I had a liposuction and breast reduction back in November 15, 2023 with Dr. Harold Villalobos, I was a little nervous at the beginning but after talking to him and his team, I feel comfortable. Extremely caring, comforting, and knowledgeable staff, my results exceeded my expectations. I 100% recommend them to anyone and everyone!!
So when I completed round one, I said to myself I was not going to do a second round...but now that I am past the pain and I like the results, I want to perfect my look and get touch-ups everywhere. So, on to round two I go... Updated on 15 Oct 2019: These are my before pictures. My goals are: 1. Have neck skin tightened; 2. Have some neck fat transferred to a little hollow under my right eye; 3. More Lipo/touch up on my arms; 4. Upper Belly touch-up; 5. Hips and but moved up to make my torso look shorter and my legs longer; 6. Hips evened out; 7. Leg dents corrected; 8. Back fat snatched. I think that covers everything. Updated on 15 Oct 2019: 1. Recovery House $85/night for a single occupancy room 2. Surgery $2,900 for BBL and Full Body Lipo/Touch-ups 3. EKG ~$12 4. Blood Test/Urine Test ~$4 for hemoglobin, STDs, and urine sample (this seems too cheep, I might have miscalculated this one, but it was cheep) 5. New Faja ~$65 from the Colombian Faja store 6. Taking in my old Fajas ~$4 per adjustment (like $4 for the sleeves, and a few dollars for the rest of it—super cheep). 7. Supplies: so many things are needed, I didn’t add up those costs, but they include: - compression socks, which now must be purchased at the clinic ($20); - maxi pads (at least a bag or 2...I bought 3 bags); - bed protective covers (I bought like a million—probably like 30, on Amazon); -Hibaclens (I bought two 8-oz bottles, cause I ran out last time); - 2 adult diapers; - massage cream from Dr’s office ($30); - iron and vitamin c pills - round trip plane tickets to Cali (~$750); - 2 drinks to bring to the clinic the day of surgery (one bottled water and one Gatorade); - other post care supplies: band-aides, rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle, neosporine, gauze, & prison salts. - My own post care stuff (not mentioned by a doctor): arnica gel, arincare pills, bromaline pills, multi-vitamin, and vitamin D/calcium. - I also might have to go into the hyperbaric chamber a few times again...which will be more money...we’ll see. Updated on 15 Oct 2019: So here are some models that I would like to resemble after surgery. Updated on 15 Oct 2019: My biggest fear is waking up from surgery wishing that I had just left everything well enough. The doctor really improved me on my first round and in asking him to move my butt up a little so my torso looks shorter (cause it is pretty long)...that is scary because I like it where it’s at but I think it might look better higher. I’m also concerned he will shape my hips not in the way I want. But he was great on my first round. I just hope I can communicate effectively for this second round. A part of me wants to skip out on changes to the butt cause not sitting properly for 3 months was torture for me. I guess we’ll all find out how it all comes together . I would appreciate any prayers. It’s happening soon. I will keep you all updated....
cali, colombia 2017 got a rhinoplasty and other procedures done with villalobos, but this post is for just the rhino right now. im very thankful that i went to villalobos he did exactly what i asked of him to not change my face completely. his bed side manner was fine, hes very patient ,soft spoken nice person. the rhinoplasty i believe cost me 3,000.
So far my recovery process after surgery with Dr V has gotten better and better, everyday I see my results and feel happier about my body and my decision to choose him as my doctor. The overall experience with Dr V was amazing, they were very helpful since the moment I asked for a request, they inform you very well about everything before you fly in. Since the moment you leave the clinic after surgery they are already seeking for your wellbeing. I sent them my results after the swelling and bruising were completely gone and they recently just published me on their instagram! There is simply not other way to go when it comes to plastic surgery for me, from now on I will always trust him my safety and body.
I had a great experience with the doctor. I’m very happy with my results, he is very professional and sweet. Thanks god I had no complications, his staff was very helpful. I will return back to him in 1 year to get a lipo and fat transfer to my butt.
I had the pleasure of having cosmetic surgery by Dr. Villalobos, not once but twice!!! He is an excellent surgeon. He provided me with top notch service and provided the results I was looking for. His staff is very friendly and personal. I have developed a lasting relationship with Dr. Villalobos and his staff and would definitely see him again is need be. If you’re looking for an excellent surgeon see Dr. Villalobos!!!!
I have some fat rolls and cellulite all over, hoping to get that smoothed out and improve my butt shape a little. I am also getting chin lipo and I might be having J-Plasma on my legs and chin to firm it up. My appointment is set for and only a few months to go...I’ll be staying in a recovery house recommended by Paola, Dr. V’s wife. I chose to go with this doctor, because of a recommendation from a trusted friend. Updated on 31 Aug 2018: So I am so excited...hoping to have Dr. V “snatch me up.” Even though I have a few months to go I am completely packed, already (aside from a few things that need to wait till the day of the trip to be thrown in my bag). As far as health preparations go here is how I am preparing: 1. Dr V. said to take Iron 500 mg and Vitamin C 1000 mg 1 month before surgery, but on Youtube I have heard some doctors recommend starting that 2 months before (and a minimum of 1 month prior). Even though I have more than 2 months to go, I am feeling overzealous to be prepared I’ve already started taking that (half dose of each) plus I also started taking Chlorella pills (which are suppose to increase Hemoglobin levels, not that mine are low, but for this kind of surgery hight is better). Aside from those I’ve also heard some other doctors recommend taking Folic Acid and B-12, so I am taking that plus a multi-vitamin. I have also started taking a Grassfed Beef Liver pills (from a company called Ancestral Supplements because the reviews were so high on Amazon—people were saying these pills helped them with so many different aliments). Lastly to help keep me from getting sick until surgery I am taking Astragalus Root, which always helps me ward off colds and the flu. Dr. V said all supplements except for the Iron and Vitamin C must be stopped 2 weeks prior to surgery (but can be resumed the day after surgery). 2. As for my body Dr. V requires a BML of under 35. Right now I’m at like 32, but he recommends being under 30, so while it’s not necessary, I’m trying to lose a little weight. Right now I believe I am about 202 lbs, but my realistic goal is to get under 190 for surgery, and I’d be really happy if I could get down to 185. My friend said Paola told her that the better shape you are in before surgery, the faster you will recover and the better the results, so my friend keeps telling me to exercise a lot before surgery. As for right now I made it a goal to try to walk for an hour a day and then do some weights in addition a few times per week. I might start to increase the intensity, but I have been feeling a little lazy also, so if I at least do that I’ll feel accomplished. Furthermore, I have an idea to help my fat/skin prepare for the surgery, but I’m not sure if it will make a difference. Over a year ago I purchased a Fascia Blaster, and it works!! But it takes a lot of time and effort to maintain the cellulite free look. However, since the Fascia blaster breaks up cellulite, I was thinking if until my surgery time I go hard core rolling that thing over my surgery areas it might help prepare my skin and fat for the trauma of surgery. I’m going to start doing that any day now, and let you know post op if I feel it made a difference (though I’ve never had lipo before so I have nothing to compare it to, except what I’ve heard about it from other people’s reviews). 