the yo-yo effect and I just recently had a baby girl so my weight is really out of control. I have a few health issues hypertension, borderline diabetic and high cholesterol. I don't want to not be around to raise.my daughter so when my doctor suggested the sleeve I started my research. I have heard good and bad reveiws but in the end they all say they are very glad they did it. I'm glad to say I'll be getting sleeved in a month and I am so excited. I want to thank all of you for your stories and sharing your journey it has helped me in ways I can't express. I will be back posting pictures and sharing my journey . Stay tuned Updated on 28 Oct 2015: Hello everyone just wanted to give an update on what's going on. I have about 3 more weeks before I'm sleeved. I am so excited and nervous. I will be 42 on Saturday God willing and I am so looking forward to leaving the old me behind forever. I don't ever want to go back to being 325 pounds ever again. I want to thank you all for the kind comments and for all the great stories that I have read. I will be posting some pictures soon so as I go along I can share as well. I'll be back soon. Thanks everyone Updated on 17 Nov 2015: I am so excited for today I get sleeved. I want to thank you for your comments and b-day wishes. My surgery is at 10:30 today. I will try and report later tonight or tomorrow. I'll also post pictures too. Be blessed everyone until next time. Updated on 21 Nov 2015: I am finally sleeved and I am so thankful everything went great. I've had little pain and minimal gas. I am thankful that I am home but it's been had to rest on the bed so I've been sleeping in a recliner and it's been fine. I feel full all the time and I have to get used to drinking or eating feeling this way. I don't regret anything I'm just grateful. I will stay in touch with my weight loss. Thank you all Updated on 1 Dec 2015: Wow I can honestly say that I made the best decision getting sleeved. I must say I have had No problems at All.l am so thankful to God for being with me and allowing this opportunity. I am healing nicely,my incisions are looking great. I have my post op visit this Thursday and I am looking forward to it. I didn't have any gas problems I have been able to keep everything down and I am feeling really good. I try to walk at least two hours a day and follow the direction from the doctor. I must admit Thanksgiving was hard because I used to love sweets and boy did my family throw down LOL but I made it and now I know I have to keep pushing and doing my part. I am having a hard time posting pictures but I'm going to keep trying. Thank you guys for all you support and encouragement. I'll be posting on Thursday to let you know my progress.
Mu surgery is in two days May 15, 2015.......stay tuned l will return with the full story....too week from the 3 PreOp diet of clear liquids. One more day to go.....l do have enough strength to say...my HW was 215.lbs... CW is 204.5 and my surgery weight in two days (TBD) to be determined. GW is 130 .lbs.......Be Blessed Beautiful People ! Updated on 13 May 2015: Hello My Beautiful Friends. When l said l would bring you along this journey with me ......all the way l meant it......so we are about to enter the land of becoming a brand new me.......see you all when l wake up ...zzzzzz ! Updated on 13 May 2015: My sleeved stomach is sooooo sore but that is to be expected. Walking is not so bad. l can feel every Sip of water being deposited in my new "Water Well".. Lol ! The only time l threw up was when l got home and had to take those darn chewable childrens asprin. l think my pouch was too full of water, so it rejected it. Taking my. Gas Ex Strips. No gas pains just burping a lot wbich is good....Oh by the way my Surgery weight was 201.1 thats 14 .lbs down before surgery. Well my Beautiful Friends. .....Been a long day but could not call it a night without sharing my day.....By th way if l can ever post photos witout the "RealSelf" System kicking me off l will. .....Good Night...Zzzzzz ! Updated on 14 May 2015: Correction to my previous post.... Now if you have reached,read the literature or have already been sleeved you know we can NEVER take another ASPRIN in our lives.........l meamt to post above that the only time l threw up was after taking the CHEWABLE CHILDREN VITAMIN with IRON.But again l am sure l took it too close after sipping lots of water. l am so sorry l never want to post inaccurate information as this site is always meant to help and share. Updated on 14 May 2015: Hello My Beautiful WLS Friends...my first Night home after surgery was an expirience l could have done without...Whew ! ! !....Let me begin by saying there was absolutely NO SLEEP happening last night. I was in pain even with the Meds. l walked,walked,walked to help relieve the horrible gas pains that was in my back shoulders and neck. Then l sipped, sipped and sipped trying desperately not to become dehyrated. Don't know the Medical Term for that blowy thing you have to blow in to keep your lungs clear anyway l blew,blew and blew (10 times each) ....omg! let's not forget the restroom part. Yes I Tinkled, Tinkled and Tinkled again l guess from the bags of fluids they pumped into me....So NO There was absolutely NO SLEEP FIRST NIGHT HOME. Today is a better day. Will fill you all in on