Amazing Results at 3 Months Post with Dr. Carmina Cardenas - Tijuana, Mexico

I had my surgery with Dr. Carmina Cardenas on March 5th, 2014. I had an extended tummy tuck, Lipo on my back and fat transfer. Prior to my consultation with Dr. Cardenas, I researched 2 surgeons in the US and had consultations with 5 doctors in 2 other countries. And ladies, let me tell you, I am SO glad I went to Dr. Cardenas for the procedures because the experience and result are AMAZING!!!

All the surgeons I researched are board certified and very reputable, including Dr. Cardenas. But, why did I choose Dr. Cardenas in Tijuana Mexico instead? The reason is very simple yet powerful: The personal experiences of Cardenas' dolls shared in RealSelf. The positive reviews of Dr. Cardenas' skills & finesse and the before & after pictures were the main reasons I chose Dr. Cardenas. Secondly, the reviews of the professional, attentive & sincere services/care provided by Ronnie and the nurses at the Beauty Care Recovery House convinced me I would have a safe & smooth recovery and be well taken care of. Thirdly, Dr. Cardenas is a female doctor, so she understands a woman's body. Moreover, she and some of her staff /nurses had tummy tuck done, so they understand what it feels like to have a tummy tuck and the recovery process. Therefore, I want to thank all you beautiful ladies for sharing your experience on Realself. I learned so much from you. I am so happy that i did it. Dr. Cardenas gave me a sexy and elegant body.

I am so sorry that my review is long overdue. I had the surgery on March 5th, 2014, so I am @ 3 months post. I had tummy tuck, muscle repair, lipo on back and fat grafting. I don't have children and was never very heavy, but I never had a flat tummy ever since I was a teenager. I was tired of having a fat roll on my tummy and having to tuck it into my jeans when I sat down. Being passionate about food & wine and being in the early 50s made it even harder to lose the stubborn fat on the mid section. Coupled with the loose skin on my lower ab resulting from the fluctuation of the weight throughout the years, I decided to have a tummy tuck. I wanted to feel good about myself and I want to wear a bikini in public for the first time in my life. Now 3 months later, I am extremely happy with my decision and thrilled with the results. I feel very sexy now.

I was not nervous at all on the day of my surgery. Also, for me, the emotional roller coaster didn't happen after the surgery. It happened while researching/deciding if I should have a tummy tuck or not and on my way to meet with Dr. Cardenas for a consultation. I was completely solo on this journey and that's why I was very nervous and extremely emotional prior to the consultation. But, as soon as I met Dr. C & the staff, the emotional roller coaster disappeared. Dr. C had a very calming demeanor and made me feel I could completely trust her. After the surgery, I never once said to myself: "WTF, why did I do this to myself!."

In general, I didn't experience much pain at all due to the good pain management they had. The first 5 days were the most difficult time, with the second day being the most painful day. After that, it was more of the extreme discomfort and soreness on the lower back. I stayed FULLY bend over for about 2 weeks or more. It was annoying....damn annoying...and my back was killing me. Going to the bathroom and taking a shower were such a pain. But, since I spent that much money on the surgery, I was not about to take any chances on the recovery process and wanted to make sure I didn't have an open wound or any complications. Also, I wanted to make sure I didn't stretch the incision so it would stay nice and thin. I was very patient and had very realistic expectations on the healing process. So ladies, it is SO important to stay FULLY bend over and don't expect to run a marathon or do bikram yoga 2-3 weeks after tummy tuck. I would STRONGLY recommend to best prepare for 4 weeks for the recovery. If you can't afford to spend the time, it is best to postpone the surgery until you have the sufficient time for the recovery. In regards to exercise, please talk to your PS.

As I mentioned earlier, I was solo on this journey.The only person who knew about the surgery was my husband, who was overseas at that time for a month. Therefore, I decided to stay in the Beauty Care Recovery House (BCRH) for 3 weeks because I needed the nurse care that BCRH provides. Boy, looking back, was I glad I did that. There was no way I could function on my own in the first 2 weeks after the surgery. The recovery house offers nurse care 24/7 and prepares your meals. These registered nurses took a good care of me and everyone treated me like a family member. Also, meeting other women who were in the same boat helped tremendously. Therefore, I didn't feel alone at all. I think this was another reason why I didn't experience the emotional roller coaster - the strong support system!. I was surprisingly calm and in a good spirit during the recovery. Dr. Cardenas recommended to stay at the recovery house for a minimum of 10-14 days.Another recommendation I would like to offer is to stay at the recovery house for the length of time recommended by Dr. C. Again, if you can't afford it, wait until you have enough money to do it. I couldn't stress enough that the healing process is extremely important, ladies!

Knowing what I know now, would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY!!!!!
I am attaching pictures to show you the progress of my scar. I am amazed by Dr. Cardenas skills. She gave me a beautiful scar and sexy shape with great finesse.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.