Cosmetic surgery? (A question mainly for the gals)

[BunnyD]

I originally posted this in the Women's forum but it was suggested I try posting in a more general spot since not all the ladies are members of the Women's forum. So here goes!

If you've had cosmetic surgery, I'm just curious what your experience was like. I have a feeling when I reach my goal weight that I'm going to have the expected loose skin and will probably want a "lift" up top. Has anyone had a tummy tuck or breast implants and would be comfortable sharing what it was like? I know it's going to hurt, but does the medication they give you help to manage that at all, or was it the worst pain ever? What was recovery like? How do you feel about the results? Would you do it again?

[boonie stomper]

Re: Cosmetic surgery? (A question mainly for the gals)

I was thinking about getting some cutting done too, and asked Mom (she is a retired RN) about it. She said they can make new belly buttons and such, but when they take skin they also cut nerves which means you may lose feeling in parts of skin left to which they had been connected. Plus you get horrible bruising for months to go with the pain, and insurance won't cover any of it.

But it is still tempting...

[Rubysugar]

Re: Cosmetic surgery? (A question mainly for the gals)

I totally want a boob job!! I swear perky boobies are wasted on the young!! I was a full 42 DD at my heaviest and bought the ugly steel-belted bras. Now I am a 36 C... Well, a 36 Long, really... I want a "hike'em up & fill'em out" Too! I know it has required bed rest for some girls I have talked to, but I weathered a C-section pretty well, loads of loratab and advil helped. It is what I have asked to get for my 10th wedding anniversary. Of course, we just celebrated our first this past spring. I wanted to give him plenty of time to save up and I am sure they will be cheaper by then! I think it was Cointrina who had an augmentation... maybe she will pop in and tell us if it was totally crazy and painful or worth every bit!

[ValidRouge]

Re: Cosmetic surgery? (A question mainly for the gals)

I totally want a boob job!! I swear perky boobies are wasted on the young!! I was a full 42 DD at my heaviest and bought the ugly steel-belted bras. Now I am a 36 C... Well, a 36 Long, really... I want a "hike'em up & fill'em out" Too!

ROFL me too girl, me too!

[BunnyD]

Re: Cosmetic surgery? (A question mainly for the gals)

It's so funny, when I watch Dr. 90210 on Bravo (which fascinates me, I must admit) some patients look HORRIBLE after surgery, they can barely talk and they look so sick, and some of them act perfectly fine, like nothing happened! If I have any surgery done, man I hope I react like the second group.

I've never had a C-section so it's hard to use that as a comparison. I guess I'm just wondering if I'd wake up and go, "Omg this is the worst pain ever, I want to die!" or if I'll just go, "This kind of sucks, man I'm glad I'm doped up on pain pills".

[MadAboutTheMouse]

Re: Cosmetic surgery? (A question mainly for the gals)

I plan on having a tummy tuck after all is said and done. I had a botched C-section with the first baby and my up and down muscles (abdominis rectus) are separated by about 4 inches and no matter how many crunches I do, they will never be any closer without surgery. So, I know that tightening up those muscles will be sore for a while, but as far as the incision and all, I don't think it will hurt any more than the C-section did, and I won't have all the hormonal upheaval and breastfeeding business along with recovery. I remember the pain being along the lines of sore and painful, but not the worst pain I ever had. I had that with wisdon teeth extraction requiring surgery. That was the worst I have ever had.

Go for it, I say, when the time is right.

Mary

[boonie stomper]

Re: Cosmetic surgery? (A question mainly for the gals)

Those people who go thru Extreme Makeover sure present a good case for having it done. Make sure you choose a doc with good reputation & testimonials, & good prescriptions.

If I'm left with saggy bags after 2 years at goal, the tuck is my reward.

[BellaCarol]

Re: Cosmetic surgery? (A question mainly for the gals)

Never considered it, I am afraid of pain. Very afraid!

