Frangipani

Hi Guys, Just doing a little updating and while I was at it, I updated a few of your numbers as well. Great job everybody :scared2: !!! Name: Frangipani Weight loss from day of surgery: 86 lbs Total weight loss: 92 lbs Name: Candle Weight loss from day of surgery: 87 lbs Total weight loss: 101 lbs Name: Salsa Weight loss from day of surgery: 88 lbs Total weight loss: 88 lbs Name: Pammycakes Weight loss from day of surgery: 88 lbs Total weight loss: 90 lbs Name: Ceradad Weight loss from day of surgery: 85 Total weight loss: 105 Name: KarenG. Weight loss from day of surgery: 79 Total weight loss: 79 Name: NanaRenan Weight loss from day of surgery: 52 Total weight loss: 72 Name: TexasBecky Weight loss from day of surgery: 96 Total weight loss: 106 Name: SPEBSQSAlady Weight loss from day of surgery: 57.8 Total weight loss: 57.8 Name: Brandottie01 Weight loss from day of surgery: 23 lbs Total weight loss: Name: Bergdorfblonde Weight loss from day of surgery: 32 lbs Total weight loss: 32 lbs Name: Gometros Weight loss from day of surgery: 52.9 lbs Total weight loss: 74.9 Name: Pizzicato66 Weight loss from day of surgery: 76 Total weight loss: 78 Name: Valstar Weight loss from day of surgery: 52 lbs Total weight loss: 57 lbs Name:Gweniper weight loss from day of surgery: 48 total weight loss: 82 Name: purplegirl1818 weightloss from day of surgery: 73.5lbs total weight loss: 90.5lbs Name: LessNLess weightloss from day of surgery: 51lbs total weight loss: 57lbs Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 27/30 Exercise Sessions (14 Cardio, 6 Core Strength & flexibility, 7 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi Guys, I'm back from Miami and (with the exception of those few hours I spent standing naked under harsh, bright light while having my excess fat and hanging skin examined and manipulated by total strangers) I had a fabulous time! Anyhow, more about the plastic surgery consults later, but the one thing I did learn from all of this is that I will be requesting general anesthesia for all future consultations. I got two cardio workouts in while I was away and today was my "triple header Thursday," -- a 30 minute abdominals class, one hour Yoga and one hour of weight training (arms/upper body). Have a great night everyone! Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 27/30 Exercise Sessions (14 Cardio, 6 Core Strength & flexibility, 7 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Andreerichards, WOW! You look beautiful and 10 years younger to boot! Purple Girl, you were certainly beautiful before, but you have turned into a stunning young lady! Congratulations to you both :thumbup::thumbup::Dancing_shocked:! Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 22/30 Exercise Sessions (12 Cardio, 4 Core Strength & flexibility, 6 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi Pizzi, My husband is making a huge sacrifice for you so I hope you appreciate this....... HE has generously offered you my superior nagging skills :thumbup::smile::Dancing_shocked:! So you better keep logging girlfriend, because I'm watching you:mad2:!!!! Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 22/30 Exercise Sessions (12 Cardio, 4 Core Strength & flexibility, 6 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi All, I did one hour of cardio and one hour of weight training today (arms/upper body). I'm headed up to Miami tomorrow for a "stateside fix" and to meet with a few plastic surgeons. I plan to get some workouts in while I'm there, but I probably won't be checking back in for a few days. Talk to you soon :thumbup:! Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 22/30 Exercise Sessions (12 Cardio, 4 Core Strength & flexibility, 6 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

