- Name: Velda B.
- Username: VelB
- Location: Des Moines, IA, USA
- Member Since: 11/10/2006
- BMI: 37.6
- Post Op
- Surgery Type: RNY (03/19/07)
- Surgeon: Steven Cahalan, M.D.
Photos
I'm Not In Any Photos Yet.
Before & AfterThere are currently no before and after photos for this member. See these instructions if you wish to submit your own Before & After photos. Surgeon TestimonialSteven Cahalan, M.D.First impression Quiet and to the point.rnrnDid it change Yes thought he did not like me at one point.rnrnHis office staff The best!rnrnWhat I liked about him he has a good reprnYou should know he is just studying you and he is good at what he does.rnrnAftercare is the only care you spend time talking about, no it is very important!rnAftercare program is by computer a program that cost $250.00rnrnHe was very upfront with the riskrnMy rating thus far on a scale of 1-10 would be an 9 that is only due to the bedside manner, he will get a 10 if all goes well with the surgery. Velda B.'s JourneyClick Here To View
Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.I have been overweight for most of my adult life, I am becoming depressed and I have to do something! |
Welcome to Velda's WL Journey.....
Ashamed on October 20, 2010 12:06 pm
Wow it has been such a long time since I have been on this site....so long I in fact forgot my user name and password. What a shame. But I am back and need all of the support that I can get. I have not been on my grind at all. I am not doing as bad as I could be but no where near what I should be.
Lets see....I am almost four and when I began I was 328 got down at my lowest to 212 now I am holding a strong 220 have been for over a year now almost two. But I would love to see the scale move down to well under 200 so time to start putting in work!!!! I need some support tho...Anyone out there willing to help me out???
I need to get some things going. I need to find the pouch test, get back to the vitamins, exercise and meal control. Lord help me and give me the strength to get it done!
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Hello OH Family.... on May 17, 2009 6:37 pm
Well here I am again, Have not been on for a while so I decided to hop on and post some pictures and a blog. Hope everyone finds themselves blessed during these hard times. I am!! I am not in the game the way I would like to be,  but the bright side is I am not in it the way I used to be. I am working on getting back on track, have had some major life changes but God is as always GOOD!! Hope you enjoy the pics and send some love my way if you have the time.
Velda
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Wow it has been a minute on March 18, 2009 3:28 am
Happy two year anniversary to me. I have been a backslider when it comes to weight loss. I have to get back on my grind. I am not doing to bad. But Lord knows I could be doing better. I have gain some of my weight back. But I am holding on. I am at my two year and my weight as of today is 225. A far cry from where I should be but two years ago I was 328. So to God be the glory. I really need to get on the good foot. It has been so long since I have been out her for support yall, that I forgot my username and password. Now that is a shame!
Well just wanted to say I am still here and so very happy for my two year! Lets pray I get on track and the next year have some loss to report. It is hard out here for those of us that stray and dont do it the right way. I have acknowledged my sin- 1rst step. Now time for change. Keep me in your thoughts.
Velda
Okay,
Now I just had to update this: Sad to say that I am a day early. May date is the 19th-told yall I was out of the loop. LOL and a pound off. I am 224. See why I got to get back into the game. Messing with my head as well.
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Well hello all my OH Fam on August 26, 2008 6:42 pm
I know it has been quite sometime since I have been on here and posted. So much is going on in my life and to be honest I have not taken the time to come out here and love my peeps.....
Lets see, I am not loosing any weight I have been so bad with the cheating I gained oh about 16 pounds and lost about 9 of them and the rest is hanging on for dear life. What makes us {well let me speak for myself} go through this amazing journey only to turn back again??? Can someone help a sista out with that one???
I have also lost and gained a new job, attempting a seperation and trying to find new housing. WHEW... is that enough??? But on a good note I am a grandmother. Seems so odd to me she is a beautiful baby girl and I am going to load a couple of pics of us. But let me make one correction I am Nama and not grandma. LOL.......
