FROM FLUFFED TO DE-FLUFFED
From Fluffed to "De-Fluffed".
I have always been a happy spirit and a bit on the fluffier side, always smiling and surprisingly very active. Despite a content heart, my health was not so much on the same boat.
Still, I had never given weight loss surgery any thought because I felt okay and was always so energetic...(or so I thought.) I will never forget the day my doctor told me I was Morbidly Obese and that I was on my way to pre-diabetes. Eventually, I did indeed become pre-diabetic. Being overweight was not only affecting my health, but it also began to affect my singing and performances. Standing for long periods became painful ( although, you'd never know just by looking at me). It took a huge toll on my breathing as well and my vocal range began to decrease. I just physically could not do it and that put me in a very emotional and somewhat dark place.
It wasn't until my mentor, partner, and whom I like to call "chosen father" Rick Leonard expressed his concerns and recommended weight loss surgery. It always seemed scary to me and I was a firm believer that I could do it alone. I accept now that, that's not always possible. AND THAT'S OKAY!
Many have been following my weight loss journey and I had been trying to lose weight for a very long time. I tried many diets, and workout programs, always staying active. I even tried juicing for 45 days and vegetarian meals. I did it all! But I would lose max of 40lbs and gain it right back.
So I decided to do my research and began prep for surgery. After many doctor visits, psych evaluations, sleep studies, educational classes, nutritional visits, and TWO WEEKS of nothing but liquids before surgery we were ready!
My heaviest weight was a fluffy 315lbs (see picture, taken at sister's wedding)
DEC 7 2023- SURGERY day I was 297lbs (after the liquid fast)
On this day my entire life began to change for the better.
I had an amazing medical team at South Miami Hospital and I am so grateful to have been under such attentive care. Although we had a successful surgery, there were some surprises.
After surgery, I was fine and recuperating, walking, and following the doctor's orders. I had some bleeding which we assumed was normal. When I was given my discharge papers, I began to feel weird and lost feeling in my legs. The room began to fade and at that moment GOD stepped in and I was indeed not discharged. I was experiencing a reaction from the anticoagulant shot (which we found out later) I had internal bleeding so they feared having to put me back under to go back to the operation site. My hemoglobin had dropped drastically as well.
But first things first, my pressure began to drop and I was taken into ICU where they tried but couldn't stabilize me and then was wheeled to CCU "Critical care unit" where I would spend the next five days in recovery and close watch with doctors and my surgeon's team. My pressure was 22/57 at one point. I remember having blood drawn every 6 hours. Nothing but IVs all day and pretty much no sleep because every time I would try, someone would have to come in for some test. It was scary but we always remained in big faith and the Surgical team was the best I could ever ask for.
My mom was by my side the entire time. People were checking in, I got visits, phone calls, letters...i was truly overwhelmed with love and under an absolute abundance of light.
But in the transition of being stabilized, I remember feeling really cold, the voices in the room slowly faded out. I remember seeing my wife next to me, hearing my grandmother's voice, and seeing my mom crying, and holding my hand. I felt so close but oh so far. It's so hard to explain. I've never felt so scared in my life. But I am grateful I went through it. I have learned a new appreciation for life and I intend to make the most of this second chance. I want to experience it.
And so, I have been on a transformative journey for over a year now. I am so grateful to be living in better health and full of life. I'm learning to be patient with myself and embrace my imperfections and to always continue to lead with love. Im living in my purpose and I am standing tall and being consistent in this journey called life.
So, if you see me and you want to ask “Why are you always so happy?”…..Well now you know…lol and I invite you to be a part of this fluffin lovins.