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gastric bypass surgery

Desire lost 151 pounds with gastric bypass

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Desire lost 151 pounds with gastric bypass weight loss surgery.  She lost not only pounds but also suffered the loss of her home due to a fire.  Through it all she says that she gained a lot this year.  This is one lady who will not be discouraged or turned around.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

Desire after gastric bypass

“My name is Desire Brandi Lofton and I would like to tell you how excited I am that I lost 151 pounds in 13 months. At my highest, I weighed 296 pounds. On December 10, 2012, I had gastric bypass surgery. It was one of the most difficult, painful, stressful, rewarding, honest, and enhancing journeys of my life in 34 years!! People told me I was taking the easy road.  They said I wouldn’t lose all the weight I wanted to and that it wasn’t hard. Nothing is further from the truth!! I have had to change my relationships with people, places and food. Most importantly, I changed my relationship with myself. I look back over this year and I lost a lot: a home to a fire, my dogs, all my belongings, my job, money, family members and friends and a whole person! However, I have gained so much wisdom!! I have learned to love this new me, love others and love God more for all that He has brought me through! People tell me I’m too thin now.  They say I am I sick or on drugs. No way! I love this new frame and new mindset. I will continue to work hard to keep it going. I tell others not to be discouraged; let the haters motivate you and push you to your goals. How you choose to get there is between you and God!”

Olivia lost 102 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Olivia lost 102 pounds with gastric bypass weight reduction surgery.  She went from a size 20 to a size 9.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

Olivia weight loss surgery

Hi my name is Olivia and I would like to share my story and pics with you.  Back in 2009, I had weight lost surgery and I lost over 100 pounds as a result. I’m so happy I did it. I’m a diva now and enjoying life.

I changed my eating habits from fast food to only cooking healthy food.  I am going to the gym at work and drinking lots of protein shakes.  Fashion and looking sexy was my motivation.

I was a size 20 in pants and weighed 257 pounds.  Now, I’m a size 9 and weight 155 pounds after having gastric bypass surgery.  I saw results right away but after a year I was at my ideal size. My advice to other women is do what is right for you never let fear get in your way of a new and healthy happier life

As I think back on my life I’m must say that I am truly blessed. I use to sit in a corner crying at night because I couldn’t stop myself from eating.  God gave me the answer. He heard my cry. Today, not only I’m I a fashion diva but I am new inside and out.

Ashley lost 130 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Today’s weight loss success story: Ashley lost 130 pounds with gastric weight reduction surgery, changing her eating habits and exercise.  Here is what she shared about losing the weight:

Ashley before and after

“My motivation was myself! I was tired of being so fat and I couldn’t wear nice clothes and heels.  Also, I wanted a healthy life. I decided to have gastric bypass weight loss surgery. I got it on December 5, 2011. It was the best decision I’ve ever made because in the past I tried dieting, diet pills, exercising, etc. After the surgery, I completely changed my eating habits and I exercise all the time. It has given me energy and a new outlook on life. In a year, I lost 100 pounds.  My current weight is 185 today.  I’ve lost a total of 130 and I just celebrated my 2 year anniversary for my surgery!!! My advice to others is if you need that extra push then get the surgery but make sure you’ve really tried everything. AND remember nothing happens overnight.  It takes hard work and dedication.”

Lanise lost 158 pounds with Gastric Bypass surgery

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Lanise.  She lost 158 pounds with Gastric Bypass weight loss surgery.  After years of using different dieting methods, she is very glad about her choice. Here is her weight loss story:

335 lbs to 177 lbs! After years and years of Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, diet doctors, etc, Gastric Bypass was my last option. I love that after 4 years(this November) I still get full after a small meal! Yes, I have to take vitamins, calcium and b12s for the rest of my life.  I’m fine with that! My only regret is not doing it a decade ago!

My motivation: I was tired of carrying around this weight, tired of my back hurting and I wanted to travel more.

Eating habits: Once you have gastric bypass your are forced to change your eating habits. I hear a lot of people say that weight loss surgery is an easy way out, but in all reality it’s not. It’s a lifestyle change. You can not longer eat the huge portions. Some foods that you used to be able to eat, you may not be able to tolerate them. After 4 years post surgery, I still eat small portions, eat on smaller plates or on plates with sections.

Workout routines: I walk a lot and I try to get a least two days a week in the gym.

Advice for others: Do what’s best for you. Whether it’s weight loss surgery or doing it on your own, just be motivated and have faith in yourself.

Lanise weight loss photos

Tanya lost 80 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Tanya who has lost 80 pounds.  This petite 5 foot tall lady was dealing with polycystic ovarian syndrome, insulin resistance and high blood pressure.  Weight loss surgery worked for her.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey:

Hi my name is Tanya and I just wanted to share part of my weight loss journey. My highest recorded weight was 301 pounds at 5 feet tall. I suffered from pcos (polycystic ovarian syndrome) which causes one to be insulin resistant, along with a slew of other problems. I also was suffering from high blood pressure. While in school, preparing to be a medical assistant, I noticed I was eating more, moving less and tiring easy.  I was opting for the elevator from the first floor to the second floor. Not liking this feeling or the way I looked, I was motivated to do something…but what? I had already failed at every diet under the sun so I decided to talk to the surgeon who had previously removed my gallbladder and have gastric bypass surgery.

