kareyquilts

Alright Angelnurse! How's the exercise going? I love botox and think it helps tremendously without looking like you've really done anything. At least that's my experience with it. I'm wondering if anyone has heard the "new" research that Botox can leech into the brain and cause some serious side affects like memory problems, co-oridnation problems, etc? My husband swears he heard a news report about it. I haven't heard anything, but thought I'd ask the PS.

Thanks for the tip!

Terry: What kind of make up did you use? My bruises were almost black. I went to Macy's and tried different make up to cover it up. The best thing was from Clinique, but even that didn't totally cover up the evidence! I felt like I had a sign on my forehead: "Does not age gracefully!" LOL. My PS said to go off all vitamins, fish oil, baby aspirin, etc. for 2 weeks before the procedure and it should help with the bruising. I have done that so we'll see how it works out. Jacqui: I think they have procedures for hollow eyes. Most people need the fat pad removed under their eyes, as they age to get rid of the puffy eyes, etc. Maybe you need some added?

You're going to love the flatlands. Looking forward to sharing your journey.

Terry: That's really fantastic. I have had Thermage and it really helped with the jowls that I developed after weight loss. I had Juvaderm about 4 weeks ago and it didn't work out very well for me. I had bruising and swelling for almost 3 weeks. My PS wanted to touch it up for me, but wasn't able to because of the swelling and then I had my daughter's wedding and didn't want to be bruised for that, so I have an appointment on Wednesday for touch up. I pretty nervous about it. He said he is going to use a lighter filler. I still have some vertical lines around my mouth that need touch up. I can see a little bit of darkness right under the skin where he did some of the fills. Maybe this just isn't the procedure for me? Or maybe my PS just isn't very good at doing fills. It did a great job on my tummy tuck. I'm not sure what to think. I'll know more I guess after Wednesday. I think I might have to go with laser resurfacing to get rid of the pesky wrinkles! I just don't want to give in yet!

BBK: You're looking fantastic! Glad you're feeling better! Your waist looks fantastic!

I'm back! After 2 1/2 months off for plastic surgery and then my daughter's wedding. It feels wonderful to be moving again. I've been walking about 3 miles a day for the last 3 weeks and I started back with my trainer last week. I've lost some strength, but the my form is still good. Feels very strange sometimes on my tummy. Lots of new aches and pains and my knees are acting up. I really need to get back into shape, because my knee problems were a thing of the past before the big break. I start back with my pilates instructor on Tuesday. I've really missed the group and exercising. I didn't know how much it did for my mentally as well as physically. I want to lose the last 15 pounds and can really use the support, so I'm going to start reporting in. Nice to catch up with some of you and read about the new members of this thread! JMCambra: What kind of program did the nutrionist put you on? I need to shake things up a bit.

Sharon: Good luck with your gallbladder surgery. I'm assuming they will do it endoscopically? That's how I had mine removed and it wasn't too bad at all. A day or two of discomfort and you'll be back to your old self. I'll be thinking of you on the 9th! Anyway up for a weight loss challenge? I really want to get the last 20 pounds off! I need some support!

Sharon: Hope your gallbladder feels better soon. I had gall stones for several years with a couple good attacks before I finally went under the knife. I was too scared of surgery. Go figure! Anyway, hope your doing well. Mom: Congratulations on your progress! YEAH! It feels good doesn't it?! Nice to hear from you.

I've got to get the photos from the photographer, but I think I will post a few pictures. Just got word that newlyweds had to contend with bed bugs on their wedding night. I guess that will give them some great stories for years to come! LOL.

I'm very interested in your procedure. Do you have any before or after pictures?

BBK: Your stomach looks so nice and flat and your breasts look like a good size. Once you feel better, I know you're going to love your new body! You're hot!

BBK: Just got back from my daughter's wedding in Mexico and caught up on your thread. Sounds like you've had a quite a bad time. It will get better! When I had my breast lift, etc. the surgeon only cut around the areola. I had a lot of puckering around them, but it is getting better. I think one is a little highter than the other, but not sure I'm going to worry about it. Maybe the size thing will get a little better when all the swelling goes down. My left breast was definetly larger, but it isn't anymore. My ps said that the lymphatic system is smaller on that side of the body and people swell more on the left side. Anyway, I wouldn't let yourself think about revision for a while. Too overwhelming. I had the lower profile port put in and I'm sure that if you have to have it moved you would really love the smaller port. I sure do. I just wonder what your PS was thinking to place it so high! Hope you're feeling better soon.

Great comments! Thanks for the feedback. I just got back from my daughter's wedding. She was married in Sayulita, Mexico. It was a beautiful ceremony. The setting was gorgeous. I am exhausted, but happy that all went well. Of course we had the minor/major mishaps. My son thought I had brought his slacks (part of his groomsmen outfit) and I thougth he could take care of himself. We had to call out hotel and have them go up to our room and pay a taxi to drive them to us (half an hour away). But, hey it all worked out! LOL! I'm going to rest a few days and then I'm going to start some new goals. I start back with my trainer on Wednesday. I little scary after being a way for 2 months. But I feel great and I think I'm ready. Will talk about goals the next time I log in. Hope everyone is doing well!

