I will be 5 months post op on March 8th, and I have decided to go back to Monterrey this summer for a few revisions and possibly a mini arm lift. I knew that I was going to need a revision on my thighs before I even left Monterrey after Dr Sauceda and I spoke about it. I also ripped my belly button stitches while in Monterrey, so he is going to give me a new belly button as well. I am going to have him look at my tummy, and he said he could take off a little more skin if I want, but I would still have skin/roll when I sit down because I need the anchor cut. I just cannot commit to having the anchor cut, but I am thankful he is going to take a little more off for me. He is also going to do some lipo on my hips and thin those out a little as well. I will be there for a week, and I am scheduled for June 8th. Chief is possibly going with me if we can work it out for the kids to stay with my mom and grandma while we are gone.
We will be attending Mookie's high school graduation on the 6th, fly to Monterrey on the 7th, and surgery on the 8th. I am excited to do this again, but I am not looking forward to the recovery and swelling! I am still swollen now at almost 5 months post op, but it will all be worth it in the end!
Showing posts with label dr sauceda. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dr sauceda. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
18 weeks post op
I was 18 weeks post op as of Thursday, the 11th. I am sorry to say that I am still battling a lot of swelling on a daily basis. I still swell in my tummy and back, and I can gain 4 to 6 lbs per day from it. I am not wearing my garment anymore, and the swelling does go down while I sleep at night, but not completely.
I still have loose skin on my belly, but that is because I didn't want the anchor cut on my tummy. I will live with that because I would rather not have the scar and deal with skin. It is hard to see it in pictures, but it is definitely noticeable in person. I have a small roll when I sit down that is around my hip bones when I sit down. If I am standing or laying flat, it is not there because my hip bones stick out and stretches the skin tight. I don't know if he would even be able to fix without doing the anchor cut since it is caused my by my hip bones. I also still have wrinkles in my thighs, but that was known before I left Monterrey. We knew that a revision was needed there as well.
I will be going back to Monterrey the 2nd week of June to have my thighs revised, my belly button fixed(too small due to the stitches ripping), a little lipo on my hips that have pockets of fat, and possibly get a small arm lift. I am still very happy with my results even though I need a few small revisions. I could live without the revisions, but I am choosing to go ahead and get them fixed.
I am dreading the recovery again, but I it will be worth it. It is strange not having plastic surgery or weight loss consume my life anymore. It is great just living and enjoying life as a normal weight, normal shaped woman. I am about to bump up my workouts since I will be living 2 blocks from the gym on Schofield. We are moving in 2 weeks from the North Shore, and we are sad to be living 2 blocks from the beach anymore. We will be about 20 minutes from the beach, so that isn't too bad.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
REPOST! Reasons why I chose Dr Sauceda
I have had so many people ask me why I chose Dr Sauceda, and I thought this would be a good time to repost this.
1. He uses the Hampton Inn to house his patients. The link to the hotel is http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=XSQGHGCOAUOHWCSGBJF3MQQ?ctyhocn=MTYGAHX If you have the all inclusive package, he takes care of the hotel reservations for you.
2. He performs his surgeries in a clinic that is very close to his office and the hotel. Here is a link to pictures of the clinic and to another blogger that has already had her surgery. http://www.mymexicopsjourney.com/clinic-rooms.htm
3. The clinic does have WIFI internet access now and so does the hotel. You would need to bring an Ethernet cord if you want access in your hotel room, but they also have access downstairs as well.
4. You can request to have a recliner be placed in your room and a mini fridge as well.
5.Dr Sauceda has a seat riser for the bathroom that you can request if you think you are going to need one.
6. The Hampton Inn has a free full breakfast buffet every morning and free happy hour on Tues, Wed, and Thursday with free appetizers.
7. From my own experience, it was all in a very safe area. I even walked to the HEB at night and felt completely safe.
8. The hotel has an Applebee’s next door, and they will deliver to the hotel. There is a Starbucks, McDonalds, H.E.B., an Italian Restaurant, and other shops. There is a big mall less than a $2 cab ride away called Gallerias Monterrey with every kind of shop & amenities and is very similar to an American mall. The food court at the mall includes a KFC, Pizza Hut, and a Chili’s. The hotel also has a shuttle service that will take you around for free within 10 miles of the hotel. ( I would still give a tip.)
9. Dr. Sauceda has told me that he only performs 1 surgery per day.
10. His wife is his anesthesiologist, and she is known for making patients have very minimal pain after surgery. I was off my IV and IV drugs by day 2 and on Ibuprofen by day 4.
11. He performs the surgery under something called twilight sedation, not general anesthesia. It is regional anesthesia with sedation, and that allows him to perform multiple surgeries without the risk of being under general for many hours. After I researched it, I found that it is much safer and there is no need to recover from the anesthesia like someone would from general anesthesia. I was talking to my husband on the phone before I was even out of the operating room.
12. If you are not completely 100% satisfied with his work, he will offer free revisions if warranted. The patient might have to pay for your flight/ and or hotel, but his fees are free.
13. If you travel alone, Dr. Sauceda may offer to let you stay at the clinic the entire time or stay longer than normal if you like. He doesn’t want you to get lonely in the hotel. He offered to me already, but I would rather go back to the hotel where the beds are much more comfy!
14. He also comes to your hotel room everyday at least once to check on you, change your bandages, etc. Amazing to have a Dr. that actually makes house calls! If for some reason he cannot make it, he does have an assistant or a nurse that comes in his place. I saw him everyday and also a nurse everyday to help me dress, bathe, and get my garments on.
15. He uses the brand Veronique for his compression garments, and they get great reviews.
16. If your surgery totals over $6000, he currently offers an all inclusive price. That includes hotel, medical clearance tests, all medical expenses, fees, implants (if any), required post-op garments(I believe 2 sets of garments, but it might be on a case by case basis), required hospitalization, post-op medication, follow up, refund of airfare up to $600, and local transportation (airport-clinic-hotel-airport.)
17. Dr. Sauceda will try to pick you up personally from the airport if he is available to do so. He picked me up, but could not take me back to the airport. He did already have a cab arranged for me and paid for when I had to leave.
18. The best is that he truly is an artist! He is so good at what he does and gave me an amazing new body! I cannot thank him enough for giving me a new and improved me!
1. He uses the Hampton Inn to house his patients. The link to the hotel is http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=XSQGHGCOAUOHWCSGBJF3MQQ?ctyhocn=MTYGAHX If you have the all inclusive package, he takes care of the hotel reservations for you.
2. He performs his surgeries in a clinic that is very close to his office and the hotel. Here is a link to pictures of the clinic and to another blogger that has already had her surgery. http://www.mymexicopsjourney.com/clinic-rooms.htm
3. The clinic does have WIFI internet access now and so does the hotel. You would need to bring an Ethernet cord if you want access in your hotel room, but they also have access downstairs as well.
4. You can request to have a recliner be placed in your room and a mini fridge as well.
5.Dr Sauceda has a seat riser for the bathroom that you can request if you think you are going to need one.
6. The Hampton Inn has a free full breakfast buffet every morning and free happy hour on Tues, Wed, and Thursday with free appetizers.
7. From my own experience, it was all in a very safe area. I even walked to the HEB at night and felt completely safe.
8. The hotel has an Applebee’s next door, and they will deliver to the hotel. There is a Starbucks, McDonalds, H.E.B., an Italian Restaurant, and other shops. There is a big mall less than a $2 cab ride away called Gallerias Monterrey with every kind of shop & amenities and is very similar to an American mall. The food court at the mall includes a KFC, Pizza Hut, and a Chili’s. The hotel also has a shuttle service that will take you around for free within 10 miles of the hotel. ( I would still give a tip.)
