Diva Taunia's Backstage Pass Official Blog

YOU LIKE PRIZES, & I GOT EM! WLSFA RAFFLE

Last week, I posted a video for a WLSFA raffle that I'm holding, and I've done an entirely horrible job at promoting it.  Therefore, I'm going to try "Fundraiser 2.0! New With More Prizes!"

Deadline to donate and enter:  Sunday, April 10th - NOON, EST.
Winners announced by video:  no later than Monday, Aprill 11th  
(which leaves the winners one month to learn the choreography - yipee!) 

 

                                                 

 

Donate Now!  There are two ways to win:

GRAND PRIZE:

Make a donation of $50 or more to the WLSFA, and have your name entered into a raffle to win 1 of up to 4 spots in the Diva Taunia Dolls Burlesque Show on Saturday night, May 14th!  That's right, YOU can be a Vegas Showgirl (or guy)!  You will be fully costumed and have you hair and makeup done, and will be sent video tutorials to be in our group song and dance number:  "Show Me How You Burlesque" (from the movie Burlesque).  If you are shy and don't want to perform, you can TRANSFER your winning prize to someone else - a talented friend or WLS peep that you want to see dancing and workin' their stuff in the show.   How many times in your life can you say you performed in Vegas?!   Donate now to be transformed into a Vegas Starlet!

Note:  $50 (+)donations get an entry into both the Burlesque Grand Prize Raffle and the prize raffles below. Every $50 donation gets you another entry into both!

RAFFLE PRIZES:

Make a donation of $25 or more to the WLSFA, and you will be entered into a raffle to win one of these fantastic prizes below.  More prizes will be added throughout the week, so keep an eye out on this page for updates!

Note:  For every $25 you donate, you get an additional raffle entry!

RAFFLE PRIZE LIST:

Molded Cup Lace over Microfiber Bustier & Thong Set - Size XL in HOT PINK

Provided by:  Delores at From the Heart Lingerie!
www.fromtheheartlingerie.com 

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TWO BOTTLES + APPLICATOR OF FAMOUS DAVES SELF-TANNER!

Provided by:  Dave at Famous Daves!
www.famousdavestanner.com
 

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Bali Two Tone 9mm Men's Ring - Size 10

Provided by:  Stauer Smart Luxuries Jewelers
www.stauer.com 
 

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Free Corset & TuTu!
Provided by:  Baci-Farfalle.com & KissesandButterflies.com 

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GIFT BOX OF CARNIE WILSON BOOKS, CDS, AND & WLS RESOURCES!
Provided by:  Bariatric Advantage
www.bariatricadvantage.com 

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GIFT BOX 
Provided by:  Celebrate Vitamins
www.celebratevitamins.com

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GIFT BOX  - TWO GIVEAWAYS!
Hand Perfection Tube Hand Cream and Nail 7 Cuticle Cream!
www.handperfection.com 

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My pal Donna has hooked me up with FIVE of these new BANJEES from Sprigs to give way as prizes.  The perfect thing to take to Vegas - no carrying anything around!  The designs are SUPER cute too!  Lots of hot pink, so I'm happy.  I'll review mine as soon as I get it, but if you're active and out and about, these are perfect!

www.sprigsville.com

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NOMINATE SOMEONE NOW! The 1st Annual Backstage Pass Radio WLS Awards

The Annual Backstage Pass Radio WLS Awards will officially begin on the Monday preceeding Thanksgiving every year. This is a way to honor members of the Weight Loss Surgery Community for the impact they make, inspiration, volunteer work, resources, and more.

Diva Taunia, host of the Backstage Pass Radio Program, will announce the winners of the 1st Annual Backstage Pass Radio WLS Awards on Monday, 11/22 at 7pm EST.

All awards are nominated by and voted on by the WLS Community: that means YOU! :)

Nominate your favorite WLS community member or organization!

