My Mexican Journey - Cancun, Mexico

Hi my sister from anothah mothah! Yes, actually 7200...every peso counts, lol Included meds and bandages, even kissin da boo boo when I complained and whined and said owwiee what have I done, and burst into tears.......a LOT..kidding about kissing the boo boo, but not much else...I was a whiny hot mess...Im now in proceedings to officially adopt my Mexican nurse, Lupita, who despite the language barrier, became my bestest friend...ok, kidding again, but we are facebook friends...lets see, where was I before I went off on a rant...oh yes, all inclusive except for the airfare and meals besides breakfast, which I only ate once, the day before surgery...it was delicious, but remind me to tell you about the green juice...

I keep looking at your pictures with envy. Tell me not to be so scared! I want what she had! Your jaw looks sooo much younger though it wasn't bad to begin with! I wonder if they can stretch my Playdough face into something wonderful! Getting old isn't for the weak but in a week you can look fabulous again, you just proved that! I have a question!!! What kind of anesthesia did they use? Just the nurse? I think you need to adopt the doctor too! Now, I'm not sure about the green juice..does it have caterpillars in it?

Lol, Kat1963, you know, being scared is part of the process. You would be nuts not to be...but, let it be a healthy fear that motivates you to do your homework. Thank you so much for the compliment! People never guessed that I was in my fifties, and I wanted a very subtle result, and not that windswept, cheeks pulled back look. So, in that vein, this doc does a modified SMAS lift....not the traditional "full face lift". Some sites say that this type of lift only addresses the superficial tissues, but not so with this surgeons technique. He also tightens the underlying facial muscles. I was told that what I had is a more vertical lift, rather than the classic horizontal style, and the numbness in my cheecks says...yup! I guess I need to update my review with more details about this. Meanwhile, on to the green juice....don't drink it, lol. It is thick, sweet, and SPICY!!! Made from green chilis! I had to try it, but the Mexican waiter had to laugh at the expression on my face....surprise!!!

Ps, I had general anaesthesia. I researched the difference, and there is no way I would ever want to be aware AT ALL, EVER....of what was being done while it was being done...they lift and separate muscles!!!! twilight sleep, my royal butt.....I woke up, it was done, and that was it. Now, my nurse Lupita visited me every day for the first few days, showered me, cleaned wounds, replaced bandages, tucked me into bed, and whispered...tranquilo....(relax). The very nice thing about going through a medical tourism company, is that they pick you up from the airport, take you to all pre and post op appointments, translate for you, take you to get groceries (the mexican version of walmart was so cool!) call to check on you, etc. This company...shameless plug, cause I love them...My Medical vacations...even took me to get my nails done on the day before I left mexico...and brought me krispy kreme donuts...a big deal in Cancun...as the grand opening was going on the day I arrived...Mexicans are crazy about krispy kreme, mexican donuts are way different....and i diverge....

Girl, I am even thinking of backing out of my Silikon. LOL You are brave! I guess I need to stop watching the facelifts on youtube! How long was it before you were able to get out & do things? I have a farm so finding someone to take over everything I do isn't going to be easy. I don't know, I think I might like that green juice! I love chilies!! It's the thick sweet part that would kill me....like a McDonalds St. Patty's day shake with a kick? Ewww..hahaha You are hoot! I wish I could have gone with you!! Thanks for answering my questions, I really do appreciate it! Was it just an IV anaesthesia then? Okay, I can do that part. See if Lupita will pick me up some whiskey for after my surgery, heck I need a drink right now just thinking about it!! You are almost making it seem like you had fun! Cheers! :)

OMG! Dont watch those surgeries, you will never do it! Lol kat, they will get you anything you need. Yes, IV...was asleep before i counted down from ten in spanish...proud to know my numbers, lol For me, it was around three weeks before i felt like doing anything more than a short excursion out and about, but i think i was behind the curve. If you have to lift and bend, etc. at least a month. And for me it was more like six weeks, cause Im a massage therapist, and my work is physical, so....

Kat1963...I did have fun...whats cooler than getting away to be by yourself in a foreign country? Now the surgery part....its what we go through...gotta admit...for the first two days....I got through by telling myself "I will never do this to myself ever again...over and over" but then day by day, it gets better, you start to see the results, and it slowly becomes worth it...

