danielle b

I have been banded over 3.5 years....At 43 i was just diagnosed with breast cancer....after 3 lumpectomies I am now cancer free....I start 6 weeks of radiation treatment on Jan 6. not how I had planned starting my new year out! But it is what it is....I am still having a hard time dealing with it all. I have no plans of being unfilled. Love, love my band! Thanks for sharing your stories, Joanne and Shelley.

Thanks for all the responses! This is such an overwhelming process, and I have to admit the answers I got from the surgeon yesterday were not the answers I was expecting or prepared for. Additionally, it sounds like he charges $9,000 for an arm lift and $7,000 for a breast lift without an implant. Implants are $7,000 as well, but if you get a lift and implant there is a deal you can get. Who knows what that is. I may go there for my Tummy Tuck and then look around for other places to get the arm and breast lift. I know that plastic surgery is not something you want to find the lowest price for, but I just feel like that amount is a little extreme. Maybe I haven't done enough research to know though!

I did a lot of research on my plastics and I ended up going to Mexico for mine. I had excellent results...I had full lower body lift (tummy and butt), inner thigh lift and Lipo on thighs for about $7,000.

Almost 3 years for me....No complications until now!! Band suddenly got super tight along with reflux at night...getting an unfill May 9th...if it doesn't get rid of my problems...Upper GI will be next to rule out a slippage! I love my band and I can't imagine not having it....I have not gained any weight...I Have lost more than half of my beginning weight...whoohoo!!

I am also having acid reflux at night. Its been on and off for last 5 months or so. I assumed that all the stress in my life was making my band tighter. Some days I can eat and others I cant. Today I had about half of an over easy egg along with about 1/4 cup of hash browns....ate at 9;30....didnt pass through my band until 4:30!! Is my band too tight.....or do I have a slip?? I am getting an unfill next Thursday, to see if it helps. My last fill was a year ago!

Great job....keep it going

Danielle b- Can they do a Tummy Tuck with the hip to hip scar? How long did you have to stay in their hotel before returning?

I am not sure how they do their tummy tucks, as I had lower body lift. I stayed for 14 days, my choice. The rates for their recovery boutique were cheaper the longer you stayed. I paid $100/day that included all meals, Snacks, and 24 hour nurses.

I had inner thighs done and lower body lift....It sounds like you are doing great! i also was never in any pain...it was mostly discomfort....besides i was pretty numb for weeks...lol I can't wait to see your results. I love, love mine!!

You will do great....I had total lower body lift...my incision was all the way around. I was in discomfort but not in much pain. Most of my incision area was numb, so really couldn't feel the pain. I also wore a binder....in my opinion it helps A LOT!! If I was swelled up during the day...I would throw that on at night and swelling gone in the morning. Also, It helps protect you incision. Good luck and keep us posted

Hi Karen,

I had inner thigh lift....been almost 6 months now...I still have numbness and swelling under butt cheek. My stuff still all works

I am a teachers aide for special needs....I did mine over the summer. I didn't feel up to doing anything until after 2 weeks!

I looked up cosmed.com- it wouldn't come up. Is that the correct web address? How much did it cost? Thanks!

It is cosmedclinic.com

About how much does it cost for the inner thigh? I want to have my done, but I have to lose 35 pounds to reach goal weight

Mine was $2,500 in Mexico

Well having had my abdominoplasgty and brachyplasty in May 2012 am feeling fully recovered and am now going for my thigh lift. My sugeon is going on maternity leave in december so it was either having to wait till next year and another summer interupted by surgery or to get it done asap. My surgery date is the 18th October 2012..

Just to give you an idea of what my poor surgeon has to deal with i am showing 2 pics

one pre-op with my very loose skin on my thighs and one of my thighs in my marena compression leggings. I love these compression legs and although expensive are so worth while' date=' the difference it made to me not having this baggy skin showing on my legs with normal leggings made all the difference in the world to me.

Most of you wont get skin as bad as mine as i had to lose a lot of weight and doing the amount of cycling i do my legs are just muscle and skin now, my age was against me and so was being female but i am hoping this surgery will make the difference i need to feel able to wear my cycling shorts or even a bathing suit ![/quote']

I had inner thighs done. If you have any questions please ask away.

