Gymrats and plastic surgery...

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
Gymrats and plastic surgery...
13
Fri, 05-13-2005 - 9:16am

I've been on this board for over a year now and those of you that have been here since I came know how much I've struggled with my weight. I've been a gymrat for several years but only in the year or so have I really changed my eating habits in a positive way. When I lost my 85 lbs, I did it through strict portion control but the quality of what I ate was very poor. I have dramatically increased my intake of fruits, veggies and lean proteins. It has been very frustrating to make such changes and not see ANY results.

I had a consultation with a plastic surgeon this week and in his office, I felt vindicated. The jiggly wiggly stuff that I have been trying so hard to lose is NOT fat, but extra skin. I have no means of making extra skin disappear so I have opted for a few procedures at the end of June. It's going to be a long procedure and it's going to be very expensive and I'm sure the recovery will be quite uncomfortable, but I feel like I deserve it. I have worked really hard and have accomplished everything I can possibly accomplish on my own. I know that this is really and truly a last resort and my doing this isn't because I'm lazy and don't want to work hard.

There is a part of me that feels superficial for going through with this, but I remind myself that I have spent thousands of dollars on my home, my car, jewelry.... why wouldn't I spend money on myself? I'm expecting to have this body for a good long time and I might as well enjoy being in it (which I haven't for quite some time). Additionally, I think it will improve some my activities (like running).

So, at the end of June, I'll be getting a tummy tuck, a thigh lift and some lipo (which the surgeon said I just need a little bit of and that was GREAT news). I'll have to be a vicarious gymrat for at least two weeks and probably a bit longer.

Just wanted to let you all know. :)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Fri, 05-13-2005 - 9:30am
good luck with the surgery, you know we all
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
Fri, 05-13-2005 - 9:32am
Ummmm... no. :) This is one of my favorite places to hang out and discuss fitness related stuff so I won't be disappearing, I promise. You can't get rid of me that easily.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-01-2003
Fri, 05-13-2005 - 11:55am

I had no idea that you had lost 80 pounds.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Fri, 05-13-2005 - 12:51pm
Honestly, I think it's a great decision for you.





iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Fri, 05-13-2005 - 12:54pm

Tara, where are you, btw?






iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
Fri, 05-13-2005 - 2:11pm

I think everyone recovers differently (I'm hoping my already good health will be on my side) but I won't be allowed to do any exercise for two weeks. I think during those two weeks, I am encouraged to move around but obviously nothing strenuous. After two weeks, I think I'm allowed to do light cardio, like walking. I think I'll have to take a month to six weeks off from lifting and probably running.

If you like, instead of my food and exercise journal, I'll post a post-op journal. :D And of course, I'm sure I'll have pictures and I'll definitely share them.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Fri, 05-13-2005 - 2:15pm
You know what I never got was those Extreme Makeover shows where they only have a short time overall and it seemed like they were popped right to working out.





iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
Fri, 05-13-2005 - 2:28pm

That's a good point. I rarely watch those shows and hadn't really thought about it. Prior to the consult, I was really thinking the downtime of recovery would be a major deterrent. I hate taking time off, even when it's obvious that I'm overtraining. But, when I started to hear about the possibilities of how I'll look when it's all done, that was worth it. I always got frustrated because I'd hear about people changing up their program and seeing results and I never, ever saw results. So of course I wondered, what am I doing wrong? And I have clients who've lost all kind of weight and I train most of them similarly to how I train myself and it just stumped me. I also started thinking of how much easier running will be when I don't extra skin to carry with me.

I know that I get strong pretty quickly so maybe it will even be fun building up again. (Please remind me of this statement when I am complaining how hard it is, okay?)

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-27-2003
Fri, 05-13-2005 - 4:09pm

Congrats on your decision to spoil yourself. I totally agree with your reasons, and you should not feel guilty or superficial. I felt guilty before my plastic surgery, but afterwards I felt it was totally worth it...not the pain, but the cost and time. You have worked so hard, and you deserve to look like you have, not that you don't already.

Goodluck,
Paula

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-27-2003
Fri, 05-13-2005 - 4:12pm
Wasn't she getting married also. Maybe her and her hubby are enjoying her plastic surgery--she is just too busy for us :)

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