The Best All Around Experience in Dominican Republic! Thank You, Dr Luis Fernandez Goico - Dominican Republic, DO

Hi, fellow RealSelf lovers! I am currently in the Dominican Republic recovering from my Tummy Tuck with full body lipo of abdomen, thighs, arms, back with that pesky upper back bra fat- and alittle chin lipo thrown in at the last minute- oh and Brazilian butt lift just to round out and even up my butt cheeks and hips from previous weight gain and loss and gain and loss (you know how it goes) and car accident that scarred my left hip which had caused an indention and flattening of that side.

I am also a blessed and happily married mother of 4 beautiful children whom I lovingly breastfed after gaining and then losing about 70 lbs on average with each pregnancy. I am 45 years old, 5'2", and lost about 55 lbs prior to surgery last year which left me saggy and uneven when naked (but I looked fabulous in clothes)!

When I decided to have my Mommy Makeover, I gained back about 35 lbs because I had thought I needed the extra weight to have a fat transfer to my breasts and hips. Thankfully, once I found Dr Goico he admonished me about the health risks and made me stop before it got too out of hand. So I had surgery at 162 lbs with my wonderful projection back but as mentioned above, uneven butt cheeks and hips...

We all research our surgeons relentlessly but really once we have chosen the best surgeon for ourselves, I believe we need to be sure to pick the best aftercare because even if the surgeon does and amazing job, we will lose the full potential of those beautiful results without the best aftercare. That's why after hours of researching recovery houses, I chose Arelis Urena's Recovery House and I'm so glad I did because she has been a lifesaver many times over.

Both Karel and Dr Goico wholeheartedly recommended her personally. Dr Goico told me that his confidence in her stems from having known her from way back when she used to work as a nurse and he trusts her absolutely.

After receiving such a high commendation from my surgeon himself, I felt no qualms about wiring my payment for my stay before I arrived because I really don't like to travel with more than a couple hundred US dollars on me.

I have so many good things to say about Arelis...where do I begin? First of all, let me address the language. She is fluent in English. However if you catch her on the phone she gets nervous - like most of us do when speaking in another language that we haven't been schooled in so speak slowly first. You can also let Karel, Dr Goico's assistant be your go between if you are not comfortable speaking on the phone when making your accommodation arrangements. However, please give it a try because thankfully Dr Goico is getting busier and busier (I'm happy for him) but that means Karel's time is getting more limited as well.

Arelis provides everything you need and more- as in things that priceless...for example, her driver, Ricardo, has been with her for about a decade, and the man is so kind and gentle- after surgery you will be very sore and sensitive to every bump on the road- like that story about the Princess and the Pea kind of sensitive only worse- painfully so- and Ricardo takes the utmost care - he knows these roads like the back of his hand and he goes so slowly over the bumps so as not to cause you any discomfort - and believe me that is quite the feat on these busy streets!

She also has her Chef Bilkis who has been with her for over a decade - and I call her a chef even though she may not have studied at a culinary institute but I have been here for 11 days now and have not had a meal that can be described as anything else but delicious and packed with nutrition! Every meal has fresh vegetables proteins and starch- nothing is frozen or processed- and so full of flavor! Plus, if you have a special request, they will do their best to accommodate you. And, they never let your cup or plate go empty until you say that you are done. Fresh fruit smoothies daily may be my favorite- actually no - everything is my favorite!

Before I move on to the lifesaver part, let me talk about the hospitality- I came here alone because my husband and I decided it would be best for our kids to not see Mom looking like Bride of Frankenstein meets Zombieland so he stayed at home with our 4 kids ages 3 years to 15 years old...so when I arrived at the airport I was alittle nervous because I didn't really know anyone except via email phone and WhatsApp, so Arelis - without me voicing my feelings even- sent her very fluentl English speaking daughter with Ricardo on a Saturday night - around 10 pm to pick me up from the airport so I would feel more comfortable and welcome- that is service that is priceless! And her daughter is available to translate anytime but she really isn't needed at all in my opinion. Her daughter by the way is super friendly and warm and a truly lovely and elegant young woman- just like her Mom.