9. Dr. Sauceda has told me that he only performs 1 surgery per day.
10. His wife is his anesthesiologist, and she is known for making patients have very minimal pain after surgery. I was off my IV and IV drugs by day 2 and on Ibuprofen by day 4.
11. He performs the surgery under something called twilight sedation, not general anesthesia. It is regional anesthesia with sedation, and that allows him to perform multiple surgeries without the risk of being under general for many hours. After I researched it, I found that it is much safer and there is no need to recover from the anesthesia like someone would from general anesthesia. I was talking to my husband on the phone before I was even out of the operating room.
12. If you are not completely 100% satisfied with his work, he will offer free revisions if warranted. The patient might have to pay for your flight/ and or hotel, but his fees are free.
13. If you travel alone, Dr. Sauceda may offer to let you stay at the clinic the entire time or stay longer than normal if you like. He doesn’t want you to get lonely in the hotel. He offered to me already, but I would rather go back to the hotel where the beds are much more comfy!
14. He also comes to your hotel room everyday at least once to check on you, change your bandages, etc. Amazing to have a Dr. that actually makes house calls! If for some reason he cannot make it, he does have an assistant or a nurse that comes in his place. I saw him everyday and also a nurse everyday to help me dress, bathe, and get my garments on.
15. He uses the brand Veronique for his compression garments, and they get great reviews.
16. If your surgery totals over $6000, he currently offers an all inclusive price. That includes hotel, medical clearance tests, all medical expenses, fees, implants (if any), required post-op garments(I believe 2 sets of garments, but it might be on a case by case basis), required hospitalization, post-op medication, follow up, refund of airfare up to $600, and local transportation (airport-clinic-hotel-airport.)
17. Dr. Sauceda will try to pick you up personally from the airport if he is available to do so. He picked me up, but could not take me back to the airport. He did already have a cab arranged for me and paid for when I had to leave.
18. The best is that he truly is an artist! He is so good at what he does and gave me an amazing new body! I cannot thank him enough for giving me a new and improved me!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
14 weeks post op update!
Hi everyone! It is hard to believe, but I will be 14 weeks post op tomorrow. I am still battling quite a bit of swelling in my tummy and mostly in my back, but I am finally seeing signs of improvement in that area over the last week. The scale is not my friend, and it can vary anywhere from 4 to 6 lbs a day from swelling. It has been staying a little more steady the last few days, so the swelling is getting better. I guess that I have gained a few lbs from laying around during my recovery though. He took off 3 lbs of skin and 6 lbs with lipo, but he transferred 1 1/2 lbs back in to each butt cheek, making that a total of 3 lbs. Plus, I got 400CC silicone implants, so that adds a little more than a 1 1/2 lbs back too. So, I should be down about 5 lbs from surgery, and I am the same weight I was when I went in to surgery. When I came home, I was down 3 lbs from surgery, so I either gained weight or hanging on to fluid. If I look back at my pictures, I look smaller in my pictures that were taken earlier on post op. Anyway, I am working on that though and bumping up my workouts and gym time. I am starting yoga 3 times a week, boot camp once a week, and elliptical on the other days. I am also going to start Jillian Michaels 30 day shred as well.
Back to my plastics results, I am still pleased with my results. I spit quite a few stitches, especially on my right breast, that messed up my scars, but I can live with that. They will fade in time too. I do have loose belly skin, but I knew I would because I chose NOT to have the anchor tummy tuck cut because of the scar. I wanted to wear a bikini and not worry about the scar. My breast look very natural even though they are large. Dr S gave me exactly what I wanted, and I should have thought about what DD's would look like on me after I lost 6 inches on my waist. I knew what they looked like before my LBL, but they look much bigger than my old ones did. My husband loves them though! My thighs have a huge improvement, but I am probably going back for a revision on those and have a little more taken off. I still have some wrinkles around my knees. I knew I may need a revision before I even left Monterrey because he made a decision during surgery to change my markings because he was afraid they would be too tight after the LBL. I have a little pouches of extra skin around my scar area when I sit down that needs to be taken off. That is the only time it is noticeable. I am happy to say that I do not have a J Lo booty anymore, and it is the right size for me. I had a very flat butt, and now I have just enough.
I am wearing a size small or medium in everything, a 6 in jeans ( I have one size 4), but I have a hard time finding fitted dresses that fit right. I am going to a military ball tomorrow, and I had to get an 8 because that is the only size that fit me in the boobs. I can get a 4 or 6 zipped up until I get to my boobs, and then no luck!!! I have to wear the dress a little big because of my boobs.
I have to say that Dr S is STILL the best, and I am so happy I chose him as my Dr.
Back to my plastics results, I am still pleased with my results. I spit quite a few stitches, especially on my right breast, that messed up my scars, but I can live with that. They will fade in time too. I do have loose belly skin, but I knew I would because I chose NOT to have the anchor tummy tuck cut because of the scar. I wanted to wear a bikini and not worry about the scar. My breast look very natural even though they are large. Dr S gave me exactly what I wanted, and I should have thought about what DD's would look like on me after I lost 6 inches on my waist. I knew what they looked like before my LBL, but they look much bigger than my old ones did. My husband loves them though! My thighs have a huge improvement, but I am probably going back for a revision on those and have a little more taken off. I still have some wrinkles around my knees. I knew I may need a revision before I even left Monterrey because he made a decision during surgery to change my markings because he was afraid they would be too tight after the LBL. I have a little pouches of extra skin around my scar area when I sit down that needs to be taken off. That is the only time it is noticeable. I am happy to say that I do not have a J Lo booty anymore, and it is the right size for me. I had a very flat butt, and now I have just enough.
I am wearing a size small or medium in everything, a 6 in jeans ( I have one size 4), but I have a hard time finding fitted dresses that fit right. I am going to a military ball tomorrow, and I had to get an 8 because that is the only size that fit me in the boobs. I can get a 4 or 6 zipped up until I get to my boobs, and then no luck!!! I have to wear the dress a little big because of my boobs.
I have to say that Dr S is STILL the best, and I am so happy I chose him as my Dr.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
REPOST! Reasons why I chose Dr Sauceda
I have had so many people ask me why I chose Dr Sauceda, and I thought this would be a good time to repost this.
1. He uses the Hampton Inn to house his patients. The link to the hotel is http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=XSQGHGCOAUOHWCSGBJF3MQQ?ctyhocn=MTYGAHX If you have the all inclusive package, he takes care of the hotel reservations for you.
2. He performs his surgeries in a clinic that is very close to his office and the hotel. Here is a link to pictures of the clinic and to another blogger that has already had her surgery. http://www.mymexicopsjourney.com/clinic-rooms.htm
3. The clinic does have WIFI internet access now and so does the hotel. You would need to bring an Ethernet cord if you want access in your hotel room, but they also have access downstairs as well.
4. You can request to have a recliner be placed in your room and a mini fridge as well.
5.Dr Sauceda has a seat riser for the bathroom that you can request if you think you are going to need one.
6. The Hampton Inn has a free full breakfast buffet every morning and free happy hour on Tues, Wed, and Thursday with free appetizers.
