Sweet Pee

Glad your doing better. I can't wait to get to your point!

I am feeling great!
My body is no longer sore, but it took me 8 months to get to this point. I know, that is a long time, but in the beginning I took it very slow, and stayed in bed as much as possible. It is the worst, knowing you have a million things to do, but can't. Smile.

Take it slow :-)

My time is here!!! I have made a decision to go to Mexico and complete my dream. I would like to have the mini thigh lift and breast lift and augmentation. Please I need some help recommending me drs. I will like to have this done later than March. Thank you! Here is me now with mydaughter and son.

Weigh everyday.
Regular exercise.
Eat greens, fruits, Beans, and nuts. If I get off track, I juice fruits and vegtables for a few days until I start to crave to eat vegetables again.

Weigh everyday.
Regular exercise.
Eat greens, fruits, Beans, and nuts. If I get off track, I juice fruits and vegtables for a few days until I start to crave to eat vegetables again.

Weigh everyday.
Regular exercise.
Eat greens, fruits, Beans, and nuts. If I get off track, I juice fruits and vegtables for a few days until I start to crave to eat vegetables again.

Yes, the trials are so much greater in maintenance. And as a slow loser anyway, it can seem like an insurmountable challenge when I need to lose a "mere" five pounds. I have said it over and over again but it will never sink in to a newbie until they're there themselves. The real struggle is not losing the weight. It's keeping the weight off. Maintenance requires so much more diligence than loss.
I forget this myself at times but the very most important thing a person can do is WEIGH.
Do not avoid the scale. Weigh every single day in maintenance, or every few days at the least. If you avoid the scale, it's easy to "forget" your weight or dismiss poor eating habits until your pants get tight. And with those stretchy jeans for women nowadays, that can mean you've packed on ten pounds before you realize it!
Tracking calories and planning meals comes secondary. It's that scale (or your measurements, or how your clothes fit, or whatever you use to measure yourself at goal) that tips you off to a problem immediately. I'm not saying expect to see the same number every day. But find that happy range and stay within it, and make adjustments when overdo it and step over the line. This way you catch issues immediately and don't have a ten, fifteen or twenty pound regain to tackle.
~Cheri

My dr said to wear it for at least 6 months. Or some kind of compression garment to keep the skin from forming wrong

CBT - I think the risk goes much longer as most peoples drains are out in 2 weeks (I went 3 weeks with my last two drains) and seromas seem to show up certainly during the first 6 weeks.
I am far from expert, but a common theme with the seromas are doing too much too soon. also, a couple of people on that Facebook group have had wounds re-open by getting in hottubs and doing other questionable activities too soon...haha. well, not funny, but you would be surprised. Anyway, easy does it, slowly return to normal. I think many PS LIE and tell people they are back to normal at 6 weeks. I think it is more accurate to say... you begin to return to normal at 6 weeks.... and slowly crawl up from there. I am over 3 months out and am pretty good but I do sometimes get a bit of belly swelling after intense exercise. The lympathic and drain system is really impacted by plastics and some people are more impacted than others.

Sweetpea,
Your doctor did a fantastic job. You look amazing. I am going to look into going to the same doctor. Congrats!!

Sweet Pee,
How many different surgeries did you have to get these results?

Try Realself.com.

I plan on getting my arms done in about 4 months. I always hear that the scars heal very well, but I am still apprehensive. I know my scars from my breast lift surgery recently are practically none existent. I hope the arm scars heal the same way.

That is a tricky question. Smile
The reason I say that is because some of my skin that was taken off durning my lower body lift was used for my butt lift to give me more volume. I was 142lbs before surgery. 3 weeks after surgery, I was 131lbs. That was due to not having a big appetite, a tiny tummy from my WLS and the compression garment. Also a lot of my swelling went down as well. Durning that early recovery period, I was trying to eat as much as possible which helps the body to heal, and is not the time to be loosing weight, but I know I lost a pound or two. My before and after pictures shows I had quite a bit of skin that was removed.
http://www.bariatricpal.com/gallery/member/116222-sweetpee/

Sweet Pea,
Just curious but how much weight did you lose after getting rid of the extra skin?

Hi Sue,
Smile. I hope no one became offended.
It is a honest observation. I am happy you brought this up.
It is something I noticed about scars and pain in the hundreds of stories I have read too, and It is common all over the world. That is why research, research, research should be our top priority before choosing a Plastic Surgeon.
For me, among many other things, straight scar lines were very important!
My Full Story is on this site on my profile page if you click on Story.
In my research, many people may not realize that some of the plastic surgery doctors are not doing the surgeries, but students are. Some of the really big nice plastic surgery facilities in Mexico with Board Certified Plastic Surgeons are teaching hospitals and are allowing students to do the surgeries.
I have observed this myself when I am in the operating room with the doctor, when a student is in there, sometimes they allow the student do the surgery. I understand it is the way students learn, hands on practice.
I am not saying it is wrong. This practice is done around the world to teach.
I encourage everyone looking for a plastic surgeon to really do research, either here in the United States, Mexico, or any other place in the world. It is important to ask questions and know who is actually doing your surgery while you are under anesthesia. Please ask the right questions. Read as many reviews as possible, look at thousands of pictures, and do not let cost cloud your judgment.
I look forward to seeing your pictures.
Thanks Sue.

I have also plastic surgery in TJ, Mexico. I had a wonderful experience, with virtually no pain, complications, or problems.
Mexico is a great place to have plastic surgery, but I encourage lots of research before choosing a plastic surgeon.

Good to hear you are doing good. Move as slow as possible.
Take care!

I had excellent results also for a lot less with Dr Victor Gutierrez in Tijuana, MX. However, cost should not be the #1 determining factor in choosing a plastic surgeon. Research is important very before making a final decision.

Also, ask about revisions. If something does not meet your expectations after surgery, ask if they will do whatever Is necessary to fix the problem. Some plastic surgeons also offer scar revision. Ask if this is included once you are healed.
All went well with my surgery, but it felt good knowing these provisions were offered to me my my plastic surgeons. There are many plastic surgeons that offer this as well.

Also, ask about revisions. If something does not meet your expectations after surgery, ask if they will do whatever Is necessary to fix the problem. Some plastic surgeons also offer scar revision. Ask if this is included once you are healed.
All went well with my surgery, but it felt good knowing these provisions were offered to me my my plastic surgeons. There are many plastic surgeons that offer this as well.

Also, ask about revisions. If something does not meet your expectations after surgery, ask if they will do whatever Is necessary to fix the problem. Some plastic surgeons also offer scar revision. Ask if this is included once you are healed.
All went well with my surgery, but it felt good knowing these provisions were offered to me my my plastic surgeons. There are many plastic surgeons that offer this as well.

Before and after pix....lots of them. Ask about realistic expectations of results, recovery time etc. Ask what is the risk of dog ears (one reason for the lower body lift for me). Ask what is included (ie how long follow ups etc.) Ask if he offers a way to buy complications insurance. Can't get that in Mexico but I would buy it in the USA.
I like dr harris but he is a cosmetic not plastic surgeon. Shouldn't make a difference for a Tummy Tuck, but just be aware.
I think you should next schedule with Dr Mary Peters who has an amazing results portfolio but is more costly. She had different recommendations for me than Harris so it was educational to meet both.

Welcome to the plastic surgery elite club! Smile!!!
I would recommend asking if they have experience in doing tummy tucks in men after weight loss.
Also look at their men before and after pictures.
I had a excellent PS experience and I hope you will too.
I am sure you have a six pack under there, and it will definitely show up after your surgery.
Take care