Frangipani

Woo Hoo Karey!!!!

I'm excited for you!!! I'm headed out the door to work out -- more in a little bit.

:thumbup::thumbup:

Good grief BBK, I'm sorry to hear about all of this!!!! What a major hassle.

Well, I have to believe that they won't screw it up again this time, so good luck again tomorrow!

Sending big hugs and lots of good karma your way!!!! :smile::biggrin:

Hmmm yup the flight back would be a tad uncomfortable, 10 hours sat in the same position.....let me think... nooooooo!!

Whereabouts in the caribbean are you, you lucky devil? I am planning an 8 week trip out there next summer! I dream about moving out there (or anyhere that isnt the UK), I drive my family to distraction moaning about living in the UK, and periodically I come up with insane plans for how we can all move somewhere warm, the kids live in fear of what my next plan will be!

Hi Nina,

I'm on St. Thomas -- where are you headed off to? If you end up in the BVI's let me know, Tortola is only a 45 minute ferry ride and most of the other islands are fairly easy to get to as well.

Don't get me wrong the Caribbean is great and the weather is nice, but don't uproot the family until you have explored all of your options. Some of these small Caribbean islands (such as mine) are fine places to live 9 months out of the year, but honestly most people don't live here blissfully unless they can get "off the rock" for a few months out of every year. This seems especially true with children......... To be quite frank, violent crime is a problem here as well. I mean, I don't live in fear, but the amount of violent crime is way more than what it should be for the population.

I think you are SO lucky living in Europe, and there are some places to live on the continent with a more temperate climate. How about the south of France or the Amalfi Coast in Italy? You have some wonderful options right in your own backyard -- no?

As far as beautiful islands go French Polynesia in the South Pacific is beyond compare. The Marquesas in particular, are some of the most spectacularly beautiful islands on the planet -- absolutely bar none!!!!

Pink,

Are you still out there lady? Give us a shout and let us know how you're doing!

Hey Judi, with you being our best and brightest writer as well as the founder of our Crazy Ates group, I was wondering if you think it might be a good idea to start a Bandiversary Celebration Thread. I know it's already a bit late in the month, but what do think?

Hi Frangi...

As for your suggestion....I'm all for any and all celebrations. What do you mean by a Bandiversary Celebration thread? Forgive me for not "getting it".....I am just plain tuckered out! My brain is on 2 hour delay.....:thumbup:..... Feel free to start it up....I may have "founded" this group but we are all owners of it! Everyone here made it great and worthy of a celebration!

Time to go to get my weary butt into bed!

Judi

Hi Judi,

What I meant to say was since that you are such a clever a witty writer, we might start a thread that says something like Happy Bandiversary months Crazy Ates -- with a sentence or two. That's all....I know I could start one too, but I don't have your way with words.

Anyhow, it was just a passing thought, I had actually forgotten that I had written this!

:smile::biggrin:

Ahhh I know this technique!! My PS developed it for his LBL patients!! Seriously google 'Dr Pascal lower body lift' you will see all about his ass technique!! LOL He does the best ass in Europe!!

Wow! How cool and coincidental is that?

Of course, I've already run across his name and have read things that he has written as I was gathering information on this procedure.

To bad I can't get over to Europe to have my ass done by the master himself, however, the exchange rate for Americans is ridiculous right now and I think it would be a bit too physically challenging to travel from the Caribbean to France and back for surgery.

So where are the piccies?? Even if you don't want to share you should take loads so that you can marvel at the stupendousness (?) of your new butt when you get it!

I don't have piccies yet, but will definitely take some. Here's hoping that things turn out as well as you predict and I will have some stupendouness to marvel at !

I know that the vast majority of people dont have their nips drop off in the bath, but every time I think about it I can feel them shivering at the thought, I swear they kind of suck themselves into my body....

ROTFLOL Woman!!!! You are crazy do you know that??? :smile::smile:

Don't worry about the nips, when they fall off you just stick 'em back up there. The Dr. will send you home with some Velcro and it works great!!!:wink2::tongue::frown:

Frangipani - I have to say that I am firmly in the camp of the Demi Moores! If you can get it done and it makes you feel better, then go for it is my principle - then again I have a similar veiw on most things, if it feels good and it doesnt hurt anyone, then why not??

