http://thegildedpear.blogspot.com/2013/11/bio-identical-hormones-at-elase-giveaway.html

But, before you go…

Read about her latest experience with Hormone Therapy at Elase Spas:

There are some days where I want to rip my hair out, where I know that I am being completely ridiculous and think to myself, you’ve got to pull it together, but I really just can’t. My hormones take over and I am all over the place. I am certain I should probably lock myself in my room and not come out (and trust me, that has happened and probably welcomed by my family members).

But my insane cycles that I have had since I was 12 years old just added to all of that and I would turn into a raging lunatic. While I thought some of that had gotten better, I realize now that I had just accepted the fact that my hormones were that way and tried to deal with it in the best way I could.

What I didn’t know up until 5 months ago was how much better it could be. When I had the opportunity to work with Elase I was excited about so many things. Of course getting rid of my manbeard was at the top of the list (thank you PCOS), the VIVE weight loss program, photo facials, chemical peels and even Botox, but I was also completely intrigued by the bio-identical hormone therapy. So, I set up an appointment to meet with Catherine, the nurse practitioner at Elase, and had my blood work done.

I went back the next week to go over the results and she asked me a few questions. For example, did I felt anxious? Sure, sometimes. She asked me if I had a hard time sleeping. Yes, but I am a busy mom of three with a lot on my plate!!! She asked me if I felt like I was always in attack mode and if even the smallest things irritated me. And I asked her if she had talked to my husband! Because certainly he must have told her how insane I could be because she was describing me to a tee. And then we laughed and laughed because that is one of my favorite things to do with the ladies at Elase.

Catherine knew exactly why I was feeling that way and went over my blood work with me pointing out how low my progesterone was (basically non-existent) and how high my testosterone was (almost triple what it should be) as well as the lack of Vitamin D in my body. She went over the good aspects too like my thyroid and cholesterol levels. She sent in a prescription for progesterone and told me to use it as a tool. If I was feeling anxious and irritated I should take some progesterone because more than likely I was lacking and could use that boost.

I am so, so glad I went to see Catherine to see how bio-identical hormones could help me. I haven’t felt this good in ages. Truly. I don’t feel like the crazy, hormonal banshee that I was (and had been for a while). As long as I have my progesterone and Vitamin D, I feel like my best self (except those days I forget and then I see a glimpse of that crazy banshee self that no one misses around here!). And this may be too much information (I told you I was keeping it real) but for the first time in my life, I have had a regular cycle for five months in a row. I will spare you the details but that alone has changed my life! I never knew it should be like this because it never has been until now. Thank you, Catherine & Elase! You are the best!

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When I first decided to have Elase Medical Spas give me BOTOX^® , I never thought I would love it so much that I would want to do it again, but I did!

This time I took my awesome brother Marcus along to help capture it all for you. Marcus also happens to be one of my photography students, and he did an amazing job, so again, many thanks Marcus from me and from Elase Medical Spas.

Isn’t Elase so beautiful? Every time I go to Elase it feels like, well a trip to the spa! It feels like home. Everything is so fresh and clean and every single employee is so friendly. My favorite is walking in, and I hear, “Hi Kim!” It is almost like a 2013 version of Cheers, except I am Norm.

Here I am ready to consult with Shari, my injector.

Shari is model gorgeous, and the nicest and smartest woman you will ever ever meet. I just adore her. Here we are consulting about what I hope to accomplish. My first visit I was so nervous that I asked for the bare minimum (which I loved) here I am saying, “Give me what you got!” (With a little more proper English.)

After discussing what I wanted, we compared to what we did the first time, and decided to go about twice as much on my upper forehead as we did the first time, and to hit my “grouch lines” as I call them, right between they eyes.

I also have this wicked awesome scar on my forehead from where my 5 or 6 year old self went head first into the handlebars of a three wheeler when we were snow tubing with my family.

On my first visit, Shari and I discussed using JUVÉDERM^® to fill in that little area of my forehead. This is where we began.

Here Shari is putting the JUVÉDERM^® in with the tiniest needle ever. (The needles she uses are the same size as an insulin needle. The needle on the left is the one she uses, the needle on the right is the size the JUVÉDERM^® comes in.) it did not hurt in the slightest.

Shari was just ooohing and awwing and I couldn’t wait to see for myself. Even my brother was impressed with how JUVÉDERM^®just pumped out that little scar.

While nothing can be done about the lighter discoloration of the scar except for makeup, you can see here how the divot of the scar is virtually gone.

Me in love with the results of the JUVÉDERM^®…my face looks so gross this close up.

Onto my BOTOX^® before and after. My grouch lines are above and my worry lines below. Shari says my muscles are really strong, so it took a bit of BOTOX^® to freeze them up.

  

A little prep.

I wanted to pay VERY close attention to how it FELT to have BOTOX^®. I wanted to be able to describe it to you, and the best thing Shari and I could come up with is that, at least for me, it doesn’t hurt, but feels more like an annoying mosquito bite.

I almost feel weird mentioning this next bit because you would not understand what I mean unless and until you have it done for yourself, but it almost feels like it crunches when it goes in. Like the way your teeth feel biting into a chip? It doesn’t hurt, that is just the only way I know how to describe it.

Some people bleed a little, some don’t. I am a little bit of a bleeder. No big deal. Shari just applied some pressure. I hope this doesn’t make anyone pass out! SO worth a little bit of blood to rid myself of these gross lines.

Let’s get rid of those forehead lines!

After the BOTOX^® treatment was done we had a bit of JUVÉDERM^® left, so Shari talked me into putting a tiny little pout in my lips. I will not lie, this hurt a bit. The reason for this is that our lips have many, many more nerve endings. I have a high tolerance for pain, and luckily JUVÉDERM^® has a numbing agent in it to help ease this pain. The pain only lasted as while she was injecting, with just a mild sensitivity for the next day or so.

A little bit of blood.

My cute little pout is complete! I LOVE IT. Oh my goodness I love it. JUVÉDERM^® lasts anywhere from 6 months to a year, and longer the more treatments you have.

Love cute little Shari! Thank you SO much!

Now, all of you have been wondering, “Yes it is awesome, but HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?!” There is no straight forward answer since everyone is different, everyone’s needs and desires will be different. Remember I mentioned I have strong facial muscles? You may not. Your best bet will be to call Elase, and schedule a free consulation.

Plans however, start at $69 a month.

Here I am 20 minutes after my appointment. The redness is gone, and as you can see no bruising, or signs that I had anything done, other than my AMAZING lips.

Come back next Monday to see my results. I PROMISE you won’t want to miss it. Rumor has it I may be giving away some BOTOX^®love.
Check out Elase Medical Spa’s website for more information on membership fees for BOTOX^® and their other amazing services!

Written by Kim Orlandini November 2013Check out all of her amazing blogs at:http://www.kimorlandini.blogspot.com

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