• Become a fan of the page and promote on your page
• Nominate someone via the "Discussions" tab, or suggest a nomination category

DDP CHALLENGE WINNER: JENN! WATCH HER PROGRESS

Many of you know that Diamond Dallas Page ran a contest promotion on The Backstage Pass Radio Program searching for an individual to work with, challenge, and motivate in their weight loss journey.  The winner received the entire YRG Fitness Program, along with a weekly motivational phone call from Dallas himself.

We got lots of great entries, but Dallas was particularly moved by Jenn's story, and she was selected as the winner.  (Note:  after speaking to Jenn today, she informed me that she's already down -5.2 lbs.  Go Jenn!)  Jenn has agreed to share her YRG Fitness journey publicly, even bravely giving us some "before" photos. 

Here's her winning entry:

While I am writing this to tell you about me and the things I face every day and to understand what's it is like to be in this 348 pound body.   

 

I started at the Wharton Medical Clinic May 2009 and at that time I was my heaviest 374 pounds.   The Clinic has been a blessing and very supportive in my weight loss so far.   

 

My body on the other hand, is 25 and it seems the more interest i put into my health and improving it the more my body rebels.  I feel 90!

 

I woke up March 2009 and realized i have been attempting to get pregnant for over a year with no luck, I was finding i was having allergies pop out of nowhere and my snoring was becoming a big self conscious area preventing me from over night visits anywhere.  My boyfriend has also been telling me that i stop breathing every so often and i found i that i have been getting a lot of headaches.  So sick of being ill all the time i traveled 3 hours to my home town of Cambridge,  ON to see my family doctor because in Peterborough i have been on Doctor waiting lists for approx. 3 years with no luck.   Because of the distance i prepared fully for my appointment, I had an allergist and all the referral information as well as a Sleep Clinic in Peterborough and the referral sheet to Wharton.  Wharton Medical Centre i found on a blog about WLS.

 

Two weeks later i was in with an allergist and  found that i am allergic to dust and certain cleaners but not longer allergic to ragweed anymore.  He placed me on eye drops and nasal spray and my sneezing/crying fits for no reason have almost completely stopped.  He also sent me for a chest x-ray and breathing test due to my Asthma (which I have never had before).   The chest x-ray came back showing my diaphragm is lopsided and the breathing test best way to put it I FAILED!  So they placed me on a new steroid inhaler (doesn't help lose weight) and are still testing showed my lung function is diminishing.

 

About a month after the referral i got into the Sleep Clinic, had my over night (that was not fun) and then over a month after got my results and found that I have enlarged tonsils and that i am definitely suffering from sleep apnea.  I was told I stop breathing 23 times an hour on average and my blood oxygen drops into the 70's.   I am now sleeping with a CPAP machine and as sexy as that is i have found one benefit beside from the obvious living, If I want the bed to myself all i need to do is start talking dirty to the fianceé wearing it and he will start laughing and leave the room and not come back till i am asleep.

 

Wharton I have been extremely impressed with!  They are a weight-loss clinic in Hamilton and Burlington Ontario and are fully OHIP funded.  Every time i go in they test my blood pressure, weight me and do an EKG, which is nice to know how my weight loss is affecting my body.  They also due all kinds of testing like ECG, and Ultrasounds on my liver.   The staff is amazing they cheer you on and give all the support they can.  There is where i got the Bariatric Educator and Meal plan to follow and has helped quite a bit.  

 

During all this my medical conditions have become a list:

 

Asthma

IBS (Irritable Bowl Syndrome) 

Rheumatoid Arthritis (Beginning stages)

Allergies

Sleep Apnea

High Blood Pressure

Diverticulitis

DUB (dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding)

 

 

Other the medical issues big a "Big Girl" has many obstacles.   I am limited to friends i can visit in their homes due the floor the live on.  In many public places i am forced to use the handicap washrooms because i am to large to wipe properly in the "normal" ones.  I can no longer enjoy amusement parks with my Step-Daughter because i am to large for most rides.  February 2008 I went to England for my Nana's funeral, the plane ride was 8 ½ hours and i had to hold going to the washroom because i could not fit through the door.  When we landed in Scotland to pick up more passengers the stewardess show me where the washroom was because i was bouncing in my seat i had to pee so bad, to which i responded to her "you don't have enough butter to get me back out"  she didn't know how to respond until my mum started laughing.  I think the worst thing i have to deal is work, I work in an office and i sit in a computer chair that just barely fits my butt and with my heavy weight sitting for an extended period of time my legs go numb so when i stand i need to lean against my desk for 3-4 min to allow blood flow back to my legs or i will fall over.