3. Hair Preparations—so I have blonde hair, and one of my good friends who grew up in Cali said that she is scared I’ll be kidnapped or a target of unwanted attention in Cali because of my hair color. For this reason I purchased a black wig from Wish and it totally transforms my look. I packed t with me, but due to the heat there—its usually always around 89 degrees, I might be too hot to wear it. I’m also bringing do-rags (lol) and I might just dye my hair darker for the trip to make things easier. As for pre-op Dr. V requests patients have all pubic hair depilated, so in preparations for that I found a Brazilian Wax Place (from Groupon) and tried out my first Brazilian Wax...it hurt really bad for a like 1 second and then I was fine, (but I had an excellent waxer), but I got a skin rash—hives or like a razor burn look a few days following (my skin is super sensitive to shaving/waxing), so I have to figure out how to not get the after rash by surgery time. I plan on going again at least 1 more time prior to the pre-op one, so I can get that figured out. Updated on 31 Aug 2018: Arm Goals: So after booking with Dr. V, I found a surgical group on Youtube that does an arm Lipo Technique called “celebrity arms.” Dr. V. doesn’t have many arm pics on his site, but my friend who recommended him was there, at his facility, and said he does great work and not to worry. I really want the “celebrity arms” look, so I’m going to send him those pics before surgery in the hopes he can give me that look. I don’t just want my arms to look like the bottom half was chopped off (do you know what I mean?). Stomach & Back Goals: I want a flat stomach and no more rolls. I like my natural curve (that’s lurking under the rolls) and I like Dr. V’s curve style, so I don’t anticipate any problems there. Leg Goals: I mostly want my legs (especially the inner thighs) to get trimmed up and to be really tight. Throughout my life I have gone up and down in weigh, so my leg skin has a lot of cellulite and when I lose weight the skin sags slightly...making me super insecure to wear a bathing suit ????. For that reason I think J-Plasma will solve all my problems, however we decided that Dr V. will see me in person to determine if he thinks I need the extra process of J-Plasma it or not. Chin Goals: Same as above with the leg situation, when I lose weight my chin skin hangs a bit ??, so while I want the chin fat gone, I also want the skin tight...again, hoping the J-Plasma will be my hero, but Dr. V will determine if I need it or not when I see him in person (because sometimes lipo itself with the compression garments can cause some skin tightening which might compensate for my current situation). Butt Goals: I already have a nice butt (well in my mind at-least...I can’t really see my back side on a daily basis lol, but when I look in the mirror I like the side profile of it). A few years ago when I was in my peak of perfection (weight and exercise wise), I was dating a male model, and I asked him what he thought I could do to improve my body (yeah a deadly question lol). He said the only thing he could think of was that my butt could be a little better, so since then I have had it in my mind to get my butt shaped a little nicer. (On a side note this guys mom was from Colombia and had had BBL surgery there like 20 years earlier, and her butt was total perfection...so...that’s what I want too :) ). As for the shape, I want to maintain my slope butt, but have it a little more rounded out. Also my left but cheek has a slight dimple in the middle and I’d like that to get rounded out to match the right side (it’s really not very noticeable, but since I’m have the surgery why not perfect it if possible). Under Arm Fat: I have this piece of annoying like side boob/under arm/between bra and arm pit...well I guess it’s called armpit fat. That’s got to go. Overall I want my look to be really natural and smooth. Updated on 31 Aug 2018: Cause I could only upload 10 pics per post... Updated on 31 Aug 2018: So my flights are booked. I hbe a friend who recommended flying Avianca Airline because she had a great experience on her flight (I hope mine is as good). I’m not sure if I got a good deal or not on the flight...about a year and a half ago this friend paid about $400 round trip from NY, but now I paid $436...for 1 way :/ I bought it now because another friend of mine said with all the regulations going on in the government, flight costs are expected to go up in the next few months...but who knows. Well, we shall see if I made the right choice in purchasing it a few months early. But at least I feel like I can relax now that all of my travel plans are in order. I will be staying in Cali for 15 days. Dr. V. said the longer I stay the better (because if anything goes wrong because of the surgery, within 30 days...knock on wood...I would be covered by his insurance during that time, but once I leave, I’m on my own...gulp. He says his patients need to say for at least 12 days post-op (for the kind of procedures I’m getting), so I’m hoping 15 days is enough. Based on other people’s lipo/bbl experiences it seems that by 2 weeks most people are able to get up and about and most of their lipo wounds are sealed up...so I’m hoping the same for me. Updated on 31 Aug 2018: Paola said that all the post care supplies can be purchased in Cali, but since I don’t like to leave things for the last minute, I decided to get most of it before hand. I will need to still buy a few things when I get there cause it all would’t fit in my suitcase. Aside from that list, from watching people’s suggestions on youtube I have decided to add a few of my own things to the list: 1. Arnicare Gel and Arnicare Tablets (I asked Dr. V about it and he said I could take it starting a day after the surgery, but he didn’t seem to think it would help much. From some other surgeons though, I have heard they say it cuts patients recovery time in half...that piece of info was enough to convince me to bring it. 2. A BBL pillow. I asked Paola what the “pillow” mentioned to bring on the day of surgery was all about, and she said a bbl pillow, but that bringing one was optional (I didn’t ask why—like if they would give me one if I didn’t have one or if I would but one there...???...IDK, but at any rate, wanting to be prepared I bought one (picture attached). When I bought it there were no ratings on Amazon, but now some ratings are in and it got bad ratings. Well...????...I guess I jumped into that too fast lol. The carrying bag is super embarrassing (picture of a woman’s butt...so subtle ????). I chose this one because I have a long flight home and I thought the back support pillow was a nice addition. When I tried to sit on it for a test run my butt touched the ground on every surface I tested...something was wrong. I then went onto another site and purchased extra raisers to lift the pillow an extra inch up. Then I realized that I was putting the pillow to far down on my thighs and it is suppose to rest just under the butt ???????????...well at least I got that sorted out before the surgery. Now With the extra form extensions I now almost need a ladder to mount this pillow. As for the carrying case I tool a piece of black fabric and sewed it over the naked lady pic, so no one needs to see that as I walk around with my bbl pillow. Since I haven’t sured it post op yet I’m not sure how I will feel when I use it for real, especially for my plane ride post-op...updates to follow on that. 3. A Go-Girl...I purchased this because a lot of people on youtube recommending getting a female urinal so you don’t have to deal with sitting on the toilet after surgery. I bought one with an extension cord that’s like a foot long, just to make things easier. I tested it out also and had no problems. The trick (so I was told) is to make sure there is a tight connection with your skin, otherwise pee will go everywhere. 4. Sun dresses...I was told to get sun dresses because Cali is really hot and they are the easiest to maneuver are in after surgery. Since I’m getting my arms done too I got long sleeve ones so my faja doesn’t show on the arms. I bought 4 from The Rainbow Shop and since the recovery house I’m staying in does your laundry, I figure that should be enough. 5. A bathrobe...I’ve heard a lot of people say that post-op they just wore a bathrobe for a few days because it was just easier...so I’m gonna do that too lol. 6. Slippers...I got crock material slippers to wear my compression socks with post-op. Since they are like a plastic/rubber-like material they will also double as shower shoes. 7. Spray Bottles...I’ve heard people say spray bottles were so helpful post-op. One girl said she put water in one and used it to spray her bottom after she went to the bathroom. Another person said they put rubbing alcohol in one and used it to clean her drains. I decided to get another one for peroxide to disinfect my Go-Girl between uses and spray on any clothes I may stain. So yes I’m bring 3 spray bottles, but the liquids I will purchase there. 8. Collagen Peptides...I heard taking collagen after lipo also helps speed up recovery time. I found some at Trader Joe that I packed in my suitcase also. 9. Ginger candies and non-salted Saltines from Trader Joe. Dr. V. Said nausea is common for 5-6 days after surgery, so I thought some ginger candies and low-salt Saltines would help. I also got some peppermint candies which usually help me when I’m feeling nauseous. 