It is narcissistic theres no denying it, but I figure that after all the work that we have put into losing the weight and getting healthy we deserve it!

Pump up that butt hon, and enjoy strutting your funky stuff!

Nina xx

Hey Nina,

Thanks for the encouragement girl!!! LOL, you're hilarious :mad2::smile:!

What I'm realizing as I talk to people in real time is that SO many women have had a little work done -- and if they haven't, they definitely want to .

Hey Nina,

I haven't see you around for a while and am so glad you're back!!!

I had a BL with implants in June, and my nips survived just fine. I love my new breasts, and I know Karey has mentioned that she does too -- Go for it girl :mad2::thumbup::smile:!!!

I'm having a fairly new procedure for the buttocks augmentation. What the Dr. will do is use "flaps" of tissue, that would have been removed and discarded otherwise during the buttocks/thigh lift. The flaps are not completely disconnected from the blood supply, but merely rotated and placed in the appropriate areas.

I'm told that this procedure offers some advantages over the injections in that the flaps of tissue have a much higher survival rate than injected fat -- also I won't have to stay off my backside for two weeks post-op as would have been required with the injections.

LOL -- PS is flamin' addictive isn't it???:huh2: I mean -- not the surgery, but the results!!!!

Dont panic!!

It is normal for you to see loads of bruising, and your skin will feel saggy as it has been detached from the fascia ( the bit that glues it to the muscle) you cannot even begin to judge your results for a few weeks yet.

I had Lipo to my thighs and saddlebags when I had my FTT and I was really worried about the tops of my thighs - they looked terrible, slim but terrible! It took a good 8 weeks before they stopped looking wrinkly, which stressed me out no end, but now they look fine!

Make sure that you wear your garment all the time for at least the first 4 weeks. I took mine off to shower and then used to rub loads of cream in and give the areas a good massage before I put the garment back on.

It will settle down!

Nina x

Nina,

That was a great post and a very thorough explanation! It's SO hard not to keep looking in the mirror after PS , even though your rational brain is telling you that this is not the way things are going to look in the long run. I'm having a buttocks/outer thigh lift & buttocks augmentation along with lipo next and I'm sure I'll be referring back to this post after surgery. Glad to hear it all turned out well in the end for you :mad2:!

Pink Soprano,

How are you doing?

Hey Ladies,

This is not PS related, but for all of you looking for (or needing like me) new clothing. White House Black Market is having a sale where they are taking 40% off the sale prices. I just came back from their sale and I got 6 gorgeous blouses, 1 sweater, and a pair of shoes all for $153!!! Woo Hoo!!!

Check it out -- they also have a good selection of merchandise online, and if you're a "Black Book" member you an additional 5% discount and free shipping. (Note: The online sale prices reflect the additional 40% discount -- in the stores they will discount the sale price you see on the tag 40%.)

White House | Black Market - Home

They ship quickly too. I ordered a few things online yesterday that I knew I wouldn't be able to get here, and I received a shipping confirmation within hours.

Happy shopping! :thumbup:

Hi,

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! Can you believe it's only another two weeks until Labor Day weekend? Where did the summer go?!

Still slacking a bit on keeping up with my posts, but I did get two more workouts in this week. I plan to do two more this weekend. I probably won't end up making my goal this month with surgery coming up in nine days, but it still feels good to be out there again.

Talk to you soon!

August Exercise Challenge 8/15 Sessions

Good luck on Monday BBK!!! :smile:

Hey Fluffy,

Good to hear from you, how's it going?

Did you like Dr. Z and Alma? Isn't that a great group of people in Monterrey?

I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying our thread :thumbup:!

Re Butt:

I think it's a very unpredictable thing that depends on a lot of factors, and I certainly wouldn't be too concerned about it at this point. Trust me, you'll still look great in clothes, even if you end up with a flat backside -- especially if you wear the right foundation garments, which can shape the derrière quite nicely.

I'm so intrigued by this because I like to look like I've made an effort but I really loathe a full face of makeup.

