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Surgeon: Dr. Hazem Elariny; Arlington, VA
Surgery date: December 20, 2001
Pre-op weight: 285
Current weight: 180 (as of November 13, 2002)

by Carmen:

My name is Carmen Turner-Craven. I am 31 years old and the mother of a 13 year old son Anthony. Well, I am sure that my story is very similiar to most. I too had always been a little on the healthy side but I really didn't know it until I was about 14. Well, I'll say it wasn't brought to my attention until junior high school.

I was very talented as a child, I was always singing and dancing and my weight was never mentioned to me as a problem because I pretty much did the same things as the rest of the kids. Actually, I was much better at some things. I knew that when it came to the physical fitness stuff like running and climbing, I wasn't as good though. Anyway, junior high and high school is when I was made aware of my weight problem.

I was about 150lbs when I finished school. After the birth of my son in 1988, I moved to Virginia with my father and met a new boyfriend , who is now my husband of 1 year. A new environment , a new job and a new family situation really played on me emotionally and I ate to feel better, so I thought. Now here I am, 11 years later at close to 300lbs and I can't walk a block without runnining out of air. Stairs are the worse.

About a year ago I met Dr. Elariny through my mother and then again in the ER for an apendicitis. He was great, he took care of me. After seriously researching, I decided to have the BPD/DS and I am little nervous but I believe that if the Lord allows me to wake up from this surgery, then with his help I can handle what's to come.

Dec 18: Well, it's two days before my surgery and I have been a nervous wreck for the last two days, not to mention I have this pain in my lower right side that's really bugging me. I really think that I need to take my laxative today and tomorrow. Any way, I am preparing myself just the same. My husband and I will finish getting the house ready for when I come home and finish any Christmas shopping for ourselves and my mother who will be having her surgery on January 8, 2002. Well, I will be going tonight to church for special prayer and for the Lord to remove this fear from me, because I know that he will take care of me. I have just too much left here to do.

June 5, 2002: Hello world, well, I am back, sorry it took so long for me to post, but I have good news to share. I am feeling great and looking even better. I hope to have some pictures soon. Well, so far I have lost 75lbs and I am wearing a size 18 now. I was wearing a 26/28 before surgery. I feel great and my family and friends are getting a big kick out of it all. They have been so supportive, even my co-workers are great, they always say that each week I look smaller. I am half way to my goal, to lose 150lbs. If I could do it in another 5 or 6 months that would be great! I have so much more energy now, I can walk walk walk walk, and I finally got through the Billy Blanks TAE BO video without falling on the ground out of breath. I can't wait until July and August, I am gonna get out there and play something, anything, volleyball, softball, bowling, something. I am so excited about my weight loss, I can't say enough about it, it's so amazing. I am looking forward to buying my next pair of underwear very soon, like now, but I am so used to wearing these big underwear, I am almost scared to buy a smaller pair(smile), by the way I was wearing a size 14 underwear before surgery and now I am buying a size 10 Yipppeeee! My husband is loving it too, he says Honey you can't lose anymore cause you ain't gonna have no butt!!!! I say sure I will honey!!! I will try to update more often. Thanks so much for all of your questions, comments, and concerns for me and God Bless all of us.

July 24, 2002: Hello again everyone, just a quick update on what's been going on with me. Well, I finally got to play softball and volleyball at my job's picnic and I didn't do too bad, it was great fun. I have begun to excercise a little more and I work in the Pentagon so I try to walk as often as I can. Also, I have lost another 10lbs and another pant size. I am in a size 16 pants. I can't believe it. I am working hard to get to that size 14 and most of all to get to that 100lbs mark. I don't know what I am gonna do when I get there. I think I will have a party. Still, people can't get over the weight loss. I know that I have lost a lot and I feel great, but sometimes I look in the mirror and still see FAT!!!!, but I know that this too shall pass. Thanks so much for your emails of questions I will always tell you what I know and keep it real. Until then, Later!!!

November 13, 2002: Hello Everyone, just wanted to give you an update on my situation. As of today November 13, 2002 I have lost 105lbs. I couldn't be more pleased with that. I am excited as the Holiday season approaches and I hope to lose even more by my 1 year anniversary. My friends and family keep saying to me that if I lose anymore weight I will disappear. Those statements are flattering but I am a very short person 4'10" tall so my weight is compacted, I tell them that I will be fine and not to worry. I am wondering though what size I will be when this is all over, so far I am in a size 14. I haven't seen a size 14 since I was 14 years old. I think that I can wear a size 12 but I am actually afraid to try it on. I don't move to the next size until the current one is just about falling off me. Shopping has been a new experience, I don't have a clue what to pick out and everything is just so nice and the prices are nice too. I don't buy too often though because I am always looking forward to the next size down. I must give my doctor Dr. Elariny his prompts, he's an awesome doctor, but more importantly I have to give honor and praise to the one who has kept me through dangers seen and unseen and that is my Lord and savior Jesus Christ, he did it all for me. Thank you Lord.

P.S.: My husband has been the blessing that I knew he was when I met him 13 years ago. I am blessed indeed to have a man of God to love me as much as Christ loves the church.

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