Photo Gallery

I'm not sure why the gallery is not working, but here are the pics that were featured on that tab. I will update this post with more pics as they are taken to document my progress!

2/14/12 252 lbs

4/2012

4/2012

2 weeks post op

about 4 weeks post op

about 2 months post op

comparison starting/3 months post op

 

starting to wear clothes I could not even get into... and they are too big!!

Could not wear these 3 months ago...now look!!

PROGRESS!!

 

Can you see the difference???

This was taken 8/5/12

 

FINALLY....ONEderland!!!

 

Taken 8/11/12

 

9/9/12 I like the way I look now, but I'm starting not to recognize myself....I look sooo different!!

 

This dress is size 16 and is too big! This is my brother and I...love him to pieces!

 

 

 



 

 





 



Measurements are IN....

I had my last session with the personal trainer today. Let me just say, he really got it all in!! OMG!! Dude has tried to hurt me the last 2 days. After having a session with him yesterday, and got a brutal workout, I could barely move this morning. I was hoping he would go easy on me, since this was our last session together....no such luck!! In the end, though, I appreciate him not going easy on me because my measurements are outstanding!! The measurements below will be listed from current/previous....

Neck: 14.25/14.5

Chest: 42.75/44.5

Arm: 14.75/15.25

Waist: 40/45.5

Hips: 45.25/47

Thigh: 23.25/24.5

Waist/hip ratio: 0.88/0.97

Pre surg BMI:41.93

Current BMI: 33.5

Goal BMI: 24.96

Pre surg body fat: 41.8

Current body fat: 38.2

 

He was very impressed with my progress. He told me he could tell I had been working very hard on my own inbetween our sessions because of how good my numbers had come down. He said he thinks that I will continue to do well on my own, I appear to be determined to reach my goals and he has no doubt that I will get there.

 

That made me feel good! That he has faith in me to continue on to reach those goals we have set together!! All the sweat and pain has been worth this this far!

 

Persistance pays off! I am a determined person! (ok more like stubborn), but when I set my mind to something, I let nothing stand in my way to get what I want! And what I want is to be healthy and happy; feeling good and looking good; and helping others reach their healthy goals as well! I don't know everything there is to know about healthy living and eating....but I promise to share everything I learn with ANYBODY that is willing to listen!!

 

Have a great day dolls!

3 month f/u report...

I start this entry sitting in the surgeons office waiting for him to come in to see me. The first bit of good news I got was on the SCALE. 198.2!! Official weight-in with the dr's office. WOOHOO! Go me! Then on to the rest of my vitals...b/p 122/62, pulse 64, resp 16. Those are all good. Especially the blood pressure; because he took me off b/p meds the DAY of surgery! I was a bit concerned then thaty b/p would get out of control, but it didn't. It came down rather nicely!!

The nurse that took me back remembered me pre-op and said to me "you're smiling soo big today...did you have braces when you started with us"? My reply was yes, she says "you didn't smile very much before the surgery, I didn't even notice them before". She said to me again that I looked so much happier and I looked like I felt better than ever before!! And guess what...SHE IS RIGHT!! I do feel a lot better than I have in YEARS!!

It's amazing what a lil weight loss will do for ya!! I walk with my head high (before I always walked looking down at the ground) and I do smile more often! My spirits are higher. It has not only been a body transformation...but a LIFE transformation! I had no idea that I would experience all this when I signed up for the surgery! They told me it would be a lifestyle change and they weren't kidding!

It's soo important to have an amazing surgeon not only for his skill but for the office staff to be supportive of patients as well. And that's what I have at my surgeons office! It has made a world of a difference in my progress and recovery.

Ok...side note...he really needs to come on here. I've got other things to do!!

Ok. so the MD finally came in to see me and he was VERY impressed with my results/progress. I am well ahead of weightloss schedule. No signs of a hernia. All my labs are great. My vitals are excellent. No snoring, no blood pressure meds, and no more acid reflux. He said he could tell that I had been working really hard because of how far ahead of his timeline I am. He told me to keep up everything that I'm doing and he will see me again in 3 months!