that later My Beautiful Friends....stay tuned. Updated on 14 May 2015: Hello my Beautiful WLS Friends & Community. Today was a better day for sure. Because l had no pre-existing medical conditions, not on any meds my insurance approved me due to my 39.9 BMI at 5'0". l say this to explain l had no luxery of spending even one night in the hospital. Was sent home several hours after surgery which a little rough for me but l survived Now on to this first full day PostOp. l no longer feel like l was "gutted like a fish". Got the nicest followup call from my surgeons office today. l am glad they called because they reminded me to begin my Gummie Multi and all liquid forms of Vitamins (No Pills) yet. So l had multi gummy vitamin and gummy fiber and Liquid B12 and a Liquid B Complex. l am nolonger bent over like a neanderthal...l am proud to say l am still walking slow ...but upright as l should..Yeah. ! l also loved the idea someone posted on youtube about putting your sugarfree jello cups in the freezer to make a slushy or an Italian Ice cup....ummm yummy. lt has taken me two days to chip away at it but so good...try it and tell me what you think? We have to be creative on this Liquid Diet. Before l log off wanted to say what's even crazier is NOT FEELING HUNGRY,...now that's amazing ! First PostOp Dr. Visit tomorrow will let you all know how it goes.....Good Night My Beautiful Friends! Updated on 15 May 2015: Hello my Beautiful Friends. ...not feeling too well today. l am sipping, sipping and sipping my water but for some reason l JUST STOPPED TINKLING last night.....My bladder feels full but nothing is coming out anymore......THIS CAN NOT BE GOOD.....l am.glad my two day PostOp appt is today. l will inform you all of the findings. Please keep me in your Prayers my Beautiful Friends and l will keep you in mine. Updated on 19 May 2015: Hi My Beautiful Friends of the WLS Community, I have missed you all so much! Last I left you 4 days ago......I was having an issue and I was not able to Tinkle right after surgery and was very concerned. Thanks for the many comments and for so much of your concern. Yes I am fine. (THE GOOD) The surgeon says that is not uncommon but it should not last longer than 2 or 3 days and he was right. (THE BAD) I lost my cell phone at my first 2 days PostOp appointment which is why there has been an absence of me posting anything. It still has not been found so looks like I will be getting a new one because I can't stay away from all of you too much longer.(smile) Well now here is the (THE HONEST TO GOODNESS TRUTH)......The only regret I have about my VSG is that I did not have it done sooner !.......My highest weight was 215 -HW My surgery weight was 201.1- SW - and today my Current Weight -(Drum Roll Please !!!!!!) is 192.4 lbs......6 days Post-OP and a loss of 8.7 lbs....Wow that is Amazing ! When I began my Pre-Op diet I was 215 lbs therefore I have a total loss since beginning my Pre-Op diet of 22.6 lbs. I am so Happy !.......Well my Beautiful Friends I will sign off now and will be back on with Regular Postings and Updates as soon as I get my cell phone issue straight....Take Care and Keep Working that VSG Tool if you do it will surely work for YOU ! Updated on 26 May 2015: Hello My Beautiful Friends of the WLS Community. I have missed you all but l am back. Tomorrow l am officially 2weeks PostOp. Not sure if all surgeons require another EGD but mine does.....Therefore for the 3rd time this month....l go back under anesthesia...Zzzzz !....5/11/15 had an EGD 2 days prior to surgery to make sure my Liver was fine and the coast was all clear.....then 5/13/15.....was the Big Day....now tomorrow 2weeks later 5/27/15 have 2 week PostOp EGD to make sure all is healing well, no leaks and scar tissue is forming over staples as they should......thought l was over liquid diets but did one last hoorah today and nothing after midnight......Give you the Skinny on me when l awake.......Keep me in your Prayers My Beautiful People........Zzzzzzz ! ? Updated on 27 May 2015: Hello My Beautiful Friends. My two week PostOp went Fantastic. Could not wait to get back here and share it with you all...Well let's get right to the numbers.......l started this journey as most of you know on my Birthday Jan 24, 2015 at my highest weight of 215 lbs and l am only 5'0".........l am happy to report as of today 2weeks post surgery l am 190.1 lbs knocking on the door of the 180's (happy dance ????) !.....That is 23.9 lbs from my HW and 11.0 lbs down from surgery two weeks ago. But nothing made me happier than rushing back here to share the numbers with all of you. l do have one question....are there others out there that are always extremely cold since the surgery ???? Just curious forgot to ask the Doc about that. It is almost summer here in Atlanta. Last night not only did l pull out the electric blanket......l plugged the Sucker in and heated it up. (Slept like a baby) Lol !...Please share .... so l don't think as l continue to lose weight l am also loosing my Mind ????......Until Next Time My Beautiful Friends ! Updated on 29 May 2015: Hello my Beautiful Friends . Today l bring Important Information. As Bariatric Patients by week 4 we should begin our Calcium Citrate weather in a , pill, Chewable or liquid form. We Must Protect our bones from becoming