Devona lost 450 pounds!

Amazing Transformation: We got an update from Devona. She is still losing weight!

Update 10/14: “I just want to say that I love your pages, on both Facebook and Instagram. I read those amazing women’s stories everyday. I wanted to give you an update of my progress. As I mentioned before, I started at 730 lbs. After weight loss surgery and a lot of hard work through exercise and diet, I am now 257 lbs. This has been a lifestyle change for me. It’s also a daily struggle, but I am determined to beat obesity. I want to encourage everyone one, whether they have to lose 15 pounds or 500 pounds it can be done with hard work and determination. If I can help and motivate just one person, I have done my job. I am living proof! Thanks again for all you do.”

Update Feb 2014:  Originally, we featured Devona’s story back in Aug 213, she’d lost 300 pounds. Now, she is down 450 pounds from her starting weight of 730 pounds.  She opted to have weight loss surgery to change her life, but she had to lose 100 pounds pre-surgery to qualify.  Read more about her journey below…

“Hello Ladies of BWLW. My name is Devona Gaines. I wanted to give an update on my weight loss journey. This page has been such an inspiration to me. I read everyone’s stories and get the motivation to keep going. As I reported back in 2013, my highest weight was 730 lbs. I was extremely sick. I suffered from congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, was insulin dependent with diabetes, had sleep apnea, hypertension, etc. All these health issues were a result of my morbid obesity. Well, I finally decided to change my life. I had gastric bypass weight loss surgery in March 2013. This procedure completely changed my life. I no longer have those medical conditions, and I am only on one medication.

In my last post, I had lost 300 pounds. Well, I have made great process. My total weight loss is now 450 pounds. My current weight is 280 pounds. I have not been in the 200’s since high school. To God be the glory!  My motivation was LIFE. Simple as that! I wanted to actually live my life. That was not possible at 730 pounds. I was a prisoner in my own body. Now, I have a new found freedom that is hard to explain. I have kept my pre-op eating habits which includes a high protein low carb diet. My workouts have increased. I am able to move so much better, so I have started walking more.

I started this process in January 2012 and I am still a work in progress. There are pros and cons to having to lose so much weight, but trust me, the pros more than outweigh the cons. I have Devona back. My advice to others on my journey is to keep going. Whether you have 40 pounds or 400 pounds to lose, it can be done. Just take it one day at a time, stay strong in prayer, and keep moving. It is never too late to be better!!! That is my life’s motto!!”