 

 

All I wish is to be healthy and one day have a family of my own!  I am waiting for my gastric bypass, but wait times in Canada are horrendous and from Dec 1st 2009 I was told it would be another 12-14 before my first appointment with the surgeon.  I am trying to get enough weight as I can off to make sure when I get this surgical tool I am safer.

 

 Here are Jenn's "before" pics:

 

Jenn, you and I have the same "before" body shape...so I know exactly how you feel right now, and I also know exactly how you're going to feel after the weight starts coming off.  And I'm SO. EXCITED. FOR YOU!

I want everyone to wish Jenn the best of luck.  Girl, we are totally routing for you, and DDP and the YRG Fitness Program have produced some amazing results! Jenn will be checking in with us once a month with her progress and updates, and she'll even be doing a guest journal entry every now and then.  

Jenn's going to totally rock this - so let's give her a big "you can do it!" applause for being brave and motivated enough to take this journey with all of us!

WLS REVIEW: IAMKRIS411 from the 1/11/2010 show!

Kristen is such an amazing woman. She made her you tube premier in April of 2009, and just a couple of months later, she began chronicling her journey toward gaining approval for weight loss surgery. Since Kristen lives with her husband in Northern Germany, the insurance approval procedures were a bit different than those of us in the US have to endure. After seeing tons of doctors, Kristen submitted her paperwork, waited seven weeks for a decision, and was then denied in December of 2009.

Had insurance denied me, I think I would have curled up with a gallon of ice cream and said forget about it. However, Kristen persevered – she showed great strength and courage. She refused to take no for an answer. After only a few weeks, Kristen got a wonderful call from the insurance company.... she had been APPROVED for surgery!

Kristen had a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy on February 24, 2010. In fact, she has great videos on her site of her surgical experiences. She even had a personal media center complete with a laptop at the hospital... I am way jealous. At the time of publication, Kristen is 4 weeks out from surgery and has lost an amazing thirty three and a half pounds overall! Kristen has been faithfully documenting her early post – op stages at http://www.youtube.com/iamkris411 Since she and I are at similar post-op points, her videos help me to feel like I am not alone in all of the things I have been experiencing. She is an inspiration to me, and I always look forward to the cheerful comments she always leaves on my own youtube posts.

For an informative glimpse inside bariatric surgery, check Kristen out – you will be happy you did.

http://www.youtube.com/iamkris411

Written by Melinda, for the Diva Taunia Blog.

ANTONIA'S WLS NPO SITE

For those of you who tuned into this past Monday's Backstage Pass Radio Program, you heard our WLS Lovely Feature, Antonia (antoniataketwo) talking about her new non-profit endeavor:  www.wlsnpo.org.

WLSNPO is a group of people from the WLS Community on You Tube, Face Book Twitter Etc. in the beginning stages of forming a NPO that will help our community  with our special needs.

WLSNPO is looking for volunteers from all over the world. If you know someone who has had or will be having weight loss surgery then please guide them to this web site.

We need volunteers with all types of skills here are just a few: 

• Grant Writers
• Volunteer Coordinators
• Bookkeepers
• Accountant
• Public Speakers
• Fundraisers
• PR and Marketing
• Social Media Marketers
• Data Entry
• Phone Callers
• Envelope Stuffers 
• Writers
• Researchers
• Event Planners
• Graphic Artists
• Web Site Developers
• Video Content Experts
• The list goes on....... 

