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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews

3 months post op

UPDATED FROM kmama23
3 months post

3 months post op

WORTH IT$6,000
I'm also no longer wearing CG or any type of spanks. It felt really weird at first but I'm used to it now. I very occasionally have some minimal lower ab swelling near my scar in the PM but it's gone by the next day. I'm very happy to be done with that stage!

kmama23's provider

Wilberto Cortes, MD

Wilberto Cortes, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.5 | 843 Reviews
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Dr. Cortes is very confident and innovative in his surgical approach. I feel that I have made the right decision in choosing his office. We are on the same page as far as what my expectations are and what he can and is willing to do. His staff has been great so far, that means alot since you deal with them quite a bit. His TX State Medical Board record is clean. I haven't been able to find a single negative comment about him. So far so good.

Replies (28)

Wow! You o look great! I live 80 miles from the Houston area. Because of your blog, I researched Dr. Cortes & hope to get a consult with him soon! Thanks for listing the price. Is the $6000 all inclusive...if so what did it include lipo on the thighs as well?
Wow, I'm so glad that I could help you decide. My price (actually just under $6k) included the TT, all lipo areas including thighs and fat transfer to hips. Sometimes there is a bit of a wait at his office but that's the case with any good PS. He's worth the wait. Best of luck! Let me know how your consult goes.
Inner thighs
I have changed my mind (and records) umpteen times with dr Cortes from bbl to TT. Im currently scheduled for a bbl in April 14 but think i will have to ultimately change to a TT only. Im curious about price and what areas if any of lipo does it include.
The price was actually just under $6000 and included the TT, lipo to upper/lower abs, flank, back, thighs and fat transfer to hips. Just a thought -if you're planning on eventually doing both, I would think the BBL should be first since you'll need the lipo'd fat for transfer. I think (not certain) that he also does the hips at the same time as BBL. The extra tummy skin can be removed later with the TT. He won't do both at the same time for good reason. If you haven't already checked out his numerous YouTube videos, peek at them. They have such great info. I'll be checking on you. Let me know if you have any other questions! Happy to help,
Right i initially planned on bbl then TT but have come to realize i may only be able to get one. (Financially) so if thats they case i would rather the lrg apron of belly skin removed. If for some reason i can later afford the bbl then great but incase i cant i dont want to end up with a bbl and no TT (hope that all made sence)
Yep, sure did. I could certainly use some help on the backside too but the TT was way more important to me. I would make the same choice you are making. Totally makes sense!
I really appreciate your input and support. I've been so wishy washy. Glad to have someone who understands
I ended up deciding on TT only but he quoted me 9500? And the only reason I could get is because they have to turn me over to lipo back? I'm so upset my TT is gonna be more than the bbl. That just doesn't seem right
Hmmm, that is odd. I don't know how or why they quote the prices that they do. I may have received a special but I too was turned for back lipo. I am definitely not trying to talk you out of it. I would have paid $9500 if that's what I would have been quoted. He's worth it.
Wow your really do look great!!! Did he post your picture on his website yet?
Thanks doll, how are you feeling? Good to hear from you. I don't know if I'm on his website. I never checked. Are you on there?
You're looking great!! Got a question for you. He added hips to you? Did he ask you how big you wanted them? I'm just curious because I don't want huge hips, I want to have them just proportioned with my body.. not too big. Does he add a lot since the swelling will go down?
Thanks! He actually didn't ask. He was unsure that he would have enough. I never inquired what "enough" meant. I trusted his judgement. They looked HUGE at first. I was square with a flat booty. I was really worried. They just kinda took shape after a few weeks. I couldn't wear anything but pajama gowns at first. My pajama pants wouldn't go over the hips. I would say that I lost at least 2/3 of the transferred fat. I suppose everyone is different and they were nothing less of huge at first but they are pretty minimal now. I like them.
Ok... thank you so much for the info. 3 1/2 more months for me. I want time to fly by already. I'm getting impatient now.
How are you doing?
I'm great, thanks for asking! I am able to wear clothes that I was never able to pull off before. I still do a double take when I see myself in the mirror. I get alot of compliments too. How are you doing? Counting the days?
Awwww... I'm so happy for you ;) girl, I want time to fly. I cannot wait. I know what you mean by the double takes because I see myself looking at my booty, lol. Then I catch myself, grabbing my stomach and saying "Once I get the tt, I'm gonna look like this" hahahaha. Have you started working out?
My booty is non existent but I hated the gut way more than not having a butt. I am not even gonna lie about the working out. It's sporadic. Life is too hectic! I try to maintain the diet but get a little carb crazy sometimes. The weight has been pretty consistent though. I would still like to lose about 6-8 lbs. Hope you're going well!
UPDATED FROM kmama23
3 months post