Brittle at all cost.....Here is what l discovered by a Bariatric Surgeon. PLEASE ENSURE the First Two Ingredients reads.....Calcium Citrate......Not Calcium Phosphate which is a derivative from animal bones Nor should it read Calcium Carbonate which is a derivative of sea shells....if your calcium says either of these two Instead of Calcium Citrate please make the change as soon as possible....should you need to research yourself please Google it or YouTube ..... Dr. Matthew Weiner....That's my WLS Community Tidbit for today My Beautiful Friends....Until Next Time ! Updated on 1 Jun 2015: OMG ! .....I am at 186 freakin lbs. I have not seen the 180's in about 10 years. My Beautiful Friends....you have no idea how ecstatic l am right now and more importantly how happy l am about my future as a healthier woman. Until Next Time My Beautiful Friends......Take Care of The New You....Going to look in the mirror again wanna make sure that person staring back is still ME....Lol ! Updated on 2 Jun 2015: Hello WLS Friends.....is there someone at RealSelf tech support l can contact or can someone tell me what l am doing wrong? Each time l attempt to post a photo ???? the systems knocks me off. I have tried many times. Any suggestions? Updated on 7 Jun 2015: Well my Beautiful Friends the ( Scale ) stalled on me for 5 days...Yep !.... just sat there everyday staring back at me with that same number...186.7 lbs. Because of all of you sharing your past experiences with me regarding (stalls) l knew it was temporary so l only (panicked) a teeny weeny bit. l only weigh myself every 2 to 3 days anyway. I don't want to become a scale Addict. I am already in recovery from being a Carb Addict. Don't want to pick up another addiction for sure...Lol ! But this girl was happy to see that scale move today believe me. It finally moved from 186.7 to 184.2. I took those 2.5 lbs picked up my resistance bands and went back to work......my Pup and l enjoyed most of the Sunday outside walking, running and playing. That scale moving was motivation for me to just keep doing what l have been doing. So l leave you all with this quote..."The Victory of Success Is Half Won When One Gains The Habit of Setting & Achieving Goals" Og Mandino.......Until next time my Beautiful. Friends be Blessed and Take Care....(My Stats)... Highest Weight -HW 215......Surgery Weight-SW 204.5.....Current Weight-CW 184.2.....Goal Weight-GW 135 lbs....6/10/15 will be 4 weeks postop. Updated on 10 Jun 2015: Hello Beautiful People. Told you all I would check in today and I am happy to say I am (four) weeks PostOp and enjoying life. I am so happy and amazed at how fast the time has already flown by. What's even more amazing is watching my body change and getting clothes that have been in the back of my closet for ..well you know...a while...is CRAZY ! Many of you (Sleevers) advised that it is important to take advantage of those first 6-8 months. That will be when your body is at it's fastest losing pace and the race will slow down sooner than you think. So keep drinking your water, take your vitamins, eat the right foods, stay hydrated, exercise and start enjoying your New RealSelf ! This time four weeks ago I was not such a happy camper with the Gas Pain, the Surgery Pain, just second guessing my decision. Today 20.8 lbs lighter and I am already seeing the new woman that has been bursting to get outside of my body and play for years. My dog (Sweetie) just sits down sometimes with her tongue out as if to say (where did my ole owner go because you are killing me lady). She is only 8 lbs so I let her just sit sometimes and watch me work until she is ready to rejoin me (which she soon does). I have so much more energy now. At week 4 I can now begin my Calcium Citrate, I have been taking Calcium just not the Citrate. My surgeon recommended because of the limited food & nutrient intake in (stages 1-3) that it was best to wait until food stage 4 to begin the Calcium Citrate. With the intake of so little food the calcium could possibly build up and deposit in my arteries instead of my bones which is ultimately where we need and want it to deposit. ( FYI )..... I found Calcium Citrate with Magnesium and Vitamin D3 in a get this ... (Liquid Form) at GNC for $24.99 and it's a good size bottle. Also check out LiquidVitamin.com -- you will find many of the name brand vitamin and protein shakes & bars that you are already taking at a discount, Just search what you are looking for on the site. All over $40 is free shipping so Check it Out. QUOTE: "Having a problem is not an issue .... as long as it is not the same problem you had Last Year". Hmmmm ..now that's some good food for thought ! That's all for now my Beautiful Friends so until next time....Take Care of your Real Selves ! (My Stats)... Highest Weight -HW 215......Surgery Weight-SW 204.5.....Current Weight-CW 183.2.....Goal Weight-GW 135 lbs....Down 20.8 lbs in 4 weeks ....48.2 lbs to GW ... (smiling) Updated on 21 Jun 2015: Hello my Beautiful Friends....so sorry about the delay in reaching out to the community. I have been enjoying life and setting small goals and working to achieve them. Again l continue to say this surgery was the greatest thing l have ever done in my life for myself. Now let me get to being Embarrassed & Excited. Well l have been lifting