J.Cross

I wanted to post this for those of you going abroad for reconstructive surgery. I know all to well about needing the skin removed and wanting to feel normal again. But I am putting this out there, when you go abroad "as I did", you have no one here for post operative care. It is very important to at least line up a PS to go to afterwards. Trying to remove stitches and trying to wing it on your own...it is crazy. Then also remember the pain meds abroad are almost nonexistent! I was given tramadol for pain, it's like taking alieve for a Migraine...it just doesn't touch the pain. Then there are other actors like seromas that you are not aware of. This is when the body forms a sort of blister when it is trying to protect you. It can be small or it can be very large. Mine was very large, I ended up going to the hospital and sent home, then sent to another Plastic Surgeon who basically took pics of me and and asked me questions about my experience, Then sent me home. I should've had drains put in, but I was so embarrassed I waited it out. Little did I know that the seromas could turn into bursa which is scar tissue, that may cause serious complications. Please, I am not telling you to not have the surgery. I am saying be proactive and contact a surgeon near home and see if they will take you on as an aftercare patient. If I had been told this I would've saved myself a lot of pain.

Sweet pea! you look great, and I'm glad you were able to get that kind of service.

I really don't think there is a time limit on seroma's. But you are at risk early on post op. I followed the rules of my doctor, no trying to be super woman or early sex. You just need to make sure that you get a good post op PS or PCP that will work with you. Don't assume your PCP will take care of you. Mine was none to happy about me going abroad and sent me to the hospital.

I just wanted to know if anyone on the forum has used Dr.Yanez in Tiajuana? If so how did Your surgery go are you pleased with the results? If you have before and Afters can you share Them with me. I am ready to do the reconstruction phase, and I want to gather as much information as I can. Thanks ahead of time for your help.

I had my surgery on Friday, I am doing fine. Can't wait to get home!

Had my mommy makeover and the heartburn is awful. Wish I would've read this post I would've brought some tums.

Thank You for sharing that information with me! I am trying to think of everything I might need when I go and when I come back. The flight is a long flight for me because I live on the East Coast. Were there things you took that you wish you hadn't. Also was there anything you wish you would've taken and didn't? The closer I get I keep wondering if I should pack early then go over everything right before leaving.

Wow you look amazing! I am scheduled for my surgery on The 30th in Mexico. I am excited to move on to the next chapter, but not looking forward to the pain!! I keep hearing how you can't stand straight and are hunched over for weeks and you are standing tall! Congrats to you!!

It depends where you go, several hospitals do financing. I am paying upfront.

Thank you Sweetpee! I am having a TT breast lift, Brazilian butt lift and Lipo. I just decided this evening to go to a different doctor. Dr.Juan Luque. I had my flight booked and everything with Dr Yanez and I changed my mind this evening. How are you doing? What did you have completed? How long was it before you felt ok? I have many questions...I could go on and on. I am not afraid of Mexico I am afraid of the pain!!

Scheduled my flight for Nov 29th, let's get the show on the road! Ready to get on with the next chapter of my life!

I started my journey at 279 lbs. on 12/05/2012, I am 5'6 3/4" tall, I was a size 22/24 depending on the clothes, I wore a 3XL shirt and sometimes they were to small. I am currently 173 in a size 11/12 pants and a med to lg blouse. I still have about 20 lbs to goal weight, but I do believe that this is mostly excess skin. Looking to have TT and breast lift soon. I need a full body lift but can't afford to do it all at once. I heard many stories of inexpensive surgeries abroad, I am currently looking into all of them. I had my sleeve in Tijuana with Dr.Almanza and I was pleased with his work. I wouldn't change a thing except doing it sooner!

I am not sure what your experiencing, but I never had any leg ailments with exception of my body holding water right after surgery several days. I would get into see a doctor and let them figure out the cause.

I had my VSG in Tijuana and wondered what the cost was for he Mommy makeover?

I was trying to do " From the couch to 5k in 90 days"... The second week into it I planted to run and had this searing pain in my knee. I made an appt. with my doctor and she sent me straight to the Othopedic Dr. I thought for sure I had torn my minuscus in my knee. They did an MRI and it came back that I have OsteoArthritis throughout my body. The Dr. Looked at me and said that " if I didn't lose weight, my knee would have to be replaced within a year, then a year after that the other would have to be replaced, from babying the replaced one. He said for every lb. I lost it would take 5 lbs. of pressure off of my knees." I came home and cried, but I realized that " I had to do something drastic!" So I started searching, and found out about wls in Mexico. I set my appt. and the rest is history! I do not regret it one minute...I only wish I would've done it sooner.

Slimforme, Boy you have a lot going on! Just because we had surgery doesn't exempt us from the struggles in life that effect weight loss. Are you getting a good nights sleep? Was it your idea to end the relationship? Family and friends fighting addiction is very stressfull. Thank God they are getting help they need. Bottom line is refocus what are you doing differently? Are you grazing? When you stop a refocus you will be able to answer the questions I have asked and "need no response to". I posed the questions for you. When we step back and are honest with ourselves we can see what we are doing that is destructful in our lives. When we figure out what we can answer why! You know what your doing if you sit down and write it down, you'll understand why. Maybe subconsciously your sabotaging yourself. Do you believe your worthy of feeling healthy and looking healthy? If you answered yes then stop and take the time, to ask yourself why you are doing what your doing. You are the one that has to answer the questions. Hope this helps...you can also go to Pinterest and put in gastric sleeve and you will come up with 1000's of ideas for recipes and exercise and pitfalls. Praying you feel better about yourself soon!

Katie, I do the same thing! I look in the mirror and still see the same Cherie! Then 10 people say something to me about how much thinner I am...I just see me!

I am hanging in there more inches than pounds coming off. I am about 30 to 40 lbs away from goal weight. I can't decide if I should be at 135 or 145. Doc said 145 for my height and frame. I weighed 127 to 135 before gaining all the weight. I maintained that weight from the time I was 15 to 30. Not sure where I will land ...just can't wait to hit shore!

Whoooo Hooooo I feel like the ill engine...I think I can I think I can.....I stalled for about 6 weeks and finally lost 4 lbs. I am plugging away and hope to be at the 180 mark soon. I guess I will have to reconfigure the 150 date. But I am the incredible shrinking woman! I guess I'll take the slow as you go approach! I am down from a size 22/24 to a size 14. I feel better than I have in years as far as the energy level is concerned.

I am down 102 and counting! Sleeved Dec. 5th 2012 I have dropped down from a size 22 to a 14. No regrets!

I hit my 6 month mark...and also my 100 lbs down mark! I have noticed in the last week that I was able to keep things down more easily. I remind myself that That I could end up back there if I am not careful. I love my sleeve and am grateful for my second chance!