POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews
30th birthday to me! TT, BBL, Lipo
UPDATED FROM sophiaf0
2 months post
Best. Decision. Ever.
WORTH IT$5,400
If you are considering getting surgery with Dr. Arenas, JUST DO IT! He is an artist of the human body, is extremely thorough in making sure you are healthy enough to have your desiered procedures, and is overall a kind, caring, and professional Dr.
I flew to GDL from my home in California. Traveling for surgery is SCARY!! The second I met Dr. Arenas in person he gave me a big hug, and made me feel so comfortable.
Here is a rundown of my 18 days in Guadalajara:
Day 1 (3 days before surgery): Landed around 4pm local time. As soon as I turned on my phone I had a text message from Marlene welcoming me to the city and making sure I had a safe flight. Although a lot of the team speaks english, if you arent a spanish speaker Marlene will be your main point of contact -- I feel so so lucky to have had her support, communication, and kindness throughout the entire experience (and still to this day!)
Where I stayed:
I was at Alcuzar Suites, which was recommended to me by Dr. Arenas and his team. This was the perfect place for my stay. The units are mini apartments, uet you still get the security and amenities (like housekeeping) of a hotel. The kitchen has has plates, pots, pans, and all the other things you need. To me, the biggest life saver was the blender!! I lived off of fruity protien smoothies -- at least one a day! The location is also great. Its a 7 minute Uber to Innovare (about $2 USD), its on the same block as a Farmacia Guadalajara, Oxxo, Starbucks, Subway, and lots of other restaurants. I was alone for most of my stay in GDL and was never concerned about my safety.
Day 2:
This was my 'free' day. I wanted to get some sightseeing in since I had never been to Guadalajara before. I think i beat a record that day on the number of steps I took :) It is also important that we are active before surgery to get our blood pumping and lower the risk of clots. I would highly recommend giving yourself a day to get some walking in -- the last thing you want to do is go straight from an airplane to major surgery.
Before the day was over I headed to Walmart to buy a few supplied - maxi pads, shower curtain (so I didn't get stains on hotel furniture), an extra blanket (again didn't want to ruin anything of the hotels) and some groceries. I am vegan and was pleasantly surprised by the vegan options at the grocery stores I went to!
What (not) to pack:
DO NOT BE LIKE ME!!! I brought 3 (THREE) suitcases. Why? Because I am neurotic and a worrier! There are 2 things that I am very happy I brought: 1. Pregnancy pillow (I used a vaccuum seal bag to shrink it to fit in a suitcase) and 2. a box of 24 smoothie mixes from a company called Daily Harvest (I would recommend looking into and subscribing before and after surgery to spice up the protien we have to take).
Day 3 - Pre opp day!!
This was the day that it all became real. U woke up after fasting for 12 hours, had my blood drawn, then went to a different hospital to get an ultrasound of my heart as well as an EKG. The cardiologist also sat down with me and asked questions about my medical history, family medical history, and all medications I was taking. At the end of the day I headed back over to Innovare to have my in person consultation with Dr Arenas himself. Let me tell you -- I was SHAKING -- both out of excitement and all the nerves! The moment I met Dr Arenas in person all of that subsided. He gave me a big hug and joked that he felt like he already knew me really well because of all the correspondence we had prior. Anyways, during this appointment he had me number each of my problem areas in order of importance. The reason he does this is that while in surgery, the anesthesiologist may say - no more lipo, or its time to wake her up, etc. They take ALL the precautions (thank god!). So my choice was Tummy Tuck #1, 360 Lipo (with small BBL) #2, Lipo on my neck/chin #3 and arm/thigh lipo #4. Finally I paid for my procedure and signed my life away! ;) I also got a prescription for antibiotics to start taking before surgery.
Surgery Day (!!!):
I was expecting my surgery to be early in the mornings, but for me that was not the case. They deep clean the OR's on a tight schedule, and close the room for surgery for 24 hours. Because of this I arrived at 2pm. This was a great sign for me that they take such good care of keeping the operating rooms clean.
Some tips: When they say don't bring anything - LISTEN TO THEM. All you need is your ID for check in. If you have a friend or family member with them I would give them your phone and an extra long charging cord so you can use it after surgery.
OK - after that I was in the surgery room. I was pumped with drugs and out. When I woke up I didnt realize that surgery was already over and felt like a million bucks! The one thing that was very strange to me was that I couldnt feel my legs (this is totally normal) -- they had put in a spinal block to help with pain, etc.
Soon they brought me to my room where I would be staying overnight. I was greated by Vero. She is someone you NEED and will come to depend on during your recovery. She gave me some sleepy juice, and I fell asleep. I dont have much else to add for night 1. Sleeping is about all that happens and they make sure you are comfortable and not in pain. It was easy!
