Check out Christi’s amazing transformation. She’s gone from 429 pounds to 215.
Here is her story:
“Hello Black Women Losing Weight. My name is Christi and I had lap band surgery February 2008. At my heaviest, I was 429 lbs with a BMI of over 55. It took me 2 1/2years to lose half of my body weight. I have been at 215 since April of 2010 and I have worked mighty hard to not go back to how I was before. For me, weight loss surgery was a last resort. I really tried to lose the weight on my own. Diet, exercise, doctors. At most, I lost 40 pounds and then hit a plateau. I was sooo frustrating doing everything the doctor and the health community told me to do with no results. So, after years of avoid the wls, even though my primary care doctor was constantly recommending it, I chose the lap band surgery against my doctor’s wishes. He stated that in his opinion, the lap band surgery did not work and that I would most likely have to have a revisional surgery once it didn’t take. Well, I proved him wrong. I lost the weight and have managed to keep it off going on three years. It was the best decision I ever made and I wish I hadn’t waited as long as I did to have the surgery. For anyone who is considering having one of the weight loss surgery, keep this in mind. 1. It is just a tool that you have to work in order for it to be successful. 2. Start by making small changes in your diet, from white to wheat bread, from whole milk to 2% milk, cut back on the amount of empty calories you are consuming i.e. sodas, candy, etc. For me, I had already made these changes prior to my surgery so the diet that was required was not that big of a jump. True enough, there are times when I miss being about to wrap a drumstick in a piece of white bread, but I don’t ever want to go back to the weight that I was. I am currently working with a trainer to get to a healthier weight due to the fact that according to the weight chart, I am still classified as being obese. Will never understand that chart. I never want to be bone skinny. I chose healthy and for me, healthy is around 190 to 200 lbs since I am 5’10”. I will never let the doctor tell me what looks best on my body. That’s my decision and no one else’s just like the decision on which wls to have.”
Tiesha says
You look great! Amazing results. I am too looking forward to going with WLS, but i’m afraid that my doctor will talk me out of it. I have HBP and i have tried everything you can name to lose the weight. Exercising is tough because I can’t do certain exercises when i’m constantly dealing with bursitis. OMG…you look great! I applaud your success!
Christi says
Sorry you guys for the mix up with the dates. To clarify, I had the surgery in February of 2008 and I was 429 in 2008. I have been at 215 since April of 2010 and I have maintained that weight for almost three years now.
Pamela says
Christi…is it possible that the way lapband works the weight loss usually stops where the body is most comfortable with your frame? You look great by the way!
Christi says
I’m not sure. I know if I wanted to get to a smaller weight like the doctor suggested, I could just continue gtting the fills more frequently until I reached that weight. I chose this weight because I still wanted to be able to enjoy my life. I didn’t want to be on a diet for the rest of my life. I like salads, but I don’t want to eat them all day everyday. Thanks for the encouragement and the kind words. U don’t know how much they mean to me.
Renee says
YOU LOOK GREAT!!!!! GOOD BLESS YOU I enjoyed your story made me realize I cant trip off my weight im were you want to be and were i should stay im going just tone my thickness up cause i did loose the wait i want to !!!!!!plus those charts are crazy!!!!! CONGRATS DIVA
jackie says
I wls surg in 2011.i have lost over 135 .it the best thing for me.you look awsome
N. Passion Jones says
Christi, You look amazing..keep up the hard work!
tamika says
call
rolonda says
try water aerobics, its very low impact. thats how i started and i love it. hopefully it will work for u too. good luck
Rhonda Robinson says
Tiesha,
Dont allow your doctor to talk you out of wls if this is what you think will move you closer to your weight loss goal. If you know in your heart that you have tried everything else and wls is the kick start that you need, then go for it! Check with your insurance provider and get the financial information you need. Find out what criteria your provider requires and then ask for referrals. I hope that the people in your world encourage you, but if they don’t, do what is best for you!
Regards
The College Lady
Shelly says
Hey Christi, Great job!! Keep it up. You look great. Always remember, you can do anything you set your mind to.
Shelly
Melanie says
I wanna knw how was (is) the diet on the lap band
Christi says
Right after the surgery, u r on protein shakes for 2 wks. Then u graduate to soft solids like lunch meat and grits or oatmeal for 2 wks. Then after that, u can go back to eating normally. Thee thing with the lapband is that the band wil not tell u what to eat, it will tell u when to stop eating. The types oof foods u put in ur mouth r up to u. I chose grilled lean protein and normally a salad. If I had carbs, I only ate just the carbs. Carbs and protein together r a diet breaker.
