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Marlo lost 100 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Marlo lost 100 pounds. Weight loss surgery did not work for this proud mom long term. In fact, she faced life threatening complications. After she recovered from that ordeal, she went cold turkey with her eating habits, started drinking green smoothies and exercised regularly. Check out what she shared with us about her journey.

marlo before and after

That was me a little under 4 years ago (before photo). In 2007, I decided to have weight loss surgery because I wanted a solution I thought would be a quick and easy way to finally lose weight and keep it off. I had the Lap-Band surgery and I lost about 50 pounds. In addition, the doctor had me taking Adipex (an appetite suppressant containing Phentermine), which is terribly unsafe.

Then, I became pregnant with my son. I gained most of the weight back that I’d lost. I was able to lose some pounds after I gave birth to him, but later on I gained even more. The Lap-Band was giving me all sorts of problems and I just wanted it taken out. I was up to 250 pounds by then, so I had the band removed.

This was supposed to be a simple surgery where I would be out the next day. The problem was that the Lap-Band had kind of fused with part of my stomach and the surgeon royally screwed up trying to remove it. My stomach formed a stricture: it basically twisted into a knot making it impossible to digest anything. I was in and out of the hospital for 4 months and I couldn’t eat or drink. I had to be on tpn-iv nutrition for nearly 4 months. I had to see a specialist surgeon to fix what the first idiot screwed up. Going through that entire ordeal scared me beyond belief, because I almost died.

When I was finally able to eat and drink again, I totally changed my diet and went cold turkey. I cut out sugars and carbs for 6 months. I am a smoothie junkie! I make a lot of smoothies packed with fruits, vegetables and greek yogurt with added protein. My favorite smoothie is baby spinach and kale, strawberries, pineapples with tropical greek yogurt. It fills me up and gives me the energy I need to start the day. One thing that works for me is that I don’t deny myself little treats sometimes, but I’ve mastered portion control. If I want a root beer float one day, I order a kiddie size, which is about 4oz.

I’m a mom of a 7 yr old boy. I also work and attend grad school, so my schedule can be hectic. I try to workout at least 2-3 times a week. I have an elliptical machine at home and I use that most of the time. I love dancing and Zumba and will even get my son in on it as well! I would like to get into a gym to do some weight training and toning soon.

It took me about a year and a few months to lose 100 pounds. My height is 5’3″.

I’m not knocking anyone that has had weight loss surgery. I just want people to know that weight loss surgery isn’t always the only option. If I had exercised, ate right and kept with it, I never would have had to go through that horrible, traumatic experience. And for what? For nothing. Losing weight and adapting to a healthy lifestyle isn’t easy, but it’s totally worth it. If I can do it after 32 years of bad eating habits, failed surgeries, etc, anyone can do it!

Instagram: @MinaKai08

Mindy lost 25 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Mindy lost 25 pounds.  This proud mom has faced a number of challenges and obstacles on her weight loss journey and she has not given up.  She has thrived and is on a mission to be the most healthy mom she can be.  She is still on her journey, but she shared her story with us…

mindy before and after

I am 31 years old, a wife of 7 years and Mom to a beautiful 20 month old girl! Me and my husband tried to have a child for 4 years before I got pregnant. When I got married 7 years ago, I was at my goal weight of 180 pounds and felt like a million bucks! Of course, real life set in and major changes went on in my life after that.

I moved across country from Boston to California and a year after that my mother passed away. I was devastated, fell into a deep depression and gained 50 lbs in less than a year. In 2012, I after being told I may never get pregnant I focused 100% on getting healthy and changing my sedentary lifestyle. I lost 60lbs and joyfully got pregnant! My pregnancy was far from a breeze, going on bed rest at 5 1/2 months due to going into pre-term labor. You can only imagine how much weight I gained (35-40 lbs). I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and had to take insulin. Once I delivered, I lost about 20 lbs and felt great then the stress of being a working mom set in and I packed on the pounds putting me at a whopping 255 pounds.

I knew I was overweight but somewhere along the line I lost interest in myself and my health. As a registered nurse you can imagine how disappointed in myself I was. I would set out to lose the extra pounds and be great for a month or so. Then I’d revert back to my old unhealthy ways once I didn’t see results immediately. The moment where I said enough is enough was when I was sitting in the doctors office 16 months postpartum at 255 pounds and was diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Fyi: my Mom died from complications of diabetes. I knew then I needed to change my life for good!

