- Our highly-trained Review Moderation team evaluates all reviews before they're published to ensure they're written by people like you and not a member of a doctor's office.
- This multi-step process takes up to 24 hours from review submission to publication.
- Doctors can't pay to have reviews removed or hidden.
- Reviews are only removed at the reviewer's request or if they violate our Terms of Service.
If you have questions or believe we should re-evaluate a published review, let us know.
Written Update--7+ Months Post-Op
Scars-- They are all flat, fading nicely in some areas, not there yet in others, but with time I know they will, and my husband and I don't ever even think about them. They aren't as dark as the pictures show (for some reason, my skin color is all whack, as well, in the pictures--sorry!). I use bio-oil, rose mosqueta oil, and vitamin e oil on them. No special regimen, I just mixed all the oils together and rub them on my scars when I get out of the shower.
Sensitivity/Sensations-- I have full sensitivity in my nipples!!! Yay!! The weird feeling in my back, where I had the lipo, comes and goes now. For the most part, I feel completely normal. I haven't tried to do crunches or sit-ups, but then I never did them before the surgery, either, haha! I don't feel any pulling or stretching that is uncomfortable when I exercise. I have full movement of my body, and I think it is really cool when I move my hips teaching cardio dance, because my belly is flat, and there's no jiggly extra skin anymore!
Weight-- my weight fluctuates still. Currently, I'm at 155, which is 8lbs. over my comfortable weight of 147. What can I say? The holidays! But I know it will come off, and I'm not worried about it. In the mean time, I've noticed I gained the weight in my upper arms and thighs, not so much in my belly. THAT is a huge change! No more preggo look if I've overeaten, either. And I am very happy about that!
Swelling-- my swelling is resolved completely, as of about a month ago. Now, I would attribute any "swelling" to my salt intake, water retention, etc., so it is actually bloating.
Interesting bonus-- I can't eat as much as I used to. By that, I mean yesterday I pigged out completely at my family Christmas dinner. I had.....ONE plateful of food. Didn't even finish it all. Plus I grazed on dessert items like peanut butter fudge and my mom's amazing pumpkin spice bread. This was over a 6-hour period. And I felt like I was going to burst, I was so full! Before the surgery, I would not get that feeling unless I had eaten at least twice as much food! I asked Dr. FG about this when I had my surgery, because I had read in other reviews, and he said because of the repair to my abs, that might cause it. So, there you go!
Faja--all I can say is, "WHAT faja?" I STILL have hated memories of it! I stopped wearing it after 8 weeks. I don't care if it shapes your body better as time goes by. It's a human torture device! In fact, if I had known beforehand all the ins and outs of what I would go through, the only thing that would give me pause would be the stupid faja. NOT kidding. My husband very lovingly thought I was behaving like a petulant child about wearing it, but I didn't care. I stomped my foot, crossed my arms, made a mean look, and REFUSED to wear it at one point (okay, so he may have been right, haha!).
I forget the "before" me sometimes. I don't know if that means I'm getting used to my new body, or if it's normal to just "move on" with life. Either way, I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to go on this journey. To anyone thinking about having a mommy makeover, and especially going to a foreign country to do it, research all you can, prepare as much as you can, and then have a positive mindset about everything. That is probably the best advice I could give you. For me, weighing the risks of travel, surgery, etc. (even the FAJA!) versus the benefits I've experienced, hands down I would do it all over again.
I still love my breasts! My hubby and I went on a cruise in the beginning of December, and I went braless in two dresses that I wore!! I felt sexy and beautiful, and it was absolutely wonderful!
Have a lovely day, and happy healing!
More pictures!
Merry Christmas!!! Updated pics!
Provider Review
Here are the reasons why I chose Dr. Fernandez Goico: 1) His tummy tuck and breast life without implants pictures. 2) His education-- he studied in Brazil with Dr. Pitanguay, who is known as the father of modern plastic surgery, and he did a clinical rotation at Harvard. Call me a snob, but that matters to me! 3) He's young, and establishing his practice. That means he has more time for each patient, and sees each patient as a person. 4) In his first email response to my pictures, he talked to me about my weight loss, what I wanted to do, my options, and asked me questions. NO other doctor I contacted did that. They all just sent me a quote, some of them for procedures I didn't even ask for! 5) Karel, his assistant, is a gem! She is wonderful! 6) They both speak English. If you are having surgery in the DR, even if you speak Spanish, too, this is a welcome change! Reasons I am happy with my choice: 1) The after care-- I never felt rushed. I never felt forgotten. He took the absolute BEST care of me! 2) My results--let's be honest, if he was amazing, funny, and caring, but didn't do a great job, I would not be singing his praises! I LOVE my breasts! I mean really, truly LOVE. And my TT scar is nice and low, and although I have swelling, I can see that my belly is flat and is going to get even more flat. And I have CURVES! Bada-bing! 3) I have read reviews where people compromised on bedside manner in exchange for results. I have read reviews where people chose based on their rapport with the doctor, and are unhappy with their results. I got bedside manner, rapport, results-- the works! No compromises!