10. Benadryl Pills...most people experience itching under the skin days after surgery as the cells begin to heal. Some people say Benadryl really helped them get through the itchiness, so better be prepared than itchy. 11. Hair, Skin, and Nails complex (which contains things like biotin). Since those kind of vitamins normally help skin, some people say it’s great to help speed up recovery, so guess who’s packing it :) 12. Bug Repellant...before the Zika outbreak I guess the bugs were really bad there, but Paola said that their’s not really bugs in the city now (I guess they sprayed a lot to kill them off), but recovery houses outside of the city might have mosquitos around and so now they suggest just wearing a bug protection bracelet of your choice, if you want for the recovery house. 13. A pool floaty ring & yoga ball pump to inflate it...I am bringing this because I saw a creative woman on Youtube explain how she slept on that after her bbl and it kept her butt protected and she was super comfortable. (I’m bringing a backup one too incase the first one pops ????). Hopefully it works for me too. 14. Seem-less tank tops...I heard that the faja material can be uncomfortable against the skin and some people find it more tolerable putting a seemless tank under it...so I’m bringing 3 of them. *I’m probably forgetting some other random things, but that’s all I can think of for now. Updated on 31 Aug 2018: I forgot to post this pic with the last update. Updated on 1 Sep 2018: So after seeing some pics of fat transfers (from other surgeons), I got inspired to consider adding this to mine. I don’t want huge breasts, but a cup increase would be really nice and I have plenty of fat everywhere else to transfer in. In the past I was concerned about doing this type of procedure because in my past research (several years ago), some doctors were not recommending it since they were saying it was causing calcifications to form in the breasts that were thought to be pre-cancerous, but the procedure was not around long enough to determine and studies were underway. It appears that now they are saying it is safe and the calcifications have not been linked to cancer (at this time). So I just sent Paola a message to inquire more about if Dr. V can add this to my procedure, the cost, and if this will require me to need any additional steps pre/post op. I’ve heard some doctors require a mammogram. I’m definitely not decided about it yet (I don’t even know if Dr. V does it because I don’t see it listed on his site. I did see one angry patient on RealSelf who he did the procedure for, a few years ago. She commented that she did not think he added enough to her breasts and didn’t like the results, so she was going to get it redone else where...but I still feel confident in Dr. V (hopefully it stays that way). Updates to follow when I hear back from Paola and do more research on this. Updated on 4 Sep 2018: So I have been very tired lately, as (mentioned in a previous comment about how I wanted to work out a lot, but didn’t know how much I could do). Well on Saturday night I really pushed myself with the exercise and then my Sunday morning I almost went to the ER for muscle spasms and heart palpitations. Instead of going to the ER a nurse mentioned my symptoms sound like magnesium deficiency...I cannot express how grateful I am that that comment was mentioned and I took it seriously. I went to the store (before the ER and purchased Magnesium Glycinate (400mg), and took it immediately. Within a few hours (and a few more pills I was feeling amazingly better). I woke up Sunday morning feeling like I was born again. Since yesterday was a holiday I wanted until today and then called my regular doctor to tell them about it and see if I could get a magnesium blood test (cause I have no idea how much I should be taking, but since then every time I start feeling a leg cramp again I pop another pill and within about 30 mins the symptoms go away again). I’m kind of upset my PCP did not pick up on this during an annual physical, but I guess it’s not something that normally needs to be checked. When I called the PCP they Googled magnesium deficiency and the recommended dosage to take as explained from their google search... :/ WTF, but ok so I guess Dr Google will save me another co-pay. Some people say you have to play around with the dosage to find the right amount for you, but too much can be just as dangerous as too little so :( ...it’s complicated. I contacted Paola about taking 400mgs daily pre-op (because Dr. V said to stop all vitamins and supplements, aside from Vitamin C and Iron, 2 weeks pre-op, but Paola said I can continue taking the magnesium as it will not interfere with the procedures I’m getting. During my Google searches I found that some doctors actually recommend taking magnesium before surgery and after as it helps the skin heal faster and helps overall yield a faster recovery!! I’m so happy that I discovered this problem BEFORE my procedure. For those of you preparing for surgery or in the recovery process, you might want to look into this also (of course your doctor might not allow it pre-op for some reason, so it’s a good idea to check with them), but remember it’s not something that doctors normally check for during a regular health check up—you have to request it, and from my research it seems a little extra post-op can be very beneficial. I wonder now if some of the people who have had the hardest recoveries, were in part due to magnesium deficiency...just a thought. (As one more note I also got magnesium chloride flakes to make magnesium oil to put on my body for additional absorption...I will be making the oil in the next few days). Updated on 4 Sep 2018: I contacted Paola about getting fat transferred to my breasts and she advised me against it, so for now I will not being doing it for this surgery...maybe with another surgeon in the future, but for now I’ll be sticking to Dr. V’s specialties...bbq and full body lipo (plus chin lipo and J-plasma). Updated on 6 Sep 2018: So this wax (in preparations for my surgery) was MUCH less painful than the first one. My waxer said that she always tells her clients not to let the pain of the first one scare you away forever, cause the first one is nothing like how it is after that. Also as for the waxing bumps, I applied salicylic acid acne pad on the areas a few hours after the waxing and it helped a lot. I think I will do that before the one for my surgery too. I scheduled my next brazilian wax, which will be the one for my surgery and I think my waxer is about as excited as I am to see my after lipo results!!! Updated on 6 Sep 2018: Even though I am fully packed I have been concerned that my luggage is going to be difficult for me to luggage around on my way home (as it is an older luggage...before the smooth 4 wheel gliders cane out). So, I bought a new one from Marshalls (a Ricardo of Miami—I so love it). It has 4 wheels, glides so easily and is ultra light weight (right now I can easily carey the bag around with just my pinky)...plus it’s 4 pounds lighter than my old one...meaning I can bring more stuff without going over the airlines weight restrictions ????????????). When I got it home I sprayed it with some waterproofing camp/shoe spray from walmart and after it drier I’ll transfer all my stuff from the old bag to the new one. I’ve attached a pic of a one similar to the one I bought...on amazon the same one is listed as double the price for the one I got in Marshalls (just a shopping side note). Updated on 10 Sep 2018: So I was on instagram when this advertisement popped up for the SuperCavitate machine, which is suppose to combine Ultrasonic Frequency, Infrared Frequency and EMS massage. It is said to break up fat deposits, reduce cellulite and wrinkles, can cause weight loss, skin tightening, and have a messaging effect, plus it was 50% off (for like 10 more minutes when I clicked the link)...so I bought it without further research. Well, a few mins after my impulse buy, I searched the web for reviews on it and couldn’t find any...until I found the same device sold under various names everywhere...even Walmart sells it (the EXACT same model)...for like $25 less ??????????? ??...now I can’t figure out how to cancel my order to buy it cheeper elsewhere. Well, to me it sounds like the product itself could be an excellent substitute for times when I cannot afford additional lymphatic drainage massages. I probably won’t start using it till I’m a few weeks post op, but I’ll let you all know how it goes. Updated on 12 Sep 2018: So the iron pills I was taking (for only a few days), were burning my stomach so badly...????...but I’m glad I still have plenty of time to get that resolved, and last I checked (like 3 weeks ago