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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

Smartlipo (Vaser/Laser Liposuction) - New Tampa, FL

ORIGINAL POST

Hi all! I've been considering a tummy tuck...

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MiMi978January 8, 2013
$4,825

Hi all!

I've been considering a tummy tuck for years, since I've had my daughter. Now that she is 20 y.o. I figured its time. You see, I was a teen mom, had her at 17. Now that my children are older, I figured its time to be selfish. I've always been the provider, and will always keep my family first. This time, I'm learning to start doing me for a change. I'm single, been divorced for a few years now, and honestly, need to get my groove back. I'm not comfortable with my nakedness. And I believe this insecurity is hindering me. By no means do I think I'm unattractive, just want my body to match my face. Lol! I'm sure a lot of you ladies can relate to what I'm talking about! I'm 37 yrs old and oftentimes ppl mistaken me for early twenties. And when I'm with my kids, they think I'm their oldest sibling. These are all ego boosts, but underneath the clothes, I feel like I have the body of an older woman. That is what I want to change. Weight has always been a constant struggle, especially with a thyroid condition, which makes it worse. I've dropped 30lbs within a year thru Jenny Craig, but now, that has left me with sagging skin, and no elasticity.


My areas that I would like to tackle are my upper arms, inner thighs, abdomen, and maybe even my butt. So far, I've reached out to 4 doctors, 2 from Mexico, 1 from DR, and 1 from Boston, MA. So far I'm in the works of getting quotes from Dra. Robles -DR, and Dra. Cardenas -MX.
My concerns for going out of the country is more or less how I'm going to manage recovering. Not sure how long I need to request off from work, and whether I can request medical leave thru FMLA. I would appreciate any support or encouragement from all of you, and hope I can do the same. My goal would be to hopefully make a decision within 6 months.

Thank you all in advance!

MiMi978's provider

Dr. Stanley A. Castor

0

Replies (26)

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Mari28
January 9, 2013
Please let me know if you find a cheap one in Boston I have found one in Columbia so far my cousin an aunt have went to him they look great I'm just scared of traveling that far
laurenj1833
January 9, 2013
I had a TT and BA in october with dr Volpe (in Boston) and I LOVED him. My results are fantastic. He is one of bosons top plastic surgeons. I'm not sure what you are looking to spend but with the TT, BA (saline implants), liposuction of my flank area and abdominal muscle repair it cost about $16,000. I was off of work for 2 1/2 weeks. I feel like i rushed my recovery but I had no choice I have 3 kids under 3 and my husband had to go back to work. I would 100% recommend him. The 3 dr i consulted with all said skip the lift and just do an implant to fill out the top part of my breast that were slightly deflated. And I'm wxtremely happy with the results. Good luck
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MiMi978
January 10, 2013
That's great Lauren! I'm still shopping around, just need to find PS that offer free consults. I'm sure a TT would be a less expensive.. I hope. Lol. @Marelys, I will post what I find if any.. :) So far the one in MX quoted $5900 for a TT, Lipo, and FG.
Duxbury4283
January 13, 2013
No one in Boston is cheap, most are Ivy League trained docs. ie:Harvard.
Duxbury4283
January 13, 2013
Good job Lauren. Choosing Dr Volpe was a safe and intelligent decision. You will be very happy with the results.
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waiting to exhale
January 9, 2013
Hey doll welcome and yay ur gonna love this site and your new Journey...Well i had my surgery in Tj i live in Cali i woulda paid 1200 here well you can read my blog...i saved more than half tht price had lipo and tt..2weeks is rt for recovery just depends in i i healed real fast..so excited for you
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Mari28
January 10, 2013
Hey how can I get ur doctor information that is a good price and I won't have to travel so far
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waiting to exhale
January 10, 2013
My drs info ma just go to my blog
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MiMi978
January 10, 2013
Hey Hun! Thank you so much for giving me some input. I really appreciate it. :) I finally got a quote from the PS in MX, seems reasonable. And she's board certified. She was very honest, and told me that I should work on my upper arms. Because they weren't that bad. Now, I'm waiting for the one in DR. We shall see. Btw, the one in MX, operates out ofvTijuana. How is that area?.
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waiting to exhale
January 10, 2013
@mimi978 ok words of advice to you n not because of n e thing bad happening to me but carry ur large bills to pay dr but when pay n cab driver and wht ever else u like to do pay n small bills why u ask cause jst like here there are ppl who might b shady...so like cab drive from border to dr should b 5bks it takes a while to get n and out sometimes... This is just where i went ...i promise you this my dr in mexico treated me like family..
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Mari28
January 10, 2013
Hey girls how much do the dr in Mexico charge??
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waiting to exhale
January 10, 2013
Oh and ask to speak to tina
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waiting to exhale
January 10, 2013
@marleys check out my blog thats my price i paid... I had tt with lipo and fat transfer to the bum...
anon9926
January 10, 2013
Hello, I am also thinking of going to Tijuana, MX what is the name of your P.S. I need an appt. with him. mcbarrol@yahoo.com
Duxbury4283
January 9, 2013
I work for a plastic surgeon and she had a number of women that had their surgery outside of the US come to her. Some of them could have died if they remained abroad. I wouldn't risk my life for cheap cosmetic surgery.
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waiting to exhale
January 9, 2013
I couldnt. Agree with you more so trust me i did alot of research here In cali sad thing is they had faults also i can only speak for my own research my dr advised me to go to a few n when they found out i didnt have money they were like ok well yea call us bk.. On mexico they have same surgical boards as we do here n Cali but they go to prison asap her n cali alot of drs dnt they get a fine one more chance or wht not but just like there is so fakes here there is alot there too be safe do ur research...dr i went to was a family friend he was amaze n he knew i lost my job offered to let me stay at care center free..
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waiting to exhale
January 9, 2013
Oh n duxbury4283 i saw no profile on you..are you having surgery also or advertising for the dr you work for
Duxbury4283
January 13, 2013
I have had a bleph done by my surgeon. If you want to go to South America for ELECTIVE cosmetic surgery...go for it !!!
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TTinCali
January 10, 2013
I highly recommend my PS, in Beverley Hills, she also works with many out-of-towners. Personally, I wouldn't leave the country for all sorts of reasons, mainly to do with safety and recovery. Make sure you get a board certified PS, wherever you go.
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Mari28
January 10, 2013
That's fair the dr in Columbia is charginga me $2500 but I'm just so afraid to go over there I also want my upper arms he's charging $500 more for that but thanks keep me posted :)
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waiting to exhale
January 10, 2013
@marleys thts a very hood price
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waiting to exhale
January 10, 2013
I meant good
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DominicanaNYCNJRedhead
January 10, 2013
lol i was like omg what is a HOOD PRICE chica! lol hola.... night. adios. IMO si...(colombia a very VERy fair price) extreme-low.as in mi home country of D.R. pero...(but) i can see why she is fret,about going over to a totally diff country.
UPDATED FROM MiMi978
3 years pre