Thanks for all the advice. I was starting to feel a little guilty today. He went to my daughters work to talk to her, and he started crying. So a part of me was feeling bad....but I know, if he moved back, the problems would still exist!! I am trying to do what is best for me.......

What an inspiration. I to want a divorice.I lost 230 lbs and would love to have plastic surgery.I look great dressed.but not so much without clothes.we haven't had sex in 2 years but fear no one else would be attracted to all the loose skin so I stay but not happy.congrats and I don't feel you are selfish at all.

Omg....we use to have sex maybe twice a year....When I noticed all the wrinkly skin, I made a comment to my husband that he would never have to worry about me ever sleeping with anyone else...lol and then I got plastics done....and now, I am not sure I want anyone to see my scars I saw the way my husband looked at my body....and when I told him the look on his face, looked like he was disgusted....he did not deny it! that is when I knew we were done!! And for me....sex is not that important!! I would rather be alone then to be unhappy!! Oh....by the way....I had plastics done in mexico....much cheaper!

I have been banded since June 2010. I went from 290 lbs to 150 lbs today. I had plastic surgery June 2012....which included inner thigh lift, lower body lift, and Lipo. My self esteem and confidence is extremely high. I feel and look great. Only thing is....my husband never complimented me throughout my journey! I have been with him for 15 years....married for 10! He has put me through a lot of bad stuff in the past....things that I cannot forget/forgive! Now that my confidence is built up.....I want a divorce. I told him I was not happy back in Feb. 2012....Things did not get any better since then. We fight all the time, haven't had sex in 10 mths, he always sleeps on the couch, etc, etc. Anyways, last month I told him I wanted to be alone and that he needed to move out. He did, on Sept 18. I have been so much more happier....the house is quiet and peaceful! Now that my wls journey is over.....I am now on a journey to try and find the new ME!! I need to find what makes ME happy!! Am i being selfish?? Anyone else get divorced/separated after losing their weight? I have some guilt for doing it....I could really use some reassurance!

Hi yall. So okay, an update on my neck lift and boob lift (with Gummy bear implants). All is going well. I got the stitches out last Saturday. There were a lot of them! Since I did the surgeries in Mexico, I had to have my GP take them out. He said that it was a really good job. I wish the stitches were neater, but my GP says they will fade and not be visible. I am very pleased with my neck lift. I had jowels and a down-turned mouth and now those are gone. I just wanted to get rid of my hanging turkey neck.

So the cost... I paid $3000 for the neck lift, $3500 for the breast lift with any type of implants I wanted (here in the US, the gummy bears are much more expensive), $200 for the removal of my lap band port and tubing, $300 for inner thigh liposuction and then around $1100 for the anesthesia and facility charge.

I stayed at the recovery botique for $125 a night. It was really nice because I had nurses taking care of me 24/7 and they fed me and I just had to go upstairs to see the doctor.

Overall, I'm very pleased I had it done in Mexico. I saved about $15,000 on everything. When I get my arms done (probably in January), I'm going to have it done here. I didn't have any complications, but if I had, I would have been really stuck.

Karen

Karen....WOW!! You look fabulous.....

I was banded June 3, 2010. I have lost 110 lb's to date and am hoping to lose 15 lb's more. I try not to put an end date on it at this point because I am so happy with who I am now that losing that next 15 will just be icing on the top. I have started doing P90X which I am thrilled with because I CAN DO IT! Which would not have been possible 110 lb's ago. I actually recently let a little out of my band because I find it harder now to follow all the rules and was getting stuck too frequently. I count calories and have invested in a Bodybugg.

I think that is my favorite part of my band, I have so much control. I can do other diets now with success. I actually feel like I am normal now. the weight doesn't just melt off, but I CAN diet and make a difference, and I can maintain both of which were not options for me before. I have had many months where I just fight to maintain and motivation is non existent, but that's OK too I am still so much better off than I was. And eventually I get over the humps and start chipping away at the weight again.

danielle b:

How did your plastics go? What did you have done and how much did it end up costing you? I thought I would try P90X and see how much difference extreme working out would make before I took the plastic surgery plunge.