my Hemo was like 13.5, without taking any iron supplements), so I’m not too worried about getting my hemo up pre-op. But at any rate, I found Mega Food Blood Builder, which so many people describe as a miracle worker in getting their hemo levels up. It is less iron than my doctor recommended taking pre-op, BUT people say it does not hurt the stomach and it got their hemo up much better than just taking iron pills. So I purchased this today, and I’ll start taking them when they arrive. Updated on 12 Sep 2018: So even though I already booked my flights I kept monitoring the prices for future reference, and they did go down after I booked them...I should have been more patient...I called the airlines to see if they do any credits for the difference, but Avainca does not do that ????????...not sure if this will help anyone in the future but this year at least-it seems like the prices were higher near the end of summer break and then dropped a few days after the September School year started (for those of you who live in an area where back-to-school is like the 1st - 2nd week in September). Oh well, I stopped looking at the price drops at this point because thinking of how much money I could have saved made me too sad ????...but whatever, It’s done now. I must say the app Travel Hopper is a great reference to tell you when to buy your tickets (I should have listened more closely to it...because it gave me the right booking advise). Updated on 13 Sep 2018: So I just check with Paola about if Dr V is ok with me taking Bromelain before surgery and she said NO, but after surgery I can take it. I have seen other people say they took it before surgery and they think it helped, but I will follow my doctors advise and wait till after surgery. Updated on 18 Sep 2018: Yesterday I saw a nutritionist because I have been having an irritated stomach and diarrhea for a while. The nutritionist looked over all of the supplements I have been taking and made some changes for the next few weeks to see if that helps: 1. To stop using all of my supplements with added sugar (like a chewable calcium pill, chewable probiotics, and chewable Vitamin C), because the added sugar can become sugar acid in my stomach and cause inflammation and stomach irritation. 2. Since my stomach is upset she recommended I start taking an “esterified” vitamin C called Easy-C, which she said will be easier for me to digest (but for now only 500 mg and then it will increase to the SX doctors recommended 1000 in 3 weeks as long as my stomach is feeling better by then). 3. She recommended I replace my chewable probiotic with a broad spectrum probiotic, called iFlora. 4. She recommended I take something called “Acid Soothe,” which has papaya leaf extract to helps reduce stomach acid and calm the digestive tract (1 pill in the AM and 1 at night). 5. She suggested I stop taking my Iron pill ????????????????. I then explained to her that I am having some lipo done and I need it s per my Dr’s recommendations and she suggested for the next few weeks that I just take Grassfed Beef Organs and Grassfed Beef Liver (1 of each pill w/breakfast and 1 of each pill w/dinner, for the next 3 weeks, which should provide me an non-irritating form of iron and then maybe we can add the real iron pill back in at that point). ((On a side note I went home and found that the company Ancestral Supplements also makes a Grassfed Spleen supplement, which contains 6X more iron than the Beef Liver Pill...so even though it was really expensive, I just bought that one too...I’ll be adding that one in a few days for more iron just incase the others are not enough)). 6. She said I can keeping using my myKind Women’s Once Daily multivitamin. 7. She also said I can continue using TL Guard (a prescription combo of B12 and Folic Acid) 8. Spirillena through a brand called SpiruZan (1 in the morning and 1 at night). 9. Take Fish Oil (1200mg), one pill the in AM and 1 at night. She said this was super important to help so many things in my body. ((When these pills run out I found one at walmart that has Fish Oil with Flax Seeds and something else to cover all the Omegas and I think it also helps prevent blood clots, so I’m gonna take that one post op I think...I’ll check with this lady first to see what she thinks)). 10. Take Astragalus Root once daily at bed with dinner. 11. Take Schisandra Fruit capsules once daily in the morning. The nutritionist said that this fruit specifically does something special (she gave it a name I cannot recall), but basically she said it helps bring the body into it’s best state—ie: if your blood pressure is too high, it will lower it, if it’s too low it will bring it up, same with blood sugar, mood, metabolism, energy level. She said since this one can act as a stimulant to only take it in the morning. 12. Take Cordyceps Sinensis twice daily—one in the morning and one at night with dinner. 13. Take Chorella (1 capsule twice daily). *She said for now to also take Epson Salt Balts and spray on Magnesium Chloride Oil spray to increase my Magnesium without it going through my stomach. She also gave me a list of Acidic vs Alkaline foods and said to try and stick to the Alkaline side of the list (but if I eat something Acidic pull the overall meal to the Alkaline side by eating other Alkaline foods with it). She also told me for now to limit my fruits to around 1 per day because the fruit acid can also upset my stomach. I meet back with her in 3 weeks and if I am feeling better she will then adjust my list and see if I can add back the regular iron pill and some other foods). I starting following her suggestions and the revised supplement list last night and I already feel so much better—my stomach pain is GONE, I have SO MUCH MORE energy, and I am even breathing better, which I didn’t even realize was possible. She said it will take at least 24 hours for my stomach inflammation to start going down, but right now I think she is a miracle worker. Prior to doing to her I went to my GI doctor and while they ran some tests to rule out bigger problems and told me to stop taking magnesium for now, they gave me no advise. This nutritionist I highly recommend for anyone pre-surgery who is having GI problems, energy problems, needs or wants diet advise, she is amazing and works with what you like and want to eat. She also doesn’t push anything on you. I’ll attach her business card if anyone is interested! Updated on 24 Sep 2018: So it’s been a week since my meeting with the nutritionist and my stomach issues have been slowly getting better every day. I did make some minor alterations to my diet plan as the week progressed. One supplement I forgot to mention was Slippery Elm!! This one is a life saver. It coats the stomach and is used by a lot of people suffering from IBS/IBD, and other upset stomach problems. I’ve been taking that twice a day with breakfast and dinner. Another adjustment I made was to take the acid sooth with every meal (instead of twice a day as the nutritionist suggested), because it works so well and the bottle says it can be taken with every meal. Lastly I started taking Emergen-C again because I felt the really good when I was taking that in the past and taking it again seemed to give me an extra energy boost. Oh and I did also add back in a little fruit with ever meal because having almost no fruit and no sugar lead me to migraines, and with a little bit of fruit sugar it took care of that issue. So in 2 weeks I’ll meet with her again to see if we can increase my iron intake again to prepare for surgery. Updated on 27 Sep 2018: So far I’ve been pretty much meeting my goals of walking for an hour (most days). I’ve done the Fascia Blaster twice and tonight I finally added in light weights. I hope to increase my intensity soon so I’ll be better prepared for surgery, but I had some setbacks with my upset stomach that left me feeling weak. (I decided to veer off the path the nutritionist set for me a few days ago (seriously like 1 tinny dot), and it resulted in me getting a very upset tummy again. So back to direct orders...and hopefully this tummy pain and body lethargy goes away soon). Updated on 28 Sep 2018: This morning while reading up on Bromelain (to see if it might cause me stomach issues post op, since I am already having stomach issues), I found this warning note about Bromelain post-op at this URL “ https://www.bestheartburnremedies.org/medication/bromelain-and-heartburn-does-it-help .” It appears my doctor was well founded in advising me not to take it 2 weeks prior to surgery as it could cause excessive bleeding. While this supplement has many benifits to promote healing post-op, anyone who is thinking of taking it pre-op, please consider the risks. Updated on 28 Sep 2018: So Since I decided to have this surgery I have been micro examining every inch of myself to try to