7. From my own experience, it was all in a very safe area. I even walked to the HEB at night and felt completely safe.
8. The hotel has an Applebee’s next door, and they will deliver to the hotel. There is a Starbucks, McDonalds, H.E.B., an Italian Restaurant, and other shops. There is a big mall less than a $2 cab ride away called Gallerias Monterrey with every kind of shop & amenities and is very similar to an American mall. The food court at the mall includes a KFC, Pizza Hut, and a Chili’s. The hotel also has a shuttle service that will take you around for free within 10 miles of the hotel. ( I would still give a tip.)
9. Dr. Sauceda has told me that he only performs 1 surgery per day.
10. His wife is his anesthesiologist, and she is known for making patients have very minimal pain after surgery. I was off my IV and IV drugs by day 2 and on Ibuprofen by day 4.
11. He performs the surgery under something called twilight sedation, not general anesthesia. It is regional anesthesia with sedation, and that allows him to perform multiple surgeries without the risk of being under general for many hours. After I researched it, I found that it is much safer and there is no need to recover from the anesthesia like someone would from general anesthesia. I was talking to my husband on the phone before I was even out of the operating room.
12. If you are not completely 100% satisfied with his work, he will offer free revisions if warranted. The patient might have to pay for your flight/ and or hotel, but his fees are free.
13. If you travel alone, Dr. Sauceda may offer to let you stay at the clinic the entire time or stay longer than normal if you like. He doesn’t want you to get lonely in the hotel. He offered to me already, but I would rather go back to the hotel where the beds are much more comfy!
14. He also comes to your hotel room everyday at least once to check on you, change your bandages, etc. Amazing to have a Dr. that actually makes house calls! If for some reason he cannot make it, he does have an assistant or a nurse that comes in his place. I saw him everyday and also a nurse everyday to help me dress, bathe, and get my garments on.
15. He uses the brand Veronique for his compression garments, and they get great reviews.
16. If your surgery totals over $6000, he currently offers an all inclusive price. That includes hotel, medical clearance tests, all medical expenses, fees, implants (if any), required post-op garments(I believe 2 sets of garments, but it might be on a case by case basis), required hospitalization, post-op medication, follow up, refund of airfare up to $600, and local transportation (airport-clinic-hotel-airport.)
17. Dr. Sauceda will try to pick you up personally from the airport if he is available to do so. He picked me up, but could not take me back to the airport. He did already have a cab arranged for me and paid for when I had to leave.
18. The best is that he truly is an artist! He is so good at what he does and gave me an amazing new body! I cannot thank him enough for giving me a new and improved me!
1. He uses the Hampton Inn to house his patients. The link to the hotel is http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=XSQGHGCOAUOHWCSGBJF3MQQ?ctyhocn=MTYGAHX If you have the all inclusive package, he takes care of the hotel reservations for you.
2. He performs his surgeries in a clinic that is very close to his office and the hotel. Here is a link to pictures of the clinic and to another blogger that has already had her surgery. http://www.mymexicopsjourney.com/clinic-rooms.htm
3. The clinic does have WIFI internet access now and so does the hotel. You would need to bring an Ethernet cord if you want access in your hotel room, but they also have access downstairs as well.
4. You can request to have a recliner be placed in your room and a mini fridge as well.
5.Dr Sauceda has a seat riser for the bathroom that you can request if you think you are going to need one.
6. The Hampton Inn has a free full breakfast buffet every morning and free happy hour on Tues, Wed, and Thursday with free appetizers.
7. From my own experience, it was all in a very safe area. I even walked to the HEB at night and felt completely safe.
8. The hotel has an Applebee’s next door, and they will deliver to the hotel. There is a Starbucks, McDonalds, H.E.B., an Italian Restaurant, and other shops. There is a big mall less than a $2 cab ride away called Gallerias Monterrey with every kind of shop & amenities and is very similar to an American mall. The food court at the mall includes a KFC, Pizza Hut, and a Chili’s. The hotel also has a shuttle service that will take you around for free within 10 miles of the hotel. ( I would still give a tip.)
9. Dr. Sauceda has told me that he only performs 1 surgery per day.
10. His wife is his anesthesiologist, and she is known for making patients have very minimal pain after surgery. I was off my IV and IV drugs by day 2 and on Ibuprofen by day 4.
11. He performs the surgery under something called twilight sedation, not general anesthesia. It is regional anesthesia with sedation, and that allows him to perform multiple surgeries without the risk of being under general for many hours. After I researched it, I found that it is much safer and there is no need to recover from the anesthesia like someone would from general anesthesia. I was talking to my husband on the phone before I was even out of the operating room.
12. If you are not completely 100% satisfied with his work, he will offer free revisions if warranted. The patient might have to pay for your flight/ and or hotel, but his fees are free.
13. If you travel alone, Dr. Sauceda may offer to let you stay at the clinic the entire time or stay longer than normal if you like. He doesn’t want you to get lonely in the hotel. He offered to me already, but I would rather go back to the hotel where the beds are much more comfy!
14. He also comes to your hotel room everyday at least once to check on you, change your bandages, etc. Amazing to have a Dr. that actually makes house calls! If for some reason he cannot make it, he does have an assistant or a nurse that comes in his place. I saw him everyday and also a nurse everyday to help me dress, bathe, and get my garments on.
15. He uses the brand Veronique for his compression garments, and they get great reviews.
16. If your surgery totals over $6000, he currently offers an all inclusive price. That includes hotel, medical clearance tests, all medical expenses, fees, implants (if any), required post-op garments(I believe 2 sets of garments, but it might be on a case by case basis), required hospitalization, post-op medication, follow up, refund of airfare up to $600, and local transportation (airport-clinic-hotel-airport.)
17. Dr. Sauceda will try to pick you up personally from the airport if he is available to do so. He picked me up, but could not take me back to the airport. He did already have a cab arranged for me and paid for when I had to leave.
18. The best is that he truly is an artist! He is so good at what he does and gave me an amazing new body! I cannot thank him enough for giving me a new and improved me!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Dr Sauceda's Certiifications
A lot of chatter has been happening on the Plastic Surgery board regarding certifications. I emailed Dr Sauceda regarding this and asking for the information for his. With his approval, I am copying the information he sent to me.
Here is the email I received back from Dr Sauceda explaining everything and giving proof to his certifications.
The "Consejo Mexicano de Cirugia Plastica" and the "Asociacion
Mexicana de Cirugia Plastica" (AMCPER), are in the same building,
actually in the same office.
Flamencos 74
Col. San José Insurgentes
México, D.F.
Tels. 5615 49 10 y 5615 49 11
Fax. 5615 49 23
Lada sin costo 01 800 711 87 32
Actually if you put in google "Consejo Mexicano de Cirugia Plastica", it is going to show you the Asociacion Mexicana de Cirugia Plastica web site. They are not the same thing, the Consejo Mexicano de Cirugia Plastica has to watch over the 13 plastic surgery programs on the all country, and has to put the final exam on the residents who have finish their course. This is a hard exam, in my case, it was written and oral exam, but after some years they only require the
written one. The AMCPER is the association which make the national congress of
plastic surgery.
But to be on the Asociacion Mexicana de Cirugia Plastica, you have to pass this exam. Now, I don't know how it is in the states, but here in Mexico for a plastic surgeon if he or she is the biggest plastic surgeon association you have to be on the board. Anyway, here is the link of the Consejo Mexicano de Cirugia Plastica in there you can find my name.
http://www.consejocpr.org.mx/
On the Medicos Certificados there are the all abc, you have to click on the big S, and then click several times on siguente ( because on the S, there a lot of plastic surgeons.)