Well keep me and my children in your prayers and I promise to do better and keep in touch. As you can see I really dont look much different and really to get on the grind and get the rest of the 74 odd pounds off. Thanks to all of you that contacted me and please forgive me for not getting right back to you. I do love ya....
Velda
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One year ago on this very day changed my life forever! on March 19, 2008 2:43 am
Greeting OH fam, sitting here and thinking back on what this day means to me and how far I have come since this time last year. At this very time last year I was in the gym working out trying to get over the bundle of nerves I was feeling about having surgery. I had so many well wishers that day it was hard to work out. And those very same people are still in my corner today!
I thank you all for being a family and all of the support that I have gotten from this site. God knew who to bring into my life and when I needed them. I have made some lasting friendships from this site. Everyone is the bomb!
That said, now to the progress for the past year. Well I did not make my goals but I made a change and that is important enough to me. I got on the scale this am and I am 223. Now I started this thing at 328 so that is 105 down. That is more than I could ask for. I have a new lease on life and the best is yet to come.
I had a party this weekend, yes I said party for my son (he turned 20 and the little stinker went out of town and was not even there for the party) Anyway the other part of the party was for myself and another Oh member. Michelle B she flew all the way from VA to celebrate our dates together. She had her surgiversary on March 9 and mine was March 19th. We had a blast together, first time we met, but you couldn't tell us we were not in the womb together. LOL....
People came to celebrate with us and it was amazing. My house was packed with kids as well as adults. But it was all good and we had a blast. Anyway I just wanted to send shouts out to everyone and celebrate further on this special day with all of you!!
P.S. I have posted some pictures of just me and Michelle to remind us how far God has bought us. After we developed them we noticed the date of the camera was not set. Oh well they were taken on 3/15/08 Luv you all!
11 Months out today! on February 19, 2008 10:23 am
Well hello OH Fam. How is everyone doing? Me I am good. It is amazing to look back over the last 11 months and see the changes my mind and body have gone through. It is a blessing to know that God has delivered me from so many strong holds on my life. And he is yet helping me through the others I have not made it out of. That being said here is an update of what has been going on in my life. I just lost a very dear friend to me, it was hard but a blessing to know he is no longer suffering.
I went to the services and man I saw people I have not seen in many, many years. Talking one person since sixth grade. Now that is a long time. The others maybe 10-12 years. One of them was my first love. And let me tell you it was good to see him. The last time I saw him I was a house...... And his eyes almost fell out of his head to see me look alot like I used to when I dated him....
That made a sista feel good about herself. I had several people tell me how good I looked. We also had an event here where I live where a lot of people get together, well there I saw several people that I shocked there to and they were trippin'. Had one person tell me I looked like I did in high school. You know my head was big from that one. I have many pounds to go to get to that weight but I am trying.
Well just wanted to update and say hello to my family and let you all know I love ya, and I watch your profiles. So those of you that dont update. Come on now...... We need to support each other. Love yall.
Here is my updated weight loss chart. I am trying yall......
Velda
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10 month report on February 4, 2008 12:27 pm
I know, I know it has been a minute since I made a post. But I am still here and doing okay. I am in my tenth month, things of course could be better but thank you God they are not like they used to be! I am weighing in at 230 still have not met my 100 mark goal yet, but I know it is coming and soon. 
The reason I say soon is cause I am bond and determined to make it through that darn pouch test.  I started today and all I can think of is food, so got to get on the good foot. I know if I can hang out these five days good things will happen. Pray with me yall.....
Anyway not much else is going on for me, oh yeah my husband put me in this 100 day challenge and I have gained each week so far, but I was told it was muscle and all I gained I got it back off and than some. So I guess I am okay with that one. I was messed up in the head behind the gain at first.
I workout a lot and am doing more weights, so that might explain it. And the fact that I was not getting in my water could add to it to. LOL. Anyway love all my fam here and keep in touch, we can be helpers one to another, never know who might be in need and you might just be the person to throw out that life line. Peace,
Vel
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Nine month post op appointment on January 7, 2008 8:42 am
Hello everyone, How is everyone doing this fine New Year we have been blessed to see?? Me I am doing well. So many things have happened already this new year. Lets see, first off on New Years Day my husband and I celebrated our 15th year wedding anniversary. That was a blessing. We had a party and had a blast!! We had all sorts of well wishes and fun.