I scheduled a second consult in Florida, so we'll see how it goes. I thought about scheduling a third while I'm there, but that just feels like overkill to me. I feel good about the credentials and references I have gotten from the two Doctors I have chosen to consult with, so we'll start there and see what happens. I plan to talk to one or two Doctors in Texas, and one or two in Mexico. I also have some good leads in a few other states as well. Obviously I don't want to do too many consults, but I will do as many as I feel I need. Will update after I have talked to the Doctors in Florida. Thanks for the feedback and advice ladies ! Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 20/30 Exercise Sessions (11 Cardio, 4 Core Strength & flexibility, 5 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi Pizzi, Ditto for me -- I'm around, but just very, very busy. Have a great night! Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 20/30 Exercise Sessions (11 Cardio, 4 Core Strength & flexibility, 5 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi guys, I've been incredibly busy and haven't been posting much in the past few days, but wanted to get caught up with my exercise postings........ I did one hour of cardio on Sunday, one hour of cardio today, and one hour of weight training today (legs/lower body). Salsa, I hope you get your fill situation resolved soon! Have a great night everybody! Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 20/30 Exercise Sessions (11 Cardio, 4 Core Strength & flexibility, 5 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi Guys, Just wanted to post an update on my thoughts re: plastic surgery locales. I mentioned earlier that I am open to US, Mexico or South America (Argentina or Brazil). I am now crossing South America off my list. For the kind of surgery I'm thinking about having (LBL or TT), I have decided that South America is just too far and too unfamiliar as a destination to have surgery. I'm sure there are some fine surgeons there, but since I don't know any, trying to find one from afar is just too hard and too anxiety provoking for me. I still plan on going to Buenos Aires for a visit at some point though, I have heard it's beautiful and the shopping is supposed to be fabulous :smile::wink:! Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 17/30 Exercise Sessions (9 Cardio, 4 Core Strength & flexibility, 4 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Becky, WOW! WOW! WOW! :tt1: I want your autograph because you look like a Movie Star!!! Congratulations on losing 100 (plus) pounds :clap::wink:!!!! Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 17/30 Exercise Sessions (9 Cardio, 4 Core Strength & flexibility, 4 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi Guys, Checking in -- I'm having very busy (but fun) weekend! Yesterday, one hour of cardio and one hour of weight training (legs/lower body). Will check in later or tomorrow to report today's workout. Have a great Sunday everyone! Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 17/30 Exercise Sessions (9 Cardio, 4 Core Strength & flexibility, 4 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Becky LOL! I did the same thing. It really does look like a lot of fun! I did an hour of weight training today (arms/upper body). Have a great night everyone! Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 15/30 Exercise Sessions (8 Cardio, 4 Core Strength & flexibility, 3 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi LJM, Thank you so much. I have been following your journey and as a result of your posts, your Dr. is already at the top my list of people to see, when I make my next visit to Texas. I have already done some additional reading up on his suturing technique, because not having to deal with drains sounds great to me too!!! Thanks again :biggrin::smile::smile:!

I would really like to try using Byetta just to see how it works for weight loss -- especially since I am at a point in my weight loss where the pounds are coming off much more slowly, and I get into these frustrating plateaus from time to time. Another poster mentioned that she is using Byetta strictly for weight loss (she apparently is not diabetic), and that it is working really well for her. I doubt that my Internist will prescribe it to me though, because he is a real stickler for doing absolutely everything by the book -- he didn't even want me to have WLS because I didn't have any "comorbidities," (I didn't take his advice, obviously :biggrin:). Anyhow, I stand probably about a 1% chance (or less) of getting a prescription for this from my Dr. :smile:.......... Good luck with this and keep us posted! Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 14/30 Exercise Sessions (8 Cardio, 4 Core Strength & flexibility, 2 Weight training)

Hi Everybody! I am at the very early stages of my plastics journey, but have already benefited greatly from all of the information, pics, and blogs that many of you have so generously shared. I am nearing my goal weight and am hoping to have a TT or an LBL sometime in August or September of this year. I have not yet chosen a plastic surgeon and was hoping to get some names of good surgeons who specialize in Bariatric patients. I live in the Caribbean and would need to travel off island no matter who I see, so I am very flexible as to the location. Therefore, please feel free to provide me with the names of anyone who you think is good in the US, Mexico or South America. I have my first consult scheduled late next week in South Florida, but I plan to have a minimum of 3 (and perhaps even as many as 5) consults. I am not looking for the least expensive option -- quality is my most important concern, but cost will definitely be need to be considered, as I am 100% self pay. It would also be wonderful if I had the names of some good Doctors in South Florida very soon, so that I could perhaps schedule a second consult during this upcoming trip. You are welcome to post any referrals on this thread or PM me. Thank You for your help :angry_smile::smile::cursing:! Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 14/30 Exercise Sessions (8 Cardio, 4 Core Strength & flexibility, 2 Weight training)

