Sweet Pee

Last night I watched the show Extreme Weight Loss, and was happy to see that they again included the removal of excess skin as part of the process of this mans journey to the new him. I mentioned it on a WLS site, which started a vocal dialog of people wanting to complete their journey but feeling they couldn't due to restrictions placed on them because of the government or their insurance company. I was surprised, how many people feel stuck in their old skin due to not having insurance. Maybe I didn't feel stuck due to insurance woes since I haven't had any support from insurance along the way, as I was a self pay for my RNY years ago... This got me thinking how much are we worth? I ask this because it took me several years to feel worth spending the money. If insurance would have covered it, I am sure I would have done it sooner, but since I had to pay (my family) it was a whole different story. We don't have extra cash sitting around the house so this was money that could have gone to fixing up the house or buying a new car...All sorts of important uses, then it hit me, if I were to buy a car, it would most likely last 7 years and then we would be in need of replacing it, well if that money went towards me I am planning on lasting more than 7 years! Do I value a car more than myself? No... There are ways to have the surgery without breaking the bank. I know one lady that had all of her surgeries at a Teaching Hospital in NYC for a fraction of the normal cost. I went to Mexico, just 5 miles south of the border in San Diego, which was so simple, I felt safe and close to home and paid about 1/3 of the costs back home. Also there is a company called Credit Care, which finances plastic surgery.... So I urge you, if you want and need plastic surgery to complete your journey please don't give up but do some investigating I am sure you will find a way...You are worth it, you have come so far.....

I was taught many of these same concepts and applied them in my gym workouts. I am happy to say lifting very heavy weights, alternating upper and lower body and doing cardio such as swimming and jogging, I have had excellent results and can now see them after my plastic surgery. Good advice on the abs. I was wondering why my waist line was expanding. No more heavy weight in that area for me. Plus upping my Protein. I will be happy to be able to go back to the gym.

I am a very real person, I promise you. Smile
I always write Dr Victor Gutierrez name out. Sorry for not sounding authentic. It is just the way that I write. Just dry and methodical, plus I have another language flowing through my head. Not good when trying to write English, which is my native language. I always tend to be a little too anal about my writing.

Here is the contact information:
http://www.dr-victorgutierrez.com
http://www.realself.com/find/Mexico/Plastic-Surgeon/Victor-Gutierrez
Telephone number: 619-564-4059

You look so great!!! You are two months ahead of me...Dr Victor Gutierrez did my lower body lift and thigh lift on 5/13/2014 I was all set to go with a different surgeon in Mexico until I saw the incredible work that Doctor G. does. I was so afraid of having a scar that made me look as if I had been simply sawed in half and so many of the pictures I had seen of peoples LBL's looked like that, so when I saw the beautiful work that Dr G, does I made the change...And I could not be happier....smartest move I ever made!!!

Looking good girl!!!!

230 June 6, 2012 and today July 6th, 2014 after plastics. Loving my world:)

You have a Killer Body!!!! So happy for you, and so very thankful that you turned me on to my new best friend....My most amazing Plastic Surgeon,
Dr Victor Gutierrez, other wise known as the miracle worker....So glad you posted all the info on him so I could interview him myself as I was all set to go elsewhere and now am so very happy I went to Dr Gutierrez instead....It's never to late to make a change when you find something so much better!!!!

Before and after arm lift photos. 30 days after surgery.
I am loving my results.

