Finally! Plastics time! Tell me everything!

[KristenVSG2014 1,872]

@@KristenVSG2014 See now that's why I want to go the Mexico route because the Dr said I will have a nurse come to my hotel everyday for the 12 days and get me dressed, change my bandages ect.. Plus he will be coming by also. I worry about the long term after care but I have a primary DR if anything happens I will see her and she will send me where I need to go. Insurance should cover that kind of thing. If I need a in state plastic surgeon then I have on of those too I can see. It's a toss up.

Yes, I really liked the 12 day aftercare but people had incisions opening up up to 3 months post op or developing seromas that needed to be drained later and while my PCP is great I don't think he would remove my hundreds of stitches for me. I still submitted a consult with Dr. Laura Carmina Cardenas in Tijuana so I have my bases covered but I'm not 100% comfortable with Mexico. I love her results. It's the lack of in-person follow ups I'm worried about.

Your stitches aren't removed. Nearly all of your stitches will be subdermal and disolve on their own. You may spit a couple, but you can just pull them out with tweezers. The only stiches I had that needed to be removed were in my belly button, at my drain sites, and where the Lipo wand had been inserted. It was a total of maybe 12 stitches? And Dra. Cardenas removed them before I flew home.

Thanks for the info! I guess each surgeon is different. I was reading of some having to find another PS here to remove all their stitches and didn't feel comfortable with that. I can't wait to have my consults so I can get a better feel for what is best for me.

Are you still thinking about going back to get your legs done?

[JamieLogical 8,727]

@@KristenVSG2014 See now that's why I want to go the Mexico route because the Dr said I will have a nurse come to my hotel everyday for the 12 days and get me dressed, change my bandages ect.. Plus he will be coming by also. I worry about the long term after care but I have a primary DR if anything happens I will see her and she will send me where I need to go. Insurance should cover that kind of thing. If I need a in state plastic surgeon then I have on of those too I can see. It's a toss up.

Yes, I really liked the 12 day aftercare but people had incisions opening up up to 3 months post op or developing seromas that needed to be drained later and while my PCP is great I don't think he would remove my hundreds of stitches for me. I still submitted a consult with Dr. Laura Carmina Cardenas in Tijuana so I have my bases covered but I'm not 100% comfortable with Mexico. I love her results. It's the lack of in-person follow ups I'm worried about.

Your stitches aren't removed. Nearly all of your stitches will be subdermal and disolve on their own. You may spit a couple, but you can just pull them out with tweezers. The only stiches I had that needed to be removed were in my belly button, at my drain sites, and where the Lipo wand had been inserted. It was a total of maybe 12 stitches? And Dra. Cardenas removed them before I flew home.

Thanks for the info! I guess each surgeon is different. I was reading of some having to find another PS here to remove all their stitches and didn't feel comfortable with that. I can't wait to have my consults so I can get a better feel for what is best for me.

Are you still thinking about going back to get your legs done?

Yep! I sent photos to Fatimeh on Friday night. She said Dra. Cardenas is super busy right now so she's a little backlogged on consults, since she is very paticular and likes to take the time to carefully the photos and all the medical history. So I suspect it will be a couple more days before I hear back from Dra. Cardenas herself. Can't wait though! I had a long talk with my husband over the weekend about financing, scheduling, and recovery, so now we just need the results of the consult before making more concrete plans.

[Queen of Crop 1,104]

Hi everyone...I'm back from my abdominoplasty (is this also the name for a TT?). I guess I should know this. Anyway, after hearing so many stories about how painful it is and dreading the worst, I am hear to tell you that I am home after 3 days and doing extraordinarily well. I have had little or no pain, was treated very well (had it done in Amsterdam) and so far am very happy with the results, especially the fact that my labia is so lifted and not a flabby mess any more. I had to come home with the drains and will have them in until Monday but other than that, I feel great! Finally at age 62, for the first time in my life, I won't have a hanging tummy...wow.

