I am very grateful to have had this operation. I finally feel as though I have a permanent solution for my weight loss, and not some temporary fix like those I've attempted in the past. The friends I've told (my angels) have all been very supportive. My hospital stay was very easy (easy being a relative term :). I only stayed in the hospital 2 days, praises be to God. It is now (during the time of this update) 11 weeks after my surgery. I've lost about 53 pounds. I've actually begun to buy a different size in clothes. I'll post an update later; it's Spring Break and I promised myself 5 miles per day! I'll keep you all posted, and thanks for your support and kind words.

October 25, 2006 - Wow....Ten months have passed and I cannot believe I have lost 115 pounds. God is faithful. Many people who have not seen me in a while, pass me without knowing who I am. (that is the funniest thing to me.) I'm still working out and trying to work my tool as I am quite a ways from my goal. I want to lose about 60 more pounds. Well that's all for now. I will update later regarding some of my wow moments and other surgery-related issues. Take care and God Bless.

November 30, 2006 - OK, time is flying by...I am almost a year out and I just added new pics. I'm beginning to see more of my mother in me: I've been told all my life how much I look like my father, so that is one major difference.  At any rate, I'm looking forward to more weight loss. Thanks in the meantime for reading this post. I hope it helps you. 

 December 19, 2006 - This time last year I was about to undergo one of the most lifechanging experiences I would ever have - weight loss surgery. What a year it has been...God is so faithful to me (I cry as I write this...) Oh God I honor YOU. I adore You! There is indeed none like HIM!!! I glorify Him and praise His name forever! Who is like the Lord? I just cannot articulate the magnitude of appreciation that is in my heart right now. I would love to tell you how He rescued me after my mom died when I was 7 years old...and how tough my life was during my childhood, and I would love to tell you about the struggles of putting myself through college...there is so much I want to tell you and will tell you, but right now I need to go and worship the Most High! Before I go, let me just assure or reassure those of you who are reading this - HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU!!! I can remember crying out to Him at 7 and you know what? HE CAME!!! HE CAME AND HE STAYED! People came in and out of my life, but you know what God stayed and saved me and raised me, and filled me, and I owe him all! Well, gotta go tell God exactly how I feel...I'll be back a little later!

December 27, 2006 - OK I'm back...so anyway, I've started to change up my workout to try and break this plateau. Ironically, and I've never really believed this, but I am losing inches because I can now wear clothes now that I was not able to wear a couple of months ago, but the NUMBERS on the scale have not moved (Argghh!) I won't complain though. If you are reading this and contemplating surgery, please know that sometimes the scale won't move (up or down) and that can be a good thing if you are not gaining weight. Just know to keep the faith, don't give up - keep trying. Have a good day...oh yeah I have some wow moments I'd like to talk a little about. What is up with the people-not-recognizing-me stuff? That is funny...also people I've ALWAYS been much larger than, are now larger than me (and they ain't happy 'bout it!) - haters...and my students think I'm shrinking day-by-day and they fronted me about it right before school let out for the winter break. ok... love, peace, and hairgrease!

April 13, 2007 - I apologize to those checking this profile for not updating regularly. If you are someone who is considering wls, please know that there will be months when you will not lose any weight, but you still have to work your tool to the best of your ability. I say that because I really have been working hard with exercise, increasing my protein and water intake and for months, my weight did not move. However, tonight I was able to fit in 3 different brands/designers size 14 pants (skirts and dresses I've been there)...That is the coolest thing to me! I was bursting out of 28s pre-op, and if I would allow honesty to prevail, I really could have worn a size 30. I thank God for allowing me to use this weight loss tool and I pray for the mind, will, courage, strength, zeal, and skill to maximize this tool. There is absolutely nothing in the world with wearing a 14, but I want to go as low as a size 10 pants. My tops are always smaller which is cool, but today although I am staying away from the scale for a while, I am voicing my appreciation to God for allowing me to wear a size 14 pants. To God be the glory. In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Peace and blessings to you.

May 21, 2007 - Not much to update...the scale is moving again - I told you not to give up. I'm getting more people not recognizing me so that is cool. I feel like I'm going to lose the rest of the weight I want to lose (at times I'm doubtful)...God is faithful and I bless Him for any success I've had thus far...It is ALL because of Him! Take care.

 March 21, 2008 - It is so sad how I have not updated my blogs. Well I feel overwhelmed with the need to convey a message to anyone who may be reading this who is either considering surgery or who has recently had wls. Ok, today i went to the doctor today and I hate scales, i hate to look at them... i hate everything about them... so the last time i went i had lost about 6 pounds (i snuck and looked after she went to write down my weight).... today when i went, i had gained 5 freaking pounds and i am so saddened about this. I have gone to the gym every single day!!! And i wasn't playing around while i was in there either. My cycle is just about to leave, and that could be the culprit, but i wanted to have seen more loss. It has been a while since i have been this discouraged in my journey... Lord please give me what I need to get myself up and going again... i want to continue to lose. Last year I had a major health situation with endometriosis and that halted my weight loss and I gained about 20 dreaded pounds.  Well I had just got myself back together from that and I had begun to lose again... I just want to see a continual loss is what i'm discouraged about. Ok, just know that obstacles may arise, but we are more than conquerors on this journey... Successful people do encounter problems; they find away to obtain success in the midst of storms, problems, and adversity... be blessed and if you are reading this i speak success to you on your weight loss journey... whether you are post-op, pre-op, no-op... want to lose or want to gain... God's favor to you...

April 4, 2008
Well for some reason (and I am glad about it), it looks like I've begun to lose again... either inches or pounds. In either case, I'll take it! I'm too afraid of the scale so going by my clothes, it's all good. Now, onto the subject I cannot believe I've not divulged, the opposite sex. This week, well I'd say for the past two weeks, I've really been feeling sexy - like sexier than usual. Maybe that's something we all go through on this journey, but I so hope it lasts. I'm feeling more appreciative of my curves and thickness. I don't want to be skinny. I want to be smaller than this, but not skinny. I would like to chill with thick-fine. (Which is a relative term) All I mean is I want to appreciate whatever size I am and work it to the fullest. I've been getting a little more attention these days, but not from the brothers I want... it's been from the brothers south of the border. That's cool, I ain't trippin' on that - I'm just saying is all. And a trusted friend who happens to be a major contributor to my feelin' sexy all the time, well,  he is SO like feeling this sexiness.... and judging by my last update, the attention is appreciated . I've had my initial consultation for my brachioplasty. I'll keep you informed while I look for 7 grand to finance it... take care, be blessed and be encouraged!


May 18, 2008
An old friend reminded me of something I want to share with whoever may be reading this: "Hast thou not known, Has thou not heard.... that the Lord the creator of Heaven and earth, fainteth not, neither is weary. There is no searching of His understanding. He gives power to the faint, and to them who have no might, he increases strength. Even the young man shall faint and be weary, the young men shall utterly fall, BUT they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall walk and not get weary, they shall rise and never fall. Wait I say upon the Lord." Be encouraged my brother and my sister - don't give up!!! You hear me.... Don't quit!