I began working out 3 times a week and have since lost 25 pounds. It has been a long hard road and I am nowhere close to the end of my weight loss journey, but I am proud of how far I have come. I still want to loose about 55 lbs and I believe that I can do it. I have become a Beachbody coach because I feel it will help me in my journey and in turn I can help someone else. Losing weight is the most difficult thing I have done but I know the pay off is going to be worth it. My main driving force is my daughter! She deserves a healthy mom and I’m going to give her that! Follow me on Instagram: @fitdva

Brandy lost 94 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Brandy lost 94 pounds.  She is a survivor of sexual abuse and a woman of faith who wants to use her story to inspire others.  Here is what she shared with us about how she changed her lifestyle and found success.

Brandy before and after

Hello, my name is Brandy. I am 30 years old and I started my weight loss journey about 5 or 6 months ago. My starting weight was 353.8 pounds and my current weight is 259.8 pounds. I now have less than 100 lbs to lose until I reach my goal weight of 170 lbs.

In September 2014, I had to have an emergency surgery. I flatlined and died in the recovery room. When they brought me back to life I knew I could never live the same. Inside I knew that my weight was the reason for the complications. I changed how I eat, think, and live. I haven’t had a soda since May 2014. I drink nothing but water, except on sunday only when I have a  low calorie low sugar juice with dinner. I didn’t eat pork, beef, rice, bread, or pasta on my journey.  I also haven’t had anything fried since August. I am into making my own shakes (mostly veggies and protein powder).

I have a treadmill so I do an hour in the morning and 30 minutes before bed. I also wear a sauna suit when I clean my house everyday with the heat turned up so that I sweat like crazy. I try to sneak in a workout while doing day to day things. I park far away when I go to the store or mall so I have to walk longer. I strength train 3 days a week.

I have been given a second chance and I’ll never look back.  I love life like never before. It’s my goal to help all, especially my black women, to get healthy. I have a weight loss group I just started and my Instagram page @Know_mo_secrets.  I also have a YouTube channel.

Brandy weight loss

Obesity in Black America

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One in 5 people die from weight related illnesses and complications.  In many recent studies, Black Americans have the dubious distinction of having one of the highest rates of obesity in the US according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). To be considered obese, you must have a body mass index* of 30 or higher. To be considered morbidly obese your body mass index must only hit the BMI of 35 with health complications, or have been measured at 40 for at least five years.

Obesity in Black America There are many theories of why the Black American community has such high rates of obesity, none of which have been conclusively proven as true. It is generally accepted that the cause is a combination of culture and genetics. Complicating the issue is that Black Americans don’t simply suffer from just a Black American culture that promotes obesity (there’s a debate on that), they are influenced (as all Americans are ) by the general American culture which also promotes a lack of activity and poor diet.  That leads to obesity across ALL racial categories. Here are just some of the major complications that you risk by remaining obese or seriously overweight. Losing weight radically reduces risk of death or health complications from each of these conditions.

I feel that it’s time that we face the health issues below and start to educate ourselves and our communities about the risks and how to turn these trends around!  Let me know what you think in the comments section.  Should we consider the studies that come out a call for action or is it all just more “bad news” about Black People?

Type II Diabetes

Black Americans are prone to type II diabetes, an acquired form of diabetes related to obesity. While this type of diabetes is on the rise in the US across the entire population, it is becoming more prevalent among Black Americans under the age of 25. Diet and exercise that lead to a return to a healthy weight and normal blood sugar levels can quickly remove the need for managing type II diabetes with medication and therapies for many people.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure and obesity go hand in hand. While the American culture emphasizes treating high blood pressure with medication, rather than emphasizing prevention – the Black community is at a disadvantage as many of the current medications have not been rigorously examined for their benefits on the genetic profiles of Black adults. While this imbalance in clinical trials is slowly being corrected, thinking you can rely on a medication to control your high blood pressure may not be realistic for everyone.  Having open communication with your doctor and other medical professionals is key to finding the right therapy that works for you.

