Can't believe this day has finally arrived! In less than two weeks, I'm going to have a tummy tuck, breast lift with augmentation and lipo. I think I was 20 shades of red today when I had to get my before pictures. :wub:Then the nurse called to say that my front shot didn't turn out well and to please come back in the next few days and do a retake! :scared2:Oh, bother! I have such mixed feelings. I still expect the PS to call and tell me that maybe I should lose a few more pounds first. I can't believe how much shame I still have in my body. I wonder when you get over this?! I think I had to sign about 30 different places for consent and possible complications. Reading everything that could happen is enough to make you want to run right out of the office!:tongue: I remember that I felt the same way before my lapband surgery, so, I'm hoping that it's just pre-surgery jitters! Trying to picture what I'll look like afterwards is really hard. I keep grabbing my stomach and trying to picture it smooth and lumpless! Okay, that's hard to do! I couldn't decide if I should have the breast augmentation and at first the nurse tried to talk me out of it, saying that I would just be smaller and perky. I was ready to accept her opinion, but then she said, after closer inspection that she thought I should get the augmentation. It's hard to know when you don't get to talk to your surgeon about it. I've seen him twice, but the augmentation is more of a last minute thing. I just hope I made the right decision. It's all very nerve wracking. I'm trying to put a positive spin on all this, because I really have a bad case of the nerves! I want to share my journey with anyone who wants to come along. I will post before shots with my after shots. Love to have you join me on this adventure! Wahoo!:cursing:

Congratulations on the wedding turning out so well, Karey! I hope your daughter is very happy.

Good luck getting back into physical training. I know you'll take it easy and work into it gradually. It's great that you're determined to keep going!

OK Where are the wedding photo's? :wink2:

I've got to get the photos from the photographer, but I think I will post a few pictures. Just got word that newlyweds had to contend with bed bugs on their wedding night. I guess that will give them some great stories for years to come! LOL.

Hi All,

I have been following this thread and have to say Kareyquilts you look great. I too have had body issues forever and I'm only 36. I will be having a full tt, breast lift, lipo and butt lift in July and I'm already thinking of other things I would like to have done (thermage, fat injections to cheeks, chemical peels).

I think it's only natural to always see our negatives and miss our positives. I have a problem with this myself but am working had to remedy that. I am pursuing other interests that focus on my mind and not just my body (I'm getting my teaching credential) and I have noticed a big chance in my attitude and self-esteem.

I would like to thank you for sharing your story and being brave enough to post your pictures. I will do the same when I get closer to my surgery.

Thank you.

Ana

I've finally caught my breath after the wedding. Started back with the trainer and pilates. The weight training is easier than the pilates. My new stomach muscles are very weak! I'v lost some strength and am probably lifting 10-15 pounds lighter than before the TT, but I know it will come back. We've got one more trip to see our son perform in Cirque du Soliel in Montreal and then in July I'm going to work VERY VERY hard to get the last 15 pounds off! I want to post some more after pictures and maybe a scar picture since it's been 3 months (can't believe it went so fast!), but since I haven't taken them yet, I thought I'd post a couple pictures of my DD at her wedding.

Sorry about the oversized pictures. I tried to resize them, save them as other formats and couldn't get them smaller. Very frustrating. If anyone can clue me in, I would appreciate it~:confused2:

Hi Karey!

Wonderful photos, everything looks like it was just perfect. Love your daughter's dress and the flowers!!!

Wow! What an attractive couple your daughter and son-in-law are!!! You're going to have beautiful grandchildren.

Thanks for sharing the pictures Karey. Everything looks like it was just perfect. Your daughter is beautiful; she looks like her mom! Wow, Cirque du Soleil. You must be very proud of your son too. Have a wonderful time in Montreal.

Thanks! It was a great wedding. It sounds funny to say you have a son in the circus, but he's awesome. He juggles people on his feet and catches them. He also does a wild trampoline act and something called "banquine" which is kind of like human pyramids, where they jump up and out off each other up to 6 people high. He was our problem child and we're so thrilled that he has found himself. He's wonderful and what he does and loves it. Who could ask for anything more?

karey, the pictures are great. Her new husband remimds me very much of my high school boyfriend. He was half Armenian. Tall, dark and hansome. Your daughter has a resemblance to you, don't you think? Very pretty. I know you're very proud!

I once lived in Montreal. I can't wait to hear about your trip when you get back. It was a couple of the best and most interesting years of my life. We are planning to go back for a visit in a couple of years. I hope you have a grand time. Cirque du Soliel was a very exciting attraction when we were there. It had not yet expanded and gone to Las Vegas. It seems kind of silly to call it a circus these days, but I guess it's the 21st century's version of a circus. How exciting to watch your son perform and realize how strong and in balance he and his life have become.

It's very satisfying to watch your children grow into happy, healthy (and prosperous) adults! And sometimes even STARS! Good job, mom!

Btw, how does one handle bedbugs???

BJean: You handle bed bugs with a sense of humor! Also, put all your things into plastic bags (so the little buggers can't breath) and then when you get home, wash everything in hot water. If you get bed bugs in your home, you need to take everything apart (they like to hide) and disenfect. In case your mattress in plastic for a while and call the exterminator. Thanks for your positive feedback. I'm off to work out.

That sounds like a colossal pain in the arse, karey. I read somewhere that exotic places are sometimes breeding grounds for that sort of thing and that one needs to be prepared. I guess a spray can of Lysol might do the trick, but I doubt it. And you sure can't fly with a spray can of anything anymore.

You go girl - off to work out and I'm proud of you. It will be pretty hard for a while, but you're involved in the makings of one hot mama!

That's so awesome. Hopefully I will be ready for some "help" with the deflation issue soon. Only 40 more to my goal.

Well it's been a while since I checked in. Been on vacation and wore a bathing suit without too much trauma. Still need to get the backside done and the legs taken care of and would like to get my arms done too. I will post pictures soon. Feel bloated from my trip. I'm starting the push to get off the final 20 pounds. They just didn't come off after my surgeries. I'm back to exercising full strength and feeling much much better. Some of my fellow September bandsters are in the same boat and we've started a thread to challenge ourselves. If you can give us some encouragement, then please visit our new thread: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f109/kareyquilts-mimin-ghost-bjean-final-push-67785/#post904326 I really will post some pictures soon. Have a great July!

Great job Karen,

I have been following your posts in several of the ps threads and you are so wonderful. You are informative and supportive at the same time. You are a true inspiration. :thumbup:

Good luck on the last 20. I know you can do it!!!!

Jacquie