make sure I don’t miss telling the doctor anything while I’m there. I’ve been thinking about asking to have some fat injected into mild hallows under my eyes, but was turned away when I learned it is common for people to develop perminant keloid type bumps in that area with a fat transfer, which are very difficult to fix. Then today I stumbled upon Dr. V’s instagram page and saw Ellanse. I did some Google research and like what I learned about it—it actually stimulates the body’s own collagen production and the procedure takes less than a half hour. I probably won’t get that done the same day as my major surgery, but once I’m there I’ll see if Dr V would recommend that for me and maybe when I go in for mu check-up he can do that too (if he recommends it). I also have no idea what the cost of it is...I’ll wait till my surgery is done and I have a grand total to post here. Updated on 28 Sep 2018: A pic of Dr V’s work with facial fillers. Updated on 8 Oct 2018: I usually get a flu shot every year (though I don’t know if it helps, as I often get sick with a version of the flu regardless). I’m wondering if the flu shot will be beneficial or make me weaker before surgery...????. I have a little more than a month before surgery, so if I’m gonna do it, now needs to be the time...I might get one tomorrow.... Updated on 9 Oct 2018: So my stomach issues (diarrhea) have gotten a lot better, but not completely gone. I went back for another follow-up with the nutritionist and she reviewed all of my supplements, diet, and symptoms. Since the last time I was with her I relayed how I have been breathing so easy and had so much more energy. I also told her how my stomach pains are mostly gone, but I still have diarrhea. I also reviewed with her how I an going in for surgery in like a month and so I really need to be taking the 1000 mg of vitamin C and 500 mg of iron daily at this point. She asked me what kind of iron...????...my doctor didn’t specify. After discussion the options we agreed that instead of taking an iron supplement like that I would stick with my Ancestral Organ Pills from New Zealand ????????, and start adding in the Mega Food Blood Builder (one pill per day). I also bought more varieties of Organs from the Ancestral Organs company, because I have been so impressed with them so far—Trachea (Supports Healing, Immune & Joint Health), Bone Marrow (contains collagen), & Thymus (supports immune and allergy health). Each of them claiming to help various issues in the body and I thought these could also help my body prepare for surgery. The nutritionist felt I should take one pill of each of my Ancestral Supplements Daily (in stead of 2 each of the fewer bottles I presented her with last time). She said that even though the Spleen pills contain the most iron (12.5 mg per serving = 6 pulls), all beef organs contain iron and she said if I take too much iron it will be stored in my liver and that’s not good. Since we have no idea how much my body is absorbing of these pills she recommended (as did Dr V) getting a blood test in like 3 weeks to see where my hemo is at. She said if it goes up too high—too like a 20 or 22 (which I’ve never heard of that), then she wants me to take the iron pills every other day. I told her how 2 weeks pre-op I need to stop all supplements except Iron and Vitamin C. She said I can now double my vitamin C dose (from 500 to 1000mg), but to take half in the morning and half in the evening. A week before I fly out for surgery I’ll meet up with her one more time to plan/ re-plan my post surgery supplements to maximize recovery. (Before meeting with her I had already pack my supplements—well, I was taking them and accordingly packed them incorrectly, but oh well, I’ll just have to unpack them and replace it with a her revised set of suggested supplements later). Updated on 9 Oct 2018: So after meeting with the nutritionist I decided to go to the food store and but all of the foods she recommended to me (pretty much the same as last time but she emphasized eating higher fiber). She said that if I wasn’t going to Columbia for surgery in a month she would have increased my fiber with like a power supplement, but, if she had done that before my diarrhea would get better, at first the fiber would make probably it worse for a while. Instead she said we will just add fiber through food—adding Mullet, Quinoa, and keep eating potatoes and squash on the list of approved foods (as well as all of my mushy veggies cooked till they are soft...till my stomach fully heals). I haven’t been 100% with my diet...but pretty close...most of the time :) At any rate...in the food store I noticed a sign for free flu shots...and I decided to just do it. So I got one with the 4 different flu strains...hopefully that does something good for me :) It’s been a few hours since the shot and I feel fine ????. Updated on 9 Oct 2018: During my visit today with the nutritionist, I explained my procedure and how I will be staying in a recovery house afterwards, and then 14 days later be on a long flight out of Colombia. She gave me the following tips to have a less problematic flight: 1. Buy Coconut water in the airport (as it has more electrolytes than just water) and will help my body on the flight; 2. Call ahead and ask the airlines if they can make my meal low sodium (as aside from sodium being bad post op for swelling, it can cause problems with dehydration & other problems on the flight). 3. Bring my own snacks for the flight (while the free handout may be tempting cause they are free, they are also probably not good for post op recovery). She suggested filling a few little baggies of nuts and dried fruit as my own airport snacks so I’m not tempted to eat other junk...I might buy the fruit in Columbia (since my bags are getting pretty full right now lol)...but is there a rule about bringing nuts and fruit back from another country??? I’m gonna need to look into that. I might need to buy it in the airport there. 4. Get an isle seat, which I already did (but she said if I’m gonna be up a lot the isle will be better) and if I can’t get up move around at times to just move feet at the ancles up and down to help the keep blood circulating—that’s the most important thing. 5. Get powdered Pedialyte for the flight as post-op as it’s really important to maintain electrolytes. I feel like I am leaving out one of her tips, but I can’t recall it. If it comes to me later I’ll post it. 6. It just came to me, lol. Wear compression socks for the flight home. Even if you are past the amount of time your surgeon said you need to wear them for (ie: the first week or 2 post op). She said compression sock are really important for long flights especially after a surgery. *Hope these tips are helpful. :) Updated on 11 Oct 2018: So prior to my last visit with the nutritionist I was having so much energy. But since yesterday I have been feeling excessively tired and today I slept all day till 4:30 pm...so this is concerning. I just got up a little while ago and tired to get some work done and found I’m having trouble concentrating, feeling a little feverish and I want to go back to sleep. As far as I can think there are only 2 possible reasons for this: 1. A reaction to my recent flu shot (I think unlikely); 2. My slight change in supplements. As my nutritionist warned if I get increasingly tired that could be a sign I am OverDosing on Iron. I just looked up the symptoms of iron overdose and trouble concentrating and excessive tiredness are the first signs of it. I also forgot to mention I’m feeling a little dizzy (and low blood pressure is a next level symptom...????????????). Could my blood builder pill have boosted me up that much in just 4 days??? Now that I think about it, I did take a few extra Ancestral Organ pills the last few nights cause I was skeptical that it might not be equivalent the 500mg of a regular iron pill that my surgery doctor recommended. I also ate hamburger meat, beats, and a lot of greens yesterday...????...so yeah I probably over did it. I wish technology was at the stage were I could have a personal finger prick device to read out my blood levels daily (like my hemo level in this case). Well I think for tonight I’ll try to avoid too much iron and then tomorrow skip the blood builder pill and see if that helps. If I still feel sick tomorrow I’ll go to the doctor and try to get my levels tested...great more co-pays. Updated on 12 Oct 2018: So last night, as the evening progressed I gradually started feeling better. Did not take any more iron pills, and I avoided things containing iron (which I now realized was more difficult than I thought it would be) and mostly I just ate Batsami Brown Rice (which, at least my brand, had no iron), and I drank a lot of soy milk (which although it does contain some iron, I found some info on the web saying