MarinaGirl

I’m having plastic surgery in Feb 2020 with Dr Francisco Sauceda in Monterrey, MX. He is very highly regarded and has great aftercare, both in the hospital and at a nearby Hampton Inn by Hilton hotel, where he comes by everyday as does his amazing nurse, who helps with wound care, showers, et al.

Long term and consistent use of Retin-A/Tretinoin and sunscreen make a big difference; they’re the only evidence-based anti-aging products; everything else are unregulated cosmeceuticals so manufacturers can make whatever claims they want to about them, whether true or not. You must wear sunscreen EVERYDAY, re-apply throughout the day; and utilize wide brimmed hats, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing to lessen photo-aging caused by UV rays and visible light. Fraxel lasers and Thermage can help to stimulate collagen production and minimize fine lines & wrinkles. My derm also recommends consuming collagen peptides (e.g. Vital Protein which I purchase at Costco and put in my coffee & smoothies), especially pre & post treatment(s). P.S. If you don’t have access to Tretinoin, which requires a prescription in the U.S. (and can be expensive without insurance coverage), you can use an OTC retinoid medication, Adapalene, which is available in a couple of drugstore products and is typically less than $20. Recent studies show it is also effective for anti-aging and not just acne control. - Differin Adapalene Gel - La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel

Mexicali Bariatric Center is the only place I’d consider for revision surgery (VSG to RNY). Good luck! http://www.mexicalibariatric.com/

Dr Ara Keshishian in Pasadena, CA. He also removed a defective (recalled by the FDA) LINX Reflux Management System device that was implanted around my esophagus in March 2015, 2 years before my MGB. The LINX device only helped with acid reflux for the first year I had it. So I had MGB surgery in 2017 in the hope that it would resolve reflux long term, along with losing weight.

Thanks for the great info! Good luck with your revision surgery! 😊 FYI - I had a LINX Reflux Management device implanted in March 2015, so a couple of years before MGB surgery (April 2017); it helped for 18 months and then acid reflux returned in Oct 2016. As part of my July 2018 abdominal surgery to resolve bile reflux, I also had the LINX device removed since it wasn’t useful and even more importantly, because the one I had was recalled by the FDA in April 2018. I have a family history of esophageal cancer so minimizing/eliminating GERD is paramount to my long term health. Thankfully, I’m doing very well now. 👏

Dr Francisco Sauceda in Monterrey, MX is highly regarded on realself and in the WLS community for post-bariatric plastic surgery. After his patients are discharged from the hospital, they recover at the Hampton Inn hotel and his amazing nurse Paty visits you everyday; she helps you shower, checks your incisions, and replaces the bandages. Dr S also visits you at the hotel daily. As far as food, there’s options at the hotel, an HEB supermarket nearby, a number of restaurants, and you can order from Uber Eats. There’s a shopping mall, food court, and movie theater nearby too. 12 days at the hotel and up to $600 towards your airline ticket are included as part of your quote, as well as all post-op visits (MD & RN).

I had MGB in TJ in April 2017 and it resolved my acid reflux, which was very severe pre-op. Life was great, lost a lot of weight, but 10 months post-bypass I developed bile reflux. I knew it was this because I would throw up greenish-yellow liquid, and then it was confirmed via EGD, along with Barrett’s Esophagus. My gastroenterologist and PCP were unfamiliar with bile reflux and did not know how to treat it, no medicines they recommended helped, but I found a great out-of-state bariatric surgeon (who also specializes in complex revisions) who was able to treat me. In July 2018, he repaired a hiatal hernia and performed a Nissen Fundoplication on me and since then I’ve had zero acid or bile reflux issues, which have been confirmed via EGD (2 of them post-op). He considered revising me to RNY but during surgery he was able to do some magic so that I didn’t need that extra procedure. And as the final step in my weight loss journey, I’m scheduled for plastic surgery in mid-Feb 2020.

I’m having plastic surgery with Dr. Sauceda in mid-Feb 2020. What surgery did you have done with him and when, and how do your scars look today? Are they jagged, thick, good belly button, etc? And what kind of stuff do you think I should bring with me; what’s essential for recovery at the Hampton Inn? And your profile says you’re having a revision from MGB to RNY in less than 2 weeks. Do you mind sharing why and who is going to do the surgery? I had an MGB in TJ in April 2017; acid reflux was improved but then I developed bile reflux, so in July 2018 I had a hernia repair and Nissen Fundoplication (in the U.S.) and I am doing great now; no more reflux of either kind.

Reminder to all (not sillykitty): Please check with your surgeon on when it is appropriate to start massaging your scar as starting it too soon can lead to thicker scars. Per the following journal article on Postsurgical Scar Management: “Following the initial 2- to 3-week period of healing, the scar has built enough tensile strength to allow for the initiation of scar massage, which is an effective and cost efficient technique for scar management. It is important to note that scar massage should not be started until the wound has closed completely. Scar massage needs to be performed carefully so as not to cause any additional trauma to the closed incision.”

I’m almost 3 years post-gastric bypass and am scheduled for a lower body lift (no lipo) and brachioplasty in mid Feb 2020. I’m low BMI but my wrinkled stomach & lower butt cheeks, ugly belly button, and bat wings still really bother me. Another reason I’ve decided to go forward with PS is studies have shown body contouring post-WLS can help people keep the weight off. Perhaps it is because when you’re happier with your body that can serve as a motivation to eat healthier, thus minimizing regain. Body Contouring Improves Long-Term Weight Control After Gastric Bypass https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/body-contouring-improves-long-term-weight-control-after-gastric-bypass

I’ve heard great things about Skinuva Scar Cream; many plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills recommend it.

I’ve read really good things about Skinuva Scar cream, which plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills are recommending to their post-op patients.

My wrinkles on my face and neck are much less noticeable almost 3 years post-gastric bypass due to applying & re-applying sunscreen EVERYDAY, using Tretinoin, putting Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides (bought at Costco) in my coffee every morning after my derm recommended it, and Fraxel laser resurfacing. All of these things help build and/or prevent loss of collagen, and improve fine lines, wrinkles, skin tone and laxity. I look so much younger now based on reactions from people who haven’t seen me in awhile. If you’re thinking of getting Thermage or laser treatments, please make sure to do so with a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon to ensure your money is well spent and to minimize post-procedure issues/complications. Good luck with your anti-aging journey after WLS. 😀

I sent a selfie I took a few days ago to a friend from college that I haven’t seen in 20+ years. (I will be seeing her in person this weekend and wanted to make sure she would recognize me.) She says I still look the same and so didn’t need to see a current pic. That made me feel wonderful. I was slim in college and am a little lighter now. Life is good!

The other thing that initially impacts post-op weight loss is all the fluid that was pumped into your abdominal cavity during laparoscopic surgery, and if you were on an IV during your hospital stay. It will take time to lose the weight caused by this fluid. Be patient. It is usually recommended that you don’t weigh yourself the first month so fluctuations and stalls don’t mess with your head. Good luck. Your experience is very normal. Just follow your surgeon’s plan and you should be fine.