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Wow! I can't believe how long it's been since I last visited my home here on OH!....

God is continuing to bless me and it's been 5 years since I've had WLS.  My mind, body & soul has gone thru a complete transformation...I have changed the way I think and how I live my life.  Living a healthy life is first & foremost.  Since I've had the surgery, my older sons have graduated from college, I am single & free, and I'm raising my 16 year old son and 12 year old daughter.  I still visit my bariatric clinic bi-monthly and take my vitamins.  I also eat at least 40 grams of protein daily. 

I would like to encourage those of you who are 4+ years or more to continue to be committed to livng healthy and making healthy choices.  It's so easy to slip back into "old" habits...I take it "one meal at a time"...I still plan my meals and eat small portions....

God bless & good luck to everyone!

Tanya

Greetings OH Fam!!
By God's grace, I am still standing and dancing my journey!  I have maintained a healthy way of living for almost 4 years!  I continue 2 visit my bariatric doctor and nutritionist every 2 months, I excercise twice a day and I still eat protein...I'm a healthy size 6 and I so amazed that God allowed me 2 live a "new" life.

Wow!  I can't believe so much time has passed since I last visited this wonderful site!  My journey is on-going!  Gastric bypass surgery opened up a whole new world!  I thank God for allowing me to "dance" this journey....it has been 3 years since I've had my surgery in New York City...I still eat protein, take my vitamins, don't eat sugar and visit my bariatric doctor & nutritionist at least every 2 months....I started out weighing 300lbs. and now I'm a comfortable 142-152lbs.  I've maintained a size 6 in dresses and size 8 in pants, jeans I can fit a 10....I work out at least twice a day and go dancing every weekend!  I broke off my engagement to Leon and I'm now in a relationship with Peter, a chef who I met years before my surgery.  My oldest son Earl will be graduating from college next month and my son Tay will be going into his senior at college, my son Anthony will be going to 10th grade and my daughter Desti will be going to 5th grade....God is good and I want to thank Him for his goodness and mercy.

I'm really syked that I was able to upload some pics!  So please check them out.  I had a tummy tuck in October, 2008 and a breast lift....I feel like a new person.  If you're thinking about having this wonderful surgery, just know that it takes committment, planning, prayer and perserverance.  Just remember, "All things are possible in God"....  I hope after reading my story you will be encouraged to "dance your own journey"....God bless and good luck!

Tanya

******* Big Gigantic Smoochezz 2 U All ********
Let me start by saying that it's been 4 months since I've made my last confession....I apologize for letting "life" get in the way.  God is truly amazing!!  I just can't stop Dancin' my Journey!!!  He keeps on blessing me again and again and again.  I'm now 2 years and 4 months post op since I had gastric bypass surgery in January 2006....I was also blessed with mammoplasty (new boobs!) on February 22, 2008 and I am truly a "new" person on the outside.  I advocated for breast implants and was denied by Medicaid and told sternly by my plastic surgeon that breast implants are N-E-V-E-R paid by health insurance, especially not Medicaid because it's considered cosmetic surgery....well, I beleive in miracles....I launched my appeal!!!  I sent in pics of my indented, hanging breast which went from a "D" cup to a "-A" cup!!!  Then I showed pics of when I was morbidly obese weighing in at 290lbs. with my big "hooters"....so I wasn't asking for something I never had.....then I prayed...IT WORKED!!!!!  MEDICAID APPROVED MY BREAST IMPLANT SURGERY AND I AM THE FIRST PERSON TO RECEIVE BREAST IMPLANTS AFTER GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY PAID BY MEDICAID!!! GOD is so good!  Believe in the impossible and don't let nothing or no one stand in your way of living a healthy, happy, fulfilling life!!!  I am living proof!  I'll be scheduling a tummy tuck in August although I don't have much tummy to tuck.  I've been maintaining my weight loss and I still eat at least 40 grams of proteins a day, stay away from sugar, eat a low-fat, low-carb diet......and
I'M IN LOVE!!!  I HAVE A NEW LOVE AND A NEW RELATIONSHIP!!!  I will tell all the details in my next confession......Until then, take good care of yourself, you deserve it!  PEACE, Tanya

****** SMOOCHEZZZZ******
IT'S ALMOST FRIDAY!  I need a break....I tried on a mini skirt I bought during the summer (size small) and I look really "skinty" in it....lol....my bootie is getting smaller!  OH Day-ummm, I don't wanna lose all the junk in my trunk, so what's a gurl 2 do?  Should I go out and purchase a pair of these fake bootie panties (the bootie part is padded) or should I start adding a carb to my diet?  I'm still undecided....This is so strange!  I was always known as the gurl with the big ole' butt, now  I don't have that issue anymore <---unbelievable....it's all good...I have a new life now and I don't want to let who I was in the pass define who I am today.  

