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Stage Two: The Consultations
In the six weeks since her Grand Reveal, Joyce Lieser
of West Chester has been busy. Putting one’s face and
body into the hands of a virtual panel of professionals
and listening to their candid assessments, she has discovered,
is a time-consuming enterprise. The lineup of experts
is impressive: Dr. Mark Mandell- Brown of the Mandell-Brown
Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Robert Benza of Eyecare Associates
of Greater Cincinnati, Drs. Gary and Tara Hardin of Hardin
Dental Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, Jim Riggs,
founder of Power 3 Fitness, Peachy Seiden of Cincinnati
Nutrition Counseling for proper food choices, Rachel Clark,
owner of Fetish for clothing, and Vivian Moore of Mitchell’s
Salon & Day Spa for hair styling and makeup.
“I told them they could basically start at my hairline
and just move downward,” Joyce laughs. Since her selection
garnered publicity in February, Joyce has also become
an area celebrity. Now everybody knows her name––something
which carries a few drawbacks. Like having all of one’s
friends, neighbors and business associates see how you
look in workout wear.
When Joyce, who works as a bookkeeper at Auer Kitchens
in Finneytown, first saw “before” images published in
Cincinnati Magazine, she hid the issue from co-workers.
“But what if we have an ad in there and need to look at
it?” a manager whispered. “I’ll cut it out and send it
to you.”
Chosen as the Tri-State Extreme Makeover grand prize
winner from a field of over 400 applicants back in December,
Joyce’s wit and self-deprecating sense of humor clearly
had quite a bit to do with her selection. “How can anyone
look at these,” she demands, tapping her photos, “and
say, ‘You look fine.’ Do I need help, or what?” Despite
her solidas- a-rock demeanor, Joyce clearly has a few
body-image issues. “Oh, I’ve got all sorts of issues,”
she responds. “I always thought I’d like to age gracefully.
Now I realize there’s nothing graceful about it. Now that
it’s a  reality,
I’m going into it kicking and screaming.”
Her advantages: Not only a terrific professional team,
but plenty of family support from husband Ed, daughter
Dawn (who accompanies her to some of her consultations)
and son Ed Junior. Everyone, Joyce says, has been excited
for her. Even her family physician, whom Dr. Mandell-Brown
urged her to visit for a preliminary checkup. “That is
just so cool,” he said when Joyce told him the good news.
“You’ll have to come back and see us when you’re finished.”
“I will,” she agreed. “After all, I’m going to come out
of this looking a whole lot better!”
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