Posted by Justherself54 on January 22, 2008, at 9:24:44
In reply to Re: Psychology of Surgery, posted by Phillipa on January 21, 2008, at 21:12:12
Phillipa..go for it..my mom didn't in her early sixties and now she's in her seventies and has additional health problems that make her ineligible for that surgery..it is one of her biggest regrets..
as for the tummy tuck, don't look at it as cosmetic..think of it as a medical necessity..I had a breast reduction and can't believe the relief it has given my back..before I couldn't drive for 3 hours without my tailbone hurting so much I could hardly get out of the car (fibro plays in here), but now I can drive for long distances and no pain..and the permanent numb spot between my shoulders is gone..and you are so correct..I also feel we live in a society where older women aren't revered..so you know what, we have two choices..we can revere ourselves..or move to Latin America! If getting rid of the tummy will make you feel better as a woman..go for it..
I was so nervous about surgery and I obsessed about it for months, but I had a good friend come with me and stay throughout..during the healing period I had regrets cause they looked pretty scary, but not now..I'm overweight, but it has changed my body shape so now I look thinner and clothes fit better as they will for you..
One of my girlfriends had a tummy tuck years ago and through weight gain it's back..she's just finishing radiation for breast cancer but plans this summer to have her other breast removed and have both reconstructed at the same time, then the following year to have the tummy tuck again..for her it's not vanity, it's part of her recovery and battle..
So we have "plastic surgery" for a multitude of different reasons..but the common goal is there..to regain the youthful part that is still in every one of us that either genetics, be it pendulous breasts or weight all in the tummy, or in my friend's case, diseases like cancer, have taken away..
My surgeon knew I had terrible anxiety about surgery and made sure I was "relaxed" before I went into the OR..not sure what they put in the IV but it sure did the trick..
I hope you don't let your anxiety rule what YOU want..as it did my mom's decision, as it's sad to see the regret in her now when she can do nothing about it..
Sorry for the long post..just some ramblings before my java has kicked in!
poster:Justherself54
thread:808150
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20080114/msgs/808294.html