After losing 120 pounds, I found myself facing a decision I never expected to make: whether or not to have plastic surgery at 61.

This was not an impulsive decision. I spent months researching the risks, the recovery, the cost, the scars, the surgeon, and what life might look like afterward. I made a pros-and-cons list. I talked with my husband. I asked a lot of questions.

And in some ways, it still felt like a lonely decision—because no matter how much support I had, no one else could make it for me.

In this episode, I’m sharing why I ultimately chose to move forward, why I waited until after surgery to share this publicly, and the reasons the decision became about much more than appearance.

I talk about the concerns that gave me pause, including my age, the length and complexity of the surgery, the cost, the recovery, and permanent scars. I also share the reasons I said yes: wanting to feel comfortable in my own skin, no longer hiding parts of my body, being able to exercise and dress more comfortably, and finally feeling ready to close this chapter after a lifetime of living in a larger body.

I am deeply grateful for my body and my health. For me, gratitude and wanting to change something can exist at the same time.

This episode is not meant to encourage anyone else to have plastic surgery. It is simply my personal story and the thought process behind a very personal decision.

And no, this is not turning into a graphic plastic surgery podcast. 😂 I may share some practical things I learned about preparing for surgery and recovery, but there will be no gory play-by-play here.

At 61, I know I have more years behind me than ahead of me—and I want to truly live the ones in front of me.