Body by Medina (Dominican Republic) January 31, 2018

Hello all!
It's getting so close to my surgery date, it feels like time is really flying. I just purchased my flight and now its time to start thinking about supplies.
*sigh* I know right?! There are so many different opinions on what to bring and what not to bring; everyone is a little bit different with the types of things they want and its really all just one big clusterf*** of chaos. At least it was to me. So being the great list-maker that I am I created a spreadsheet. *Nerd Alert*
Yes, a spread sheet that compares buying everything on my own to a service that will meet you at the airport (in Santo Domingo, DR) with your supplies to a service based out of NY that ships you everything you need so all you have to do is throw it in a suitcase (they will also include the suitcase for $30 more).
Now, I will first tell you that every "supply box" does not have the same thing and they are not all created equal. I will also tell you that with either of the services there are things I would still need to buy on my own (but you may not see a need to). There are also some items in the "supply boxes" that I personally don't want or need but they are already included in the price; no substitutions.
Option A: Airport delivery of supplies upon landing at SDQ in the Dominican Republic. $280
Company: Beauty and a Box (website and IG available)
*This company has several boxes, including one for Cabral Dolls. I've chose the Beauty Box Deluxe (most expensive outside of Cabral Box) for this comparison. Also, the owner is very active on IG and seems open to adding in things that are not already included from meds to pesos. *
Included in the Beauty Box Deluxe from Beauty and a Box: $280
Nursing Pillow
35 Lysol Disinfecting Wipes
40 pads
Ab Board
Back Board
3 Sheets of Lipo Foam
Pee EZ Female Urinal
6 Ensures
200 Baby Wipes
Travel Toothbrush Kit
4oz Feminine Wash
Antibacterial Soap
4oz Ubrenal Massaging Cream
Coconut Oil
Citronella Bug Spray
2oz Hand Sanitizer
Hibiclens
15 Chux
Thombocid (arnica cream)
Cicatricure (scar gel)
Baciderm (Neosporin)
4 White Undershirts
10 rolls of gauze
100 qtips
Extension Cord
*Notably NOT included: a laxative; compression stockings/socks; latex gloves; paper tape
**Notably Included: Ubrenal massaging cream, Bug Spray, Extension Cord, Coconut Oil
Items I would have buy on my own: $39.00
Miralax $10.00
100 Medical Latex Gloves $10.00
12 rolls Paper Tape $9.00
Compression Stockings/Socks $10.00
Grand Total for Beauty and a Box: $280 + $39 = $319.00
Option B: Supplies mailed to you (in the US) from New York $257.00
Company: Barbie Recovery Essentials (IG and text; no website)
*Note: I asked for a list of the supplies via DM on IG and will post what I received as a response. The quantity of each item was not given to me. Also, this company will place everything in luggage before mailing it to you for an additional $30 so all you have to do is check the bag at the airport*
Included in the Supply Package from Barbie Recovery Essentials: $257
Large Wipes
Chux
Poise Pads
Nursing Pillow
Lipo Foam
Ab Board
Compression Socks
Elastic Bandages
Hibiclens
Dial
Clorox Wipes
Urinal
Gauze
Surgical Tape
Q Tips
Alcohol
Arnica Cream
Neosporin
Phillips Laxative
Ensure
Pineapple Juice
Water bottle
Pineapple Juice
Benadryl
Vitamin C
Tylenol
White Tanks
Blanket
Cotton Underwear
*Notably NOT included: latex gloves
**Notably included: Benadryl, Vitamin C, Tylenol, Blanket and Cotton Underwear
Items I would have buy on my own: $10
100 Medical Latex Gloves $10.00
Grand Total for Barbie Recovery Essentials: $257 + $10 = $267
*Note; unsure about quantity of supplies*
Option C: Doing it all myself (the basics - similar items to Option A and B) $276
Company: All prices from Amazon
Included in the "DIY" (do it yourself) comparison: $276
400 organic baby wipes $14
50 Chux $16.00
Lysol Spray $7.00
3 bars dial gold $4.00
Hibiclens (to bathe before surgery) $11.00
Miralax (laxative) $10.00
Arnica Cream (pain) $9.00
Calednula Cream (scars) $6.00
Neosporin (antibiotic ointment) $7.00
3 sheets lipo foam $28.00
Ab Board $18.00
Back Board $20.00
6 Hanes Tanks $17.00
Compression Thigh Highs $10.00
66 pads $11.00
Female Urinal $6.00
24 rolls gauze $15.00
100 Medical Latex Gloves $10.00
12 rolls Paper Tape $9.00
100 Q tips $3.00
Boppy Pillow $30.00
8 Meal Replacement Shakes $15.00
Option D: Doing it all myself (ONLY the things I want or need) $318.00
Company: All prices from Amazon
*Note: I'm kind of particular about certain things; like wipes. Given that I will be there for 21 days and not able to shower this list includes different wipes for face, body and my privates. I've also included hydrogen peroxide wipes for cleaning incisions before redressing them and Arnica and Bromelain pills in addition to the creams. And last but not least, I've included white washcloths because the thought of having 'previously used and washed' towels on my face and body just doesn't work for me. I know, I'm a bit of a germophobe. It's okay, I've made peace with who I am! LOL!**
Included in the Everything I want and Nothing I don't DIY package: $318
Lysol Spray $7.00
3 bars dial gold $4.00
Hibiclens (to bathe before surgery) $11.00
Miralax (laxative) $10.00
Arnica Cream (pain) $9.00
Calednula Cream (scars) $6.00
Neosporin (antibiotic ointment) $7.00
3 sheets lipo foam $28.00
Ab Board $18.00
Back Board $20.00
6 Hanes Tanks $17.00
Compression Thigh Highs $10.00
66 pads $11.00
Female Urinal $6.00
12 rolls gauze $7.00
100 Medical Latex Gloves $10.00
12 rolls Paper Tape $9.00
100 Q tips $3.00
Boppy Pillow $30.00
8 Meal Replacement Shakes $15.00
Hydrogen Peroxide Wipes $5.00
60 Facial Wipes (Burt's Bees) $12
48 bathing wipes (Care Touch Deodorizing Adult Wipes) $17.00
30 Female Wipes (Goodwipes Flushable) $9.00
Arnica Pills (swelling and pain) $8.00
Bromelain Pills (reduce inflammation) $15
24 White Washcloths $14.00
So, to recap:
Option A: Beauty and a Box; airport delivery; grand total $319
Option B: Barbie Recovery Essentials; mailed to you in the US; grand total $267
Option C: Basic DIY $268
Option D: Dream DIY $318
The option of not having to buy and pack everything ($267) is very appealing to me; even more appealing is being able to step off the plane with only a carry-on (no luggage fees) and be greeted by someone hand delivering me my supplies ($319).
Ultimately because I am controller at heart, I will probably go with Option D because it allows me to have exactly what I want in the quantity that I want. Yes, it will be more work, yes it is a bit more expensive, but I'm totally worth it.
At the end of the day my loves; don't stress about it. In my comparison the difference between the cheapest way to go and the most expensive was $52. And that's not worth the raise in blood pressure from stressing about it.
I hope this comparison is helpful to you all in one way or another. Thanks for taking the time to read it; I know I'm lengthy writer.
My surgery is January 31st with Dra. Medina. TT + Lipo + BBL. 30 y/o (until October 30, cause that's my birthday!!!!) Not married, never had any kids.
I'll be there Jan 29 - Feb 22. Drop me a line below; even just to say "hey girl, yeah that was a hella long post" lol
Cheers!

