Let’s show some BWLW love to Lesa who has lost 123 pounds. She decided to have gastric sleeve weight loss surgery after dealing with a number of chronic health conditions affected by being overweight. After dealing with the loss of her closest relatives and having to be put in a medically induced coma, she realized that she had to be here to support and love her children. Here is what she shared with us about her journey:
I’ve always been overweight, as far as I can remember. It was “cute” when I was a chubby toddler and never shed any of the extra pounds. I grew up in an “overweight” family. I was raised by typical Black Country fed, homegrown, soul food grandparents. My mom was the type of woman who loved being a voluptuous woman and I inherited that gene.
I loved being voluptuous, plus sized, etc. it wasn’t until I realized that as I older, I got bigger. My entire adult life I was 300+ but by the time I was 37, I was up to 390 lbs. Now with health problems, single parenting, losing close family members and juggling too much that I started having severe health problems; namely Sleep Apnea, Congestive Heart failure, low immune system, and Pulmonary Hypertension (which caused me to go into respiratory distress October 2010).
After being in a medically induced coma for 21 days I woke from the coma and my first thought was “Who took care of my babies?” They already lost my mom and grandparents and were on the verge of losing me!! My mom passed away at the age of 45 years old and it was heartbreaking to me and my children. She had a multitude of health issues including diabetes, high blood pressure, & CHF that if she lost weight she might still be alive today. I was finally diagnosed with Tracheal Stenosis after being hospitalized three times. Then, I had to have an emergency tracheostomy February, 2011. I was told by numerous doctors that I would have the trach for the rest of my life due to extensive scarring to my trachea from the intubation.
One of the medical specialists that told me that I would have my trach removed in December of 2012. My trachea healed. I discovered that Medicare paid for gastric surgery and in May 1, 2013 I had my first consultation. Initially, in 2009, I planned to get the Lap Band (I’m glad that things didn’t work out for me to get it). I researched the gastric sleeve and found people that had the surgery. After months of planning I had my surgery October 31, 2013.
Weight Loss Surgery is a tool, not a miracle cure for obesity. It is our responsibility to make the right choices. I sometimes start to eat things like I’m a trance. Not realizing what I was doing until I’m in mid bite. I’ve discovered that my comfort food and drinks aren’t so comforting. Now, I love veggies, fruits and WATER. Lots and lots of water. I do not get caught up in the scales. This is the one thing that I cannot stress enough. It is not good emotionally if you get all of your sense of achievement from the scale. I just keep in mind that this is a Marathon and NOT a sprint. My workout routine is walking. I walk everywhere and climb stairs. Imagine me, a person who loves to shop having to use the motorized cart in Walmart or having to sit down while shopping at the mall…or flat out not going to the mall at all! Imagine not wanting to go anywhere because your fat is basically insulation and you are constantly hot! Now, I have energy and don’t mind cooking, cleaning, walking or climbing the stairs.
I’m still in transition and I’m only 9 months post-surgery and have lost 123 lbs. and my current weight is 267. Initially, I wanted to be 225 lbs. or a size 18/20, however my ultimate goal is to just be healthy. I recommend joining a support group as I seem to be having identity issues post-surgery. I’ve always been comfortable being plus sized that now that I’ve lost weight I can’t identify with the person I see in the mirror. Daily what I am thankful for is that I’m not plagued with health issues and I’m going to be around to be a parent to my daughters!
Today’s Encouragement!!!! I am a busy wife and mother of 4 minor children. I was sick & tired of being sick & tired, and feeling unattractive! In October 2013, after being diagnosed as pre-diabetic, I made the necessary changes in my lifestyle & diet that I can & will follow for the rest of my life with God’s help, love, & guidance!!! You can do it too. It’s never too late!!! Seek Him. After all, God designed you, and knows what it will take! I lost all this weight in a matter of 6 months. Majority was lost in the first 3 months. I found the NutriBullet fruit and veggie 
My name is Aliyah, I’m 26 years old. I just realized how much weight I lost and I couldn’t be more proud of myself! I lost a total of 66 lbs over 18 months. After graduating college, I realized I had gained a freshmen 50+ instead of a freshmen 15. I did high intense cardio classes (Tae Bo, Insanity, Kickboxing & Step Interval) four times a week. I also stopped eating after 8pm on weeknights. Although I wasn’t consistent through the entire 18 months, I am more than happy about my results thus far! I was 250 lbs and I now weigh 184 lbs (5’4″). My goal weight is 175 pounds!!! I can’t believe how close I am!!!!!!! My motivation: Well, someone asked if I had a baby since college since I had gained so much weight. I have no children so that was like my “end all to be all” moment. I HAD to make a change immediately! I didn’t diet, I made a lifestyle change. I only made changes that I could see myself doing for the rest of my life.
Good Morning! I wanted to share my update with you. Since my story feature back in March I’m down 8 more pounds (I was 160 lbs then, down from 250 pounds). I now weight 152 lbs and I’m down to a size 8 . I have started a group page “I can, you can for weight loss”. This group page has allowed me to reach men and women encouraging them about getting their weight under control. This page is about daily prayer, daily motivation and encouragement. I continue to workout on my home I have incorporate weights lifting to tone my body. I have been working out during commercials breaks which has encouraged my whole family!! My goal is to reach people and encourage them that they too can achieved weight loss! I’m currently in process of starting Nonprofit Organization to reach men and women around the world. Thank you for this opportunity to share.
