POSTED UNDER Brazilian Butt Lift Reviews
Tummy Tuck, BBL & Lipo In Dominican Republic With Dr. Jairo Ulerio
UPDATED FROM SaraBlueSara
Update - 5 Weeks / 3 Days
WORTH IT
OK. I am giving an update today. I am officially a little over 1 month (5 weeks/3 days) and I wanted to check in.
As I stated before, I stayed in the Dominican Republic for 21 days. I did that because I wanted to make SURE that I was able to get the appropriate follow up care from Dr. Ulerio. I saw him almost every time I went for my lymphatic massage. He would come in, check on the scar, check my belly and my back and address any issues or concerns I had at the time. Towards the end of my stay, I developed a seroma. That was about 3 days before I was set to leave. He drained it every day, but I am going to need to have it drained again now that I am back in the states. It is small and it would likely be fine if I didn't have it drained, but Dr. Ulerio was adamant about getting any fluid that might build up again drained. This happens and is nothing to be alarmed about.
Seromas can occur after you have the drains removed because your body is still making fluid to repair your injured interior. The key thing is to have it drained and then keep A LOT of compression on it. This is why it is important to get the right garment AND have the right mental disposition. I have a problem. I CANNOT #2 if I have clothes on. I know it sounds stupid, but I could have to go to the bathroom REALLY bad, but once I get to the toilet, if I have clothes on, my body will just not work! It is the most profound thing I have ever seen. Dr. Ulerio asked me to not take the compression garment off after he drained me the very first time. He would have caught that seroma earlier than he did, but I was in the DR over Christmas and he didn't see me every day during that week. His office was closed from Monday to Wednesday. So I didn't see him Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. When he saw me that Wednesday, I had the fluid buildup and he drained me. Truthfully, one of my drains should have remained in a little longer, but I didn't have a lot of fluid after he checked the week prior and I was experiencing some discomfort with the drain tubing and the second compression garment. These things happen, however, so I am going to get that taken care of this week.
On Monday, when I was exactly 5 weeks out, I started wearing silicone scar strips on my tummy tuck scar. I am using two different kinds so I can see which one works the best. One kind is the clear silicone strip and the other is a beige silicone strip. We will see which one gets the job done. I have also started wearing an abdominal board & abdominal foam. I have included a pic of one of the abdominal boards I use. I did this because of an issue I am having - my compression garments. Let me explain.
When I woke up from my surgery, I was in a SIZE LARGE compression garment on the first set of hooks. I capitalized large because I want to emphasize that I was MUCH bigger than I am now! Quickly over the course of days, the nurse moved me from the first set of hooks to the fourth set of hooks after every lymphatic massage. Then I was moved out of that garment to another garment that was MUCH tighter! MUCH tighter! She put me on the first set of hooks and stepped me down progressively. I went to the fourth set of hooks and stayed there until after I got home. When I got home, I purchased more garments. I knew I needed a smaller garment because the nurse had packed all of this gauze around me and she told me that when I got a smaller garment, I could remove it. I purchased a medium and a small. I wore the medium, which is the purple garment you see me in, but I had to get rid of that garment because the elastic on the legs didn't stretch. I ended up cutting it at the legs because it was squeezing me so tight around my thighs that I thought my mind would pop out of my head! Fortunately, I had purchased several Ann Slim garments just in case the purple garment didn't work out. I had a medium and a small. I tried on the small. I immediately put myself on the last (fourth) row of hooks. OH BROTHER! That was good and bad. It was good because it meant I was getting smaller in the waist, but it was bad because a small was the smallest size I had purchased! That meant that I needed to stuff this small I am currently wearing with an abdominal board to keep my abdominal area flat and foam to keep my sides from creasing. PLEASE NOTE - if you start to experience creasing along your back, start having someone give you massages on that area AND start putting lipo FOAM or a BOARD on that area and then putting your compression garment over that. As you can see from my pics, I started kind of developing some creasing and massages from my significant other (lol), the foam and tight compression has since stopped that development. PLEASE pay attention to that because those creases creep up on you (LOL)!