I'm so excited that he was so proud of me. I really have been working very hard to stay within the guidelines that have been set for me! I look great, feel great and am doing great! Kudos to ME!!

posted from Bloggeroid

To my SURPRISE....ONEderland

I got up this morning thinking to myself that I WOULD NOT get on that scale again!! My curiosity got the best of me and I wanted to see how much more I had to go before I reached my last goal that i'd set. So, I get on the scale with no expectations and "to my surprise" I DID IT!! I quickly jump off the scale and grab my phone to snap a pic of the scale (for memories and PROOF) and hop back on...and it said 199 again!!

I was soo excited! I came running downstairs to show my husband and ANYBODY else that would listen! I couldn't contain my joy...smiling from ear to ear!! I threw my hands up in the air to thank the Lord for his blessings! I have done well with this surgery...NO complications. That is a blessing all ita own! I haven't had to fo back into the hospital for anything, it's been a smooth recovery thus far!

Thanka again to all that celebrate with me and cheer me on to the next goal. I have to think about what I want to accomplish next with this journey....stay tuned!

#ONEderland!!

posted from Bloggeroid

What IS gastric bypass anyway?!?

I'm soo glad you asked!! I realized that I've been carrying on about this amazing surgery I had, when I realized that I haven't explained what the procedure is! So below, I have included some info so you can see what I've had done....



This is what my new stomach (pouch) looks like.


This is how my surgery was actually done. They did not cut my abdomen open, they used what is called trocars to go inside my abdomen and do the surgery. Think of them as extentions of the surgeons hands. It's actually rather cool.

The part of the larger stomach that is cut away stays inside of me. It contains the hormone ghrellin. Thats tells your brain when to eat. So by cutting away that part of the stomach, it helps to control my appetite. Yes I do still get hungry, but it is ALOT less than the average person.

If you have questions, please leave a comment and I'll be happy to explain further

posted from Bloggeroid

Picture worth 1000 words...

YES!! That is ME on the scale today. I finally reached a huge goal I set for myself. That was to have lost 52 lbs before returning to the MD for 3mo f/u. I DID IT!! I am so PROUD of MYSELF!! I am determined to make the BEST out of this opportunity I have been given for a NEW lease on life!! No one can crush me today!

I will walk in the dr office with my head HIGH and proudly get on that scale!!!

My next small goal is to reach 199 lbs by the end of August!! I think its time to celebrate ME and my accomplishment very soon! Not to mention that my BIRTHDAY is a few days away! #Virgo!!!

Moral of the story is...DON'T GIVE UP!! Even when it looks like you won't meet that goal, push through it. The end result will be well worth it!

posted from Bloggeroid

Well Rounded...

In an effort to make ME happier with myself; I started with learning to love who I am as a person. It took me a loooong time to arrive at that point. It took alot of self searching, being completely transparent and honest with myself!! I had some issues to work on from my past and my childhood. Once I saw that and began to work on ME; I decided to fix some cosmetic things i've been wanting to change for a while. (ok lets all admit that we have some things we don't like about how we look).

I decided in January to close my gap in my teeth. I have NEVER liked it. Even when I had children...I prayed for them to not have a gap...and they ALL did!! My father adored my gap and both of my grandmothers have a gap. I still didn't like it.

The other thing was to have the weight loss surgery; first for health reasons. I didn't want to have high cholesterol or kidney disease, or heart disease...all which run in my family; and also to like the way I look. To be happy with ME...hence the "Journey to a Comfortable Me".

Lastly is to dress like I FEEL!! Cus I feel great now! I have to purchase a new wardrobe. I'm just excited about life yall!! Excited about not only loosing weight but being HEALTHY!! And setting a good example for my children; so they will grow up and be healthier and not continue the unhealthy things we've "always done" as a culture!

Enjoy your day dolls!

posted from Bloggeroid

...Where have YOU been?!?

