Pondering Plastic Surgery

Dec 04, 2011

So I met with a plastic surgeon on Thursday to discuss options.   He's suggesting a lower body lift, tummy tuck and breast augmentation - which means we're on the same page.   I'm tickled that all can be done at once and he tells me because we're mostly dealing with loose skin and not a lot of fat or muscle work, it should be a pretty easy recovery for me.   I like hearing that.  I'm really tickled too that he can take care of some excess skin on my inner thighs without having to do the incredibly painful lift that involves anchoring at the groin.   He's saying to plan on 3 weeks for recovery, but realistically it will be closer to 2 weeks given what I need done. 

Hubby has mixed emotions - he said he has no problems with my body.   I do and I point out that I'm doing this for me.  I feel like a Shar Pei.  Still I see the pictures of patients fileted open and their skin rolled back and realize this is purely elective surgery based on pretty much solely vanity and wonder if I'm making the right move.   I decided a long time ago that I plan to live until I'm 106, so now that 51 is not too far around the corner, I've got a lot of time left with this body and I'm not quite ready to look like my 84 year old mother just yet!

So when to have it?  The PS has a light schedule after the first of the year but we've got a big trip planned to Tahiti in Feb (yeah, I know...tough life...trust me, I know how incredibly blessed I am) so as much as I'd love to have the work done ahead of time, I'm starting to read a lot about swelling, lumps, bumbs, etc and am thinking I'd rather wait until we get back.  

The good news is that my work with a personal trainer is paying off (don't believe me?  Look at my recent photos and check out my arms!!) so the PS said he'd only have to do a little bit of a muscle tuck in my lower abs.   So my game plan now is to go from 2 to 3 worksouts a week starting in January and see if I can't get things in even better shape pre-surgery.  If I can do things naturally and reduce the amount of work he has to do, I'm all for it.   I've been at goal since September and have done a great job so far of keeping my weight pretty stable.  I fluxuate between 149-153, but spend most of my time around 151-152, so I'm pleased.  I figure by waiting until late Feb, that will put me at goal for pretty much six full months, so I should be pretty stable.

Still I sometimes wonder if I will EVER be happy with my body.  It's pretty fun to be 5'9" and a size 4 and to come to the realization that while not everything I wear will always be the most flattering, it's not likely that anything I wear will make me look fat.   Like I say when I try things on - just because I CAN wear something, doesn't mean I SHOULD.   But oh to have had this body when I was in my 20s and still had firm, youthful skin!  Sigh.  


If you're reading this and have had any of the procedures above, please let me know your thoughts about your experience.  Another step in the journey.  Yikes!

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About Me
Dayton, OH
Location
21.6
BMI
RNY
Surgery
09/14/2010
Surgery Date
Jul 02, 2010
Member Since

Before & After
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280lbs
150lbs

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