Also I am in the FILACP, ( FEDERACIÓN IBERO LATINOAMERICANA DE CIRUGÍA
PLÁSTICA Y RECONSTRUCTIVA), which is the ibero latinamerican federation of plastic surgery.
http://filacp.org/directorio/
In there you have to put my last name and my name.
Hope that helps!
Jessica
Here is the email I received back from Dr Sauceda explaining everything and giving proof to his certifications.
The "Consejo Mexicano de Cirugia Plastica" and the "Asociacion
Mexicana de Cirugia Plastica" (AMCPER), are in the same building,
actually in the same office.
Flamencos 74
Col. San José Insurgentes
México, D.F.
Tels. 5615 49 10 y 5615 49 11
Fax. 5615 49 23
Lada sin costo 01 800 711 87 32
Actually if you put in google "Consejo Mexicano de Cirugia Plastica", it is going to show you the Asociacion Mexicana de Cirugia Plastica web site. They are not the same thing, the Consejo Mexicano de Cirugia Plastica has to watch over the 13 plastic surgery programs on the all country, and has to put the final exam on the residents who have finish their course. This is a hard exam, in my case, it was written and oral exam, but after some years they only require the
written one. The AMCPER is the association which make the national congress of
plastic surgery.
But to be on the Asociacion Mexicana de Cirugia Plastica, you have to pass this exam. Now, I don't know how it is in the states, but here in Mexico for a plastic surgeon if he or she is the biggest plastic surgeon association you have to be on the board. Anyway, here is the link of the Consejo Mexicano de Cirugia Plastica in there you can find my name.
http://www.consejocpr.org.mx/
On the Medicos Certificados there are the all abc, you have to click on the big S, and then click several times on siguente ( because on the S, there a lot of plastic surgeons.)
Also I am in the FILACP, ( FEDERACIÓN IBERO LATINOAMERICANA DE CIRUGÍA
PLÁSTICA Y RECONSTRUCTIVA), which is the ibero latinamerican federation of plastic surgery.
http://filacp.org/directorio/
In there you have to put my last name and my name.
Hope that helps!
Jessica
Sunday, November 8, 2009
REPOST! Some of the reasons why I chose Dr Sauceda
I have had so many people ask me why I chose Dr Sauceda, and I thought this would be a good time to repost this.
2. He performs his surgeries in a clinic that is very close to his office and the hotel. Here is a link to pictures of the clinic and to another blogger that has already had her surgery. http://www.mymexicopsjourney.com/clinic-rooms.htm
3. The clinic does have WIFI internet access now and so does the hotel. You would need to bring an Ethernet cord if you want access in your hotel room, but they also have access downstairs as well.
4. You can request to have a recliner be placed in your room and a mini fridge as well.
5.Dr Sauceda has a seat riser for the bathroom that you can request if you think you are going to need one.
6. The Hampton Inn has a free full breakfast buffet every morning and free happy hour on Tues, Wed, and Thursday with free appetizers.
7. From my own experience, it was all in a very safe area. I even walked to the HEB at night and felt completely safe.
8. The hotel has an Applebee’s next door, and they will deliver to the hotel. There is a Starbucks, McDonalds, H.E.B., an Italian Restaurant, and other shops. There is a big mall less than a $2 cab ride away called Gallerias Monterrey with every kind of shop & amenities and is very similar to an American mall. The food court at the mall includes a KFC, Pizza Hut, and a Chili’s. The hotel also has a shuttle service that will take you around for free within 10 miles of the hotel. ( I would still give a tip.)
9. Dr. Sauceda has told me that he only performs 1 surgery per day.
10. His wife is his anesthesiologist, and she is known for making patients have very minimal pain after surgery. I was off my IV and IV drugs by day 2 and on Ibuprofen by day 4.
11. He performs the surgery under something called twilight sedation, not general anesthesia. It is regional anesthesia with sedation, and that allows him to perform multiple surgeries without the risk of being under general for many hours. After I researched it, I found that it is much safer and there is no need to recover from the anesthesia like someone would from general anesthesia. I was talking to my husband on the phone before I was even out of the operating room.
12. If you are not completely 100% satisfied with his work, he will offer free revisions if warranted. The patient might have to pay for your flight/ and or hotel, but his fees are free.
13. If you travel alone, Dr. Sauceda may offer to let you stay at the clinic the entire time or stay longer than normal if you like. He doesn’t want you to get lonely in the hotel. He offered to me already, but I would rather go back to the hotel where the beds are much more comfy!
14. He also comes to your hotel room everyday at least once to check on you, change your bandages, etc. Amazing to have a Dr. that actually makes house calls! If for some reason he cannot make it, he does have an assistant or a nurse that comes in his place. I saw him everyday and also a nurse everyday to help me dress, bathe, and get my garments on.
15. He uses the brand Veronique for his compression garments, and they get great reviews.
16. If your surgery totals over $6000, he currently offers an all inclusive price. That includes hotel, medical clearance tests, all medical expenses, fees, implants (if any), required post-op garments(I believe 2 sets of garments, but it might be on a case by case basis), required hospitalization, post-op medication, follow up, refund of airfare up to $600, and local transportation (airport-clinic-hotel-airport.)
17. Dr. Sauceda will try to pick you up personally from the airport if he is available to do so. He picked me up, but could not take me back to the airport. He did already have a cab arranged for me and paid for when I had to leave.
18. The best is that he truly is an artist! He is so good at what he does and gave me an amazing new body! I cannot thank him enough for giving me a new and improved me!
1. He uses the Hampton Inn to house his patients. The link to the hotel is http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=XSQGHGCOAUOHWCSGBJF3MQQ?ctyhocn=MTYGAHX If you have the all inclusive package, he takes care of the hotel reservations for you.
2. He performs his surgeries in a clinic that is very close to his office and the hotel. Here is a link to pictures of the clinic and to another blogger that has already had her surgery. http://www.mymexicopsjourney.com/clinic-rooms.htm
3. The clinic does have WIFI internet access now and so does the hotel. You would need to bring an Ethernet cord if you want access in your hotel room, but they also have access downstairs as well.
4. You can request to have a recliner be placed in your room and a mini fridge as well.
5.Dr Sauceda has a seat riser for the bathroom that you can request if you think you are going to need one.
6. The Hampton Inn has a free full breakfast buffet every morning and free happy hour on Tues, Wed, and Thursday with free appetizers.
7. From my own experience, it was all in a very safe area. I even walked to the HEB at night and felt completely safe.
8. The hotel has an Applebee’s next door, and they will deliver to the hotel. There is a Starbucks, McDonalds, H.E.B., an Italian Restaurant, and other shops. There is a big mall less than a $2 cab ride away called Gallerias Monterrey with every kind of shop & amenities and is very similar to an American mall. The food court at the mall includes a KFC, Pizza Hut, and a Chili’s. The hotel also has a shuttle service that will take you around for free within 10 miles of the hotel. ( I would still give a tip.)
9. Dr. Sauceda has told me that he only performs 1 surgery per day.
10. His wife is his anesthesiologist, and she is known for making patients have very minimal pain after surgery. I was off my IV and IV drugs by day 2 and on Ibuprofen by day 4.
11. He performs the surgery under something called twilight sedation, not general anesthesia. It is regional anesthesia with sedation, and that allows him to perform multiple surgeries without the risk of being under general for many hours. After I researched it, I found that it is much safer and there is no need to recover from the anesthesia like someone would from general anesthesia. I was talking to my husband on the phone before I was even out of the operating room.