Alma Bennett says
You look amazing. I need to lose 100lbs and I don’t know where to start. I injured my back and I had back surgery in June. So there is not too much I can do for as exercise at this moment. The steriods have really pack it on. I am thinking,about having it done.. My co worker had it done a few months ago and she looks great. I would appreciate any insights to this
Christi says
@Alma Bennett – I had also been battling on whether or not to have wls in 2006. My primary care doctor had been badgering me to have the bypass for years because he wanted for me to get healthy. My aunt had a verison of the band in 2006 and when I saw how she did, I doctor for truely started to consider it. After going to numerous seminars, I went back to my primary care doctor for a referral. He was still pushing the bypass. I told him that the only surgery I was comfortable with was the band. After was reclutantance from him he gave me the referral. The nurse at my consult put it to me like this, if u eat ok just have a problem with the amount of food u eat, then u need the band. If u eat terrible and eat too much then u need the bypass. That’s when the lightbulb went on in my head. Whatever wls u decide, its ur decision and no body elses. U know u better than anyone else but also be honest with ur self. Wls is a tool u have to work and u must work it.
Christa says
Christi,
You have done a PHENOMENAL JOB!! I too am banded(Feb 2012)!!! I feel the same way since being banded(what took me so long)?!?!?! I’m down 60lbs, and now seeing how well you have done, had given me the extra motivation to go ahead and finish the race!! Thank you sooo much for sharing!!
Cathy J. says
Congrats on the weight loss. Im currently weighing 450lbs and battling whether to get the gastric bypass or not, but after reading your story i think im gonna go with it now.
Terri says
Christi. Thanks for sharing your story! I’m right at your original weight and my doctors don’t think the Lap Band is te best for me but I DO! If I decide on wls I will insist on the Lap band. Thanks again!
Davina says
You look great. I am currently working on losing 98 pounds (I have loss 10 this month so far). My goal weight is 215. The charts do seem a little CRAZY so, I plan to lose what works for me.
#HEALTHYGIRLSROCK
Yolanda says
Wow, this is great! My sister passed this on to me, as I am scheduled to do the sleeve on 12/18/12! Please keep me in your prayers!!!! I have struggled and struggled and like Christi I loose about 40 to 60 and plateau. Also, like Christi I am tall 5’11. So I am thinking about 200 would be perfect for me. I need to loose about 130 to get there. I have already started working out, eating better and thus far I have lost 25 on my on. Right after thanksgiving I will go on liquids to prepare for the surgery. Christ I would like to know how has your skin reacted? Are you taking a particular supplement to assist with elasticity? If so, what? Congrats on your weight loss, keep up the great work girl! My prayer is that YOU/WE never go back!!! To good health and living on purpose! Peace and blessings to us all!!!
Christi says
Since it took me 2 years to loose the weight, my sagging skin is not that bad. But I do have it. I’m working on starting that part of the journey next year. Anytime u lose a significant amount of weight, say 60 lbs or more, there most likely will be sagging skin. Its a badge of honor to see how far I’ve come and I believe that’s one reason I’ve kept it this long. On to the next phase of this journey which will include lots of halters and back out shirts. Lmao
Rosalind says
You’ll do fine and you won’t be sorry.
Erika says
awesome transformation! you go girl!!!
Darlene says
You look great! you have help me and encourage me so much. I had the lap-band surgery in December 2011, I was 327lb at the time, I have loss 65lbs. OMG!! trying to stay focus and do the right thing get so hard. I thought the weight would come off like yesterday but it didn’t lol!!!, You know my doctor also told me, that its just a tool to help me but its up to me to make it work. It took me awhile to realize this, but now I do . So I am trying to do the right thing now, reading your story has help me an more ways than you know. Thanks for your story
Geovianna says
Christi
I think your story is amazing and you look wonderful. i have consider wls over and over but my insurance will not pay for it. where can i get a list of insurance company that are willing to pay for the surgery. keep up the good work and god bless u and keep up the good work.
Christi says
I work for the federal government. So majority of those insurance pay for the surgery but different ones have different requirements. Check with your baractric dr that u r considering using for the surgery and they will be able to give u a list of which insurance pays and doesn’t. At my job, we get info bout the insurance they provide during our open enrollment period. So I just looked at them all til I found the one that paid with the least amount of red tape and I switched to that one. Once I switched, I had no problems getting approved.
Betty says
Wow u look great i also have the lapband june 18, 2012 i have already lost 56 pounds best decision ive ever made, its hard work but its soooo worth it!!
Deborah says
You look great!! It’s been 9 yrs since I had gastric bypass. I hate when people say that weight loss surgery is the easy way out. First of all, you put your life on the line to have the surgery. Secondly, it’s only easy keeping the weight off for the first 2-3 yrs.. After that, you really have to stay on top of things to keep the weight off. Like you said, it’s just a tool. We have to diet like everyone else.
Jackie says
You did what was best for you and have made some wonderful changes. Wanted to know what exercises did you perform to trim and tone your thighs and hips?
Carmen says
You look great. I hope to finish my race soon. I have stopped exercising and have gained some of my weight back since my surgery in 2010, but I am determined to get my life back and finish what I started. Making my change now, not later.
