Mercedes

I'm only just over half way to my goal so I don't know if my answers are relevant to your question. I absolutely loathed my body before surgery & did not have a full-length mirror in the house, like you I have a pretty face which did not get that fat, so I used to console myself by just focusing on that. I was in denial & basically could/would not look at my body. When I was forced to, (in changing rooms, walking past shop windows etc) I would suffer from terrible self-disgust.
I have concentrated in the last 3-4 months on working-out like a mad thing because I too am worried about saggy skin (& I'm nearly 10 years older than you). I do 90 mins of intense CV every other day including jogging on the treadmill for 30 mins. I also do 60 mins of Bodypump; now with heavy weights & 30 mins of jogging on the alternate days, (I have one day a week of rest). I also use a Slendertone Flex ab's belt whilst I am jogging, on the "abs walker" setting & the Slendertone bum & thigh shorts in the evening, whilst cooking dinner etc. I also use Avon Cellusculpt on my legs & the top of my arms (which used to be enormous!) & Lift & Tuck on my bum & belly religiously. OK it is costing me a lot in time & money but I guess it is cheaper than a body-lift & not as painful . (I'm not trying to advertise here, I don't even know if you can get these products in the States, I use what is available to me but if I found something alternative & cheaper that also worked I'd certainly try it).
I have found this has really helped, my skin is shrinking back quite nicely, I am not ashamed when I look in the mirror & will actually admire my diminishing body, (yes my Hubby has bought me a full-length mirror). My legs & arms are looking quite toned now & were before very large, had a cottage cheese like consitancy & also were horribly flabby. I'd say my belly is the worst as it does now hang over my vulva which it did not before; it used to just stick out like I was pregnant, really solid-like & imho revolting. Luckily so far I have not got those horrible, purple stretch marks or folds of skin though & I'm hoping after loosing another 4-5 stone (60-70 pounds) the fat that seems to be concentrated in the bottom of my belly will not be there any more & weigh the skin down, like it is tending to at the moment. To be honest I have not put a TT & boob lift out of the equation, I'll wait a year after I'm at goal weight & if I don't look great & the skin has not shrunk (after all my intended working out) I shall consider it. I've also found looking brown helps the skin look better, which is great in the summer but I've decided in the winter I'm going to have spray-on tans.
I know most of this is vanity but if it helps me psychologically learn to love my new self & if I can afford the time, effort & expense then why not? I spent so many years hiding away at home eating & hating "me", now I'm enjoying spending productive time on myself, exercising & pampering "me" instead .

__________________
03/06/06 Lap RNY done in London with Mr Patel.
290/150/130 - 5ft 5" (Hit the 100's & the century club!)