Sweet Pee

RealSelf.com may be helpful. The site provides reviews of doctors and before and after pictures. I hope this helps.

I think this thread was asking how us Vets continue to be sucessful. I am happy I am not pre sleeve or even in my first 6 months of being sleeved, so I know I will not get in trouble weighing myself or drive my self nuts. Smile!!!! I like to see what is happening to my body before there are any changes in the mirror or a change in the way my clothes fit. For me if I waited that long, that would be a 10lbs or more weight gain. The scale is on the top of my list, because being a woman, my weight fluctuates through out the month. It helps me to know what is going on with my body. I also have a husband and kids that do not eat the same way that I do. Sometimes, Mr Sweetpee brings home some really wonderful delectable food for the entire family. I even cook our favorite meals on special occasions which can cause weight gain. And for me, and being a woman, weight is so much harder to get off. So when I notice I have gained 2lbs, or 5lbs, I know I better do something about it quickly, (work harder at the gym) and this is where weighing myself everyday comes in. I do not eat the right portion sizes and the right foods 100 percent of the times. I have to be balanced or I would drive my family crazy. Let me explain: 90 percent of the time, all I eat are vegetables, fruits, nuts, and Beans. I eat organic! I am extremely particular about what I eat. I could go on and on about my obsession with organic and Non GMO, and so on. I drive 1 hour just to get soy free organic eggs every week. However, then there are other times I like to have a hamburger and french fries and enjoy a fast food meal while on a road trip with my family. But in the back of my mind, I am thinking that the hormone injected beef and the chemical pesticide lettuce and tomatoes, and the heart stoping oil soaked salty fries are going to kill me. Then I say - "Oh Well, it's been a whole year since I ate a burger!" I eat it and enjoy it!!!., And yes I do enjoy it!!!! I enjoy it a lot , because those are very rare occasions that I will allow my self to do it. Also the holiday food. (Thanksgiving and Christmas) Those are once a year times where I have a party in my mouth, but I am a vet, and I know how to enjoy those occasions, then get right back on track. I weight my self and say, OMG, 3lbs, did I really eat that much! I am a vet, so I know how to enjoy those things and get back on track. What helps me quickly force myself to do what I am suppose to do? My scale: I love my scale! Also after plastic surgery, I could not exercise the way I wanted to. Most of the time I could not exercise at all. I had to take it very slow, and very easy. It has been so hard getting back into physical shape post surgery. Since I could not exercise regularly, I had to stay on the scale, eat right, and monitor myself even closer so as not to gain weight. This has also been a cold winter and I admit, there has been some lazy none exercise days, when I curl up under the covers and watch TV. The scale has helped me through those times after surgery to maintain my weight. My scale motivates me in a positive way. I no longer see 270lbs on my scale. Today my scale told me I weigh 136lbs. I am still smiling about that!!! It is my tool that I use to gauge myself. My scale: I love my scale! Happy Happy Happy Vet! Sweetpee

Healing takes time, and I know for me, it took me longer than most, because I am a slow healer. But I finally got there and you will too. Just take this time to relax, put your feet up and enjoy doing as less as possible. Smile!!!

I am feeling great! My body is no longer sore, but it took me 8 months to get to this point. I know, that is a long time, but in the beginning I took it very slow, and stayed in bed as much as possible. It is the worst, knowing you have a million things to do, but can't. Smile.

I could have sworn I answered you back. It probably did not go through. Anyway, I am great!! How are you? I know this is the hardest part of recovery. It can be a trial mentally too, but you are sounding great. Keep up the good work! How are you feeling now? Healing ok? Keep it slow, Sweetpee

Wow, you look Great! I plan on having my thighs and arms done in the next few months with the same doctor that did my lower body lift, breast lift (no implants) and butt lift. I went to Dr Victor Gutierrez. Here are my before and after pictures. http://www.bariatricpal.com/gallery/member/116222-sweetpee/

Weigh everyday. Regular exercise. Eat greens, fruits, beans, and nuts. If I get off track, I juice fruits and vegtables for a few days until I start to crave to eat vegetables again.