Its that sunlight look. You can put your makeup on and it looks OK inside and then you see it in sunlight and its just so obvious and layered on thick and it looks truly awful. I much prefer bare faces, only my bare face needs some help.

My main problem though is that I have dark undereye circles and slight redness around the nose and chin. So I definitely need light foundation. And that's what tends to look ugly out in the daylight, although mineral stuff is good.

So if you wear a light foundation, does that "cover up" the eyeliner so that you need to go over it with a pencil anyway?

Lol Susan, I've actually dreamed of losing all my hair and having an excuse to just wear a wig everyday. My hair is the biggest pain in the bum you could imagine. My latest is to have a shower and do it at night , then sleep on it to squash the frizz out so I dont have to bother in the morning.

Hey Jacqui,

What you need for the redness around the nose and mouth and the darkness under the eye is a good concealer, so let me introduce you to your new best friend -- Pro Lumière Correcteur Professional Finish Concealer, by Chanel. Awesome stuff!!! I carry it with me at all times.

I assume this product is available in your part of the world, but I know that cosmetic companies often vary their product selection from country to country. So if you can't find that, try Touche Éclat' Radiant Touch, by Yves St. Laurent (actually my long-standing favorite until I discovered the Chanel).

Both are great and very light and natural looking, and both will last you a long time as a little goes a long way. If you want to set the undereye concealer (a must in my climate), try Secret Brightening powder, by Laura Mercier.

Then a light dusting of a quality mineral makeup on top. I swear by Laura Mercier's mineral makeup. Some of the others, like Bare Escentuals, are not milled finely enough, so the look is rather fake and heavy. I also do not like the orangey undertones tones of that product line.

None of these products should interfere with permanent eyeliner as you would not really be applying them in the same area as the liner.

Frangi: I think you should stay with this thread if Becky doesn't mind. I'm not sure I'll start a thread for round 2, I'm with you on posting pictures of my behind! LOL! Somehow, I don't mind posting pictures of the droopy arms! Well, I'll have to see if I can find some underwear that will show the problems without showing the whole thing or I will just PM to those who really want to see. Hmmm!

Hi Karey,

Thanks for the feedback regarding whether or not to start a new thread. Yeah, I don't think pics of my behind are something that I should inflict on the world. I even feel really sorry for my Dr. having to work on it (seriously LOL ). That man is a true Saint in my mind!!!

Frangi you are very different from me in your feelings towards more surgery. My girls need to be lifted BADLY but the thought of going through another surgery just isn't appealing to me. It really is the fact that I couldn't run that has me dreading the up coming surgery. My PS told me to wait 2 more weeks before starting running and then I have ZERO restrictions on exercising. So as you can see from my signature...I have my runs already planned out. I am really going to have to push myself.

I had a pretty easy recovery with very little pain but you were AMAZING with how easily you got around. I had a wonderful DH who hovered perhaps a bit too much and wouldn't let me do anything. Almost 3 weeks before he would let me drive and then it was just to the grocery store down the block!

I am excited to hear about your upcoming surgery and I think you should just stay here. I think you have a great support group on this thread...and plus I won't have to add to my subscriptions!!!

Thanks for the feedback, encouragement, and kind words Salsa :smile::smile::smile:!!!

Good luck with your upcoming events -- you are going to be kicking some major A$$ this fall, and loving it all the time I'm sure!!! Keep us posted:thumbup::biggrin::thumbup:!

It does become very tempting to keep going, but I plan to stop after I have the breast and arms fixed. There is no such thing as perfection, and once you get one thing fixed then something else starts bothering you. I definitely do not want to be one of those people who just doesn't know when to quit. For me personally, I think learning to accept my flaws and age gracefully is an important life lesson. I do dislike several aspects of my appearance, however I think that is all the more reason that I need to focus on self acceptance.

Not only that, at some point, I think it becomes very diminishing returns. We've all seen people who have had too much surgery and they have that fake, plastic, mask-like, look. Michael Jackson and Wayne Newton immediately pop into my mind, but there are lots of others.

