Mariposa Bella

You are doing fantastic, keep up the good work. You look beautiful, looks like your having lots of fun.

I am feeling much better, thank you Vinesqueen. I get up real stiff in the morning, but once I get moving I feel better. And by the end of the day I end up the same way, its hard to sit at a desk all day when your this sore. Well, I'm still taking my percocet (sp?) at night to get a good night sleep. I love that stuff. Thanks again.

Mine, is like in the movies, you know how the man takes the woman in his arms and carries her into the bedroom to make passionate love to her, yep, that's the one. Always been too heavy for hubby to lift, especially since he has a bad back. Maybe someday soon this fantasy can come true for me. he, heeeeeeeee.

I'm so glad that you are doing well and that your surgery went off without a hitch. Take care and get plenty of rest.

Congratulations to you, I am soooooo happy for you. How exciting. My baby sis is pregrant with her first and we are so happy for her. She went this morning for her ultrasound and found out she's having a girl, how exciting....

Christina, I sure don't want to gain any of this weight back on, I'm making sure of that. I am waiting another two months and I'm getting another adjustment, so that I can get to my goal weight (hopefully). I have already called my previous personal trainer to see if I can start working out again, in a couple of weeks. I have set a goal for myself and I'm keeping it. I'm going to get in the best shape of my life, I need to for my own sanity. I'm tired of having lived a life always hating myself for not having the self control to modify my eating and be healthy. Well those times are over, I have been through too much to look back, its no steps back from here, only steps forward. Thanks for all the encouragement. My tummy is healing nicely, but still a long ways to recovery. Christina, after your lipo how long where you swollen? I am really hard around my waist and back, thick is more the word? I am calling the surgeon today, to see if this is normal? I massaged it last night and it feels better today, but I don't know if this is normal. Vinesqueen, a tt is difficult, but it will be worth it for us, once all is said and done. And I feel bad that your hubby has to have a full lift, I know he is going to be in some pain. Or maybe not, my tt, doesn't hurt one bit, its all numb, what is sore is the areas where I had the lipo. Well, lets toast to all our tt, past, present and future fat bulges lost.

Thanks, you all. Let me tell you for all of you wanting a tt, it is a rough surgery and if you combine it with body liposculpting like I did, boy, I still sometimes wonder, how I volunteered myself for this torture. The scar is pretty big, I have concerns of how good it will heal, it is so dark right now (looks like its healing nicely, but who knows), I hope it doesn't get thick and red like my band scars did (keloids?) Except for my mom, who did all the initial wound cleaning and stuff, (poor thing, she was so nervous and she is a small woman, just imagine her stuffing me in my girdle, she was exhausted afterwards, I love her so much.) I have not allowed anyone to see my scar, it is so rough looking, I don't want to gross anyone out, especially my husband. I am not ready for him to see it yet, I know, I'm weird. But anyways, I just wanted to share with you guys, how proud I felt today. Feels good. Thanks for the Hugs Penni. Sending some your way, too.

Well, guess what I discovered today, I'm petite. I have never, ever have been called petite. I have lost about 10 lbs since my ps and I keep hearing from everyone how little I look, I mean small wise, isn't that fabulous? I love myself today, I fell so good, I can't remember the last time I felt this way. I am 33 years old and have never been happy with the way I look and today, I am overwhelmed with this feeling of pride in myself and confidence. I still have more to lose and I'm still very swollen from surgery and I can't wait for final results. I have called my personal trainer today, to get back on a work out schedule (in a couple of weeks, per Dr's orders). I feel great, just wanted to share. Thanks for being so supportive, I love you guys, what would I do without you all. God bless each and every one of you, my lapband family.

Ohhhhh, how beautiful... Delarla can I come with you next time??? Ya'll sure know how to have fun, I'm so jelouse (in a good way).

You guys are killing me. I just had major ps and I shouldn't do it yet. Don't want to hurt myself, but being sore all over doesn't make the desires go away. Especiallly since I was away from my hubby for over two weeks, OMG I want him so bad. But I have to be a good girl. The ps said it was up to me when I was ready, some wait two weeks, some wait a month. I figure since I still have a hard time getting up off the toilet, I better wait longer.. lol

Don't get discouraged, everyone is right about him just having your best interest at heart. Sometimes we don't like what our doctors tell us, but that is why they went to school all those years they know what's best. I was upset with my doctor because as you all know when I got my tt two weeks ago, (My ps is my band doctor as well) so I wanted a fill before I came back home, but he said I had just had surgery and needed to not be more restricted so that I could eat well and my body would heal good. I didn't understand at first all I could think of was, there it would be free and here I'll have to pay $300. After speaking with him again regrading this, he convinced me that this was the safest thing to do and I know he's right, but its still frustrating. I want to hurry up and lose weight and I forget that I will be healthier if I don't deprive my body this way. Well wishing you continued success, because you have already lost alot more than most of us. Keep up the good work and don't get discouraged.

Just called the #, the girl thought I was crazy when I asked to be put on hold, I heard her tell someone, why are we being asked to be put on hold??? How many of you have been calling today???

