6/4/21 Bipolymer Removal... Great Experience

Great experience with Dr. Diaz Paz. I initially wanted a closed removal with immediate reconstruction but after viewing my scans he told me I would require open procedure ( I had bipolymer in muscle tissue which is what was causing the worst inflammation and pain) and need to wait 6 months for reconstruction. At first I was sad but realized I appreciated his honesty and wanting to decrease risk and infection after surgery. I arrived 3 days prior to get current bloodwork, pregnancy test, and Covid test (about $95 USD) and another scan (about $135 USD). The day of surgery I also decided to go with a pain pump ($150 USD). The surgery itself (about $8300 USD) for me, took 2 hours but I was told varies greatly between patients depending on severity. We decided to use minimal sedation as the healing process after is better, I was warned I may wake up during surgery and I did but it was toward the end, I remember saying some strange things and passing back out before waking up in recovery. In recovery the nurse placed the VAC this increases blood flow to incision, decreases healing time, decreases risk of infection ($1500USD). You have to stay in recovery until you are able to pee on your own... the first time I tried I threw up a bit but eventually went and went to my recovery house. He (or his office) WhatsApp messaged me and the nurse day 1 post op, I had a post op visit 4 days after surgery, 10 days after and will have one more at day 17 he always answers all my questions. I had 1 visit on day 6 with the nurses to change my VAC on me and on two other occasions a nurse came to the recovery house and changed the container that catches the fluid. 10 days total I wore the vac, totally worth it! Also, anytime the nurse at the recovery house or myself reached out to the doctor on my behalf he responded swiftly. Because of the large wound the doctor put me on a no dairy, no greasy food, high protein diet that the recovery house accommodated. I stayed at IMI recovery house for 21 days total (about $2000 total) highly recommend this house! Overall, Dr. Diaz Paz provided excellent communication with myself and my recovery house nurse which allowed for total care. Also, he did a great job on the surgery the incision is well placed and I do not look disfigured at all. I am 13 days post op and the surgical wound looks good just waiting for the drain holes to close before I am cleared to go back to the states. Will definitely be returning to Dr. Diaz Paz in 6 months for reconstruction as I would still like my hip dips filled.

Great news! I am no longer experiencing numbness in my upper thigh which was one of the side effects I was having prior to surgery. I am guessing it is due to increased blood flow after removal. At my last visit today they removed some additional fluid from each cheek. The scar looks great and is expected to only get better!