Vero slept next to me on the couch (she sleeps too, and I think this is the only sleep she gets!) She is always with patients -- she has dedicated her life to making you feel good, making sure you are safe and healthy. I LOVE VERO.
The next morning Vero for me out of bed. This was the weirdest feeling I have ever experienced -- not painful, just a very strange sensation. She took me into the shower (best feeling ever) washed my hair and body, and just helped make sure I was clean.
When I got out of the shower, I got to look in the mirror -- OMG I WAS FLAT!! I could not believe what I looked like (and trust me, you dont look your best after surgery, you are swollen, have large scars, blood every where, etc). Strangely enough, I was able to stand up pretty straight from the get go (you can see in my pictures).
Also -- if you havent by now, get used to being very naked with Vero and the rest of the team.
After staying in the overnight suite until about 2pm, I had a nurse come home with me to help me get settled in my bed and make sure I was OK.
The days after surgery:
Vero is an angel. Truly I do not know how I could have gone through surgery without her. She came over every single day. She gives manual lymphatic drainage massages to help reduce fluid, get your lymphatic system moving, etc. I have read on other reviews that it is super painful, but for me it wasnt too bad. Yes, it did hurt, but afterwards I felt so so so much better (no pain no gain!). Vero also changes your bandages, washes your faja, and helps you shower every day. If you need her to bring you something (water, prescription, etc she will help).
Vero -- Thank you SO SO SO much for being such an amazing woman, helping me feel safe, confident, and healthy. You work so hard and the love you have for your patients shows through. I wish I could have brought you home with me!!
Pain:
I have always thought that I have a low pain tolerance - and maybe I do, but I was never in awful pain. The feelings you have are just weird and uncomfortable. Not being able to use your core to help you move is difficult (workout those arms and legs before you go!). When your nerves are regenerating you get a tingling sensation, but nothing super bad. Pain was also managed with medications for muscle, inflammation, and regular pain.
More days post op:
A couple days after surgery I was able to start getting ultrasound treatments. These help with smoothing the lipo area. PRO TIP: Have the nurse come to your house and do it there. For the first 3 treatments I went to Innovare, but the Uber rides are bumpy and can be uncomfortable (I didnt get my boobs done, but I cant imagine the bumpy roads with new tatas!)
I started feeling *kind of* like my normal self about 4-5 days post op and wanted to get out of the house, cruise around town, etc -- Dr Arenas, Marlene, and Vero were not having any of that!! Make sure you have some good shows to catch up on, maybe some puzzles, or things to keep you busy at home. Your body just went through major surgery, and although your brain might want to get outside and dance, your body will not heal properly if you do!
I started bruising around day 3 PO, and this went away pretty fast -- about day 7 (you can see in my pics). I took omelain with quercetin as well as a natural lymph cleanse (drop under the tongue) -- I also think that my smoothies and the fact that I eat a plant based diet helped a ton.
Drains:
Easy peasy! You need to make sure to keep track of your fluid output, keep the site clean, etc. I ended up flying home with my drain in, about 2 days later it got caught on a piece of clothing, and I just pulled it out myself. Didn’t hurt or feel uncomfortable in the slightest.
Faja:
After surgery you get a stage 1 Faja — I had this on for about 3-4 weeks. It was super comfy and helped keep my core muscles from being overworked. After about week 5 I started to HATE my faja. It was a struggle for me to wear it every day. Some nights I would wake up and it was half on (because I would try to take it off in my sleep) Just hang in their girls. Especially for those of you who had Lipo, its super important that you get compression so that your skin is smooth and looks natural.
Swelling
It sucks, it will happen. You will have good days and you will have bad days. Just know that it takes 6+ months for final results. TRUST THE PROCESS (I added lots of pictures from my swollen days)
Lymphatic Massages (after Vero)
When I got back to my home in San Francisco, I searched for a good lymphatic massage therapist. After 2 crappy ones, I stumble on a Brazilian goddess who helped perfect the body dr. Arenas created. These massages can be expensive, but I would HIGHLY recommend you continue the investment in your body and get a package (I am 2.5 months PO and am still getting them weekly — at first I was going 2x/week). These really make a world of difference, help smooth Lipo areas, and help with under the skin scar tissue.
Follow ups:
Marlene is an angel and I don’t think I can put into words how grateful I am that I had her on my team. She checked in on me every day for the first couple weeks, answered all of my MANY questions (is this normal, when can I work out, does this look ok, when can I work out, can I take off this damn faja, when can I work out, can I sit on my butt yet, when can I work out, is it okay to take xyz medicine, when can I workout) She really cares about how you are doing, your recovery once you get home, and treats you like a local patient to make sure you get the best after care possible.