It's been a LONG while since I've posted. I've been busy with getting the kids ready for school again and I GOT A PROMOTION!! I'm really excited about that! Learning new things and more responsibility has been added. It's cool tho cuz IM EXCITED!! Woohoo!!

OAN...I'm just in LOVE with Instagram (mzprissykb follow me). I can connect with all these fitness folks and learn soo much about eating healthier and see what they eat and get ideas and recipes!! LOVE IT. I've actually tried some of the recipes and they turned out great!

I go for blood work tomorrow and my 3 month follow up with the surgeon on 8/28. I'm excited and nervous. I want to have done a good job at loosing weight and at my diet choices. I think I have done well. But you never know what the MD will say. I think my weight loss has slowed down some and I worry if its because of something I have done or not. This will def be a question that I ask when I go in!

I want to thank all those who have believed in me, encouraged me along the way, and have helped me continue this journey and also to those who have joined with me in their own personal journey! You have made this a lot easier to do and it has held me accountable to my personal journey!

Special thank you to my husband! He has been a huge supporter in this journey from the beginning. He has begun his own journey and we are getting healthier together. This has also brought us closer in our relationship. Thank you babe!

I have downloaded an app to assist me in blogging via phone. So I promise to do better and post more often.

Stay tuned for a post for sure after my f/u visit with the surgeon. I'm trying to be down to 199 by the time I go back; if I don't, it will still be ok because I STILL lost 49lbs in 3months!
WORD.....Later dolls!

posted from Bloggeroid

Sweet nuggets

I got some nice feedback today, in general conversation with a certain lady! She told me I inspired her to embark on her weight loss journey! That made me feel kinda cool! That me, a bonafide FAT girl, could inspire someone else to healthier living.  She has done a marvelous job since her journey began.  What she didn't know, is that she, too, inspires me to keep going, to increase my workout, and she gives me alot of encouragement.  That's a pretty cool trade, I'd say.

I see the same things she sees with my transformation. Her work clothes are getting bigger, her outlook on life is a bit brighter, and she is somewhat happier it seems.  Who could complain about results like that. She's a young lady that has alot of years left in her life to live.  I wish her well and hopes she takes advantage of every opportunity that comes her way and enjoy every minute of it! ROCK ON GIRLIE!!

There is also my "favorite" co-worker, that is on a weight loss journey and I hear she has lost a good deal of weight in 1 month's time. Congrats to you too doll! I see your clothes getting a lil looser too! We will be the baggie pants society after while...lol!

At any rate, I am proud of these ladies for changing their lifestyles for better living! They say I'm helping them, but they are helping me too! It makes my restrictions a bit easier to live with while I'm working.

So I say KUDOS to all of the GORGEOUS women I work with at "misfit island"

This is what the world sees for now.....

this is what WE see in the mirror!!

I MUST be crazy!!!

Good morning dolls!! I am thinking very seriously about starting P90x with a friend from work very soon. I don't know what I could be thinking....or if I'm even thinking AT ALL.  At any rate. She has had much success with P90, so we will embark on this journey TOGETHER!! Nothing like a little moral support to get you through the tough stuff!!

I have FIVE MORE POUNDS (5lbs) to go before I CRACK the 200lbs seal!!!! YEA BABY!!! I'm just a wee bit excited about that! KUDOS to me! I can not WAIT for that scale to read 199 an less!!  I can remember back to the days when the scale read 120 and I thought I was the FATTEST girl on the planet.....WTH was wrong with me?!?

My truck driver has started his own workout/weight management regime and is doing rather well! He can't allow his wife to be too fabulous for him! He's quite a looker (if I say so myself) right now anyway; so he's just toning and muscle building now.  My son is doing well with the Insanity workout....being healthy has caught on like a wildfire around here!! I'm glad, because it makes my journey just a lil easier.

I purchased a workout ball. To continue to do what my trainer teaches me in our sessions. That has helped me alot as well. I can vary the workouts that I do for all around weight loss and toning.  I have to get rid of these bat wings and take on that "onion booty" that I so desperately want.  The onion is the goal...if I can't quite make it to the onion, then I can settle for a "baby donkey booty".  lol...don't judge me! IJS!

