“Mommy Makeover right around the corner!”

Hello ladies! I wanted to document my journey in search of a PS in Mexicali, MX. I'm a mother of 3 kids and the pregnancies & breastfeeding did a number on my body... I gained 60 pounds! I'm young almost 30 and have been stuck in a different body for the past 8 years! I'm happy that I did lose all the pregnancy weight (I'm down to 120 pounds) but I'm left with excess skin on my stomach and my boobies... yeah they need help! LOL... I'm planning to get a TT, BA, BL and possibly some lipo if needed. I live in AZ but the cost of PS is just over the top! So I've decided to explore into PS in Mexico and hopefully find the perfect doctor out there that fits my standards. I've narrowed down my list of surgeons to 2 or 3. I'm writing this to hopefully help someone in my own shoes who is considering going to MX for their PS since there isn't a whole lot of info online. My husband and I have done extensive research on Dr.Gaspar Blanco & Dr. Adrian Manjarrez in Mexicali. I need to do more research on Dr.Juan Luque. But from the first two I found that they both attended one of the best schools in Mexico (La Universidad de Guadalajara). I plan on calling them tomorrow to hopefully get a rough quote, get some questions answered, and schedule an in person consultation next month. I want to get a feel for them, get some questions answered, see more before & after pics of their work and get some testimonials of past patients. Id love to be able to contact some of these patients and find out what their experience was like because there isn't a lot online. If there is anyone who had their surgery with any of these doctors or others in Mexicali and can share their story here I'd love to hear it! I know there are horror stories that come from Mexico but these 2 doctors perform their surgeries in very nice hospitals, especially Dr. Gaspar, so it's not like they are doing it in some ghetto dirty clinic or something. LOL!

I also want to point out that in my personal experience, I have seen a world of difference in the quality of doctors in MX. I've been out there for vacations and every time I've had to go take one of my kids to the doctor (urgent care one time, sickness the other)- they knew exactly what they were doing and fixed it-they gave my son a shot that picked him up within hours and by the next day he was over the illness! Out here the doctors wont give you anything or will just recommend some ineffective over the counter thing, or will refer you to many "specialist". I even have family *with insurance* that will drive all the way out there to see doctors because they were so good! There are excellent doctors out there so in my opinion if you do your research thoroughly, you can find an affordable great surgeon. I will keep you guys posted on my call tomorrow, hopefully I can get a hold of them and get something scheduled!

Updated on 8 Feb 2012:
I've scheduled my consultations, now these 5 weeks are going to drag! I cant wait to go!

Updated on 10 Mar 2012:
1 more week to meet the surgeons! Cant wait, I'm really hoping that one of them is it!

Updated on 14 Mar 2012:
I cancelled my appointment with Dr. Luque today. I saw the pics on his website and was horrified with some of the pictures... I'm thinking if these pictures are the best he can do (since he's putting them on his website) I'll pass!!! So it's between Gaspar & Manjarrez

Updated on 19 Mar 2012:
So today I had my consultation with Dr. Manjarrez and his quote was $8,500. My thoughts on this surgeon is that he has invested a lot in his business seeing that the whole outpatient clinic belongs to him, he has his own full staff including nurses and all that and uses the newest technology available (and according to him he's the only one in Mexicali) I forget what the name of the technology is called, it's for the liposuction-I wrote it down so will update you with that soon.

He was very nice and straight forward explaining all the possible risks involved (and maybe over the top because I was getting the heebie jeebies feeling a little scared and uncomfortable..) He emphasized on the risk on capsular and I got the feeling that this is a common issue he has with his patients.

Now here is my main concern with this surgeon. He was reluctant to provide any references of past patients, his reason was that when he gives them out many times the patients wont answer the phone or return e-mail messages because they don't want to deal with it...? So I asked for pictures of his work, and he refused that as well saying that the pictures are not accurate because the patients wouldn't have my same exact figure...etc. Not happy with that at all. Let me be the judge of that and see your work, even if the girls are a variety of different shapes/sizes-it would at least give me an idea. He said that if he wanted he could show me pics and I would love the results and right away schedule with him, but he doesn't want me making my decision based on pictures...? WT...