that it blocks a lot of iron absorption). Then, this morning I woke-up feeling a lot more energy and mental clarity (and I didn’t even get 6 hours of sleep). Well for today I will avoid all of my iron pills and tomorrow I’ll slowly start adding back my Ancestral Organs. I might skip the blood builder all together pre-op and just bring a few pills with me for post-op to get my iron back up really fast. Updated on 15 Oct 2018: So now I have less than a month to go ????????????????. I just noticed another person post a huge surgery complication after going to Dr. V. So that makes 2 people who suffered from Necrosis and almost died. I must admit I had trouble sleeping last night, concerned if that would happen to me too. On his end he reported that due to patient confidentiality he could not discuss specifics of her case (which is awesome that he follows the Hippa Law), but he said that there was more to the story...did that make me feel any better...??...maybe...maybe just more curious.... I then obsessively reviewed work done on his other patients, which did help me feel more comforted as I saw a lot of people who’s bodies turned out a success. My thoughts: it appears both patients with the Necrosis had laser lipo, which caused burns...maybe I’m wrong about the circumstances, but I believe laser lipo being left under the skin too long, being used to close to the skin surface, or being done too aggressively are the reasons that can cause skin Necrosis, that or a bad bacterial infection ????????????. My decisions: I still feel good about going to Doctor Villalobos...maybe you’ll think I’m crazy, but I pray a lot, and I have felt so much peace with my decision—I feel it is the right choice for me. Aside from my praying, Dr. V. has done great work on a lot of people, so despite the few with serious complications, the majority are great. Please pray for me, and I will be praying for the recovery of those who were seriously injured! ???????????? Updated on 17 Oct 2018: Today I made an appointment for an annual physical. I figured I could ask them to check my hemoglobin/iron level (I hope they will do it), and also to see if there are any vaccines I should get before traveling. My insurance company sent me a message today that they think it’s time for me to get a tetanus shot (I think I got one 5 years ago, but I was told by a doctor getting another one won’t cause any problems), and maybe see if I need another measles, mumps rubella shot, or if there are any others needed/suggested for Columbia. If I need something it will be 3 weeks before my surgery, so I’ll also need to check if getting them before surgery can cause any problems. Updated on 20 Oct 2018: Well I’ve been thinking a lot about how to deal with flying after surgery. I do have my special BBL pillow and back pillow attachments, which I spent a lot of time an money getting prepared for the trip (I think all together I paid like $115 for the combo...or maybe $125-cause I got 2 extra hard foam extensions, and then sowed a fancy cover on it, which took me forever but now it looks really pretty). Since that purchase I have found a few other things that people have used for a lot cheeper (:/) : 1. Pool floats (I guess maybe they get one long noodle and cut it down to size —maybe making 2 or 3 rows?) 2. Taking a regular house pillow and folding it in half and sitting on that like a bbl pillow. 3. Getting a cheep back support pillow from like Walmart or Marshals (and then using it above the butt on the backside to give extra space for the butt so it doesn’t touch the back of the seat). 4. I saw one creative woman who took a lawn chair and cut the butt part out lol. I would do that (and still might), but that’s not going to help me for my first 2 weeks post-op in Colombia or for my post-op flight). 5. Bobby pillows...a lot of people talk about getting a bobby pillow. Finally today I looked up how to use it for a BBL and I saw some videos on youtube where people take the thicker side and then sit on there thighs on it and push open the part that would rests on the their butt so instead it hits the sides of the butt (did I just confuse anyone...?...I just confused myself...best to watch a youtube video on how to sit on a bobby pillow after BBL...that will clear up any confusion). One woman’s real-self review talked about how she tried to use the bobby pillow for her flight home and didn’t like it, so she flew home without really using it. What she didn’t say was what she did use instead...nothing...did she just sit on her butt?? She looked good months later so whatever she did must have been ok...(maybe). So now my big question: how they heck do people get home on a flight where your butt cannot touch the seat?!? Most people mention the flight home on their RS reviews, but not many people go into detail on this mystical topic of how they did it lol. I’ve heard a few girls say they sat on their knees...on the ground...facing their seat...I am having trouble imagining myself doing that (and the people around me being ok with it...including the flight attendants...but maybe when I’m in the moment it will be all good?) I’m thinking I’m gonna be on the bathroom line a lot, but for the take off and landing of the plane...?...well maybe my pillows will be just fine. Any thoughts or advise??? P.S.—I know a lot of people start posts on here and stop reporting back post-op, so we never find out what happens to them...so frustrating right!! As long as I make it out to the other side of surgery ???????????? (Lord help me), I promise I will report back. Updated on 22 Oct 2018: -Ok so I am 5’ 6.5” - A few nights ago I weighted myself and I was at 199.8 lbs. -Dr. V requires a BMI under 35, but recommends it be under 29.9 for safety. -Some doctors in the US require a BMI under 25.... -My surgery is coming up in a few weeks, and while I’m happy I lost almost 10 pounds and I do qualify for surgery, I want to get down to under 29.9, which would mean I need to get down to about 187 lbs...that’s a lot of weight to lose in a few weeks, but I have lost about 10 pounds in 2 weeks before (with the right motivation), and so I think I can do it again. -Today, after watching some weight loss infomercials (which even though helpful, I will not be doing), I decided to go back to my self created diet that works for me. -It’s a little but complicated to explain, but basically involves following something that I learned in college called the thirds supportive meal diet (everything thing you eat is 1/3 lean protein, 1/3 starchy carb, and 1/3 fibers carb). I’ve made some modifications with it that are more realistic for me such as: -a caloric daily limit of 1550 -a bonus 100 calories for my 1 hour walk/day -a bonus 100 for lifting weights/day -2 cheat days per week where I eat anything I want (this is really important for the metabolism and for staying in control during the other 5 days of the week) -That diet was designed to not eat much fruit, but I need fruit so I sometimes replace a starchy carb with fruit or split the starchy carb 3rd with a fruit. -Last rule of my diet, if I am really craving something, just eat a little of it and then get back on track (I find holding back only builds into a set up for a big fall and then guilt and then jiving up on the diet, so why? Just do-it and get over it). -Lastly all of my calories, 5 days per week will be tracked via MyFitnessPal. * Doing the above diet last time (a few years ago), I was able to get down to 146 (in about a year), but the first 10 pounds I lost in about 2 weeks, and then the second 10 pounds I lost in about 3 weeks. I also only did a flat 100 calories extra per-day for working out, not 2 separate options for 100 calories, but since I’ll might be working out a lot I felt I might need the extra 100 calories. This diet was a little but painful at times cause I got really hungry when my calories were gone for the day, and would then I would put some salt on ice and pretend I was eating steak, lol...then on the binge days I would stuff myself to the max. People who only saw me on the binge days couldn’t believe I could eat so much and be so skinny. It was also hard/time consuming to count calories of everything and balance everything before work—it would take me like and hour of food prep every morning and basically I would only eat the foods I pre-arranged in the morning. When I got down to around 155-ish I needed to cut out one binge day a week to lose more weight. I basically hit my goal and some people were telling me I was too skinny (isn’t that annoying when people tell you to stop losing weight!! It makes me so upset...jealousy... and so then I started gaining again because I couldn’t take the comments from people. Eventually I stopped doing the diet (it started as a break during a difficult time and then never fully started back up again...until