One other thing that I want to talk about that is so important is ITCHING! MY GOD! The itching has been crazy at different points. Anti-itch cream, anti-inch gel, anti-itch lotion....YES, YES and MORE YES! I have had to have my hubby put that on my back because the itching has been intense at different points and you can't really scratch it well because you are bundled up under the compression garment. I ended up with a routine - as crazy as it sounds. I wipe my back with alcohol, have my husband massage me and put anti-itch cream and gel on me, then I put the abdominal board & foam on my flank/back area and then I put on one of his white, cotton tanks (also known as wife-beaters...lol) that I cut the bottom off of so it doesn't add bulk under my compression garment and then I put the compression garment on! LOL...I am bundled up like a weird sausage, but it works. At one point, I was taking an anti-histamine I purchased from a pharmacy in the Dominican Republic, but I don't like to take any more medications than I absolutely need to, so I stopped taking that and used a localized approach. If you are itchy, please know you are not alone!
So today I took the compression garment off long enough to take a few pics and to put on something just to check myself out! :-) We all have those moments when we just want to see what we look like in stuff we KNOW we didn't look great in before! LOL...I have been buying these cute little things over the last couple of years that I KNOW I couldn't fit just because I liked them! I stashed those items away knowing that I would get this surgery and be able to wear those things with confidence. Well, that time is almost here! I intend to wear my compression garments 24/7 for the next 6 months, but I know that when I do finally stop wearing it, these things are waiting for me! YESSS!
I just wanted to add one additional thing before I post the pics. A lot of people I know have said that having a tummy tuck is an "easy" way out. They seem to think that exercising will remove excess skin, in spite of all of the evidence to the contrary. Well I was exercising and that flabby skin wasn't going ANYWHERE! There is NOTHING easy about the recovery from lipo and a tummy tuck! NOTHING! It is a major surgery and, as my body has healed, I have gone through moments when I would wake up thinking I could get a whole bunch of stuff done, to having to lay right back down because I got tired walking up and down the steps in my home. Don't rush your recovery! This is a VERY traumatic surgery to your body! The itching, the strange sensations, the compression and more will all take a toll. Take your time! If you can, take off at least two months! I know that sounds extreme to some, but your body will thank you. Make SURE you stay hydrated too! OMG! MAKE SURE YOU DRINK WATER! Water will help your body so much during the healing process.
OK. Now to post pics! Please note that I took these pics by putting a mirror in front of me. Some of them are a little clearer than others.
As I stated before, I stayed in the Dominican Republic for 21 days. I did that because I wanted to make SURE that I was able to get the appropriate follow up care from Dr. Ulerio. I saw him almost every time I went for my lymphatic massage. He would come in, check on the scar, check my belly and my back and address any issues or concerns I had at the time. Towards the end of my stay, I developed a seroma. That was about 3 days before I was set to leave. He drained it every day, but I am going to need to have it drained again now that I am back in the states. It is small and it would likely be fine if I didn't have it drained, but Dr. Ulerio was adamant about getting any fluid that might build up again drained. This happens and is nothing to be alarmed about.
Seromas can occur after you have the drains removed because your body is still making fluid to repair your injured interior. The key thing is to have it drained and then keep A LOT of compression on it. This is why it is important to get the right garment AND have the right mental disposition. I have a problem. I CANNOT #2 if I have clothes on. I know it sounds stupid, but I could have to go to the bathroom REALLY bad, but once I get to the toilet, if I have clothes on, my body will just not work! It is the most profound thing I have ever seen. Dr. Ulerio asked me to not take the compression garment off after he drained me the very first time. He would have caught that seroma earlier than he did, but I was in the DR over Christmas and he didn't see me every day during that week. His office was closed from Monday to Wednesday. So I didn't see him Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. When he saw me that Wednesday, I had the fluid buildup and he drained me. Truthfully, one of my drains should have remained in a little longer, but I didn't have a lot of fluid after he checked the week prior and I was experiencing some discomfort with the drain tubing and the second compression garment. These things happen, however, so I am going to get that taken care of this week.
