Introduction

Hi everyone, welcome to my blog and weight loss journey through bariatric surgery. In 2017, I weighed 332 lbs. as you can see in my before picture. In February of that year, I wound up in the hospital with a saddle pulmonary embolism that had traveled through my heart. I am told that I am very lucky to be alive. I feel very blessed to be alive! I knew I needed to change my life but through the years I have lost and regained my weight over and over again. I needed something that would make me change. So, at the end of that year, I was approved for my first bariatric surgery, the gastric sleeve. That is where they remove about 80% of your stomach and leave you with a very small pouch. I had that surgery done in February of 2018 and lost 120 lbs. by December. That is when the scale stopped moving. I had hit a wall. Due to me being an emotional eater, I started eating things that were not good for me or my weight loss. Plus, at the time my dad was displaying signs of dementia. By October 2020, my husband and I had to move in with my dad and I became his full-time caregiver for the next 3 years. During that time from December 2018 to August 2023, I gained back 50 lbs. In 2023, I could not get the scale to move up or down. During the 3 years of taking care of my dad, he was my main and only focus. I was not taking care of myself at all. My dad passed away in August 2023 and after some time I wanted to get my weight off and get my life back. I went and talked to my surgeon who did my original surgery, and he thought I may be dealing with some hormonal issues due to me being 6 years postmenopausal. He told me about possibly needing a revision surgery, so I proceeded to make that happen. In October 2024 I had my revision surgery. That is where they go back in and reroute your intestines. I went from having just a gastric sleeve to the SADI-S. That is the jump start that I needed. I have re-lost those 50 lbs. and more. I am now in new territory. I haven’t been this size since I was 20 years old, and I am so very happy!!

Now, I welcome all of you to come along on my weight loss journey. We will explore food and convert it into healthy recipes. We will exercise. We will drink lots and lots of water. We will be eating a protein-forward and low-carb diet, and We will find joy in making positive choices.

This picture is of me at 332 lbs. and now at 209.9 lbs. 🙂

Have a Blessed Day!!