[JamieLogical 8,727]

Hi everyone...I'm back from my abdominoplasty (is this also the name for a TT?). I guess I should know this. Anyway, after hearing so many stories about how painful it is and dreading the worst, I am hear to tell you that I am home after 3 days and doing extraordinarily well. I have had little or no pain, was treated very well (had it done in Amsterdam) and so far am very happy with the results, especially the fact that my labia is so lifted and not a flabby mess any more. I had to come home with the drains and will have them in until Monday but other than that, I feel great! Finally at age 62, for the first time in my life, I won't have a hanging tummy...wow.

Yes, abdominoplasty is the medical term for "tummy tuck". It's awesome that you are feeling so great! Did you also have muscle repair?

[Elode 8,093]

@@Queen of Crop Yay! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you! Take it easy.

[KristenVSG2014 1,872]

My first consultation is scheduled for Monday at 3:00!!!! ???? I'm so excited and nervous.

[JamieLogical 8,727]

My first consultation is scheduled for Monday at 3:00!!!! I'm so excited and nervous.

You will have to let us know how it goes!

[Queen of Crop 1,104]

Thanks...no muscle repair; my dr. was very happy with that situation, so maybe that's why I'm having such an easy time with this. First time in my life any one said they were happy with my muscles! Probably from holding my stomach in for 62 years!

[JamieLogical 8,727]

Thanks...no muscle repair; my dr. was very happy with that situation, so maybe that's why I'm having such an easy time with this. First time in my life any one said they were happy with my muscles! Probably from holding my stomach in for 62 years!

Ah, that explains why your pain free then! The muscle repair is the KILLER.

[ausmith 374]

@@deedadumble Thank you! This was really informative. I sent him the pictures he requested yesterday so now I'm waiting for his response with cost. Does he make you stay the whole 13 days? My husband will have vacation but it will only be for 9 days. I REALLY don't want to go alone since I've never even been to Mexico. I wish I had someone to go with if he couldn't. I guess I could go alone but that scares the crap out of me. I'm off right now and only working a few days a month so I have plenty of recovery time. Did you wake up during surgery? I've heard of people waking up, not feeling anything but woke up. Also freaks me out! How do I get to where all his pictures are? I can't find it. You look wonderful!

You're welcome!

The board is at http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/Dr_Sauceda_Patients/discussion/

The time you stay is going to depend on your procedures. I had two surgeries (body and face) so I needed to stay the whole time. Ask Dr S if 9 days will be enough for what you're having done. The biggest issue is making sure you're ready for the trip home. It's exhausting.

I went alone, but I had my sleeve done in Mexico so I was ok with it. I also met two people on the Facebook group having surgery at the same time.

Yes, I woke up a few times but the epidural was in and didn't feel anything. I remember asking are you done yet and instantly was back asleep. It was not stressful at all. Dr. S's wife is the anesthesiologist and she monitors you the whole time. They do most surgery in Mexico with twilight because it has fewer side effects. Wish they would in the US.

Thanks so much, I feel great!

Here's my before wls pic: ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1454711471.693267.jpg

I know you have said get in contact with him for a quote but I am curious as to what you paid. From your pictures he has done a great job

[Queen of Crop 1,104]

@deedumble...can you point me to the FB page you're talking about? I just started my FB page (just one for bariatric support only) and only have one friend at this point! I have over 500 on my personal page but I want to keep them separate. So if anyone wants to be my FB friend (PUHLEAASE??) please friend me at https://www.facebook.com/queenofcrop or just look for Zoe Belle I really like the Before and After photos and find FB so much easier than here...speaking of which deedumble, do you have After photos???

[Elode 8,093]

This has been a headache! I finally booked an appointment with a surgeon here for the 25th. I want someone close in case anything happens. Unless I change my mind so far I'm going with this.

[KristenVSG2014 1,872]

I had my consultation with the plastic surgeon today. The first thing Dr. Weiss said after I told him I've lost 130 lbs. is, "Well you look great!" And I laughed and said, "Well yeah, with my clothes on!" He asked what my biggest concerns were and I told him stomach, boobs and side boobs (that bit that spills over the top sides of my bra).