Christi says
During the course of my journey, I started by walking. Then I progressed to the ellipitical on an incline. Now, I take kickboxing three times a week along with weight training and some light running. I am also currently working with a personal trainer trying to get rid of these last 5 to U lbs that don’t want to move. I do a lot of lungs, squats to tighten up my thighs and legs as possible.
LakeeshaTaylor says
You looking amazing!!! Just has my surgery on the 27th of Dec
Ciara Robinson says
You look absolutely amazing. Right now I am thinking about the procedure, although I am young I have also been on many diets and exercise. I am terribly terrified, but based on my pattern and family history of weight I would like to do it now rather than wait for years while I continue to gain more unbareable weight. I have definitely found inspiration in your blog, because I too am a taller woman at 5’11”. i think my biggest fear is the incision and scaring, and the mental thought of having a plastic device inside of me and having some freak accident happen.
Christi says
You sound just like I did. Those are the reasons I put the surgery off for so long. Most doctors are doing the surgeries laproscopically now, meaning that they make 4 or 5 small incisions in a circular pattern around your stomach and they place the band, do the bypass or sleeve all while looking through a video monitor. It’s a day surgery and you go home the same day. I was very hestiant about having something foreign in my body for the rest of my life but if I had to choose between the band and remaining deathly overweight, I would choose the band in a heartbeat. Whatever you decide to do, it is a personal choice just like which wls you decide to have. Pray about the situation and God will definitely tell you avenue to go on. He did for me.
Denise says
You look great!!!!!! I have always been against surgery for myself but am now seeing that no matter what I do I just don’t lose it.. This is in part thanks to PCOS… Seems that I was working out and doing all kinds of different approaches to my diet but couldn’t get past 30 lbs.. That factor and your success are making me reconsider! Congrats!
Christi says
Make sure you do your research regarding the different surgeries and the different baractric doctors in your area. I know in Dallas, there are millions of them and they have even started advertising in commercials. Take your time and choose wisely. Don’t let the doctor pick the surgery for you. You are the one that has to live with the decision. Make sure its one you can live with. I went in for a fill in September 2012 and I asked the doctor’s p.a. is he seeing a reduction in requests for the band and stated “yep”. He said that the people don’t want to take the time to loose the weight. They want the weight off and off as quick as possible. I can definitely understand that but with the more weight you have to loose, if you loose it too quickly, your excess skin issues will be SIGNIFICANT!! So just take you time in deciding and research your doctor thoroughly. Praying for your success no matter what you decide to do.
Lakeesha Taylor says
Hi Christi, just being banded on the 27th of Dec. do you think we could keep in touch by email or on here to give me advice along the way. Your story is so motivating
Christi says
Of course. Are you on Facebook?
harday says
Hi Christi,
I am sheduled for a lap on March 20th, I am scared and excited. Please what do I need to do to better prepare myself beside the 2wks liquid diet? how long before you returned to your normal activites (work, gym, stc…?
Christi says
I was scared too before my surgery. I almost walked out before the dr came in. I think everyone is scared to make and go thru a life changing situation. That just proves u r human. My support team got me thru it. As far as my schedule. I didn’t do the 2 wks of liquid before and I reegret it now. I feel if I had, I wouldn’t have struggled so much in the beginning. It took me 6 wks for my mind, soul, and stomach to get on one accord. I went back to work after a week on a half schedule, 20 hrs then full time. I started walking a couple of days after surgery. Most drs rrecommend it to prevent blood clots from forming. Harday, this is something u can do. Take ur time, don’t put a time limit on urself. Set small goals and once u reach those, change them to bigger one. Good luck and if u need any other advice, friend me on fb.;-)
Morey Strozier says
Christie i have my surgery 3/9. Im on day 2 of the pre op diet and im starting to get really nervous. Im so happy for you. I have been searching on the internet and it scarred me.
harday says
You look beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jackie says
whats ur name on fb i want to add u
Wynne Bell says
Christi, LOVE your inspirational story! I had a lap band procedure 6 days ago. I did the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. The diet started on 3/15/13, surgery was on 03/29/13. I have lost 21 lbs. I really want to slow down the process because I don’t want a lot of loose skin! I am going to friend you on FB! Good luck with your journey!
Christi says
@Jackie. My name is Christi Nicole Barnes.
Felicia says
I am 53 had total hysteronomy a year a half ago. I keep losing 30-40 pounds. Gain the weight back in 5 to 6 month. I have been doing this for the last 6 years. I love to exercising, just love it. Problem eating habits. I want the lap band surgery. Just scared of the cuts. Do they have to cut in the same spot as hysteronomy? My weight 209 need to lose 55 pounds and keep it off. Please advise.
Christi says
Most lap band surgeries are done laparscopically so it depends on how your hysterectmy was done. I had 5 very small incisions in a circular pattern around my stomach. The inserted camera so that the doctor could see inside my body. The band was placed thru the biggest of the incisions. My scars are not raised and really not noticiable due to the excess skin on my lower half.