12. If you are not completely 100% satisfied with his work, he will offer free revisions if warranted. The patient might have to pay for your flight/ and or hotel, but his fees are free.
13. If you travel alone, Dr. Sauceda may offer to let you stay at the clinic the entire time or stay longer than normal if you like. He doesn’t want you to get lonely in the hotel. He offered to me already, but I would rather go back to the hotel where the beds are much more comfy!
14. He also comes to your hotel room everyday at least once to check on you, change your bandages, etc. Amazing to have a Dr. that actually makes house calls! If for some reason he cannot make it, he does have an assistant or a nurse that comes in his place. I saw him everyday and also a nurse everyday to help me dress, bathe, and get my garments on.
15. He uses the brand Veronique for his compression garments, and they get great reviews.
16. If your surgery totals over $6000, he currently offers an all inclusive price. That includes hotel, medical clearance tests, all medical expenses, fees, implants (if any), required post-op garments(I believe 2 sets of garments, but it might be on a case by case basis), required hospitalization, post-op medication, follow up, refund of airfare up to $600, and local transportation (airport-clinic-hotel-airport.)
17. Dr. Sauceda will try to pick you up personally from the airport if he is available to do so. He picked me up, but could not take me back to the airport. He did already have a cab arranged for me and paid for when I had to leave.
18. The best is that he truly is an artist! He is so good at what he does and gave me an amazing new body! I cannot thank him enough for giving me a new and improved me!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Swell Hell!
Well, the day finally came, and I am in swell hell. Since Monday, I have gained 6 lbs, and it has to be fluid. My drain was not working properly yesterday, and fluid was pouring out of the hole instead of going in to the drain. Dr. Sauceda said it was not working correctly and probably needed to come out. I worked with it hoping that I could get it unblocked and working again, and I did! But, now it isn't coming out of the drain or the hole. If it is like this in the morning, Chief and I will be taking the drain out. I have been laying in bed most of the day because I overdid it yesterday. We went to the Navy Exchange Mall with our neighbors and walked around for a few hours, and then we went and picked Monkey Doodle from school. I was extremely tired last night and just didn't feel good at all. I feel like a swollen tick at the moment, but I know it will pass. I hate to say it, but I feel fat..... My belly is huge, my thighs are huge, my face is so swollen, and of course my back is still really swollen. Dr Sauceda is so nice and just reassured me that it is part of the process, and just to rest, rest, rest.
I do have good news though! We are going to Oregon to visit Chief's family for Thanksgiving! We are all so excited, but now I do not have ANY winter clothes that fit! We are going to be lucky if the kids have any since they have both grown so much since January. We are going to be there for a littler over a week, so it is hard to think about buying new clothes for only 8 days. I will be digging out the winter stuff from last year and see what we can and cannot use. I do have 1 pair of jeans that I found that are brand new. I bought them on the clearance rack because I couldn't pass up a pair of jeans for $2.00! They are a size 7 in juniors, and I tried them on today and can get them on. They were pretty tight and really uncomfortable because of the drain, but they should work as long as the swelling goes down in the next few weeks.
I also tried on bras yesterday, and I ended up buying Wacoal 34DD's. I probably could wear a 32DDD, but the 34DD's will work for now. I cannot wear them for another month, but I wanted to have a couple just in case. After reading so many online forums and message boards, I have learned that Victoria's Secret just doesn't make a good quality bra for the price and would rather spend money on a better quality bra.
Well, I am going back to laying around and being in swell hell at the moment. I am hoping that the Bromelain will help the swelling, and I am cutting out as much sodium out of my diet as I can.
I do have good news though! We are going to Oregon to visit Chief's family for Thanksgiving! We are all so excited, but now I do not have ANY winter clothes that fit! We are going to be lucky if the kids have any since they have both grown so much since January. We are going to be there for a littler over a week, so it is hard to think about buying new clothes for only 8 days. I will be digging out the winter stuff from last year and see what we can and cannot use. I do have 1 pair of jeans that I found that are brand new. I bought them on the clearance rack because I couldn't pass up a pair of jeans for $2.00! They are a size 7 in juniors, and I tried them on today and can get them on. They were pretty tight and really uncomfortable because of the drain, but they should work as long as the swelling goes down in the next few weeks.
I also tried on bras yesterday, and I ended up buying Wacoal 34DD's. I probably could wear a 32DDD, but the 34DD's will work for now. I cannot wear them for another month, but I wanted to have a couple just in case. After reading so many online forums and message boards, I have learned that Victoria's Secret just doesn't make a good quality bra for the price and would rather spend money on a better quality bra.
Well, I am going back to laying around and being in swell hell at the moment. I am hoping that the Bromelain will help the swelling, and I am cutting out as much sodium out of my diet as I can.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Adios Monterrey, Aloha Hawaii!
Dr Sauceda has surgery in the morning, so he cannot take me to the airport, but that is ok. He has already set up and paid for my taxi already. I am going home with all of my stitches and only 1 drain. He said that it should be ready to come out in about a week. Lipo swelling is still pretty bad especially in my back, and he said that should last about 8 weeks. I am already impatient to see what my body is going to look like because it is definitely going to change!
I leave at 8:55 tomorrow morning and will be in Hawaii by 3:00 Hawaii time! I cannot wait to see my family and friends, and just be normal again!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Still here & doing well
I am still here and doing very well. I have 2 of the 5 drains removed, and I should have 2 more out by Friday. Dr Sauceda said that I should not have to go home with any drains, so that is very good news! I may go home with my stitches, but we will see the day I leave. He said it would be better if I went home with them if I had someone to take them out when I got home. With me having such a long flight, I think it would be more beneficial to keep them in.
I have to tell you that I am burned out on plastic surgery! I have studied, lived, breathed it since April. Now that it is complete, I am so tired of thinking about it! I was shocked to see the outflow of support and questions since surgery. I just counted again, and I have received over 100 emails just about surgery since the 8th. I have tried to answer everyone's emails, so I apologize if I missed someone. I have barely been on the internet the last 2 days because I just wanted to read a book. I never get much of a chance to do that at home, so I am taking advantage! I am reading the Twilight series, and I cannot put them down. I finally had to this evening because my inbox was so full of questions from so many pre op patients or people that are still researching for a Dr. I will do my best to try and answer your email, but if you don't hear from me in a few days, try searching my blog. You can type in Plastic Surgery, Dr Sauceda, or Monterrey and get tons of information that might already have the answer you need. I even have a packing list on here!
I am also getting homesick. I knew it would happen because this is the longest I have been away from my kids EVER! It is starting to wear on them as well as daddy. We are doing our best to get me home sooner, but Continental is not being cooperative and American gave us poor information. We need quite a bit more miles on American than we anticipated and is just not affordable to purchse that many miles or a full fare ticket to get home. My best friend in Hawaii's daughter(like my own daughter) is also having surgery on Monday to have a grapefruit size tumor removed in her hip. Her surgery was scheduled after I already purchased my tickets, so I am pretty torn up that I cannot be there for that as well. I hope we get something worked out, but I guess I will stay until the 23rd if all else fails! Dr Sauceda gave me the clear to leave on Sunday the 18th because I am doing so well.
If you don't see me post in a couple of days, I promise that I am doing well and just relaxing and healing. Pain is very controllable with over the counter meds now, and I am getting around like I did preop.
Wait! Funny story before I go! Dr Sauceda was in my room today, and he dropped a cotton ball down my shirt by accident. He went to fish it out and then stopped for me to get it. He said for me to get used to it because things are going to get lost down there a lot! LOL! Thought that was too funny!
