AKMama

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.

I doubt insurance will pay for an arm lift. I think you will need many weeks off from heavy lifting to minimize the scarring, but only a surgeon can answer that. My scars are already disappearing quite nicely at about 3 months out. The pain for the arms was minor and my results were very good.

Many people post their before and after pictures and all we notice are the amazing transformations. The stories we hear are lovely and we want our bodies to look the same way. Many are having plastics without considering the long term recovery that it entails. For some it is long and hard. Although I am 6 months out, and my surgery went very well, I am still recovering. Fortunately, all of this information was clearly explained to me by Dr Victor Gutierrez before I had my surgery, and later I received several reminders afterwards about recovery and how it takes the body a long time to heal, especially after something as extensive as the surgeries we have undergone. It takes lots and LOTS of time. I am still limited in a few activities I use to do, because I have not completely healed. My endurance level is slowly coming back, but It is taking a lot of work. I agree with CGJane, please know what you are getting into before you choose to have plastic surgery, because it is not a quick easy recovery. Even thought I am not 100% fully recovered, I am happy to say I would do it all over again. Here's to wonderful happy healing in 2014!!!!!!!

abby, my advice is to read the Dr S forum over at obesity help and you will hear lots of stories. I was considered a slow healer and went back to work after 6 weeks. If I had fewer procedures and less of a whiner, I probably could have gone back in 4, but i am glad I took the extra time.
This is a very personal decision. For me, the hardest thing has been the forced inactivity made me a little crazy. There is more to it then that - it relates to some other things happening in my personal life. The physical recovery is "do-able" and not everyone was so impacted by the life disruption as i was.
I am 3 months out now and while I have often said i am not sure I would recommend it - the truth is I CANT IMAGINE going back. I can do planks and pushups without this huge tummy skin hanging down. My arms are amazing. My thighs no longer cause me to cringe in disgust. My breasts I hardly notice, but, I have gotten pretty positive feedback from "others" ha! My tummy is flat flat flat - a friend referred to it as concave even. What a difference in the way clothes fit! My son's girlfriend and other friends of mine told me that even with a leather jacket and jeans on my physical profile changed so much (ie bulk reduction all over due to the skin going away) that they didn't recognize me from the back except my hair. I think you need to think really hard about the benefit and if it is worth it to you - but for me it was the final shedding of the fatsuit. For the first time EVER, I have a nice body that I am very proud of. It motivates me to keep working maintenance.

Jane,
I cannot get over how great you are doing and only a month out. You are definitetly rocking that hour glass figure.
How are your thighs doing? I know you hear alot about it taking them the longest to heal and being so painful.
What do think has been the hardest part in all of this?
Again, thank you so much for sharing in your journey.

Indigo - USA surgeons MiGHT tell you that twilight sedation is evil for this surgery. I did several usa consults and only ONE of them would use it and he would only do it for shorter surgeries. He did however admit to me that he had is own shoulder operated on and that he was a huge believer in it from a patient perspective. My Mexican surgeon gave me his opinion on why usa docs are so against it - and his version it was not based on medical science but rather liability fears (ie anybody who does something off the normal track is vulnerable to lawsuits). I don't know, not a medical person, - just warning you that you may get an earful on that topic.
My basic opinion about surgeons is to pick one you trust, that has an outstanding track record for safety and results for a price you can afford (ie balancing act) and trust their judgement. Most of us aren't really educated enough to evaluate what they tell you....
I was hesitant about Dr S insistance on placing implants over the muscle. I heard once again all the evils of that but he explained to me again his reasoning and that he uses the Gummy implants. I had some angst over it, but mine turned out GREAT and the other patients I network with continue to have good long term results with low complications. AGain, what do i really know... but i just decided to trust him.

My surgery was done with twilight sedation combined with an epidural. I had no post op sickness (like I have always had with General) and since the epidural apparently had pain meds in that lasted a day or two - i really had minimal pain. I think the thing is to just discuss this stuff at your consult, all surgeons are different and we are simply not educated enough to know the pros/cons and inherent risks. I just know this worked for me.