3 months post op

It's been a bit of a roller coaster as it has been for many post op. I have endured the swelling, CG issues, BB healing issues, pain, more swelling etc. I am concerned about my upper abs because it protrudes more than it did early post op. It is also much more tender now (it never was before, even early post op). At my last visit, I was certain that my upper MR had failed or come loose. Dr. Cortes dismissed my theory (respectfully though) and said that it was visceral fat that he could not fix. I'm sure that I could stand to lose a few lbs but I guess I wasn't really wanting to hear that. I wasn't really trying to lose weight (currently 5'6 135lb) but rather maintain. I had been doing the "fast diet" and lost a few lbs but I really just wanted to maintain. I didn't want to lose any of the fat that I had transferred to my hips. I guess you can't have everything. I'll have to risk the hip fat to get rid of the visceral and cheesy subcutaneous fat. I did the stent in my BB for a couple of weeks because it was closing. My BB is on the small side in my opinion but I guess that's better than too big. It has healed completely but is dark. There's also a ~2" dark patch above my BB. This is a scar from either my sx or CG immediately post op. I noticed it when I took off the foam pads about 2 days post op. I have never known what this was from or why it's there. I just know that I have another area requiring healing that I had not anticipated. I am using lightening cream (Topiclear) for this area and the BB. It's a slow process but hoping the dark areas go away or at least lighten considerably. The scar is low and has healed well, no problems there. My PS just suggests cocoa butter but I use Mederma Gel in AM and Bio Oil in PM. The ends are a little raised and a bit red but doesn't bother me at all. The ropey feeling is gone. I am very happy with my results thus far. I can't wait to update at 6 months.

Replies (0)

UPDATED FROM kmama23
2 months post

8 weeks post op

Nothing new really except I started working out again. Feeling good. Looking pretty much the same. Still have lower ab and a bit of flank swelling - at least I hope that's what it is. Scar is thin and mostly flat. The cord-like feeling is almost gone with daily massaging. BB is still healing. Still seeing areas of subcutaneous (cheesy) fat. Not really in to dieting but I'm going to start "The Fast Diet" next week with a co-worker to see if I can get rid of it. I am trying to lose a few more lbs. I've lost about 9lb from preop weight (about 19 lb from 1st week post op - gained ALOT of water weight right after sx). Anyone ever try this diet?

Replies (14)

You're looking good. Be patient love, you're still fresh, swelling can last for awhile. Stay in a garment to help with the swelling. Hey.. got a question for you. Does he do muscle repair also? I know he said he does the repair when I was in for my consultation but just making sure.
Thanks . He sure does do muscle repair. That was my primary issue. I was surprised that it never bothered me post op. I did pay extra to use the Exparel so I anticipated a few pain free days but I never felt any discomfort from the MR. I see so many women complaining about it. I could stand straight within 3 days. I didn't have alot of skin to taken off which is why I have that vertical scar right under new BB. He said at my 1st post op that after he went in, my muscle separation was one of the worst that he's seen. I was just glad there was a reason I looked so huge!
What is an Exparel? I know, I see mainly everybody who gets a tt hunched over due to the MR. Oh my, so he said your muscle separation was one of the worst ones that he's seen? I maybe up there with you. I hope he makes mine extra tight.. lol, jk. Well I'm glad he does the repair, thanks for the info love ;)
No problem at all. Exparel is a long acting post surgical pain medication that is injected directly into the muscle that was repaired. It cost around $300 and is paid to the hospital. I was really worried that I wasn't having discomfort (crazy huh??) and could stand without incision or muscle pain. Whether it was tighten as tight as could be or not, it's a done deal and way better than it was for sure. He'll tighten you up nicely! You're gonna look fab.
All of my pain was 100% lipo related and awful!!
Yes I agree... Lipo sucks ass!!!! With all the lipo Salama did to me, I still have burning sensations on my lower flanks and upper back. So weird. I want to ask about that Exparel.
You look great! Are you still wearing your garment?
I am still wearing it every day. I'm just trying to find something with adequate compression that's not so hot. Dr. C said that I really only need it on lower ab but I am noticing a lot of swelling on my upper abs and right flank. So, I'm gonna keep wearing the hot sucker as long as I can stand it. I'm getting scared that what I hope is swelling...isn't. I will be highly disappointed if this is the case. I'm being careful with my diet and working out so I know it's not "new" fat. I'm finding that I can suck in my stomach again. Not happy. I thought I'd be tight enough where I couldn't do that and for damn sure wouldn't need to do that. I am going to be patient because I have no other choice. I know I said a lot more than you asked...sorry needed to vent. Thanks for listening. How are you doing? You still in your garment? How are the flank wounds? When is your next appointment?
Wow! You look fabulous!!!
Thanks so much!
How are you ma'am
Hey there! I've been great, thanks for asking. I've been taking a little break from RS. I am going to post some more pics soon. How are you?? Still on for April?
You look great!
Thanks so much!
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