Tina lost 63 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Tina lost 63 pounds. She was suffering from excruciating pain in my feet, knees, and back, as well as pressure on her bladder. After trying a wide variety of eating plans, she couldn’t achieve the lasting results she wanted, so she decided to have weight loss surgery. 

My name is Tina, and I wanted to share my weight loss journey with you in hopes of being an inspiration to others. All my life, I have struggled with my weight! I tried every diet possible, like so many others have. I was able to lose weight and only get to a certain number. Then, I could not lose anymore. I would slowly begin to gain the weight back, and each time it was harder to get the weight off.

I began having excruciating pain in my feet, knees, and back daily. Then it got to the point where I had to wear pads every day because I could hardly make it to the restroom because of the weight pressing on my bladder. I knew then that it was time for me to take another route to get the weight off. 

I decided I would have Gastric Sleeve Surgery (VSG). I traveled to Tijuana, Mexico, and had my surgery on September 29, 2021. 

My starting weight was 335 pounds, and today (December 24, 2021), I am blazing my trail at 272 pounds. Having surgery was the BEST decision I made in 2021. I decided to take back control of my life and health! I would do it 1000 times over if I had to. 

When did you start your weight loss journey?
I started my journey in 2016 after I divorced my ex-husband. I tried so many different eating methods to lose weight, which included Keto, low-carb diets, no meat diets, fasting, etc. Trust me. I tried them all. Unfortunately, I only lost 46 lbs on my own and gained it all back, plus some.

Thankfully, I did not have any health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or any other ailments from being obese. However, I did suffer from excruciating pain in my feet, knees, and back daily, along with episodes of incontinence. I would wake up and go to bed in pain, and no one ever knew about it, not even my husband. I didn’t want to worry anyone, so I kept it to myself and just dealt with it. Some mornings I would cry from pain and pressure in my pelvic area when trying to go to the bathroom in the mornings. Waking up for me looked EXACTLY like this -> Feet hurting, knees cracking, lower back hurting, pelvic pain, and anxiety from not being able to get to the bathroom in time. I tossed and turned at night and could not get comfortable because I couldn’t lay on either hip for too long.

In May 2021, I decided to have Gastric Sleeve Surgery. I filled out the application and got approved the next day with @aslimmerme_bariatrics in Tijuana, Mexico. Dr. Lopez successfully performed my surgery on September 29, 2021. I am now three months post-op and thriving. I didn’t have any setbacks or complications because I followed my doctor’s orders. 

How did you change your eating habits?
My pre-op diet consisted of low-carb/low-fat foods, fruits, vegetables, and water per my doctor’s orders so I could lose 20 pounds before surgery. 

After surgery, my eating habits are now clean. I no longer eat junk food (chips, candy, soda, bread, rice, etc.). I no longer eat beef or chicken. (I stopped eating pork 4 yrs ago.) Now my diet consists of protein shakes, fish (the only meat I eat), fruits, water, vegetables, and nuts. 

What is your workout routine?
My workouts consist of cardio and light weight lifting (due to my surgery being so new) 2-3 days a week. I also go to Crunch fitness because I love their Zumba classes. 

What is your height?
I stand 5’6″ tall. 

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far? The biggest lesson I have learned so far is to truly love myself. It was only when I learned to do that, I was able to give myself the excellent care I so deserved and needed. 

What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?
My advice to women who want to lose weight is to “JUST DO IT”, as Nike said. Even if their “just do it” is by way of weight loss surgery because only you know what you suffer within your body. 

I am so thankful for my tool and have absolutely no regrets. I no longer suffer from pain in my body or incontinence. There is nothing more beautiful than taking back control of my health. I am TRULY living my best life.

Instagram: @mrstlampo and @hold_my_mule
TikTok: @magicalmind_1