WLS - A "DISGRACE" and "WESTERN MEDICINE AT IT'S WORSE"

divataunia
on 6/20/11 1:00 am - Pasadena, CA

Hi All,

A friend of mine is featured on some billboards in Connecticut for St. Luke's weight loss surgery ads. Yesterday, she received the following comments from Tim Carden (a photographer):

"What a disgrace. What kind of message are we sending to people in this country, to our children? That it's OK to eat whatever you want and engage in absolutely NO exercise? This is western medicine at it's worst. Cashing in on whatever they can, despite how morally corrupt it is. I have several gastric bypass surgery billboards in my are from St. Luke's hospital. Their slogan, "Half the size, twice the happiness" "How sad" is what it should read."

This was met with some opposition from those of us in the WLS Community, but I see it as an opportunity to discuss the taboo that still (obviously) surrounds weight loss surgery.

I contacted Mr. Carden today and invited him to be on the radio show tonight to discuss his views, and he accepted. I would LOVE it if people would call in tonight to discuss this with Mr. Carden. I think it's a great opportunity to face some social taboos and weight prejudices head-on and to educate.

The show starts at 7pm EST and can be heard streaming live at www.backstagepassradio.com. There's also a live chat and a live stream that happens as well. The call-in number is 347-857-2052.

I also have some AMAZING giveaways tonight after the discussion, and all you have to do is be the right number caller to win:

(2) Slimpressions shapewear prizes!
(1) $50 Gift Certificate to www.divasandgoddesses.com!
(1) Giveaway package from Brittanie's Thyme Organics
(1) Dress of your choice from Trois Femmes Boutique!
(1) Raffle giveaway for HairFree - leave a comment on the blog that says "Hairfree Rules!" to be entered to win a round and flat-iron brush set:

http://divatauniablog.com/2011/06/monday-june-13th-more-glit z-glam-giveaways.html#comments

Thanks, and hope to speak with you all tonight!

Cheers,

Diva Taunia

Kim S.
on 6/20/11 1:24 am - Helena, AL

RNY on 05/01/09

I am so proud of you for taking the high road and trying to educate the folks that just do not understand WLS.

The WLS patients are still to blame for some of it though......if everyone would be honest about it and prove they can change their life, it might be more accepted. The general public still sees so many people having the surgery and basically staying the same (inactive, eating crap) and then regaining. Unfortunately, these are the ones that get the attention....not the many that work so hard to make the most of the gift of WLS.

Thank you for doing what is right. I will try hard to get a listen in....but I can't call in because I might not act like a lady when dealing with this moron

Gina 23 years out
on 6/20/11 2:27 am - Burleson, TX

RNY on 04/22/02

KIM-very well said!

RNY 4-22-02...

LW: 6lb,10 oz SW:340lb GW:170lb CW:155

We Can Do Hard Things

Chimere
on 6/20/11 1:37 am

Damn of all nights i have to work late Id surely give that idgit a piece of my mind. We had an item in our news paper that stated quiting smokeing does not make you gain weight. OMG I bout had a fit. So much I could say to that. Like addiction transfer, depression, the hand to mouth habit of 30 yrs. What a jerk.

divataunia
on 6/20/11 1:42 am - Pasadena, CA

RNY on 03/25/08

I know. :) My immediate reaction is to get angry, but then I think back to when I used to make similar comments - because I was uneducated and scared of what I did not understand.

I'm hoping that tonight's conversation will not turn into a hate-fest but rather an intelligent debate and discussion - an opportunity to inform. :)

Plus, I gots cool prizes. :)

Cheers,

Diva Taunia

Kristy R.
on 6/20/11 3:30 am - Santa Clara, CA

VSG on 03/29/11

Any chance you can post a recording of this after you are done? I would LOVE to hear it, but I am on the west coast and I will still be at work.

~Kristy~ VSG 3/29/11 ~ 15 pounds lost pre-op, SW - 240/GW - 150

divataunia
on 6/20/11 3:38 am - Pasadena, CA

RNY on 03/25/08

Hi Kristy,

Absolutely! All the shows are archived, so I'll put up the link tomorrow. Thanks!

Cheers,

Diva Taunia

H.A.L.A B.
on 6/20/11 4:08 am

RNY on 05/14/08

Glad you will have a discussion. I will not be able to attend ... but I wish I could.
Some people have no problem with hearth surgeries, statins and and any other "modern: medicine solutions to problems. But a surgery to try to fix metabolic disorders... how rude...
You may ask him what will he say to someone who is not active and smokes and gets by-pass surgery... or colon cancer and had to have surgery for that .. (colon cancer can be prevented) and any other cancers..
Lets not forget of any other issues that can be prevented if people eat right and exercise... and take vitamins and other supplements. (maybe)

Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG

"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"