michelleandcolten

Looking amazing girl!!!

Personally.... No. You are well taken care of the moment you land (at least with dr. S) and if you need/want more time at the clinic for help you can stay. At the hotel the nurse and dr. come daily and there are other patients coming and going so you are not there "alone". You also get the dr. cell number and can call if anything is concerning. The hotel staff is also great. I arranged with the airport to have wheelchair and attendant support.... So no walking required. I was actually relieved that I went alone as I was able to rest and do things at my pace without feeling guilty. Hope this helps:)

Thank you:) I know the info that I wanted to know ahead of time and I searched for a good 8 months before my ps. We get caught up in preparing and forget after to tell our story of after. I wanted to know what to expect and found alot of not so reassuring posts. Lol. So in saying that my 4 1/2 week post op update: I found that right around 4 weeks things changed and I am up and doing almost everything I was doing before:) I'm moving much better (still slow by dr orders but I'm not a turtle. Lol) I can now fit into all my preop cloths and do have some swelling though. I had 3 stitches that were missed and since they had overgrown my dr had to make tiny little cuts to get them out. (He froze it first, but it didn't hurt at all after it wore off). It still is uncomfortable to cough and sneeze (and laugh hard) with the stomach muscle tightning but it is getting much better!! My only real complaint I have is the acid reflux I still am getting really bad and am assuming that is bc of the stomach tightening. And my only regret.... Not getting my arms done and lipo on my back to get rid of the little bit of bra bulge I still have. Lol

This was my before VGS and after my plastics!!! Love my results pumpkin Protein shake.doc This is my 1yr post VGS and 1 month post op plastics:)

I am scheduled for a lower body lift, inner thigh lift and breast lift with implants on July 26!! I'm super excited..... However am going to be traveling to Mexico for this alone. I'm pretty nervous about it. I had my sleeve done in Mexico but had a travel partner, so it wasn't as nerve racking. Has anyone had procedures done while traveling by themselves? What was your experience, and any suggestions or tips would be great!!

3 week post op.

As I had mentioned in my other thread I had my stitches removed at 2 weeks and at some point in the middle of the night I had the skin pull apart slightly and it was to late to get it restitched or to put steriestrips on. ( so I suggest that you ask your dr to put them on as a precaution).

3 weeks post op am able to put on my bigger size of jeans.

This is 8day post op and 2week post op:) slowly getting smaller. Lol

This was my before and my 10 day post op picture. Swelling going way down:)

Sorry it took me so long to respond.... I know that when I was looking and researching, I wanted to see pics of real people and what it looked like and what to expect. I am one of those people who needs as much info as possible. (I think I googled all my procedures 2-3 times a day for 8 months before I had my surgery) As far as price it really does depend on what you are needing done. Dr. S also will combine procedures which he also gives you a lower cost than paying full price for each one. So as I had researched and talked to multiple drs here in Canada I can say that just for a LBL here would have cost me closer to $20,000 and would not include hospital stay longer than 2-3 days and no hotel....ect. I will say my cost to go to Mexico and with the LBL, BL with BA, small inner thigh lift was around $14,000. (Not exact cost as I pd for some meals and had to pay to change one of my flights). Dr.S also did lipo on my saddle bags at no extra cost. Also included in that cost: ($600 toward flight, hospital stay which includes all medical personnel and room, anesthetic ect. , all medications in and out of the hospital, gauze pads for daily dressing changes at hotel, ointment, antibiotics, 2 sets of compression garments, hotel for 12 days, transportation from the airport to the hotel, and hospital and then back to hotel and airport, daily visit from Dr.S and from "Patty" nurse to help with all your dressing changes. .... Did I mention the hospital has a "chef" that will take your order ( they had 3-6 choices for meals .... like a restaurant ...lol) cook it and actually bring it to you (personally brought it 3 times). I'm sure I'm missing a few things... But there is alot included for the price!!!! I don't regret getting my surgery done in Mexico one bit!!! I have more in depth post about my experiences under the heading "Traveling for PS alone".

