The Transformation continues~

It was just 27 days ago when I was preparing to leave for Monterrey Mexico for the first phase of my plastic surgery.  I felt oddly numb.  Not really anxious and not really excited.  I was just going through the tasks of getting prepared - almost as if I was on autopilot. 

 The first phase is coming early for me.  I haven’t reached goal yet and still I was planning plastics. 

I’m an avid swimmer and cyclist and my panni was very big and very heavy.  My arms were not only an eye sore (which I could have lived with - until reaching goal) but they were hindering my swimming. 

I left Denver at 10am.  Arriving at the airport at just minutes before 745am.  I stood in the American Airlines line waiting to check my bags.  Bags filled to the top with stuff, I felt I’d need for my two week visit to this foreign country.  A city I’ve never been to meet a surgeon, I’ve only communicated with via email and telephone.  As I went through the motions of passing through security and finding my gate, I fought back any anxiety that was lurking just underneath my emotional surface.  I wanted this, I have planned for this trip since June.  On July 3rd, I disrobed and had my daughter take very unattractive pictures of me in my undies to send to this surgeon.  A surgeon who had come highly recommended to me by several other WLS patients.  I had seen the results of his work and I was impressed.  I contacted him and he asked for 4 pictures, front - back, both sides.  I didn’t hear back from him for a day or so, I knew he most certainly had scratched his eyes out and had run for the mountains that surround Monterrey city.  A day and a half later he wrote and stated, he could do a Tummy Tuck and Brachioplasty and he gave me his price and his requirements for stay.  His website said, “if the price was greater than $6K, he would pay for my flight up to $600.00 and pay for my hotel for the entire required stay.  He said, I would need to stay for 12 days.   The plan started and I got the time off from work with FMLA and short term disability.

I arrived in Monterrey around 340pm Mexico time.  As I passed through customs I peeked through the door that was ajar and I saw Dr. Sauceda standing there.  After finishing, I met him and he gave me a hug and kiss on each cheek.  We took the 45 min drive to the hotel and he checked me in.  As we drove I asked him how WLS patients differ from other plastic surgery patients in reference to their expectations with surgery.  He stated several times that we as WLS patients, don’t expect perfection.  We only expect improvement.  He stated, he never claims to give perfection.  He only offers improvements. 

Once I was checked, he left to return in 45 mins for my preop markings.  I showered knowing that I wouldn’t be able to shower once I was marked.  I had to hurry because I wanted to wash my hair and be ready on time.  The markings took about 2 hours.  He was in a trance, totally focused on what he would be doing to change my body forever.  I had questions for him about my future procedures.  My thighs are pretty bad right now - and I know that after losing my last 100lbs, they will be much worse.  He wasn’t daunted and felt that I could have a good result once I met my goal.  I once again made sure that he would raise my Mons area.  I didn’t want a flat tummy and the “old mons.”  He assured me he would raise it.  He was willing to answer all of my questions.  He took his time and asked me several times if I had any further concerns or requests.  He wanted to make sure we were both on the same page and he was understanding my expectations and I was understanding his plan for my surgery. 

He returned me to the hotel and I had a bite to eat at the hotel’s happy hour and then went to my room to rest.  As I stood in my undies in front of the room’s full mirror, I looked at my body knowing this would be the last time, I would ever look that way.  How many times I have seen that large panni and big bat wings and wished they would disappear.  This was real, it was really going to happen now and I had all the blue ink markings to prove it! 

I slept short and sweet.  Dressed and met Dr. Sauceda in the lobby at 7am.  I had stopped all water/food after 10pm as required for surgery.  I wasn’t hungry, I was excited.  I just wanted to get started.

We arrived at the hospital, I filled out some papers and then put my valuables in a locker.  Dr Sauceda put my suitcases in a locked office and then I dressed for the OR.  Cap, booties, open gown… anesthesiology put my IV in with one quick and painfree attempt and I walked to the OR.  Once in the OR, I stood as the nurse washed my entire body - from neck to feet with betadine.  Talk about a humiliating time.  It was not fun.  After, I laid on the OR table and fell asleep.  The epidural was put in as I drifted off to sleep.  The next thing I remember was waking up as Dr. Sauceda and his assistant were putting my compression garment on.  I spent 8.5 hours  in surgery.  He repaired a hernia we didn’t know I had and I got the procedures I planned.   I spent 2 hours in recovery and then went to my room.  It was a clean room with a leather love seat and a private bathroom and shower.   A sink and closet on one side and a flat screen TV. 

I feel things went well at the hospital. I stayed 3 nights.  I didn’t eat or drink until the next day.  I started with some juice and water and then some fruit.  While at the hospital/clinic (they only have 4 rooms for his plastic surgery patients) you order your meals from a menu for a restaurant that is in town.  I thought the food was good.  A little different, but good.  I found an excellent pasta dish and great orange pancakes.  I wasn’t used to eating large volumes so the pancakes took me three days to finish.  The chef called me confused that I only ordered peanut butter for breakfast.  I wanted to eat those pancakes.  Everyone thought I was insane for not just ordering fresh ones.  These were light and fluffy with a bit of orange zest.  Very yummy!  (see I am a true former fat-girl here I’ve written an entire paragraph on food)

On Saturday night after Dr. Sauceda finished his surgery - he came and took me to the hotel.  I was with one of the other surgical patient’s Mom, Wanda.  She was great and had helped me set up my wireless connection while at the clinic.  Her daughter had surgery the day before and Wanda was staying at the hotel. 

We checked in and Dr. Sauceda put my luggage on the bed so that I could reach my stuff. He helped prepare the room for me since I would be there alone until the following Tuesday.  With the Brachioplasty, I couldn’t lift my arms very high and with my Tummy Tuck, I could lift more than 5 lbs.  

My time went quickly while at the hotel.  It seems now that it flew.  Each day, I woke at 8am and prepared for my shower - Patty, one of Dr. Sauceda’s nurses came every morning and helped me shower, change my dressings and squeeze me back into my compression garments.  The compression garments are a necessary evil.  I’m still amazed at what kind of material holds all of that swelling in so well.  Each day, I did a little more and was able to prepare for my trip home.  We (the other patients and I) walked to the market for food and water almost everyday.  We spent 3 hours (which was a bit too long) at the Galeria Mall on our last Friday there.  I bought a beautiful little swimsuit.  

I had all but one of my drains removed as they were appropriately putting out less and less fluid.  I had one drain left for home.  My tummy sutures were removed and my arm sutures had to remain.  I had most likely put too much neosporin on my arms and not allowed them to heal as well as my tummy had. 

The flight home at 13 days postop went well.  Thank God I had a friend with me and I had asked for a wheelchair.  Going through customs in Dallas was a breeze with my friend and the wheelchair escort.  I can’t imagine doing that by myself.  When we arrived in Denver, there wasn’t enough wheelchairs to go around, so I walked.  I was pretty exhausted when I finally arrived home.

So here I am - almost 4 weeks post op and feeling pretty good.  I’m still swelling, which is normal and I have a seroma which is pretty common.  I’m resting at home and trying to continue eating my increased protein to help with healing.  God has been good.  I feel well and haven’t had any real problems.

Any questions, I’d be happy to answer.  Dr. Sauceda is an artist.  My incisions are thin, smooth and clean.  I’m very pleased with his work.

Here is his website medicaltourism.com.mx - Home   His prices listed there are for individual procedures.  If you combine procedures you will get a big discount.  I’m saving my money now for the rest of my procedures.  I hope to return in the fall.

The transformation continues…..

December 29, 2009 | Filed Under plastic surgery

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