18 week post op with Dr Sauceda

I was 18 weeks post op as of Thursday, the 11th. I am sorry to say that I am still battling a lot of swelling on a daily basis. I still swell in my tummy and back, and I can gain 4 to 6 lbs per day from it. I am not wearing my garment anymore, and the swelling does go down while I sleep at night, but not completely.

I still have loose skin on my belly, but that is because I didn't want the anchor cut on my tummy. I will live with that because I would rather not have the scar and deal with skin. It is hard to see it in pictures, but it is definitely noticeable in person. I have a small roll when I sit down that is around my hip bones when I sit down. If I am standing or laying flat, it is not there because my hip bones stick out and stretches the skin tight. I don't know if he would even be able to fix without doing the anchor cut since it is caused my by my hip bones. I also still have wrinkles in my thighs, but that was known before I left Monterrey. We knew that a revision was needed there as well.

I will be going back to Monterrey the 2nd week of June to have my thighs revised, my belly button fixed(too small due to the stitches ripping and completely my fault for laying down to fast and too flat in Monterrey), a little lipo on my hips that have pockets of fat removed, and possibly get a small arm lift. I am still very happy with my results even though I need a few small revisions. I could live without the revisions, but I am choosing to go ahead and get them fixed.


I am dreading the recovery again, but I it will be worth it. I am about to bump up my workouts since I will be living 2 blocks from the gym. We are moving in 2 weeks from the North Shore, and we are sad to be living 2 blocks from the beach anymore. We will be about 20 minutes from the beach, so that isn't too bad.  I will definitely miss hearing the waves everynight while I fall asleep though.

I posted more pictures on my blog at www.livingtheskinnylife.blogspot.com if you would like to see more.

Even though I don't post much anymore, I still read occasionally and try to keep up.  It is strange not having plastic surgery or weight loss consume my life anymore  . It is great just living and enjoying life as a normal weight, normal shaped woman. I have really am enjoying just living life with my wonderful husband and kids in Hawaii.

Thank you all for following my journey and keeping up with me.  I hope that it helps some that are recently post op and also help pre op patients make their decision about having plastics.  In my opinion, Dr Sauceda is an amazing surgeon and man.  He is an artist and truly an expert on weight loss patients!

Jessica! 

You look hot!  I am so happy for you and the great results you have gotten.  I can't believe its already been 18 weeks.  Congrats!

April

Thank you April!  I agree that it is hard to believe it has been 18 weeks already!

Jessica

Hi Jessica,
So nice to see you posting here again!!
Sorry you are dealing with continued swelling.  Can you force yourself to wear the compression garment a few hours during the day while you are up and doing things?  It really does help.

I decided to do the Anchor Cut because I didn't want the extra skin/rolls but too each her own.  You still look great in your pictures and you have to be comfortable in your skin (no pun intended) so don't second guess your decisions.

Sorry to hear you have to go in for revision...man having a belly button "rip" does not sound like fun, you poor thing.  I hope all revisions go nice and smooth for you!!!

I'm so glad to hear you are living and enjoying life!!!
Be well....
TTFN
Ruth

Thanks Ruth! 

The swelling still happens even if I wear my compression garment.  I swell pretty much exactly as much as I do if I wear it.  I was wearing it at night, and I found that that it made a little difference, but not much.

I don't want the scar of the anchor because I still want to wear a bikini.  We practically live in them here in Hawaii, so I would rather not have it.  Maybe in 5 to 10 years when I won't be wearing bikinis anymore, I will get it done.  

Revisions shouldn't be too bad, and I will be in good hands.

Hope you are healing well!

Jessica

Hi Jessica,
Gee sorry to hear nothing helps with the swelling.  I must say I'm thrilled to be out of swell hell!  Did you ever try Arnica Montana and Bromelian (bromelian is really good for swelling).

Enjoy wearing the bikini, you look fantastic!
TTFN
Ruth

Hi Jessica -

You look amazing!! May I ask what size you are? You look so tiny - I'd guess a size 4.

Thanks!!
Linda

Hi Linda,

I am a 6 most of the time, and a size 4 some too.  We don't really wear jeans or anything here, so I mostly wear sundresses , and I wear a small most of the time and a small or medium in shorts and skirts.

I will probably end up in a 4 when all of the swelling is finally gone.

Jessica

Thanks Jessica. I was a size 20-22 - then lost 95 pounds. Now I am a size 10. I can get in to size 8 jeans - if I lay down!! I am thinking with the TT - muscle tightening & lipo - I will be a size 8 when all is said is done. Perhaps a size 6.

Right now - size is not that important - but seeing you made me wonder - what does a "size" look like.

You look great!!

You look great thanks for sharing. I will begin this journey soon. I see the PS on the 23rd.