I forgot to mention. Be sure to get a wheelchair service with someone able to get you from the security to the plane and then from plane to where ever you need to go. This probably saved me from excruciating pain. Lol as well as once you go to security and you have drains in, they are more apt to believe you and not rush you off for any pat downs. I had one airport question what I had attached to my stomach as I had to go threw the "x ray" type machine and they were very confused to see a tube and ball in my stomach. It wasn't until I showed them the actual drain that they actually were very good about making sure that I had all my belongings and was sitting in the wheelchair as fast as possible. Lol. I also suggest that you stay up on your pain meds if your flights are longer than 2 hrs. As you can become stiff, and you are supposed to get up and walk every hour. Also when you hit turbulence you don't always have time to brace your self and could make you uncomfortable. I also was very glad I decided to bring a small lap blanket as I got cold on the plane, but also used it as a bit of a prop under either side of my hips. Just to change positions (as you can get numb sitting in one spot). I suggest buying ointment for after and not creams or oils. The ointment sticks better, lasts longer and gives more of a protective barrier. I actually bought the same ointment as the one that the dr. Uses so I came home with two tubes. I also bought extra gauze pads. As once your stitches are out, there are spots that may leak/ooze/bleed jut enough to not want it on your garments. Dr.S provides two sets of garments, which is a life saver!!! You will def want two. As you can wash one and wear the other. Make sure that you get up and walk, but do not over do it!! You need to make sure you listen to your dr. If you don't move enough it can cause issues (lungs...which can cause you to cough on top of it being a major medical concern). If you move to much in the first week it can cause alot of drainage and swelling. (Which means your drains could be in longer and could cause seromas if your drains are already out). I have been lucky and not had those issues (minus the not walking soon enough and coughing bc i had phlem) But I did listen to my dr. Once I was up and walking. Have pillows ready once your home. Lol. I use them under my knees and behind my back on the couch, or to prop under my hips just to adjust positions. I use them in bed to prop myself to slightly lay on my sides and not just flat on my back. I also have them under my knees ( I found that laying in bed if I don't have the pillow under my knees then it pulls on my abdominal incision. And it's not very comfortable) I have personally found Alieve a great medication to help with swelling and a pain reliever as not needing any heavy narcotics, but when your feeling any discomfort or swelling. Again having a lanyard (or even a shoe string tied together that you can hang off your neck) as a place to hang your drains during showers, and changing your garments. (You only have two hands and you have multiple drains to hold). Lol. I have been using ice packs when I start feeling achy and now that I'm starting to swell. I also have bought Epsom salts and now that I'm all healed (and approved by my family dr) I had my first bath. He suggested Epsom salt bath for my small opening on my tail bone. And I felt soooo good once I got out. Soaking felt so good, Lol. Hmmmm that is all the suggestions I can think of at this moment. But will add more if I think of them:).

