Twanda S.
NEW UPDATES AT TOP OF PAGE!!!
3-12-08!!!!
WOW!!! I cannot believe it has been so long since I have posted to this site. Last post was 2002. Obviously, I have been extremely busy loving my new life. I have entered into a new career path(Real Estate and Insurance Sales). Now that is something 200 pounds ago that I would have never, ever, ever thought I would be doing. But I love it. I love meeting new people. I've had my ups and downs especially in my search for a vitamin that would keep my levels at a healthy level. FINALLY FOUND THAT TOO...In Shaklee's VITALIZER!!! I haven't felt this good since I was in my teens. In fact, I believe in their products so much, especially with Oprah backing them.... That I jumped on board and became an Independent Distributor... Love all the new opportunities that have presented themselves... Oh, I almost forgot...Had a healthy little girl in Dec 2006. Talk about surprises...especially since my son was 12 years old. Reflecting back over the last 7 years...THIS WAS THE BEST DECISION I COULD HAVE EVER MADE. Feel free to contact me if you want to chat about my journey.
THE BEGINNING!
I have spend all of my life trapped inside myself by this wall of weight. At the tender age of 8 months, my doctor decided to take me off of formula and place me on skim milk(What a stupid decision). That didn't solve the problem. My weight continued to balloon until I was hospitalized at 8 years old for obesity, placed on a 500 calorie a day diet and forced to exercise for 1 hour a day for the 5 days I spend there. I did lose weight, but could not sustain it after my release. That was just the beginning of a lifetime of diets. I have tried every day that has ever come along. Even as a teenager I was checked into a
9-11-00 My first consultation with the surgeon. I was very nervous but she helped me make an informed decision to definitely have the surgery. Now we wait.
9-28-00 Received approval from insurance company today(YEAH). Now I just have to wait for scheduling. Hope they don't take too long.
10-4-00 Well, I finally have a date. NOVEMBER 9, 2000 will be the beginning of my new life. I can hardly contain myself-Joy, Fear, etc...
10-26-00 Well, the time is drawing near. I had my upper GI/gallbladder exam this morning. Not so bad. Just getting down to crunch time. I guess I won't post again until I've reached the other side. Go for my physical/history and pre-op screening next week and then the journey begins. Keep me in your prayers.
11-3-00 Okay, I've had all my test done now. I had my pre-op screening on Nov. 1. Now, it's count day to new life. I have to admit I am very nervous about everything. The surgery, my relationship with(FOOD), life as a slim, heathy, NORMAL person. I have never been thin and I'm having anxiety about getting there. I can remember laughing about how life would be as a normal person and now it is within my reach after 33 years(Whole life). I have to ask how will I act, will I really change. Guess we'll finally see. Well I'm off to the other side. Remember Nov.9 in your prayers. What an Opportunity God is giving me- the chance at a new life... I AM TRULY BLESSED. What a mighty God we serve!!!
11-15-00 Well All Praises to Jesus!!! I have finally made it to the other side. I have to tell you, there were times during this last week when I wondered had I done the right thing. My surgery went off without a hitch. But then they couldn't wake me after it. So, they gave me meds to reverse my anethesia(probably misspelled). Anyway, I woke up alright SCREAMING. No pain meds.. I have never experienced pain like that. Child Birth is lightweight compared to waking up without pain meds. Of course this was just the start to a horrible night at CMC(Local hospital) Could not get any cooperation from the nurses on Thursday night. My mom was frantic, I was completely out of it(pain).. By Friday morning, My wonderful surgeon came in and raised the roof off the hospital.... Got things moving in the right direction. I stayed longer than I expected in the hospital and was released Tuesday. It's SOOOOOOO Good to be home. I want to thank everyone for their wonderfully kind thoughts and prayers. The people I have met through this website have been such a blessing to me. I have to praise God for bringing through this and NOW MY NEW LIFE CAN BEGIN. STAY TUNED.
1/10/01 Hi Everyone! I am now two months post opt and doing great. I have had some challenges over the past month but am finally seeing the light. I spent most of this last month throwing up. Either from the wrong foods or eating tooooo fast. But that is finally slowing down. I feel like a new person. I returned to work today after being out 2 months. Two of my co-workers passed me in the hallway and didn't even recognize me. I couldn't believe. I hardly know how to handle the compliments but I'm sure I will adjust. My life is becoming very interesting. I never realized how differently people treat you. Well, anyway,(drumroll please).. As of Jan.8, 2001, I have lost a total of 60 pounds in 2 months. YEAH!!!!!. I will try to update regularly. See ya soon.
