Mommy Makeover Except the Breasts - Tijuana, Mexico

I am adding a before and after picture, in clothing, so you can see the profound difference this has made on my body and confidence. The before picture was taken in May 2012 and the other was May 2013. In one year my entire life has been transformed into something I never though possible. It is not about the body so much but the confidence. I used to choose clothing, not by what it looked like but rather, how well it hid all my flaws (and face it, looking back, it really didn't do such a great job at the hiding of flaws). No amount of eating well or working out was able to shed the fat layer that covered my body. I ran everyday about 5 miles...didn't matter a bit. I never eat unhealthy anything....ever. I don't add chemically altered food into my diet...ever. Yet here was this body that looked so foreign to me. My younger years had been consumed with either participating in tournaments of some sort of athletic competition or teaching them. Now I was the middle aged woman who stood in the back of the room in case I needed to escape out of embarrassment or inability to keep up.

I am putting up my last group of photos. Some are graphic of the scars up close, immediately after surgery or withing the first few weeks. I've seen people commenting that they are afraid that all those odd bumps, flaps, and folds are permanent....they aren't. But they are ugly and scary. Agreed. But, as your PS probably has told you, time is your friend. They will flatten out and fade. Just give it time.

So everybody, thank you for all your support. Thank you for everything. You held me up when I thought I would die from the pain. You supported me when I thought I was a freak for life. But I'm not! It works...and it will work for you too. I promise. Hang in there and believe.

Good luck to you all!

This is what the scarring looks like 5 months later. Hoping to go back soon and get my legs done thinner and maybe a boob lift. 38DD and they stay up alone but it's only a matter of time so I'd like to fix that before the inevitable. Overall, best thing I've ever done to change my confidence and life. My DH said that when I go out with him now even my walk is different, more confident. I'm happier. Sex is better because I'm not ashamed of my body anymore either. Best thing I've ever done. Good luck to all and may this bring you the happiness you are hoping for.

I've had a few people ask me to update, so here you go. I was going to wait until the 6 month mark but we just got back from vacation celebrating my 50th birthday (ugh!) and thought, why not?

Dr Quiroz had said it would take 6 months for all the swelling to be completely gone but I do think it isn't going to get any better than this. I will probably update again in a few days to show you a couple flaws that I want addressed but overall, I think it came out amazing.

The flaws: Right side hip, the scar is a little too high and has a small dog ear. I have to put a little cover up on the scar to keep it from showing in the swim suit or pull up the swim suit to keep it hidden.

My elbows are chubbier than my arms.

Both things probably are just my bodies fault more than his. When I look at the photos post op, things look correct. I had originally wanted to have my legs done too, at the same time. When I went to have everything done, Dr Quiroz had me stand in front of a giant mirror with no clothes (shudders) and he sat behind and to the left of me where I couldn't see him. He had me verbally state aloud what I didn't like about my body starting with what I disliked the most and working down from there. I disliked my arms the most, hands down. I could cover the tummy but living in Florida, the arms are a tough one. Then the stomach, the bra strap fat, and then finally I said the legs.

He asked about the legs and I told him that the plastic surgeon at home had mentioned that to be symmetrical, I needed them done too. I told him that my husband said they would look better if they were thinner. It was at that time that he said he wasn't going to be doing the legs. He explained that his reasoning was that the surgery is for the patient ONLY. That I wasn't very concerned about my legs and only had shown interest in them once it was pointed out by others. He said it made him uncomfortable and that the extra surgery on top of how much I was already having was too much anyway. I was starting to freak a little because I DID want some of the fat taken out...I really did. So he agreed to a little lipo on the inside of the legs but wouldn't do more than that. He said if I chose to do it later, after I healed, that would be fine but not in November.

I will say, looking back, that may have been the best decision ever made. How I could have possibly moved by myself and gotten onto a plane, made the connection, and finally home to Florida with my legs done too is a mystery.

I think Dr Quiroz is an incredible doctor and I do plan to go back to do the legs and ask him to fix those little flaws, if it's possible. I would also like to have a breast lift, possibly. They are pretty good by themselves but could use a little help. I figure time will surely add to the gravitational pull, so why not take care of it while I'm out there?

My husband was so impressed with the results, he is sending his pics in too this time for a little tummy lipo. He's very muscular but would like his stomach flat. You know the doctor is good when your man is willing to fly across country to have a procedure done. I'm just glad that this time I will have company.