I have amazing results from my plastic surgery. I went to Mexico weighing in at 171, I am now down to 157 I am so happy with my results. I knew exercising was not going to fix my skin. Let me see if I can post a pic for you....Total weight loss, now 133 lbs gone!! Over 2 yrs post op and still losing

M having just a neck lift this week (well having a breast lift too, but not a full face lift, just the neck). Does anyone have experience with this? Recovery time? Pain? Effectiveness in getting rid of my turkey neck?

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Good luck Karen...have a safe trip tomorrow and tell all those beautiful nurses that I said Hi!! Especially the graveyard nurse, Letty!! She is my favorite....You will be in good hands! Get lots of rest...

Danielle, glad to hear you are doing well. I am going to Dr Quiroz in 5 days (as you know) for the breast and neck lift. I am so happy with everyone's good results from his work. I went and met him and toured the facility. I was totally impressed and like you said, I really think you can't find anyone better here in the US and their prices are incredibly good.

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Oh my gosh Karen....I am getting super excited for you and cannot wait to see pics of your final results Did you take before pics yet?? Don't forget to do that!! I am glad you got a tour and met doctor before hand....everyone there is sooooo friendly! Isn't there building beautiful?? And Doctor is beautiful too lol I am glad you chose Dr Q for your final procedures....and yes, very affordable!! (this the last of your plastics??)

I apolgize if you already answered this but I couldn't find it in the thread....did you have the surgery in Mexico. Those prices look very reasonable.

Yes I did....I went to Dr Quiroz from cosmed clinic. I believe he is the only doctor in Mexico that is also licensed in the US! One of the reasons I chose him

Danielle I keep hearing references to this place but I don't know much. What did you have done there? And how big of a price difference is it?

You can go to their website cosmedclinic.com and do a virtual consult. You send your naked pics to them and the surgeon will personally call you. Prices vary depending on your procedures being done. I had inner thigh lift, Lipo and lower body lift (incision all the way around; Tummy Tuck, outer thigh lift and butt lift). My before and after pics are in another post...You might be able to click my profile and see if they are there. I paid about $8000 for all that. In the US...I think just a tummy tuck is about $8000!! So yes there is big price difference. Surgeon is also licensed in the US which came in handy when I needed more antibiotics. He called it into my pharmacy which was nice. I had a very good experience at this clinic and highly recommend it!!

You look wonderful! I go in for my inner thigh lift/ leg lift the end of this week any tips on a comfortable recovery? I have already gone through a Tummy Tuck, arm lift and breast lift but I was always able to use my legs so i'm a bit nervous on this one.

I wish you much luck on your procedure. Lots and lots of rest....and lots of pillows Just be careful not to move around too much and pop out any stitches....are you going straight home after surgery? Make sure someone is there to help you out of bed, it helps. Also try and keep legs elevated...your incision under your butt cheek will be the worse, mine was very swollen and uncomfortable. Just remember....it is only about 14 days of discomfort!! Day 10 my stitches were so tight, I was crying...surgeon removed half of them and that was soooo much better. Keep in touch with your doctor for any concerns that arise. A lot of people have problems with this surgery....I had no complications just lots of discomfort...guess I was lucky. Good luck to you...and keep me updated throughout the next 2 weeks, I will be here if you should have any questions

Wow! That is awesome! I can't wait to get all my weight off and have mine done too! How much did it cost?

I was charged $2500 for thighs and $4000 for lower body lift....but I think all estimates vary, depending on what else you are getting done. I did a virtual consult with them; sent in my pics and surgeon calls you personally and talks to you and answers all questions that you have.

wow. that looks great. I hear it hurts a lot and you must wear a girdle and no shower for a bit. What was your experience?

I had almost complete numbness around incision for lower body lift...I never had any pain from it...It was the inner thigh lift that I had difficulty with...incisions got really tight at one point, about day 10 and surgeon removed some stitches for me...which helped alot! But lots of discomfort from thighs...As long as you have drains in NO shower...as, Water and soap can get into the drain hole...I had a nurse saran wrap my drains and she showered me at about day 6. I am having some healing feelings now....sharp burning pain that hopefully goes away soon!