Sweet Pee

I had plastics in Mexico BEFORE I was sleeved. I had lost 90 pounds "on my own" back in 2010/2011 and had plastics in August of 2011. I had an extended Tummy Tuck with muscle repair, breast lift with augmentation, all over Lipo, and fat grafting to my butt. All of that together, with a two week stay at a recovery house cost me about $10,500 (not including air fare). I am sure the costs have changed some in the past 4.5 years, but that will give you a rough idea at least.
I used Dra. Laura Carmina Cardenas, who was excellent. She took fantastic care of me. She came to check on me every single day in the recovery house and corresponded with my PCP for my follow-up care once I was back in the US. I was very pleased with my results. My tummy tuck even held up through my 80 pounds weight re-gain, before I was sleeved and has held up well through my re-loss as well. My stomach is still tight and flat and I feel amazing. I can send you pics of my scars if you PM me. You can see general pics of me in my gallery.
My lipo and fat grafting obviously didn't hold up through my 80+ pound regain and re-loss, but the tummy tuck looks great still.
I do plan to go back and have a thigh lift and possibly some new lipo/fat grafting done within the next year or two, now that I am sleeved and at goal.
The recovery house I stayed at was called Beauty Care Recovery House. They had 24/7 nurses on staff who did literally everything for me. In the early days they even showered me and helped my use the toilet! They provided all of my meals to my specifications (gave them a HUGE list of foods I wouldn't eat). They took fantastic care of me and I never for one moment felt like I needed to fend for myself. They even took me to the beach one day towards the end of my stay. Oh, they also provided me with slippers and robes to wear during my entire stay, so I hardly had to bring any of my own clothes.

I went to Tijuana, Mezico twice. The first time I had a lower body lift and a breast lift. The second time I had a thigh lift an a arm lift. Dr. Victor Gutierrez was my plastic surgeon and I absolutely am still amazed at my transformation.

After my lower body lift and breast lift surgery, it took me awhile to get back into the swing of things. I had to force myself to get up and work out, compared to before surgery, excercising seemed 'more fun.'
However, I did not let anything stop me. I ran a 10K only 9 months after my surgery.

After my lower body lift and breast lift surgery, it took me awhile to get back into the swing of things. I had to force myself to get up and work out, compared to before surgery, excercising seemed 'more fun.'
However, I did not let anything stop me. I ran a 10K only 9 months after my surgery.

There are many pictures on RealSelf.com
I would start there if you want to see more Vertical LBL incision results.
One good guideline: If you observe your body, look at your scars from the past and the healing process might be about the same. The sutures done by your surgeon will effect your outcome as well as your own aftercare of your incisions/scars. Many of us use various silicone wraps or tapes for scar treatment. Certain Oils can also help keep the skin soft and it gives the scars a fraction of elasticity so that they can heal thin, flat and beautiful.
From my observation of seeing many many pictures of before and after pictures, the vertical incision heals really well. I think more women would agree to it if they knew how well that incision heals.

I never had any problems digesting my wonderful fruit, vegetables, nuts and Beans, with an occasional bite or drink of grass fed, hormone free animal products.
For me, weight loss was quicker with out animal foods, plus digestion is easier. However fish, depending on how it is cooked digest very well. I try to focus on anything that grows from the earth, and I can not go wrong.
After my surgery, I tried to get into the Protein diet everyone kept on talking about. I did not work for me because it was too complicated for me. Instead, focused on getting as many green foods into my body as possible. That meant juicing a lot to get enough vital nutrients my body needed.

I hated my loose skin. Took care of that as soon as I could! I feel sexier and my clothes fit better.

Ok so for my butt he took ALL the fat out. All of it. Unfortunately now it's flat!! I wanted it "smoothed out" not all gone but to be honest with you when he was marking me in the back my companion walked in the room and we got on another subject and I didn't tell him to leave a lil something back there. But another medical person I know told me to tell him to take all the fat cells out (which I never did say) and I believe that's what he did. I might have to get a butt later!! I did not have a complete tummy tuck I had a lower body lift for which I had skin removal and a new belly button and outer thigh lift and the fat removed from my butt and a bit of a lift. My butt is not that high though. Tummy tucks usually involve muscle layers being seen together and your tummy being done. I didn't get my muscles done.