MY PICS
I am really stressed about uploading my pics.....I tried pasting them into this document but then they stopped uploading.....and the Photos section hasn't worked for me....so I'm going to try to upload a few so please bare with me.    Just wanted to stop by and wish you all a wonderful weekend!  It's kinda cold here in New York City.....we missed a huge snow storm but it looks like it may snow tonight.....it's all good I'm going to try to upload some new pics tonight.  Take care and please do something good for yourself.

*MUAWH*

WHAT IS LOVE?  IS IT JUST A FEELIN' THAT WE FEEL WHEN WE FEEL THAT SPECIAL FEELIN'?  OR IS IT JUST SOMETHING WE WERE TRAINED TO SAY WE HAVE BUT DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THE TRUE MEANING IS?

******HEY FAM*****
WHAT'S REALLY GOOD IN THE HOOD? I'M LEARNIN' TO ACCEPT THE "NEW" ME EVEN IF OTHERS MAY NOT!  I DON'T APOLOGIZE FOR LOSING WEIGHT!  I DON'T GIVE EXCUSES FOR NOT INDULGING IN THE FOODS THAT WILL SEND ME RIGHT BACK TO OBESITY HELL!!!  I LOVE THE NEW ME!!!  I AM COMMITTED TO MYSELF TO EXERCISE, EAT RIGHT, THINK RIGHT AND PLAN EVERYDAY TO LIVE RIGHT....HOW ABOUT U?

MORE ATTENTION THAN I CAN STAND:
I'M STARTING TO GET USED TO ALL OF THE ATTENTION I'VE BEEN RECEIVING FROM THE OPPOSITE SEX....SOMETIMES I AM TOTALLY OBLIVIOUS TO WHO THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT, WINKING & SMILING AT OR TRYING TO GET A "RAP" ON....ME!  WHETHER ON THE STREET, TRAIN OR BUS, MEN ARE NOW VERY COURTEOUS, CHARMING, HELPFUL AND WILLING TO PUT THEIR COAT OVER A PUDDLE TO LET ME WALK OVER IT SO MY FEET WON'T GET WET!!!  <--MIND BOGGLING....

STOP, WAIT A MINUTE!
ALTHOUGH THE ATTENTION FEELS GOOD IT MAKES ME HAPPY AND SAD AT THE SAME TIME, WHEN I WAS OBESE, I WAS INVISIBLE!  BUT NOW, I CAN'T SEEM TO ENTER A ROOM WITHOUT SOMEONE MAKING A COMMENT.  I'M STILL TRYING TO GET USED TO THIS....

NO HATER-A-TION....
WHY IS IT THAT SISTERS TEND TO HATE ON EACH OTHER WITHOUT GETTING TO KNOW A PERSON FIRST??  WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT?  I USED TO GET HATED ON BECAUSE I HAD SUCH A BIG BODACIOUS BOOTAY BUT NOW I GET HATED ON BECAUSE I SEEM TO POSE SOME IMAGINARY THREAT!!  I'M NOT TRYIN' TO STEAL ANYONE'S HUSBAND OR BOYFRIEND!!!....LOL.....  

THE "IT" FACTOR:
IT TOOK A WHILE, BUT I HAD TO REALIZE THAT PEOPLE WEREN'T STARING AT ME BECAUSE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH ME BUT BECAUSE I NOW HAVE THE "IT" FACTOR....SOCIETY SAYS THAT LOOKING A CERTAIN WAY, SLIM, SEXY, "NORMAL" <--whatever that is....IS THE "IT" FACTOR....PEOPLE, CAN WE LEARN TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS DR. KING ADMONISHED, ...."BY THE CONTENT OF OUR CHARACTER"...

DANCIN' MY LIFE DANCE:
CARE TO JOIN ME? ....  I CHOSE TO DANCE MY WAY THROUGH THIS THING CALLED LIFE!  IT CAN TAKE US THROUGH SO MANY TWISTS & TURNS THAT MAY SEEM LIKE THERE'S NO HOPE BUT REMAIN OPTIMISTIC, SET GOALS AND FOLLOW THROUGH LEADS AND IT WILL LEAD TO THE ROAD OF SUCCESS.

