5ft3in 143lbs...BBL and Lower Blepharoplasty..travelling from Canada. Culver City, CA

Hi everyone. I am just learning how to navigate this site...so hopefully I get this right. Im 42, 5ft3 and 140~lbs. I lost a lot of weight and kept it off for 2+ years now (about 100lbs) Candidly, I had never even heard of the BBL..a good friend told me about it as she is traveling to Mexico for her procedure, and that's how his all started for me. So I have now 'virtually' consulted with Dr. Quiros in Tijuana, Dr. Dass, Dr. J, Dr. Hughes -all of these in LA, Dr. Jugenberg in Toronto, Spectrum in Miami. I sent requests to a couple of doctors in Dominican Republic as well, but they never got back to me. Interestingly, I have gotten different views from almost all of them. Dr. Quiros was inexpensive for sure- but first said I needed a body lift. Then gave me a quote for liposuction and a bbl. This was after speaking with him for 30minutes on the phone. So that worried me...I think he confused me with some other client, or changed his mind sometime between our conversation and the quote being sent to me. Dr Dass said he could definitely make it better, dr. J said he couldnt do anything for me and that "sometimes it is best to just leave things alone"...lol. Odd coming from a plastic surgeon, but ok. Dr. Ortega at Spectrum (Miami) said he could do the BBL and at a screaming deal-$4500 included 5 days at a recovery house. But I didn't really like the results on his website..further some reviews on here stated that that Spectrum often had any doctor perform the surgery so that worried me. I also learned that Florida law says any physician with a specialty can perform cosmetic surgery ...even if you're a dermatologist. Frightening in my opinion so I passed on that deal. Dr. Jugenberg is the top rated doctor in Canada for BBL's but his consultation fee was $200 and I wasn't sure I wanted to travel there. I live in Calgary and its a 3.5/4hr flight to Toronto so decided he would be the last option. Interestingly I cant find any surgeon in Calgary who specifically does BBL's...so I don't really want someone working on me who hasn't done a lot of these surgeries. I also read a comment somewhere that you shouldn't let geography determine your surgery, but the surgeon should be the determining factor. Finally last consult - I contacted Dr. Hughes who responded to me right away, and shared that he could while I was a tough case, he could do a BBL and would need to lipo the sides, abdomen, inner and outer thighs and (yay) my saddlebags. I asked him if a body lift would be better for me and he said that a body lift would make my butt smaller and flatter and greatly reduce the "dimpling" (code word for massive cellulite) but a BBL would greatly improve my body shape and butt shape though the dimpling would only be decreased somewhat. Since I am in Canada and most of the year feels like winter anyway-I am usually fully clothed - I opt for the better figure. After going back and forth via email with Dr Hughes, I decided to select him as my surgeon. Its funny, I started with Mexico and thinking this would cost me in the area of 6K plus travel etc, but feel more comfortable spending almost double that with Dr. Hughes. I am not interested in revisions, and I only have the one body, so I'd rather go with someone who makes me feel like he knows what he is doing. I did quite a bit of research as well- checked to ensure he is current with his Board certification, his facilities are accredited (where the surgery is done) read all the reviews on this site..and other than people saying he appears cocky, I couldn't find anything negative. Most of his reviews say he is an artist which is comforting. Through his emails I didn't find him cocky- he is definitely direct, concise and to the point, which may make people feel like he is. I would think he cant be any other way though, given his response time to what I suspect are hundreds of email per day. So I put down my deposit and originally wanted the surgery around the 3rd week of May, but I just finished a course of Accutane and so need several weeks prior to being able to get surgery, and they need a medical clearance. Then I asked Dr. Hughes if at the same time as the BBL would a blepharoplasty be possible. He said it was so I sent pictures and asked if it would be worth it for me to get one. He said it would and so I am getting that done at the same time. I am now nervous, as I have the surgery date, paid the deposit and am going to book my flights tomorrow. Wish me luck!!! I am attaching my wish list photos...I am not looking for anything Kim Kardashian like...hopefully it will be somewhat close.