Since I am pretty new here, I have noticed that there is a lot of interest in Plastic Surgery in Mexico. Having just had my LBL done down there 7 weeks ago I thought I would share about it. Having surgery in Mexico, is not new to me as I had my RNY done in Ensenada back in 2003. Then last year I had three procedures done, a lower face/neck lift, arm skin removal and a breast lift/implant all due to the weight loss. At that time I did not do all the checking that I should have and didn't pay attention to the red flags I saw, but went ahead and went to the "Fancy Clinic" all made of white marble and glass. Well the center was nice but my results didn't turn out so great, as I am now in need of having two of the procedures completely redone. So please do your homework, do not just go by what someone tells you. Why well I have seen raving reviews from a person whose photos show horrible work. I was like that too, I saw improvements in the beginning and the fact that I had sung the praises of this certain PS, I was ashamed to later say I was wrong, it wasn't until people started telling me they wanted to go to my PS that I knew I had to come forth and say something, as I did not want to be responsible for anyone's bad outcome. All I will say about The Vida Clinic, is do your homework, don't just check out the good reviews but also the not so good ones. Pictures do not lie...
So today for me to give a good review of a Doctor you know he has to be pretty darn good.Thankfully for my recent surgery I found just such a Doctor. It took me a whole year to do so. I spoke with Doctors from Tijuana to Monterrey, even driving out to Beverly Hills to met with Plastic Surgeons. Some were great just way over my budget as in $40,000, where others had great prices, but not so great cut lines and sewing. I checked out every online site there is, reaching out with phone calls to past patients. I saw some incredible incision and sewing lines done by this one Doctor, who I was a little nervous about since he didn't have as many reviews as other Doctors had, but had the highest marks from the viewers that he did have. So I took a chance and called and spoke with him for quite a while, I felt good so I took a leap of faith, and I am so glad I did, because he turned out to be a master at his craft. Not only is he a board certified Plastic surgeon he also has a specialty in Micro-Surgery, thus those perfect incisions and sewing lines. He had his Plastic Surgery training all done in Israel where the standards are some of the highest in the world, which I am sure why he is so above the rest.
I flew into San Diego and Dr. Victor Gutierrez picked me up himself! so we could get to know each other on the short drive down to his clinic. Later that day I had a two hour mark up...He is very detailed minded. Next day surgery, spent the night at the center, and I woke up feeling great, since he uses twilight sedation, you don't get that horrible anesthesia hangover. And just as he said, I was not in any pain. This is after having a full stomach muscle repair. When I asked about how this could be, he explained it was due to the gentle way in which he handles the tissues....
Well recovery went well and on day 7 after surgery I was on my way back home. A quick trip to the San Diego airport where there was a wheelchair to greet me I was soon home. The best part is that all my stiches were internal so no waiting to have the stiches removed and this way the incision line remains very pencil thin... I have posted some pictures taken at two weeks on my profile. So if you are in need of a Great Surgeon for any of your extra skin removal, I highly recommend my new surgeon Dr. Victor Gutierrez

Not at first. Right after surgery, I had to force myself to eat. I can still remember my Dr G telling me over and over again "you must eat!" (Smile)
Later on, yes, I made sure to only feed my body with healthy foods to avoid weight gain. Also, with my tiny tummy and the compression garment on, it was hard to hold much food anyway. I knew it was more important for me to heal first before exercising.
9 months after my plastic surgery, on March 1, 2014, I ran my first 15K marathon. You see, exercise will always be available, but after plastic surgery, give your body time to heal. Trust me, time will pass, and you will be back to exercising in no time.
Sweet Pee

I had WLS In Dec 2011 (typo on collage, sorry) weighing over 300#; reached goal of 158 in Feb 2013 and currently maintaining at 140. I had plastics with Dr Sauceda in Mexico in Oct 2013 - lower body lift, arm lift, breast lift/augmentation and a small thigh lift (ie groin incision only - not down thigh).
 

Awesome Sweet Pee!!!! You look amazing!

If I can ask, how much was your lower body ilft, breast and butt lift?
I am only 4 months out, my goal is to lose a total of 124 lbs, so plastics is a definite posibility in the future!

Thanks!
Kel

270lbs
Thank you so much for saying sweet things. It literally has taken hard work, dedication and surgeries to get to this point.
I started off my journey by admitting to people my weight, which was 270lbs. Only after I began admitting the truth about my true weight, being honest with myself and to other people, could I began to make successful life changing transformations.
I remember getting the scale, calling my husband and stood on the scale. SCARY! After that, it got easier to be honest about my true weight, which enabled me to be able to get help and thus make positive changes.

<br><br> I had a breast lift with no implants last year, because this suited my active life style and I am a little old fashion. Implants may be something I do in the future, but for now, I only wanted a lift although I had very little fat tissue after my weight loss. My plastic surgeon was honest with me as to how my breast would look. Trust me, I did not give him much to work with, but still ended up a with symmetrical perky full C cup. A really good plastic surgeon is someone who can work with absolutely anything. — touch it, change it, mend it, mold it, and somehow is able to make it beautiful. That is what mine did to me. <br><br> Pictures<br><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.bariatricpal.com/gallery/member/116222-sweet-pee/'>http://www.bariatricpal.com/gallery/member/116222-sweet-pee/</a> Wow you look great and yes all stitches look very professionally and smooth n straight. I'm not sure if you can share the cost of the breast surgery itself or if it was part if the package. Congrats on that new body suit. Can't wait to alter mine lol.

I totally want a breast lift. Can you share any comments or recommendations picture and pricing ?!

