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Hi my name is Corrissa . I hope I can make this short . I’ll do my best ! April 2014 I weighed 232 and I had quit smoking . I gained 64 pounds . My back was the first thing I noticed that hurt . I really was in bad shape . Other issues started to happen and all I could do is cry . So I looked into gastric bypass. N found a program at Alina . I started there and weighed in at 296 . Never in my life did I think I’d weigh almost 300 pounds . So I was driving over 2 hours away for my appointments dietitian and mental health therapy etc . So I get all the way to the end of the program everyone but the THERAPIST approved me to move on to surgery . I was devastated!! I yelled at that lady so bad lol I know I shouldn’t have but when ur in so much pain u will do just about anything . I mean 41 years old using a cane . So I put my tail between my legs so to speak licked my wounds n started again . So I called mayo in Mankato Minnesota. Thank God I did . I weighed in at 280 something when I started there . So I had a dr appointment for a physical and my dr said u should have a mammogram ur coming up on 42 .. YIKES !! What in the world I thought to myself ?? So I made an appointment and canceled lol I had a bad attitude about it . Did that twice . So the 3rd time I went in . Glad I did because they found a tumor . Caught early but they sent me in for s biopsy on September 22nd 2016 My first dietitian appointment with the mayo program was on the 23rd next day . So while I’m in that appointment I got a phone call I knew I had to answer . It was the results of my biopsy which came back that I had breast cancer . Now not that things weren’t already tough this just added more to the plate . I BURSTED into tears and the dietitian was there and just hugged me . I left her office sobbing n just sat on a bench in the waiting area in the Clinic . A nice nurse sat with me until I was calm enough to drive . OMG what in the heck was I just told ?? Me ?? Cancer ?? I’m gonna die I thought !! A few weeks from that passed by and I had a lumpectomy. My tumor was sent in for testing and came back with a low score meaning it was only stage 1 . I was relieved but still scared . I had decided that not only was I gonna fight this cancer I was gonna fight this weight loss as well . So I went through 28 radiation treatments and went through the bariatric program as well , February 9th 2017 I finished my last cancer treatment! Wahooo cancer free I was so happy ! And I am still cancer free ! So I finally get through the weight loss program had lost some weight on the way . My insurance finally approved it and I had surgery August 9th of this year . Day of surgery I was 261 I’m now 219 . It’s been a heck of a year ! I just want to encourage men and women and inspire them . Because no matter what we go through there’s no such thing is giving up . I wanted to a few times but I got my butt up and kept moving . My dietitian always tells me how brave and amazing I am and it feels great ! So I’ll share some pics . The first ones will be the bigger me and then some new pics as well . God bless you all ! Thanks for reading ! 

So excited started at 260 and down to 228, here's a pic  

I say it's a deal!


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Thanks. I'm glad to know I'm not alone in this situation exactly. I'm literally obsessed with the scale. I think I'm honestly stepping on it at least 4 to 5 times a day. I'm so scared of gaining anything. I actually had a dream last night that I stretched out my stomach already some how.

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Hello NewMe17!
I tried your suggestion & look, it worked! Thank you!👏
This is me in the beginning of September at 195. Im now 190

CONGRATULATIONS on your surgery and best wishes on your journey! You're ahead of me with your wt. loss, I hit a stall at 3 weeks that I've yet to get past but am encouraged in that my clothes are getting quite a bit looser . Thank you for sharing, my reflux is completely gone too, praise the Lord! I never thought about it being possibly from my prior Lapband too.

CONGRATULATIONS! Very encouraging! Keep up the great work on your journey

I made a big pot of sweet potato chili tonight. I basically followed this recipe:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/239887/vegan-sweet-potato-chili/?internalSource=similar_recipe_banner&referringId=229081&referringContentType=recipe&clickId=simslot_4
except I used 1 can of black Beans and 1 can of red kidney.
I also added some Gardein meatless ground beef and corn. It was yummy!!

I had a revision from Lap-Band to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on September 25, 2017. I had the Lap-Band surgery in 2009 and at first it was successful. Over time I begin to have issues with my band causing severe reflux and I battled pneumonia and bronchitis on a regular basis. I was told I was aspirating into my lungs because of my Lap-Band. If I removed part or most of the fill it would get better but every time I tried to utilize the band the problems would start back up. I developed several health issues that we felt were all related to the lap band.

I finally was tired of worrying about what my Lap-Band was doing to me and made the decision to have it removed and Gastric Bypass done. After I completed all my test and 6 months of visits I was finally able to have the surgery 3 weeks ago. I no longer have reflux or issues shallowing like I did before. I was excited to be able to take a pill without feeling like it was stuck. The Lap-Band was removed during the same surgery as the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass was done. I was off work 1 week, returning to work with restrictions on October 2nd and completed released no restrictions on October 11th. I am finally able to eat some food and after 3 weeks of shakes I was ready to taste anything. I am excited to start this journey. I am currently down 25 lbs and very excited to start this process!

I have a very similar one I'm using, since I'm on soft foods & can't have nuts yet:
Healthy Cookies
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees
3 Mashed Bananas (ripe)
1/3 c Applesauce
2 cups oats
1/4 c Almond Milk
1/2 c Dark chocolate chips
1 tsp Vanilla
1 tsp Cinnamon
Bake for 15-20 minutes.
Thank you for reminding me, they sound good, can't wait to try one!

I think I'll try it soon with stir fry Riced Cauliflower! It's great that they have it available in bags ready to go in the produce section at HEB now. It would take me awhile otherwise (& difficult for me, as I have screws in my thumb). Your recipe sounds great!

