NaomiF

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Well, one year ago on June 26th, I had plastic surgery for my tummy and "girls."  Dr. Richard Lee in Newport Beach was my surgeon and as many of you know, I think the world of him.  So what better to do on the "anniversary" of my transformation, than to have him do some more work on my eyes and lower face. 

I guess this has to be a true testament of the faith and trust I have in this gentleman.  A "botched" job on one's body can be hidden by clothes, but the face? (By the way, he did an excellent job on the body.)  Well, that takes having confidence in the ability and skill of this doctor to place myself in his hands.

It was by no means a walk in the park.  I was swollen and bruised around my eyes and neck, and of course my first reaction was "eep, what have I done?"  As the next few days passed, and after seeing him for my first post op visit, I can see a dramatic change.  The swelling is going down and the bruising is clearing up, and from the way things are looking right now, I am very pleased with the result.  Moreover, when I see him and his reaction, I feel better and better. 

As soon as I have all my before and after pictures done, I will post them.  I am so happy and grateful to have found this very wonderful surgeon who has helped me so much.

Yesterday, I participated in my first 5K, the Revlon Walk.  I have a "bad knee" as a result of a work injury and need a knee replacement.  I have always wondered if I could walk that distance as I have friends who are running 5, 10 K's, half marathons, etc.  So...I thought I would give it a try, and signed up.  I was fortunate to walk with some friends that I met here on the Cali board.

Well, it wasn't easy.  About half way through, I was sure I wasn't going to make it.  My knee though sore, was not the problem.  My right hip was aching.  I walk off balanced due to my left leg being bent (can't straighten it).  I entertained thoughts of stopping at the first aid tent and asking to be shuttled back.  My companions (Jean, Rhonda, Lori and Rhonda's son Mike) were supportive and encouraging.  They walked with me and offered to make sure I got a ride back if that was my decision.  Then I saw the 2 mile marker, and something inside me said I had to keep going.

We turned the corner for the home stretch back to the finish.  And I crossed the finish line with my fellow walkers (we crossed in a line with our arms linked together).  It was an awesome feeling to know I did it.  But more than that, I was in the company of an amazing, wonderful group of friends.  The people I have met on this site are awesome.  Thank you Jean, Rhonda and Lori for a day I'll never forget.

When I made the decision to have the RNY, little did I realize what a huge life change was in store for me.  Short term, I was thinking I need to lose the weight and improve my overall physical health.  I was on blood pressure medication, I had an injured knee that made walking such an ordeal and I knew that I had to do something soon or I could face many more serious health issues such as stroke, heart attack and diabetes. 

But even beyond the physical reasons for losing weight, I began to understand that on a mental or emotional level I needed to do this as well.  I hated the person I saw looking back at me in the mirror.  She was not happy and looked very little like the person I used to be.  I guess after several years of being fat, I tried to fool myself into thinking that was my lot in life now.

So now almost two years post RNY (well, two years this July) and almost one year post plastics (June 2008), I see a different person looking back at me in the mirror.  She is smiling more.  She feels good.  She likes to go shopping for clothes.  She likes going out with people.  She is a happier person.  No, life is not perfect.  The struggle continues to maintain the weight loss.  The problems of the real world still exist, but are no longer so oppressive that food becomes a refuge.  I know I need to be vigilant and stay focused, and so my journey continues on course.

Everyday I thank God, my family, friends and my trainer  for the support I have received to get where I am now.  And if that isn't a big Wow, I don't know what is.  To all of you traveling this same road, I send you all my love and support.

I guess it's been a little while since I last posted here, you think?  I pinch myself almost daily, because it's like a dream.  My weight has been holding very steady between 122 and 124, my clothes fit, I'm fit.  It's too good to be true, but it is.  The decision I made to start this journey was the right one, and my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.  I have met so many wonderful supportive people on this website who I am proud and honored to call friends.  You all know who you are and to each and everyone of you, I say thank you for sharing your friendship with me. 

For anyone starting down this path, take one step at a time, and know this.  There are a lot of people who have walked that same road, who you will meet, who know the challenges you will face and will be there to hold out a helping hand.  Don't be afraid to reach out.

It's amazing how fast time flies.  I am down below my goal weight.  I weigh 122 now and am working on holding my weight there.  Been working out with the most fabulous trainer so that I can keep my tummy flat and tone up all over.  My plastic surgery scars are healing well and fading.  I am so pleased with the results.  My surgeon is the best.  I hope anyone considering plastics in the So Cal area will free to ask me about him.  I was back to work after 2 weeks (post-tummy tuck, augmentation and lift) and feeling great.  I had no complications, little pain and true peace of mind.  He was fabulous!

I am a little over 4 weeks post op from plastic surgery.  I feel great and I have a nice flat tummy and the "girls" upstairs are looking pretty perky.  My surgeon was the best and I hope anyone who is considering PS will feel free to contact me. 

Well, one year ago July 3, 2007, I had my RNY.  My pre-op weight was 226 and I now weigh 126.6.  It's unbelievable.  I had plastic surgery on June 26th, tummy, breasts...  I am very pleased with the result and feel very good.  Post-op I was not in very much pain at all.  I'm thinking that I need to update my avatar and post a few before and after pics.  I have to pinch myself sometimes, because it's hard to believe this has all worked out so well.

Eeesh... It's been a bit since I last posted anything.  All I can say is, "wow."
I have lost 81 lbs to date since my surgery.  I feel wonderful and have turned into a "gym rat" as my brother likes to call me.  This has done so much for me as I feel so fit now.  I recommend this highly to anyone.  My trainer has been the best.  He pushes me along without "shoving" and I have "muscles" now to show for it where before was flab and fat.  Having said that, I am now contemplating a little surgical help for those areas that exercise cannot fix.   Kind of scary, a big step towards finishing this whole "remake" of myself.

I never thought I would be able to wear jeans...I had a pair of jeans that were so large that I figured the best i could do was to hope to lose a couple of sizes so that the legs wouldn't be so baggy.  I needed the large size so I could fasten and zip them up. 

I went shopping a couple of weeks ago and tried on a pair of size 16's and was so happy that they fit, that I also bought a pair of 14's to wear later on.  I wore the 16's to work and found that I had more room in them than I thought when I bought them, so I went home and tried on the 14's, hoping I could get them zipped up and fastened.  OMG!  They fit!  I never thought I would be wearing pant sizes in the teens.  

It is such an amazing feeling.  LOL!  Well enough rambling... 

I'm about two months post op and I cannot believe the difference I feel.  To say that I'm happy about my progress would be an understatement.  I pinch myself to be sure that I'm not dreaming this. 

I have lost about 43 lbs to date and losing at rate I never thought possible.  It is such a feeling to have people walk by and not recognize you.  I'm just amazed.