On Monday, when I was exactly 5 weeks out, I started wearing silicone scar strips on my tummy tuck scar. I am using two different kinds so I can see which one works the best. One kind is the clear silicone strip and the other is a beige silicone strip. We will see which one gets the job done. I have also started wearing an abdominal board & abdominal foam. I have included a pic of one of the abdominal boards I use. I did this because of an issue I am having - my compression garments. Let me explain.
When I woke up from my surgery, I was in a SIZE LARGE compression garment on the first set of hooks. I capitalized large because I want to emphasize that I was MUCH bigger than I am now! Quickly over the course of days, the nurse moved me from the first set of hooks to the fourth set of hooks after every lymphatic massage. Then I was moved out of that garment to another garment that was MUCH tighter! MUCH tighter! She put me on the first set of hooks and stepped me down progressively. I went to the fourth set of hooks and stayed there until after I got home. When I got home, I purchased more garments. I knew I needed a smaller garment because the nurse had packed all of this gauze around me and she told me that when I got a smaller garment, I could remove it. I purchased a medium and a small. I wore the medium, which is the purple garment you see me in, but I had to get rid of that garment because the elastic on the legs didn't stretch. I ended up cutting it at the legs because it was squeezing me so tight around my thighs that I thought my mind would pop out of my head! Fortunately, I had purchased several Ann Slim garments just in case the purple garment didn't work out. I had a medium and a small. I tried on the small. I immediately put myself on the last (fourth) row of hooks. OH BROTHER! That was good and bad. It was good because it meant I was getting smaller in the waist, but it was bad because a small was the smallest size I had purchased! That meant that I needed to stuff this small I am currently wearing with an abdominal board to keep my abdominal area flat and foam to keep my sides from creasing. PLEASE NOTE - if you start to experience creasing along your back, start having someone give you massages on that area AND start putting lipo FOAM or a BOARD on that area and then putting your compression garment over that. As you can see from my pics, I started kind of developing some creasing and massages from my significant other (lol), the foam and tight compression has since stopped that development. PLEASE pay attention to that because those creases creep up on you (LOL)!
One other thing that I want to talk about that is so important is ITCHING! MY GOD! The itching has been crazy at different points. Anti-itch cream, anti-inch gel, anti-itch lotion....YES, YES and MORE YES! I have had to have my hubby put that on my back because the itching has been intense at different points and you can't really scratch it well because you are bundled up under the compression garment. I ended up with a routine - as crazy as it sounds. I wipe my back with alcohol, have my husband massage me and put anti-itch cream and gel on me, then I put the abdominal board & foam on my flank/back area and then I put on one of his white, cotton tanks (also known as wife-beaters...lol) that I cut the bottom off of so it doesn't add bulk under my compression garment and then I put the compression garment on! LOL...I am bundled up like a weird sausage, but it works. At one point, I was taking an anti-histamine I purchased from a pharmacy in the Dominican Republic, but I don't like to take any more medications than I absolutely need to, so I stopped taking that and used a localized approach. If you are itchy, please know you are not alone!
So today I took the compression garment off long enough to take a few pics and to put on something just to check myself out! :-) We all have those moments when we just want to see what we look like in stuff we KNOW we didn't look great in before! LOL...I have been buying these cute little things over the last couple of years that I KNOW I couldn't fit just because I liked them! I stashed those items away knowing that I would get this surgery and be able to wear those things with confidence. Well, that time is almost here! I intend to wear my compression garments 24/7 for the next 6 months, but I know that when I do finally stop wearing it, these things are waiting for me! YESSS!
I just wanted to add one additional thing before I post the pics. A lot of people I know have said that having a tummy tuck is an "easy" way out. They seem to think that exercising will remove excess skin, in spite of all of the evidence to the contrary. Well I was exercising and that flabby skin wasn't going ANYWHERE! There is NOTHING easy about the recovery from lipo and a tummy tuck! NOTHING! It is a major surgery and, as my body has healed, I have gone through moments when I would wake up thinking I could get a whole bunch of stuff done, to having to lay right back down because I got tired walking up and down the steps in my home. Don't rush your recovery! This is a VERY traumatic surgery to your body! The itching, the strange sensations, the compression and more will all take a toll. Take your time! If you can, take off at least two months! I know that sounds extreme to some, but your body will thank you. Make SURE you stay hydrated too! OMG! MAKE SURE YOU DRINK WATER! Water will help your body so much during the healing process.