3/9/01 Well Hello Everyone! It has been a while since I updating. Life without weight is pretty interesting(good and Bad). I have been trully experiencing life instead of eating it. I went to my PCP on Monday and Whoa...93 pounds gone. Praise the Lord from Whom all blessings flow. I can hardly believe that the weight is literally falling off. I can hardly keep up. My attitude is going through a major upheaval.. I just don't know how to take it some days.. I don't smile all the time now and that is so shocking to people. but what they don't realize is that it was just an act. I was busy stuffing all my feelings so I could smile all the time. It's funny how this surgery has not only helped me lose weight but is also helping me find my TRUE SELF. Well until later. BE BLESSED!!!
5/9/01 Well Happy 6th Month to me!! What a trip this has been. I went to see my PCP on the 4th and IT's UNOFFICIAL BUT 103 pounds down.. CAN YOU SAY "YEAH" I can't remember the last time I was this small. My PCP almost didn't recognize me when she turned around and I was standing in front of her. She gave me something to help with the mood swings. BOY WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT HAS MADE. I feel more like myself or should I say my new self. I've taken some new pics need to try to load a before and ongoing after. Life is very interesting. Still uncomfortable with all the attention, but I am sure it will grow on me one of these days. Everyday is a new experience. I can hardly keep up, but that's okay. God is still in charge. My prayers are with everyone considering or who are in the process of having this surgery. It definitely makes a difference. Just be prepared for change on so many levels.. Hard to explain, but society definitely treats you different when you're thin or (thinning). Anyway, continue to be blessed.
7/9/01 Well Hello again. I am officially 8 months post opt today. Officially 110 pounds down. Life has been pretty busy and pretty good. Really enjoying things that I haven't done in a long time. Like wearing pants. It seems that now that I am in regular sizes, all I want to do is wear pants. I can never remember pants fitting this good. People are still complimenting which I am taking better now. I actually had a big HAWAIIAN Party, got all dressed up in my floral print capris and red shirt. The party was a bang. One of my friend guys was shocked when I got all dressed up in my best hawaiian get-up. Anyway, life is good. I thank God for this surgery and my surgeon is a God sent. I just love her and her nurse. My emotions are doing better as well. Well, continued blessings on you all. Till the next time. ALOHA!!!
1-14-02 WOW! It has been quite a while since I have updated. Time flies when you're having fun. Let's see where do I start. Let's start with the big stuff. I have lost over 145 pounds. I feel like a new woman, literally. I have more energy than I can ever remember having. I am not skinny but boy do I feel good. This surgery is definitely the best thing I could have done for me. God really knows how to give direction. Let's I am no longer with my employer. I was laid off back in September, but you know. It's okay. I have had time to concentrate on me. Boy is that fun. Seems like even being out of work has been a blessing. God is providing for me in ways I never dreamed possible. I guess that's all I say at this moment. Gotta run! LITERALLY!!
11-9-02 "UPDATE" I can hardly believe that it has been 2 years today since I made the decision that has forever changed my life. I have had to work very hard this year to get my weight loss moving again. I hadn't gained any weight but for the longest time I hadn't lost any either. In fact now I have stopped relying on the scale to tell me about my success and to watch my clothes size go down and down. I am now in a size 12 or 14 some 16 depending upon the style. I love to shop now it's fun to go into any store and not have to worry about whether I will be able to squeeze into something. I am still unemployed and looking for work but even that doesn't bother me that much. I am just happy to be alive, to be loved by myself and others and just BLESSED beyond my wildest dreams. I joined the gym in April and have been faithfully going 5 days a week. I love it. Whoever thought that those words would ever come from my mouth. But I do, I love going to the gym. My relationship with food has changed to -- it doesn't have such a grip on me anymore. I still on occasion eat when I'm not hungry but it's usually just a little bit of something and then I go on with living life. Sometimes I wonder if the addiction of food will ever leave. I guess not but that's okay too. For the first time in my life I feel "normal" atleast by society's standard. Life is good. I definitely made the right decision 2 years ago. To anyone struggling with the decision, I can only say you have to do what you think is right and will bring you ultimate happiness and for me this surgery definitely helped me. Be blessed and stay strong.