When I arrived at her recovery house, Arelis welcomed me so warmly and offered me food and drink but I didn't need any having eaten on the plane. She then showed me to my private room with private bathroom - so spacious and sparkling clean - bright windows with blinds to shut out the daylight- beautiful and comfortable furnishings- a truly relaxing atmosphere which you will need during your recovery.

I really wanted to have a private room because even tho' I'm usually the social butterfly at events, when it comes to recovery after major surgery I knew I would need a safe and comfortable and quiet and peaceful place to retreat. Also, as much as I love people, during my recovery I did not want to have to be a nurse maid to someone else (which by the way is the reason why I changed from Dr Tania Medina Garcia who was my initial choice for Dominican Republic surgery because of her reputation of doing only one surgery a day and excellent work- but she wanted me to share a room after first telling me I would get a private room and after her recovery house picked up my $75 wire transfer they told me that if have to share a room and when I talked to her about it she said it was because she wanted me to share a room because it was safer as we could watch one another through the night?!! Say what?!! Because of that very obvious communication snafu I canceled with her despite forfeiting my deposit.)

I am so glad I got what I paid for - my own room because I have had times where I wanted to watch my Netflix at an odd hour and I wouldn't have wanted to keep someone else awake. At other times I have felt like walking my room and that may have bothered a rookie - or vice versa! And the bathroom situation!! Ohmigosh how do post surgical patients share a freakin' bathroom? I can barely stand my own messiness and putting up with someone else's sewage would have surely out me over the edge. And believe me after surgery you do not want to throw up because it would cause some mind blowing pain- I mean heck, I was even afraid to sneeze or cough- I put my finger to my nose and hold my breath even today, 10 days postop to avoid that intense pain.

After surgery ladies, your pee pee will be off- because of the swelling around your Va JJ you will want to lean forward and aim into the toilet - I actually even considered standing - yeah the stream was that straight out in front of me...so again I can't imagine having to share a bathroom and needing to wait my turn...smh

Another thing I love love love about the private rooms with Arelis is the individually remote controlled air conditioner Units in each room. Yes! So if you're hot it cools immediately. And if you're cold you can turn the ac off. I imagine if you're here in the winter it works the same for the heat judging by the remote control.

I am being called for dinner so I'll write more later about the lifesaving moments and post pics of the private rooms and bathrooms but i wanted to address the subject of 'hospital beds'.

Not having any prior experience with a tummy tuck I wanted to know if they are needed and so I asked Dr Goico and he said no as long as you have pillows and help for the first few days. And he was right. I had a hospital bed the first 24 hours post op and I didn't miss it even one dot here at Arelis's Recovery House. She gives you a nurse call button so that you can summon her or one of her assistants at any time day or night. The care here is full service - premium care. I wouldn't recommend any other place and when I come back for my other procedures I'll be staying her for sure! Hope this review is helping because I know that knowing where to stay for aftercare is vital for getting the most out of your beautiful procedures.

Here are some more pics detailing the wonderful amenities of Arelis Urena's Recovery House. I forgot to mention above there is free wifi. At the time of this writing, Netflix has a free first month signup offer; so if you bring your iPhone or iPad etc or tablet you can watch movies!

Also, I recommend getting WhatsApp downloaded to your phone. Texting is free and photos and videos can be sent for free. And even phone calls are free with this app when you have a wifi connection.

Amazingly enough, I can hear my husband clearer through WhatsApp rather than my phone carrier back home, ATT! And I always thought either something was wrong with my iPhone or that it was his thick Texan southern drawl whenever I had difficulty comprehending him- but this whole time it was blasted ATT! From now on, we will be talking on the phone via WhatsApp even when I'm back home in Texas.

Arelis has done everything to make you feel pampered and all that with a feeling of being relaxed and at home. She is very motherly and tender in her care of you but professional in respecting your need for downtime and privacy when you want to rest.

If you have any questions about the rooms etc please feel free to message me.