Ok, back to my book!!!
I have to tell you that I am burned out on plastic surgery! I have studied, lived, breathed it since April. Now that it is complete, I am so tired of thinking about it! I was shocked to see the outflow of support and questions since surgery. I just counted again, and I have received over 100 emails just about surgery since the 8th. I have tried to answer everyone's emails, so I apologize if I missed someone. I have barely been on the internet the last 2 days because I just wanted to read a book. I never get much of a chance to do that at home, so I am taking advantage! I am reading the Twilight series, and I cannot put them down. I finally had to this evening because my inbox was so full of questions from so many pre op patients or people that are still researching for a Dr. I will do my best to try and answer your email, but if you don't hear from me in a few days, try searching my blog. You can type in Plastic Surgery, Dr Sauceda, or Monterrey and get tons of information that might already have the answer you need. I even have a packing list on here!
I am also getting homesick. I knew it would happen because this is the longest I have been away from my kids EVER! It is starting to wear on them as well as daddy. We are doing our best to get me home sooner, but Continental is not being cooperative and American gave us poor information. We need quite a bit more miles on American than we anticipated and is just not affordable to purchse that many miles or a full fare ticket to get home. My best friend in Hawaii's daughter(like my own daughter) is also having surgery on Monday to have a grapefruit size tumor removed in her hip. Her surgery was scheduled after I already purchased my tickets, so I am pretty torn up that I cannot be there for that as well. I hope we get something worked out, but I guess I will stay until the 23rd if all else fails! Dr Sauceda gave me the clear to leave on Sunday the 18th because I am doing so well.
If you don't see me post in a couple of days, I promise that I am doing well and just relaxing and healing. Pain is very controllable with over the counter meds now, and I am getting around like I did preop.
Wait! Funny story before I go! Dr Sauceda was in my room today, and he dropped a cotton ball down my shirt by accident. He went to fish it out and then stopped for me to get it. He said for me to get used to it because things are going to get lost down there a lot! LOL! Thought that was too funny!
Ok, back to my book!!!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Beginning of Day 4 post op
Night before surgery 3 days post op
I am amazed on how much bigger my butt is and how much smaller my legs are from the lower body lift!! The swelling is pretty bad, but I still look better than I did pre op!! I started sleeping on my sides so I could get some relief from my butt, and that has helped a lot. I can sleep on either side and turn over in the bed without using the bed rails. I am standing completely vertical now and can sleep flat in the bed as well. The only part that hurts is my sides and back where he lipo'd. Don't get me wrong, my tummy still hurts since he did repair the 3 to 3 1/2 inch gap in my stomach muscles and a hernia at the top of my muscles that was about between the size of a baseball and an orange. It feels a little more sore than it did after my 2 C-sections. I have a lot of bruising showing up now, but I am taking my Bromelain faithfully! Hopefully the bruising and swelling will get a little better soon. Dr Sauceda came by last night and said I was doing remarkably well and better than he though I would be. He said patients usually put out more fluid in their drains, but I don't seem to be putting out much and should get a couple of them removed in the next couple of days. He was shocked that I am more swollen after having so much lipo done, but I told him that I am ok with that! One of my drains is producing something that looks like cooking oil, and he said it was probably the residual fat left over from the lipo, Can you say GROSS?????
My neck looks absolutely amazing, but now it makes my nose look bigger!! LOL!!! I do have a rash under my neck, and I am assuming it is from the head wrap because it probably has latex in it. I have a sensitivity to latex and get rashes from it. Isn't my dirty hair lovely in my post op picture???
Preop Night before surgery
3 days post op
Since Dr Sauceda said I am doing so well, I will probably be moving to the hotel tomorrow. I am ok with that because I can pretty much do everything on my own now. I will have some help showering in the mornings and getting back in to my garment, but that it all I really need help with anyway. As my kids say, I only have 11 more sleeps to go in Mexico, and I will be back in Hawaii! I really miss Chief and the kids, but it has helped being able to talk to them and see them on Google chat. Chief is doing such an amazing job taking care of them and the house. I don't even think they notice I am gone! I wish I could blink and be 6 months down the road and be out of all of the swelling and see what my shape is going to really look like. Dr Sauceda is very pleased so far, and so am I! I am so glad I did this, so happy the surgery is in the past, and I am so looking forward to the future. I am relieved that the anticipation is gone, the researching for hours at a time on the procedures I was having done, constantly reading and looking for new information about Dr Sauceda and his work, and finally just trying to get back to normalcy again. But, will normalcy ever happen in my life? I doubt it because I have an amazing fun-filled life with amazing family and friends! The encouragement and support I have received over the last couple of months and especially the last few days has been heart touching. It helps more than anyone knows, and it means the world to me. I cannot thank everyone enough for the prayers and concern. Now, on to my yummy breakfast of Mexian Omlette with fresh cut up fruit and a protein shake!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Dr Sauceda is the BEST!!!
If I haven't said it once, I will say it a million more times, Dr Sauceda is the best! I really and truly do not think I could find a better Dr or situation to be in. This man goes far above and beyond any other Dr I have ever seen. He picked me up personally at the airport, checked me in to the hotel, helped me carry my bags to my room, took me grocery shopping and pushed the cart, spent over 3 hours marking my body for surgery, answered EVERY question or address any concern I had, and took me to get something to eat afterward! All of this was just the day I arrived! It was important to me to try and hide the incisions under my bikini bottoms, so he marked me while wearing those. He even gave me other suggestions on scar placement because he was afraid I wouldn't get as tight of a result that I was looking for if he just worked with the bikini bottoms. He said I would just have to get a smaller suit because the scar would be even lower than I predicted!
He picked me up again the next morning for surgery, helped me fill out the clinic paperwork, introduced me to his wife, the wonderful anesthesiologist, and then spent over 13 hours giving me the body I asked him for. He called Chief for me before I even made it out of the operating room and handed me the phone to talk to him. He called both my mom and my dad to let them know I was ok and doing well. I have seen him everyday, and he has addressed every concern or problem I have had. He was in surgery for over 14 hours on Saturday and still came by to check on me afterward and APOLOGIZED for not being there sooner. He had not slept or eaten since 7:00 that morning, was at the hospital until after 10:00 the night before marking my friend for surgery, had a small surgery on Friday morning, picked my friend up at the airport Friday afternoon,and he spent time visiting us afterward. He was working on one of my friends in the operating room, and she is doing fantastic today. Sundays are his "family" days, and he still came to visit us today and says that he will be coming back again tonight. He goes far above and beyond to make his patients happy and make sure we are well cared for.
The price was 1/3 to 1/2 less than a U.S. Dr, and I am getting so much more for my money. It included my hotel stay for 2 people if needed for 12 nights, my clinic stay, transportation to and from the airport, 2 sets of garments (expensive), and so much more. The hotel is a Hampton Inn and has a breakfast buffet every morning, happy hour with free appetizers 3 nights per week, and the hotel room has a king size bed, recliner, and a mini fridge if needed! The water is purified and completely drinkable. They do provide a bottle of water for you daily, but there really is no need. There is an HEB next door, a outside mall, an Applebee's, and a McDonalds right next door as well. His clinic is less than 2 blocks away, and I would feel completely safe walking to and from the hotel and clinic.
I could go on and on about Dr Sauceda and my experience because there is so much more! This is only day 4 in Mexico and day 3 post op. To get beautiful results with all the extras, why would anyone else want to go somewhere else??