Flloridakat52 you look awesome and I love your narration. I'm set to have neck lift and upper eyes in January with a local doc. The cost will be in the 15K range....after researching yours and others who went to Mexico and the amazing results I am seriously reconsidering...you look great!

Kitkat64! Thank you for the compliments! For me, it was a matter of getting quality care and a qualified surgeon to perform my surgery. I went to a local surgeon who is widely touted, and I felt like I was getting the hard sell from him, and when i talked to his surgery manager, she looked like she had had a bit too much botox...like noooo wrinkles, and oh...that windswept look...frankly, Not what I was looking for. I had been reading up on the popularity of medical tourism for a long time...why is the cost lower, what are the medical and ethical standards, and why would I think that just because its less expensive, its not a good thing? So, along that vein, I tried to make an informed decision. The medical tourism company I ultimately chose was because cancun was close to me, katie from the company told me that she had had surgery herself by the surgeon, that he was a facial specialist known for his limited incisions, and the kicker was that Katie's mom was going to Dr. Carmona herself to get a facelift. In addition, the doc required me to quit smoking at least a month before surgery, all bloodwork including an EKG was required, and his surgical team had been together for many years, so this told me he was stable and thorough and paid attention to detail...all required for my standards....plus, I figured that if I got there and met with the surgeon, and if for any reason, I didnt have faith or had any inkling this wasnt going to go well, I could politely opt out and call my trip research....

Okay Okay!! I know this reply was ment for yet another Kat. but LOL I can't help but respond. What did you take prior and/or after the surgery because girl you hardly bruised a bit! And you seemed to heal real quick too even for a smoker ( yeah me too). I had my uppers done about 13 years ago, it was quick & easy. I need it again due to family bad skin lets pass it ALL down stuff. Yeah we live into our 90's but we look like a Shar Pei. My sister who is 6 years younger just wants to age naturally...LOL NOT happening. Anyway do tell Sis, what are your pre-op instructions for Mexico? ~Hugs!

Lots of kats on here! Now...Kat1963...was this q for me? If so, I gotta post more pics, lol. Im still bruised up, shadow bruising....my light, English complexion. I just now took some pics for you...without my Estee Lauder Double wear maximum cover camouflage makeup...my best friend these days. But I did take Arnica montana for 3 days pre op, and for a week post op, and lots of vitamin C. Plus, I took small soft gel packs, got a room with a freezer, kept them in there and used them religiously on my face...with a dry washcloth in between them and bare skin. DO NOT ignore this advice...Not only does this help for the pain, but the swelling and puffiness goes away a lot quicker, which speeds up healing. Lemme tell ya, sis, be prepared...a face and necklift is major surgery (my eyelids and lipo were a piece of cake in comparison) and this takes a lot longer than they let on to heal completely, especially the necklift...Im still in discomfort, very very tender, and I still have a long way to go. That said, my results are pretty good so far! Oh, do we suffer for beauty!! PS, I love Shar Peis!

FloridaKat52 can't believe you were a recent smoker your skin looked pretty good before surgery! I have to give up nicorette before my surgery I've been addicted to it for years since quitting smoking, sad but true! I figure to start Chantix 2 weeks prior to surgery to make sure all the nicotine is out if my system...nothing scares me more than necrosis! I've been researching since this past February when I had the initial consultation...I really appreciate your sharing your story. I don't see the shadow bruises I think you look great! All the best, another "kat" :)

Kit...Yeah! Ive got a closeup view. I feel you on the nicotine... I quit by getting an ecig and cutting back on the nicotine solution slowly...no withdrawal...by a few weeks before surgery, I was vaping zero nicotine. I still smoke my ecig and have slowly gone back to a bit of nicotine a couple of weeks agoI was never a heavy smoker, prob half a pack a day...lightweight...lol ps...please do your face a favor and quit at least 4 weeks prior...my left side healed well, but my right side turned black and blistered really badly. Doc said that side looked like a smokers face. It was pretty scary.

R1, hiya! It was nice getting away for sure! I was quite scared of surgery in a foreign country until I did the research, and more research, and more research....and was still nervous, but it really went well.