Alex, That would be wonderful!!!! "Eve" has been driving me crazy (and it looks like a few other people) since day one!!! I think it's a fabulous idea to rotate photos of posters from this board, after all, as you have probably noticed, there are quite a few hotties around here :angry_smile:. I would be happy to help in any way that I can, but I think I should probably warn you that I have never posted images to a website, so I might need a little training. Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 14/30 Exercise Sessions (8 Cardio, 4 Core Strength & flexibility, 2 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

LJM, thank you for giving us your feedback regarding plastic surgery and when to consider it. I too have been lurking around your thread and have found it to be incredibly inspiring!!! Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us -- you are informing and touching many more people than you even realize. I am glad everything went so well for you and you look just fabulous :smile::banghead:!!! Well, I'm going to ramble a bit here too now, although soon I am going to have to quit rambling around here, because I have been doing far too much of it in the past few days........ I truly had no idea that I might be ready for plastics -- it was actually my husband who pointed it out to me. After he mentioned this, I started to look at my body in it's current state and realized that most of what is left on the problem areas of body can probably only be surgically removed. Poking around on the threads and blogs of all the wonderful ladies who have so generously shared their journeys us confirmed this for me. Becky, after seeing your price quotes and in preparation for my first consult, I too have been thinking about priorities. Thank you for getting me to think about and clarify this issue. Being a married lady, I am not looking for perfection either, and honestly, I don't think men notice even half the flaws that we perceive in our own bodies anyhow. My most important priority is looking good in clothes. I love clothes, I love fashion, I love shopping and well.....you get the point :cursing:! So here are my priorities: 1) TT and/or LBL: My Numero Uno priority. I carried most of my weight in my lower body, my normal blouse size (when I am at my proper weight) is a 4 my normal bottom size is an 8 or 10. I'm bottom heavy, I have always hated that, and I want things to be more in proportion. 2) Inner thighs would be nice BUT, I don't like the scarring. Definitely something to ponder more and to think about. However, in the meantime, upper thighs can always easily be covered. 3) Breasts would also be nice, but not overly important. I am one of these crazy people who prefers to have small breasts and I always liked my size B chest. I am hoping to get the breasts tweaked a bit at some point, but in the meantime, there are some wonderful bras out there that work magic, and that's good enough for me! Again, for me it's all about looking good in clothes -- not necessarily out. 4) Arms: Most likely not, even if the surgeon recommends it. Yes, I still do have some flab in my upper arms, but I believe most of that will go away and what doesn't, won't bother me. So those are my priorities. We'll see where it goes from here. Salsa, thanks for starting this thread and for sharing your photos. This is going to be a really helpful thread for us!!! Candle, I want to comment on your post too, but I need to save it for tomorrow. Goodnight Amigas!!! Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 14/30 Exercise Sessions (8 Cardio, 4 Core Strength & flexibility, 2 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Daddy, congratulations on signing up for your first 10K!!! :banghead: Lessnless sorry you're not feeling well, but this post made me LOL! You're crazy, woman !!! Triple header Thursday tonight, one hour of cardio, 30 minute abdominals class, one hour Yoga class. Have a great night everybody! Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 14/30 Exercise Sessions (8 Cardio, 4 Core Strength & flexibility, 2 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Becky, are you kidding me???? I just about fainted when I read your post. $50K???? That's insane!!! Well, if these are the kind of numbers that also I get from Docs in the US, then I will just leave the country again. On principal, I won't pay ridiculous, overinflated prices. Mexico is a strong possibility since I have already been there once, but Brazil and Argentina both intrigue me as well. Buenos Aires is supposed to be a lovely place with some excellent plastic surgeons, and it's well known that Brazil is just about the plastic surgery capital of the world, with lots of great docs. Oh Boy, this is going to be harder than we thought -- huh? Well, at the very least, it's great to get an idea of what might need to be done. I'll keep my fingers crossed that my quote will be a bit more reasonable............ Let's keep our dialogue going, we can exchange information and learn from each other. Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 11/30 Exercise Sessions (7 Cardio, 2 Core Strength & flexibility, 2 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Okay, no more silly posts. And Lessnless, I hope you know I was just having some fun with you :drool: -- I think you are a hoot! I loved it when you told Daddy the other day that you were built for style not speed. Salsa, congrats on the wonderful news you got from your Dr. Wow!!! I am simply astounded at how quickly things are moving along for all of us. I am having my first PS consult next Friday in Florida and I am really looking forward to it (Yipee!!!) But get ready friends, now that I am going down this road, I promise you that I will be driving myself and everyone around me (including all of you) absolutely nuts obsessing about every little detail, nuance and permutation of this whole process -- because that's the way I am about everything, and I'm too old to change now :tongue2:. I am really impressed with the credentials of the first Dr. I am seeing in Florida, but he will in no way be the last Dr. I see before I make a final decision. I plan to review the credentials of probably a dozen or more Doctors, and have consults with no fewer than three (and possibly even as many as five). For me picking the surgeon will probably be a lot more painstaking and traumatic than the surgery itself! Anyhow, it's great to see everyone doing so well. Crazy Ates Rock!!!! I got an hour of cardio in today. Have a great night everyone!!! Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 11/30 Exercise Sessions (7 Cardio, 2 Core Strength & flexibility, 2 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Lessnless, now is that nice to be gloating about your weather :tongue2:? Since you're being such a bad girl, I'm going to give it right back to ya. Where I live we can sun ourselves on gorgeous beaches, swim in the warm waters of the Caribbean (or a pool if we want to be really boring), and have Margaritas made with good rum, cheap 24/7/365. NaNaNaNaNa :tt2:! Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 11/30 Exercise Sessions (7 Cardio, 2 Core Strength & flexibility, 2 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