My surgery was 9 hours - two surgeons. It is a controversial subject with many opinions. I think really researching and understanding the trade offs is the way too go. I am glad I did alot at once - it is behind me now..whew. But, recovery took a long time. I am 3 months post op now and feeling and looking pretty good though!

Here's one to add to the definition list:
MONS LIFT: lifting of the excess skin in the pubic area.

I am so glad that someone addressed the saggy skin in the genital area. I have been noticing that lately and it really bothers me. My husband could care less but between that, my saggy stomach and my boobs that fall to the side when I lay down. I am more self conscious then I was when my skin was all filled up with fat. I can tell my husband gets annoyed when I try to hide everything. I have an appoinmtent with a ps Dr next week. We are going to try and get my tt and boobs covered by insurance. Im really not expecting them to but I figured it is worth a shot. If they dont I can foret it. I might be able to get the boobs but deffinitly not the tt. It is to expensive. Wish me luck. And about the skin tags I had a couple taken off at my dermitologist office. It was quick and easy.

What about having (and I am sorry for this visual) excess body fat removed from the genitalia area. I hate to say this, but I am actually afraid of my outer skin/folds sagging. I don't want it to look like a soggy biscuit. I saw the similar surgery done on Doctor 90210, but here we are in the real world and I want to know if any of you have heard of this.

Hi Kris, Hang in there. The rewards are there. Just give it a few more weeks. I am grateful I did not experience any of your level of pain. I had a LBL, breast and butt lift 6 months ago in Tijuana also, but with a different plastic surgeon, and understand what you are going through. I am sure the doctor can help with adjusting your medication to make you more comfortable. No one likes pain! Thank you for sharing your story, and please know everything will get better.

I didn't have any Lipo since I didn't have enough excess to make it worth it, but I have been told that is much more painful than the skin removal. Is that where you are feeling most of the pain?
I had plastics two months ago and it is a rough road to recovery in some ways. I didn't have pain or complications, but it is a BIG deal.
However, i am astounded by the difference. I thought I looked pretty okay before, but now clothes fit so good, my arms are amazingly normal looking, my scars are healing up well - very flat. It is worth it if you had alot of skin.
Hang in there, Kris, the swelling and all that takes awhile to resolve, but it will get better. Do you get to wear a tight tight compression garment? fun - not! but, necessary!

My surgeon considers me a slow healer. Not necessarily the incisions, but my energy/feeling good level. I think my incision scars look as good or better then typical from a healing perspective. I would say that was true after my VSG too. I took 3 weeks off from work - I have a somewhat stressful desk job - and I wound up needing to take a few more days because i was so tired. I am not sure if i am a slow healer, or just complain more. I tend to "worry" about medical stuff so notice every little thing...lol Maybe my mental attitude and uncomfortableness with all things medical makes it harder for me? not sure.
My arm incisions have been tingling a little. I emailed the surgeon about it and he told me that is just nerve recovery but it is happening a little later for me then some other patients - I guess more evidence for him I am slow healer.
Thing is, I get lots of Protein and am fit, I feel like I SHOULD be a fast healer but that is my reality. I think in hindsight I should have allowed myself more carbs and stuff during my recovery but I am doing so little activity I worried about weight gain.
So now I am cleared to ditch the compression garments and start working out. i am still wearing the garments because I like that I am not swollen and want to keep it that way and I am going to go really slow with the exercise. I am very focused on NOT putting tension on my scars with the goal of giving them the best chance to heal to a thin line.