Mortality

1 in 5 Americans die from weight related illnesses. Being obese, or even just overweight, can decrease your life span by increasing the strain on your heart and inviting in life threatening conditions that could be avoided. Due to high obesity rates, some Black Americans face shorter lifespans (Some studies show that this increases our mortality rate when compared to other racial groups in the US).

Weight-related Illness and Complications

More Black Americans are being diagnosed with weight related illnesses from diabetes to joint pain to pulmonary and breathing disorders than ever before. Excess weight can have an effect on the efficiency of your lungs and other vital organs as well as depressing your immune system and metabolism. It is also thought that being overweight can complicate your recovery from surgeries and other illnesses as fat acts as fast absorbing neutralizer for many medications and antibiotics.

Stroke

Obesity comes with high blood pressure and is also commonly associated with heart disease and poor cholesterol health. When you combine these elements together, there is a radically increased risk for stroke. Having a stroke can happen at any age. Being obese increases your risk of stroke and can also complicate your recovery from one.

Arthritis

Extra weight increases pressure on your joints and can act to reduce circulation. All of this can combine to an increase in mobility issues and arthritis. In many cases, the normal medications used to relieve arthritis pain are not as effective in patients who are obese as their weight is not taken into account with the dosage. If weight is taken into account, there is a secondary issue of potential toxicity or dependence due to the high medication dose.

Cancer

Recent studies have conclusively linked belly fat to an increased risk of breast cancer. It isn’t belly fat that is specifically the issue, it is the particular fat cell type called an estrogen receptor cell which is most common in the stomach area. Older studies have long shown a direct link between being obese and an increased risk of the following cancers: esophagus, pancreas, colon and rectum, endometrium, kidney, thyroid and gallbladder.

*Note: I know that many people dispute the validity of BMI in determining health, but it is the measure accepted by the medical profession at this time.  I also realize that the info I’m talking about in this article is based on research and studies that many may not agree with.  Many time the reaction I hear about info like this is that it stereotypes us or that “they” are saying that we are all fat and unhealthy.  My intention is to bring forward some info to make us all think about how obesity and weight-related illness is affecting our community.  We can look around our families, co-workers, friends and the whole of America and see that weight and poor eating is affecting the health of many.  It’s time that we stop dismissing the stats that DO on some level correspond with what we are seeing.  I’m not saying that every study is accurate…but every stat and study is not wrong.

Find out more

Dr. Tyeese Gaines – How obesity has become a part of black culture

The Office of Minority Health – Obesity and African Americans

US News – Blacks have highest obesity rates in US

National Cancer Institute – Obesity and Cancer

What are the Dangers of Gastric Weight Loss Surgery?

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weight loss surgeryWeight loss surgery is not for everyone.  We celebrate the stories of black women who have used weight loss surgery as a tool on this site because we believe that it is a viable option for many people and that they are under a doctors care.  We also assume that they were aware of all of the risks and potential complications involved with weight reduction surgery.  For many, the risks out weight the benefits and they are blessed to have successful surgeries.  For others, that is not the case.  It is a very personal choice.

Anyone considering weight loss surgery of any kind should seek out ALL information available from their doctors and other medical professionals about the risks, including death.  I’m not a medical professional but I’m going to present in this article an overview of information that I’ve gathered to get you started.

There are extreme benefits to surgery.  There are also serious risks associated with weight loss surgery, and the dangers are very important to understand.  While the serious dangers of weight loss surgery do not necessarily have a high chance of occurring, when they do occur they can be debilitating and life threatening. There are also some risks that are not life threatening, but problematic and they are equally important to know.

I’m going to focus on the 2 most common procedures – The gastric sleeve and gastric bypass?

The two most common types of weight loss surgery are the gastric sleeve and the gastric bypass. With the sleeve (also known as sleeve gastrectomy), a portion of the stomach is removed to reduce its size. This will result in making you feel full faster to encourage weight loss. With gastric bypass surgery, a section of the stomach and sometimes the intestine are reshaped to change how food is processed through the body. Neither is without danger, and both are irreversible procedures, which are the reasons why there is much to consider before going ahead with weight loss surgery.