He picked me up again the next morning for surgery, helped me fill out the clinic paperwork, introduced me to his wife, the wonderful anesthesiologist, and then spent over 13 hours giving me the body I asked him for. He called Chief for me before I even made it out of the operating room and handed me the phone to talk to him. He called both my mom and my dad to let them know I was ok and doing well. I have seen him everyday, and he has addressed every concern or problem I have had. He was in surgery for over 14 hours on Saturday and still came by to check on me afterward and APOLOGIZED for not being there sooner. He had not slept or eaten since 7:00 that morning, was at the hospital until after 10:00 the night before marking my friend for surgery, had a small surgery on Friday morning, picked my friend up at the airport Friday afternoon,and he spent time visiting us afterward. He was working on one of my friends in the operating room, and she is doing fantastic today. Sundays are his "family" days, and he still came to visit us today and says that he will be coming back again tonight. He goes far above and beyond to make his patients happy and make sure we are well cared for.
The price was 1/3 to 1/2 less than a U.S. Dr, and I am getting so much more for my money. It included my hotel stay for 2 people if needed for 12 nights, my clinic stay, transportation to and from the airport, 2 sets of garments (expensive), and so much more. The hotel is a Hampton Inn and has a breakfast buffet every morning, happy hour with free appetizers 3 nights per week, and the hotel room has a king size bed, recliner, and a mini fridge if needed! The water is purified and completely drinkable. They do provide a bottle of water for you daily, but there really is no need. There is an HEB next door, a outside mall, an Applebee's, and a McDonalds right next door as well. His clinic is less than 2 blocks away, and I would feel completely safe walking to and from the hotel and clinic.
I could go on and on about Dr Sauceda and my experience because there is so much more! This is only day 4 in Mexico and day 3 post op. To get beautiful results with all the extras, why would anyone else want to go somewhere else??
Friday, October 9, 2009
A glimpse of the new me....
I got a sneek peak tonight of my tummy while night nurse Patty was fixing my drains, and my belly looks pretty flat to me! I am amazed at the difference in 24 hours! I have to say that the butt grafting is the worst pain I have ever had. He put 700 CC's in each butt cheek! Trying to get comfortable is not an easy task! My pain meds were not touching my pain, so he came in and changed them tonight. I got new IV meds, a shot of morphine, and a Tylenol for my headache and fever. Fever is not due to infection, but just trauma of the surgery! Everything is looking great, but I am really really sore!
Dr Sauceda also brought Debbie by to meet me and Tony, and she is a doll! She goes in tomorrow morning for surgery, so please keep her in your prayers. Dr S also informed me that I had a hernia that I knew nothing about up at the top of my stomach. He said it was about the size of a baseball. Thank goodness he repaired that too! Shortly after Dr S. left, my IV blew, and my hand swelled up twice the size of my normal hand. It was painful! Patty came in and took it out, and tried to start another one in the other hand with no luck. She made a quick call to Dr Sauceda and I emailed him. He responded back in 30 seconds that he changed my meds to orally, so no more IV for me as long as I stay hydrated!
Tony is checking out of the clinic and moving over to the hotel tomorrow, so he spent an entire week in the clinic. Since we have internet now, it does make you want to stay in the clinic longer and get pampered by the nurses. The food is pretty good, and you order off of a menu. They have it delivered from a local restaurant, and they have quite a bit to choose from! Pasta, fajitas, sandwiches, pizza, chicken, salads, desserts, smoothies, etc. Dr S wants us to up our calorie intake to help us heal faster.
We had another English speaking nurse on the afternoon shift today, and her name was Nora. She was fantastic as well. I just need to make sure I keep up with my meds, and I will stay sane. The lipo with fat grafting has been the worst part of the surgery, but the pain will pass soon. I have to remember that I am not superwoman, and I too can get a little upset when I am in pain. Oh well, it will all be worth it in the end!!!If you don't like to see a little blood and partial nudity, then please do not go any further.
Dr Sauceda also brought Debbie by to meet me and Tony, and she is a doll! She goes in tomorrow morning for surgery, so please keep her in your prayers. Dr S also informed me that I had a hernia that I knew nothing about up at the top of my stomach. He said it was about the size of a baseball. Thank goodness he repaired that too! Shortly after Dr S. left, my IV blew, and my hand swelled up twice the size of my normal hand. It was painful! Patty came in and took it out, and tried to start another one in the other hand with no luck. She made a quick call to Dr Sauceda and I emailed him. He responded back in 30 seconds that he changed my meds to orally, so no more IV for me as long as I stay hydrated!
Tony is checking out of the clinic and moving over to the hotel tomorrow, so he spent an entire week in the clinic. Since we have internet now, it does make you want to stay in the clinic longer and get pampered by the nurses. The food is pretty good, and you order off of a menu. They have it delivered from a local restaurant, and they have quite a bit to choose from! Pasta, fajitas, sandwiches, pizza, chicken, salads, desserts, smoothies, etc. Dr S wants us to up our calorie intake to help us heal faster.
We had another English speaking nurse on the afternoon shift today, and her name was Nora. She was fantastic as well. I just need to make sure I keep up with my meds, and I will stay sane. The lipo with fat grafting has been the worst part of the surgery, but the pain will pass soon. I have to remember that I am not superwoman, and I too can get a little upset when I am in pain. Oh well, it will all be worth it in the end!!!If you don't like to see a little blood and partial nudity, then please do not go any further.
Night before (neck)
24 hours later....
Night after
I cannot wait to see how my belly, butt, and thighs look tomorrow when I get my shower! Not too bad for 24 hours post op!!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Reasons why I have chosen Dr, Sauceda
I have had so many people ask me why I chose Dr. Sauceda to reconstruct my body after obesity, 3 babies, 2 C-sections, 2 weight loss surgeries, and 1 grapefruit sized tumor ruined it.
I know I have NOT had my surgery yet, so I have not experienced all this yet. I plan on verifying all of this info with Dr Sauceda personally though. I have compiled a list that is full of info for anyone that has been curious or looking for more information regarding Dr Sauceda. The information has been gathered by me asking him tons of questions, reading on different websites, forums, or by chatting with some of his previous patients. I am pretty sure that I am providing accurate information, but please let me know if I have gathered any wrong information. Also, if any of his former patients have anything else to add, please do so!
1. He uses the Hampton Inn to house his patients.
The link to the hotel is If you have the all inclusive package, he takes care of the hotel reservations for you.
2. He performs his surgeries in a clinic that is very close to his office and the hotel. Here is a link to pictures of the clinic and to another blogger that has already had her surgery.
3. The clinic does not have internet access, but the hotel does. You would need to bring an Ethernet cord if you want access in your hotel room, but they also have access downstairs as well.
4. I believe you can also request a recliner be placed in your room and a mini fridge as well.
5. The hotel or Dr Sauceda has a seat riser for the bathroom that you can request if you think you are going to need one. Dr. Sauceda told me this personally.
6. The Hampton Inn has a free full breakfast buffet every morning and free happy hour on Tues, Wed, and Thursday with free appetizers.
7. From what he told me and other patients have told me, it is in a very safe area. Everyone I have chatted with has said that they felt safe.
8. The hotel has an Applebee’s next door, and I was told that they will deliver to the hotel. I also read that there is a Starbucks, McDonalds, H.E.B., and other shops. There is a big mall less than a $2 cab ride away called Gallerias Monterrey with every kind of shop & amenities and is very similar to an American mall. The food court at the mall includes a KFC, Pizza Hut, and a Chili’s. The hotel also has a shuttle service that will take you around for free within 10 miles of the hotel. ( I would still give a tip.)