Julie: Glad you're feeling better, hope you can still take it easy, since you started back to work. You'll have to post a pic of your bellly button piercing!

Can't wait to hear all about it! You're in my prayers!

Kiresk: I think that's a great deal. I worked with a trainer and did eveything I could before my TT and I think it paid off big time. It didn't get rid of the lose skin, but my recovery was very good and fairly easy. Also, the surgeon said that there was no fat under the skin on my stomach. Now that is an accomplishment. Working out with a trainer is a great way to go. It's a win-win situation for you!

Thanks for the well wishes. I started weight training again this week and it feels so good to be moving again. I wasn't sure if I was up to it or how my body would react after 2 months off, but it wasn't too bad. Just the normal soreness after a good workout. I've been using the elliptical for a couple weeks now and doing some restorative yoga. I'm amazed at how quickly the body heals from major trauma! So thankful that it does. My son was in a motorcycle accident this weekend and thankfully only broke a couple bones! He will be having surgery to plate his arm on Wednesday. I know he will be fine, too. His body will heal and hopefully he'll be more careful in the future! Scary stuff! Then next Sunday it's off to Mexico for a week for my daughter's wedding! Not sure how much I'll be able to check in this week. I wish everyone the best.

Lani: Make Me Heal website has some really good compression garments. After the first month I went to some of their stage 2 garments and liked them alot. I now use those and some I purshased at Dillards. They don't have as much compression, but after 6 weeks I don't need as much. I find that I'm alot more comfortable with one on. My doc said to wear them to exercise in, at the minimum. I'm not wearing them for bed anymore, but find I'm a lot more comfortable with one on. Hope that helps.

Esmeralda: My doc said to wear a compression garment to exercise. Other than that it is for my comfort. I have stopped wearing it to bed, but I still wear one in the day. My stomach just begins to ache, if I don't. I bought some Spanx-like girdles at Dillards. I liked their style, price and brands. They had one that went almost to the bra area and snapped at the bottom. I liked this feature because it was easy to use the bathroom without pulling up and down on the inscision line. It also stays up really well and doesn't have legs. Don't remember the brand name but I'm sure that all Dillards probably carry them.

Sadie: Yes, there is grief for all time wasted and for the experiences missed. You are absolutely right on. Not only is their grief, but the realization that time is moving quickly and I no longer want to sit back and watch. I want to participate and enjoy. I have had a great life, but always, being over-weight has loomed in the background. I guess that is why, I want to see what I can be not only physically but mentally and emotionally. I just think that my mind is in hurry mode, hurry and get your body whipped into shape (by exercise, plastic surgery, etc), hurry and have some fun, hurry and re-invent your career once again, etc. Not only is there sadness for what could have been, but a realization that it's almost too late to change. I think that alot of people experience this, thin or fat. They don't have the weight thing, but still we all make choices and go down certain roads, based on our life experiences, whether that is a bad or good childhood, who we encounter that mentors or discourages, etc. I always wanted to go to law school, but I was a little afraid to apply and then I started having my family. When most of my children were in high school I took an LSAT class and decided I would apply for law school, then one of my sons started having some serious drug problems and I decided that I better not apply. That was 10 years ago. I am getting older now and my husband likes me to travel with him, etc. I'm trying to decide if I should give up on this dream (because now I feel in a place to try again) and try to find contentment. Life is like this. We can't do it all and everything has a price. I'm glad that I don't have to have all the self-loathing I felt with the extra 100 pounds I was carrying, but our lives are still one decision at a time. That is just how it is. Thanks for the insights!

Lynn: It never hurts to humble the doctor a little bit! LOL! I think we all need tiime to get use to our new bodies. It does take some adjustment.

Lynn: You look great. Now you didn't have any work on your legs did you? They look so nice and smooth. Very lucky for you! I think we should all concentrate on our good body parts and not worry so much about our problem areas! Your upper stomach isn't bad at all. Some people are more defined and some aren't. I guess you'll have to experiment and see how weight loss affects it. I'm not going to tell you to be happy because I know that doesn't help, but really you look great!

Lynn: I think that 10 pounds can make a difference. The last 10 pounds that I lost totally changed the way my body looked. I personally think it's the last little bit that makes a big change in the way you look. Of course, it all helps! LOL. I just know that my face and chest area looked a lot different after the last 10 pounds. After my DD's wedding I'm going to go back to my trainer and work my butt off, (acutally I hope it's my thighs and upper stomach). I'm going to loose the last of my weight 10-15 pounds. I'm determined! Anyway, it's fun to try if you don't get all intense and worried about it! I'm sure you look great! Can't wait to see the pictures!

Julie: It's hard to be patient, but your thighs will get better. Your PS probably couldn't pull the skin as tight with the method he used. I guess it's a trade off for a little looser skin or a large scar. I would certainly ask him about it. You've been through a lot so I would rest as much as you can. It takes a long time to feel 100%. Be kind to yourself.