now). Another reason I stopped it was because I just want to be like those skinny people who don’t plan out every meal they just eat and go on with their day...but that hasn’t been working out too well for me. Well GAME ON!! I hope this helps some of you. Everyone’s body is different, and so this system will probably not work for a lot of you, but I do encourage you to find something that works for you, to get to your goal weight AND DON’T LET ANYONE BRING YOU DOWN...CAUSE PEOPLE WILL, IF YOU LET THEM GET TO YOU. Updated on 26 Oct 2018: So yesterday I went for an annual physical. (I figured that would be a way for the doctor to check my Hemo level). I’ll go get that blood work done tomorrow. While I was there she gave me a tetanus shot, and she ordered labs to make sure my immunizations are up-to-date. I also told her about my upcoming lipo and (then mentioned separately) how I would be traveling to other countries soon. (I will admit I was hoping she wouldn’t ask if my travels were connected with the lipo, mostly because I was nervous she might advise me against “medial tourism.” And in my mind there would have become a need to defend my choice and doctor. Luckily she didn’t ask any questions except that she thought the lipo doctor was asking me to take a lot of iron (500 mg/day), but she admitted that she had no idea about the lipo process or why iron was needed to prepare for it, and so I ended up giving her a lesson on the process (loss of blood, potential for anemia and need for blood transfusions after, etc). Then she got it. I am so curious to see where my iron is at, especially since I think I over did it a few days ago. We’ll know soon. My doctor checked with her CDC data base to make sure there where no special vaccines required for travel to Colombia—as of yesterday there are none (if you live in the USA and have already received the regular vaccines recommended here). I’m hoping I don’t need any other vaccines because unless my blood test gets processed really fast I don’t know if it will be too close to surgery to get them at that point. But hopefully I’ll know soon. As for the tetanus shot I had no soreness or problems the next day, EXCEPT that my teeth and gums felt funny after the shot for the whole night and the earlier part of today. I don’t think that is a listed side effect (?) but that has happened to me more than once when I get those kind of shots, so it seems to be a side effect for me. At any rate that issue is resolved now. Oh and I guess I’ll mention, incase anyone is confused. The tetanus shot is not something you have to get before surgery. I believe it stays active in the system for 10 years. So if you’ve had one in the last 10 years you should be good. If not or you’re not sure, best to go to your GP and get it checked out before surgery. The nurse who gave me the shot said it takes about 2 weeks to do it’s thing in the body, so be sure to allow time before surgery for it to kick in if you think you need one. I’ll update you all when I get my new hemo readings. Updated on 27 Oct 2018: So I know this is random, but since it’s happening during my preparations for surgery I figured I’d mention it. I recently (like in the last 2 months starting experiencing a lot of hair loss...like small clumps several times a day :(.. :(... :(... but what could I do? My dermatologist and family doctor have both checked my blood for any problems that might be causing it and so far they’ve come up with nothing and decided it might just be genetic. My dermo said to wait till after I have kids to take Rogaine because if I started it now, I would have to stop it when I’m pregnant and any hair I gain prior to pregnancy would fall out during pregnancy within like 4 months of stopping the Rogaine. So...I bought a hair laser and used it but it is really time consuming. I’ve been researching and praying what to do...caster-oil, rosemary oil, PRP, micro needling, etc. Last night I think it all came to me. Since the onset of my stomach issues, I started drinking soy-milk. Which has been delicious, but my GP doctor mentioned during my last visit how sometimes women have the gene for hair loss but it is bot expressed until after menopause (because estrogen goes down). Soy-milk is know to affect estrogen and I’ve been drinking like 3 or more cups per day! I also realized in the last week or so I toned my soy-milk binging down to about a cup a day and my hair loss has also decreased! My conclusion for the moment it that I have the gene for hair loss, but the excessive soy milk caused me to express it now. So :/ I have lots of emotions about this, but I am hoping that if I cut out (or maybe just cut back) on the soy milk, my hair will stop falling out so much. But since I’ve lost so much my scalp is very visible...it’s embarrassing and I feel like need to do something...wear a head band, wig, get some of those hair fibers that temporarily fill in the thinning spots. I was thinking of looking into hair transplant while I’m in Colombia too, but IDK if my body can handle both at the same time or if my doctor would even allow it. If not (which will probably be the case), I might look i to getting it done in the spring of 2019. As for where to go or who to go to...no idea yet. I’ll start a nee review for that if/when I decide to do it. I think they can cost about $5-7k, but I’m not totally sure on that. If that’s the case I might need to wait a while longer and figure put something else for the time being. Well I guess between body and hair, body shape is more important because now they have really good wigs out there... (I’m just trying to not let this situation get me down too much). Anyone else out there had hair-loss problems? What have you done about it? Updated on 28 Oct 2018: So as I’ve mentioned in several other comments, I have been having some stomach problems for a while now, but after getting tested for what felt like everything possible, the doctors were pretty baffled—with all of my tests coming back “normal,” except for mystery inflammation through out the digestive track. The nutritionist said she could help it get better, even though she had no idea what the initial cause of it was. Well now the mystery has been solved.... So for the last few years I have been really into natural stuff...body lotion, deodorant, bath bombs, even cooking most of my food from scratch. At any rate, I ran out of my diy body lotion this summer and made a new batch—altering the ratios and omitting some ingredients. It turns out THAT new batch of lotion was poisoning me. So I can’t remember all of the essential oils I poured into my mixing jar, but I know it was a lot, and like triple the strength of the pervious batch, and included some things like castor oil, tea tree oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, witch hazel, lavender oil...the list goes on and is pretty expansive. At any rate, after thinking about my hair loss problem I started looking into what hair treatments I could use to help my hair that would be safe during pregnancy and it turns out you really shouldn’t use caster oil OR any essential oils when pregnant (even topically). So that got me thinking that maybe my concoction was hurting me some how (mind you, every time I would take a shower I was completely cover my body in large oily quantities of this stuff and allowing it to soak up before dressing). So yesterday something told me not to put the oil no...so I omitted using it, and today also. Yesterday I felt a little better and today I am almost at 100 percent!!! After 4 months of so many doctors, co-pays, tests, illness, strict diets, etc...I finally realize I was sick because I was poisoning myself!!! Well at least I am better for my surgery now...just in the nick of time!! Also, since I drastically reduced my soy milk intake my hair basically stopped falling out...