Question:
Have I traded in one problem for another???
Today like many days recently someone saw my daugher and asked me if she was my granddaughter. Before I had surgery I always had a young beautiful face and was always told so, Now after surgery my face looks so old. My face is so thin, and worn and I look at least ten years older. I don't like this. I always liked the way my face looked now I hate to look in the mirror. I have asked my family do I look older but they said no, I think they are just trying to be nice about it, but everyone I run into that doesn't know me keep asking me if my daughter"s my grandchild or if my brother ,who is ten years younger then me ,is my son. My question is I keep hearing about preparation H shrinking the pores, do you think this will help. Please don't tell me it's one of the side affect of weight loss cause I really don't want to hear it, Or to have a face lift, I can't afford my mortgage right now let alone a face lift. I need to seek people who have found the fountain of youth(needless to say) or what have they done to look younger. I'm so depress right now so something positive would be nice. Thanks. — Rebe W. (posted on May 3, 2004)
May 3, 2004
I've heard about Preparation H helping the skin. What I heard is that it
takes out puffiness around the eyes. Didn't hear about it helping shrink
pores though. Sounds like the pores aren't the problem in your case.
Wouldn't hurt to try it.
Also have some questions/suggestions for you. Do you have a skincare
program already and is it a GOOD one and is it still working for you?
Sometimes a change does the trick if you've used the same things for a long
time. Might try a self tanner to give you a 'glow' too. Do you wear makeup?
If so, you could try updating your look? How about your hair? Is it time
for an updated style New color? Sometimes that is all I need for a quick
pick me up! If its long, cut it off! Its just hair and it will grow back!
(Im a stylist, I know it will!) How do you dress? Sometimes people dress
'older' than what they are and tend to look frumpy. Are the clothes fitting
properly? Alot of people who have lost a bunch of weight still 'hide'
behind their clothes and wear them too big.
Hard to really give you help since I don't have a pic of you!
I hope I've helped you a little bit.
— Kris T.
May 3, 2004
Rebe,
I can sooooo relate! I bent over a mirror the other day and was terrified
fo what I saw! This IS a "side effect", but you don't need to
settle for it. I posted a question a few weeks back and got some great
facial excersize ideas, and I think the other post was also right, too.
You've done something amazing for yourself, now it's time to make other
changes..... cut and color the hair, try new makeup, self tanner (great
idea!!!). I have not tried some of the over the counter "face
lift" creams, but they might be worth a try! I hear good things about
the new line Avon has.... and I haven't used Avon since I was 16...but if
it works, why not? I was also in a plastic surgeon seminar, and they say
that the skin needs a lot of time to "bounce back", so maybe
it'll get better still. Upgrade your skin care routine, change a few other
things about your looks, and smile, smile, smile! You're skinny now and
that's a hell of a lot better than being fat again! Keep you chin up (no
pun intended) and got through the old posts and look for a posting that
says "help, my face has fallen and it can't get up", that will
have the face excersizes on it.
— glblgal
May 3, 2004
Just wanted to commiserate. I too look a good bit older. My fat use to
fill in my wrinkles and now it doesn't. It did get a bit better as I got
farther out (over 2 years). I don't look so gaunt now (although now that I
think about it, that may have been bounceback weight. Ha!). I used a good
retinol and alpha hydroxy moisturizing product which seemed to help the
crows feet around my eyes alot. However, the jowly look is here to stay.
— mom2jtx3
May 3, 2004
Great suggestions here.........I too think I look older. I saw a picture of
myself the other day and I look soooooo much like my Mom did just before
she died and she was 70 at the time. I'm just 56 so would rather not look
708 so I've changed my hair color, I've changed the style, I've changed to
younger looking clothes that cover the hanging skin really well, I use Prep
H under the eyes and chin and it really does shrink the wrinkles somewhat,
and I use a really good skincare program. Learn to give yourself a facial,
it really helps to brighten the skin adn be sure you're drinking LOTS of
fluid and getting plenty of rest. All help I guess but the best suggestion
of all is smile, smile, smile. That really makes people focus on your
personality and it does make you look younger and happier.
— scbabe
May 5, 2004
I myself don't see it as another "problem." Being MO was a
problem...having wrinkles isn't. Society today makes women think if they
look their age..something is wrong.
If you honestly think this is a problem (I am assuming you are talking
about your face), then work it like the problem of being MO...You took care
of that "problem" right? Save your money for a face lift.
I would much rather be a normal sized person and have my
well-deserved/earned wrinkles than MO and miserable.
— Patty.W
May 5, 2004
I have used alot of over the counter wrinkle creams and found the best one
to be Loreal Revita...I can definately see the difference..
I too had a nice face but I still would rather look older and have on my
size 12 blue jeans...
hugs
— Kathy S.
May 5, 2004
I'm sorry that you're feeling badly. But, as others have said, try to put
it into perspective. I would rather have my health and look a few years
older. I have an awful turkey wattle, and wrinkles are definitely more
visible now that the fat layer underneath is diminished. I will admit it
hurt a bit today when I was in the store and the check out clerk (about 70
herself) asked me if I was eligible for the senior discount--I'm only 45!
But, I'll live with looking older because I'll get to live to BE older!
— Vespa R.
May 5, 2004
I understand the issue. I'm 54 and my (rebuilt) body looks much younger
than my face. I have younger children than most people my age (14 and 9)
and my spouse is 7 years younger than I am. So I am with people younger
than I am ALL the time. I have found a product from HSN called Morgen
Model's Secret to be helpful with wrinkles around eyes and mouth. It's a
topical serum; you put it on and let it dry before you put your makeup on.
It sort of tightens everything up. I use a drugstore clay mask once a week
down my throat and neck which also helps. Plus I use an exercise ball
called a Profile Toner (do an internet search and you can order one online)
which helps with the turkey gobbler neck stuff. I will, some day, have a
face lift, but just can't swing it time - or - money wise right now. But
these measures do help some. I'm sure there are also treatment creams that
people use, but these are the things that have worked so far for me. You
can see pics of me on my profile; I don't think I look 54! Check it out and
tell me what you think. .....hugs, Ann.....RNY 9/10/99.....260/124
— [Deactivated Member]
May 7, 2004
I am not so sure about the prep H if your face is looking sunk in/aged so
to speak. It is actually used by quite a few military to trim inches off
their wastes before weigh ins. It has a shrinking effect as far as pulling
water out of cells. You may want to find some sort of hydrating cream to
fill your face in a bit. I would just figure since your face isnt as full
and that is the problem then Prep H would in fact make it worse.What you
may want to do is go to several cosmetics counters and see what products
they have to offer that will counteract your bothersom areas. See what they
have and get some free samples if possible then go to the drug store to see
if you can find something cheaper with basicly the same componants. That
way you can have the benefits without the price. You may also learn some
makeup tricks to help while going through this process to hael as well.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do and hopefully you can find a
solution you are happy with.
— Briana A.
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