42, and by the Grace of God I'm Going to Make It to 43! - Frederick, MD

Weighing in at almost 350 my pressure was unstable, and I was tapping on diabetes door. My legs ached all the time and my energy level sucked. Uncontrollable periods my health was becoming a mess. Being slapped on a second pressure medicine, including a cholesterol medicine I became depressed. Yet, I became angry, because I didn't want to be on all these meds. Both my GYN and internal medicine docs agreed it was my weight. This was the final straw! I couldn't live like this anymore, and medical concerns bothered me, as well as my doctor's. I was going to strike out, or have a heart atttack if I didn't get this weight off. I feel it when I slept. Sleep apnea was included to my list...so my decision became final in November of 2014 and my journey began. Seeing a nutritionist, understanding my flaws in eating I was able to pinpoint I was drinking my calories. Once I did away with the fruit juices. I dropped 10 pounds easy. Moving me closer to my 5% of my weight goal. In total I lost 16 pounds and let me tell you, I fought to keep off before my surgery. There was a 4 month pause before my surgery due to my job, but I did it! I had my surgery on August 3rd, I'm 2 weeks post op and on stage 2 of my eating. Only on purees. I lost 18lbs one week after surgery. Weighing in at 318, last Monday. As of yesterday I weigh 306! I'm telling I never thought I would see the day when my numbers would go down. I always get stuck around mid twenties, but to be in the low numbers almost in the two hundreds is unbelievable! I'm just shedding pounds. My new stomach is still a lot to get use to. I haven't adjusted to my new cut off point yet. Drinking too much:) I love water. But to over eat is not kool. I had a teaspoon too much, and felt miserable. With that experience I tip toe now:) Look, it's trial and era, and I'm not reall looking forward to food food, but I know I need it to move forward. It's all still sinking in, but I'm up to my new journey. I embrace the road ahead of me. Leaving behind all the negativity. I own this moment, no one or thing will steal it. I just have to take it easy, and remember this is a big deal. Don't allow anyone to minimize it! I'm returning to work on Monday, 28 pounds lighter:)Also, I had herna repair while under, he took care of me in one swoop. Can't wait to hit the gym and start Zumba!!! Stay tuned!!

I'm weighing in at 303lbs. As of 8/22/15. I'm off my two pressure medicines and high cholesterol meds!!! I'm still on purees and I'm still struggling a little with my cut off point. It's a mental thing and a retraining of the mind and eating process. Went two cookouts this weekend, and i literally wanted to cry. I stood my ground, sipped my water and ate the inside filling of one devil egg:) that was as close to puree as i could get. I'll be better prepared next time. Carrying my protein shakes and applesauce. By this time next year I'll be able to have half of a turkey burger:)

Monday will be my second post op appointment, I'm quite sure I'm moving onto solids. Not looking forward to it because my stomach still doesn't like food totally. I actually chewed a small piece of roasted chicken until it was puree consistency. It went down ok, but chewing your food 30 times is a lot to get use to. I will update on my next phase and my new weigh in!