Estrogen is stored in fat and it floods your system during rapid weight loss. I didn't have anger but sure felt the rollercoaster. It does level out but I think counselor and other suggestions are good.
I do want to comment on the idea that losing weight will make you happy. No. Losing weight will make you healthier, clothes fit better and confidence is boosted. However all your problems remain and you no longer have food and the fatsuit to shield and comfort you. NOW is the time to be tackling any underlying problems as they will get worse once u no longer numb yourself with food and layers of fat.
I AM happy overall but this has been an epic journey...

I feel less than fully flexible, but I can't tell how much of that is from sitting on my ass for 2 months. I've run easily a few times already. Lots of walking. And today I swam laps. No pain or discomfort. I still haven't wanted to lift any heavy weights or do any direct ab work. I need to ease myself into that. I really don't know if that would hurt and I'm not anxious to find out.

You are looking great Jane. You are doing great not to rush into exercise. I can only walk, which is something I am not use to doing, but I know my body is still in the healing process, even though it has been 5 months. Everyone does not heal at the same rate. I know when my husband gets a cut on his hand, three days later if has completely healed, but whenever I get just a small, tiny cut on my hand, it takes 3 weeks to heal. I am the slowest healer ever! Whenever you are ready, your body will know let you know. GelZone is great! I like use Tamanu oil and Rose oil on my scars before I wrap up with the GelZone. Thank you for the pictures, and updates about your plastics. Smile.

The price list is here, but you do get some savings when you do multiple procedures.
The only way to really know is to get a quote. What I will say is that I paid less, way less, for getting all my procedures done at once then I was going to pay for just having the extended Tummy Tuck and breast aug/lift in the USA.
http://www.medicaltourism.com.mx/mtpl.html
AkMama - I haven't had alot of pain... I expected the thighs and arms to really really hurt and they haven't. The thighs are definately most difficult to live with though. Do you have any idea how hard it is to go for 6 weeks without parting your thighs or otherwise stressing those incisions? (get your mind out of the gutter!). getting in and out of a car, bending and reaching down low, daily normal tasks - you CAN do them, you just have to be careful to not do them - not because of pain but to avoid putting tension on the incision and widening your scar. I had the added bonus of having some skin problems. I have very delicate skin and the tape caused one abrasion. Anyway, it is all coming along okay.
I think the very hardest thing for me personally is accepting the physical limitations. I have found this to be very very hard. I realized that it reminds me of my darkest days of being 300+ pounds. I am a naturally high energy, likes to move and do stuff kind of person... and to be forced to sit... or lay... and rest... day after day... has definately played with my mind. Sometimes, it makes me feel fat and I have to remind myself that I am not fat, I am not disabled, I am just healing.
I have literally been watching the doghair grown on the carpet. My horses are filthy (caretaker feeds them, but doesn't really attend to them like I would). I have felt stircrazy at times and thank goodness I have friends who have rescued me by getting me out of the house, but like a baby I would get tired fast and need a nap. It sucks. I would say that around week 3 I was regretting surgery - not because of pain, i was happy with results, but because I felt I was going crazy not being able to do the most simple tasks for fear of interfering with my healing.
Anyway, my summary is that I worried way too much about pain and stuff and underestimated just how long it takes to heal. In another week I am cleared to start exercising, but I don't think I am really ready to do much besides walking. I am supposed to be okay to ride horses in 3 weeks, but based on how I feel now - no way - I need longer. I still have trouble opening heavy doors at commercial buildings - like wow - I used to feel so strong and now I am a weakling. (horses are a highly physical activity as they can do unpredictable things and they do weigh like 1200 pounds!).
I think I am finally ACCEPTING that this takes a lot of time. All I can say is I am sure glad I waited till autumn to do this. I would have cried over losing my summer (horseback riding, camping and hiking season) because it takes MONTHS to be back to full steam. Well, at least for me and probably for most people that have so many procedures at once.
I finally no longer regret having done the surgery and really am pleased with my results. I was always an apple shape and to finally have something that is more balanced, and womanly looking... makes me so happy. My clothes fit better and people see the difference in my shape even under winter clothes.
My ex made the statement that I needed to do plastics to sort of close a certain chapter and I think he was right. I can see that it is making me feel just so normal, which is all I ever really wanted.

