I went to get a consultation with a surgeon this week. I was asking him for the Mommy Makeover -- first because of my stretched belly that never snapped back after pregnancy, got worse after gaining a hundred pounds and is now hopeless after gaining and losing a hundred pounds again.

I also have a pectus carinatum -- this bone that protrudes from my upper chest. I have hated it my whole life and now this surgeon says that with a lift and implants he could make me look more like a normal woman.

I can't begin to describe what these two things have done to my confidence over the years. When I was a girl it seemed like everyone pretended I didn't have the carinatum but I was always self conscious, I knew I was shaped wrong and the other problem was that no matter how skinny I got I always looked a little bigger than most girls ( I am anyway at almost five ten) because of the circumference of my chest.

Then my belly, which got ruined with my first pregnancy and made me feel terrifically ugly since then -- which was twenty years ago. I didn't think I could ever afford to fix these things about my body; and then I had this sort of moral idea that you just had to tolerate what was ugly about you because everybody had something and if I gave in to surgery it would mean admitting I was unworthy of love the way God made me.

So now I'm 47. I'm at a stable weight. I'll never be fat again, obviously, and I am *now* seriously considering this.

But my first question is -- and I really want your opinions about this because I don't know what to think --

Am I too old to do this?

Does it even matter now?

I mean obviously winning the Miss America pageant is pretty much out. When I talked to my ( fired) therapist, who was seventy, about this, she said, well what's the point? Who's going to see you in a bikini now?

And I sort of thought...well...I don't know....I don't know.

Then I'll think: would this change your opinion of yourself? Would you feel more confident, sexier, would you feel freer?

And i think YES I WOULD.

But maybe it's just stupid vanity at this point, and indicative of misplaced insecurity when I should be working on my inner strength instead of still lamenting over my ruined belly. Is this something that a 47 year old should just give up on at this point, forget having a sex life or wanting to be a little beautiful?

Also, if you've had a tt and a breast lift -- how are your scars? I'm riddled with stretch marks but I don't have any scars on my body and I wonder if the tradeoff really makes a difference.

What say you, sleever board?

Too old for all this?

Or is there still enough time left for this to be worth it?

Turning 42 next week and all I can say is SAVE ME A SEAT IN THE SURGEONS OFFICE!!!!

I am sooooooo going to get a tummy tuck when this is all over!! I can't wait!

Go for it & don't look back!!

47- OLD?? Look at people like Meryl Streep - or Madonna, she's 56 and rocking it - no way would anyone DARE say she is too old! If it makes you feel better about yourself- more beautiful, more confident, more sexy, just go ahead and flipping well DO IT. You only have one life, your choices that lead you towards happiness are yours to make. Who cares if others think you are too x, y or z - don't give THEM that power - take it back, it is how YOU feel that matters.

If I were you, I would do it now, before you get into your 50's. It will be one less thing you have to worry about once you have it done, and it is obviously a big concern of yours. Its not going to go away, unless you do something about it. Be bold, you already have with the sleeve. You can consider this to be a part of that whole process. Take charge and "get er done!"

O.k., i'm 49 and had a TT 2 months ago!!!! I am not too old to enjoy it! TRUST me, i've already experienced some things behind closed doors that were unimagineable before!!! Give it to the starving children you ask? I give, give, give all the time and think if I would have only given to myself more i wouldn't have gotten in to this place I'm in! Giving isn't always monetary so give to the needy your time if you feel compelled. I don't think that I could fully appreciate my thin self without removing the skin. I WILL BE WEARING A BIKINI THIS SUMMER IN ALL MY GLORY OF BEING THIN....Your friend asked you "what's it matter anyways and who is going to see you in a bikini? the answer is........ME!!!!!!!!

Had my TT when I was 49 gained 80 pounds, lost them after my sleeve. My belly is as flat and tight as ever. My boob lift, although deflated, nips are still facing up ans not south or underneath...LOL don't hesitate

Done Did It!

I am glad you fired THAT therapist. wow

I am 48, kids are out of the house and I feel very young and enjoying life! i don't plan to wear a bikini, but I want to look my best and it would be nice to wear a skirt above the knees without worrying about the wrinkly skin on the inner thighs showing. My breasts have changed alot from weight loss (and my past history of childbirth, nursing etc), and I just want to feel more feminine and normal again.

People who think that you only get plastics to look like a porn star or something

1. have totally unrealistic expectations and 2. have no idea of the emotional benefit of just looking something close to normal.

I have said this before, but i have ribs showing in my back, but still feel obese because all that skin in my abs and inner thighs looks like fat. I don't show alot of skin, but i like to wear fitted clothes and have to be very careful to not create a "spare tire" around my midsection - not because of fat, but because of skin. I can live with not having cleavage, but the upper part of my breast is just GONE. Where there used to be boobage is now ribbage - it makes me feel freakish in a way. It doesn't even matter that others don't see it, I DO!

Don't get me wrong, if I can't get plastics for some reason I will live a very happy and full life just the way I am - but dang it, I am gonna try to get myself as close to a normal feminine woman as I can. Life is wonderful, life is fun and I deserve a shot at being a normal attractive woman after a lifetime of obesity! You deserve it too!

(don't miscontrue my remarks that I am underweight - I am not - I am just making the point that I dont' have more fat to lose but I still look like I do due to the skin)

You are never ever too old!!!!!!!!

I'm 41. I had the sleeve at 39. I just had a tummy tuck, breast lift and lypo in five areas just six days ago.

I had a tummy tuck about 5 years ago and LOVE the reaults I due to 4 c sections, the over laping skin was driving me crazy. yeast infection in the crease and some days it just hurt.

the part I dont like is that I have no feeling around my belly button about the size of a saucer. just never got the feeling back dont know why but it is minor compaired to the benifits of the surgery. it was very worth it. and yes you are never to old to improve your looks or health. anyone who says other wise has never had the problems we have.

[ I also had a breast reduction 2 yrs before that and it was the best thing I think I have ever dont for ME.]

Okay....

I know you guys are being supportive and I really appreciate it. You're all saying what I think I think. But...is there really no one out there who'd say look' date=' you're 47. Give the money to the starving children in Africa and get over yourself?

I'm curious about peoples' attitudes. No other vote but go for it?[/quote']

I completely understand what you are saying about the money, etc. I have long felt that I should not spend money on my looks. Now I am starting to see that it impacts how I feel, how I interact with others ..and they to me, and my overall quality of life. As long as you don't become completely obsesses and vain, it is worth taking care of yourself, especially if you have the money!

I had my tummy tuck tuesday last week. So that's almost 11 days post op.

I think if you have ambivalence, wait a few months. Sounds like you have a few issues to sort out about vanity, "natural beauty", etc. The right answer for YOU, is within, and you may need some time to figure out what that right answer is. Your body will still be there. Lol!

Hello everyone,

The best place to go for esthetic surgery is in Cuba Habana at Cira Garcia hospital. They have very good prices and very professionel artistics doctors. I have been there before and no regrets at all!

Céline

Oh WOW, if you're too old at 47 -- then what am I when I'll be 60 when I've lost my weight???

I feel angry at your fired therapist. How dare she!!

Angry,

WeeWers