Happy with Dr Pantoja, Club Medical Great Stay - Tijuana, Mexico

Hard to believe I'm writing that! Can say I'm still super happy I did this-best thing ever. I have been struggling with 10EXTRA pounds the last few months, so have been reluctant to post pics. The weird thing about gaining after surgery is you can REALLY feel your skin pulling! After having loose skin for years gaining and losing a few pounds was not "feel-able" in my skin (in my clothes, yes). I also notice I "gain" most in areas I HAVE fat and less so in areas that had lipo...interesting. I will say I am (bummer) still numb-ish in many areas (whole center of tummy from TT scar to few inches below breasts) but not out towards ribs, and tops and sides of thighs from lipo. Also certain, but not all areas on breasts(tho nipples are 100%ok!). It's not the numb like when u go to the dentist, I can't "feel" or notice it unless I have an itch or I'm being caressed/massaged -then I notice reduced sensation. Worth it tho, IMO. Doing well, glad I did it-will update when I feel I look as good as I did in my earlier pics. I look "ok" now, but I'm "rockin" when I'm thinner :)

Will do my "1 year Anniv" update soon, but I'll post pix from today of the boobs so the peeps who've been asking all have an update! I'm still delighted with it all. For more updates read through my replys to questions. The one thing I can mention is that I have not regained full sensation in my tummy. It doesn't bother me and I don't notice it unless someone is touching me there - from about the mid-ribcage to the scar, the skin can "feel" but needs more pressure, not gentleness for it to really register - not sure at this point that will really change. It's a bit disappointing as for the first time in my life, I wouldn't mind having my tummy caressed and now I cant feel it! "Murphys law" LOL - I would NOT go back to my old tummy just to have the sensation tho - and I'm sure everyone is different. I had to prev C-sec as well (tho I suppose the part right above that scar was cut off, I had reduced sensation in the lower abdomen anyway from the last c-sec, so I'm guessing this is an extenuation of that - and maybe that's an area that doesn't heal for me as much, esp due to the prev surgeries). Still some reduced sensation in the outer upper thigh where lipo was done too. But I don't notice it unless I scratch there or something, so to me it's all worth it. Happy surgeries to all :)

6 month Anniversary yesterday.....12/12/12 - wow! Yay!! I'm happy as ever with the procedure. Will post some pix soon, but noticing I put on a few pounds, so wanna get those back off first. I CAN say that being able to wear more fitted clothes makes you more conscious of your figure & keeping it in shape - - BUT also it feels like I'm effortlessly "in shape" now... I mean.... I have a stomach people envy & with nary a situp (besides the ones I did before surgery). Anyway, I think that thinking got the best of me & I'm up 5 pounds & most of us know what a slippery slope THAT is - so PRONTO I am back on my protein shakes to bust it back off - THEN new pix!

So, some noticings: Things are not as tight as they were immediately post surgery - - I've noticed my breasts are dropping a little - they STILL look awesome (nipples pointing in the right direction for starters & still feel like I CAN go w/o a bra if I really wanted to w/o being embarrassed at the size/shape/location of them)! but DO notice they are not as "high". Also, tummy skin is a little looser now - now I get the little "wrinkles" most normal people get when they sit down, but didn't have those before. Guess it all makes sense that when it was freshly stitched it was all "snug" - - realizing now that I will NOT get away with the perpetually not-excercizing routine.Ah, well, it's been a fun 6 months.

Having a new body has been fun, *and* it means dressing every day is "different" - I think about how I put things together more (definitely like accentuating & adorning my body) ....this is a good thing - but it's weird how I used to dress in terms of "how best to hide parts I didn't like" & now I think about showing it off - and sometimes have to even be cognizant of am I "overdoing" it for a 40+ year old?!??? so, anyway - just noticing there is a shift in thinking/processing - how you perceive your body. For some people (oddly enough?) there might even be a little grief with the *change in thinking* not the change itself, but just the shifting/changing of your life - not sure that makes sense....

Also, have noticed (& had heard about this) that when I do put on a few pounds (the same few keep fluctuating up & down - AARGH - - and now a couple more came along...) Anyway, it used to be (b4 surgery) that if I gained I first noticed in my stomach & now that my tummy is FLAT :-) I think I am not as aware when I gain a few pounds - I think it now goes more to my thighs. Of course you notice it pretty quickly if your zipper doesnt zip, but I think in general pant legs have a little more room, so theoretically it *could* take me longer to notice, so the scale is really important to me now! I think my legs get bigger & then it makes me look even more out of proportion cause my tummy still looks so flat.

Scars are still fading a bit, but slowly.

Also feel like I'm noticing "fatness" in my back again, just by gaining 5 pounds. I think THAT skin is loosening too & gravity takes over that 40+ year old, loose skin (that afterall, wasn't removed like tummy skin) & seems like I'm getting some (baby/beginning) rolls again - I was **SO** happy to be rid of those - man it makes an enormous difference in your profile....anyway that helps me want to lose those 5 pounds + a few extra for "insurance". And I'm sure exercise to tighten up the muscles underneath would help! I haven't really done any exercise to speak of since the surgery - - some walks about 1 x week up to a few miles & yoga every couple weeks....eeks! time to get back to maintaining & staying in front of father time - otherwise I know I WILL lose the battle to him at some point & I sure dont need to contribute!!

Anyway: that's about it for now - just thought I would share.

Best of luck to all :)