Diva Taunia

Bitchy friends are my favorite types of friends. Carp, never! Crap, always. Thanks. I feel so happy right now. Happy and bitchy!

How is a forum full of (primarily) untrained medical professionals a resource? (No offense, guys. I count myself in there as well.) I just don't get it. Overweight children are under constant scrutiny with their weight. CONSTANT. I'm actually pretty shocked to read a lot of the comments here, because as I read them, I remember being a young child and constantly being talked to about my weight. It was always dressed up as "concern," but really, even as a child I knew that the subtext was always, "YOU'RE FAT." This whole thread just really breaks my heart for that little girl. Think she's not aware of her weight? Watch this. Every overweight child knows. YOUTUBE:

Curious what everyone is doing for Halloween this year and what costumes they're choosing? For new pre-ops, I know/remember that this was one of the BEST things after losing weight: being able to get a rockin' Halloween costume! I'm curious to hear how new pre-ops feel and what they're going as this year? Also, for veterans, post your favorite post-op Halloween costume pic! This was my favorite, which was two years ago. I put together the costume myself! Maleficent, which was a LOT of fun wearing to school teaching middle school music students. lol

Happy Anniversary, Queen!

I'm the exact opposite. I'll tell anyone and everyone. My problem is, I don't have an idea that tops an ice bucket. lol

Wow, this is a great thread for me to read. I'm an old-schooler and I have a channel on YouTube and still post every now and then, but not very often: DIVA TAUNIA. (Gastric bypass 2008) I actually didn't think anyone posted on YouTube about wls surgery anymore, but that's really just because the folks that were posting around the same time I was stopped doing so. It's really great to see all of these new faces and names, and I'm definitely going to check everyone out!

Gary, Carnie is already married and has been for a while...though I'm sure she'd appreciate the adulation. lol

Wellesse is definitely my favorite. In the fridge and one quick dose (just one swallow of liquid) and you're done. Easy-peasy. They will send you samples too if you request them! www.wellesse.com

UPDATE ON THE WINNER: Thanks to everyone who submitted their questions! Unfortunately, Carnie had a snafu last night and did not call in. I got a long email from her this morning with huge and sincere apologies. It was a bummer she didn't call in, but hey, sometimes celebrities lives get a little cuckoo. What can you do? In any case, I *did* read the winner question on air as promised and I *did* award the prize, and the winner is (drumroll please....): DOXAHOLIC! I loved your question for Carnie, and since I'm a vocalist myself, I was able to answer it on-air. You are the winner of this contest, so please send me your name and address for your gift pack to: info@divataunia.com. I'll be running more contests like this, probably for next week when Alex Brecher, from right here on BARIATRIC PAL is on!

shedo82773, I just thought I'd respond to this since no one else did. Carnie actually had a procedure called BOB or Band-Over-Bypass. They didn't "revise" the RNY, but instead placed a lap band over the original bypass (I'm paraphrasing, obviously, not using the exact technical jargon). It's another type of wls procedure. You can read more about it here: http://www.obesityaction.org/educational-resources/resource-articles-2/weight-loss-surgery/band-over-bypass

Can you imagine? Yeah, let me go to the beach and wear a BLACK SUIT. That will be super-comfortable. SAID NO ONE EVER.

That's actually a great question. I can tell you from my own experience, it did...quite a bit more than I had anticipated. Your body is your instrument, and sound resonates from within that instrument, so it changed a lot for me. I'd be really curious to hear what her response would be!

Just found this thread and thought I'd chime in because I know of a fix that I swear by and LOVE. There is a company called Bravo Bra Pads (www.bravobrapads.com) and they make inserts that go into your bra and I SWEAR BY THESE THINGS! I wear them every day. They fill out your bra and perk up the girls. And they are SUPER afforable at only about $15 a pair. I've had mine for over a year and a half and they are still in amazing shape through daily wear and washes. Also, just as a tip: they're giving away a $25 Gift Certificate on the radio show this Friday night to a lucky caller. If you listen to the show this Friday (www.backstagepassradio.com) at 7pm PST when Carnie Wilson is on (she was sick last week, so she's going to be on this week), you can call in and win some to try! But honestly, either way, get yourself some of these. I promise you will thank me.