Hi there, I just had my port stitched back into place two weeks ago. Origianlly my port had been stitched into place in two places and I guess one of the stitches became undone and it was sitting on its side. With my weight loss, it was really starting to protrude and it was getting sore, I guess from where it was pushing against my skin. Well, when I had my tt, my doctor went ahead and stitched it back in place, he said he stitched it real good and there in no chance of it flipping again. As far as fills are concerned, Dr. Gomez in Miami managed to give me my fills w/ out flouru even though my port was flipped, so it was no big deal as far as that was concerned. The only uncomforable thing was when I layed down it really protruded out. Well that is my story on my flipped port.

Well, I just went through a similar experience when I went back to Texas for my ps. My aunt who is overweight, said she didn't understand why I was putting myself through all of this, I was always a pretty fat girl, not sloppy or anything and since I am such a good dresser, I looked pretty that way. I just think she's jelouse that I was able to do this for myself. I asked her, (she used to have a really nice body when she was young, I remember her always wearing daisy duke shorts and two piece bikini's when we went swimming when I was a little girl) Don't you wish you had the same good body you had when you were younger??? Don't you wish you could still wear those little short shorts and your two piece bikinis??? She responded that she's old already and the times pass and she had her day. Well, I told her, your only 45 that is not old and I bet you anything that you'd give anything to look and feel the way you used to, that shut her up. I love her and I know she means well, but it still pisses me off. They don't understand why my husband would let me spend money like that, why would he pay so much money for the band and then for all my ps??? Well, probably because he loves me and wants me to feel good about myself, and I'm sure getting there. It has taken a lot, but I think I'll finally be in a skinny bitch.

You all are so wonderful. I was so tired yesterday from being back to work, I was so tired last night, my dh thaught I was sick, cause he said I looked really pale. But I was just very tired from going all day and not taking a break. I plan on going home today at lunch and taking a little nap, and then I'm going to try and get out of here early, I don't want to push my body and get sick. I put it through some major trauma and it needs time to heal. My surgeon does have a website, but its only in Spanish and he doesn't speak English (which is a problem from some of you). I guess I'll have to go with you all to interpret.. I got all that for $5500, which is an awesome deal, inlcudes hospital (I stayed 2 1/2 days) and all blood work, all aftercare. I discovered him through a friend, she had his band and ps done by him and then I did the same. He is so super awesome, I am kind of a neurotic, overbearing person, so I demand alot and he did everything I wanted, he listened to my concerns, answered all my questions and was just overall fabulous. I didn't get my arms reduced by getting cut, he just did lipo, they were not that bad, so maybe I'll get away w/ just this. I have to wear a restricted garment on my arms as well so the skin won't hang. I tell you what the worst part of all this is wearing this stupid full body girdle its getting to me. I'm all about comfort and this is a bit much, I have two more weeks of it, I hope I can make it. Last night, I went to bed w/ out it and it felt so good, but its on again this morning. Got to wear it if I want results. Has anyone heard of a tea that helps the body get rid of swelling? My cousin was telling me I should take some tea, that helps the body heal and get rid of swelling, let me know if you know what she's talking about. Penni, I really appreciate you posting for me and letting everyone know I was okay. I didn't have access to a computer at my mom's house. And I will sure give the kids your hug and kiss, they ask about you, my friend the one with the big hotel in Orlando. They are getting so big, I can't hardly believe it. My four year old little girl has taken to doing her hair, she is so funny, she can do pony tails and can braid it by twisting the crap out of it, she is so cute. Well, thanks again gals for all the encouragement and your good thoughts. Oh, by the way, I weighed myself this morning and I weigh 150 lbs, yippiii. I am still very swollen, and blk and blue, so probably when all this goes down, I'll be at 145 and that much closer to goal. I am so happy even though I'm still uncomfortable. Well, chat with you all later. Love you.

Thank you Delarla, I still have three stitches in my belly button and I'm dreading having to go get them taken out on Wed, those things just turn my stomach inside out and make me want to pass out, good thing, I'll be laying down. Well thanks a bunch for your kind words.

