PorkerChick

Hello everyone!! My name is Mya... I'm so glad I found your forum. I just got off the phone with the staff at the hospital in Mexico, and I'm getting BANDED... May 16 should be the day.. a little va-cay, and a little surgery. YAY!! I'm so psyched about loosing this stubborn 20lbs. I've tried fasting, but I get sooo hungggrrryy.. It'd be nice to not have that craving, ya know?? Anyhow.. I'm looking forward to swimsuit season!!! So glad to be here.. Hey, how did you guys get those banners that say how much you have to lose? I'm at 117lbs now, and I'd like to get down to 97 (But I'd be TOTALLY happy to be at 100!!!!) Anyhow, off to work. Later Mya

Wait.. are you guys FOR REAL?? I was just trying to help. People were ASKING questions..I was answering.. I am not seeking 'attention'.. and am saddened to read that. As far as training go, I study for my ACE cert test (personal trainer test) last march, and took the test when I graduated in June, (and passed)... I worked for about a month at Dolphin Fitness in Manhattan where I realized my OWN body image issues had to be resolved before I can help anyone else. No one paid me $75.. they paid the GYM $75 for the consult... that was for non-gym members, members of the gym got the first session (the consult) free... I got a salary of $11.13 an hour. Why do I have to explain this???? Someone asked me what a personal trainer charged, and I told her. As far as my tax return (again, I don't see a need to explain.. but I will address it).. I received a substantial payment from a PRINT ad that I did for Kohl's. I appeared in circulars for two years from 2004-2006. I never claimed this as income because I thought my parents were claiming me as a dependent.. which they weren't doing because I wasn't living in the house with them, rather in a basement apartment... my uncle, who is a very gifted accountant, help me fill out a 1040x (amended tax return) to help me get back 3 years worth of due taxes... I also worked for nearly a year, at 2 different jobs (along with modeling, not runway but catalogue) and never filed.. when I should have. As far as reading the Betancourt posts.. I've read them, and I think you'll find something negative about any doctor or facility ANYWHERE, and depending on how computer savvy the DISSATISFIED patients are... can really impact the way it can be viewed only... All of which is irrelevant, because Betancourt REFUSES to do the surgery without a US doc's approval.. which, we all know, aint gonna happen. I appreciate all the well-intentioned advice that I've received from most of you.. but the negative, doubty, "something's fishy".. stuff, I much would have preferred been addressed to me privately, or better, not said at all. Thanks mya-out

I just got an email from Violet(?) from the hospital. She says that I need to bring with me a prescription from a psychiatric professional (I'm guessing she means a psychiatrist) clearing me for the surgery, along with a prescription for the lap band from a U.S. physician. She says I don't meet the weight criteria otherwise... I'm kind of pissed, because this is the first they've said ANYTHING like that... Now EVERYTHING is set.. and I have to try to find a doc to 'prescribe' the surgery.. if I could have done that, I would have just had it done here. :-( :-( :-(

Ok, so I am all set.. I got the email confirmation and my flight to San Diego is BOOKED... I am leaving here on Monday the 14th, and my surgery will be on Wednesday.. and my BF was able to get off from work, so he will be coming with me.. I am going to have him take some 'before' pics tonight (i'm not too good with the camera).. and then will do afters, and scar progressions ... I don't know how to post pictures on here, so maybe someone here can show me how. Hope you all have a nice weekend. mya-out

Ok, now I know I'm not going crazy.. I thought this was a different forum..... and I made a mistake. mya-out

This webpage looks different today than it did yesterday. Ok, first I want to really, REALLY thank Alexandra.. I really do appreciate you kindness, and honest opinions and help. I do understand where you are coming from ..... I DO.. But I am powerless over food... I have to exercise soo much to keep from gaining weight after all the food I eat. It's becoming a crazy cycle... I know that I am not overweight now, but I do fear I will be... becoming a model has always been a goal for me, I've done a few catalogs and stuff.. but I do see your point about scarring and not being able to reveal my tummy. I have spoken with the couselor (I guess that's what she is) at the center in mexico.. and I've paid (in full... ick) the $8500.... I am going to go thru with it, and am scheduled for May 15th....... Thank you again for all of your support and advise. mya-out

