Shaunda lost 83 pounds with surgery

Update June 2016 – Shaunda lost 83 pounds with gastric sleeve weight loss surgery and lots of hard work. She’s kept the weight off for almost a year. We asked her to share the biggest lesson she’s learned since August.

“The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to enjoy every step of your journey. I’ve learned to celebrate every victory, scale or non-scale, because everyday I’m becoming a better person than I was the day before. Don’t waste time comparing yourself to others. Focus on you and loving yourself more everyday.” IG: @4thaloveof_vsg33

Aug 2015 – Weight Loss Story of the Day: Shaunda lost 83 pounds with surgery. This petite mom of 3 made the decision to have weight loss surgery after trying many different diet plans.  The negative opinions of others delayed her choice so she wants to encourage others to make the choice that is ultimately best for them. Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey…

As a small child, I was very thin and had no weight issues. As soon as I hit puberty all of that changed. I seem to go from kids’s clothing to a size 12 overnight! I never really thought much about it in junior high school as I did not see myself as “fat”. I was praised by others as being “thick and shapely”. When I began high school that is when I began to get self conscious about my weight and began to try dieting.

After I tried a few diets and they all failed, I convinced myself that I looked good, so there was no need to change what I was doing. I finished high school weighing close to 200lbs and soon after gave birth to my first child. Although I did lose all of my baby weight initially, my weight soon went past 200lbs. Fours years later, I gave birth to my second daughter and then four years after I had my son. After the birth of my son in 2011 my weight was at almost 240 pounds! At this time, I began to try every diet on the market to which I would lose a few pounds and then gain it all back plus more.

In 2013, my coworker began the process for bariatric surgery. I had thought about going this route once before but then talked myself out of it due to the negative opinions that others may have had about the procedure. My coworker had her procedure and it was very successful. Her results inspired me so much that I began the process myself. I had the vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG/sleeve) procedure done in November 2014. My weight at the time of surgery was 263 pounds. Now, I weight 180 pounds (height 5’2″).

This was the best decision that I could have made for myself. My life quality has changed dramatically and I couldn’t be happier with my appearance now. My eating habits were changed by the bariatric surgery as well. My serving sizes for most foods are equivalent to the serving sizes of a small child instead of an adult. My diet is based on high protein/low carbs. My workouts consist of 1 hour of walking/power walking three times a week and 45 mins of strength training three times a week.

This surgery truly saved my life. I document my progress publicly on my Instagram page, @4thaloveof_vsg33 [updated IG]. By sharing my story with the world I am able to not only keep myself accountable but also inspire others on their weight loss journey’s. My message to all of the ladies out there is to make to decision to do what’s best for you and don’t worry about what anyone else has to say about it. Live YOUR life for YOURSELF!