Grateful Mommy - Chihuahua, Mexico

My only son past away almost 20 years ago. I was only 21 when he became our angel. Needless to say I had many years of ups and downs as I processed my grif. It effected every part of me both phischally and mentally . My weight fluctuated so much over the years. Regardless of my efforts I needed a little help. I am now 3 weeks post op of my Mommy Makeover and recovery seems slower then I thought. This has been a learning experience for me to be able to let go and have others help me.

I am sore everywhere, lol! I know this part will be worth it. I still have goals to reach once I am able to workout again. I feel like this is part of a much bigger recovery process in my life!! Always Strong !

My Mommy Makeover was done in Chihuahua City, Mx. I know very little Spanish but it is my husband first language. He was my translator for almost everything. I had a Brest lift , implants , tummy tuck, lipo on my flanks , hips and bottom. I was very nervous leading up to the surgery which was done on Dec. 23rd, 2015. Even though my husband was with me I had none of my family around and I had never been to Chihuahua. A lot of women in the area we live in had recommended Dr. Contreras and he did make me feel comfortable even though he didn't not speak English. He can understand it, just not speak it. I am very grateful to this site because it helped me answer a lot of questions.

My preop went well. I felt like the doctor had a good eye for knowing what needed to be done. Last minute I did decided to go down a size in implants and so far I am happy with my decision.

Post op was hard for me. I was in a lot of pain and really uncomfortable. I was told there was going to be nurses who known English, but none of them did. It made my night even longer . I was glad to leave the next and get comfy in my hotel room. From there on, Google Translate was my best friend because my husband had business to attend to. It was hard for me to sleep through the night. I didn't want to eat much of anything. By the following Monday I was eating a long little more. That Tuseday we headed back home to Texas. My husband hired a women to help me for the next 2 weeks. I am every grateful for her !!! She left this past Saturday, which makes me sad. I am getting along ok, it is just a slow process. My ankles and feet are so swollen when ever I sit to long. I'm sure I could be drinking more water, but that means going to the bathroom more, which means getting up and down. I just need to bite the bullet and get more water in me! I look forward for this part to be over with!!

I have not posted much of my journey. It has taken much longer to recover then I thought. First, I had my surgery done in Chihuahua City. My doctor did a great job with the surgery. The only thing I am disappointed in, Is his lack of follow up. Once I was back home (1 week after surgery) I never heard from his office. He has a traveling nurse , but she wasn't any better. He just doesn't have enough help. He is a very sought after docotor and is always busy. But , I would think he would have someone to follow up with all is patients. I experienced a lot of swelling and had problems with seroma fluid in lower abdomen. I think naturally my body holds a lot of fluid, duh, that's why I am always bloated. Never thought to ask how that could effect my recoery. Right around 4 weeks my drain tube come out and I was still draining quite a bit. We called the doctor and his nurse said everything would be fine. My drain hole healed within a day and within the next 2 days my tummy had swollen so much and I was in a lot of pain and generally uncomfortable. My picture attached it when I had lots of fluid. Thankfully I was referred to another nurse that had worked with my doctor in the past. He came to see me the night we called. He had to drain a lot of fluid from me. It was pretty scary for me. After that he would come to see me for the next 3 weeks and had to continue draining me. To my luck, he also does body contouring messages which also helped with the fluid. Towards the end of the 3 weeks I wore a flat board thing under my compression garment. That helped for extra compression and my abdomin started to go down. It was a lot to go through. I never expected that would have been part of my experience. It was scary, even more so because my doctor is in another country. I now have no fluid, unless there is a hidden pocket of it somewhere.

I remember reading somewhere, every women is different and heals at different speeds. I always remind myself of that and that helps me get through my days.
Tomorrow I will post an updated picture. I have come a long way.