When it came to choosing a recovery home my priorities were as follows:
1. Safety
2. Cleanliness
3. Hospital Beds and Recliners
4. English speaking staff
5. Transportation (either included or for an additional fee for airport and doctor's appts)
Price wasn't really something I took into account mainly because they're all priced around the same price point, give or take $10/night.
I plan to arrive 2 days prior to my surgery on January 29 and will stay 3 full weeks following my surgery for a total of 23 nights.
Which RHs were in the running:
House of Phenom - American owners
Diva Dolls International - American owners
My Home Recovery - Recommended by Dra. Tania Medina
Sweetheart - Rave reviews
My final decision: Diva Dolls International
$85/night
$125 for transportation add-on (to/from airport and all doctors appointments)
Deposit: $100 paid via square cash
Why I chose Diva Dolls International:
-In short, I chose Diva Dolls because the communication was on point. I'll admit, I was initially annoyed that they didn't have a website other than facebook (I mean c'mon, you're running a business, get a website right?!) however from Facebook I sent a message via FB chat. And within a few hours they had responded giving me the cell phone numbers and email address of the owners, Shatira and Chaunta along with a price break down and a list of what's included.
I then reached out via text message to Shatira to get some more information and to answer a few questions. Shatira was prompt with her responses and although they say 'hospital beds are first come first served' when I expressed to her that I really needed one since I'm getting a TT and BBL she assured me that I would in fact have a hospital bed reserved. She also said they have some supplies already and sent a list of things that I would need to bring on my own.
Additionally, not only do they have nurses on staff but they have an actual doctor on staff 5 days a week which is definitely a comforting thought. They have a lady who comes daily to give the lymphatic massages who charges $30/massage which is pretty typical from the research I've done.
Diva Dolls International is located in a newer building with a security gate, cameras and a security officer in the lobby. They also have a 'recliner chair' room, wifi, toilet seat risers, wheelchairs, walkers, a back-up generator, laundry service, 3 meals/2 snacks daily and tvs in each room.
Next up: Comparing buying/lugging my own supplies vs using a service like Beauty and a Box who will deliver the supplies once I land or using a 3rd party service who will ship me all my supplies prepacked to take with me.
I'm still hoping to find a SX buddy -- my surgery date is Jan 31 with Medina! Getting excited!
Questions, comments or concerns? Drop me a line!

*insert sentences about stalking everyone else and finally deciding to start my own review*
Whew! Now that THAT part is out of the way ... lol
I'm 30, no kids, in Dallas, TX. After much research and consideration I have chosen Dra. Tania Medina de Garcia.
I paid my $500 deposit today via Western Union (Nelson Infante) and used WhatsApp to send my receipt. Dr. Medina (or whoever) was SUPER quick to respond and book my date. She also sent me the patient coordinator's contact information and the patient coordinator responded very promptly as well.
My surgery is booked for 1/31/18. I'm getting a TT, BBL and lipo everywhere. I've lost 20 pounds and still have another 30 pounds to lose prior to 1/31/18 but hopefully I'll have the weight off by early November.
I'm currently trying to choose a recovery home and hopefully find a surgery buddy. For recovery homes I'm heavily leaning toward Diva Doll International but also considering My Home Recovery since Medina recommends that one. However, House of Phenom has good reviews (but no hospital beds).
Anyone else already booked (any doctor) for late January/early February?! I'd love to connect!