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

What a drag!! I hope they accept the RN idea.

I used shapers to hide my fat.
I used shapers after WLS to hide the rolls of hanging skin.
I went from shapers to compression garnments after plastics.
Trust me, for me it has been never ending in these tight garnments.
I've been in them so long, now I feel naked without them.
For me, I had to have surgery to correct the hanging skin all over my body. The thigh lift did wonders for my body. Each person is different. You never know. . .

You look great! I hope all goes well in your recovery

well in our house there's two choices #1 take it or #2 leave it lol what I make is what there is unless there are leftovers of something else that's the 3rd choice I pay for I cook it they eat it or go hungry or go somewhere else

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/

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/

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

Here are my before and after pictures. Just click on the link.
http://www.bariatricpal.com/gallery/member/116222-sweet-pee/

After losing the needed weight to finally get into the normal weight category one would think life is good. But that is not always the case. For some of us we are not left with a body that we would want to be seen in a bathing suit. For many there is extra skin that needs to be removed which seems to be covered in length here, but I would like to address something else, a disproportioned body that is left after the weight loss.
I was super thin on top but my lower body was still a mess. I had no idea that there was something else going on...my legs had fat pockets around the knee area that just would not come off and also saddle bags from hell...These things really stand out when you are otherwise thin. So I went for a lower body lift to help with those things. Only problem was after the surgery I found my self now gaining weight. I had not changed my eating and in fact I was now dieting and trying to lose it but with little response from my body. My calves that had been so wrinkly due to weight loss were now filling back up and getting tight. Then one day as I was feeling my swelling of my calves I noticed this little ridge right above my ankle. What the heck was that??? I am well over a year from surgery for the lower body lift, so it is not swelling from that.
Turns out I have a condition that 11 percent of women have, it's called lipedema. I have a different type of fat cells in my lower body and also in my upper arms which cause them to expand weaken and be filled with Fluid that leak and cause swelling. Lipedema can be trigged by certain events such as puberty, pregnancy and surgeries (such as in my case). Actually mine I am sure started when I was 14 and went from a underweight child to a overweight teen in just one year. One does not have to be over weight to have it, it's just many people that are overweight have both kinds of fat. Left untreated will only get worse and could lead to a condition that my Mom had that was diagnosed as lymphedema and caused her to be in a wheel chair for the last 20 years of her life. I now believe she actually had lipo-lymphedema it's actually lymphedema that started out as lipedema and was never treated. I always remember my Mom being fairly thin but having these really big legs. I just thought my sisters and I were built the same way as my Mom. Had no idea this is a condition that can be passed down. In fact one of my daughters has just received her official diagnosis of lipedema.
Lipedema has 4 levels and if untreated could progress. I am in a later stage 2. I write this to warn any of you out there that may think you have a disproportioned body that is resistant to diet, to look into this. Lipedema fat is unaffected by diet, so weight loss whether it be by diet or surgery will have no effect on it. These cells need to be removed, the current treatment for this is what is known as WAL liposuction , (Water assisted liposuction). Where the surgeon injects a saline solution and then flushes out by liposuction the fat. This procedure is a gentler way of removing the fat without disturbing the lymph system. This is usually done with twilight sedation.
With 11 percent of women having this condition, which for the most part goes misdiagnosed as simply being overweight, I know there are many here that may in fact have this disorder too. The good news is the medical community is becoming aware of this condition and insurance companies are now starting to pay for treatment. The WAL liposuction is not a cosmetic procedure even though there are some cosmetic benefits too... I urge you to do a google search of Lipedema and see if you have any of the many signs of this condition.

