This is my first post on RS-- but I read it like a bible and definitely could not do this without this site!
Transportation
I am from Indiana but arrived in Miami on Sunday. Karla(Assistance4Life) was on vacation but text/call me the entire way. Her sister Maria would he staying with me and Pablo would be my driver. Pablo started texting me before my flight left from Chicago. He guided me through the arrival process(I flew into Ft Lauderdale and took triRail to Miami)
Assistance4Recovery
Please note there are 2 locations. One is further and more comfortable. The other is closer- with less(this is what I heard.) Pablo is the most Jovial and knowledgeable man ever-- this helps because my nerves were SHOT and I can't remember the last time I was in Miami! We stopped off at Maria(Karla's sister) to pay balance and she told me how to get my meds after the surgery. Pablo stopped at an ATM so that I could take money out and we headed to the recovery house. When we arrived, (a different-but just as great!) Maria greeted me! She showed me my room-- with recliner for after the surgery and asked me if I was hungry.... Welll I wasn't until she asked!I had left chicago at 10am and didn't make it to her until about 6--- I was starving! THE FOOD WAS DELICIOUS! She had ALOT of options and the house appeared empty. I decided to go with the steak, beans and rice. She offered salad, iceCream, etc but the food was more than enough! I asked for more water and she replied--- this is your house, you can have what you want. How can BOTH Maria's be so sweet..?:-) after I ate, I was sleepy, Maria showed me the closet with towels and said take what I need. I was in bed by 8pm! I realized 2 things. One there was someone else here(but she was super quiet) and that I could have brought my husband to the recovery house! My air fury is Monday and though I fought him to come down on Thursday instead, I miss him! I slept from 830-330am--- then I just read RS for inspiration until 530????. I got up, showered with antibacterial cetaphil, put a single braid in my hair... and waited..
Surgery morning
My surgery was scheduled for 630 am and Pablo arrived to get me at 550am. He had THE BEST music playing in his car! Kind of inspirational. We arrived at Spectrum Aesthetic at 620. There was one girl ahead of me.. And all of a sudden, I wasn't sure why I was there--- but Pablo did! He told them I had an appt and he was the driver. He asked for prescription and my info to them. He shot me a smile of encouragement and stayed until they took me back.
Spectrum Aesthetic
I had an extended tummy tuck with Liposuction at Spectrum Aesthetic by Dr Mel Ortega. This man knows a little about EVERYTHING--- but EVERYTHING about plastic surgery! I had a ton of questions that he was willing to answer while drawing on me but I only got one question out and he ANSWERED THEM ALL- and then some! I had been seeing a dr for my back forever. Dr Ortega took one look at my back, spine and belly button placement and told me that I had a touch of scoliosis! That would explain the constant back pain! He wasn worried though, he would place my new small "innie" button in the center because right now it was positioned to the right. He would also liposuction the aides to get did of that"thick" look across my waist! Shortly after he walked out of the room, Jason the anesthesiologist came in. He asked about allergies. I asked if there was a possibility that I would wake during surgery...? He said no way! Since they took my glasses and I couldn't see anything, I asked about restroom. He took me to the restroom and them walked me in the surgery room. He started an IV and explained the entire time. This was great because I didn't have to ask him anything. The last thing I remember him saying is that I would get all my meds through the IV And it would get warm.....
Well I felt slight burning and tingling and wanted to say "ouch!" But I was already out--- see ya on the flat side!
Wake up!:-)
I promise it seemed like I was asleep 3 minutes when I heard someone softly say "wake up, wake up!" You did great-- your flat now.:-) I was cold, shivering and in the worst pain ever. I had a binder and gown on, but things appeared flat so I chanted in my head..."this is the worse, this is the worse...". The nurse stood me up to a wheelchair and said that Panlo was waiting for me....huh? He just left?! She brought my dress and dressed me. She wheeled me out and sure enough--- Pablo was there with my glorious meds! I WAS IN THE WORST PAIN EVER!!
Assistance4life
Pablo got me in the van and took me back to Assistance4life where Maria was waiting for me. She immediately got me pineapple juice water and PAIN PILLS! I slept for 2 hours in the recliner and then she brought me yogurt. I feel a MILLION times better--- but I haven't moved yet... I'll post update after that 1st bathroom experience!
