Testimonials

Meet Karen

Gastric Sleeve

This pic was taken on June 4th, 2011; the day I came home from the hospital after having gastric sleeve surgery on June 2nd.

Day 8 post op. June 10th, 2011. Still a little swollen in this pic, but feeling great and loving life!

Day 34 post op, 7/6/11. This was taken the day that I had my one month check up at the clinic and the day my daughter and I stopped in and met you and spoke with the other ladies that work there. You all are so very sweet and kind! I enjoy every visit to the clinic! ; )

Day 51 post op; 7/23/11 (my 48th birthday). I never thought I could ever feel so alive and well on another one of my birthdays!

Since I made the decision to have this surgery, back in March; I started at a size 26/28, weight at 316 lbs. On the day of surgery, I had lost some weight to shrink my liver and was down to 280 lbs. When I came home from surgery on June 4th, I weighed 278 lbs. At my one month check up on 7/6, I weighed 260 lbs. As of today, I weigh 250 lbs. ; ) Since the start of my journey, I’ve lost 66 lbs, and I’m now in a size 18/20, and some of those are a bit large on me. My sweet husband of 30 yrs (9/11/81), that has loved me through “thick & thin,” says that “I’m alive again and it thrills him to see the huge smile on my face and the NEW me!” He’s  so looking forward to the next 30 yrs! I have energy that I never thought I’d have again! ; ) Praise the Lord! I am so excited and happy to feel so healthy and alive again.

Before this journey, I had pretty much given up and had succumb to the realization that I would probably be severely I’ll or dead by my 60th birthday, if I lived that long. God has allowed me to find the joy and hope in life again.

He revealed this verse to me, and it’s my testimony verse now. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I feel so LOVED and ALIVE, it’s impossible to put into words. I have a lovely smile on my face that is a reflection of what’s in my heart. I have a spring in my step, that takes me through each day and helps me to overcome each obstacle. ; ) God is so good!

It is my goal to help others that are in the same situation as me, to encourage them and to lift them up, so they too can know the Joy and the Hope in life again! ; )

I told myself that I would eat steak on my birthday, and I did! I had about 5 little tiny pieces along with some salad, asparagus and mashed potatoes. I didn’t eat a whole lot, but it was delicious! ; ) you can tell by the smile, right? Ha!