weights, using resistance bands and walking around the track at a nearby school. I decided instead of continuing to walk it was time for me to Attempt to....Run, Jog or Trot...you get the picture... just do something else other than walk people !.....Lol l decided the small feat would be to start by trotting around one full lap and that would be my short term goal and accomplishment .... So off l go...l was pacing myself because l really really wanted to accomplish this. As l forged ahead l could see my starting point and this seamed like another small feat l could check off my bucket list....when..... ......my darn jogging pants ( Fell Below My Butt ).....OMG !....... Without thinking l looked around to see if anyone else was on the track before even reaching to pull my pants up...it was late evening because l always wait for sundown to attempt the track. One other person was out there with me but she was too away at the other end of the track to notice. So l pulled up my pants and LMAO...l could not stop laughing...they say laughter is good for the soul well my soul sure got full that day....l had tears from laughing so hard. Here is the best part....l ran to that finish point as fast as l could holding on to the top of my jogging pants because l was so excited. Yes excited that my clothes are finally falling off of me instead of squeezing me like they did before the surgery. Community be happy for all of your feats and accomplishments.....Big or Small just be Grateful for them ALL ! I have my 6 week checkup this week 6/25/15 so l will be back then to give you my stats since l have hidden the scale in the trunk of my car to prevent weighing myself everyday...Lol ! Until next time my Beautiful Friends take care of your Real Selves. ???? Evelyn in Atlanta ! Updated on 25 Jun 2015: Hello Beautiful Friends of the WLS Community: Checking in to say I am officially 25lbs down after 6 weeks. Today I am 48 lbs. from my goal of 135 lbs. More importantly or maybe I should say just as important is.... I can see my (Collar Bones) which I thought was in a witness protection program....Lol ! They went into hiding under all of my layers of fat years ago and now they finally feel safe enough to reveal themselves again...( Soooo Excited about that). Something about those collar bones being exposed.....just makes you feel skinny or at best... (significantly smaller). I was concerned that I was losing too slow however, the Dr. explained today since I was already near the 200 pound mark when I started that I would not see (drastic amounts) of weight loss but that I should just continue to see steady weekly/ losses which we are seeing. Next goal is the 170's from HW of 215 and from my surgery weight of 204.5 lbs. Well that's all for now ....going to stare at my Collar Bones some more in the mirror make sure they are still protruding and let them know it's ok to continue to stay revealed.... (Lol) ! Until next time take care of your Real Selves my Beautiful Friends. Always Evelyn in Atlanta ! Updated on 13 Jul 2015: Hello my Beautiful Friends...... Well l am only 8 weeks postop and this surgery has me crossed........l am so Happy ...l recently just crossed over into the ( 170's ) from the 200's ...OMG !!!! More News....l also crossed over to a smaller dress size.....started a size 20 which was quite snug.....and recently slipped into a 16 very comfortably to say the least...???? I am putting in the work following all the rules & required restrictions and .....By Golly..... this VSG Surgery / Tool is doing exactly what it's been documented to do. One more thing to add my Beautiful Friends before l let you go here. Would you believe l can also .....Cross My Legs.....hot diggidy dog..!!!! Haven't done that in some years....not since the last time l tried sometime back and caught a cramp trying to get them Uncrossed.....hahaha....wasn't funny then but it is now....Yes l felt so lady like crossing my legs recently. Just more signs and proof that the best decision of my life other than having my daughter was to be SLEEVED!! Take Care of your Real Selves Evelyn-n-Atlanta ???? Updated on 8 Aug 2015: Hi my beautiful friends..its been a while since my last post and l have missed you all. Progress is good about to cross over into the 160's here shortly and l am so excited. But here is what l have to clue you all in on...... Who knew l would start enjoying Running.....OMG. I love my strength training but l am truly starting to enjoy running as well....People it is 6:30 am in the Southeast and l am up and dressed ready to go...who knew what difference dropping almost 40 lbs could make.......l am a black girl and people....the only running l knew about is if something or someone was chasing your butt would you Run....Lol ! However l now have a knew perspective on running probably because l no longer experience knee pain that the extra weight was causing......l have truly missed all of you and wanted you say to the Experienced sleevers, love you and thanks always for the support....and to you New sleevers hang in there, stay true to your RealSelf and to your New Tummy and Life will soon shine a new light on you as well.......Have to go now my little Doggie is looking at me like l am crazy wondering why we are up so early.....Lol. Luv Ya and Bye for Now ! Evelyn-n- Atlanta ????