Hi Sramundo. Welcome.. I just joined about an hour ago.. most of the people here are soo helpful and sweet. I honestly thought I'd be fending off nay-sayers.. (I had to go out of country to approve my lapband becaus I'm not over the BMI or whatever for the US... long story)... But actually, people have been very honest, and sweet here.. They have alot to offer... You're gonna love it. mya-out

Thank you Jono.. I'm sorry, I can be a little flighty sometime.. I thought it had to do with being banded two years ago (Or more)... I thought the weights were just a coincindence. You seem a little cranky tonight.. :0) Maybe it's just the way I'm interpretting things though. My bad. Mya-out

Thank you chickie. THank you bug.

I just joined today and most of the people here seem very nice. I think you'll like it here. Good luck with everything. mya-out

Thank you waterlily.. I am new to this website, and kinda dumb about stuff like that. mya-out

Thank you.

I dind't get my band yet.. I will in 2 weeks.. does the fills hurt? mya-out

Someone told me in a post that they'd be able to see my port.. does it stick out? Can you get a smaller sized one? Mya-out

Wow... that's great!! I can't wait to have my surgery on the 15th (hopefully).. I am paying for it myself.. we can heal together. Mya-out

Oh, ok.. I see the Betencourt stuff now.. I was looking under introductions, that's why I didn't see it before... Thanks alexandra. mya-out

Oh, and I didn't mean anything to offend anyone ELSE with my name (porkerchick) .. you can just call me Mya.. but I needed a screen name for the board, and I use porkerchick for alot of stuff... I DO have poor body image, and I don't think not belonging to a certain 'weight class' makes me ineligible for wanting to lose excess baggage. In the few posts that I read, I've seen people call themselves bubblebutt, biggirls, and fat.. they talk about having rolls of fat, jiggling, and having chairs stick to their butt when they get out of them... aren't THOSE things offensive??? Are you guys some kind of exclusive soriety that only the elite of the over weight can join???? I don't appreciate being considered a joke, BUT I can understand where you're coming from, and it's all good. Mya-out.

Hey Jono.. I totally didn't mean to offend... Can't we all just get along. I am going to look into Alex's advice and see about the plastic surgery.. I couldn't find anything bad on Betencourt... They seemed very friendly on the phone... The think I'm hesitant about the plastic surgery is that's like admitting failure.. I want to loose this weight by watching what I eat (with the band) not by having someone suck it out of me. Thank you so much for your positive advice.. you guys sound like my mom .. she wasn't happy with my decision either.. but I'm going to put my tax refund money towards it.

What is 'twoerville'?

Do you guys know how long the lap band has been around? Who's the 'oldest' bandster on the board??? Mya -out

5'6".. I think that's why I had such a hard time getting an MD approval here..... Don't get all 'that's soo underweight' on me... I totally wanna model, and there's no way anyone's hiring me with all this cottage cheese on my tushie. :-) Anyhow.. how do I get one of those turtle thingys? Mya

You totally think it's not worth the risk, huh?? I do.. You know what the struggle of losing weight is. You're right though.. I could not get a US doc to sign off on the surgery. If it doesn't work, I can always have the band removed, and I am really healthy otherwise, so I'm not too spooked about the risks. C'est la vie. Hey.. do you know how I can get one of those things on my messages witht he little turtle showing how much weight I've lost.. outta here mya

"Kay.. thanks Alexandra!!! (Yes..I've been STRUGGLING for that last 20lbs.. this surgery will be worth every hard earned penny). Googling Betancourt now. Toots Mya

You should, like, go to your local gym and ask them. They most definately have a trainer on staff, and most of the would be DYING for a little side work. I used to be a trainer (looong loong ago, in another life) and I'd charge about $75 for the consultation, then about $30-$40 per hour/session afterwards. Hope that helps. Mya