Here We Go!!! Surgery with Dr. Robles Feb. 4, 2015 - Dominican Republic

Sorry for the delay... But I alway finish what I start:-))
I arrived in DR on the 3rd of February was picked up at airport by Jeremy. He also drove two sisters who I didnt know at the time would become my surgery buddies! We arrived at CECIP had to fill out tons of paper work, get labs, visit Cardiologist, diagnostic ekg and X-ray... Etc... They fed us and we waited for answers that we thought would have been easily answered once we got there.... Let's just say we didn't know what time our surgery would be, what recovery house ect until moments before which was nerve racking... To make a long story short. I love the work that Dr Robles performed on me which was a tummy tuck with lipo to flanks only and breast lift!! I could not be more happy with my results. The only pain I felt came from the lipo... The swelling is no joke, but am finding that it is better controlled with good compression garment. The dr started me in a large... Not sure why... Because I started out on 2nd hook and after a couple days was already on last hook... At my second visit which was 6 days post op they were giving me stuffing to make tighter... At day 7th I was fitted for my 2nd stage and that was a small... Which is what I am wearing now. recovery house was relax recovery: milly was the best!!! Soraya the owner was nice too... The main issue we had was no one spoke fluent English let's say it was fustrating at time but the place was very clean small they had hospital beds close to shopping and hair salon across the street if your feeling up to it... I was suppose to stay till the 15th but got really home sick and decided to come back on the 13th. I'm still doing well at home... Im currently 12 days post op... Dr did not clear us to have massages until 6th day post op I had one on 7th day and 8thday ( the morning before flying out) ahhhh is all I can say the massage was a life saver wished she would have cleared us earlier! I'm Home now and my sides are hard and lumpy again so as soon as I can get them here I will!!!

my labs was still the same 13.1 hgb, so I have bumped my iron intake from 1 to 3 a day... and just go to my local urgent care and pay for lab draw to see if it has improved... I'm trying to achieve 14 or higher before my surgery. Does anyone know if I will be able to watch BET at CECIP or recovery house? Being Mary Jane's new season will air the night of my arrival and although I will be recording at home I would hate to wait to see when I get back, lol. I am so excited! I have got my FMLA forms in and my leave approved for 3 weeks. I plan to be in the DR from the 2nd of February and leave on the 15th. I will then have another week at home to finish recuperating. I hope this will be enough time! I sure hope that this recovery is not worse than hysterectomy... If not, I think my recovery will be just fine... Lord I pray!!!
I pray for those having surgery, those who are going through recovery and those awaiting surgery. Many Blessings to you all!

I'm excited! Everything is coming together. I had my annual physical and blood work done today and will get my results back next week... Hopefully everything checks out and my doctor here gives the ok to have surgery. :-). If anyone is going the first week in February, hollar at me :-D!! Im a 44 yo single mother who by profession is a RN. My height is 5' 3 1/2" and my current weight is 160lbs. My measurements are 36 breast, 31 waist, and 43 hips. I pray that this experience will be a positive one for all of us and that our confidence is renewed!!! Take care my fellow RS'ers.