Dr Sauceda is in Monterrey. For security reasons, it is better to NOT drive. The area he is in is quite secure, but due to the war on drugs, it is better to not be driving around the small towns in the border area. I felt completely safe, but the doc basiclly sequesters the patients in a very good upscale area and you never go anywhere without a "driver"- either the surgeon's driver or the hotel shuttle.
I experienced constipation the first several days post op and it was not good. I did not know my body would react to morphine that way. Anyway, that was a very short term problem and all has been good since.
I got implants, but small ones - 240cc. I had been wearing padded bras so nobody notices the implants, what they notice is that I have an "hourglass" figure. They always assume it is because my waist is so much smaller. This is exactly what I wanted, but many many women go for much larger implants. I just wanted to feel normal, balanced, and athletic. I had a fear of big implants making me look top heavy since I have wide shoulders and big ribcage. I am pleased - and the surgeon will do whatever it is you want. I think that what I am happiest with is that I articulated the overall "look" I was hoping for and I feel like that is exactly what I got. And as you know, I was so conflicted about doing the arm and I am SO GLAD I did them, those result probably thrill me the most.
It is winter and wet and nasty in Seattle but my friends see my shape difference even under winter clothes. I have had 3 people now tell me that from a distance they weren't sure it was me - like the hair is right, but the body is way better...lol.
Anyway, I am rambling. Globe, when you get ready for plastics, I have lots of info to share as I researched both USA and Mexico options. I would seriously consider going to India too - it is jut such a long flight and I didnt have support there either. Also, plastics are somewhat of an "art" and I wanted to be sure the surgeon was familiar with American astehtics, ideals, and caucasion body types because subtle differences really make a difference. For example, my main request was I did not want a "boy shape" that some people get from lower body lift. Dr S seemed to know exactlty what I meant and I still have womanly curves so just thrilled with that.

Jane you've got a body most American women 15 years younger than you don't have - and want!
What airport in Mexico did you use? Could a person drive there from San Diego CA?
Have you experienced Constipation?
I don't remember, you didn't get implants, did you?

Amanda, Dr Sauceda anestheologist uses, when possible, twilight sedation combined with an epidural instead of general anesthesia. They also put a pain reliever in the epidural that is effective for a day so you wake up from surgery feeling pretty good. What that means is that you breath on your own the whole time and don't have some of the negatives of general. I personally get very sick to my stomach with general - they have to pump me full of anti naseau drugs and I still feel queasy and yucky. Some surgeries are done this way in the usa, but not usually plastic surgeries. I consulted with a PS in the USA that had a shoulder surgery done using twilight and he was a big advocated since you recover easier (initial recovery) without the general anesthesia. i am a little unclear why it is not more commonly used in the usa, but i think it has to do with the risk of lawsuits for any doctor that does anything "different".
Lisadaze, here is a piece of advice from someone who has lost alot of weight. Don't worry about skin or plastics or any of that. Focus on the positives, focus on losing some weight and regaining good health. Focus on enjoying your new body. Honestly, life is SOOO much better at half my former size, plastics is only icing on the cake - I could have been quite happy without without it.
You know, alot of this journey for me personally has been learning to love my self and my body more unconditionally. Accepting my imperfections with the confidence that in the "big picture" I like myself and who I am. What I have noticed is that people that don't make that mental shift are not happy with their plastic surgery results either - even when they have great results. my results are NOT perfect, but significantly improved. What PS did for me was make me feel like my body looks pretty normal for a 49 year old woman, and if I may pat myself on the back, better then what i typically see at my local grocery store because i am fitter than many women my age range.

When I want to get moving I always go to The Runaways, Cherry Bomb.

Crazy...by Patsy Cline...

Well- I don't know if its my theme song- but blurred lines has been my male me happy and keep me going song this summer!