THANK YOU SO MUCH MARLENE for all that you do!!! You are so kind, caring, and compassionate and I love you to pieces!
AND FINALLY…
THE RESULTS:
I have never felt more at home in my own body. Dr. Arenas is truly an artist and I am so happy that I chose to have my surgery with him. My stomach is flat for the first time in my life, my confidence and self esteem are better than they have been in YEARS, I am rocking crop tops and wearing bikinis and just feel amazing.
My Tummy—
One concern I had before surgery was getting an ugly belly button (I didn’t like the slit — long and thin looking ones). My belly button is so cute!! Its round and, to me, looks super natural!! SCORE!!
My TT scars are still healing, and that will take time, but the sides are lighting up really well!! The middle will catch up, but it will take time. I do have some scar tissue build up under the TT incision, but have been assured this is normal and am massaging it with bio oil and mederma oil daily. It is slowly starting to break apart and be absorbed by my body (yay!!)
I am flat and so happy!! I have always been someone who carries weight in my middle — like a pool float around my waist. Well not any more!! I actually have a waist and curves!
My Butt:
I am a white chick with a flat ass (hahaha) — I did not want a big booty as it would not match my body type at all, but I did want a cute, perky butt! When I first came out of surgery and looked in the mirror it was pretty big and I wasn’t too sure that I liked it. Well — listen to Dr. Arenas, Marlene, and Vero and TRUST THE PROCESS. Today I have a cute butt!!! I have actually gotten a few compliments from guys I am dating saying, damn you have a nice ass! I am SO HAPPY
LIPO:
Bra line fat — GONE. Muffin Top — GONE — Armpit Fat — GONE — Double Chin — (mostly) GONE! It’s perfect. I love it. I finally got cleared to work out, and I am so excited to get back in the gym and tone up the areas where my muscle is peaking through!
Today, when I look in the mirror, I love what I see. Thank you Dr. Arenas for giving me the body I have always wanted, and one that I am proud to call my own
I flew to GDL from my home in California. Traveling for surgery is SCARY!! The second I met Dr. Arenas in person he gave me a big hug, and made me feel so comfortable.
Here is a rundown of my 18 days in Guadalajara:
Day 1 (3 days before surgery): Landed around 4pm local time. As soon as I turned on my phone I had a text message from Marlene welcoming me to the city and making sure I had a safe flight. Although a lot of the team speaks english, if you arent a spanish speaker Marlene will be your main point of contact -- I feel so so lucky to have had her support, communication, and kindness throughout the entire experience (and still to this day!)
Where I stayed:
I was at Alcuzar Suites, which was recommended to me by Dr. Arenas and his team. This was the perfect place for my stay. The units are mini apartments, uet you still get the security and amenities (like housekeeping) of a hotel. The kitchen has has plates, pots, pans, and all the other things you need. To me, the biggest life saver was the blender!! I lived off of fruity protien smoothies -- at least one a day! The location is also great. Its a 7 minute Uber to Innovare (about $2 USD), its on the same block as a Farmacia Guadalajara, Oxxo, Starbucks, Subway, and lots of other restaurants. I was alone for most of my stay in GDL and was never concerned about my safety.
Day 2:
This was my 'free' day. I wanted to get some sightseeing in since I had never been to Guadalajara before. I think i beat a record that day on the number of steps I took :) It is also important that we are active before surgery to get our blood pumping and lower the risk of clots. I would highly recommend giving yourself a day to get some walking in -- the last thing you want to do is go straight from an airplane to major surgery.
Before the day was over I headed to Walmart to buy a few supplied - maxi pads, shower curtain (so I didn't get stains on hotel furniture), an extra blanket (again didn't want to ruin anything of the hotels) and some groceries. I am vegan and was pleasantly surprised by the vegan options at the grocery stores I went to!
What (not) to pack:
DO NOT BE LIKE ME!!! I brought 3 (THREE) suitcases. Why? Because I am neurotic and a worrier! There are 2 things that I am very happy I brought: 1. Pregnancy pillow (I used a vaccuum seal bag to shrink it to fit in a suitcase) and 2. a box of 24 smoothie mixes from a company called Daily Harvest (I would recommend looking into and subscribing before and after surgery to spice up the protien we have to take).
Day 3 - Pre opp day!!
