Hello Ali – I read your post [thanks to my Ohio mama, Dee, for sending me the link
] and instantly recognized the hair situation. A few years ago, I was in a situation similar to yours – I had hair everywhere. To see what my face looked like back in the day, please read through this thread:
http://www.hairtell.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/67893/Pictures_23_year_female.html#Post67893
I was, however, extremely lucky because I could get access to great electrologists right away. I saw James two or three times in Buffalo and then when I moved to Ohio, I saw Dee consistently after that and we spent some time together back in the day. Initially, it was every 2 weeks (for perhaps the first 4 months) and then after that, it tapered off. This was from 2010-2011. I moved away from Ohio since then and these days, I see an electrologist for my belly hairs and little else - perhaps once every 6 weeks is how frequently I see my electrologist, for an hour or so, and we spend hardly any time on my face.
My face is effectively hair-free now - every now and then, I find one hair or two and I get self-conscious about it, but relative to where I was before, I have come a long way. I wear my hair up, I wear it anyway I want - and people can touch my face without my feeling any fear. It may seem like there is no hope (especially at the beginning when it feels like the hairs just keep returning every day), but frankly once you get a few clearances under your belt, you will start to notice the difference very quickly. And most of that hyperpigmentation will go away once the hairs and ingrowns go away.
I would say you already have a great plan of action since you’ve found an electrologist. Finding the right electrologist is one of the most important steps (along with determining any medical reason for so much hair) – ask the person questions about their technique, equipment, etc. I met with a number of electrologists who were very honest with me and said they just could not handle this type/amount of hair (I used to have a lot of ingrowns that were described by James and Dee as Banana or S-shaped. Today, I don’t have any and my skin is super duper smooth). Even if you have to travel to see your electrologist, do so – I started by traveling halfway across the country, then after my job took me closer, I would just drive for about 3 hours and it was totally worth the time. You want someone who won’t leave you with scars on your body after you’re done - afterall, you’re the one who will be stuck with your face for the rest of your life! It’s great that your electrologist has shown you a picture of someone she has worked on and who has achieved success.
b) Finances. I am happy to see that you’re already thinking down the line. Make sure you have the money to see this through. If you can avoid it, don’t start and stop - go all the way! 
c) Good thing you’re already seeing a doctor.
d) no more tweezing. I saw my tweezers a few days ago - they have rust on them from neglect! 
Please send me a private message if you want more details about my own hair-removal journey.
I will post my after pictures on a separate thread later (as soon as I take pictures that are not grainy) - I just had to respond to your posts.
BTW, I also turned to Hairtell in desperation and I am very happy that this forum exists.
Cheers and Good luck,
OrangeCode
Hair free for almost 2 years now.