Another thing I didn't like was that unless there's a complication, you are in and out of the clinic the same day :o/

I'm not quite sure how I feel about all that. I wish he would of provided me with pictures/testimonials/references... something to give me peace of mind...

He is very modest and reserved and doesn't try to sell you on things you don't need. I feel like he is honest and polite. I undressed (my top) and he marked me to show me what he would do and how... etc (which by the way that dang marker is hard to come off! I scrubbed and scrubbed and the damn thing is still there..lol). He really took his time during our consultation, I liked that.

He said he is the most expensive surgeon in Mexicali and that you get what you paid for. Tomorrow I get to meet Dr. Gaspar, can't wait to see what he is like and see what he has to say! It will be nice to compare them both. I'll keep you updated soon!

Updated on 20 Mar 2012:
I had my consultation with Dr. Gaspar today and both my husband and I were really impressed. First of all, his office was very busy, a lot of people in the waiting room which tells me, he's a popular surgeon (only 1 person waiting at Manjarrez). The consultation went a little quicker than the one with Manjarrez, but he answered all of our questions and was very friendly. After I undressed he went through the procedures and addressed my concerns. He says that for the size of implant I want (450cc) that he can do the lift with minimal scaring (just around the areola). I was very unsure about this being that everywhere I've seen, the lift requires the lollipop or T scar. He says that he's been doing this for 20+ years and has perfected his techniques. That he can accomplish the same result without the horrible scar (sounds GREAT but.. will it work? Will it give me the lift I desperately need??)

He says that yes, this technique will give me a lift. And that if in the future I wanted a little bit more of a lift, he would cover it and all I would need to cover is the anesthesia/hospital-sounds great to me!

The TT scar he said would be longer than the one Manjarrez suggested, he would be removing more skin and he says would give me a better end result.

He referred me to Carlo to obtain references, etc. He says that he rarely takes pictures of his patients (unless its reconstruction), I got the feeling that he goes through so many patients he doesn't see the need to try to sell his service.

I got the impression that Dr. Gaspar is VERY confident in his work, I like that. He's definitely more aggressive with his work, Manjarrez is a bit more conservative (was uneasy with me going with a larger implant, said I would look good with a 200 something implant- Why get implants?!?! lol) But I understand Manjarrez likes the natural look.

Sorry for talking too much! All in all, I liked both surgeons. But I must say so far I feel a bit more comfortable and confident with Dr. Gaspar- and it helped that I met a happy patient of his too! Manjarrez kinda gives me the heebie jeebies IDK exactly why. I will get in touch with Carlo regarding the references and we will give this a little more thought. But so far I think I've made my decision.. Dr. Gaspar it is!!! :o)

Updated on 8 Apr 2012:
Wow, it's been a while since I've logged on here! I cant believe I'm only 2 months away from my mommy makeover. I'm going in for another consultation with a PS here in my state. I havent completely ruled out Dr. Gaspar, but definitely do want a second opinion. Will update you on how it goes!

Updated on 10 Apr 2012:
So I had a consultation on Monday here in AZ for a second opinion & I LOVED the PS! I felt so comfortable with him & left his office not just feeling but KNOWING that if I went with him I would have outstanding results. The problem is, it's alooooot of money. $18,500. I was expecting less being that I'm only 120 pounds but I was off the mark. This is such a hard decision & I don't know what to do :(. Any ideas on how to come up with an extra $11K in 2 months? Lol... I don't want to finance that much money but don't see an alternative.

Updated on 12 Apr 2012:
I'm stoked I was able to work with the staff and lower the price to $17.6! My hubby has worked out a plan that will allow us to pay it cash which means we get a 5% off on top of that. I am so happy and relieved at the same time. Dr. Guerra really made me feel comfortable and I know I will be in excellent hands. He was referred to me by a friend who was happy with her results & I've read nothing but 5 star reviews from him! My mommy makeover is less then 2 short months away! Woohoo!!!!