TexasBecky

No Frangi, my backside was the least of my worries. It was all about the thighs. To be honest, my thighs were such a source of discomfort that I hardly noticed the LBL. I think you will have little to no trouble with any of it. Hugs, Becky

Great news Babs. I really hope it all works out for you. It is life changing!

Hey Frangi, I can't believe I completely missed this thread. What fun you are having! I've often thought about the permanent makeup but have been too afraid. I can't wait to see your pictures. It might give me the courage to go forward. What happens to the permanent lines if you decide to have an eye lift later? Would they laser them away or would you end up with your eye line in your crease? Surely not!

Nana, are you kidding me? The difference is awesome! You look great and so much younger. Sloane is a cutie pie too. Keep up the good work.

What wonderful news! If I were you, I think I'd join the Sept. 08 thread just because you're likely to get more people actively supporting each other as they begin the process. Unfortunately, our August 07 thread isn't very active anymore. Best of luck to you.

Congrats Michee! A tummy tuck is a wonderful reward for all your hard work. Having the reflection in the mirror match the way you feel is very satisfying and well deserved.

Karey, hang in there. This whole ordeal must be driving you crazy. You have been through so much lately and all this uncertainty is just too much. I hope you get some concrete answers soon and will finally start feeling better. I know you are ready to get on with things. Keep us posted. Frangi, Its time to go again! Woo Hoo! I'm really excited for you and hope that everything goes as wonderfully as it did the first time. I know Jody is going to post for you again after surgery, but please let us hear from you as soon as you are able. We'll all be anxious to know that you are recovering comfortably at the hotel, or better yet, at Stein Mart!

Karey, I know your family is just worried about your well being. They've seen you feeling bad quite a bit lately and they hate for you to go through any more suffering. They however, do not understand the pain associated with the remains of your weight loss. No one except those who've been there can really understand how it feels to have worked so hard to lose weight and get fit, yet still look like a wreck in the privacy of your bathroom mirror. You may have to accept that they are never going to approve or be supportive. I hate the thought of having to tell my family when I get ready for stage two.

Karey, Congrats on setting your date. That is so exciting! I can't wait to follow round two for Frangi and you. You both are going to be masterpieces! Frangi, its just a week away now! I know you must be getting really excited. When are you heading to Florida?

Awesome Ceradad! All that exercise really does show. You look great. Congrats on your success.

Karey, that sounds almost exactly like what I had done to my left knee several years ago. It was open surgery and recovery was slower, but I was in good shape at about six weeks and the knee is still working very well. Two years ago I had a torn meniscus repaired on the right knee and that was done arthroscopically. Much easier surgery and a quicker recovery. I don't think you could have found a better surgeon so I'm sure you're in good hands. I'm anxious to hear what the PS says and how the timing will work on both of the surgeries. You deserve something to workout perfectly for a change!

Heavens no, I don't mind. I've loved sharing the thread!

Karey, I'm so sorry about the run of bad luck you are having. More than your fair share for sure. I hope you are turning the corner now. Getting your next round of PS before the knee surgery sounds like a great idea to me. If you can get it all over with in one block of time, maybe you won't feel like you've spent a whole year in recovery mode. What kind of knee surgery are you having? I've had surgery on both of my knees before and they went really well. I hope you'll have the same positive experience.

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.

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

Hello to all my fellow Crazy Ates! I've been on vacation for several weeks so I missed getting to post on my August 2nd Bandiversary. Last year as my band surgery approached I was full of fear and hope. I was afraid that this too might not work for me but hopeful that it would work and really could change my life. Well I am happy to report that it did work and my life has changed dramatically. I have lost the weight and I've had some plastic surgery to correct the damage from years of obesity and yo-yo dieting. I feel better mentally and physically than I have in years. The next year is going to be all about maintaining my weight loss, continuing to get stronger and more fit, and learning to love and accept myself as I am. I sincerely thank all of you who have so generously shared the ups and downs of your journey. I've benefited so much from the support and encouragement that I've found on LBT. I hope we will continue to support each other in the coming year. For those of you who haven't seen my transformation, look what a difference a year can make.

Hi Salsa. I'm just checking in since I've been away for about three weeks. I'm glad to see that you are looking and feeling so good and getting on with life. It seems like the summer has flown by doesn't it? When do you have to return to school?

Hi everyone! I'm back from vacation. I missed my daily dose of LBT, but I've been trying to catch up on all the latest post. Wow Frangi! Your next round of surgery is in about two weeks. That is fantastic news. I read with great interest about your plans to get the butt rounded out a bit. I know you're going to look wonderful. What else are you having done this time? Is it just the butt or are you having something done to the thighs too? Today is eight weeks since my surgery. I am feeling great now and I've returned to all of my pre surgery activities. The swelling is persistent in the evenings, but I am noticing improvement day by day. One new problem appeared just a few days before my vacation. I woke up one morning with a rash on my left thigh right at the panty line. It was bright red but no itching or pain so I decided it must be just a little heat rash. By the next day the rash had spread further down my leg and onto my butt. It looked and felt like a terrible diaper rash. I called the plastic surgeon since it started in the area where my left thigh incision was. He had me come in and decided it was a yeast infection of the skin and gave me oral and topical medications. Well things improved pretty quickly and I really had no problem while I was away, but upon returning to Texas (and the heat) it has flared up again, at least as bad as before, so I'm headed back to the doctor today. I mention all of this because I think it is another important reminder that following major surgery - even 8 weeks out - there are still issues and complications that can arise. My doc told me that yeast is always present but only rarely causes infection. Because my system is still weakened as I continue to recover from my surgery, my body was unable to overcome the infection. Anyway, hopefully I'll get some new meds today and be back on the road to recovery. I hope today is a great day for everyone!

Hi all. Just checking in. I haven't had much to say the past few days but always enjoy everyone's comments. Y'all are just too funny! I didn't have the fat necrosis either. I feel cheated too! Cori, give away those 14's and don't look back! I loved being a 14. It was the first time in years that I felt like I was a normal size and could easily find clothes that fit and looked good. Unfortunately, I went a little shopping crazy when I hit size 14. Those clothes didn't fit for very long though, so away they went too and I certainly have no regrets about saying bye bye to them now. Jody, the hurricane shouldn't have much affect here in North Texas. We hope it might bring some rain. It is very hot and dry, as it always is around here in July and August. That's why I try to take vacation this time of year. Speaking of vacation, starting tomorrow I'll be away for most of the next 2 1/2 weeks. It will be hard not to get my daily fix from you gals, but I'll check in when I can. Frangi, have a great time in Miami. I have no doubt that you will be going strong all day every day, but with your energy level, I won't be surprised to hear that you did a little late night partying too. I suggest a little afternoon nap, then go for it girl! It will be fun. Of course, stay out of trouble, but have a blast.

That seems to be the most common complaint from all of us who've recently had PS. Frangi, is the only one I know of who hasn't had an issue with swelling. If I knew some magic to put an end to it I certainly would. It is getting old. Glad you're doing well otherwise. Becky

Congratulations on your surgery date. Its normal to be scared and thinking about all the possible outcomes. Try to focus on the positives and get excited about how you're about to change your life. You'll be so happy a few months from now when the pounds are coming off. Good luck!

One hour of cardio this morning. JULY EXERCISE CHALLENGE - 22 DAYS OF WALKING 15/22 COMPLETED

Another hour of cardio today. Lulu, thanks for noticing my progress and my pictures! JULY EXERCISE CHALLENGE - 22 DAYS OF WALKING 14/22 COMPLETED

Becky, I can answer that question for you. This very subject just came up on another thread I read. His name is Lubomyr Kuzmak. Google his name for more info. You are not going to be able to contact him though because he died of pneumonia in Oct of 2006. Good luck with the residency program at UTSW. I just had my lower body lift there in June. Dr. Jeffrey Kenkel is my surgeon and happens to be the Vice Chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery. Not that I have any pull, but I will mention you at my next appointment. It couldn't hurt.

I'm finally back to a pace that raises my heart rate enough to call it a cardio workout. Yeah! One hour today. JULY EXERCISE CHALLENGE - 22 DAYS OF WALKING 13/22 COMPLETED