However, I really would like to know who Demi Moore works with. By all accounts she's had absolutely everything done (even her knees apparently) and she looks fantastic (!!!) -- and not plastic looking at all.

Hey LuLu,

The MUA (make up artist) told me that she doesn't wax anymore and doubts that I'll need to either. Because the brow is so clearly defined it takes the guesswork out of which hairs to keep and which to remove, and a little maintenance plucking is all that's needed.. However, if you still wanted to wax I would see no problem with doing so, I actually think it would make that job a lot easier as well.

I would love to have the permanent make-up. Now, if I could just figure out a way to wake up and have my hair already done, life would be awesome. I could sleep until five minutes before I have to leave for work!

Susan, LOL! Wouldn't that be awesome???? Second best would be to have your own personal hairdresser to perfectly style your hair every day.

Frangi, I know when we get one thing fixed it just makes the other stuff bug us even more. Now that I'm looking pretty good from the waist down, my upper body is really looking worse than ever. The LBL helped perk up my butt quite a bit, but it is still flatter than I would like. I'm sure I could have benefited from some augmentation back there. Can't wait to see your results! Be sure to take some before pictures. What about the thighs? Are you getting the vertical or horizontal incisions?

Are you going to start a new thread for round two or stay with this one? It must feel good having been down this road before. Are you more comfortable about the upcoming surgery this time? I know I'm bombarding you with questions, but I'm really living vicariously now, since my second round of PS is still to come. Enough for now. Becky

Hey Becky!

How did your Dr. appointment go? Is the infection clearing up?

Re Pics:

I will take before pics, but it remains to be seen whether or not I will post pics of my saggy, baggy derrière on the WWW (probably not) -- although I would be willing to send pics via PM to you and Karey and anyone else who might be interested in the procedure.

Re Thread:

Do you think I should start a new thread? I was thinking about just continuing on with this one, but what do you ladies think?

Re Medial Thighs:

I'm not doing medial thighs at this time. Dr. M doesn't like to do medial and lateral thighs during the same operation (and I know that Dr.'s vary wildly as to what they will or will not do during a single operation), and I also want to wait to see if its something I want (need?) done. If I decide to do it, I will definitely wait until at least next year, as I want to push past this last operation and get on with the rest of my life.

I am feeling very vain and self-indulgent right now with all of this focus on my appearance, and I'm definitely feeling the need to move on to other things...........

I am feeling more comfortable about this second operation, but I must say that I was very calm and anxiety free about the first one. That said, having experience with the Dr., the hospital, and "the drill" helps a whole lot. I can definitely see how (why) people can become very focused on having "everything" fixed, because once you've been through it once, it becomes much easier to do it again.

Have a great day!!!

Happy anniversary Frangi! This group really has been so inspirational and supportive! Reading all of your posts and seeing your success inspite of struggles and set backs has kept me motivated even when I wasn't checking in! I hope we all stay connected in the coming year (s).

Val

Hey Val!

Good to hear from you and thank you so much!!!! Congratulations on your tremendous progress!!! Have you seen Denzel lately :biggrin:??? He's going to be blown away when he sees you!!!

I'm sure you're looking very gorgeous, any updated pics for us?

Hi BBK,

If you just keep the permanent makeup light and neutral (for redheads like us, soft browns work nicely) you can layer on your regular makeup anytime, and exactly how you want.

My eyes are done with a very light touch, the line on the bottom is barely perceptible, but just enough to give a little definition. The line on the top is mostly concentrated between the lashes, but just a little smoked out toward the outer edges because I wanted to give a slight almond shape to my eyes.

The look I have is perfectly for daytime sunlight, but for office, or evening looks I would definitely want to do a heavier liner, and shadows, and.............well don't get me started because I must confess that I'm a bit of a makeup junkie :biggrin:

Hi Pink,

I know it's hard, but try not too focus too much on how things look right now. Your body has just been through a very traumatic event and it's reacting in kind, inside and out.

Try to focus on resting and healing, and do your best to ignore the mirror the next several days -- things will get better as you heal.

Good luck and keep us updated.

:biggrin::smile:

OMG Vegas Girl, I just noticed that you are being banded tomorrow!!! Good luck with your surgery!!!! My surgery went beautifully last year. Easiest surgery I've ever had and I was out shopping at the mall the very next day.