On 12/18/12 my surgery was performed. Now, almost 10 months later, I’m down 80 pounds. I eat dramatically different now; low carb, low fat and very small portions. I also workout five times a week. Recently, I added strength training to my exercise program. It’s not a quick fix.  Surgery is not a easy way out.  There are plenty of days when I want to give up but I don’t want to go back to high blood pressure.  My blood pressure  has been great since the day after surgery. I also don’t want to trade my size 18 jeans back in for size 28. God has blessed me. I have none of the bad side affects associated with gastric bypass surgery. Even though I suffer from severe depression and bipolar disorder, for the most part I’m happy knowing that I’m on the right track to a healthier me.

Tanya weight loss story

LaTanya lost 140 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Latanya wrote in to us to share her story.  She had gastric bypass surgery and has lost 140 pounds.  Here is what she shared about losing the pounds and changing her lifestyle:

“Hello my name Latanya.  My starting weight was 380 pounds. I have been on every diet known to man. On December 23, 2011, I had gastric bypass weight loss surgery. With diet and exercise, I have lost a total of 140 pounds today. I have learned that this way of healthy living is now my lifestyle.

My motivation for my weight loss was health reasons. My doctor told me that I needed to start taking high blood pressure medication. I knew in my heart that I didn’t want to be on medication for the rest of my life. I joined the local YMCA in my town.  It took a total of one year for me to lose 140 pounds. I have changed my eating habits by not bringing junk food into my house. I workout six day a week to stay heathy. I also belong to plus size social club where I am the wellness coordinator.  There, I share healthy ideas and workout to my sisters, but not in a pushy way.”

Latanya weight loss photos

Brandy lost 175 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some love to Brandy.  She lost 175 pounds over the course of 2 years with weight reduction surgery and changing her lifestyle habits.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey to greater wellness:

Hello, my name Brandy.  I was 410 pounds at my heaviest weight.  I decided to have the gastric bypass on may 26, 2011.  I am now at 235 pounds. I have lost a total 0f 175 in two years.

I am a native of Mobile, Al where I currently reside. I decided to lose weight with my mother Mary McDonald in mind as my inspiration. My family medical history was a nightmare; diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure, etc. I was 410 pounds after I had my second child and began to have pre-symptoms of diabetes (pre-diabetes). I watched my mother take insulin shots all my life, so I didn’t want to go down that road. Therefore, I decided to look into the gastric bypass surgery.  Several woman I worked with had the surgery done and where looking great.  It was the hardest thing I have ever done for myself!

I didn’t want to go through all the medical problems my mother had to go through. Unfortunately, I lost my mother to her 8th Heart attack on July 14th 2013. For anyone trying to loss weight, who is truly serious about a life change, I would say that for me the surgery was the best decision to me. Every aspect of your life has to change, from eating right to keeping up a with an exercise routine. I would not change my decision for nothing in the world!

Brandy weight loss surgery photos

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.

Denine lost 150 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight Love to Denine.  She lost 150 pounds with gastric bypass weight loss surgery.  She feels like she has a second chance at life.  Here is what she shared with us:

“A little over a year ago, on July 24, 2012, I decided to make a change of life decision.  I decided that I wanted to live to see my grand children and possible some great grands as well.  I had gastric bypass weight reduction surgery performed. My beginning weight was 362 pounds.  I am now 212 pounds  I have lost a total of 150 pounds.  Making the choice to have weight loss surgery forced me to change the way I eat.  I also changed the way I think about life. Adding exercising to my weekly routine helped too.  I feel great and no longer do I suffer with sleep apnea.  I am not tired all the time.  I went from a size 26 to a size 12. My eating habits: I cut back on carbs. Now, I drink only water and my portion size has decreased.  My weight loss goal is to get to 180 pounds.  I do exercise 3 times a week.  I would not change the decision that I made.  Event though it was not an easy journey, it was well worth it. God gave me a second chance at life. I thank him everyday and I don’t take it for granted.  I stay committed to living a healthier life every day.”

Denine weight loss

Gina Tracey lost 132 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Gina Tracey.  She lost 132 pounds with gastric bypass weight loss surgery.  Here is what she shared about losing weight:

Hi, my name is Tracey and I’m from Ft. Lauderdale. I had gastric bypass weight reduction surgery on August 17, 2012 and I’ve lost 132 pounds within the year.   Having surgery was one of better decisions I’ve made, after trying so many other things to lose weight. I feel better than ever at 46 years old. Your BWLW Facebook page is truly an inspiration and I’m glad to see so many women making a change in their lives.

My starting weight was 300 pounds. I now weigh 168 pounds. My motivation to lose the weight was imaging myself at the size I use to be in high school. Once the nutritional classes I took after surgery taught me that eating the right combination of foods and eating several small amounts throughout the day would change my life, my life did change. Protein is the key to successful weight loss after gastric bypass surgery. When I eat my meals now, protein and veggies are my first priority. I am now working with a personal trainer for my toning process.  God Bless

Gina gastric bypass