I'M FACIN' IT STRAIGHT FROM THE GATE, 2008, THIS IS MY FATE TO MOTIVATE AND SQUASH THE HATE....THERE'S A WINNER IN YOU!  BELIEVE IT AND "MAKE IT DO WHAT IT DO!"....

***** PEACE 2 You All ******
This holiday season has been such a blessing and I thank God for always having my back.....I spent a lot of time with the fam since school was out for almost 2 weeks.  I made sure I hit the dance floor and partied all of my 2007 blues out the door!  Now I'm ready for bigger and better things in 2008, what about you?  I'm actually wearing a size 3 jean outfit and I can't believe it!!!  My hips & thighs are still nice and "plumpy" <--that's my new word for "skinny meat"...lol....I don't wanna look like a crack-head (no offense to those who may actually be on crack) but thanks to my exercise routine my thighs are starting to look like I'm a track star <---check me out....

Tuckin' That Tummy
Okay people, I have a Jan. 21st appointment with another plastic surgeon (recommended by Dr. Ahmed) at Harlem Hospital and I have a laundry list of questions!  I want to have a tummy tuck & breast augmentation all in one shot...can this be done?  Anyway, I don't have much tummy to tuck but I have a small amount of lose skin that hangs down over my "special place" so I look forward to gettin' that fixed, not that it is standing in my way.  Can I tell you that I am livin' my dream!  I am a SLIM WOMAN!!!!  I thank God for Dr. Ahmed, Dr. Zihria, Dr. Amrita, PA McCoy and all of the doctors, assistants and staff who helped make this possible by performing a successful weight loss gastric bypass surgery!  I'll be 2 years post op on Jan. 18th and I don't feel no ways tired!!!  I am determined to continue dancing my journey and maintaining my positive attitude and weight loss.....I have no regrets....I would do it all over again in a heart beat.

Who'z Dat Gurl?
So many people still can't get used to me in this new body....but I'm still the same person just smaller....and more grateful.  Everytime I see someone who is obese, I whisper a silent prayer that they too can have an opportunity to live a new life....not everyone is ready to make a committment to losing weight and getting weight loss surgery.  I still have challenges and lots of hard work to do but it's worth it!!!  I can remember weighing 290lbs., wearing a size 28 and feeling tired, depressed and angry with myself for not having enough self control over food....now I'm living a different life!  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

I want to wish everyone a HAPPY, HEALTHY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

**** HEY PRECIOUS FAMILY ****
GOD IS STILL IN THE BLESSING BIZNESS!

BIG PROPS TO MR. WILL SMITH!  LEON & I SAW "I AM LEGEND" AND I WAS SO TOUCHED AND INSPIRED BY HIS AMAZING PERFORMANCE.  WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE THAT MAN THE OSCAR!!!!???? 

I'LL BE 2 YEARS POST OP ON JAN. 18TH AND I AM STILL DANCIN' THIS JOURNEY...."AIN'T NO STOPPIN ME NOW"....I'M STILL HOLDIN' AT SIZE 6 BUT MY HIPS ARE GETTIN' "PLUMPY" FROM ALL OF THE KICK BOXING, STEP AEROBICS AND DANCIN' I'VE BEEN DOIN!  MY SHAPE IS TURNING INTO A "COCA COLA BOTTLE"....<---CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS???  MY NUTRITIONIST TOLD ME WITH ALL OF THE EXERCISE I DO MY MUSCLES ARE GOING TO START GETTIN TONED AND SHE WASN'T LYIN!  I FEEL GREAT!  GOD HAS BLESSED ME WITH A NEW BODY AND A NEW LIFE!  I STILL PLAN MY MEALS, TAKE MY VITAMINS, DON'T EAT & DRINK AT THE SAME TIME AND I DO NOT EAT SUGAR, EVERYTHING IS LOW-FAT AND SUGAR FREE....I'M LIVIN' MY DREAM!!  THANK U JESUS!