I come to Tijuana Mexico on the 3rd. I had my surgery yesterday with Dr. Garcia. My first day in Mexico was nice. The Marriott hotel is really nice and most of the staff spoke English. I got into Mexico really early so my driver brought me to the hospital to get some blood work and my ekg done early. They come and got all of us that were having surgery on the 4th and took us to CER Hospital pretty early in the morning. We were put right into a room and changed into a hospital gown. They gave me some stuff to calm my nerves. All of the Dr's speak perfect english. The other staff is about half and half but usually they know enough that you can help them figure out what you need.

I waited for quite a while before surgery because another girl went before me. Finally I was taken down to OR and I remember a man asking me questions about my name and where I had come from and that's it....I was asleep. I woke up very sleepy and nauseated. I'm not sure how long I was down there before they brought me to my room but my husband said I wasn't gone long at all.

I felt terrible when I first woke up. My chest was full of gas. It was the worst feeling. The bad gas pains lasted about half the day but wasn't completely gone until today. You can feel it getting a small amount better by the hour. I just kept telling myself it would pass. As soon as I was able I did some light walking as I was told this helps the gas pain.

I was so nauseous that walking made me sick at first. I actually threw up 2 times. Both times it was a very small amount but there was blood in it....the blood was normal. They also told me I could see some blood in my bowel movements but I haven't had one yet so I don't know. Throwing up was terrible. I was so scared I would rip something open because it was pretty violent feeling. I didn't mess anything up.

So today is the day after surgery and I feel soo much better. My tummy is sore like I did a hard workout. My drain tube is my biggest complaint....it hurts. It comes out tomorrow if I pass my leak test. Not much gas pain at all today....maybe just a little in waves but hardly noticeable. The gas pain also moves. It started real high up on my chest and moved down under my breasts. Today when I do notice a bit lingering it's on my sides toward my back.

They have been giving me antibiotics, pain meds, and nausea meds around the clock. They also drain my tube and check my vitals every so often. If I ask for anything they get it. I'm wearing normal loose fitting clothes. I was allowed a shower today and they changed my bandages right after. I can have Water and Gatorade today. Not hungry at all and haven't eaten a real meal since Sunday night. I did have broth on Monday.

So far my experience has been good. Yesterday my complaint was nausea and gas pain. Today my complaint is the drain tube. I am happy with the care I have received up to this point.

When I was searching for a plastic surgeon, I noticed a trend as well. Some plastic surgeons tend to have more of their patients suffer from complications. You certainly do not want that. It is your body! You do not want to take chances. I have also noticed some women bodies all look exactly the same after the procedure. Wow! Just because a plastic surgeon is popular does not mean he is good for you. (Example: Just because a McDonalds hamburger is popular does not mean it is good for you:)

I found a wonderful, unique, experienced, caring plastic surgeon - Dr. Victor Gutierrez in Tijuana, Mexico. He has all 5 star raving reviews on RealSelf.com from ALL of his patients that have written about him. Prices are listed as well. You will notice he is artistic and each persons results are different according to the person body type.

My full experience is on this site under 'Story' and pictures under 'Gallery' on this site. Check it out!

@@back2barb78
Hope all goes well with your surgery! Keep us updated!
@@travelamazon
Congratulations on your success. You are truly an inspiration!

Update pics 

I missed one ????

I have learned that it is best stop trying to "diet" (in the context of a prescribed regimen of foods to aide in weight loss) and to just change my diet (in the context of the types of foods one chooses to consume) for life. It is so restricting and confining to "diet". Rather, I choose to eat a vast variety of foods that are healthy and balanced, ranging between good carbs, good fats, Proteins, and foods that are in excess of minerals and Vitamins necessary for the body's overall health. I eat to sustain energy. I eat to build muscle. I eat to be healthy. I stopped limiting myself to these "diets" that are ONLY temporary fixes, that usually fail once one is off the "diet", and whom often lack a proper variety of foods that contain all the nutrients that ones' body needs. No...I stopped "dieting" soon after my surgery and chose to change my diet for the rest of my life!