Potential Life-Threatening Dangers of Weight Loss Surgery

  • Surgical – The surgical dangers of weight loss surgery are the same for either type of procedure. There is the risk of infection, perforation, blood clots, and having a reaction to the anesthesia to name a few. There are a few rare cases of death occurring during bariatric surgery. There is also a high risk of lung and cardiac problems occurring, mostly due to the nature of the anesthesia.
  • Pulmonary and Cardiovascular – During and after surgery, there is a risk of lung collapse or the lungs filling with fluid. There is also a risk of a stroke caused by an embolism or blood clot along with blood clots forming elsewhere in the body. You can also experience a cardiac arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. The dangers of weight loss surgery also include an elevated risk for a heart attack.
  • Liver and Kidneys – Weight loss surgery also puts you at risk for kidney and liver failure, plus Hepatitis which can then go on to develop into cirrhosis.

Potential Complications of Weight Loss Surgery

There are several possible complications that can come from having weight loss surgery.  While these issues ma not be life threatening when they begin, can create complications that are.  Here are some examples:

  • Depression – Post surgical depression can be common after weight loss surgery.
  • Anorexia Nervosa/Bulimia – Post surgical patients may develop either of these eating disorders or both together. Without proper treatment, each of the disorders may be fatal.
  • Hypoglycemia – An erratic processing of insulin and blood sugar can also result as a permanent change to the body’s metabolism.
  • Reactive Hypoglycemia – If a situation called “dumping” occurs during surgery or directly after, in which food moves too quickly through the system, it is called dumping. This can lead to a condition called reactive hypoglycemia which is similar to hypoglycemia but includes an adrenal disorder as well.
  • Sleeve leakage, Internal leakage
  • Nausea
  • Chronic Pain
  • Digestive issues associated with the stomach and intestines
  • Infections
  • Hernia
  • Hemorrhage

Are the Dangers of Weight Loss Surgery worth it?

Every procedure comes with a set of worst case scenarios for how things can go wrong. Weight reduction surgery is no exception. That there are risks does not mean that it should be avoided all together. However, there are certain realities about weight loss surgery that should be considered before risking the possible dangers of having it done.

  1. Weight loss surgery is meant for people who are morbidly obese. This means they are in excess of 100 lbs. overweight and their weight is creating life threatening conditions. Anyone who is less than 100lbs overweight is generally discouraged from surgery as there are still other, less invasive and expensive interventions to try.  Exceptions are sometimes made for serious health issues, like diabetes and high blood pressure.
  2. Weight loss surgery by itself does not make you a healthy weight. You may lose significant weight with surgery, but not all of the weight.  You may lose too much weight and deal with “wasting”.  You may lose weight in the beginning  but then gain the weight back due to eating habits.  It is the start of a long journey to get to a healthy body that you have to commit to.
  3. Some people regain weight they have lost lost within one year of the surgery. They regain the weight because they never examined how they became overweight and made the necessary changes to their life style to keep the weight off.  No matter how good the plan is that your receive from your health care provider and surgeon…if you are not ready to follow that plan and change you lifestyle, it’s possible that you can experience weight gain.  Proper diet and adequate exercise are the only way to maintain a healthy weight, but you have to deal with emotional and situational issues, as well as your past.  Follow doctor’s orders and work to create a lifestyle that keeps you healthy and happy.

If you are considering the dangers of weight loss surgery, talk to your doctor about how real the risks are for you.  Make the most informed decision you can.

Britney lost 105 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Britney lost 105 pounds with weight loss surgery.  Her journey was not easy, as she had complications  and had to have a second surgery.  Read what she has to say about her weight loss journey below.

Britney weight loss

“My success story: In April 2009 at 310lbs I had the Realize Band Weight Loss surgery and after a year the band had failed. I was so depressed and defeated because after battling with my weight all of my life I thoughts I had finally found something that would work & it didn’t. So I ended up gaining all of my weight back plus 30lbs within a years time. I had reached 340lbs. I went back to my bariatric Dr & he said I was able to get a conversion because of all the complications of my band. A conversion is when they take the Band out & convert you to the Gastric Bypass. So in April of this year I had the conversion to the Gastric Bypass and now in November I am down 105lbs. God is Good!!!  I eat high protein foods, I do eat carbs I just don’t overload on them. I make sure I have a good amount of fiber in my diet as well. I exercise just with basic living. Park far away, take steps instead of elevators, I try to do Zumba twice a week with my busy schedule.”