[staziaw]

Re: Cosmetic surgery? (A question mainly for the gals)

Hi! Just my two cents. When I was a massage therapist, I had quite a number of clients who went "under the knife" for both legitimate and not so legitimate reasons. Please remember that this is surgery, no doubt about it. The pain levels depends on your threshold and recovery varies from person to person. I had one client who had a face lift and was a mess for 2 months; another was up and running in 2 weeks. One client had the full works (bust, lipo, tummy tuck) and was a disaster for about 4 weeks, but then felt great (and looked great too).

Keep in mind that major surgery requires major recovery. If you live alone, you will need nursing care. For some surgeries, that is mandatory. And I would go for the drugs! Why suffer if you don't have too?! Also, painkillers stop your body from tensing with the pain, which is a good thing.

Personally, I wonder what I will look like at goal. Will there be loose skin? How will I feel about it? My attitude about surgery is the same as for tattoos, live with the "design" for a year or more and see how you feel and whether you really want it. Like Boonie (my ADBB sista!), WHEN (not if) I maintain my goal weight for 2 years, I'll reassess whether I really need and/or want to submit myself to cosmetic surgery.

Big love,
Stacy

[aquaryus]

Re: Cosmetic surgery? (A question mainly for the gals)

I'm so afraid that after I lose this weight I'm going to have jowl flaps along my chin. I don't think I'd resort to plastic surgery, but, if I win the lottery, anything is possible. I looked in the mirror the other day, and I already can the skin on my lower belly pouch starting to pucker. I've never had kids but I fear the belly skin is gonna be flowing in the wind too.. I researched the cost of getting your skin fixed if it's overly stretched from weight loss, and it's like $3000.. Yay..

[MotherOfGizmo]

Re: Cosmetic surgery? (A question mainly for the gals)

It grosses me out just cutting the fat and skin off of a dead chicken to fix dinner, the thought of someone doing pretty much the same thing to ME while I'm still alive really freaks me out!

[Kimberly_P]

Re: Cosmetic surgery? (A question mainly for the gals)

Hey there! I was definately thinking about having a tummy tuck, breast implants, my nose resculpted and some collagen put in my lips but not all at once. Maybe one procedure a year but the only problem I am having with this decision is that I am scared to death of being put to sleep and even though I have a strong tolerance to pain I don't like being in pain. If I had to choose just one procedure to get it would definately be a tummy tuck because I've had three kids and my stomache will never be the same even after I reach my goal weight. I know it's costly but I did some research and my insurance covers all the costs if I wanted a tummy tuck or breast lift/implants. The other thing I learned is there's a hospital who does this for free if you're willing to donate the skin to burn victims so that may be something to check into. Breast implants would be nice because I don't look the same in that area especially because when I was 16 I had a large lump taken out and there was a lot of tissue removed so one is small and will get even smaller because I have to have another one taken out next month.

[MotherOfGizmo]

Re: Cosmetic surgery? (A question mainly for the gals)

Kimberly--why on earth do you want to have your nose sculpted..you have a fine nose! Have you seen how horrible some of those Hollywood stars look now that they made their lips all poofy with collagen? OMG Meg Ryan (just to name one of the many) once so beautiful...now she looks like a freak! Looks like someone punched her in the mouth.

[Kimberly_P]

Re: Cosmetic surgery? (A question mainly for the gals)

You have a point there, those celebrities do look like freaks now.. I just want to be able to feel good about myself for once and I figured all of that would help. Down the road I would like to have a tummy tuck and breast implants, I think that would make a huge difference.

[presidentholmes]

Re: Cosmetic surgery? (A question mainly for the gals)

Oh my!
No surgery unless it was absolutely necessary i.e. life-threatening.

But, isn't this part of the whole reason why we were fat in the first place?
Cos we didn't love ourselves!
Some may protest that they did, but they obviously didn't.
Isn't the whole plastic surgery thing another symptom of this?

And, I'm genuinely asking, not preaching.