Please be sure to stop by, say hello to Antonia, join the site, and participate in this great community!

2/8 SUPER-DUPER WINNER LIST

Thanks to everyone who participated in the "Super-Duper Valentine's Giveaway!"  If you are one of the winners list below, please contact me at [email protected] with your name, shipping address, and the prize you won.  Here is a full list of winners from last's night "Backstage Pass Radio Program:"

(drumroll, please...)

COCKTAIL NAPKIN CD:  "mommamartha"

CELEBRATE VITAMINS GIFT BASKET:  "Kim", via telephone

PATRICIA MILLER NECKLACE:  "mjteller"

KAYS NATURALS:  "jenni otera"

BARIATRIC ADVANTAGE PROJOE:  "wenniewoop"

COROMEGA HEALTHY HEART:  "xolani santos"

SUPREME PROTEIN GIFT PACKAGE:  "fhotolady"

Diamond Dallas Page's YRG Fitness Program:  "Larry Tipton" via telephone

Thanks to everyone who participated.  Please be sure to visit our prize sponsors for some amazing bariatric and wls-related products!

Cheers,

1/18/10 WLS LOVELY - KRISTY RATCLIFF

The timing of this feature could not be more relevant.  Not only is Kristy an inspiring weight loss surgery community member, but she's also an adoptive parent to Spencer, a young orphan from Haiti.  In the wake of the tragic earthquake that hit Haiti, Kristy offers a unique perspective on how people can help, and also how strong the people of Haiti truly are.

Kristy had her surgery on October 23, 2007 at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center Boise, Idaho.  After over thirty medical procedures related to stomach and mentrual issues, Kristy and her husband Alan decided to be proactive about her health and looked into gastric bypass surgery after it was suggested by her doctor.   She had been diagnosed with PCOS and she an Alan were unable to conceive.  Little did they know just how dramatically the surgery would change their lives.

During this time, they also adopted Spencer, Spencer was born in 2003, to loving married Haitian couple who couldn't afford to feed him,or care for him, they had 5 other children.  Thy wanted him to have a better life,and they they placed him in a Christian Orphanage Called New Life Link and Hope for the children of Haiti run by Dr. Jacob Benard.

Kristy says, "I want people to know about the people that were there before the earthquake helping Haiti and the people of Haiti, there are so many people from all around the world that have been there for years and years dedicating their lives taking their family's to Haiti to help. Please go and visit people's sites, see the work they have been doing and if you can sponsor someone or a family then please I encourage you to do that so they can continue their work there. Here is a family that I would love everyone to go check out and support even if it is just a comment or email, they took care of Spencer for 10 months while his forever home was being found and approved and they were touched so much that, they sold everything packed up their kids and moved to Haiti, to help Haiti and the people of Haiti and have been there Since Aug 2007, And they are still committed there.   Please visit http://bleshblog.wordpress.com/"

Kristy's life was already blessed with the addition of Spencer, but soon she and her husband Alan would also hear of another miracle - this time, as a result of her choice to have gastric bypass surgery.  She recently found out that she had become pregnant, and it is a baby girl that they have already name Skarlett. 

I asked Kristy how life had changed for her, and she responded, "How has it not?  Everything has changed.  Weight loss surgery changes everything in your life and everyone in your life. Life is good! I thought I was active at over 400 pounds, I was active for the life style I as living I guess, but my family and I can do things that I was never able to do, I can get on the floor with my son and play, be involved with him and his school, be involved with what my husband can do, pretty much anything they want or I want.  EVEN CONCEIVING A BABY."

Now baby makes four.  What an amazing family, and an amazingly inspirational woman.

The following organizations are accepting SMS donations in the US only:

• SMS text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts
• SMS text “YELE” to 501501 to Donate $5 to Yele Haiti’s Earthquake Relief efforts
• SMS text "GIVE10" to 20222 to donate $10 to Direct Relief

12/21 "MORE GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS" PRIZE GIVEAWAY LIST!

