Are your results better than expected
I too will strip for anyone that wants to see too..... Was at the dentist yesterday to have my teeth cleaned and they wanted to see.... I was prob. The first to strip in a dentist office!
I think people r very interested in this plastic world....I know I still am.
If money and getting time off work were not an issue.... I would do more...but I am thankful for what I did have done!
Patty
I don't know why some women can look in the mirror and see "51" and dress age appropriately when I look in the mirror and see someone who needs to wear my boots tucked in my jeans and a little leopard print peeking out somewhere, or my skirt just ever so slightly above the knee. I envy the classy few who look like you look in your picture. Gorgeous dress, stylish hair, etc. You are a class act!
That being said, I can tell by the things that I've seen you write on this board (and by your tiny little picture beside your posts) that you are VERY good at keeping a check on reality. You will, in the end, make the right decision about what work you want to have done first. Just go with your gut.
Dr. L has an amazing resume, and I don't think there is anyone better that could have pointed out what to expect as far as results are concerned. After your facial consult, you'll easily be able to make the decision about what to do first. All the cards will be on the table, then, and you will make the right choice. I know it's hard, but don't let your family make this decision for you.
I looked and looked, and I KNOW that a facelift with Dr. Lev is exactly the right thing for me to do first. However, I will eventually have a tummy tuck and breast lift, too. I'm just sorting through all of the available options to find a way to get EVERYTHING I want, lol. I think that you will eventually do that also. I don't think it's "either/or" for you, but rather, "which/when".
I have no doubt after reading all of your posts that you WILL get your face AND your body done eventually. I just know you will.
I'm going to PM you with some info that I found the other day. Just options that I've been researching to help you with your decisions.
My surgeon moved his practice to a hospital that has built an add-on to their outpatient clinic. They devoted one floor for weight management. They are having an open house on the 8th and they asked me to participate. The surgeons, nurses and some current patients will be there to answer questions for those interested in WLS. I cannot tell you how much stress buying something to wear to this has caused me. I am a "safe" dresser. I am starting to venture out, but I am so afraid I will dress inappropriately tying to look too young or something worse. I pretty much live in jeans and flannels or Nike shirts anyway. I ended up getting a black sweater dress that is the shortest dress I have worn in years and years and years. I still don't know if I have the nerve to wear it. My daughter keeps telling me this is what people contemplating WLS want to see....success stories.
Like WLS, PS takes a lot of research and thought. I am dealing with feeling guilty for spending the amount of money I will spend, however I remind myself I pretty much went through my entire adult life never buying, or rarely buying, anything for myself. I used the same bag for years and years and years....seriously...pitiful. I bought a few pair of slacks and shirts at the beginning of each school year and wore them all year long...my poor students. I just hated to buy clothes. So I'm rationalizing the PS costs by telling myself I saved husband a lot of money over the years because I seriously did not like to shop for clothes. A pair of navy, black, khaki, stone slacks and a few shirts, and that was my wardrobe year in and year out.
I hear myself rationalizing the cost of these surgeries as I type. That is why I love this forum. The exhilaration coming from everyone who has had post bariatric PS and are so happy with their results keeps this front and center for me. Just when I think I'm going to put this to rest, I read another post, and I'm drawn back in. Thank you for everything you said. For those who have never sttod in the mirror feeling badly about their body, it is sometimes difficult for them to understand this.
Dasie,
I'm still very "fresh" from surgery. I can tell you that I am amazed at how my tummy came out. I'm looking forward to the healing process. I can't imagine swelling going down and it getting better. Far better than I imagined so far. I have to hope that it will only improve with time.
I'm happy with my breasts so far. They are smaller than I thought they would be. I don't know why, but I remember them being bigger. I only had a lift. I didn't have any augmentation. They are still kind of puckery on the suture line. My nipples look good though. Honestly, I don't know how they are going to turn out or how I feel about them yet. Even with the scar and the puckers, they are better than what I had before surgery. I keep telling myself they are great, especially for my age.
I'm really struggling with my butt. It is just gone. Right after surgery, I had sutures in my flesh that were anchoring my butt in place. Once he took the sutures out, my cute butt became a pancake. I went from major (wrinkled, cellulite, stretch marked) booty to nothing. I'm hoping I can do something about it once I can start exercising. There will be butt lunges in my future. That being said, even now, I think it is better than what I had.
I'm not out to be a bikini model. I want to be middle aged woman who is happy with myself and the imperfections of being me. I often find myself comparing my changes to much younger women. Even celebrities that are my age....come on. Working out and performing is part of their job. I have a job, family, friends ... so much on my plate, I'm lucky I can find the time to exercise and I don't have an army of a staff to take care of me. My DH takes great pleasure in whacking me upside the head (figuratively) with a reality check when I go down that path. I think we all have unrealistic expectations at times. The key is to understand and put them in perspective.
Kay
Before PS, I had a 3-tiered front end.. Hanging boobs completed deflated, hanging mid section and hanging Panni. I hated being naked without my spanx on.. Eventhough, its rough like heck to heal and feel like I have energy, I like the look of this improved body.
The one thing too that made a huge difference is the lift of my Mons.. I even told my PS that sex was a 100xs better.. now that everything including the kitty was in its rightful place..
I feel more confident about how my body looks naked.. before I was melted candle.. now its healing but much better..
My scars on my boobs are fading fast.,, my TT incision is more red/pink but improving.. Things will get better once the swelling goes down too..
I didnt know what to expect.. really because since i lost 166 pounds... kind of hard to tell where and how things will go.. My PS assured me that if things werent to my liking.. we would revisit any revisions..
I would love to get my arms done.. but my idea is to get back in shape 1st then do another PS.. I need to build up these arms and legs with some weight training and running.. I enjoyed being and feeling physically strong. right now. I can barely open my child proof medication.
This healing thing takes patience.. which I have little of... Its very emotional too..very difficult to prepare for.. this is why I appreciate this site and you folks here so much..
Michelle
