Introducing...ME!!!

Hello everybody!  I'm Dawnya...my family and friends call me Dawny, Precious, or hussie!  as promised this is my formal introduction to my banded family!!


Here goes everything...


I have not always been big and sexy.  At one time i was just sexy.  As a kid my grandmother always complained when we went shopping about my big butt (this is from a woman who never had any ass...still doesn't).  So I always had a complex about my big butt.  It wasn't a normal complex of feeling bad about it...I actually embraced my big butt and tried to show it off at all times.  I wore the tightest jeans...and the shortest tops to make sure everyone saw it.  LOL


In high school I was the girl the boys loved to hang out with and date.  I guess because my house was such fun.  My mom was the coolest mom on the block, but she would cuss you out and beat you down in a heartbeat.  There was never a shortage of guys or girls in my house at anytime. 

This is a picture of me from high school.  Try to ignore the kool-aide smile.  I'm always smiling and laughing.  I can't help it.


I started gaining weight when I was 22.  Not sure what happened, but one day I was a nice 14 and then bam 22 was knocking down my door. 


The weight never bothered me.  You could not tell me I was not cute and sexy...well you could have told me but you would have been wrong.  I knew I could get a man and take a few if my heart so desired. 


I met Charles (my hubby) as a big girl.  Apparently my dress size doesn't matter to him.  He is my biggest supporter and he is thin.

There is my honey!!

In 2006 we moved to Austin, TX.  This was the first time I thought negatively about my weight.  I was freaking huge.  Not sure how much I weighed, but the size 24's were tight. I was not working and I was fat...it was not a good time for me.

As you can see from the above picture I was about ready to burst out of the size 24 pants.


This is when I decided to do something about my weight.  I joined Weight Watchers.  I love WW...and it helped. I lost 35 pounds in no time.  I was so excited...and I was looking really good.  I ordered the cutest dress in a 18 and it fit.  I guess it helps that I'm tall (at least to me...5'7).

See me in the dress...gosh darn I love green.


Well I'm the type that when I have something to celebrate I usually do it with food.  So of course all the WW weight came back with a few more pounds to keep them company.  I would work out for 2 days straight and then take a break which usually lasted for 6 months.  LOL


Needless to say my weight continued to fluctuate...but I was happy.  I had family and friends who loved me and didn't judge me because of my weight.  I looked good in most (if not all) my clothes...and I could still pull a man. 


Well in 2008 I turned 30...I thought I would be at a cute sexy weight for Vegas.  NOT!!!  I was cute...but I was still huge.

So in April 2009 I decided enough is enough.  I hired a trainer.  I started working out with him 3 times a week.  It was great.  I was moving muscles I didn't know I had.  I lost 40 lbs.

See...40 lbs was great.  But losing the inches was even better.  Cute...I know.  LOL


I loved the workout and I would have never stopped.  But God had other plans.


On September 18, 2009 I got a call that a newborn baby needed a home.  Well I had a home and I thought what the hell.  He was only gonna be here a week or so.  Well that little angel turned my life upside down in no time.  I still attended boot camp...but it was difficult.  Then 2 months later I went to court about my little angel who had overstayed his 1 week visit...when I left court I had 3 hours to go shopping, because that little angel had a 1 y/o sister who also needed me.  In the course of 2 months I became a mother to a newborn baby and a 1 y/o toddler.  Needless to say...working out was over and done.  LOL


Fast forward to September 2010.  I was tired of being fat...tired of needing a seat belt extender to fly...tired of Lane Bryant charging so much for those damn flower frocks they called clothes.  I was just plain tired. 


I called True Results to see if I qualified for the surgery.  I qualified and my insurance would foot the bill. Sign me the hell up.  My starting weight was 311.7  I was banded on November 16th by Dr. Alex Esquivel in Austin, TX. 

These photos were taken the night before surgery...gross I know...but hey...it is what it is.

Whew...lengthy post.  Sorry.  I just wanted you all to know who I am.  My goal is to get thinner, but most importantly to get healthier.  I want to live a full life.  I have so much to live for.  The little boy and girl I mentioned are now ours.  They were officially adopted in December.  I want to make sure I am healthy for me and for them. 

Well there is my story...now it is time to work my band.