Kareyquilts: Arms, Butt & Thighs, Oh My!

[kareyquilts 1]

Here are the before and afters of my arms. I tried to get some shots of the scars for those of you considering this procedure. I'm told that the scars will lighten a lot and I believe it based on my scars from my first round of ps. You'll notice a small dip at the end of my incision (near the elbow). My doc is going to do some Lipo there to get rid of the dip. He said it will take about 5 minutes. I have mixed feelings about my arms. My arms look much much better in sleeves, but I'm not ready to wear anything sleeveless. I hope that when I can get back to weight lifting that I can tone them up, etc. The bandages on my arm are some lipomas I had removed. One of my arms has a very raised scar. I'm told that will also get better with time (or he will do some revision- oh goody!) Anyway, here are the pictures. I will try and get the thigh lift and butt lift pictures soon!

[kareyquilts 1]

Ran across an old pair of jeans from my previous life and took these shots in an attempt to make myself feel better. Please indulge me here! Have a nice day, everyone!

[renewedhope 4]

Love the blue jan pics, and your arms look great. I found a pair of old jeans the other day and I could fit both legs in one leg of them. What a cool feeling.

[Luu2008 2]

Karey,

I think you look AMAZING, what an inspiration! Thank you for allowing us to follow you on your journey.

Lori

[kareyquilts 1]

Thanks for the support. It's hard to put pictures out there in webland.

[Shalee04 7]

WOHOO Karey looking awsome!!! Love those skinny arms.

How's everything going?

[laurigee 545]

Karey, you look awesome!

[cori in wa 0]

Karey, you look fantastic! All that pain and effort and hard work has truly paid off. Now, make those old jeans go away forever! BTW, your dog is aborable. What a pretty baby :tongue:

[loridee11 510]

Karey - you look fantastic! And I would kill for your arms, so don't be too hard on yourself.

~Lori

[kareyquilts 1]

Lori: Thanks for the encouraging words.

Have lost the weight I put on (10 lbs) after 4 weeks in bed for lower body work and 2 weeks of immobility for the ole knee (oh and eating a lot of candy at Christmas). Would like to lose 10 more and than I will call it quits. This has been some ride. There is so many adjustments that you don't think about when you have body work done. It's good, but I guess I'm so use to working on a goal that I've become uncomfortable with thinkiing that how I am is the final product. I do have many areas to improve, but there's comes a point where it's time to think about other things in life. I've decided to try and write a book about my life as a veterinarians wife and do some volunteer work. It's time to start giving back.

[oneflew 0]

Karey,

You really have a good attitude. You look wonderful, congrats on your new goal!

Sam

[laurigee 545]

karey...You and I were banded at the same time. How do you decide where the end is? I have been struggling with this for the last month. When I get to what I think would be the perfect size or number I then change my mind. I sometimes feel like I have been consumed by this. I will look at myself and think "you haven't came as far as you think". I'm wondering if I don't have this project (improving myself) I will feel like I'm missing something. Have I replaced the food compulsion for this? Does the thoughts or fears of going back still consume our lives? Maybe it is just the long winter is WI that is getting me dragged down. Have you ever thought about this, and if you have, do you have any advise? Maybe a shrink, lol.

[kareyquilts 1]

Laurigee: As a matter of fact, I have thought about getting counseling about this and other body issues. I think that it is hard to know when to call it good. One way to tell is when it takes a super effort to lose anymore. That could be your body letting you know that it likes where it is. Another way to know, is to get feedback from your loved ones and doctor. Now, my band doctor and husband said that I was good 10 pounds ago, even though my BMI is 24.5. I didn't want to be on the cusp of having an overweight BMI, but as was explained to me, I am physically in excellant shape, my heart problems are a thing of the past and I look good. That being said, I have my own goal, which is 10 pounds less. As I said in the last post, I'm going for it. My reasoning, I had my fat, muscle and Water tested and that showed that I could lose another 10 pounds. I'm on the verge of a size 6, sometimes I can fit that and sometimes I can't. It would personally mean a lot to me to make that goal. It would also give me a little leeway as I go into maintance. Are you burned out on dieting? If so, quit for a while and re-evaluate. You can always try for more. Sometime, I think that breaks (without weight gain) are good for you physically and mentally. I was looking around at church on Sunday and it occured to me that I am definetly in the normal realm for my size and peers. That is probably another measuring stick, so to speak. Are you comfortable in your own skin? Do you like MOST of what you see? I guess that these are other indications. I'm just ready to begin the next big adventure in life, along with maintaining my weight. It might help to think about new goals and things that you want to accomplish because there is a void when the big push is over. Just some thoughts. What do you think?

Edited January 28, 2009 by kareyquilts
typo

[oneflew 0]

Karey, i think you've got a great perspective on this issue. You seem to be in a good place right now.

Sam

[laurigee 545]

Karey....Thanks for the advise. I definately think you have got things figured out for yourself. Every time I think I have, I will go a few months, then BOOM! Something changes. Maybe I'm menopausal. lol. Thanks again!