I had a weight problem throughout my whole life. I was a chubby baby and the baby fat never left me. I do not know why I was always chubby, but what I do know is that I always had hormone imbalances. When I was 8 or 9 my mom took me to a pediatric endocrinologist. I brought my blood work to her and she took one look at me and said, “I don’t want to put your daughter on medicine, just try to lose weight.”
NAME : Gianna
BEFORE WEIGHT : 240
AFTER WEIGHT : 120
POUNDS LOST : 120
Even though I ate healthy, played sports and was dancing competitively, I still could not trim down. I remember when it was my junior prom and I went on a crash diet to lose weight. I don’t know if I was eating 500 calories or less. All I know is I needed to buy a beautiful dress and look good. I did lose some weight, but I also was rushed to the hospital because I fainted. Apparently, I was not getting enough nutrients and became very weak and lost consciousness. After that it was a roller coaster with my weight. I took dance class 5 to 6 days a week and I also loved playing sports, especially basketball. My freshman year of college is when I really started gaining weight. I lived on campus and wasn’t as active since my competitive dancing career had ended. I did try to go to the school gym as often as possible.
Eventually I lost my menstrual cycle and noticed that hair on my body thickened. I went to the gynecologist and she put me on birth control pills. Shortly after that, I went to a new endocrinologist. He diagnosed me with PCOS, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. I knew I needed to do something because the weight was piling on no matter what I did. At first I was looking into the Lap Band procedure. My grandfather has it and he lost some weight, but not enough to get off his insulin. As I did my research, I came across the Gastric Sleeve procedure.
I learned that this was much more effective. At first my mom was totally against these procedures. She wanted me to try extra hard to lose the weight. But eventually she realized I needed help. We spoke to the doctor and she confirmed that the Gastric sleeve did get better results and was not referable as the band is. You need to be more committed to the sleeve because there is no turning back. With the lap band you can have it loosened and tightened. The gastric sleeve procedure consists of taking about 85% of your stomach and you are left with about 15%.
HOW DID YOUR WEIGHT AFFECT ANY ASPECT(S) OF YOUR LIFE?
My weight affected many aspects of my life. When I first started competitive dancing, I was put in the back line. I had the moves and facial expressions and did not think that I belonged in the back. I would get so many compliments on my performances and people would ask me, why I was in the back line?
With everything I do, I was always dedicated and gave it 100%. Eventually I was moved to the front line. But in the meantime, I felt that I was too big to be in the front. Ordering costumes was fun… NOT! Sometimes my mom had to order an extra costume for the material so we can make the costume bigger. I was always the biggest girl everywhere I went. My mom went crazy shopping for clothes to fit me. Especially when we had a party or special event.
As I got older, it was no different. I was always self conscious when we would have to get dressed up. My mom had to get women’s clothes and alter the length. It was impossible to find fashionable clothes to fit. I was bullied most of my life up until last year in fact. I never really spoke about this to my parents until now. I kept it to myself because I was ashamed and embarrassed. I never understood what people got out of making fun or being mean to another person. My grandfather actually got bullied on the beach in Florida right before he decided to have his procedure about 10 years ago.
They said “look at that whale on the beach.” He was around 68 years old. He was mortified. I also sing and act and when I would perform I would always be conscious of my weight and if people are judging. I feel like sometimes I am holding back on my performance because of this. It is as if you are mentally and emotionally abused. You are afraid to let your guard down. When I went out with my girlfriends none of the boys would talk to me. I never really had a boyfriend. All my friends are thin and beautiful and I guess because of my weight I wasn’t as social as them. I held back on making conversation fearing rejection or being bullied.
WHAT WAS THE “TURNING POINT” THAT GOT YOU STARTED ON YOUR WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY?
I really started gaining weight in my freshman year of high school. I did live on campus and wasn’t as active since my competitive dancing career had ended. I did try to go to the school gym as often as possible. Eventually I lost my menstrual cycle and noticed heavy facial hair. I went to gynecologist and she put me on birth control pills. Shortly after that I went to a new endocrinologist.
He diagnosed me with PCOS, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. I knew I needed to do something because the weight was piling on no matter what I did. At first I was looking into the Lap Band procedure. My grandfather has it and he lost some weight, but not enough to get off his insulin. As I did my research, I came across the Gastric Sleeve procedure. I learned that this was much more effective. At first my mom was totally against these procedures. She wanted me to try extra hard to lose the weight. But eventually she realized I needed help.
We spoke to the doctor and she confirmed that the Gastric sleeve did get better results and was not referable as the band is. You need to be more committed to the sleeve because there is no turning back. With the lap band you can have it loosened and tightened. The gastric sleeve procedure consists of taking about 85% of your stomach and you are left with about 15%. Besides the PCOS diagnosis, I was being bullied and felt like I needed to take charge of my life because I did not want to live like this any longer.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?
After I decided on the gastric sleeve, I had to see the doctor for 6 months and undergo a series of testings. I had to see a nutritionist and go on a liquid diet. This was to prepare my stomach for the procedure.
HOW LONG AFTER YOU STARTED DID YOU BEGIN TO SEE RESULTS OF YOUR WEIGHT LOSS EFFORTS?
I needed to go on a liquid diet before the procedure and at this time I dropped some weight. After the procedure I saw major weight loss. I am eating a fraction of what I ate before the surgery.
WHAT WAS THE HARDEST PART?
As I mentioned previously I had PCOS.
DID YOU EVER WANT TO GIVE UP? WHAT KEPT YOU GOING?
I never wanted to give up. I was excited for what was going to come to me and my performing career. When I was big I was sent out for chubby girls roles. A new life of not being afraid, sad, and helpless. I finally had options.
DID YOU HIT ANY WEIGHT LOSS PLATEAUS? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?
Yes I hit weight loss plateaus, but eventually I would see a big weight loss. Sometimes your body gets used to your diet and you have to switch it up and eat things you were not eating.
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO LOSE MOST OF THE WEIGHT?
I did not take long at all. I lost 120 pounds in 10 months. That is half of what I weighed. I stuck to the program and it paid off.
DID YOU HAVE ANY NON-SCALE VICTORIES?
I sure did. I inspired so many people along the way. I made people aware that they are not alone. This was the most rewarding victory to me. Shopping for new cloths. As I lost the weight, I went out and bought new clothing. It felt great to walk into a regular size clothing store and actually buy myself something. Very rewarding.
WHAT DOES YOUR DAILY DIET LOOK LIKE COMPARED TO WHEN YOU WERE HEAVIER?
I ate very healthy, but I ate too much. I would always feel hungry. I think it had a lot to do with my hormone imbalance.
HOW DOES YOUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY COMPARE TO WHEN YOU WERE HEAVIER?
Like I said before, I was always active with sports and dancing. Now I can move faster with less effort. I work out almost everyday. I enjoy it and it makes me feel great. I am trying to firm up and build muscle.
MY WEIGHT LOSS TIPS & TRICKS
- Limit your sugars and starches.
- Do not eat too late at night.
- Meal Prep!
- Drink a lot of water.
- Limit your meat, eat more fish.
Original article and pictures take theweighwewere.com site
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