I was taught many of these same concepts and applied them in my gym workouts. I am happy to say lifting very heavy weights, alternating upper and lower body and doing cardio such as swimming and jogging, I have had excellent results and can now see them after my plastic surgery. Good advice on the abs. I was wondering why my waist line was expanding. No more heavy weight in that area for me. Plus upping my Protein. I will be happy to be able to go back to the gym.

After my recent arm lift surgery, I know I did not experience pain and it is hard to remember not to use your arms until they are healed. Use aggressive scar treatment methods as soon as possible. I am already using scar treatment oils and silicone for my healing, to have the thinnest, lightest scars possible. I strengthen my core and leg muscles, that way I did not have to use my arms for getting out of bed, sitting down or standing up.
You will be fine! And I am sure, like all of us, you will love your results. :-)

this was taken a few days ago. Not a very good photo and I will put together a collage someday..haha. Anyway, I used to weigh 332# (lifetime high) and my presleeve weight was 308 and this photo is me in a swimsuit from the juniors section at the store. My thighs are still jiggly because I did not get the "long" thigh lift which would have given me tight thighs that don't touch. I am okay with my results though - easier healing and no long scar. Not bad for 50 is how I view it.

Compression bra with sleeves I used and yes I would recommend them - I wore it for 6 weeks

I had drains for 2 days - That's it - In UK you don't seem to have drains for ages, and I have had no ill effects from this. No massive swelling or anything.

You are no allowed to drive until Dr says so - Was about two weeks I think....

All will go well :-)
Just remember - Paper tape is your friend, it holds the scars flat whilst healing.
Don't overdo things, no matter how great you feel...
Keep wearing your compression garments - I always felt like they were protection for me - Like my shield against all ills.
And finally - I reiterate the old words said to me ''Keep your eyes on the prize'' Knowing that getting through those few post surgery weeks is just a transition to the new YOU - Helps your mindset and in a matter of a week or two you will just be amazed at the new you!

Hey everyone I'm scheduled for my brachioplasty this Monday June 23 just wondering if you all had advice suggestions of pre op this I should do or post op how was your experience ? Pain ? How much can you use your arms after ? One of my biggest concerns is if I am going to be able to use the bathroom without assistance after lol !

Two weeks has passed since my body was transformed yet again by board certified Dr Victor Gutierrez who specializes in weight loss patients. After losing over 120lbs, I had a lot of hanging skin all over my body. Two weeks ago I had a thigh and a arm lift with magnificent results. My scars are unbelievable thin, flat and straight, even after this short period of time. I know these are the two surgeries that most people want to avoid. I know I did, but since I know my plastic surgeon is highly skilled and specializes in Bariatric Weight Loss Patients, I knew I had nothing to fear. My arm incisions are already almost invisible, and the flat thin groin incisions are easily covered by my panties. Also, I am happy to say, just like my surgery last year, when I had my lower body lift, butt lift and breast lift (no implants) with my plastic surgeon, this surgery was virtually painless as well. I can not believe in a years time I have a new beautiful sexy body. I am so happy about my surgery and my total experience. I was treated so wonderful, and felt so great that it was hard for me to leave and come back home.
The pictures of my plastic surgery last year are posted on this site as well. I also wrote a full summary of my plastic surgery under MY STORY.
http://www.bariatricpal.com/gallery/member/116222-sweet-pee/
http://www.bariatricpal.com/user/116222-sweet-pee/

Two weeks has passed since my body was transformed yet again by board certified Dr Victor Gutierrez who specializes in weight loss patients. After losing over 120lbs, I had a lot of hanging skin all over my body. Two weeks ago I had a thigh and a arm lift with magnificent results. My scars are unbelievable thin, flat and straight, even after this short period of time. I know these are the two surgeries that most people want to avoid. I know I did, but since I know my plastic surgeon is highly skilled and specializes in Bariatric Weight Loss Patients, I knew I had nothing to fear. My arm incisions are already almost invisible, and the flat thin groin incisions are easily covered by my panties. Also, I am happy to say, just like my surgery last year, when I had my lower body lift, butt lift and breast lift (no implants) with my plastic surgeon, this surgery was virtually painless as well. I can not believe in a years time I have a new beautiful sexy body. I am so happy about my surgery and my total experience. I was treated so wonderful, and felt so great that it was hard for me to leave and come back home.
The pictures of my plastic surgery last year are posted on this site as well. I also wrote a full summary of my plastic surgery under MY STORY.
http://www.bariatricpal.com/gallery/member/116222-sweet-pee/
http://www.bariatricpal.com/user/116222-sweet-pee/

619 is also a San Diego area code unless the country code was different. So you'll still be calling into the US.

Thank you @@SweetPea