This was the day that it all became real. U woke up after fasting for 12 hours, had my blood drawn, then went to a different hospital to get an ultrasound of my heart as well as an EKG. The cardiologist also sat down with me and asked questions about my medical history, family medical history, and all medications I was taking. At the end of the day I headed back over to Innovare to have my in person consultation with Dr Arenas himself. Let me tell you -- I was SHAKING -- both out of excitement and all the nerves! The moment I met Dr Arenas in person all of that subsided. He gave me a big hug and joked that he felt like he already knew me really well because of all the correspondence we had prior. Anyways, during this appointment he had me number each of my problem areas in order of importance. The reason he does this is that while in surgery, the anesthesiologist may say - no more lipo, or its time to wake her up, etc. They take ALL the precautions (thank god!). So my choice was Tummy Tuck #1, 360 Lipo (with small BBL) #2, Lipo on my neck/chin #3 and arm/thigh lipo #4. Finally I paid for my procedure and signed my life away! ;) I also got a prescription for antibiotics to start taking before surgery.
Surgery Day (!!!):
I was expecting my surgery to be early in the mornings, but for me that was not the case. They deep clean the OR's on a tight schedule, and close the room for surgery for 24 hours. Because of this I arrived at 2pm. This was a great sign for me that they take such good care of keeping the operating rooms clean.
Some tips: When they say don't bring anything - LISTEN TO THEM. All you need is your ID for check in. If you have a friend or family member with them I would give them your phone and an extra long charging cord so you can use it after surgery.
OK - after that I was in the surgery room. I was pumped with drugs and out. When I woke up I didnt realize that surgery was already over and felt like a million bucks! The one thing that was very strange to me was that I couldnt feel my legs (this is totally normal) -- they had put in a spinal block to help with pain, etc.
Soon they brought me to my room where I would be staying overnight. I was greated by Vero. She is someone you NEED and will come to depend on during your recovery. She gave me some sleepy juice, and I fell asleep. I dont have much else to add for night 1. Sleeping is about all that happens and they make sure you are comfortable and not in pain. It was easy!
Vero slept next to me on the couch (she sleeps too, and I think this is the only sleep she gets!) She is always with patients -- she has dedicated her life to making you feel good, making sure you are safe and healthy. I LOVE VERO.
The next morning Vero for me out of bed. This was the weirdest feeling I have ever experienced -- not painful, just a very strange sensation. She took me into the shower (best feeling ever) washed my hair and body, and just helped make sure I was clean.
When I got out of the shower, I got to look in the mirror -- OMG I WAS FLAT!! I could not believe what I looked like (and trust me, you dont look your best after surgery, you are swollen, have large scars, blood every where, etc). Strangely enough, I was able to stand up pretty straight from the get go (you can see in my pictures).
Also -- if you havent by now, get used to being very naked with Vero and the rest of the team.
After staying in the overnight suite until about 2pm, I had a nurse come home with me to help me get settled in my bed and make sure I was OK.
The days after surgery:
Vero is an angel. Truly I do not know how I could have gone through surgery without her. She came over every single day. She gives manual lymphatic drainage massages to help reduce fluid, get your lymphatic system moving, etc. I have read on other reviews that it is super painful, but for me it wasnt too bad. Yes, it did hurt, but afterwards I felt so so so much better (no pain no gain!). Vero also changes your bandages, washes your faja, and helps you shower every day. If you need her to bring you something (water, prescription, etc she will help).
Vero -- Thank you SO SO SO much for being such an amazing woman, helping me feel safe, confident, and healthy. You work so hard and the love you have for your patients shows through. I wish I could have brought you home with me!!
Pain:
I have always thought that I have a low pain tolerance - and maybe I do, but I was never in awful pain. The feelings you have are just weird and uncomfortable. Not being able to use your core to help you move is difficult (workout those arms and legs before you go!). When your nerves are regenerating you get a tingling sensation, but nothing super bad. Pain was also managed with medications for muscle, inflammation, and regular pain.
More days post op:
A couple days after surgery I was able to start getting ultrasound treatments. These help with smoothing the lipo area. PRO TIP: Have the nurse come to your house and do it there. For the first 3 treatments I went to Innovare, but the Uber rides are bumpy and can be uncomfortable (I didnt get my boobs done, but I cant imagine the bumpy roads with new tatas!)
I started feeling *kind of* like my normal self about 4-5 days post op and wanted to get out of the house, cruise around town, etc -- Dr Arenas, Marlene, and Vero were not having any of that!! Make sure you have some good shows to catch up on, maybe some puzzles, or things to keep you busy at home. Your body just went through major surgery, and although your brain might want to get outside and dance, your body will not heal properly if you do!