You look amazing! I can't imagine what you went through with the complications & additional surgery, but praise the Lord you're recovered! What an inspiration & testimony Thank you for sharing!

I actually don't walk as much as I was post-op. Mostly it's been an issue of timing. I currently walk 3 to 4 times a week almost always its an hour at least occasionally less. I think how much is necessary really depends where a person is in their journey to weightloss (either losing or maintaining) I know the most important part is listening to your body cues. More walking during active weight loss is key and I think remaining active after goal weight is achieved is essential as well..
Good Luck

Sammy, what does your exercise/diet look like now that you're at goal?

So.. I'm just getting back from a week at Disney with my four year old daughter and hubby. So cliche, but we had a Magical Time. The last time I was there was approximately 15 years ago. I weighed around 250+. Since then, I had gained about 80 pounds. Well, I had RNY on March 8, 2017. (The best decision of my life.) I've since lost over 100 pounds. Today, I'm down to 193.4 from 292 on surgery day.
Anyway, back to my story. My first victory came on the plane. I was able to use the seat belt without an extender. You talk about excited. I didn't take the seat belt off even when the sign was off. I had extra room in my seat. After landing in Sanford/Orlando I thought wow, I don't have to turn sideways to get through the aisle. We then had to walk a long distance to get to Alamo rental cars. My husband was lagging behind and huffing and puffing. I could only think that would have been me just a year ago. I had to switch seats on the plane with my daughter because my husband was spilling over into my seat and not the other way around.
Now to the hotel. We didn't go anywhere that day. We just rested. When I took my shower I was able to wrap a regular sized towel completely around my body without gaps and things hanging out. I must have walked around in that towel for 2 hours. Actually I did this every day. Who ever thought a towel could bring so much joy.
On to Disney World......well the first day there we arrived around 10:00 AM and left about 10:00 PM. It was amazing. I was able to walk around for hours without being tired or in pain. By the end of the night I felt a little pain but nothing compared to before. My husband and daughter ate several times while we were there. I never ordered anything for myself. I knew I wasn't going to eat much. I just ate from their plates. This is a victory because #1 I saved us money and #2 Usually I would have ordered an entire meal and a sugary soda. (I haven't had a soda in 2017). I was able to do this for several days without the usual tiredness. The only thing I needed was Water. The second day my husband was too tired to go back to Disney. I went right back and stayed another 8 hours. I was also able to walk around the outlet mall for hours without needing to stop and rest. I brought new bras in a 36 C. Down from a 42 DD. They were actually sexy bras.
Now the rides. I remember riding things at Disney 15 years ago and not being afraid. Somehow I had convinced myself that I was afraid of rides.Before we left I told my family that I was going to ride every ride no matter how scary they were. I was going to ride just because I could fit in them. Now I know it was a fear of not being able to fit on the rides. I road several rides, even the kiddie rides with my daughter. I had room to spare. I was able to jump in and out of the rides like a little kid. It felt amazing.
I made fairly decent food choices while i was there. I must admit I took a bite or two of some things I shouldn't have but I was able to stop after those bites. It didn't affect anything though. I still lost 2.6 pounds this week. Yay me. Tomorrow its back to my usual healthy living.
My daughter hugged and thanked me a million times. She was able to get those tiny arms around my waist. No better feeling that that. I almost forgot I willingly took several pictures. I also wore a strapless dress and romper while there.
Sorry for the long post and the rambling. I was about to bubble over. I had to tell someone.

I have a very similar one I'm using, since I'm on soft foods & can't have nuts yet:
Healthy Cookies
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees
3 Mashed Bananas (ripe)
1/3 c Applesauce
2 cups oats
1/4 c Almond Milk
1/2 c Dark chocolate chips
1 tsp Vanilla
1 tsp Cinnamon
Bake for 15-20 minutes.
Thank you for reminding me, they sound good, can't wait to try one!

I think I'll try it soon with stir fry Riced Cauliflower! It's great that they have it available in bags ready to go in the produce section at HEB now. It would take me awhile otherwise (& difficult for me, as I have screws in my thumb). Your recipe sounds great!

I didn't know about the dreaded "3 week stall" until seeing it on various posts. It happened to me when I went on pureed diet stage (for me that was at 3 weeks). Discouraging, but "This too shall pass". Stepping up my exercise hoping that helps. Also having to take Miralax, issues with not "going" without it. Open to suggestions
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Anything soft, I had sweet potatoes early on.

It is a snack that I would eat occasionally because of the fat content. It is healthy because the fats are coming from the coconut, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds,chia seeds. The sugar content is about at my max at 6g. Because my overall diet is low in fats a treat every now and then works. Most nuts and seeds are high in fat, but they are still very nutritious for us to eat as long as we are careful with the portions.
P.S. Here is a link explaining the health beneifts of eating nuts and seeds. It has a table listing the fat, sat fat content of several types of nuts/seeds.
https://navs-online.org/articles/nuts-seeds/

You are welcome. I always measure out my portions when I am eating nuts/seeds because it is very easy to eat too many. I eat 2 portions about 2oz per day several days per week.

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing...I’ll stick to my seeds and nuts too. 😊

I think I'll try it soon with stir fry Riced Cauliflower! It's great that they have it available in bags ready to go in the produce section at HEB now. It would take me awhile otherwise (& difficult for me, as I have screws in my thumb). Your recipe sounds great!

Picture for the Veggie Enchilada Casserole

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