Next lets see I went today for my nine month appointment. I had a goal in mind of 100 by that date. And guess what?? I did not make it but I am only four pounds away from my goal. So at least I know it is coming. I started that 5 day pouch test and my mind was not into it so I failed that. But hey I picked myself up and started back again today. With the help of God I will make it. Anyway been running into people amazed by my transformation. It is still mind blowing to me that so many people think I look different. I am just plain old Velda to me.....
What else is new, well other than trying to get this weight thing right in my mind {that seems to consume me} I was spending a lot of time feeling sorry for myself and the fact that I have not made it 100 down and so MANY people around me have made it. But I came to the conclusion that they are not me and it is not my time. But it will be soon. And I will celebrate it with all of my OH family. We will party together have some protein shakes or something!!
I am so happy to have found this site and the many, many wonderful friends I have on this site. We have formed lasting bonds. I love everyone I have came in contact with and have learned something from each and everyone.
But there is one person that keeps in contact we me daily, challenges me to do my best and continues to remind me of just how far I have come. And I love my sista to death. Michelle B you are the best love ya girl.....
Well here is my updated weight. Until next time keep reaching for your star, you may slip and maybe even fall but you will always have the strenght to get back up and continue to reach!!
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Nine months as of 12-19-07 on December 18, 2007 8:52 am
I have been thinking a lot lately about this surgery and what it has done for my life. I have so many people in my corner to encourage me when I am down and even just to say you are doing so good! That means a lot when you are taking on a life changing event. Thank you to all of you, and you know who you are!
Where do I start so much has happened over the last nine months I have ran into people that have told me I look good. And funny things have happened where people did not know who I was. This is funny to me cause I look the same at least to me.
A couple of stories: I was in the mall with my husband and his friends wife walks in they say hello to each other, she said why are you here? He said Vel is in here shopping she said where, he said right there she was like thats Vel?? I got a kick out of that.
Family members I have ran into were amazed at my new look. A couple told me I looked good and that I am beautiful. The funniest thing to happen was at my husbands christmas party for his job. We walk in all eyes on us, not just that we looked good but in true black people fashion we were late....Anyway a couple of the guys I have met came up to the table at different times. Well one was clearly looking the other tried to sneak looks. {found out why later} Anyway my husband goes back to work and the guy sneaking came upto him asked about the party {just making small talk} than comes out with so why didnt you bring your wife?? My husband was floored he was like that was her, he said thats not the same lady I met in the summer. I laughed my husband not so much. He told the guy not to be spreading lies about him cheating. My husband refuses to say she lost weight he would rather his friend say it. Doesnt matter to me at all just funny as heck.
So this whole process has bought forth rewards and made me do my favorite thing of reflection. I have some pictures to post of my time of reflection. All of this is over a course of my life. Check them out. Now I am not where I would like to be as far as loss, but I must be on target if people dont know who I am.
Oh yeah one more story. I am at church and a lady whom I have known for 20+ years, {not good friends but we know each other non the less} comes up to me we say hello. Than she hits me with ARE YOU VELDA'S DAUGHTER???? I said no but I am Velda. Now how strange was that. Now mind you she has not seen me for a while but gosh.
It still boggles my mind that people see that much of a change and I dont see much. I mean I know I have lost but not enough to look like a different person. Love you all. But thank you God for the changes in me...
Enjoy the photos
 
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8 Months on November 18, 2007 6:26 pm
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Weight loss update on October 18, 2007 12:55 pm
Check out my new 7 month pictures and I lost a little bit since I updated my chart.