I started bruising around day 3 PO, and this went away pretty fast -- about day 7 (you can see in my pics). I took omelain with quercetin as well as a natural lymph cleanse (drop under the tongue) -- I also think that my smoothies and the fact that I eat a plant based diet helped a ton.
Drains:
Easy peasy! You need to make sure to keep track of your fluid output, keep the site clean, etc. I ended up flying home with my drain in, about 2 days later it got caught on a piece of clothing, and I just pulled it out myself. Didn’t hurt or feel uncomfortable in the slightest.
Faja:
After surgery you get a stage 1 Faja — I had this on for about 3-4 weeks. It was super comfy and helped keep my core muscles from being overworked. After about week 5 I started to HATE my faja. It was a struggle for me to wear it every day. Some nights I would wake up and it was half on (because I would try to take it off in my sleep) Just hang in their girls. Especially for those of you who had Lipo, its super important that you get compression so that your skin is smooth and looks natural.
Swelling
It sucks, it will happen. You will have good days and you will have bad days. Just know that it takes 6+ months for final results. TRUST THE PROCESS (I added lots of pictures from my swollen days)
Lymphatic Massages (after Vero)
When I got back to my home in San Francisco, I searched for a good lymphatic massage therapist. After 2 crappy ones, I stumble on a Brazilian goddess who helped perfect the body dr. Arenas created. These massages can be expensive, but I would HIGHLY recommend you continue the investment in your body and get a package (I am 2.5 months PO and am still getting them weekly — at first I was going 2x/week). These really make a world of difference, help smooth Lipo areas, and help with under the skin scar tissue.
Follow ups:
Marlene is an angel and I don’t think I can put into words how grateful I am that I had her on my team. She checked in on me every day for the first couple weeks, answered all of my MANY questions (is this normal, when can I work out, does this look ok, when can I work out, can I take off this damn faja, when can I work out, can I sit on my butt yet, when can I work out, is it okay to take xyz medicine, when can I workout) She really cares about how you are doing, your recovery once you get home, and treats you like a local patient to make sure you get the best after care possible.
THANK YOU SO MUCH MARLENE for all that you do!!! You are so kind, caring, and compassionate and I love you to pieces!
AND FINALLY…
THE RESULTS:
I have never felt more at home in my own body. Dr. Arenas is truly an artist and I am so happy that I chose to have my surgery with him. My stomach is flat for the first time in my life, my confidence and self esteem are better than they have been in YEARS, I am rocking crop tops and wearing bikinis and just feel amazing.
My Tummy—
One concern I had before surgery was getting an ugly belly button (I didn’t like the slit — long and thin looking ones). My belly button is so cute!! Its round and, to me, looks super natural!! SCORE!!
My TT scars are still healing, and that will take time, but the sides are lighting up really well!! The middle will catch up, but it will take time. I do have some scar tissue build up under the TT incision, but have been assured this is normal and am massaging it with bio oil and mederma oil daily. It is slowly starting to break apart and be absorbed by my body (yay!!)
I am flat and so happy!! I have always been someone who carries weight in my middle — like a pool float around my waist. Well not any more!! I actually have a waist and curves!
My Butt:
I am a white chick with a flat ass (hahaha) — I did not want a big booty as it would not match my body type at all, but I did want a cute, perky butt! When I first came out of surgery and looked in the mirror it was pretty big and I wasn’t too sure that I liked it. Well — listen to Dr. Arenas, Marlene, and Vero and TRUST THE PROCESS. Today I have a cute butt!!! I have actually gotten a few compliments from guys I am dating saying, damn you have a nice ass! I am SO HAPPY
LIPO:
Bra line fat — GONE. Muffin Top — GONE — Armpit Fat — GONE — Double Chin — (mostly) GONE! It’s perfect. I love it. I finally got cleared to work out, and I am so excited to get back in the gym and tone up the areas where my muscle is peaking through!
Today, when I look in the mirror, I love what I see. Thank you Dr. Arenas for giving me the body I have always wanted, and one that I am proud to call my own
UPDATED FROM sophiaf0
13 days pre
14 day countdown!
I leave for GDL in 12 days! Wow have my amazon deliveries been adding up. I have been getting supplies and everything I need to be comfy during my 15 days post op down there. I’ll update with my packing list and more later. I have also been doing some video documenting but I’m not sure about the sharing rules on here :)
Replies (1)
I hope your recovering well! Can't wait to hear about your experience and results
ORIGINAL POST
30th birthday to me! TT, BBL, Lipo
Looking to share my story and learn from all of yours. I am ready to have the body I have wanted for a long time; and what a better way to kick off a new decade than to endulge myself in In myself!!!!
Replies (1)
Thanks for sharing and posting lots of pics helped me a lot xx
Replies (5)