(in just a few days...so crazy!!). It’s amazing to think such small things could make such a huge difference in my health. This definitely gave me resolve to follow everything my doctor tells me to do (and stop all of my supplements 2 weeks prior to surgery) except for Vitamin C and Iron. When telling one of my friends about this unbelievable situation today, she told me that it was a blessing because I lost some weight from being sick and got into a really good eating habit before surgery...that is true, so I’ll be grateful for it. But so that you might not suffer as I did, be careful of essential oils and caster oil...too much (as with anything) can be toxic. Updated on 30 Oct 2018: So I’ve been telling my family that I’ll be traveling for the next little bit—all over the place (which is true), but I omitted that fact that I’m going to Colombia (to avoid any speculations or grief from them). Finally they started asking too many questions and I gave in and told them I’m going to Colombia. I did not mention my plastic surgery plans to them, but one family member jokingly (or more testing the waters), said “you’re gonna come back with big lips all bandaged up and a huge butt.” Well...so I kind of lied, which I don’t like lying, and said I was just going to visit friends of a friend. I felt I needed to deny it because if they know the whole truth they will not support it, and even start trying every way possible to talk me out of it or at least try to make me feel really bad about my choice. I don’t need that kind of stress right now. Since they are already suspicious, when I get back they’ll most likely figure it out quickly, especially when they see me sitting on my special BBL pillow or notice I’m not sitting at all. Oh well...I mostly just care about getting out there without any grief over my decisions, but once I return home what’s done is done and hopefully they will just accept my choice. I must say though, now that they know where I am going, I feel more stressed that they will continue pressuring me for more details. I don’t want to lie any further so hopefully I can be as evasive as possible and/or they will leave me alone till I fly out. Do any of you have these problems? Any suggestions for how to handle it? Updated on 30 Oct 2018: So today marks two weeks till surgery. Dr. V said to stop all supplements (except for Vitamin C and Iron) 2 weeks before surgery, but then the day after surgery I can start-up my supplement schedule again. So ta-ta for now my supplements!!! I’ll see you on the other side. Updated on 1 Nov 2018: So, after thinking my hemo was too high for the last few weeks...it turns out it hasn’t moved one dot...I’m still at 13.5!!!!!!!! And the iron in my blood came back as a low-normal!!! What did come back extremely high was B12. I looked over my daily supplements leading up to a few days ago and 4 of them each have about 1,500 percent the daily value of B12...I kind of knew that, but didn’t think too much of it when I was taking them. I don’t think they have any warnings for too much B12, but the blood builder pill (that made me really sleepy and cause me to have weird symptoms) also has another roughly 1,500 percent of B12...so maybe that was the actual over dose issue. After getting my results just a little while ago, I decided to down 3 extra Spleen pills and an actual iron pill. With about 2 weeks till surgery, regardless of what happens (if my hemo goes up any more or not), I’m still past the required hemo level for surgery (which is 12). But I’m going to add back in 2 real iron pills per day (I think each one has 325mg of iron) if my stomach can take it, plus I’m gonna start making tea with Black Strap Molasses (unless it has B12 in it). And I’m gonna lay off B12 for a while...cause mine is almost double the upper limit of what it should be right now. Updated on 6 Nov 2018: So with just a little over a week to go I could survive without a calcium supplement, but I am struggling...at lest mentally, lol. Today, I notice that my nails were more “soft” than normal (I scratched my finger with my other hand and my nail bent softly over...which never happens) so that scared me. Also I felt like my teeth were not feeling as strong and hard as normal. Now that I’ve drastically reduced my soy milk intake and I’m not taking my supplements I’m nervous I’ll get week bones or a cavity because of this time without supplements. (I know there are other non-dairy milks I could drink but a lot of them give me migraines...though I did have one particular brand of almond milk recently that cause me no problems...but I didn’t buy it myself and I’m not sure if I could find a store that has it within enough time to drink it before I leave). So tonight, after these situations and trying to eat non-dairy high calcium foods, I caved-in and downed a Coral Calcium pill, vitamin d, and magnesium. (My doctor did give me the ok for the magnesium...but I hadn’t heard back yet on the other 2...I asked as I was taking it...so it was more of an apology note lol). If he says not to take them till after surgery, then I’ll follow his orders and not have any more till after surgery—but I’ll also make it my mission to hunt down some other forms of calcium. I did read on a Plastic Surgery website (for a group in the USA), that they recommend their patients to take a multivitamin before surgery, and on RealSelf I read some doctors say that vitamin D should generally not interfere with Liposuction, but if you take it to let your doctor know what you are doing. Well ok, confession time is over. I’ve been pretty much sticking to all of my other goals...oh except for an unexpected death in my family this past week which lead me off the diet plan band-wagon for a few days during the family gathers....yep that’s all. As far as physically, aside from my above concerns, I feel really healthy now, a lot of energy and mental clarity and ready to do this!!! I’m not looking forward to the pain or the first weeks of r
Amazing experience nice staff i have nothing negatif to say about him and his staf ! I had tummy tuck and BBL . Before surgery i never look at my body in the mirror more than 30 second or i avoid the mirror not to see how ugly was my body before surgery Now i can look at my body for like 1 hour no joke . i went to a fat shagging belly with no CURVES to a hourglass shape body with a flat belly i LOVES my curve!! Thank you so much i can't wait to go back
I rarely write reviews but I have decided to write this one in the hopes that it helps someone else in my shoes. I decided recently to have lipoesculpture and BBL from Dr. Villalobos as a way to get my body back after having my baby. I know a handful of people that used him so it just helped solidify my decision to use him as my surgeon. Let me just say hands down the office staff is very friendly, accommodating, and answers all your questions promptly. They are all amazing. Now, I come from NY so going to colombia was a bit scary (even though I have family over there). With that being said I ignored my fear and just went with it. The anesthesiologist, Dr Diaz, is very friendly and personable. Dr. Villalobos is also very friendly however I felt like there was some kind of disconnect. I come from the states so I like choosing doctors who take their time with you and go over everything, however, with dr. V I felt like I got the bare minimum. He’s a great doctor, I just would have liked him to go into more detail on the procedure or the recovery because at least for me it was a lot to do the two days before the surgery that when I finally met with him I was overwhelmed. It was partly my fault for not writing all my questions down, but even the questions that I did ask I felt as if the answers were very short. After my procedure, I had the daily massages as prescribed but I think there is some sort of confusion in whether you should get massages once you come home. For example, the doctor said that I didn’t need anymore massages but when I came back to the states the nurse I found to do the massages said I definitely needed some. Also, the nurse in the states also does ultrasonic massages, Carboxytherapy and mesotherapy all as part of a lipo post op package. Now, I reached out to the nurse from Dr V office to verify I needed all of that and she told me only to have manual massages. So at that point: the doctor said no more massages, his nurse said maybe some but just manual, and the nurse in the states said massages and other therapies. This was all very confusing, but I decided to go with the post op package because I had a few lumps that I was told would not go away without it. So overall, very confusing. I have done as much research on the matter and it just seems as if everyone has there own way of doing things. I think this was one of the reasons I wasn’t happy after my surgery just because no one could give me consistent answers. ALSO, going back to dr.v review I also had bichectomy and I was so out of it the two times I went to follow up (mostly from the pain and wanting to make sure my body was healing good) that I forgot to ask about my cheeks. But not once did he bother to look inside to ensure it was healing properly. I remember I did ask him about the stitches in my mouth and he said they’d dissolve, topic never came back up. But yes he’s a good doctor, I would say he’s not as personable as the anesthesiologist and his post op care needs to be a bit better.
I can say that after a full recovery I am 100% satisfied with my tummy tuck, breast augmentation, lipo, and lipo injection results. Dr. Harold Villalobos and all his staff have been very caring about every little detail not only before but also after the surgery. I am absolutely satisfied and very thankful to him for having me get my self esteem back and would highly recommend him to anybody. I love my doctor.