Regarding abbreviations,

Here's a link that gives a list of just about every abbreviation you might encounter on this board.

Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum - FAQ: Lap-band Abbreviations

Hey Lulu,

LOL :biggrin:! I figured while I was going through this incredibly vain and self-indulgent period of my life, I might as well get it all done at once!

Re pics: I'm waiting for my photographer (DH) to take several pics for me (including updated PS pics). He's slow, but he's free, and as they say, you get what you pay for........

Hi Chattykathi,

It's Frangipani, and thanks for the nice comments! Yes, it is a very nice place to live for sure, and it is beautiful, but it is still an island and as such, lacking in some amenities -- so most people find after living here for a while that they need to go "off island" on a fairly regular basis to acheive the right balance in their lives.

I have missed out on many opportunities to have fun in the islands because of my weight. Many times when I was fat, I'd be invited to go boating to this island or that and I would always come up with some sort of an excuse not to go because I refused to wear a bathing suit (or any type of skin-baring clothing, including shorts) in public.

So yes, I can totally relate to what you're saying, and it's just sad to waste our lives being fat and hating our bodies -- which is why I believe so strongly in WLS now.

As far as you being 56, I would say that you still have a huge window of opportunity!!!! Go for it girl, and get out there and start having some fun :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:!!!

Hey Heartfire,

Great to hear you've had good long-term experience with the permanent makeup! Have you had to have it touched up? My MUA told me that the eyeliner only lasts about 2-3 years before needing a touch up. Has that been your experience?

BTW Laura Mercier makes an incredible mineral make-up that works very well as a foundation in hot, sweaty climes like ours. I love it because it is so finely milled and because her colors are so true and flattering.

Hey Ladies,

Nice to hear your positive comments!

Kiki, from the sound of it, a tattoo is more painful than this (although I guess permanent makeup is technically a tattoo as well). Remember the eyeliner doesn't take very long because the area is so small and you are not depositing much color. So if you want it done, I wouldn't worry about the pain. The eyebrows didn't hurt one bit -- I probably could have napped through that part.

Vegas girl, yes, I would definitely check out that Sally Hayes. Her work looks great!!! I agree having this done is a very nice treat for losing weight and a job well done. Go for it :Banane37::thumbup::sleep2:!

I'm already thinking about the enormous $$$$ and time I'll be saving. I'm like you, I wouldn't be caught dead without makeup on. Here in the tropics makeup just "melts" off and it's unbelievable what you have to do to "set" your makeup, but yet get it to come out natural looking. Just to give you an idea, I was layering three different products onto the brows, and four to six different products on the eyes, not to mention the rest of the face -- Whew!!!

Now with this permanent makeup, I have a good base, so even when the elements are working against me, I'll still have some color and some definition. I know this will be awesome for traveling and the beach too.

I had the eyeliner done last Friday and have eyelash extensions done two weeks from today. Have always wanted it done and just made a quick decision to do it. I was in the chair having my hair cut when I looked up at the person doing my hair. Told her I loved her nice, thick lashes and she told me they were extensions.

I go in for an hour session to have them applied and every two to three weeks for an update. $25 for two week reapplication, $35 every three and $45 every four weeks. I will pick out lashes that are the same length as I naturally have. I find that the older I get, the fewer lashes I have. When I was a teenager I had nice long thick lashes. This girl that does my hair does not even wear mascara anymore. She also had the eyeliner done and it looks great. I had my eyeliner done in a smoky gray color.

I think that besides my band I will be able to say this is one of the best things I could do for myself. We have extremely hot and humid summers and I cannot stand the "running" makeup. It's fun to not have to apply makeup.

As far as the pain....I am allergic to novacaine (and any other in the family), so I had to tough it out. Worth it though. The pain was not extreme but uncomfortable and that was without any medication applied. So if someone is thinking of doing it and can have your eyes medicated, it should be a breeze.

Apples,

Thanks for sharing about the eyelash extensions. I was wondering how that works! I'll be curious to know how you like them once you get it done. I'd like to get that done too.