A single mom has revealed her staggering transformation after shedding 260lbs following three weight loss surgeries.
Kwyonnica Frazier, from Dallas, Texas, has always struggled with her weight journey due to suffering from various health issues – including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and high blood pressure.
The 43-year-old single mom, who works as a bariatric speaker and patient advocate, said she always knew that shedding the weight was important but found it difficult to find any motivation.
But, when her mom died at age 56 due to heart failure, Kwyonnica had a wake-up call and finally decided to make a change.
Kwyonnica explained: ‘Since childhood, I’ve battled morbid obesity and watched my health deteriorate with each passing year.
‘With high blood pressure, borderline diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the odds were already stacked against me, and binge eating was the cherry on the top.
‘I remember stepping onto the scale, and it couldn’t display a weight exceeding 450 pounds since that was its upper limit. I was way above that mark.’
Kwyonnica knew shedding excess weight was important but finding the motivation was tough – especially as her family had a long history of obesity.
It wasn’t until her mom died at age 56 that she had a wake-up call.
She realized that if she didn’t make a change, her own life might take a tragic turn, too.
‘I tried dieting, but that didn’t work, so I started researching weight loss surgeries. Back then, laparoscopic gastric banding – known as a lap band for short – was considered the least intrusive choice,’ she explained.
In 2009, Kwyonnica decided to undergo surgery in the hopes of turning her life around.
She explained: ‘Shortly after my 29th birthday in 2009, I underwent the surgery, keeping it a secret from friends and family out of fear and guilt. In six months, I lost 100 lbs.
‘My weight loss was going well until a miracle happened: I became pregnant in 2011, which experts claimed was practically impossible given my weight and fertility issues.
‘Not long after I had my daughter, Rya, the Lap Band started causing complications, shifting behind my liver. That’s when I had to get it removed, and doctors recommended a gastric sleeve procedure. So, in 2013, I underwent a second weight loss surgery.’
Despite having high hopes for the gastric sleeve procedure, it didn’t work as intended.
The single mom ended up only dropping 20 pounds and her GERD symptoms intensified.
For seven years, she suffered in silence with depression as her weight spiraled out of control.
It wasn’t until later that Kwyonnica discovered that the sleeve from her original surgery had been positioned incorrectly.
She explained: ‘I was losing hope that I’d ever lose weight until a turning point came on 10 December 2020. I discovered a new surgeon who was able to re-operate and turn my gastric sleeve to a gastric bypass.
‘Since that procedure, I’ve shed more than half my initial body weight and continue to lose weight.’
While Kwyonnica openly acknowledges undergoing three separate weight loss procedures did impact her mental health, she has no regrets.
‘Each surgery was a step towards discovering the procedure that would prove most effective for me and, ultimately, save my life,’ she added.
She has now even opened up on how she has stuck to her weight loss – crediting it to her daughter.
Kwyonnica said: ‘My biggest motivator to stay on track with my weight loss is my daughter.
‘Because of her, I am determined to conquer my health issues, set a good example for my child and break the cycle of obesity that has haunted my family for generations.’
Kwyonnica explained she needed to gradually change her dietary habits and consciously incorporate exercise into her daily routine to continue dropping the pounds.
‘Initially, I concentrated on high-protein, low-carb meals, avoiding pasta, bread, and sugar. I carefully measured and weighed my food.
‘As I entered a “maintenance phase”, I focused on fueling my body with nutritious foods after being sugar-free for two years.’
After changing her diet, Kwyonnica then started taking exercising seriously.
She came up with a training plan that combines High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), aerobics, and weightlifting – and she has committed to working out four to five days weekly.
Kwyonnica advised those embarking on or considering a weight loss journey to always keep their ‘why’ in mind.
She said: ‘It’s important to recognize that your motivation for shedding those pounds may differ significantly from someone else’s.
‘Remember, the journey to a healthier you is not a one-size-fits-all path. Embrace your unique journey, be patient with yourself, and stay committed to your goals.’