239.4 {NOW 238.YEAH!! 11-13-07}
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6 Month Check-up on October 8, 2007 10:53 am
| Six Month Check-up | | | | | | | | | | | | Beginning Weight=328 | 6 Month Weight=243 | Loss=85 | | | BMI | 57.2 | | 43 | -14.2 | | | Neck | 19.5 | | 16 | -3.5 | | | Chest | 57 | | 53.5 | -3.5 | | | Waist | 58 | | 47.5 | -10.5 | | | Hips | 62 | | 53 | -9 |
A good amount of a difference. But got to keep on moving!! Still a ways to go. I can not wait to meet the 100 loss mark..... I am trying to get there though. I did two walks this last couple of weeks. One I did the Walk From Obesity, that was nice it was 2.5 miles and we had a blast. My nurses were there and were cheering me on and telling me how wonderful I looked. And the other one was the Breast Cancer walk It was one mile but after you consider the distance we had to park and the walk around the park before and after the walk it was more like 1.5 miles. Which was nice as well. Hope to post some new pictures soon and hope you can see a change. It is a slower process but it is coming along.
Calm Down on August 23, 2007 10:56 am
Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."
So many times we make situations more than they are
due to our anxiety,
CALM DOWN ! God has your life under control; He knows
how to handle even the seemingly complex situation
with ease.
SHUT UP ! Stop having pity parties and talking about
your business all the time; don't you know that the
power of death and life is in the tongue! Stop
speaking negative things into existence in your life
and in others.
QUIT TRIPPIN' ! When you look at your situations
through your eyes, you often read more into the
situation than what is there. It's not as bad as you
think particularly if God is in your life; Stop over
analyzing your life.
Be courageous
2 Timothy 1:7 - "For God hath not given us the spirit
of fear; but of power, and of Love, and of a sound
mind.
Fear is not of God. Have the courage to step out on
faith and do the seemingly impossible. Start your own
business; go into the ministry; apply for that
promotion; anything that you've been afraid to do and
you know that God has called you to do - JUST DO IT!
Have confidence
Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ
which strengthens me."
Remember, greater is He that's within you than he
that's in the world. You have the power of the most
High God working in you, and you have His Son steadily
making intercession for you. You have nothing to worry
about! Walk with your head up! You say you have low
self-esteem; somebody told you that you'd never amount
to anything; the devil is a liar! Know that you are
somebody not because Jesus said it, but because you
are a child of The King!
Walk in the VICTORY !
Romans 8:28 - "And we know that all things work
together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to His purpose."
Does anything else need to be said?
The jury has been out and the verdict is in - YOU WIN!
In your finances - YOU WIN!
On your job - YOU WIN!
In your relationships (married, single, divorced,
family, friends) -YOU WIN!!
In your health - YOU WIN!
God has already worked it out for you. It may not come
the way you think it should come (or when you think it
should), but remember - CALM DOWN, SHUT UP, AND QUIT
TRIPPIN '! He's working it out for "YOUR" good (in His
time).
Do not ask the Lord to guide your
footsteps, if you
are not willing to move your feet.
Be Blessed TODAY !!
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My Story Hello, my name is Velda I have been over weight for the majority of my adult life. I have for the last couple of years considered having WLS. But have been afraid of doing so. Recently a friend of mine had the surgery and is doing well. So this has made me rethink my choice. My husband is totally against it. We are going to a meeting on December 9th so that both of us are more educated. I am at the point of no return but want him to be comfortable with my choice. I love my husband but I have to do this for me and my health!! I am a diabetic, have hypertension, and high cholesterol, and sleep apnea. I am just to tired of all of the meds and failed attempts at loosing weight, and know deep in my heart that I have to do this to save my life. I have prayed and ask God for assistance with this and I know I can do all things with him! If anyone out there has any advice for me please, please feel free to share. I need all of the support I can get. Thanks for reading.
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Ssshhh... dont tell nobody I am closer to six months!! But for real I am now starting to see the change and more and more people are making comments on the change.
I went to a wedding and said hello to the brides mother whom I have know for years. She looked at me and gave me a fake hi. I was like Ms Andy do you know who you are saying hello to? She said well no! 