I do think it works for some people to have a small portion of whatever they are craving, and the Band certainly makes it possible to do so. That said, I never feel good about myself after giving in to temptation. Therefore 98% of the time, I start out by reminding myself of my goal and how I will feel about myself if I give into this craving, then I try to ignore the craving completely, if that doesn't work then I find a substitution. If I am craving something sweet, a nice ripe pear usually does the trick for me. I will be more lenient and forgiving with myself when I reach goal, but right now I am very focused on reaching my goal weight by (or hopefully before) my one year Bandiversary. It also helps to remind myself that in a few more months I will be able to enjoy a small treat from time to time. Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 10/30 Exercise Sessions (6 Cardio, 2 Core Strength & flexibility, 2 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Pizzi, Good luck!!! It all sounds good, and I know you will be hearing something positive very soon. In the meantime, I am sending some good Karma your way. Fondly, Frangi Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 10/30 Exercise Sessions (6 Cardio, 2 Core Strength & flexibility, 2 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hey Val, I'm glad you're getting a little break!!! Thanks for adding your stats and congratulations on hitting the 54 pound mark:thumbup::blushing::thumbup:! Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 10/30 Exercise Sessions (6 Cardio, 2 Core Strength & flexibility, 2 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi Becky, Thanks :drool:! I'm trying, because I still have a whole lot more butt that needs to be kicked :sneaky:! I have been doing Yoga on and off for many years, but I have never been very good at it. Still I enjoy it, so I keep at it. Maybe one of these days I will be able to take my practice to the next level. The best way to get started is to take classes with a good instructor. A good instructor will show (or explain how to do) one or more modifications of each pose, so that you can adjust your practice to your own strength, flexibility, and skill level. As you become stronger and more flexible you can slowly move into the more challenging versions of each pose. A good instructor will also often give you a few moments of one-on-one time during a class if they see that your are struggling with a pose (or poses). Yoga has become so popular nowadays I would bet that there are several excellent Yoga studios -- especially in a major urban area like DFW. Hope this helps a little. Namaste Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 10/30 Exercise Sessions (6 Cardio, 2 Core Strength & flexibility, 2 Weight training) Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico