My Hyperhidrosis Treatment with Dr. Sharon Giese

Dr. Sharon Giese - http://www.drsharongiese.com/

I have gotten so many questions and comments about my underarm sweating/ veal chop procedure (lol) that I realized I need to share the experience with everyone.

I have had this condition of excess perspiration since I was 21 years old.

It was so embarrassing to see huge round sweat marks and worse was how it ruined all my silk dresses /tops and wool and cashmere sweaters. They would stain and never come out!!!

Now for the more technical terms. This condition is formally known as “Hyperhidrosis”.  According to google health, Hyperhidrosis “is a medical condition in which a person sweats excessively and unpredictably. People with hyperhidrosis may sweat even when the temperature is cool or when they are at rest”.

When Dr. Giese, whom I trust implicitly, first suggested I try her Hyperhidrosis Treatment with internal ultra sound under local anesthesia (she is only one of a few that do it} I admit I was nervous.

How much would it hurt? Where would the sweat go, would it be unhealthy? What would the recovery be like?

I decided to first try a prescription deodorant called drysol. Well you can only use drysol at night, then you have to wear a T-shirt. I tried it for a while but I would forget some nights and I don’t like sleeping in a t-shirt!!

So back to Dr. Giese I went.

I asked her will I sweat more somewhere else if I stop sweating under my arm?, is it unhealthy to kill these sweat glands? She assured me there would be no negative consequences and she was right there has been none!

She told me I would have no pain, as I am a nervous nelly when it comes to pain and guess what there was NO PAIN during the procedure.

She told me there would be discomfort after and prescribed pain killers.

But guess what…I did NOT NEED THEM, I only took 3 advils and I had just done the procedure when i was filming at the Four Seasons for lunch with Jill and Sonya asking them to come to St John for the RHONYC.

The only drawback for me was that i could not work out my arms for 3 weeks, but it was well worth it.

I no longer have sweaty underarms, I no longer have huge wet marks. Do you know how embarrassed I was every time I would film…certain clothes would sweat up and now that is no more, it’s all gone.

Botox would have been the only other option and that averages $1500 – $2500 per session every 8 – 10 months! This procedure costs $4500, took only 30 MINUTES and provided PERMANENT results!!

I am SO HAPPY with the results. I highly recommend this procedure to anyone and everyone!

Avoid painful injections and save money by visiting Dr Sharon Giese. In fact, if you make an appointment with her office in the month of July and mention my name you’ll get a discount!

She is the best in whatever she does, she is a perfectionist!!

To learn more about Dr. Giese:

Visit: http://www.drsharongiese.com/

Or call:  (212) 421-3400

Hope this helps!,

Ramona xo

Credit: Google Health

Tips on How I stay Healthy and Fit

Since the airing of my trip to St. Johns on the Real Housewives of NY , I have received amazing comments on how great I look and tons of inquiries as to what I do to keep my body looking healthy and fit.

So I figured it would be a great idea to share with you all a few key tips that I have followed over the years.

My Tips for A Healthy and Fit Body

1. Fist and most important – you are what you eat!

I feel that in order to stay consistently healthy and at your ideal weight, one must eat healthy as a way of life. I never dieted because diets only offer temporary results.

Breakfast

Oatmeal with Blueberries – This is such a great way to start the day. Not only does it fill you up but its also healthy! The oatmeal provides your body with fiber and the blueberries are rich in antioxidants which help to support the immune system. I also have 1 large mug or 2 cups of green tea both at breakfast and at dinner time. It is rich in antioxidants and helps to promote a healthy body.

2nd Option – 1 Egg, 1 slice whole wheat toast and a side of fresh fruit. For fresh fruit I always have blueberries and strawberries.

Runing late –  if i’m in a mad rush…I still try to eat healthy by adding blueberries to Raisin Bran Cereal or yogurt with sliced banana and berries.

Lunch

Lunch for me is always a salad with mixed greens. The greener the leaf the better (spinach is really the best).

1st Option – Mixed greens salad with grilled chicken or fish. I always try to have at most, 4-5 oz. of protein with my salads.

Snack

When I snack, I never snack on chips or anything junky. I try to have low fat yogurt, my favorite being Yoplait Light Fat Free Yogurt. Its only around 100 calories, it has zero grams of fat and plus it tastes great!

Dinner

I believe dinner should be 3/4 vegetables and 1/4 protein.

1st – I always begin with a salad or at a restaurant if I don’t want to start with a salad, i’ll pick a vegetable appetizer or tuna tartar

2nd – I always have steamed vegetables as well. Asparagus, string beans, broccoli etc.

3rd.  For proteitn – Grilled fish/chicken/ pork or turkey. I only have red meat about 4 times a month.

Ive found that the key with Protein is small portions. I also try my best not to have any carbs at dinner and we only cook with olive oil (no butter).

I also always have wine with dinner. Its been proven that 1 or 2 glasses of wine with a meal is very healthy and its a lot better than drinking vodka or tequila.

Dessert

If I do dessert, and I try to stay away from it but if I have to , I have low fat frozen yogurt topped with fresh fruit. My favorite brand is Turkey Hill Vanilla bean…it tastes just like ice cream! and if at a restaurant, I’ll just take 2 bites from my husband’s plate. After all, we all need something sweet sometimes.

My one decadent indulgence its when its that time of month, I stop at Crumbs Bakery and get their mini vanilla cupcake with chocolate icing and a hazelnut coffee.

I hope these tips work for you and I will will follow up with my work out regime soon.

All the best,

Ramona xo

Mario’s Vows…

Last night I got choked up all over again watching Mario and I renew our vows on the RHONYC.

I truly do love him more today than the day I married him.

Below are the vows he reaffirmed to me at our beautiful ceremony.  I had to share it with the world as they mean so much to me!

Ramona,

Probably the biggest decision one will ever make is the person to spend the rest of your life with. Sometimes it takes quite a while before you know if you’ve made the right choice. I was fortunate to have known very early that I had made the right decision. My mom had suffered a stroke and she would need care for the rest of her life. Since Dad had already passed away I asked you if it was alright if my mom could live with us in our home in Southampton. Not only did you take her in but you embraced her with love and kindness like she was your own mother. That is when I knew I had made the right decision. I had absolutely chosen the women I would spend the rest of my life with. After 17 years of marriage you have been at my side through everything that life has thrown at us, both good and bad. You have been a steady rock in times of trouble had a ray of sunshine when I could not see the light. You have applauded my achievements and comforted me in my setbacks. You have given me the most wonderful daughter a father could ever have. For all of this I am blessed and so I reaffirm my vows that I said so long ago. Ramona, I will love and honor you through good times and bad for better or worse in sickness and in health until death do us part. May God continue to bless our marriage.

After 18 years he still knows how to take my breath away. I am so blessed to be married to the love of my life!

xo,

Ramona.

Photos courtesy of Rob Rich.

Amazing Villa from St. John – Presidio del Mar

If you got a chance to see the last few episodes of my bachelorette getaway with the ladies…then you got a glimpse of our beautiful villa - The Presidio del Mar!

Ive gotten so many inquiries in regards to the villa that I wanted to share some information and pics  with you all.

The Presidio del Mar is located on the beautiful island of St. John in the US Virgin Islands. It has 6 luxurious guest rooms and 8 fabulous bathrooms. We also had at our disposal a private pool and spa, workout room, personal chefs and staff for the grounds, complimentary starbucks, access to 4 incredible beaches and the most beautiful view you could ever imagine!

What more could a NYC bachelorette housewife ask for???

For more information feel free to visit this website:  http://www.vrbo.com/273085

xo, Ramona

Desert Rhino Camp – Namibia

Wilderness Safari's Desert Rhino Camp

We are still in Namibia but moved to the Wilderness Safaris‘ Desert Rhino camp. Enjoyed a full day of exploring the region. This camp is home to the largest free ranging black rhino population in all of Africa! How cool is that?

I love animals and seeing so many of them face to face in their natural habitat has been amazing! Each camp feels more beautiful than the next.  I wish Mario and Avery were here to experience this with me.

Here are a few pics of where we are staying:

Tomorrow I head back to Johannesburg where I will be spending 2 additional days before heading back to NY.

This has been quite a journey for me and I would like to thank everyone who has been keeping up with my tweets, blog posts and facebook messages.

Of course, I will continue to send more updates. So if you have not done so as yet, dont forget to follow me on twitter and become a fan on my facebook fan page!

xo, Ramona.

The Africa Foundation works in conjunction with the &Beyond Foundation to provide aid to Africa’s children. Visit their website  to find out what you can do to help today – www.africafoundation.org

* Photos: Wilderness Safaris

Working With The Africa Foundation

Hanging with the upper school girls. Don't they look great?

We are now in Damarland Namibia but I wanted to share these pictures which I was able to take on our community visits last week.

We saw a total of 6 different schools which the Africa Foundation has helped to build. It is so important for EVERY child to recieve an education as well as a good meal each day – that is why we are working to get more kitchens built along with schools.

Having a little fun with the school children.

Me with the little children at day care.

Helping the kids fetch water.

New kitchen we just built - "Food for the body to feed the brain" - af.org

While I was saddened at first for the conditions that these children have to endure, their amazing positivity and hospitality showed me that you can truly make the best of any situation. They enjoy going to school and are so appreciative for everything the Africa Foundation has done for them. Please visit  africafoundation.org for information on how you can help today.

For more updates on my trip keep checking my blog,  become my fan on facebook and  follow me on twitter!!

xo, Ramona.

*Africa Foundation works in conjunction with &Beyond Foundation to provide aid for the children of Africa.

Next Stop – Zambia!

We are in Zambia at camp Toka Leya. Check out these amazing photos of where I am staying. The Wilderness Safaris and &Beyond camps have been nothing short of phenomenal!! I feel so lucky to be here! I saw some amazing landscapes and experienced nature like you only see in the movies.

It is truly a blessing to experience ALL sides of Africa. It is a wonderful country and the girls and I are getting the opportunity to do and see things that we could have only dreamt of, including the chance to visit with persons/communities who’s lives have been touched by The Africa Foundation.

Please check back tomorrow for more photos and information!

xo, Ramona

Photos courtesy of Wilderness Safaris

Okavango Delta – The Xarana and Mombo Camps

Wanted to share these pictures from the Xarana (&Beyond)  and Mombo (Wilderness Safaris) camps which we had the pleasure of staying at last week, while visiting the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

We were told that these camps are the top operators in South Africa and I have to agree, as both camps were beyond amazing and truly exceeded my expectations!!!

&Beyond’s Xarana Camp

&Beyond’s Xarana Camp

&Beyond's Xarana Camp

Wilderness Safari’s Mombo Camp

Wilderness Safari's Mombo Camp

Wildnerness Safari's Mombo Camp

Please keep checking my blog for more updates and picture!

xo, Ramona

*www.AfricaFoundation.org works in conjunction with &Beyond Foundation to provide aid for Africa’s children.

Photos courtesy of Wilderness Safaris and &Beyond

More Information Regarding My Trip To Africa

& Beyond is yet another company who we will get the opportunity to tour with in Africa while benefiting The AfricaFoundation.org.

&Beyond was established alongside rising international demand for ecotourism and wilderness experiences, and in the belief that, through business enterprise, wildlife conservation could be placed on a sustainable economic footing.

With roots in Africa, & Beyond runs nearly 50 magical safari lodges and camps in the most breathtaking parts of the continent and, through this, sustain hundreds of rural communities and millions of acres of precious, sometimes endangered wildlife land.

For more information please visit www.AndBeyond.com.

Be sure to stay tuned into my blog – pictures to come soon!

(**www.africafoundation.org works in conjuction with the &Beyond foundation)

xoxo, Ramona

My Trip to Africa Begins…

Everyone has been inquiring about my Africa trip, so I wanted to share with you the information for the companies I am traveling with…

See below for information on Wilderness Safaris:

One of the companies that we are traveling with as part of supporting the AfricaFoundation.com is Wilderness Safaris. Wilderness Safaris is a conservation organization and ecotourism company dedicated to responsible tourism throughout the areas in which it operates in southern Africa. Its goal is to share these wild areas with guests from all over the world, while at the same time helping to ensure the future protection of Africa’s spectacular wildlife heritage and sharing the benefits of tourism with local communities.

Its wildlife, marine and heritage safaris in remote and pristine wilderness destinations are specialized, educational, explorative and fun. Camps and services are safe, hygienic, authentic and insightful of guests’ needs. Its “conservation through tourism” policy shares the benefits of tourism with local communities and ensures the protection of these areas for future generations.

Wilderness Safaris is privileged to operate privately on 2.8 million hectares (6.5 million acres) of southern Africa’s finest wildlife reserves in some 60 lodges and camps. There is no one style set in Wilderness camps; rather we celebrate the difference and uniqueness of each area and its wildlife so that each group of camps has its own identity, feel and character. This variety of accommodation, activities and product means that there’s something for everyone wanting to come to Africa.

For more information please visit www.Wilderness-Safaris.com and also read my older blog post about the Africa Foundation by clicking here!

Be sure to check back on my blog for more information and photos of my amazing trip!

xoxo, Ramona