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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

34yrs with Low Self Esteem and Tired of Being Ask if I Was Pregnant - Houston, TX

ORIGINAL POST

Hi my name is Erika Sanchez I'm 34yrs old and a...

etabora
$14,000
Hi my name is Erika Sanchez I'm 34yrs old and a mother of 3 beautiful children for the past 12 years I had been struggling with my weight with the ups and down of diets and exercises I went from 181 pounds to 133 pounds at that point everything got back in place except my belly.I used to wear lose blouses to cover it up sometimes I will had people asked how many months pregnant I was or even touch my belly to feel the "Baby" even thought it hurt it was my motivation to excersise continue losing weight. I got to the point of hating my belly yes you read that correctly I just hated it every time I was going to get dress it was a nightmare just imagine not feeling sexy or appealing to your husband and making all those excuses to avoid intimacy with him it was hard and he was frustrated with my complaints , my low self steem and depresion episodes . My husband has always been very supportive and he always tried to motivated me he knew I had done it all and nothing was working . He was the one that suggested plastic surgery and encourage me to start looking for one to me make my story short I went to 4 different doctors and none of them meet our criteria until we meet Dr. Wilberto Cortes we visit him on 07/01/15 first consultation went well he is very professional and he answered all our questions. What really caught my attention was his honesty he was the first out of the other 4 doctors that did not offer me extra procedures to resolve my issue he was the only that told me I was not fat it was just excess skin and I also liked the fact that he preforms his surgeries at a Hospital that gave me confidence I needed to make my decision. On the same day we schedule my surgery for 08/07/15 preoperative appointments and hospital registration went smooth. On surgery day I was sooooo Scare that I wanted to back up but like always my husband was there to give that extra push that I need it. Got to the hospital at 5:30am was put in a room at 6:00am got prepare for surgery doctor went in and explained procedures and did all his markings I went in the operating room looking pregnant 4 hrs later my body was completed transform when I came out new belly button , new hips and a very tight belly . The healing process has been very slow like any other surgeries it will take time and patience there is pain, swelling , muscle cramps etc but it is all wort it. I love my results . Dr cortes changed my life now I feel sexy, appealing and the most important thing I feel secure about my self I'm super happy I love the new me. If you are considering plastic surgery do your research verify doctors credentials and pay close attention to the before and after pictures it will show you the doctor techniques and detail to his work. I will highly recommend Dr. WIlberto Cortes

etabora's provider

Wilberto Cortes, MD

Wilberto Cortes, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.5 | 842 Reviews
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Replies (3)

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October 8, 2015
I know you're feeling so much better about yourself. Even at this age my nail tech thought I was pregnant and I'm looking froward to not feeling embarrassed. Would love to see pictures.
October 8, 2015
Hi oljagal yesterday for some reason my computer was not letting do uploads I will try from my phone so you can see my photos
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October 8, 2015
Thanks. Waiting in PS office to have drain taken out this morning. Still look pregnant but 5 months instead of 9. I can see where I'm gonna look amazing especially if I get back exercising and eating right.
UPDATED FROM etabora
2 months post

I just updated my photos

etabora
Ladies I forgot to mention that you have to wear a Colombian girdle 24/7 you can get those from dr. Cortes they are specially done for his procedures plan to do linfatic massages the girl that did mine is really good and affordable .drink plenty of water and off course watch what you eat . I drink a lot of pineapple tea is easy to make just cut the top and bottom part of the pineapple wash it throughly and cut up the rest including the shell add 1 cinnamon stick and boil it in a big pod . Drink tea through the day add sugar if you prefer I drink mine without sugar.

Replies (18)

