ONCE A DREAM NOW BECOMING A REALITY!!!!! - Dominican Republic, DO

So my journey was to be continued........ After having the Vertical Gastric Sleeve on July 22, 2014 and losing 146.4lbs (starting weight 323.4, current weight 177) I am left with flap jack boobs and a meat apron that I can't bare to look at. At first I would not have even thought about going to the Dominican Republic for surgery because after all I have my very supportive husband (we're newlyweds) and our three daughters (2 biological 1 step daughter) to live for. Although they are very important in my life I can't shake the feeling of unhappiness when I look at myself naked. Now my Husband says I'm fine, hell I would say that too I'm almost 150lbs lighter (I must add he loved me and proposed to me at that very weight) however I want this for me I did a lot of hard work to lose the weight that I've lost. Although some may feel like the VSG is the easy way out however they make your stomach 70% smaller, they do nothing to your head, so it is a struggle and I have to be conscious of everything I put in my mouth. I also have to workout which is something I hate to tighten the lose skin which is inevitable when you lose the amount of weight that I have. Okay now that I told you all about my start here is where I am now, I am scheduled to have a Mommy Makeover, Breast Lift with implants and a BBL with Dra. Fatima Almonte on July 18, 2016. I am super excited although I am nervous, but this has to be done. I am not happy with my body and I should be so since it can't be done naturally so Dra. Almonte is going to help me with that. I pray everyday but I've been praying like 3-4 times a day that I have a safe surgery and a speedy recovery. I chose Dra. Almonte whom I've been researching for about two years because she does great work for dolls whom are bigger girls plus she has a lot more satisfied dolls than unsatisfied dolls. I think her work speaks for itself. I have already book my flight I will be in DR from July 17- 27, 2016. I have sent Dra. Almonte my deposit so my surgery date has been confirmed. I have also decided to stay at Maria's Recovery House and my deposit was also sent already. So now the only thing left to do is work on getting my blood levels up, I went to my primary care doctor two weeks ago and my hemoglobin was only 10.2......NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! I have added to my vitamin regimen I take B12, Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Biotin, Calcium, Geritol, Iron (twice a day) Blood Builder and a Multi-Vitamin, oh and I forgot Miralax. I have been eating liver, beets, spinach, greens etc. I also started drinking a juice recommended by Dra. Almonte which is watercress, carrots, spinach and apple juice I drink it twice a day. so my primary doctor whom might I add is very supportive of my decision to have surgery in DR said he will do everything in his power to ensure my levels are where they need to be prior to me leaving as well as write whatever antibiotic and pain meds prescriptions I need. He only made me promise him that I will do my research prior to selecting a doctor and also follow all their post op instructions, because he stated their are great doctors in DR, just do you research please. I love my Doctor!!! so I am now scheduled to have my blood work redone on March 25, 2016, I can't wait to see if all the things I've been doing will make a difference I really hope so. I must say I feel different, I am no longer always cold or tired so maybe its up at least more that it was Please Dear God Let It Be Up!!! I only told a select few about my surgery I don't need anyone making my more nervous than I am already nor do I need them judging me!!! I think that's all for now!!!

So I got my hemoglobin checked yesterday and it went up guys!!!! Yes it went up to 11.7 from 10.2 and I am ecstatic. Even though I gained back the 6lbs. that I lost I think all of these vitamins I'm taking is opening up my appetite. NOT GOOD!!! because the last thing I want to do is gain weight. My body is weird because I go up and down with these same 6lbs. but at the end of the day with or without these 6lbs. my sx can still happen because it really doesn't affect my BMI. However I still want to be about 175lbs. the day of surgery, and trust me I will be!!! I HAVE 96 DAYS UNTIL DRA. ALMONTE MAKE ME OVER. I can't wait, I'm nervous and excited, I've been praying to God about my sx since I decided I would have it done in DR, so I'm confident that I will be fine. I'm going to continue my iron regimen and continue to eat my liver, spinach and beets as well as (my blood builder drink that's what I call it) watercress, carrots, spinach and apple juice. I also drink a beet and banana smoothie. All of the above has raised my hemoglobin from 10.2 to 11.7 in a little over a month so if I continue this I don't see why my hemoglobin won't be 13+ by my July 18th sx date. Just wanted to give you guys a little update.

So 18 days!!!!!! I am excited and nervous all at the same damn time.... I have been getting my supplies ready for my upcoming sx, I think I kind of brought too much but I want to be prepared. I also brought a small pillow for my BBL and a couple of protein shakes and a small amount of snacks, just in case. I'm trying to find a protein bar that I like so I can take a few with me but I haven't found one as yet. I'm getting more and more excited with everyday that passes. I can't wait until I'm recovering. I have been praying nonstop for a safe procedure and a speedy recovery with no complications. I have full faith in God that I will be fine and he will bring me back home safely and healthy to my husband and our kids. God is so Good I was a little worried a few weeks ago and I bumped in to a coworker whom I gave all the info to about vsg sx when I did it and she finally had it and she looks fab!! I've been hearing that she went to DR and got her body done and when I saw her she told me she did and her tummy tuck looks amazing she did tell me that Dra. Almonte was her doctor and that made me feel so much better because I was able to see her work live and in living color. She said Dra. Almonte and her staff was amazing and they made her feel so comfortable and took great care of her while she was there and she is currently planning her round 2. The one thing I was a little worried about was my back fat because like I said she was also big before she had the sx and she said Dra. Almonte said that what she considered to be back fat was actually excess back skin. So now I am a little worried because she is planning her round 2 to have a back lift. So although she looks fabulous, she does have some rolls on her back. When I explained this to my hubby he says what's the big deal it will be better than what you have now and you will still feel better about yourself. Plus I love you at any size fat rolls and all...Lol!!! I thought that was sweet of him, anyways I will be happy as long as this meat apron is gone. Spoke with Leslie and I sent her new pics of my body because I did gain a few pounds, I did tell her I am going to lose the pounds I gained and she recommended that I only go down to 180-185 so I can have some fat for my BBL. so I agreed and now I have approximately 6 pounds to lose in my 18 days, I know I can do it, I lost 4lbs last week by having a protein shake for breakfast and lunch snacking on fruits in between breakfast and lunch and having a sensible dinner. I am going to continue that until I leave. I Got This!!!!!