Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Not a skier any more since I tore my acl, but my husband and son ski. There are 8 of us going and only half are skiers. So the rest of us will be doing other activities. I told them I'm game for anything that involved being rubbed down by a hot Australian

I LOVE Vancouver, and I love Whistler, too. My husband and I were in Vancouver for a week last August. It's one of our favorite North American cities.

And Shel drove up to meet us there for a day. We had a great time together!

Have a great vacation! Yes, snowshoeing (and cross-country skiing) sounds like the fondue-burning ticket.

Cecily-so happy to hear about your dad's preliminary report!

As far as plastics, I always say this and I'll say it again--please manage expectations! I think that's the biggest struggle.

Cecily I cannot recall if you've been on long enough to know my journey. I had my VSG in May 2010 and hit a low weight around 15 months after (but most of the weight was off by 12). I didn't have my TT/BA until December 2013. So it was about 3.5 years after VSG, about 2.5 years after maintaining. Maybe it's due in part to my age, but I feel like I had really high expectations that weren't met. 4.8lbs. of skin was removed from my stomach, but I think because stomachs are 3D, the single bikini incision wasn't enough for me. Ultimately I'm thinking maybe it was the right choice because I don't have visible scar down the center, but the downside is I have a lot of laxity in the center of my belly under my ribcage that a fleur-de-lis/anchor cut might have solved better. Perhaps my biggest disappointment with regard to the tummy tuck is that my scar didn't extend far enough. One thing to be cautious about is when you take bulk away from some areas, it can highlight others. My point is that now my "love handles" protrude way more than ever before because a) the scar stops there and b) fat and skin was removed from the areas directly surrounding that. In the future I plan to have a lipectomy or liposuction in that area because it's suuuuuper annoying that I now have more rolls when I wear a form-fitting dress.

THAT BEING SAID, I think that plastic surgery can really help mentally, and sometimes physically. My sister thinks it may be the key to long-term success (feeling like you're at this weight to stay, rather than just passing through). I am happy that I had it done. I can remember before wearing a bikini at a party and a guy staring at my doughy stomach. It's better now, but a Victoria Secret model, I am not. I guess I wish I'd seen it more as reconstructive surgery than "plastic surgery." Pregnancy has given me a newfound appreciation for my surgery/surgeon. I've been thinking of what all my body has endured and how well it's held up! At now 4 years out from PS, I can say I'm happy I did it. But I think realistic expectations will save you some of the disappointment and wrestling with body positivity I experienced.

(Note: I am not and have never been happy with my BA from the first complication onward. I will spare the other readers my parsing it out again. But my one caution to you is that a surgeon might, as in my case, recommend you "bundle" and do BA with something else. If you want to, go for it. But if not, please do not feel like you have to satisfy someone else's version of beauty.)

Thank you so much, BB! I hope my expectations are pretty realistic for what plastics will do for me. I know I'm trading skin for a heck of a lot of scars. And I know that as good as I think my surgeon is, his butts turn out fairly flat. I've read about the side to side laxity. One blogger described her stomach as looking awesomely flat when standing up and still hanging like a sharpei when doing planks or pushups. So I'm ready for that. The surgeon last time didn't think I'd need a fleur de lis, but I can't imagine it'll not hang still in some situations no matter how tight he pulls it down.

I absolutely view it as reconstructive like you mentioned. Really what I'm looking to get out of this is not so much a normal looking naked body, but one that doesn't look like I'm shoplifting baked goods in my pants and one that no longer changes weather patterns when my arms flap! I wonder if that has to do with being closer to 50 now than 40?

The breast thing is interesting. I don't like what I have, but given that my ribcage is enormous to start with, I'm not looking to make it any harder to find shirts that fit with larger breasts. Plus with a more rulerish shape, smaller fits me better. So a lift and a smallish implant (if that) is all I want. Breasts are probably last on my list of things that bother me though! The thought of needing to replace them one day is something to consider as well. Number one are my front rolls with arms a very close second.

Cecily, like you I have a huge rib cage, but after losing 105 pounds not a lot of boobs. STILL ... in clothes I look fine. Finding good bras is important.

BTW, a few months ago a woman in my yoga class who's a little older than me and still gorgeous (she was Miss Iowa in her day), said to me, "You're so lucky you don't have big breasts. Your look is much more youthful." (She's one of those folks who says out loud whatever just popped up in her brain.)

I'd never thought about it before, but now I think she's right. Also, I have no idea how I'd get my rib cage AND big boobs into clothes that fit me everywhere else.

This is exactly my concern. I have probably about a pound of skin to be removed. I'm getting a lower body lift, no lipo or anything, should be strictly skin removal. My surgeon has assured me that the lift will take care of the upper tummy wrinkles and I specifically asked about bulging around the incision, which he also didn't think would be an issue, I have no muffin top now, I don't want to create one. I've also opted for a lift, not an augmentation, so hoping I have some boobs left after the skin is removed.

It is a bit nerve wracking.

6:15 awaken, 6:30 up and getting ready, feed dogs, change waters, etc.... leave at 7:30

School 8:05 - 2:40 with kids. 3:10 leave school early for appointment for smog check (over due, late registration...)

4:00 pm arrive home. 4:10 take Ace to vet for flu vaccine. Arrive home 4:55. 5:00 pm Airedale Terrier Club of America Phone meeting until 7:00 pm.

7:00 pm feed dogs. Prep dinner for Ron to make (his night...) sit down to relax and finish up emails, some club business, etc...

8:45 pm eat dinner, watch TV until about 10:00.

10:00 take dogs to grooming shed. Clean Ella's ears and work on coat for a little while. Clean Dot's ears and work on coat for a little while.

11:00 return to house. Bring dogs in for the night. Settle in to the comp for a little FB and some youtube of old MGM musical numbers from the 40s. Pack lunch up, set up coffee maker, put dogs to bed,

Midnight - in bed

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Today is very much a repeat except I was awake by 5:30. School, then staff meeting, client dog at 6:00. Should be done by 8 or 8:30. Then will settle in for the night.

Does this seem like a lot to most of you or am I being stupid and need to suck it up because most people have schedules like this?

I honestly don't know. In my world, most people do not, but I am somewhat isolated as a teacher.

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Weight beautifully stable, but far, far too much. Bad sugar day yesterday. C'est la vie!

I'm exhausted just reading this. I was always a multi-tasker, but this seems super-human. The only time I had a schedule close to that was in my late 20's/early 30's when I was working full-time and going to school at night (plus had a child and then a husband). But I haven't had that kind of schedule since I was 33.

Well Devon this seems like a LOT to do. I for one get cranky if I am over scheduled. Some people thrive on constant events. Not me. I suspect you are more normal in the amount you can handle which appears be lots. At least you have a little tv/computer time in there. Any exercise ? (said the Sedentary Queen). DS

Would be way too busy for me!