Transportation
I am from Indiana but arrived in Miami on Sunday. Karla(Assistance4Life) was on vacation but text/call me the entire way. Her sister Maria would he staying with me and Pablo would be my driver. Pablo started texting me before my flight left from Chicago. He guided me through the arrival process(I flew into Ft Lauderdale and took triRail to Miami)
Assistance4Recovery
Please note there are 2 locations. One is further and more comfortable. The other is closer- with less(this is what I heard.) Pablo is the most Jovial and knowledgeable man ever-- this helps because my nerves were SHOT and I can't remember the last time I was in Miami! We stopped off at Maria(Karla's sister) to pay balance and she told me how to get my meds after the surgery. Pablo stopped at an ATM so that I could take money out and we headed to the recovery house. When we arrived, (a different-but just as great!) Maria greeted me! She showed me my room-- with recliner for after the surgery and asked me if I was hungry.... Welll I wasn't until she asked!I had left chicago at 10am and didn't make it to her until about 6--- I was starving! THE FOOD WAS DELICIOUS! She had ALOT of options and the house appeared empty. I decided to go with the steak, beans and rice. She offered salad, iceCream, etc but the food was more than enough! I asked for more water and she replied--- this is your house, you can have what you want. How can BOTH Maria's be so sweet..?:-) after I ate, I was sleepy, Maria showed me the closet with towels and said take what I need. I was in bed by 8pm! I realized 2 things. One there was someone else here(but she was super quiet) and that I could have brought my husband to the recovery house! My air fury is Monday and though I fought him to come down on Thursday instead, I miss him! I slept from 830-330am--- then I just read RS for inspiration until 530????. I got up, showered with antibacterial cetaphil, put a single braid in my hair... and waited..
Surgery morning
My surgery was scheduled for 630 am and Pablo arrived to get me at 550am. He had THE BEST music playing in his car! Kind of inspirational. We arrived at Spectrum Aesthetic at 620. There was one girl ahead of me.. And all of a sudden, I wasn't sure why I was there--- but Pablo did! He told them I had an appt and he was the driver. He asked for prescription and my info to them. He shot me a smile of encouragement and stayed until they took me back.
Spectrum Aesthetic
I had an extended tummy tuck with Liposuction at Spectrum Aesthetic by Dr Mel Ortega. This man knows a little about EVERYTHING--- but EVERYTHING about plastic surgery! I had a ton of questions that he was willing to answer while drawing on me but I only got one question out and he ANSWERED THEM ALL- and then some! I had been seeing a dr for my back forever. Dr Ortega took one look at my back, spine and belly button placement and told me that I had a touch of scoliosis! That would explain the constant back pain! He wasn worried though, he would place my new small "innie" button in the center because right now it was positioned to the right. He would also liposuction the aides to get did of that"thick" look across my waist! Shortly after he walked out of the room, Jason the anesthesiologist came in. He asked about allergies. I asked if there was a possibility that I would wake during surgery...? He said no way! Since they took my glasses and I couldn't see anything, I asked about restroom. He took me to the restroom and them walked me in the surgery room. He started an IV and explained the entire time. This was great because I didn't have to ask him anything. The last thing I remember him saying is that I would get all my meds through the IV And it would get warm.....
Well I felt slight burning and tingling and wanted to say "ouch!" But I was already out--- see ya on the flat side!
Wake up!:-)
I promise it seemed like I was asleep 3 minutes when I heard someone softly say "wake up, wake up!" You did great-- your flat now.:-) I was cold, shivering and in the worst pain ever. I had a binder and gown on, but things appeared flat so I chanted in my head..."this is the worse, this is the worse...". The nurse stood me up to a wheelchair and said that Panlo was waiting for me....huh? He just left?! She brought my dress and dressed me. She wheeled me out and sure enough--- Pablo was there with my glorious meds! I WAS IN THE WORST PAIN EVER!!
Assistance4life
Pablo got me in the van and took me back to Assistance4life where Maria was waiting for me. She immediately got me pineapple juice water and PAIN PILLS! I slept for 2 hours in the recliner and then she brought me yogurt. I feel a MILLION times better--- but I haven't moved yet... I'll post update after that 1st bathroom experience!
