Well, I think I am finally say that I feel almost back to normal. Chief left for a trip on Sunday, so I am on my own with the kids for the first time since surgery. I am back to getting Monkey Doodle ready for school. driving and picking him up, cooking, washing bedsheets and making beds, (Chief did all the rest of the laundry before he left), and light cleaning (he cleaned the entire house too!) Miss Priss and I even drove in to town yesterday and made a trip to Target to pick up a few things for our Oregon trip. Chief helped me get us all packed this past weekend since we really don't need any of the winter clothes that we will be taking with us to Oregon. So, I do still have some pulling/tugging in my tummy when I lift heavier things, so I am trying to stay away from that. I do not want to mess up my stomach muscles or my belly button more! Since my belly button is still not healed, I don't want to chance getting a hernia or anything like that.
I am still having a ton of swelling when I am really active, and it was really bad last night! I felt like I couldn't breathe very well in my garment because it was so tight. It seems to help when I sleep without it, and I wake up with some of the swelling gone. I gain about 4 lbs in swelling when I am really active.
My body was rejecting some of the dissolvable stitches, but I figured that would happen. The knots always seem to surface on me, so I am used to it. They are getting better and healing pretty good too. The back opening has closed now, and I just have a small scab now. My belly button is definitely looking better, but I am worried it is going to be too small! I have been placing a soft earplug in it to keep it somewhat round, and it seems to be working. I will have to send pictures to Dr Sauceda when I find my camera charger! Sorry, no pictures at the moment due to the misplacement of the charger!
It is hard to believe that I am only 2 days away from being 6 weeks post op. The kids and I fly out to Oregon on a red eye late Thursday night and arrive in Portland early Friday morning. Chief will be there to pick me us because he is flying in to Portland on Thursday afternoon. I will try to keep the blog updated as much as I can while I am there, and I will need to get my 6 week post op pictures taken as well. I will definitely be sharing those with everyone too!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
5 weeks post op
Hard to believe that I am actually 5 weeks post op today! As of today, my meaurements are:
Chest/Breasts: 40 inches
Bra Band: 33 inches
Waist: 31 inches
Hips: 39 inches
Each Thigh: 21 inches
My preop measurements were:
Chest/Breasts: 37 inches
Bra Band: 36 inches
Waist: 36 inches
Hips: 43 inches
Each Thigh: 24 inches
I am hoping that my waist will end up around 28 inches or smaller!
Weight preop was 160 lbs, and weight when I got home from Mexico was 157 lbs with a ton of swelling. I have gone from 157lbs to 165lbs, and now I am back to 159 lbs with swelling. I am hoping I will stablize around 155 lbs, but I would love to be in the 140's when all is said and done.
I was a true size 8, 36DD, and a medium dress preop, and now I am wearing 6's and 4's, size small in dresses, and not for sure what my bra size is yet. I only have 1 more week before I can wear normal bras, so I should be finding out soon!
Chest/Breasts: 40 inches
Bra Band: 33 inches
Waist: 31 inches
Hips: 39 inches
Each Thigh: 21 inches
My preop measurements were:
Chest/Breasts: 37 inches
Bra Band: 36 inches
Waist: 36 inches
Hips: 43 inches
Each Thigh: 24 inches
I am hoping that my waist will end up around 28 inches or smaller!
Weight preop was 160 lbs, and weight when I got home from Mexico was 157 lbs with a ton of swelling. I have gone from 157lbs to 165lbs, and now I am back to 159 lbs with swelling. I am hoping I will stablize around 155 lbs, but I would love to be in the 140's when all is said and done.
I was a true size 8, 36DD, and a medium dress preop, and now I am wearing 6's and 4's, size small in dresses, and not for sure what my bra size is yet. I only have 1 more week before I can wear normal bras, so I should be finding out soon!
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
Moving on down!!
This past week, I moved down ANOTHER size! I actually bought a pair of DKNY jeans in a size 4! I first tried on a size 8, and they were way too big. I went straight to a 4 to see if I could get in to them, but I was hesitant because of all of my swelling. Well, here is my proof!
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!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Almost 4 weeks post op
Well, I figured it was time to update the blog with new pictures since I was close to my 4 week post op date. I am still up about 10 lbs in swelling, and I just wish it would go down even just a little! I am starting to notice more shape in my waist, and it gives me hope!
My back still has the most swelling from the lipo, and I am noticing more swelling in my thighs too.
Holy cats! I actually have a waist!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Last drain is out and hello Ken!
Well, I woke up yesterday and noticed that I was having pain around the drain tube site. I inspected it and realized that the stitch that was holding my drain in had broken through my skin and nothing was holding my drain in! Can you say OUCH??? I immediately emailed Dr Sauceda because the pain was not going away, and I got the answer I was looking for! Even though it was still draining a little over 50ml per day, it needed to come out. I pulled it out myself with a little help from Chief, and it surprisingly didn't hurt at all! I sprayed Bactine on the drain hole first, and I think that helped to numb it and keep it from hurting. He said to wear my compression garment at all times for the next couple of days and only take it off to shower. I do that anyway, so that isn't a problem for me. We took a few pictures, but they didn't come out too great. I was really swollen from the day before, but at least you can see my new Wacoal bras! I cannot wear them for 3 more weeks, but I can wear a sports bra right now. I am still wearing my compression garment during the day, and now I am wearing a sports bra at night.
We had a busy day yesterday with our monthly Costco trip and commissary shopping. We then we to our friends house and had dinner and then walked over to the PX to get a birthday present for one of Monkey Doodle's friends. When I got home, my Ken was REALLY swollen! For people that don't know what Ken is, it is my pubic area. In plastic surgery land, they call it that because you look like a Ken Barbie doll from all of the swelling! LOL!
We had a busy day yesterday with our monthly Costco trip and commissary shopping. We then we to our friends house and had dinner and then walked over to the PX to get a birthday present for one of Monkey Doodle's friends. When I got home, my Ken was REALLY swollen! For people that don't know what Ken is, it is my pubic area. In plastic surgery land, they call it that because you look like a Ken Barbie doll from all of the swelling! LOL!
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.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Stitches are gone!
Well, the stitches are gone! It feels so good to get them out, and the itching has definitely improved. I am 18 days post op and starting to feel so much better. I am still sleeping at least 10 to 12 hours per day, and that is helping tremendously! We took these pictures this afternoon after being out of my compression garment for quite awhile, so I am very very swollen! Still, it is neat to see how my body is changing!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Drain drain go away!
Ok, I am 17 days post op and still have 1 drain. I am getting so so sick of it, and I thought it was going to be gone by the end of this weekend. It has other plans in mind, and has started back up again. It was at 60ml every 24 hours, but it has gone back up to 80ml every 24 hours. It needs to be under 50ml before it can come out. My belly button is looking pretty decent, and Chief says that the spot on my back is looking better too. Dizzy spells aren't as bad, and I am now thinking that it has something to do with the heat as well. It is really hot and humid right now, and it is making it miserable wearing this garment. I have a little spot on the vertical incision on my left breast that was bothering me a couple of days ago, but I went without my compression bra for a few hours yesterday, and it feels and looks better now. I am also ready to get these stitches out and hope they come out easily. After almost 3 weeks, I bet I have a little trouble getting them out. My boob stitches look amazing and looks like the scars are going to be minimal. All in all, I am still doing really well and cannot wait for the swelling to go down! I want to see the final product!
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