I Finally Did It! - Aventura, FL

I had my surgery during Thanksgiving week. It has been over a week since my operation and I am doing much better. The first 5 days were the worst of my life. I barely remember the first 48 hours. The effects of the anesthesia were very intense on me. I was an emotional wreck, crying virtually every day. The pain and decreased independence was nothing I was prepared for. I stayed at the recovery house where caretakers and other patients helped take care of me both physically and emotionally.

The surgery center is very sad aesthetically. There are just a few huge pictures of artistically nude women. It does nothing to cheer you up or distract you from what’s about to happen. The office where you have your pre-op and massages is in a different location. It’s has a much better design to it with friendly staff and lots of fun magazines to scroll through. There’s life to the place whereas the surgery center is rather depressing.

Moments before I was put on the operating table, I started crying uncontrollably. The anesthesiologist couldn’t have cared less and he just continued reading the legal stuff to me. But Dr. Salama stopped me before I was taken away to give me a hug and reassured me and that meant a lot to me. Dr. Salama also provided patients with his personal cell phone number, so you can text him anytime if you have questions or concerns. I think this is very generous of such a busy professional, especially during his off time. He promptly responded to my messages which I appreciated.

I think the very next day I went back to the surgery center for a post-op appointment. When they took me to the room for my post-op the bed I had to lay on had dirty paper on it, with dried blood in several places. I was appalled at how neglectful the staff could be to overlook such detail. Anyone receiving medical care is entitled to sanitary conditions and they changed it after I pointed it out.

After 1 week I regain more of my strength each day. The massages are very painful because you are extremely swollen and bruised. But the massage therapists are absolute sweethearts and have lovely personalities. I miss sitting down and I can barely get any sleep and laying solely on my stomach is taking its toll on my neck.

It is too early in the healing process for me to say if it was worth it or not. As of this moment I am content, especially with my stomach. I hated my pudgy stomach and straight figure. I am very happy that it’s flat and hourglass now and am thrilled to know I can finally wear my favorite clothes. I had a decent butt to begin with and I just wanted a little lift. My butt is still swollen so I need to wait another month or two until it has completely settled for me to decide if it looks better.

Ladies, bring a funnel to use when peeing. You absolutely cannot bend down, and this makes life a lot easier. Also, bring a long foam roller, cut in half, to use when needing to do #2. Again, you cannot sit on the toilet so it’s either that or a towel each time (yuck).