DOUBTS.....
OKAY FOLKS....I'VE BEEN ENGAGED TO GET MARRIED SOMETIME LAST YEAR BUT I'VE UNOFFICIALLY CALLED OFF THE WEDDING....I LOVE & APPRECIATE MY FIANCE WHO SUPPORTS ME 100% AND HAS BEEN THERE FOR ME THROUGH THICK & THICKER, BUT AFTER GONIG THROUGH ALL OF THESE PHYSICAL CHANGES, I REALIZE THAT AS A SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, I'M NOT READY TO MAKE THAT LIFE-LONG COMMITTMENT.  I FEEL BAD BUT I MUST BE TRUE TO MYSELF....THERE ISN'T ANYONE ELSE WHO IS "BLOCKING", I'M JUST GETTING TO KNOW MYSELF AGAIN AND I DON'T WANT TO MAKE A COMMITTMENT THAT I WON'T GIVE MY ALL TO.   FOR NOW, I'M GOING TO TAKE IT DAY-BY-DAY AND IF I SHOULD CHANGE MY MIND THEN I'LL LET EVERYONE KNOW, BUT AS IT STANDS, I'VE STOPPED WEARING MY HEART-SHAPED ENGAGEMENT RING.  LEON IS VERY CRUSHED BUT WE'RE STILL A COUPLE AND IN A RELATIONSHIP, I'M JUST NOT READY TO TAKE THAT PLUNGE.  PLEASE PRAY FOR ME.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!
I STILL HAVE SOME LAST MINUTE SHOPPING TO DO!  THERE ARE 6 CHILDREN IN MY LIFE (MY 4 BIOLOGICAL & 2 STEP KIDS) SO THERE'S ALWAYS A GIFT TO BUY....THIS CHRISTMAS IS GOING TO BE VERY QUIET....BUT I WANT TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL WITH THE KIDS....SCHOOL CLOSES ON DEC. 24TH AND RESUMES ON JAN. 2ND SO WE HAVE SOME TIME TO PARTY.  I LOVE HANGIN WITH MY CHILDREN....THEY ALL BRING ME SO MUCH JOY AND ALTHOUGH THEY GET ON MY NERVES THERE'S NOTING I WOULDN'T DO FOR THEM.  NEXT MONTH, JAN. 22ND, I'LL BE TURNING 42 YEARS OLD, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?  BUT I'M STILL HOTT!!!...LOL

TAKE CARE AND HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON!  GOD BLESS AND REMEMBER TO LOVE YOURSELF & OTHERS.  PEACE, TANYA

******HEY FAMILY******
I AM STILL WALKING IN THE SPIRIT OF THANKS....GOD IS CONTINUALLY SO GOOD TO ME AND MY FAMILY AND I HAVE TO GIVE HIM ALL THE GLORY AND HONOR......

YESTERDAY WAS MY OLDEST SON'S 21ST BIRTHDAY AND MY STEP-TWINS 11TH BIRTHDAY, YEP, THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME BIRTHDATE, HOW FUNNY IS THAT?  SO I BAKED CUPCAKES AND MAKE A HUGE CAKE (LIKE ALWAYS) AND WE SANG HAPPY BIRTHDAY....OUR THANKSGIVING WAS SO REWARDING.  I STAYED UP ALL NIGHT COOKING AND LET ME TELL YOU, I DIDN'T THINK I'D BE FINISHED BEFORE PEOPLE CAME OVER BY 4PM BUT I WAS!  THIS IS MY 2ND THANKSGIVING SINCE I HAD GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY ON JAN. 18, 2006 AND I CAN TRULY SAY THAT I GOT THE HANG OF IT!  MY MENU INCLUDED: BAKED, JUICY STUFFED TURKEY, ROASTED CHICKEN, COLLARD GREENS, YAMS, LASAGNA, YELLOW RICE & RED KIDNEY BEANS, BLACK-EYED PEAS, MIXED VEGIES, CORN BREAD, CRANBERRY SAUCE, PATTIES (SPANISH-STYLE) WITH GROUND BEEF AND CHEESE, FRIED FISH (WHITEYS), SWEET POTATOE PIE AND CHEESECAKE.  I WAS GOOD BECAUSE I DIDN'T FOCUS ON THE FOOD AND I ONLY ATE WHAT I COULD PLUS MY NEW STOMACH WON'T LET ME EAT BUT SO MUCH....