After I got undressed he was impressed with the amount of excess skin I had. It was funny sitting there and him gathering and poking to see how much is skin. The good news is he said I can get away with an extended Tummy Tuck, I won't need a body lift (whew!). He said he should be able to remove nearly all of the loose skin, including my stretch marks on my stomach. He showed me where he would cut and I could not believe how high up he would be able to go. He said I should end up with a nearly flat stomach and he and his assistant said I have a very nice body shape/build because I'm a natural hourglass and under my loose skin is a small waist so I will avoid looking boxy like most tummy tuck patients. ????

He said there is quite a bit of loose skin in the breasts and showed me where the nipple should go. Again, I was surprised. We are talking about six inches or so. He also said I really REALLY need implants because I have zero upper breast. I'm basically pectoral muscles and then breasts below that. He wants to remove all the loose skin, some of my existing breast tissue and then put implants at the top where I'm completely lacking anything. Without them I can get a lift but will end up with the man boob look I'm dreading so much. Right now I'm a 36DDD and I told him I'd like to end up a 34DD. He also said he can easily fix the side boob issue with expanding the lower incision line.

I asked him about my back rolls and he said they are all loose skin. He basically said there is nothing to Lipo. I'm just skin! Which blows my mind because I still feel so fat when I look in the mirror. But he said that could be fixed later down the road if I decide to do any other surgeries.

He said there is an increased bleeding risk when there has been extreme weight loss which is defined as losing more than 60 lbs. However, he has never had to give anyone a transfusion and he is very confident I will have no issues since I've never smoked and my skin is in great condition. He does want me to have a CBC done to make sure I haven't developed anemia from bariatric surgery.

He said I could probably return to work after a few weeks if I'm sitting but I still plan on taking at least three, if not four. I can begin light cardio like walking after four weeks but no high impact exercise or lifting for many months. Also, no resistance exercise for many months although I can use my own body weight.

It will cost $8,150 for tummy tuck only or $15,310 for tummy tuck and breasts. He offered to repair the side boobs for free. The cost includes all post-op care and if I'm not happy with my results he will do a free revision. He said, "If you're not happy with the results, I'm not going to be happy with the results."

Now on to the mental/psychological part of this. I had a bit of a meltdown on the ride home. Part of it was because I made the mistake of listening to "Reflection" on the way home and started bawling. "Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me? When will my reflection show who I am inside?" ???? So I did a lot of thinking. On one hand, I feel selfish for spending $15,000 on myself. I don't feel like I deserve it. I don't know why I feel that way. I also don't know why I feel so weird about implants. I've always had very large breasts. But I've always kind of thought of women who got implants as phonies trying to be something they aren't. Just accept your natural body! But now I'm trying to replace what I've always had. And now I'm becoming more understanding towards those who want/need plastic surgery. On the other hand, when I see myself in the mirror I can see my potential but I feel like I'll never feel complete until this excess skin is gone. I really want to finish my marathon and get the medal at the end, my new body.

[kjwrn 129]

Oh, ask if they use epidural analgesia for pain control. I think that's what it's called. I had it after my sleeve. It was a thin line inserted into my abdomen hooked to a bulb of pain medicine that slowly provided pain medication over approximately a week. It worked very well. Once it was empty I just pulled it out (you don't feel it). I remember wishing they had that when I had my Tummy Tuck. It would have helped so much.

I think this is called. Q-ball, but I do know it is not an epidural, just incase anyone is wanting to ask their doc for it!

[Rdsegobia 121]

@@JamieLogical Yes, give it to me! Do I have to fly there for a consultation? Would I have to stay a whole two weeks?

I was able to do my full consultations by submitting photos and email/phone calls. She was very specific about the photos, having me take specific angles and positions, which my husband helped me with.

If you have all that work done at once, I think she would really advise you stay the full two weeks (I was VERY glad I did). Travel too soon post-op would be hard and you'd have to make sure you had someone in the states to pull your drains for you if you left any sooner than that. Being in the recovery house for the two full weeks was a huge blessing to me. I didn't have to worry about anything other than recovery, I had all the resources and care I needed, and my surgeon came to check on me every single day.

My surgeon was Dra. Laura Carmina Cardenas and I stayed at the Beauty Care Recovery House.

@@JamieLogical I'm so happy I saw this. I'm still very far from plastic surgery, but I had been thinking to ask you which Doctor you had used for plastics. Results are amazing, for sure I will save this info for the near future.