OK. Now to post pics! Please note that I took these pics by putting a mirror in front of me. Some of them are a little clearer than others.
SaraBlueSara's provider
Replies (5)
I was considering him for my surgery but was a little scared but your review put me at ease with your thorough review. Did you stay at one of their recovery houses?
Thank you for this review! I’m scheduled to see him in a few days and I’m hella nervous, but reading you’re experience and seeing your results have helped. You look good!
**Removed comment per user's request**
That’s terrible
I had surgery with him as well, and also had a mishap, but he was there for me all the time, and everything went well, anyways I have to have a scar reconstruction now and I’m planning to have it in a couple of months, more secured and excited than the first time because he proof me to be a great doctor.
UPDATED FROM SaraBlueSara
Another Update Pic
This is a pic without the garment on. The garment kind of distorts the body because it is squeezing the life out of me. The pic I just posted in the purple garment doesn't look like I had much done. This pic shows the interim results a little better. I am still swollen, but you can see a little bit of a shape there. I am a little over 3 weeks post op in this pic and in the pic with the purple garment. The creases showing on the side are due to how I'm twisted to get the pic and the garment I just took off.
Replies (3)
How long do you have to wear the garment? Your shape looks great! How are you feeling?
You look great! I will be getting my surgery with him April 2nd. I’m so nervous.
Don't be nervous! He is GREAT! Maria is AWESOME! You will stay the first night in the clinic. So you will have a full day of being looked after. The ONLY problem person I encountered was the night nurse! She was NOT friendly or nice! Thankfully my husband was there to address issues with her that I was too weak to communicate. She did her job, but she was not warm, friendly or interactive like EVERYONE else. The good thing is that you don't need her for much. She checks your vitals and that is it. I think they have her on the night shift for just that reason - limited interaction.
Are you going alone? If you are, you ABSOLUTELY should stay in a recovery house! Do NOT get an AirBnb if you are going by yourself! I know some people have done it, but Santo Domingo is not the safest place in the world and you are going to be VERY vulnerable after the surgery. Just to give you an idea, I could not wipe my butt after my surgery. That is how incapacitated I was initially. You want people who will protect you and look out for you with no craziness.
Also, if you will have a vehicle while you are there, get all of the medications yourself and save yourself money! Dr. Ulerio provides you with all of the medications you will need for after your surgery, BUT you can get every single item at Carols yourself. All you will need to do is take the list Dr. Ulerio gives you and get it all. He charges $200 for the full set of meds, but it will be literally a fraction of that if you buy them yourself! That is the great thing about the Dominican Republic - drugs do NOT require a prescription! You just walk into the pharmacy of your choice and get whatever it is you need! Pain meds, antibiotics, whatever...for VERY cheap!
Also, a quick note about credit cards and money. Credit cards can be used at almost every store in the DR. You will need a little bit of money to tip with, but you can get that from an ATM at any bank (there are plenty). Just pull out 600 dominican pesos, which is about $11.88 USD (with today's exchange rate) and you should be fine. I am going to post a much longer review with those little tidbits in there. There is so much to tell.
I wish you the absolute best! Don't be scared. Be EXCITED! YAY! SURGERY is coming :-)!
Are you going alone? If you are, you ABSOLUTELY should stay in a recovery house! Do NOT get an AirBnb if you are going by yourself! I know some people have done it, but Santo Domingo is not the safest place in the world and you are going to be VERY vulnerable after the surgery. Just to give you an idea, I could not wipe my butt after my surgery. That is how incapacitated I was initially. You want people who will protect you and look out for you with no craziness.
