Menopause Maniac Blog

The last year has been tough. I have gained 30 pounds, much of it while actually trying to diet! My doctor is talking about replacing my knee, even though I am only in my 40’s, but it is so bad I have to get steroid shots every few months in order to walk! To top everything off I am beginning menopause and experiencing all the wonderful side affects from that, along with more weight gain! So now I am trying something new - bioidentical hormone therapy. I’ve heard Robin McGraw, Dr. Phil, Oprah and Suzanne Somers all talk about BodyLogicMD. According to the website “highly trained physicians specialize in bioidentical hormone therapy, fitness and nutrition. Helping women and men suffering the symptoms from hormonal imbalance, menopause and andropause.”
I began the program a few weeks ago - read about my journey, and the journey of a fellow maniac at http://www.menopausemaniac.com/

My Doctor

Hi Everyone - Several people have asked about mine and Sherry's doctors. I am not sure who Sherry went to as she lives in Michigan. I went to Dr. Abergel. He has an office in Newport Beach but performs the procedure in Santa Monica. Here is his website: http://www.doctorabergel.com/
If you see him please let him know you that you heard about him here!
Thanks Everyone!

Sherry Before and After - 23 Days Later

Sherry - 17 Days Later

Here are a couple more pics from Sherry. Here is what she had to say:

Today would be 17 days after the procedure. I have to say I really don't notice much difference as far a looking better. As I mentioned before, the doc says to reap the full benefits of the Deep FX I must wait for several months for the collagen to begin to regenerate. My 'turkey gobble' area under my neck is slightly tighter which is a good sign. That is one of the areas that had the Deep FX. I'm trying to be patient. In the mean time I still have a few red areas where the Deep procedure was done!

I think she looks awesome but she was hoping for more results with fine lines. I can see a differance...can you?

Sherry 4 Days after Active FX

Here is Sherry's latest pic and what she had to say today. Her procedure was done at 1:30 PM on Friday March 14th. I’d have to say from her pictures that Active FX has a much more dramatic affect on people with light skin and eyes, like Sherry, than on darker complexioned people such as myself.

"Here is Tuesday afternoon's photo. I'm almost ALL DONE peeling. The spots that haven't peeled are still a little itchy, but I haven't taken any meds today.

All my freckles are gone!! I've never seen my face w/ NO freckles~~not sure how I feel about that yet.

The uncomfortable tightness has decreased too. I now have blotchy red skin w/ some
scaly areas around my hair line and on my forehead. My face is still slightly swollen and I have "wrinkle" lines under my eyes. I'm hoping that will go away when the swelling does.

Today I look and feel the best since the procedure on Friday afternoon!"

Sherry

Sherry had Deep FX around her eyes and mouth and Active FX on the rest of her face. She is much braver than I as she stayed awake. This is what she said the day after: "Yes, I stayed awake. I didn't have any meds except for an Ibuprofen. The pain was uncomfortable but bearable. The doc used a topical Litacane cream for 90 minutes prior to the procedure. He did the Deep first (around eyes, mouth and in between nose), then the Active over my whole face. Yesterday I took a Darvocet and a Benedryl before bed and today I've taken a Benedryl and fell asleep. I'm very swollen around the eyes today."

Today (48 hours later) Sherry told me she did not sleep well last night even though she is taking Benedryl and Darvocet. About last night she says “I felt like I had prickly-heat and/or bugs crawling on my face” which is exactly how I felt on day 3. Hang in there Sherry – it gets better!!!!

If anyone else out there has or is going to have the treatment and want to be part of this blog send me pics…I’ll be happy to edit and post. My doctor said he will do some touch up work a couple months after I had Active FX so hopefully some time late April I’ll have more pics of myself to post. Until then let’s keep an eye on Sherry!

Another FXtic Experience

Hi All, Sorry I haven't posted in a while - I've been on the road and haven't had a lot of time to play :) Here is a pic that I took a few minutes ago...with no makeup! I never would have posted a "no makeup" pic before my Active FX treatment!

I am doing great. I've not noticed a lot of changes since my last post although I feel the before and after results are significant.

I recently attended a business meeting with people who had not seen me for a year. I got one "you look great" and a couple "did you lose weight" comments (unfortunately I have not). My one friend who knew I had Active FX said she couldn't really tell any difference but that my skin looked great. Not sure what that meant.

FYI, I attended this same meeting last year and it was pictures that were taken at that meeting that made me decide to get the Active FX treatment.

2 Weeks After Active FX

Here are my newest pics - 2 weeks later. I wish I had better before pics because what I have does not do my face justice :) I am seeing a huge difference not only in reduction of brown spots and evening out of skin tone but the lines around my eyes, mouth and chin are significantly less noticeable as well. My doctor also said now that he knows what my skin can handle we will let it rest for about 2 months and then I can come back and he will hit some of the more stubborn spots that did not go away completely so I am very happy about that!!!

How is everyone else doing ?

Ladonna - thank you for the update. Would love to see pics if you have them - you can e-mail me at dmcintyre@socal.rr.com I too used the Aquaphor but for the whole time. I never had a prescription cleanser but he did provide me with antibiotics that I have just finished. Also my doctor told me not to wash with anything but water during the first week so even after washing I had that wonderful aquaphor “glow”. Now I am using my regular cleanser which I get from Merle Norman.

ladonna

ladonna,
Thank you for you message. Please let me know how it goes to day. My doctor says I am a big baby (he said it with a smile though) - that most people don't even get pain medicine. I would like to know if that is true...I did have a baby with no meds :)
When you go to the store don't forget the benadryl!!!
Diane

Been on the road...

Hi Everyone - and especially Sherry :)
I had to go out of town so that is why I have not updated the site. I get back late Thursday night but will take and post new pics on Friday morning.
I am loving my new face. It's only been about a week and half and I think the results are huge but maybe that is wishful thinking. I have a meeting in Charlotte next week with a bunch of people who I only see a few times a year. One of the gals is very observant, especially when it comes t skin, so I am looking forward to her comments.
Look for new pics Friday morning!

144 Hours after Active FX

I’m feeling great today probably because there is no more itching and most of the peeling is over with. I am starting to see the following results:

1) Lines fading around my eyes (as Sherry noticed)
2) Lines fading around my mouth
3) Brown spots less noticeable
4) Skin tone evened out and looking younger.

I will post one more pic on Saturday after my doctor appt. and then will post pictures weekly. If this blog has influenced anyone in a positive or negative way, I'd like to hear about it.

The best advice I can give to anyone contemplating this procedure is FIND THE RIGHT DOCTOR! Don't base your decision on the cost - try to find out where the people who had the treatment and were happy with it went...as I mentioned when I started this blog the satisfied\unsatisfied commentaries I've seen are 50\50 and I am willing to bet a lot of it has to do with the people performing the procedure!

Happy Valentines Day Everyone - I am loving my new face!

Before Pics

120 Hours after Active FX

96 Hours after Active FX

96 Hours and I am starting to see results, especially the fine lines around my eyes and on my forehead. Jury is still out when it comes to brown spots...I can't wait to scrub my face but am making myself wait until after I see my doctor again on Saturday. (If you click on the pic I think it will take you to a larger image).