Lanaya Allen
Wow. It's been over 6 years since my surgery. I still remember the year before I went in for Gastric Bypass surgery on December 26, 2001. I researched and looked at thousands of before & after pictures. I was desperate because I felt like I had no other options and life was miserable at 380 lbs.
I prayed to God to send me hope, and He did. I was approved for surgery and scheduled. I remember looking at my family as they took me to the operating room and thinking that it might be the last time I'd ever see them.
I also remember thinking that losing weight wouldn't change me inside for the negative. I knew I would never get a divorce and head down the wrong path. But, I did exactly that. I lost my weight and thought the grass was greener on the other side. I went through a divorce and went down my own paths instead of God's.
But, by His saving grace, He has restored my life. I searched for so many worldly things to fill my lonely voids in the last few years. I turned to alcohol and partying, became obsessive about my weight and working out, and even turned back to food. God allowed me to go through some humbling experiences to get to where I am now.
I can't stress enough how important it is to give your life to Jesus Christ because He never leaves. He never left the whole time I turned my back on Him and everyone else. I feel more beautiful now than I ever have because my heart is His and it's an internal beauty!
I thank Him for everything in my past because of where I am right now. He is such a loving Father. I thank Him for Dr. Schwartz and his staff who were amazing!
God bless.
December 6, 2008
The years go by faster as I get older! I haven't been on this site in so long. I remember researching this surgery for a year before I had it done. I looked at thousands of pictures over and over and dreamed of the day I would be skinny. Well, I've come a long way by the grace of God and went through a lot of humbling experiences along the way. Skinny wasn't what I was seeking. I was praying for freedom from the bondage of overeating.
I still struggle. I have a hard time giving it all to Him. The only way I've truly found freedom from diets, weight, and eating is through Christ. I've rollercoastered so many times and the only way I've lost weight is through the Weigh Down Workshop. It teaches how to rely on Christ to fill the emptiness that so many of us are trying to fill with food, relationships, and substances. It's an amazing program. Another book that teaches the same biblical basics is called The Diet Alternative.
I remarried a wonderful man back in May of 2008. Currently he is going to school and we are just enjoying our time together. No plans for any babies soon but hopefully in the near future. I really cherish my time with him. God has done so much in both of our lives. I do have a niece and a nephew that light up my world. I have one stepdaughter that I'm starting to get to know. She is beautiful and it's been fun watching her mature into a little lady. I have one stepson that I haven't met yet. I'm praying that God intervenes and brings Josh and his son back together soon.
Well, that's all about me right now. It's so good to see so many people on here. You know the one thing I have to say to everyone is that this surgery is nothing to be ashamed of. To keep hidden. This surgery was a blessing. I went through some prideful things after losing the weight because I chose to go down that road but hopeful from my story, people will turn away from the things I turned to.
April 9, 2012
I cannot believe how long it has been since my surgery. I've gone through so many ups and downs without updating my profile. So here goes.
My husband graduated from his program in May of 2010 and is currently working on his millwright apprenticeship with a local union. He's a hard worker and is providing for his family. Back in August 2011, we began looking for a place to live with hopes to find a place to buy contract-for-deed or rent-to-own and the first phone call I had regarding a house that was for rent just happened to be the childhood home I grew up in. I was so amazed at the coincidence of it all but very blessed. We moved in November 2011.
Prior to our move, I gave birth to my daughter, Sarah Evelyn, on March 22, 2011. When she was 10 weeks old, I fell down a hill and fractured my left ankle in 3 places. Taking care of a newborn was pretty difficult but it created a bond between Sarah and I that I cherish. Six weeks later, I fell on my parents' deck after I was given the ok to wear a walking boot and refractured my ankle into four breaks. Three days later, I had surgery to have a metal plate put in. That was July 18, 2011 and it's been a road to recovery since then.
I began putting weight back on and now I can feel it in my joints and I just feel heavy again. I wouldn't trade anything from my past for anything but I want to pursue a revision because my pouch just feels as if it has stretched.
I will share with you my journey from here on out because I know a lot of the people I began this journey with from my support group have gained their weight back as well. For those looking into gastric bypass surgery, make sure to find a strong support system prior to surgery to help you change your eating habits because it will save you from a lot of trouble in the long run.