Ok ladies! Received my quote from Dra. Robles,...

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MiMi978January 12, 2013
Ok ladies! Received my quote from Dra. Robles, she's offering $5200 for just TT, lipo, and bbl. I plan to still search, although I do like Dra. Cardenas, hers is a bit more pricey because her amount did not include my stay at the RH. Dra. Robles does. So the search continues! Please feel free to give me info on doctors you've used. Thanks loves!

Replies (5)

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Mari28
January 13, 2013
Everyone is telling me don't do it what if u end up having complications honestly I want to go for it I have 5kids already all the extra skin is just bothering me :( but they keep putting fear in me anyone do through this
JusSlim
January 13, 2013
I FEEL that other Countries have BOARD CERTIFIED SURGEONS like the US...the US is OVER PRICED on just about EVERYTHING! my BFF is hispanic and her mom n dad has a dentist in TJ...they went there today...so if I decide on Mexico I will converse with my BFF mom about the Travel... Keep me update on your Research!
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waiting to exhale
January 13, 2013
@jusslim you are rt they do...and here in Us we are taxed on everything in mexico they are not taxes same way we are so they dont charge the same..many different reason why it is cheaper...Just gotta be smart and do research
JusSlim
January 14, 2013
EXACTLY @waiting to exhale...BOARD CERTIFIED and REAL WOMEN reviews (on here)...RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH
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waiting to exhale
January 14, 2013
@jusslim yup yup...its all abt the research..
UPDATED FROM MiMi978
3 years pre

Hmmm... How do I request blood work without giving...

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MiMi978January 15, 2013
Hmmm... How do I request blood work without giving too much info to my PCP? DR. Robles needs me to get CBC labs tested before moving forward.... Really hoping I can manage a July surgery date.. Goal is to have it done before the winter begins. Lol. My bday is in Dec!

Replies (9)

JusSlim
January 16, 2013
let me know if you get an answer about how to get blood work from your doc!
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waiting to exhale
January 16, 2013
@jusslim i jst went to my dr told him i needed to have labs drawn cbc and why he did it for me this saves u money too also wht saved me money is only buying pain pills for while i was there i already made a appt with my primary care dr a week after i got back n got pain meds covered by my insurance
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MiMi978
January 16, 2013
W.T.E (shortened your profile name) lol.. So you was upfront with your doctor? I was going to do the same, and see what she says. I don't want to hear any negative comments, tho. Did they help you with your drains too?
JusSlim
January 16, 2013
w.t.e I just got a promotion (probation officer) so I'm telling my doc I need a complete physical w/blood work :-)
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waiting to exhale
January 16, 2013
Mimi well i got you but thts wht i told him up ft but i also told him up front tht i was gonna do it he was like loose more weight health health health as should b he is a dr and i waa like dr ima do this told him all my research and he was like ok..i came home 3days aftwr surgery ma and i got my drains removed ther in tj but to be honest i went into urgent care and they removed stitches from belley button...
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waiting to exhale
January 16, 2013
Jusslim congrats on your promotion yay...and very very smart to do..
JusSlim
January 26, 2013
I went to my doc for my yearly physical and she asked me if I need a CBC (before I could even mention it to her...lol)...so I told her yeah but I need it in July (lol)....so she put it in and told me to call a day before I want the test done....YAY!!!!
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waiting to exhale
January 26, 2013
Mimii was upfront and the tool out stirches Too
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Mari28
January 16, 2013
Hey ladies just scheduled my date for April so nervous I have to go do the lab work here as well hope my dr will do it without a problem..
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