Heading to Colombia for Tummy Tuck, Breast Reduction and Lift, and Lipo. Cali, CO

After years and years, I've decided to go ahead and have surgery. I am so scared that there will be a problem of some sort, and that I'm taking such a big risk when I have 3 little children depending upon me. Yet I feel if I'm going to do it, do it now when I'm 41, and have enough years ahead to make it worth it. My husband works in Latin American, he has sales reps in every country. One of those reps used to sell to the plastic surgeons and when I told her who I was going to go with, she told me no way. I had contacted a few doctors whose names I saw here on Real Self. But she said there are much better doctors. Then another Colombian employee has a first cousin who is a plastic surgeon in Cali. She reached out to him and asked him his thoughts on the doctors I have been talking to, and was advised that there are better doctors. I don't want to bash anyone, because I don't have personal experience with any of them, however I just want to inform you of what I heard, to not assume that since they ar being mentioned on here that they are the best, and encourage everyone who is looking to have surgery down there to make sure your doctor is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Also make sure that you see before and after pictures of THEIR work. Ok...so I decided to go with Dr. Zapata, not the cousin but the one who came highly recommended with no bias:) They also recommended Dr. Ortiz, and his before and after pictures are amazing (he has videos you can watch), and Dr. Velasco (who claims 80% of his clients come from NY. I wasn't crazy about his photos though). The lady who recommended Dr. Zapata says that he's a different level...that I will look around in his waiting room once I'm there and see a different type of clientele...that people who want the best go to him. His quote was $2,500 more than another doctor who I thought I was going to go with, but I think it's worth it. His recovery house charges are more too unfortunately. But I feel better going with someone who has recommended him and who knows the doctors down there. My appointment is on Dec 17th so we will find out if it's all hype or not! I can't relax. I'm so scared and nervous. I'm going to add my pictures later because my computer isn't cooperating and I don't have time. I may end up adding them when I'm in Cali and have more down time than I do now.

I'm posting a few pictures of my before. I don't have the nerve to post naked ones in case someone I know sees this. That's how bad my boobs are. I always joke that they are National Geographic boobs:) Anyway...I slouch pretty badly out of habit since I'm so self conscious about my enormous boobs. My goal is to have boobs that are small enough that I will feel very comfortable putting my shoulders back! And by belly looks like it has a smile just about my hoo ha. I'm so excited to have it off!

So far so good. I can't take photos yet because I'm all bandaged up and can't even see my body myself but I can feel it's flat and my boobs feel like the right size. The pain is worse today then yesterday. I was dizzy and threw up twice and of course it's hard to move around but I was expecting all of that. I was so excited yesterday that it wasn't so painful but I didn't realize that the biggest of pains in yet to come. I can't really get comfortable and the language barrier has proven to be a big problem. I speak OK spanish...most people think I speak quiet well...but when it comes to things of this magnitude I don't. I would not advise a trip to Cali unless you speak decent Spanish. Also, I want to mention that I have friends in the United States who are from Cali and they asked around and say that Dr. Zapata is one of the best. I'll post pictures when I have them and you can decide for yourself:)