Hello, everyone, just wanted to update everyone on my tt and lipo. Well, I got back last night and I'm really exhausted. The whole thing was really hard, it is quite uncomfortable. The tt itself didn't hurt and doesn't hurt, its all really numb. The all over lipo is what I'm sore from and was even more just out of surgery. I went into the surgical room at 10:30 am to get drawn on and prepped and at about noon I went into surgery. It was a really long surgery, I didn't get out until about 7 or 8 pm. The doctor says that the body liposculpting is time consuming as he has to hit all the fat deposits on the body. I mean everywhere. Arms, upper and lower back, the side of my breast, the fatty spot between your breast and armpit, waist, thighs (inner & outer), butt, just everywhere. I am still swollen from all the lipo. Then he did my tt and injected some fat into my butt to give it a rounder look, I can't see any difference there, yet, my lower back is too swollen. It was hard for me, there were nights I layed there and thought what the hell did I do to my body??? Am I crazy, how can anyone cause so much pain to themselves???? You wonder? I can't tell you how many times I promised God to let me get through this and I will never do this again... I stayed in the hospital 2 1/2 days and that was really good, the hospital is a private hospital and I was so well taken care of, the nurses don't speak Eng., but since I speak Spanish there were no communication issues. They were there for my every request and question. Let me tell you I'm not an easy patient to take care of, I think I wore out the nurse call button, I'm sure they were glad to see me go. The doctor and his staff were incredible, just wonderful, answered all my questions and concerns before and after surgery. He would come see me 2 or 3 times a day, which was wonderful. The first time they took my full body girdle at the hospital to clean my incision, I looked at my scar and belly button and got really anxious and nervous and almost passed out, I started crying and got really uspet with the whole thing. That was when reality hit me what I had done and how major this was, so it was quite disturbing at the time, The nurse ran to get the oncall Dr and he stayed with me until I calmed down and didn't feel like I was going to pass out. I have to say that if you are planning on doing this, make sure you will have someone with you 24/7 to help you, you will not be able to do this alone. It is not easy. But it will be worth it once its all done. I am still in between, I don't know if this was the right thing to do and I'm sure it will be the right thing to do. Its just hard. The whole time I was in pain, all I could think of, I could have taken a two week vacation in Hawaii with my husband with all the money I spent and I could be having fun enjoying myself, instead of being in pain. My mom and stepdad where wonderful, they took awesome care of me and my kids, my oldest daughter also helped me out alot, she's great. I was nervous about my little one not understanding and wanting to jump on me or what not, but he was great, he was told mommy had boo boo's and he would try to stay away from me. Well, that was my ordeal, Its two weeks today, so I'm still not out of this, it will take a while, but it looks like I'm going to be okay. Oh, I forgot to tell you all, the shunt for drainage is a pain in the ass, I hated that thing so much, I just had it out on Friday morning, I was draining more than the usual and the Dr. had to leave it in longer, oh my what a pain in the butt, that was the worse thing about this. Well, I'm glad to be back, I have tons of work to do. The best thing is to be back home and to see my husband, I sure missed him, it would have been easier to have him on my side during the recovery. Well, got lots to do and will have to come back and read up on what everyone has been doing these past two weeks. Thank you to everyone's prayers. Love, e

:Bunny That is wonderful, I'm so happy for you. Start the countdown now to a better, improved you. Congrats............

Don't worry, I'm a big baby, and it wasn't painful at all, believe me I know what pain is, I've given birth and had a c-section. It is uncomfortable, but not painful, I was sore in my right shoulder from the gas, but I was not in pain at all. I do understand where your coming from though, I am having a tt and some other ps prodedures and I'm not looking forward to being sliced from hip to hip. But I want it so bad that it will be worth the pain. I know I'll be crying like a baby regretting it on Monday night and probably the rest of the week, but it will be worth it. Well good luck and keep in touch. I'll be back in two weeks, talk to you soon.

I had a scary experience too, but it was my own fault. I took a bite of solid food when I was supposed to be on liquids, I got so swollen I thought I was dying. What a horrifying experience it was for me, I know how scared you probably were. I was scared I was going to die trying to be thinner. I couldn't even keep my own saliva down, and was getting so dehydrated. I have never been so thirsty in my life. I had to go to the emergency room and get an IV, get Ct scans, x rays, It cost me $12,000 for that emergency room visit. So this band really has cost me about $20,000, lots of money to pay out of pocket. It was a rough week and a half for me. This board was so helpful, they babied me through my ordeal and gave me tons of helpful advice. The great thing was I lost about 23 lbs that first month, but it was hard way to lose it. I'm so glad that you are doing well and that your boss was so good to you. And follow your instinct with your fills, stay on liquids a couple of days after a fill and then gradually move up, maybe your just really sensitive. Well good luck and I'm so happy you are well.

So this beach house, you do loan it out to friends, don't you???? Can I just borrow your clothes when I go there, so I can go hassle free too, LOL How divine, I've always dreamed of living by the ocean, but then the alarm clock rings and I wake up. Maybe I should start playing the Florida Lotto, so I too can buy my beach house..

Gorgeous hair, gorgeous couple, you guys look really good together and your hair looks fantastic.

I know what you mean, what's with all those women, that Lindsay girl is so skinny, she looks anorexic. I hadn't seen the Oprah show in a long time cause of work and yesterday I caught a show in which she got her ears pierced (think it was a re-run) anyways, she looks fabulous. I know that she works out, but there is no way that her abs look that way without help from a plastic surgeon? Is it just me, or does anyone else doubt that she has done it alone? Even her breasts look good, I know she was really big and those baby would be dragging just like mine, no matter how much she works out. Well, maybe I'm just jelouse cause she looks beautiful and she's a billionaire. I really respect all that she has accomplished, both as a human being and physically, but it just seems a bit unreal to me that excercise alone can do all that.

Sounds so much fun, I'm so jelouse that Delarla and Penni get to party together, wish I was there. Good luck at Dr. Billy's, tell him we all think he is fine. Have a safe 4th of July and stay safe lots of drunken people on the road on the Holidays. I will be getting my tt that morning, so I'll probably sleep through the fireworks.