I started my weight loss journey started in October 11, 2016.
I was set to have the Gastric sleeve but the surgery was cancelled due to the surgeon finding a gastric tumor.
So, I had to have this gastric tumor removed before I could continue with the gastric sleeve. I Thank God for his blessing in that they found this early before it developed into something worst. This tumor could have grown into a very bad gastric cancer.

I started at 342 lbs. and with help from my girlfriends (best friends in the world); I weighed in at about 326 lbs. prior to my surgery on January 31, 2018. I was discharged on my birthday February 2, 2018, what a birthday gift….

I have been struggling with hypertension and depression. I was on 4 blood pressure medications and anti-depression medications. The stress of the loss of my son at age 24 being murdered and taking care of my blind mother along with working full time and going to school full time was taking a toll on me and my body. I was slowing dying. I am an emotional eater and I ate instead of crying. Thus I began to gain more weight.

I have not regretted my surgery, which went very well and no complications. I had to ask the nurse the day after did I actually have the surgery because I did not experience a lot of pain as I had expected. There was some minor discomfort from the surgery but nothing significant.
I walk do exercise every day I have a personal trainer and on opposite days I do water aerobics one hour every r day.

I have osteoarthritis in my right knee there is no pain because of the stretching and water exercises.

I do track and keep a food journal of my daily food intake & exercise.

This surgery is my tool at regaining my life and living life more abundantly.

I am no longer on the anti depression medications and on only one blood pressure medication.

It is hard but I’m going to keep moving forward.
My goal weight is 170 lbs. and a celebration trip to Jamaica