Take it slow :-)

Hi J.Cross, Thanks for the compliment. I believe everyone deserves to be treated with the best of care, althought we know that does not happen all the time. I sincerely hope things are improving for you. Hang in there and please keep us updated with your progress. Take care, Sweetpee

Post operative care after major plastic surgery is something that must be considered before going abroad. However, many people that live in the USA also travel many hours away from their home or across several states to have plastic surgery. People in New York may choose to go to LA. Some one in LA may decide to go to Miami. I live in Texas and decided to go to Tijuana, Mexico to Dr Victor Gutierrez. I advocate doing a lot of research before going to any plastic surgeon, weather it is close to home or far away. I knew my primary care physician would willingly care for me after my plastic surgery. He told me if I had any problems, he would do any thing he could to help. The local plastic surgery office said they would only see me if they got permission from my plastic surgeon in writing. They also stated he had to be Board Certified. Since my plastic surgeon is Board Certified, I knew it would not be a problem if I ever had to go to my local plastic surgery clinic. All of this information must be gathered before surgery. If you find that a doctor is uncooperative, maybe research going to another doctor that will be willing to see you after your surgery if that is an option. Clear communication if vital. I went to a local general surgeon to have my sutures removes, and he's did not charge me any money. It took him 3 seconds. When I chose Tijuana, I knew there might be complications. But, from my point a view, Dallas to San Diego is only 2.5 hours flight. I could get a cheap ticket and fly back if I ever had a real medical emergency problem that was non life threatening. I knew I would much rather see my own plastic surgeon than any other doctor. Then there is also FaceTime or Skype. I took pictures and emailed my plastic surgeon and was able to get wonderful medical attention and advice that I needed.

Hi, RealSelf.com may help you in your search for a good plastic surgeon in your area. When I typed in your city name in the search field, a list of reviews from various people about their procedures and doctors came up. I do not know if this will help you but it may be worth a shot. :-) http://www.realself.com/search/results?gsc.q=Temecula

Thank you!!! I searched for a long time to find this plastic surgeon. It is in my fascinating story to get to where I am now. http://www.bariatricpal.com/index.php?app=core&module=usercp&tab=surgeons&area=story

I love to share information about plastic surgery, however the best way to get accurate information about pricing about procedures, I would advise contacting The plastic surgery office directly. They are very nice and contact information can be found on the web site. I hope this helps. Smile http://www.dr-victorgutierrez.com

You sound like you are doing very well. I do not remember being that thirsty, but always listen to your body. It knows best. Thanks for keeping us updated.

RealSelf is an excellent site for informative plastic surgery education and advice. I use this site regularly.

I had a breast lift without implants, a lower body lift and a butt lift. I am very please and happy with my results.

That is a tricky question. Smile The reason I say that is because some of my skin that was taken off durning my lower body lift was used for my butt lift to give me more volume. I was 142lbs before surgery. 3 weeks after surgery, I was 131lbs. That was due to not having a big appetite, a tiny tummy from my WLS and the compression garment. Also a lot of my swelling went down as well. Durning that early recovery period, I was trying to eat as much as possible which helps the body to heal, and is not the time to be loosing weight, but I know I lost a pound or two. My before and after pictures shows I had quite a bit of skin that was removed. http://www.bariatricpal.com/gallery/member/116222-sweetpee/

Good to hear you are doing good. Move as slow as possible. Take care!

Glad to hear you are doing well!!!

I had plastic surgery in Tijuana, Mexico and had fantastic results. There are so many plastic surgeons in Tijuana, one must do a lot if research before making a final decision. It is good that you are asking about this place, because you always want to get positive reviews, and results of before and after pictures of the doctors work. After tons of research I chose Dr Victor Gutierrez. You have some doctors there that only care about a quick dollar, but others really take time with their patients and really care deeply about their patients results. That is the kind of doctor I had. I wish you tremendous success in your search. Smile.

Also, ask about revisions. If something does not meet your expectations after surgery, ask if they will do whatever Is necessary to fix the problem. Some plastic surgeons also offer scar revision. Ask if this is included once you are healed. All went well with my surgery, but it felt good knowing these provisions were offered to me my my plastic surgeons. There are many plastic surgeons that offer this as well.

Welcome to the plastic surgery elite club! Smile!!! I would recommend asking if they have experience in doing tummy tucks in men after weight loss. Also look at their men before and after pictures. I had a excellent PS experience and I hope you will too. I am sure you have a six pack under there, and it will definitely show up after your surgery. Take care

You will have a new body when you wake up. I am so excited for you!! Everything will go Great!!

Hi Susie, The lower body lift will only tighten your outer thighs. Unfortunately, the LBL will not help your inner thighs. I have had a LBL so now my next plastic surgery will be my arms and thighs. I only need a small lift. I want my legs and arms to match the rest of my body. You are having fat transfer to your breast? It is amazing what plastic surgeons can do!

I plan on getting my arms done in about 4 months. I always hear that the scars heal very well, but I am still apprehensive. I know my scars from my breast lift surgery recently are practically none existent. I hope the arm scars heal the same way.