Also, if you will have a vehicle while you are there, get all of the medications yourself and save yourself money! Dr. Ulerio provides you with all of the medications you will need for after your surgery, BUT you can get every single item at Carols yourself. All you will need to do is take the list Dr. Ulerio gives you and get it all. He charges $200 for the full set of meds, but it will be literally a fraction of that if you buy them yourself! That is the great thing about the Dominican Republic - drugs do NOT require a prescription! You just walk into the pharmacy of your choice and get whatever it is you need! Pain meds, antibiotics, whatever...for VERY cheap!
Also, a quick note about credit cards and money. Credit cards can be used at almost every store in the DR. You will need a little bit of money to tip with, but you can get that from an ATM at any bank (there are plenty). Just pull out 600 dominican pesos, which is about $11.88 USD (with today's exchange rate) and you should be fine. I am going to post a much longer review with those little tidbits in there. There is so much to tell.
I wish you the absolute best! Don't be scared. Be EXCITED! YAY! SURGERY is coming :-)!
Not looking forward to the night nurse lol. Yes I’m traveling alone. I’ll be staying in Paradise recovery. I’ll have a driver from the recovery home. I don’t plan on going out unless i have to. I’ve heard too many horror stories. Do you have updated pics? Thank you!! Happy healing!!
Keep me posted
UPDATED FROM SaraBlueSara
Quick Update Photo
I have a much more comprehensive review coming. The entire experience has been physically taxing, but so worth it! De. Ulerio gave me some of my money back because my hematocrit level was too low for him to do everything I wanted. After 21 days, I left the Dominican Republic last Friday. I have officially been home for a week. The recovery process is still ongoing and the swelling continues to go down. My upcoming review will give more details, including essential things like how to get around in the Dominican Republic, where to eat, things to watch out for, places to avoid, things I wish I knew, the safest way to travel in the airport since you just had surgery as well as what you need to know if you do not know Spanish!
This photo is me in a new garment I just received today. The second garment De. Ulerio gave me is now too big! Lol...he charges $160 for that faja, but you can get the exact same one on Ebay for about $29.99 and you can get other styles for cheaper. The garment I am wearing in this photo was $13.82 on eBay. It isnt the exact same style, but it offers compression that is just as good. Buying a second faja fron the doctor is optional, so feel free to get several sizes so you can have the right one when he has you switch. The garment I have on has a bigger area for #1 and #2 than the one Dr. Ulerio uses. Trust me - you will care about that! :-)
This photo is me in a new garment I just received today. The second garment De. Ulerio gave me is now too big! Lol...he charges $160 for that faja, but you can get the exact same one on Ebay for about $29.99 and you can get other styles for cheaper. The garment I am wearing in this photo was $13.82 on eBay. It isnt the exact same style, but it offers compression that is just as good. Buying a second faja fron the doctor is optional, so feel free to get several sizes so you can have the right one when he has you switch. The garment I have on has a bigger area for #1 and #2 than the one Dr. Ulerio uses. Trust me - you will care about that! :-)
Replies (4)
Congrats!
What the name of vendor of the Garment and how was the compression....I want that waist is back snatched....
The garments I would recommend are either Fajitex or Ann Slim.
I would also like to tell you that you are going to need MULTIPLE garments!
When I first had the surgery, I woke up in a Large garment on the first set of hooks.
I stayed in the clinic that first night. The next day I was discharged.
When I came the following day, the nurse moved me to the second set of hooks.
The next day, she moved me to the third set.
The next day she moved me to the fourth set.
Then, after a week, she moved me to another tighter garment, but it was also a large.
She went through the same routine of progressive tightening with that one too.
Before I left, I went from 1 to 3 on the second garment.
When I got home, I got a medium.
I went from 1 to 3 on those hooks.
Then I purchased a small.
I went straight to the 4th hook on the small garment.
Now I purchased a 4th garment - AN EXTRA SMALL!
That is how tiny my waist is now!
You are going to go through the same thing.
So be prepared to get MULTIPLE garments!
PLEASE - DO NOT STOP WEARING YOUR GARMENT!
It stops swelling and will help you heal so much quicker!