So I am now 3 weeks post op and figured I should probably update the past couple of weeks:) So let me say I'm feeling pretty darn good. Stiff in the mornings and a little surprised on how long recovery really is. (I have had numerous surgeries and usually up and going by week 2.... Mind you they were all very small procedures compared to this). So I flew home 10 days post op, and that was.... Ok. I left the hospital at 3:45am flew to Dallas, had a flight transfer, flew to Vancouver BC, had another flight transfer and flew to my little home town. I got in about 5pm. So by the time I got home I was pretty tired and sore. (I also had to drive myself home.... Which was not as bad as I thought it would be. Just maneuvering into the seat took a few minutes to figure out) I slept the whole next day, and then was feeling fairly good on my second day home. I had to really hold myself back from wanting to do some of my "chores" like washing all my laundry. I have been getting out everyday for a walk of some sort (I usually have to go to a store and pick up things so walk down extra isles just to get the excercise in) I feel sore when I sit or lay down all day. I had half my stitches and last drain out at 2 weeks post op ( stitches in my breasts, my belly button and abdomen) I did have a little issue with one breast that should have had the stitches in a bit longer.... As it must have pulled apart during the night and where it was a "T". By the time I saw it in the morning it had scabbed over and not able to put steriestrips on to "fix it" ................ So I suggest that you ask the dr to put steriestrips on after he takes the stitches out just as a precaution. I also had a little gap at the back (right at the top of my "butt" kind of on my tail bone. It stayed open even at my 3week dr apt, and the dr realized there was a small stitch left in. (So hopefully now it will close up). I had my thigh stitches out and the lipo stitches on the back of my legs (I didn't even know I had them until a few days ago when they poked me in the shower. Lol). The thigh incisions have healed very well, but seem very "ropey" on one side. My dr. Sd that one side may have been more difficult for the PS as the one side had a small superficial vein that bled as soon as the stitches came out, the stitches were closer together which took longer to remove, and that thigh seems to be "tighter" than the other. The other thigh was a piece of cake for the stitches to come out and my dr sd the stitches seemed to be at a more "superficial" level. That is the thigh that has a thicker ropey incision. I had not had any major issues with the "swell hell" everyone talked about until yesterday:/ I had normal swelling, but this was the first time my body/skin felt swollen, tight, and uncomfortable. I had come down with the flu on Thursday as well, and even though I have not been able to "vomit" since I had the sleeve, I was dry heaving ...( and that hurt due to the abdominal tightening ) I know others have talked about not being hungry after surgery partially due to the tightness of stomach tightening and the compression garment. I am still having a hard time eating enough. I find every time I eat I get horrible heart burn and am full within a few bites. (Usually I would be ok with this ...lol.... But I know the importance of needing food for the healing process) I also find foods that I had eaten before are not setting well (yogurt, cheese, meats, Protein drinks) pretty well any Proteins. It just makes me have a uncomfortable stomach ache. ( I know this is not the typical and won't happen to everyone.... It's just me. Lol) I find the compression garment is getting more comfortable and I feel like I will "fall apart" if I'm not wearing it.... Even when it's just in the shower. The only issue I still have is that the "crotch opening" lands right on my thigh incisions.... Which hurts with the swelling I have had. My feeling is starting to come back around all my incisions... Which is a weird feeling. Sometimes it's a tingling, others it can be a piercing/needle like pain. The area that was lipo'd still hurts. It is like a big bruise under the skin ( which makes it uncomfortable to lay on either side). That has defiantly been the most painful part of my recovery. I still get tired easy, and need to lay down and rest after being up and around. I still don't bend over to pick things up ( I have gotten very efficient at using my toes....lol). I also haven't been able to stand straight as my stomach muscles hurt when I'm to straight (and when I cough or sneeze:/) but every day is getting better. I defiantly have had a few days of thinking why in the world did I do this to myself... ( mainly when I feel stuck in the house and feeling lonely, not able to do any thing) but when I look in the mirror, I don't regret it at all:). I will update again soon:)

Oh to address the Mexico comment.... I wouldn't have had my surgery any where else!! The experience is great!! The hospitals are clean!! (Popular belief is that they are dirty and you will get sick) HOWEVER let me assure you this..... When you are paying for your medical procedures with a great dr, then you are going to get clean, hygienic and sterile environments. This is my second surgery in Mexico in the past year and a half (first was my sleeve). And let me say this.... I have had ALOT of surgeries the past few years at home in Canada.,,,, and after each one (even small incisions) I have gotten really bad infections to the point of needing Iv antibiotics...... BUT down here in MEXICO, I have NOT had an infection with my sleeve or now with my plastics!!! And I will attest that with my surgeries the rooms were clean, equipment was clean, staff was great and knew what they were doing. (And they really do care about your health). Follow up by both the doctors down here has superseded the care back home, you are a person down here, ( not a number or a pay check). You are unsafe areas as well. I have walked down to the closest mall by myself a number of times, people are friendly, hotel is clean and safe. Not to mention above all of the extra medical care, hotel stay and the lack of "waiting lists", it is more than affordable. At least 1/2 the cost or less than back home. Plus you get more for your $.

