after weight loss

Quintina lost 70 pounds with weight loss surgery.  She really bared her soul in what she shared with us. After years of neglecting her body and medicating her life with food, she was diagnosed with a number of health issues.  She was moved by the serious health issues of her loved ones to change her lifestyle. Let’s show her some BWLW Love!

My name is Quintina. I would like to share my weight loss journey story in the hope that I can help others. In my adolescence, I always struggled with my weight. I often used food to cope with my emotions, disappointments, and tragedies that have occurred in my life.

After years of neglecting and mistreating my body, I developed some serious health issues. At the age of 20, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and morbid obesity. All of the illnesses were hereditary, but could have been avoided if only I would have taken better care of myself. At the time of my diagnosis I was in denial. I continued to live an unhealthy lifestyle, eat whatever I wanted and use food to cope with my emotional issues. I was completely numb and I really didn’t care about myself anymore.

I continued on a downward spiral over the years and reached my highest weight of 273 pounds. I was in an unhealthy relationship, depressed and my food addiction was at its worst. I really didn’t see the point of living any longer.
In year 2012, I had a major wakeup call that changed my life forever.

In March of 2012, my mother became ill. My mother also struggled with her weight and several other health problems. In April, my mother had open heart surgery due to 2 blocked arteries. It was painful to see my mother go through this ordeal and it made me think about my own health. My mother’s recovery was rough, but thank God she made it through. While my mother was recovering in the hospital she would often look directly at me and say: “You need to take care of yourself baby. You don’t want to end up like me. Please do something about your health.” She was right. It was the painful truth.

After my mother’s surgery I started to make small changes in my life to improve my health. I started power walking 4 times a week during my lunch and I also changed my diet. However, I still continued to struggle with my weight and emotions.
In September of 2012, my final wake up call occurred. My father became gravely ill. My father was in the process of getting a liver and kidney transplant. He had developed lung disease and kidney failure from years of abusing alcohol. Before my father was able to have the surgery his condition got even worst. He was admitted to the hospital because of complications of his illness and he died days later.

My father tried to improve his life, but it was too late. This shook me to my core. The pain of losing a parent and watching another parent go through open heart surgery was enough for me to take a look at my own mortality. It was time for a change! In August, I was going to turn “30” and I was ready to embrace change. I was tired of being “sick and tired”.
In April of 2013, I started the process of preparing myself for weight loss surgery. I had considered having weight loss surgery for over a year, but I wasn’t really sure if that was the best decision for me. After losing my father and nearly losing my mother I had finally made up my mind that I wanted to have Gastric Bypass Surgery. I researched the surgery and studies showed that having Gastric Bypass can significantly improve your blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. I believe that having this surgery was the best decision for me, in order to have success at weight loss and to improve my overall health.

On July 15, 2013 I had the gastric bypass procedure. The recovery was long and hard, but it was the best decision I ever made. I am over 6 months post-op. Along with the loving support of my boyfriend, friends and family, I was able to lose over 70 lbs. My diabetes is in remission and my cholesterol & blood pressure are under control. Not to mention, I am off all of my medications! I only take vitamins to supplement my diet. God is great! I am so blessed!

During your weight loss journey, it’s important to have a good support system. Weight loss surgery is only a tool for weight loss. There are Pros and Cons to weight loss surgery. This is a complete lifestyle change. This is not the easy way out! You have to be mindful about what you intake in your body, exercise constantly, and listen to your doctor’s in order to successfully lose weight and keep it off. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Everyone will not be happy with your success.

I hope that my journey will inspire others to take better care of themselves. Do what’s best for you. What works for you, may not work for everyone. Listen to your body, before it’s too late. “Be good to your body and it will be good to you.”

Take care,
Quintina
Instagram: @curlyq_rny83