HA! Great costume! Do you really play? (I'm a professional musician out here in LA and I teach music. I'm actually from the Boston area originally - born and raised! Nice to see someone from my 'hood with a good sense of humor. And congrats on your success!

Congrats to you both, and best wishes and lots of luck!

Even though it was a million years ago now (ok, slight exaggeration - 8.5 years, lol), it's COMPLETELY natural. Drinking every meal is NOT natural. BUT, remember that you have a teeny tiny pouch right now and while you might be tempted to eat something, you could cause yourself a lot of physical pain or damage if you do. Honestly, I remember how difficult it was, but after you get through this, you'll realize you were a lot tougher than you thought you were.

Reading this thread makes me feel OOOOOOOLD!!! lol

The show starts in just 15 minutes! Listen on any device at www.backstagepassradio.com or directly to the episode at: http://tobtr.com/s/9517791 Don't forget to call in at 347-857-2052 to win the $25 Bariatric Pal Store Gift Card!

Actually, the question should be - who DOESN'T?!! Alex VERY generously sponsored a $25 Gift Card to be given away during tonight's premiere episode of The Backstage Pass Radio Program! If you're not familiar with the show, we create a lively and fun atmosphere to talk about weight loss surgery and obesity topics and welcome callers and chatters to the program every Friday at 7pm PST. You can listen to the show streaming on any device at PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter Gift Pack (raffle drawing tonight) just for liking our Facebook Page today before NOON PST! We'd love for you to come join in the discussion and tune-in. We're working to make weight loss surgery and obesity talk radio fun, entertaining and a little bit crazy! Thanks again to Alex for sponsoring this great giveaway. He's also offering a 15% discount using the code DIVAT or POWERGIRL. Call-in tonight to win so you can shop store.bariatricpal.com!

I'm curious to see how many people became anemic as post-ops, and how long after surgery did it become a problem for you? I'm almost nine years out and have suffered nearly zero complications up until last year when I was diagnosed as severely anemic and had to get a blood transfusion. I'm now scheduled for an appointment with hematology this month and it looks like I'll need another blood transfusion and also Iron transfusions. This is pretty common in gastric bypass post-ops, but what was unsual was how long I went (8 years) before it actually happened to me. I realized that I'm further out than a lot of folks, but I'm curious about others: if and WHEN it happened (if it did yet). Thanks!

@@Djmohr That's interesting that you're Iron got better. I've never heard of that happening before, but that's great for you! I'm curious why having a hysterectomy would mean you didn't need iron? (There may be one in my future as it's hereditary for almost all females in my family.) I don't mean to put you on the spot, I'm just curious about the connection. Iron carries oxygen through our red blood cells, so ....why the disconnect with the hysterectomy? Did they explain that to you? Thanks!

Hey Krystal, I think the most important thing to remember first is that often times, no matter what the reaction is and whether or not it's supportive or not, it generally IS out of concern and love for you. Try to keep that in the foreground no matter how a person responds and I think it will better equip you to deal with reactions. My experience is that most people are supportive. For those who aren't, it's generally a reaction based in fear and a lack of understanding or knowledge. They are concerned because they've heard stories or some loosely thrown out facts about a fatality from ten years ago (and usually the one story out of thousands). They are scared, and because you are young, that will only serve to make people more hesitant if they have concerns about weight loss surgery already. The best thing you can do is arm yourself with information: facts and statistics as well as a clear definition of why this surgery is important to YOU and your life, and how it will make a profound impact in your quality of life. It's hard for people to argue that, and even if they're still hesitant about the surgery itself, they'll likely feel more secure in your decision and will support you as best they can. What it really comes down to is that it's your body, your health, your future and your decision. You own that. If you feel it's the best decision for you, the people that you love you will honor that and support you. I wish you the very best !

I'm very late to the party here, but I was 35 years old when I start the whole process. I'm 44 now. My highest weight was 320 and I've been maintaining between 160-165, so I'm at about half my body weight. I had RNY gastric bypass surgery and it was the BEST decision I ever made.