I STILL DID A EXERCISE WORKOUT FOR ABOUT 30-40 MINS.....IT'S ALL GOOD...THIS IS MY LIFE AND I THANK GOD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE LIFE AS A HEALTHY PERSON NO LONG MORBID OBESE.  HOLLLAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

BOOTIE PLUMPED UP!....LOL
OKAY HAPPY PEOPLE, CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS??? MY BOOTIE IS STARTING TO BECOME VERY FIRM AND IT'S MORE ROUND AND MY HIPS ARE SPREADING IN A CIRCULAR FORMATION!  SOMEONE SAID I LOOK LIKE A COCA COLA BOTTLE!  <----AMAZING.....I'VE BEEN WORKING OUT HARD ON MY ELEVATED STEP BOARD, DOING MY KICK BOXING, JOGGING IN PLACE, LIFTING MY 10 LB WEIGHTS AND DOING MY CRUNCHES....I'M STILL WEARING A SIZE 4-6 BUT IN JEANS I CAN FILL OUT A SIZE 7-9....MY SHOE SIZE IS A SOLID 8 DOWN FROM A SIZE 10 1/2 BUT SOME OF MY SHOES ARE STARTING TO GET LOOSE.....

*******  HEY MY BEAUTIFUL OH FAMILY ******
WHAT'S REALLY GOOD IN THE HOOD?  I WANT TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT I'M APPROACHING 2 YEARS POST OP AND I DON'T FEEL "NO WAYS TIRED!"  <---CAN I GET A WITNESS???....LOL...GOD IS CONTINUOUSLY BLESSING ME THAT I JUST CAN'T TELL IT ALL!  I HAVE A REGULAR APPOINTMENT WITH MY BARIATRIC & NUTRITION DOCTORS TOMORROW....I DID THE BACK & FORTH DANCE IN TRYING TO GET A TUMMY TUCK SURGERY DATE....THE CHIEF OF PLASTICS IN HARLEM HOSPITAL THOUGHT I HAD AN ABDOMINAL HERNIA BUT IT TURNED OUT THAT MY MUSCLE IS SEPARATED (DON'T ASK, I WAS TOLD I WAS BORN THIS WAY) SO NOW I'VE BEEN REFERRED TO ANOTHER PLASTIC SURGEON ON JANUARY 21ST....THAT'S THE EARLIEST DATE...SO NOW I MUST WAIT AND BE OF GOOD COURAGE...

THE BREAST EFFECT:
I'LL BE REQUESTING ANOTHER APPOINTMENT TO MAYBE HAVE MY BREAST DONE BEFORE MY TUMMY TUCK....HOPEFULLY THIS CAN BE DONE SINCE I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TUMMY TO TUCK!  BUT, MY BREAST ARE FLAT WITH MAYBE A LITTLE MEAT TO HOLD ONTO THE "STUFFING" I PLACE IN MY BRA!....LOL....IF YOU ONLY KNEW...SO PLEASE PRAY FOR ME THAT EVERYTHING GOES WELL.

STILL HOLDIN' AT SIZE 4-6!
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!  I'M NOW FLUCTUATING BETWEEN A SIZE 4 OR 6!  NEVER DID I IMAGINE THAT I WOULD LIVE TO SEE THE DAY WHEN I WOULD BE WEARING A SIZE "PETITE" AND GET THIS, MY FOOTSIES ARE GETTING SMALLER TOO!  I WENT FROM A SIZE 10 1/2 TO SIZE 9 TO SIZE 8 1/2 AND NOW I'M MOVING TOWARD A SIZE 7 1/2 SHOE....CURRENTLY, MY SIZE 8 SHOES ARE GETTING LOOSE!  <---AMAZING!  I DON'T WANNA DISAPPEAR BUT I THANK GOD MY LEGS, CALVES AND THIGHS ARE STILL THICK FOR MY FRAME....I'VE STARTED ADDING 1 EXTRA SNACK IN THE EVENINGS SO I WON'T LOSE TOO MUCH MORE WEIGHT.  

IT FEELS GOOD!!
I THANK GOD FOR ALLOWING MY SURGERY TO BE A SUCCESS FOR GIVING ME THE PLEASURE OF LIVING LIFE IN THIS "NEW" BODY!  MY FRIENDS & FAMILY MEMBERS ARE STILL TRYING TO GET USED TO THE NEW "PHYSICAL" PERSON THAT I AM BECOMING.  I WANT TO SHOUT OUT HARLEM HOSPITAL AND THE BARIATRIC CLINIC & STAFF!!  THE PROGRAM IS AWESOME!!  ANYONE WHO LIVES IN NEW YORK AND IS CONTEMPLATING THIS LIFE-CHANGING SURGERY SHOULD VISIT THEM FOR A CONSULTATION, TELL THEM TANYA SENT YOU!

MOVING ON.....