Hi ladies. Well it’s that time, and I figure it’s time to post an update and everything that has occurred to date. My surgery is scheduled for June 16, 2015 and I will start being more detailed about what happens between now and then. I will also try and ensure I include information helpful for anyone travelling for the procedure.

Firstly, since this is a 'real' site, I will share most everything, so warning, there is a risk of TMI. So ignore the stuff that are my rants/ramblings and if you have any questions you don’t want to post, PM me and I will be happy to get back to you. Warning again- this post is fairly long.

So between paying my $500 deposit (about 1 month ago) and last week, I have had a few internal meltdowns and almost backed out about 4X. The waffling just about killed me, forget the surgery. Firstly, I had 'floated' the BBL concept to a few friends and my family, and they came back with resounding opinions on what a bad idea it was. The 'how people should be happy with who they are, that it’s a waste of money, that anyone who gets this done is shallow, and strong independent women who get these types of procedures done make it harder for other women to be proud of who they are'. One would think I am too old to care what these people think, but it never really changes even as we get older- close friends and family have a way of getting under our skin I find. That said, perhaps I need new ones lol.
In any case, after drawing on my 'strong independent self’, and a lot of intestinal fortitude, I decided I can make my own decisions and they can all continue believing what makes them happy. Now back to the surgery..I also started thinking that my body-while fully clothed is decent-would not be able to be improved through surgery. So I emailed Dr. Hughes to consider I wasn’t a good case and that maybe I couldn’t get the results I wanted. I am also a workaholic and never take time off, so am certain I am looking for reasons not to do it. He replied –immediately as per usual (awesome btw) and stated that he turns down people all the time for surgery because they are not good candidates and that I am not one of them-the plan is solid-a direct quote. So that was that, I decided in that instant to live vicariously through Dr. Hughes confidence, called Lorena and paid about 60% of the surgery. I am now committed.

I found a place on VRBO (Vacation rentals by owner) in Venice beach and booked it. Many thanks to Brown Girl in the ring for this suggestion, as I agree that being someplace pretty will help me move my new body and keep me in good spirits after the surgery. I am staying for a total of 14days, though 11 days post-surgery. The cost isn’t a whole lot more than a hotel I believe.
I initially thought I would need to hire a nurse for post-surgical care as I didn’t want to ask anyone to come with me, especially after the feedback received on the idea alone. But found 2 friends in my crew who were happy for me and would love to be a part of my transformation. So I have one friend (an ex-boyfriend! Yes ladies this is possible) who is staying with me week 1 and another who come week 2. My son –while he thinks this entire procedure is unnecessary - wanted to be there, but he is finishing his degree over the summer and I didn’t want him to upset that for this. Further, I am not sure I could find anything more unappealing than having my son seeing me in that state, let alone taking care of me.

Ok, that is a lot in one post. My next post will cover all the items I have purchased. For now, I am attaching ‘before’ pictures. I am sensitive to them as I am far more comfortable with clothes on –but will share in order to make these posts more meaningful for everyone reading them. The pictures posted in my original post in case anyone is wondering were my wish pics !

One month exactly before the surgery- here is the list of items I have prepared (this list is based on many of the posts from the ladies who have undergone the surgery)
Toiletries:
Arnica gel
Cocoa butter oil
Antibacterial Soap
Q-tips (clean incision sites)
Benadryl/Reactine/Itch cream
Vinyl gloves
Alcohol wipes /peroxide
Dressing bandages
Baby powder (if rash develops under binder)
Baby wipes
Feminine pads
Medl kit (band aids, tape, gauzes, Neosporin)

Vitamins etc
Iron injection (I have always been anemic, so I get these weekly - I assume most people would take pills)
B12- I am low
B6-I am low
Vitamin C
Bromelain
Arnica Montana pills
Stool softener

Sundries:
Urinal / large cup
Shower cap
Thermometer
Bending straws (easier for drinking while on tummy)

Clothes:
Maxi dress
Yoga pants
Camisoles
Slippers
Big(ger) panties
Cotton T-shirts (to wear under binder)

Misc:
Boppy/ BBL pillow
Neck roll
Grabber
Med bench
Bed sheets

Is there anything I am missing ladies?