Some women I know have come out of their garments at 60 days and then wonder why they still have a lot of swelling! The purpose of the compression is to get the swelling down and allow the skin to adhere to the muscle without being disturbed. You need that compression for months. It will also prevent you from having any type of shelf above your tummy tuck scar.
I would also like to tell you that you are going to need MULTIPLE garments!
When I first had the surgery, I woke up in a Large garment on the first set of hooks.
I stayed in the clinic that first night. The next day I was discharged.
When I came the following day, the nurse moved me to the second set of hooks.
The next day, she moved me to the third set.
The next day she moved me to the fourth set.
Then, after a week, she moved me to another tighter garment, but it was also a large.
She went through the same routine of progressive tightening with that one too.
Before I left, I went from 1 to 3 on the second garment.
When I got home, I got a medium.
I went from 1 to 3 on those hooks.
Then I purchased a small.
I went straight to the 4th hook on the small garment.
Now I purchased a 4th garment - AN EXTRA SMALL!
That is how tiny my waist is now!
You are going to go through the same thing.
So be prepared to get MULTIPLE garments!
PLEASE - DO NOT STOP WEARING YOUR GARMENT!
It stops swelling and will help you heal so much quicker!
Some women I know have come out of their garments at 60 days and then wonder why they still have a lot of swelling! The purpose of the compression is to get the swelling down and allow the skin to adhere to the muscle without being disturbed. You need that compression for months. It will also prevent you from having any type of shelf above your tummy tuck scar.
Thank you....I have had Lipo and wear my garment off and on...I am just trying to find the right one....I know that I will get a different garment for my Tummy Tuck from the doctor...I am just looking to find the right one for after my drains are removed that I can wear on a daily basis....
Why was you there for 21 days ???
Hi! I was there for 21 days because the longer you can stay the better! I saw Dr. Ulerio almost every time I went for a massage. The nurse would do my massage and then Dr. Ulerio would come in and inspect my scar and make sure everything was proceeding as expected. You WANT that kind of attention! There was one point where I didn't pull my faja up enough when I took it off to wipe myself. I developed a small seroma because of that. He saw that the very next day after I did it and he took care of it immediately. If I had just had the surgery and came back to the states, I would have had to immediately find another doctor to check me and make sure I was OK.
For anyone else about to do this, you NEED to stay in the DR as long as you possibly can if you are going to have surgery there! DO NOT try to just have the surgery and immediately come back to the US! You need to make sure everything is OK and Dr. Ulerio has EXCELLENT follow up care if you are there for it! I got an AirBnb that was not far from the clinic, since my significant other was with me. For anyone reading this who might be considering it, DO NOT get an AirBnb if you are traveling alone! Go into a recovery house instead! I didn't do a recovery house because I wanted my husband to be able to relax and not worry about disturbing others, but Santo Domingo is a place full of characters and the last thing you want is to have to depend on other people you do not know when you are incapacitated and you are all by yourself. For perspective, I will tell you that I couldn't wipe my rear end when I was first discharged! LOL...that gives you an idea of how much help you are going to need.
For anyone else about to do this, you NEED to stay in the DR as long as you possibly can if you are going to have surgery there! DO NOT try to just have the surgery and immediately come back to the US! You need to make sure everything is OK and Dr. Ulerio has EXCELLENT follow up care if you are there for it! I got an AirBnb that was not far from the clinic, since my significant other was with me. For anyone reading this who might be considering it, DO NOT get an AirBnb if you are traveling alone! Go into a recovery house instead! I didn't do a recovery house because I wanted my husband to be able to relax and not worry about disturbing others, but Santo Domingo is a place full of characters and the last thing you want is to have to depend on other people you do not know when you are incapacitated and you are all by yourself. For perspective, I will tell you that I couldn't wipe my rear end when I was first discharged! LOL...that gives you an idea of how much help you are going to need.
You look great! What were your total costs for the surgeries? Which recovery house did you stay in and how much did they charge for 21 days?
Thanks my dear and I look forward to being on the Flat side wit ya love