We have been trying out new recipes and have enjoyed them so far.  Below is one that has become my favorite breakfast meal...

Spinach Scramble

6 eggs (egg whites)
1 cup spinach
1/2 cup tomatoes (diced and seasoned)
1/2 cup low fat mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp EVOO

Heat the EVOO in a medium pan. Cook the tomatoes and spinach until tender. Set aside.  Beat the eggs (egg whites) and cook til almost firm, add in the veggie mix and cook til eggs are done.
Sprinkle cheese and enjoy!

This has lots of protein and is DELICIOUS! You can also have a slice of whole wheat toast with I can't believe its not butter on it.

I hope you all are enjoying this blog. I may start adding tips and things that I have learned on this journey thus far, so it can help others as it has helped me!!  Leave me some feedback, I'd love to hear from my dolls!

Be breezy!

I'm all over the place!!

Good morning dolls! I am up early for a day off! Since I've had surgery, I am unable to stay up very late and I rise rather early every morning (even if I have nothing scheduled).  I have been connecting with several people thru Instagram, amazing women whom have also had some form of weight loss surgery.  I get to peer into their lives and see their progress and accomplishments! There are a number of people who are having alot of success with post surgery eating and maintaining weight loss.

Many of them take pics of their meals and have inspired me to come out of my "comfort box" where food is concerned.  I am excited to try new things, healthy options for eating.  I have been eating "safe" meals. Meals that I know are the right options for me, and flavorful. But now I'm ready to explore with new herbs, seasonings and pairings that I would have never put together on my own.

I have "food envy" with some of the ladies, because it seems as if they really are ENJOYING what they are eating and not just eating because its TIME to eat. There is also a co-worker of mine that comes up with amazing recipes and is having great success with her weight loss plan.  Kudos to you girlie for sticking it out! The girls at work are fabulous cheerleaders in my corner! They help keep me encouraged. They notice small changes in my physique; and just good gals to have around. We keep each other on track (since quite a few are on a weight loss plan)

With that said, I am preparing this weekend for a "wine tasting/pot luck" at my home with some great friends. Thing is.....I am unable to sample any of the wine selections that will be brought to my home; and probably most of the appetizers as well. At any rate, I will enjoy the fellowship with my friends and I am making some appetizers that are healthy options for me to enjoy.  I may just fill my wine glass with some crystal light and enjoy it just the same.

I am due soon for my 3 month follow-up visit with the surgeon.  I am determined to make him proud of me! I feel like he took a chance on me and helped me change my life, the least I can do for myself and for him, is to do what he has instructed me to do and hopefully to surpass the expectations he has laid out for my weight loss journey.

I have also noticed that I am starting to take more pics of myself now. Before the surgery, I would not take a pic, if my life depended on it!! Which now makes it hard to show the progress, because I don't have alot of pics me overweight! I feel like I'm back to the "pre weight gain" KaSandra!! I care about how I look when I go out now. And not that I was a complete slob before the surgery, but now it's just different, but familiar to me. I feel better about myself. I had come to love the overweight KaSandra, but I was not HAPPY with the overweight KaSandra. I am waayy more active than I ever was! I want to get out and do more things, when I have time off. Instead of lying around the house because I'm soo tired and not feeling well. I have more energy.  Basically, I'm just excited about LIFE!

Here is a dish that I put together for dinner last night. It was full of flavor and OMG good!

2 boneless skinless chicken breast
2 cups carrots, snap peas, white onions, and celery
1 large squash, washed and sliced
2-4 tbsp EVOO
1 tbsp lemon pepper
salt/pepper to taste

Heat the EVOO in a large pan, cook the chicken breast until done, cut into strips and set aside. Saute' the remaining veggies until tender, add the chicken breast back to the pan. Sprinkle lemon pepper, salt and pepper over food and stir. Enjoy!