Margaret is a consultant with Cohen’s Weight Loss Clinic in Sydney. Her journey to get to that point is remarkable and inspiring for women everywhere. Margaret is a wonderful advocate for women looking to lose a large amount of weight and shows that with persistence and a positive attitude you can get to where you want to be. We were lucky enough to be able to ask Margaret some direct questions and she gave us some honest and insightful answers.
Q: Margaret, you have lost a large amount of weight. Exactly how much did you lose, and did this prompt the plastic surgery to complete your journey of transformation?
98kg. Yes of course. Big weight loss needs reconstruction. I also lost most of my weight loss with Cohen’s. No weight loss surgery.
Q: What plastic surgery procedures have you had? Did they all run smoothly, and was there any unexpected trials along the way?
I have had my arm lift. No (they didn’t all run smoothly). I’ve had a revision. I had a complication with my first arm lift surgery and a revision was done 7 months later. First surgery = haematoma; had to have an operation the same night as arm lift. Obviously this caused too much swelling causing my arms to sag after first surgery. Dr Kohout did my revision at no cost and he did a full brachioplasty on both arms. All beautiful now!
Q: Looking back at your journey, is there anything you would have done differently, or any advice that you have for anyone looking at surgery after weight loss?
I wouldn’t change a thing. My advice: Get to goal weight; stabilise your weight loss for at least 12 months. Do your research regarding your chosen surgeon. Get private health insurance. Document your journey, including your loose skin. Don’t rush surgery. It is not about buying a dress you can take back. Get your body balanced again. After surgery, continue to eat healthy. Personally, I would have a surgeon in Australia do my work.
To find a surgeon in Australia click on this link.
Q: What doctor did you have, and did you feel they did everything they should along the way?
Dr Mark Kohout. Mark is a gentleman and a fantastic surgeon. My scarring is beautiful and healing very nicely. He explained everything, every step of the way. Always had time to answer questions. Was on call after my surgery. Mark will be doing my complete reconstruction. Thigh lift, body lift, and breast lift. I am having my thigh lift done in June.
Q: How do you feel now in comparison to how you felt before your weight loss journey, and then after your weight loss but before your surgery?
Losing weight is tough. Your mind plays tricks on you. If you were morbidly obese all of your life and you lose more than half of yourself, there is going to be head games. When I first lost weight; I couldn’t see it. I still saw the big girl in the mirror for a very long time. That is now different.
What I do feel, is healthy. Each day I learn new healthy habits. I have fought a lot of my demons and I feel a sense of freedom. This takes work. Working on yourself can be tough for a lot of us; but it must be done to complete the transformation.
Q: How did your family and friends react to your weight loss and surgery, and what things can you do now that you couldn’t do before?
Losing weight showed me who my true friends and family were. It’s funny how people fall off. I lost weight for myself, not for anyone else. I lived through some terrible times being overweight and unfortunately the same when I slimmed down. You just have to shed a lot of things including people unfortunately. I can now buy clothes that fit. No more tents.
Trish
Trish is a plastic surgery blogger. She is passionate about wellbeing, health and beauty, and doesn't mind a little bit of 'help' from the amazing cosmetic and beauty procedures that are available today. Trish spends her days talking to women and men who are looking for suggestions and advice on procedures that are available to them. Cutting through the sales pitch and hype, a down-to-earth response on general information is what you will get.
Hi Trish , I am 46 year old single mother, before I had my daughter in 1996 I was a gym junky. And I had the whole package abs, good muscle tone and going 7 days a week my body was looking pretty good . And I was so happy weighing 60 kilos in my mid 20’s. Anyway fell pregnant in relationship at 26 years . My partner of 5 years cheated on me and gave ultimatum of get rid of the child or you wont see me for dust . He kicked me out and I was devastated and pregnant and living alone . I fell into deep depression and ate everything in site. I doubled my size kept hidden and devoted my life to little girl. Who was born with multiple disabilities, and we have been going to the Royal Children’s Hospital for over 18 years now 3 times a month in between admissions and surgeries my daughter has had. I was alone when I was pregnant and I have been alone ever since looking after my daughter. I myself have been diagnosed with chronic poly Peripheral Neuropathy. For 10 years now I have tried to exercise spent a lot of money on weight loss companies. My condition is just getting worse , I have no sense of feeling in my body I’m numb from head to toe, but get constant intolerable pain non stop day and night. I can’t do house work, cooking is hard, walking to the shops is very challenging . The quality of life I have is Zero, I just hate knowing what I used to be able to do with my body and move in general and exercise, Now I can’t do a thing without seizing up with muscle spasm and pain. I still have trouble looking after my daughter, though I still try to stay positive and keep my sense of humour but it is not easy. In October last year I had ten teeth pulled out and had to eat mush for months. So I started to cut out all bread , cakes and sugar out of my diet. I was 121 kilos it is March now and I have lost 24 kilos. But I am still obsess I need a lot done with cosmetic surgery , weight loss , and my breasts hang down to belly button and one breast is longer than the other. I am on a disability pension trying to find a health fund that will cover my surgery with this crippling disease I have with central nervous system . I am going to see a plastic surgeon to see what he can do. Do you have any suggestions with what else I can or could do, my self esteem is not great and I have seen a physiatrist for a few years and she changed my life in a very positive way. But I am still stuck feeling just awful that I can’t do anything anymore. I need to make a huge change .
Hi Nicole
Oh wow, I feel for you! You’ve been to hell and back!! It sounds like you are definitely on the path to wellness though, and always remember one tiny step at a time, don’t beat yourself up too much. Huge congratulations to you on the wonderful achievement of losing so much weight already!
Nicole, I am not a medical professional but as far as I understand you may have access to several health care options that are available through your GP. One is the Mental Health Care Plan, and another is Team Care Plan. Both of these offer a certain number of visits to practitioners according to your requirements. I think this would be a great option for you to start with. Your GP can discuss the treatments and facilities that are available with you.
Also Nicole, there may be a support group that you can have access to? To find out I’m sure a google search may come up with something helpful. I did a google search myself and here’s a link that I found http://www.agsa-geneticsupport.org.au/ but I’m sure with a bit of research on your part you may find a group that may be really helpful to you.
Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful, I hope I’ve been a bit helpful.
Be proud for what you have achieved already, as it sounds like you’ve had a lot to deal with.
Wishing you all the best Nicole, and if we can help further, please get in touch.
Trish