#TeamCardenas Tummy Tuck, Lipo & FG

1/9/14 officially makes one year since I had my surgery with Dr. Cardenas. I am going to be going back for a scar revision and some lipo to my abdomen, inner knees (to fix unevenness...maybe), and fg to fix the parts on my hips/booty that flattened out my laying on them (the sides).

I still have the wrinkle, the ledge, and the little annoying stitch that pops out. It looks like a tiny splinter with a scar around it. I also have an area about 4 inches wide below my belly button where I have no feeling. I've kind of been using the ultrasound massager for it, but haven't noticed any real difference.

I did gain 20 lbs, and lost 10 so far (another 10 to go). Honestly the pics I took for the year update aren't that flattering, but I'll post more soon.

Just a quick-ish update for you ladies! I'm about 9 months PO and everything looks great. I mentioned I'd gained some weight from NOT eating healthy (I got too hyped about my flat stomach and slacked majorly). I've lost 15 lbs and can now fit my ass into my jeans (minus one pair from the Gap lol). The wrinkle is STILL there and one side of my incision is higher than the other, and shorter around to the back. I will be getting a revision because the front of my incision is kind of dark (the sides are less noticeable and a lot thinner); this is probably because Dr. C pulls the skin so tight! I also think my bb is a little bigger than it was pre-surgery. So yes, I want the revision to make the incision thinner, more even/lower on one side, to get rid of the wrinkle, and there's also a little bump where this stitch came through and will NOT go away, which needs to be fixed. Also, the top of my left butt cheek is flatter than the top of my right, and I think it's from laying on it, so I'll have to get some fg to fix it. She will lipo the ledge so everything is smoother. I'm not in a huge rush to get it fixed though. Need to save money up so I'll get it within the next year or two. Also, I didn't really use the massager I bought, ever. I still have some numbness on my tummy; the area is about 3 inches across and comes up from incision to bb. Hopefully sensation will return since it can even a year out. I also have some loose skin on my back. I guess this happens to everyone with lipo! I hate it but I haven't been working out, just dieting, so I'm sure I could improve the way it looks if I hit the gym. Uploading some pics for you ladies (I just ate so I look a lil thicker in the tummy). Feel free to ask me anything!

These pics were taken almost a month ago, but I hadn't posted. I emailed them to Dr. C. to show her the ledge and wrinkle I was talking about. Here's her reply to my questions:

Hello!!!!
It is great to hear from you.
I checked thoroughly your photos and I see exactly what you are talking about.
Answering your questions:

1. During the scar revision procedure, would the scar tissue be removed and the "ledge" be lipoed? Yes, scar tissue that is causing the" rope" feeling will be removed, and because this surgery will not create tension at all, then the chances to develop that thick scar tissue is very low. About the ledge, it is due to the remaining fat, remember that during the TT I can not lipo the abdominal flap, that thickness is due to fat and will be removed during liposuction and this will create a totally flat flap.
2. Is it possible to fix the wrinkle & lower the scar? I am not sure if I would be able to lower the scar, but the wrinkle area will be improved, but you have to know that is due to some degree of saggy skin, so the incision has to be longer to the back, a good 4-5 cms more.
3. Do you have any pictures of patients who have had a scar revision? I am not sure, but I will ask Fatimeh to look for them and if we do have, she will share them with you.
4. Do you think that in general, the look is greatly improved by the procedure? definitely the liposuction to the abdomen will improve the ledge, the scar revision will let a thin and soft scar and the extension on the back scar will help to the wrinkle area.
5. Does the bb also need to be corrected along with the incision scar? I can not see very good on that photo, the quality of scar on the BB, but if it is thick, definitely this may be revised too.
6. What is the suggested length of stay at Beauty Care for this procedure? Probably about 4-5 days.

Revision to the scar (where is needed) and liposuction to the abdomen quote is $2000 dlls. This is an out patient procedure.
You will have to wear the CG for 4 weeks, and no position would be needed.
Please let me know if you have any more questions. I will be more than glad to help and serve you.
Dr. Cardenas

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Overall, I am happy with everything but what I've mentioned before about the scar, ledge, and wrinkle. The sides of my hips flattened a little from laying on them, but I've seen that happen to a lot of people. I will be going back for a revision once I save up the money, but I still like the way I look (aside from ledge -.-). I have gained weight, but I feel like most of it went to my butt...none of my jeans fit! I still swell too. Also, the area between my incision and belly button about 2 inches wide is still numb/without much feeling, and there is also little feeling on my hip bone/hip area right by incision. I have a little bump on the side of my incision where a stitch has been slowly moving up for months. One thing I did NOT expect was my loss of motivation to workout and have restraint with food! Didn't think it would happen to me. I used to be so obsessed with working out because I never liked what I saw; now that I have a flat tummy, I have been SLACKING to be honest! I'm working on it, it's a struggle; but overall, I still think the surgery was worth it and everyone--I mean EVERYONE--compliments me on my body.