Yes the process is going to take months. I have to note that I had the abdominal tightening done so I am slouched not because of pain, but because that is the way you need to stand to heal properly. I'm 7 days out today and feel FANTASTIC!!!! I have no pain, not tired or drained at all. I was able to have my thigh drains out today, which helps with mobility for sure:) there are changes with my body everyday as the swelling is going down from the top down for me. Lipo does hurt more than the actual incisions (reminds me of the "sting" you get when you get some immunizations or injections ( that sting but of course in a bigger area). As far as the drains, I only had 5, and I was worried it was something I would have a hard time with. But you absolutely get used to them. You learn ways to sit, move and attach them so you don't even notice them.

New belly button ... 1 day post op. Day 4 and Day 6. Swelling all over body and how it slowly shifts to different area. Day 6 able to put clothing on as swelling goes down.

I know I was terrified about not being able to sit.... But you CAN sit. It is uncomfortable but the dr will tell you that you can sit, just don't spread your legs. The only uncomfortable part for me was sitting on the toilet. I want to say that as far as pain it really is not as painful as you might think. You will be sore and uncomfortable, but really "pain" only the first day or two, then it's just twinges and swelling. As far as traveling alone.... Even that was nothing. I did fine, no worries. Once you get to the hotel there are (most of the time) other patients that have traveled alone as well. While I have been here there have been 6 of us and only one that had a travel partner. Sooooo it is new starts and new friendships:) I def worried for nothing!!

I can understand exactly what you are saying. I honestly waffled with it until the morning of surgery. Lol. But in saying that I would def come here a thousand times over. My reasons. DrS is amazing and a perfectionist!! He keeps it real will not do a surgery just bc you want it and puts your health first and foremost!! ( as he explained to me if there was anything concerning AT ALL then he would stop the surgery. (One lady he had not done all her requests bc her blood pressure dropped) he will examine you and if it is not in your best interest he won't do it and will give you other options. (One lady he sd was not a canada the for implants, but he did reconstruct the breast amazingly!!) He is again a perfectionist!! He will not send you away looking horrible. (He actually added lipo to my surgery at no extra cost bc I had such heavy saddle bags he sd the results would not be the best with out it. He is amazing at answering questions and trust me I had ALOT of emails I sent. The cost of course played a role, but it was the after care that had me. You are in the hospital until you are well enough to go to the hotel, then your taken care at the hotel. Nurses and dr come to check in, help you wash and clean your bandages. 24/7 access to the dr with his cell number. The hotel is covered, the meds are covered, the aftercare is covered, Breakfast is covered, it's close to shopping you may need a shuttle is available. It is more than you would ever receive at a hospital in the US or Canada! I also believe that when a dr is in the tourism business they must do amazing work and have little to no complaints as this is their livelihood. If there are issues with care or surgery, word would spread fast and the dr would not be practicing. I know this is crazy long, but I want to comment on the pain... I had the lower body lift, inner thigh lift, outer saddle bag lipo, breast lift and augmentation. Don't get me wrong there is a certain amount of pain that comes with surgery, but the more does not necessarily mean more pain. I'm up and feeling just little twinges. Another lady (bless her soul... Had tummy tuck , anchor cut, long thigh lift, lower body lift, arm lift and breast reconstruction) she has been up and moving as well with little discomfort. Pain really all depends on how you handle it. I don't metabolize pain meds at all so I feel like I go without. But the dr will absolutely try to keep you comfortable enough!! He will not let you suffer in pain!! Lol I know this is a long post, but I wanted to give personal perspective and I'm only 3 days out of surgery. And I feel great!

I am over a year out from the sleeve and my issue is I cannot vomit even when I want or need to! Even having a horrible stomach flu I just can't vomit. The most I have done is dry heave twice. I'm not sure if there is a chance that something was damaged during the surgery or if I'm just an odd case. Lol. I will get severe heart burn and acid reflux in which I still use ant acids almost daily. So I'm thinking the movement of my esophagus or upper stomach has been damaged in some way. ( can't say it's a really bad thing as I always hated and dreaded vomiting) lol.