AKMama

I have been depressed myself. I think that this is all about so much more than loosing weight.. When the weight comes off we realize that its not the answer to our problems, and then we must face the difficult task of getting real with ourselves about the issues in our lives that really need to be addressed. That's tough especially when we have hid behind a wall of weight for so long. I believe that only those things that we don't face and tackle eat at our contentment and happiness. I am guilty of this myself. Why we choose the miserableness over the cure I have not figured out.

I went on you tube and watched video of people that had had PS after Bariatric surgery. There were some that were a year or so post op. I found it interesting to see how the scars were placed on the arm lift. The video I watched showed the subject raising her arms and moving them in different positions. The scars were placed so they only showed when she raised her arms up pretty high. She also said her surgeon went farther up into her axils because she had skin sag extending into there. You Tube seems to have everything!

I just am discovered a sugar free caramel Syrup from Walmart. It is so good. I use 2 cap fills and some cream. You would never know its sugar free. In my opinion, I think it's Starbucks quality.

I am booked with Dr Sauceda - Oct 14... nervous but excited too!

Hi All,
Well, went to Monterrey and Dr. Sauceda for a TT with Lipo, BL and BA on Aug.29 and then eyelids and face on Sept 2. I flew back to the States on Sept 10th. I am very pleased with my results. My flat tummy is amazing. My boobs are beautiful and people say I look at least 10 years younger. Dr. S removed 6 pounds of skin and fat from my tummy area. The aftercare was excellent and I would travel to Mexico and Dr. S again in a heartbeat. I will post some photos as soon as I can. Cheers, Dottie

Hi!
I love Dr. Ortiz and would go to him or recommend him in a heartbeat for bariatric surgery. And I was planning on going to the Ariel Center... but, after doing my due diligent research... I decided that Dr Sauceda in Monterrey, MX was the one for me. I couldn't find any info on the plastic surgeon at Ariel or find many of his patients to talk with. Dr. Sauceda has a group on ObesityHelp.com and Facebook page... so, I have gotten alot of great information and support from them. The aftercare with Dr. S seems more hands on. And when you email or call... you are talking to Dr. S himself... not a coordinator. I also like the idea of flying directly into Monterrey instead of San Diego and crossing the border.
Hope this helps! I am scheduled with Dr. S this Fall... August 29 to be exact.
Good luck with your journey!
Cheers, Dottie

Sassy, glad to hear you are doing so well! I hear that numbness can last a really long time...
Pretty exciting! I am doing lower body lift and more... Oct 14. Looking forward to hearing your updates.

You do look amazing.

I wear a 36C bra but some of them are too big so I am a B/C. I intend to shoot for C/D range. I did try on the sizers and still felt "unsure " but I wound up picking about 300cc at my local surgeon consult

I have had plastic surgery with three different surgeons and in my opinion the way your scars heal has a lot to do with the skill of the surgeon. I recently had an arm lift in January and the scars are noticeable pink and some of it white. Now, am I happy that I can fit my arms in any jacket or sweater absolutely would do it again in a heartbeat, it is the price you pay for having P.S.

And some people's drains are in for much longer. I asked Dr S about staying an extra week till the drains are gone and he said there is no guarantee they will all be gone even at 2.5-3 weeks... so GO HOME WOMAN...haha!

Thanks for answering me. I have a friend that would go but the finances is on me. Now that My personal cost may be more than i originally planned, i cant afford anyone else, so alone I go. Unless the hubby can go to. I'm getting excited to go.
Thanks Michelle

Personally.... No. You are well taken care of the moment you land (at least with dr. S) and if you need/want more time at the clinic for help you can stay. At the hotel the nurse and dr. come daily and there are other patients coming and going so you are not there "alone". You also get the dr. cell number and can call if anything is concerning. The hotel staff is also great. I arranged with the airport to have wheelchair and attendant support.... So no walking required. I was actually relieved that I went alone as I was able to rest and do things at my pace without feeling guilty.
Hope this helps:)

So Michelle I am going for the BL/BA, LBL, Arm lit... and on the fence about thighs. My thighs really need it, but thinking about a separate surgery - see what is left to deal with after the LBL. Dr S thinks I only need a small lift, if he agrees with that when we meet in person, I might consider it!
Anyway, I am afraid, BUT my sense of excitement and anticipation is now overcoming my fear. I love my new thinner self and plastics is to help complete that transformation!

I am sorry you had to remove your pictures because of some idiot. Please keep us updated though of how your doing.

Im talking about sex. Had my panni 3 1/2 wks ago

How long did u wait to do "the deed"? Im too scared to ask my surgeon. Im 3 1/2 wks post op.

xx

This may or may not apply; but, many years ago, by accident I cut my cheek which generated a 1.5 inch scar on the left side of my face. After the wound healed, I daily shaved the scared area every time I shaved my face. Call it aggressive dermabrasion - but after a few months the scar disappeared and was replaced by normal toned skin.

You look amazing, thank you so much for the updates and pictures. I am planning on having pretty much the same procedures other than possibly my arms done instead of the thigh lift. I am a little scared about having so much work done at one time but seeing your post and your results makes me feel a lot better about it. Thanks again, Oh and did I mention that you look AMAZING!!

Sauceda in Monterray Mexico quoted me 13,700 for arm lift breast lift, lower body lift witch included Tummy Tuck and thighs, butt! I have seen photos of the work he does and it's amazing! Just email him any questions!

I can understand exactly what you are saying. I honestly waffled with it until the morning of surgery. Lol. But in saying that I would def come here a thousand times over. My reasons. DrS is amazing and a perfectionist!! He keeps it real will not do a surgery just bc you want it and puts your health first and foremost!! ( as he explained to me if there was anything concerning AT ALL then he would stop the surgery. (One lady he had not done all her requests bc her blood pressure dropped) he will examine you and if it is not in your best interest he won't do it and will give you other options. (One lady he sd was not a canada the for implants, but he did reconstruct the breast amazingly!!)
He is again a perfectionist!! He will not send you away looking horrible. (He actually added Lipo to my surgery at no extra cost bc I had such heavy saddle bags he sd the results would not be the best with out it.
He is amazing at answering questions and trust me I had ALOT of emails I sent.
The cost of course played a role, but it was the after care that had me. You are in the hospital until you are well enough to go to the hotel, then your taken care at the hotel. Nurses and dr come to check in, help you wash and clean your bandages. 24/7 access to the dr with his cell number. The hotel is covered, the meds are covered, the aftercare is covered, Breakfast is covered, it's close to shopping you may need a shuttle is available. It is more than you would ever receive at a hospital in the US or Canada!
I also believe that when a dr is in the tourism business they must do amazing work and have little to no complaints as this is their livelihood. If there are issues with care or surgery, word would spread fast and the dr would not be practicing.
I know this is crazy long, but I want to comment on the pain... I had the lower body lift, inner thigh lift, outer saddle bag lipo, breast lift and augmentation. Don't get me wrong there is a certain amount of pain that comes with surgery, but the more does not necessarily mean more pain. I'm up and feeling just little twinges. Another lady (bless her soul... Had Tummy Tuck , anchor cut, long thigh lift, lower body lift, arm lift and breast reconstruction) she has been up and moving as well with little discomfort. Pain really all depends on how you handle it. I don't metabolize pain meds at all so I feel like I go without. But the dr will absolutely try to keep you comfortable enough!! He will not let you suffer in pain!!
Lol I know this is a long post, but I wanted to give personal perspective and I'm only 3 days out of surgery. And I feel great!