Honestly, this 12/21 "More Gifts of Christmas" show is going to ROCK!   Be sure to keep the number handy, because you'll want to call-in to win some of this awesomeness!  (347) 857-2052.  Tune in on Monday, 12/21 between 6:00-7:30pm and all you have to do is be the right number caller to win any of these fabulous prizes:

(Updated 12/17 - more prizes to come!)

• Award-winning Broadway and Hollywood Actor/Singing Superstar SAM HARRIS has donated an amazing prize package!  Three signed CDS ("On This Night," " Revival, "and "Free"), and a dvd of "free" behind the scenes, and the "I Can't Make You Love mM" music video.  For more information about Sam, please visit www.samharris.com.

• Rimmel London has put together and donated a holiday party essential package for one lucky winner on the show!The package includes: Sexy Curves Mascara, Colour Rush Quad Eyeshadow in Smokey Noir, Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner in Jet Black, Lasting Finish Kiss & Stay Gloss in Old Flame and 60 Second Nail Polish in Night Before!  Check them out at www.rimmellondon.com.

• Our WLS Lovely feature for this week is obesityhelp.com, and they've generously donated another THREE annual subscriptions to OH Magazine.

• Supreme Protein has a whopping four boxes for a prize!  1 box of 50gm Caramel Nut Chocolate, 1 box 43gm Peanut  Butter Crunch, 1 box 50gm Rocky Road Brownie, and 1 box of 45gm Cookies & Cream! To read more  check out their website at www.supremeprotein.com.

• Kay's Naturals Variety Sampler Gift Pack including cookie bites and the BBQ flavor. This is their second time donating, so thanks to everyone at Kay's!  To see some of their yummy products, please visit www.kaysnaturals.com

• Mikal (our 12/7/09 New Music Feature) donated two great prize packs!   Signed CD and Poster, 2 tickets to the  1/22/09  show at The Lucky Dog Music Hall, Worcester.  To hear Mikal, please visit www.mikal.us.  This is Michael's second prize package with BSPR - thanks, Michael!

• From the Diva Taunia Store, an Avon Footworks in Tropical Coconut gift package!

• $25 Gift Certificate to www.restaurant.com

I'm also featuring the music of Hollywood and Broadway actor and singing superstar, SAM HARRIS!  You don't want to miss this show.   More prizes and features to come....check back often! Happy Holidays!

OH, YEAH, IT'S HAPPENING: ANOTHER SHOW FULL OF PRIZES!

Last week's show was so insanely popular (yay!) that people were literally getting blocked out of the phone lines.  The phone lines were JAMMED UP with people trying to call-in and win prizes!  Yee-haw (although I'm sorry for those of you who could not get through!)

Things went so well that I'm going to do one more show full of "Gifts of Christmas"  with even MORE prize giveaways and pretty awesome loot - all donated from generous companies looking to celebrate the holidays with YOU.  :)  (Full prize list coming soon!)

So be sure to tune-in next Monday, 12/21 at 6:00pm EST.  I'm also going to be featuring the AMAZING broadway, TV, and general-superstar SAM HARRIS on the show as our music feature.  You do NOT want to miss this, my lovelies.

But don't worry, you know I'll remind you ten gazillion times before then.  You know how I roll....booyah!

RADIO MISH-MASH OF AWESOMENESS!

Tonight's show is a mish-mash of talent, and would love for to listen in, join the chat, and just be a part of our general antics!  Here's the program for tonight:

NEW MUSIC FEATURE:   Wes Carroll

WLS LOVELY: Shannon / JustSlcinoz (formerly slcinoz)

COMEDY FEATURE:  Brian Agosta

DEDICATIONS:  I'll be doing all of the dedications that I missed for last week's show.  Feel free to also phone in with your dedication:  (347) 857-2052.

HOLIDAY START:  featuring new music from singer-songwriter submitted holiday music!

NEW URL:  www.backstagepassradio.com

TONIGHT from 6-7:30pm EST !