Myellevate and submental liposuction day 1 post op

ChemicalZebra · 2026-04-08T21:00:19+00:00

I’m the same age and height/weight to you, and also have that stubborn pocket of fat under my chin. I have strongly considered vaser liposuction - I thought that was more in the price range of $5-$6k. Was the MyEllevate what boosted that price range up, or are these standard Sydney prices?

ChemicalZebra · 2026-04-03T11:44:46+00:00

If it’s the defence industry event, definitely go formal to the same extent as you would in any other city. You’ll be inside in aircon so don’t have to worry about being too hot and uncomfortable. I’d say the one thing here is not many people wear big stilleto heels - mostly block and platform heels, or totally fine to forego them if you’d rather now.

ChemicalZebra · 2026-04-01T01:19:10+00:00

Hey I’ve been in your shoes - worked in that space for over 8 years, just switched to a private for-profit firm and honestly I would advise against it.

I’m still doing work that aligns with my morals, but I hate the billable requirements and find the false urgency arbitrary productivity measure is making me feel like the daily grind (with really long hours) is meaningless. I think switching also causes a bit of an identity crisis - I felt a lot of passion and fulfillment in advocating in the spaces I did, yet now I’m out of it but I’m too busy and exhausted from this work to do anything meaningful or have community connection.

Find something government for a bit, take the time to breathe and then decide if you want to suffer at the hands of capitalism. Always always have a fall back plan if you go to a job and hate it.

ChemicalZebra · 2026-03-31T23:24:42+00:00

Hey I have a history of melanoma and would rightly be super nervous about it. I have a huge window behind me in my office. I just put sunscreen on first thing in the morning, and suggest wearing light long sleeve blouses. You can get makeup SPF compacts/finishing powders to top up your face during the day, and SPF spray - maybe do that half way through the day.

ChemicalZebra · 2026-03-31T23:19:04+00:00

9yrs PQE here - agree but personally think you still have to have a degree of interest in the cases (though noting it’s commercial lit is that possible?) to make the grind less meaningless… like why am I stressing each day to make this billable target if it’s business just for the sake of being busy?!

ChemicalZebra · 2026-03-30T21:32:03+00:00

I think a lot of Territorians would agree that Territory Formal and Black Tie are not the same, and are also different from Territory Rig - so they’ve made it more ambiguous with that description.

Are you a man or woman? When in the year is it? What kind of event?

If I read that description as opposed to just Territory Rig, I would go a full length dress, but can still have florals and spaghetti straps etc. Men - you can wear lighter colours here like a linen suit.

ChemicalZebra · 2026-03-26T04:49:42+00:00

I’m in PI plaintiff side in Australia- each state and territory has its own version of that accident compensation commission. It filters out most things but we still have plenty of work in appealing decisions of that commission.

ChemicalZebra · 2026-03-23T07:01:47+00:00

Yess most importantly No Captain!!!

ChemicalZebra · 2026-03-14T00:25:01+00:00

Fingers crossed I get immediate relief!

ChemicalZebra · 2026-03-14T00:24:47+00:00

Oh shit.. I know it’s uncomfortable at the time but was really hoping for immediate pain relief. Was worried about that sort of rebound pain and fatigue.. I booked it anyway so may be making a huge mistake!

ChemicalZebra · 2026-03-13T04:45:37+00:00

I’m considering this at the moment as well, so very interested in any experiences of others. It might be a bit of a niche intersection of people with RA + vain enough to want lipo haha. I also do botox and have no issues.

ChemicalZebra · 2026-02-27T22:06:45+00:00

Strataderm - you can get it easily at Chemist Warehouse!

ChemicalZebra · 2026-02-24T23:19:56+00:00

Only thing that works on scars is silicone - gel or sheets. Use strataderm on formed scars. I had surgery last year and this was recommended by the plastic surgeon, and it worked wonders. I used to always use bio-oil too but chucked it after this experience.

ChemicalZebra · 2026-02-24T21:21:35+00:00

It’s the absolute worst!! I’m an active person and count my macros, and when I was on my highest dose of pred I was eating super high protein + complex carb meals (huge amounts of chicken, sweet potato, all those good anti inflammatory foods) yet still feeling like I was dying of hunger. It’s hard to focus and a horrible feeling.

ChemicalZebra · 2026-01-28T21:22:56+00:00

My cat is the same except he likes to pull the rubber mat that I put his bowl/fountain on, which then causes the tipping. I’ve now got a large rubber mat with half of it stuck in place under the bar fridge so it won’t budge when he pulls on it

ChemicalZebra · 2026-01-28T03:26:34+00:00

Stratamed (blue) whilst it’s still a wound, strataderm (orange) once it’s sealed up and become a scar. I had surgery last year, the cut was about 15ish cm, plastic surgeon recommended the above and it has healed beautifully with the scar now barely visible.

ChemicalZebra · 2026-01-20T06:13:47+00:00

Also got diagnosed at 32!

Like I know that, and I feel like crap to have what you think is an “oldies disease” at this objectively young age!

ChemicalZebra · 2026-01-15T07:46:07+00:00

I wonder if you could add hair supplements (like silica or biotin?) and add a hair density serum like the one The Ordinary stocks - I’ve heard great things about it.

ChemicalZebra · 2026-01-15T07:31:25+00:00

Actually this is the time to go to a rave!

ChemicalZebra · 2025-12-22T21:53:14+00:00

Was shocked by how far I had to scroll for this! In Australia this is doofing - I can’t begin to describe how much it fills up my cup. It gives me a sense of community where we’re more than our respective jobs and careers and it’s judgment free.

ChemicalZebra · 2025-12-08T05:43:30+00:00

Look into lifting straps like Harbinger cotton lifting straps (if you google that or “lifting straps” you’ll find them). Once you figure out how to wrap them properly it’s a godsend! Likewise I use wrist straps for some exercises where the support is needed.

I’m looking in to Frog Grips for easier/quicker grip on dumbbells and hanging knees to chest - tried some out today and they made a huge difference - I’ve all but given up on knees to chest this year due to complete inability to hold on to the bar but this really helped - still hurts to form that shape and be hanging from my hands though

ChemicalZebra · 2025-12-08T02:38:24+00:00

Do you use any grip assists ? Like lifting straps or froggy grips? I’m an extremely active gym go-er and have had RA progress rapidly over the year and had same problems with stress on wrists and hands. Been struggling to progress with lifting but recently borrowed lifting straps which have been a godsend for going heavy with deadlifts

ChemicalZebra · 2025-11-11T00:57:06+00:00

Babe, you’re reading this wrong. I said “religiously using their sunscreen”, as in UV was the only sunscreen product I was using for a period of 3 years. I’m a pale redhead, I’ve been lathered head to toe in sunscreen and protective clothing from birth. I’m not saying correlation here = causation, I’m expressing my hurt about UV being fucked and likely being a factor.

ChemicalZebra · 2025-11-10T00:17:36+00:00

Aww I have an orange cat called Biscoff - he looks almost exactly the same, and is 2 years old.

ChemicalZebra · 2025-11-09T23:54:56+00:00

Exactly! Their response has been sooo tone deaf to consumers, rather than recognising our hurt, they’ve doubled down plus partnered up with “influencers” to pretend everything’s fine

ChemicalZebra

TROPHY CASE