9. Dr. Sauceda has told me that he only performs 1 surgery per day.
10. His wife is his anesthesiologist, and she is known for making patients have very minimal pain after surgery.
11. He performs the surgery under something called twilight sedation, not general anesthesia. It is regional anesthesia with sedation, and that allows him to perform multiple surgeries without the risk of being under general for many hours. After I researched it, I found that it is much safer and there is no need to recover from the anesthesia like someone would from general anesthesia.
12. If you are not completely 100% satisfied with his work, he seems to offer free revisions. The patient might have to pay for your flight/ and or hotel, but his fees are free. I would assume this would be on a case by case basis, but I have not found anyone that has said he did not offer.
13. If you travel alone, Dr. Sauceda may offer to let you stay at the clinic the entire time or stay longer than normal if you like. He doesn’t want you to get lonely in the hotel. He offered to me already, but I would rather go back to the hotel where I have internet access!
14. He also comes to your hotel room everyday at least once to check on you, change your bandages, etc. Amazing to have a Dr. that actually makes house calls! If for some reason he cannot make it, he does have an assistant or a nurse that comes in his place.
15. He uses the brand Veronique for his compression garments, and they get great reviews.
16. If your surgery totals over $6000, he currently offers an all inclusive price. That includes hotel, medical clearance tests, all medical expenses, fees, implants (if any), required post-op garments(I believe 2 sets of garments, but it might be on a case by case basis), required hospitalization, post-op medication, follow up, refund of airfare up to $600, and local transportation (airport-clinic-hotel-airport.)
17. I have also been told that Dr. Sauceda will pick you up personally from the airport if he is available to do so. He has already told me that he will be the one picking me up at the airport on the 7th.
Ok, I hope this helps someone because I know it helped me. Please remember that this is info I have gathered and is not all 1st hand information. If ANYTHING is incorrect, I will let everyone know.
I know I have NOT had my surgery yet, so I have not experienced all this yet. I plan on verifying all of this info with Dr Sauceda personally though. I have compiled a list that is full of info for anyone that has been curious or looking for more information regarding Dr Sauceda. The information has been gathered by me asking him tons of questions, reading on different websites, forums, or by chatting with some of his previous patients. I am pretty sure that I am providing accurate information, but please let me know if I have gathered any wrong information. Also, if any of his former patients have anything else to add, please do so!
1. He uses the Hampton Inn to house his patients.
The link to the hotel is If you have the all inclusive package, he takes care of the hotel reservations for you.
2. He performs his surgeries in a clinic that is very close to his office and the hotel. Here is a link to pictures of the clinic and to another blogger that has already had her surgery.
3. The clinic does not have internet access, but the hotel does. You would need to bring an Ethernet cord if you want access in your hotel room, but they also have access downstairs as well.
4. I believe you can also request a recliner be placed in your room and a mini fridge as well.
5. The hotel or Dr Sauceda has a seat riser for the bathroom that you can request if you think you are going to need one. Dr. Sauceda told me this personally.
6. The Hampton Inn has a free full breakfast buffet every morning and free happy hour on Tues, Wed, and Thursday with free appetizers.
7. From what he told me and other patients have told me, it is in a very safe area. Everyone I have chatted with has said that they felt safe.
8. The hotel has an Applebee’s next door, and I was told that they will deliver to the hotel. I also read that there is a Starbucks, McDonalds, H.E.B., and other shops. There is a big mall less than a $2 cab ride away called Gallerias Monterrey with every kind of shop & amenities and is very similar to an American mall. The food court at the mall includes a KFC, Pizza Hut, and a Chili’s. The hotel also has a shuttle service that will take you around for free within 10 miles of the hotel. ( I would still give a tip.)
9. Dr. Sauceda has told me that he only performs 1 surgery per day.
10. His wife is his anesthesiologist, and she is known for making patients have very minimal pain after surgery.
11. He performs the surgery under something called twilight sedation, not general anesthesia. It is regional anesthesia with sedation, and that allows him to perform multiple surgeries without the risk of being under general for many hours. After I researched it, I found that it is much safer and there is no need to recover from the anesthesia like someone would from general anesthesia.
12. If you are not completely 100% satisfied with his work, he seems to offer free revisions. The patient might have to pay for your flight/ and or hotel, but his fees are free. I would assume this would be on a case by case basis, but I have not found anyone that has said he did not offer.
13. If you travel alone, Dr. Sauceda may offer to let you stay at the clinic the entire time or stay longer than normal if you like. He doesn’t want you to get lonely in the hotel. He offered to me already, but I would rather go back to the hotel where I have internet access!
14. He also comes to your hotel room everyday at least once to check on you, change your bandages, etc. Amazing to have a Dr. that actually makes house calls! If for some reason he cannot make it, he does have an assistant or a nurse that comes in his place.
15. He uses the brand Veronique for his compression garments, and they get great reviews.
16. If your surgery totals over $6000, he currently offers an all inclusive price. That includes hotel, medical clearance tests, all medical expenses, fees, implants (if any), required post-op garments(I believe 2 sets of garments, but it might be on a case by case basis), required hospitalization, post-op medication, follow up, refund of airfare up to $600, and local transportation (airport-clinic-hotel-airport.)
17. I have also been told that Dr. Sauceda will pick you up personally from the airport if he is available to do so. He has already told me that he will be the one picking me up at the airport on the 7th.
Ok, I hope this helps someone because I know it helped me. Please remember that this is info I have gathered and is not all 1st hand information. If ANYTHING is incorrect, I will let everyone know.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Packing is hard work!
Being the planner I am, I have already started my packing for Mexico. Also, I have a list....a big list. Are you surprised??? :) So many factors play in to the planning for this trip, and it is a little more complicated since I am going alone. I don't want to over pack, but I don't want to under pack either since it won't be easy for me to just go out and buy what I need. So, here is my packing list. Now, you are going to think I am really crazy!
Tylenol PM (packed)
Melatonin (packed)
Laundry Detergent
2 Plastic Plates
2 Plastic Bowls
Plastic Silverware
All purpose knife or leatherman
Toiletries (purchased)
Laptop
DVD
Movies
Anti-bacteria hand cleaner (packed)
Anti-bacteria spray sanitizer (packed)
Books/Magazines to read
Toothbrush to throw away
Hand lotion
Extra gauze and medical tape (packed)
Pads for drains (packed)
2 sheets - (old ones I would leave there)
Scissors
Vitamin C
Grape Seed Extract (packed)
Vitamin A
Arnica Montana (packed)
Silicone Strips
Grabber
Lanyard to hang drains on in shower
Freshette (packed)
Camera
Bikini (packed)
Bikini Underwear
Tampons
Snacks
2 U Shaped Travel pillows (packed)
Disk of Pictures to show Dr Sauceda
Hair rubberbands
Spanish Dictionary (packed)
Gowns (packed)
Phase 10
Deck of cards
Cash for tips
UPDATED ITEMS
Chapstick
Flat Iron
Hair Dryer
Ethernet Cord for the hotel room! (packed)
Now, what am I forgetting? Can anyone think of something that I might need?
Deck of cards
Cash for tips
UPDATED ITEMS
Chapstick
Flat Iron
Hair Dryer
Ethernet Cord for the hotel room! (packed)
Now, what am I forgetting? Can anyone think of something that I might need?
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