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October 8, 2015
Blown away by your new body. You just GO, girl!!!
October 8, 2015
Thank you oljagal
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October 8, 2015
You look great! Good to see a Cortes doll with good results! Who did you use for your massages? I've been looking for someone.
October 8, 2015
Thank you ksk15 I did 8 masages with mary at Mary Spa and did 10 masages with Sara Dolce Lola Home Spa they both have different techniques Mary uses the cavitation machine and Sara does manual and cavitation machine they are both good ,affordable and they help me but I really love Sara's technique.
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October 8, 2015
Thank you so much! I'm googling them now.
October 8, 2015
Which you want to try ? I give you the number
October 8, 2015
Which you want to try ? I give you the number
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October 8, 2015
Will you give me Sara's number? Thank you so much! I'm scheduled for November 13th so I want to have all my ducks in a row.
October 12, 2015
Ksk15 sorry for the delay her number is (832) 925-1075 She fled to Colombia about a week and half not sure if she is back call her.
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October 20, 2015
No worries! Thank you so much! Are you still loving your results?
October 20, 2015
Ksk15 yes girl I still love my results but now I'm concern since me swolling is going down it looks like I will have more loose skin of what I expected I do not want to ask the doctor because he will tell me to wait for the final results.
October 11, 2015
You look beautiful !! I will be 1 month post op tomorrow myself and loving every minute of it :)
October 12, 2015
Thank you newknee1 I bet you look amazing too keep it up girl it will get better every month I can not wait for my 6 months post op so I can go shopping jjjj.
October 12, 2015
Are you doing you linfatic masages ? If you are not I will recommend you to start doing them to avoid those painful bumps in your back and hips.
October 12, 2015
I will also recommend you to use pure almond oil all over your body instead of body cream that will help your skin do not forget your vitamins I use the Target brand hair,nail and skin vitamins
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November 4, 2015
You look Awesome Doll!!
November 4, 2015
Thank you bapt12
July 8, 2019
Where did you go for your massages??
UPDATED FROM etabora
3 months post

3 months post operative update

etabora
Yesterday 11/11/15 was my last Doctor visit. He told me everything look good and he did not have to see me unless something happen . Here is the deal at this point most of the swelling has gone down and I was left with 4 things that I did not like after my preocedure 1. Pocket looking loose skin left side under insicion 2. Folded skin / big wrinkle in the middle of my insicion 3 . Painful ball near my belly button 4. Small dog ear on the right side Doctor Cortes told me it was normal . I feel that he did not addresed my concerns I still very worry . Dr. Cortes seemed very rushed during my visit all he wanted to do was take pictures I had to insist on my issues besides this everything else is good I feel super secure /sexy and I think now is the time to hit the gym and go shopping for new clothes ;). Here are some photos of my 3 months

Replies (9)

November 13, 2015
U are looking great!
November 13, 2015
Thank you ljones7854
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December 21, 2015
You look amazing! Had my tt on Dec 16 and am in the recovery phase;)
January 28, 2016
Thank you land over
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January 28, 2016
I have to have my tummy tuck redone and I went to Cortes 2 years ago. Going back to my BBL dr Salama. Took a real quick flight out to Florida just to see him and asked what he thought. Yup, he's doing a full tummy tuck because I still have loose skin and he is going to tighten my abs up. Your tuck looks way better than what Cortes did to me. I have a fat huge roll when I sit. I understand our skin folds but not this big. I go in November for my revision. I just hate the fact of knowing I have to pay again for something that should've been done right the 1st time.
January 28, 2016
Hi GueraBooty

It has been 5 months after my surgery and now that the swollen has gone down I don't like my results that much after all . I feel that the doctor did not do enough lipo or tighten enough my skin . On my last visit with him I told him about my concerns about a painful ball close to my belly bottom and the fat pocket looking loose skin on top of my pubic area and he told me that everything was normal and pretty much discharged me. I was wondering why he discharge so early I had heard from some other of his patients that had minor procedures done that they still go to follow ups with him. I was thinking about seeking a second opinion to confirm that everything is okay . Unfortunately for us he won't fix it and it hurts to have to pay for something that supposed to be done right the first time the bad thing is that it took me almost 6 years to save the money to do the tummy tuck
January 28, 2016
He was very expensive and for now I will have to start saving again for my revision . How much will you pay for your revision and how good is dr salama ? Please let me know . I wish you the best on your procedure.
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February 20, 2016
Let me just say that Salama is not expensive as Cortes. Not even close and he does way better work than Cortes any day. Go look at his work. Salama is a top doctor on realself and Cortes isn't. I regret going to Cortes. He's sloppy. He discharged you so early because he doesn't want to here the complaints about his work. Suck it up Dr C, YOUR WORK SUCKS!!! ADMIT IT DUDE!!! DON'T GET ANGRY AT YOUR PATIENTS WHEN WE KNOW OUR OWN BODIES!! You need to get your belly button area checked out asap if it's painful, don't put it off. As a plastic surgeon, he should've been on top of that, but we all know how money hungry he is. His nurse... his wife, ha... when did that happen since she was behind the desk before. That should show you, he has anyone check on you. The only one I liked and wanted to touch me was Deanna, she was decent and had no complaints at all about her. Keep us posted on your journey love
February 20, 2016
Thank you girl