Problems

My family is constantly saying I shouldnt go out the states for surgery, I opt there because in states its very costly and I only have 18,000 in my savings and I want one recovery time.. I just want my tummy tuck,butt lift,and upper back fat off.. But who on earth in the states will help me. Im tired of hearing my family say all sorts of things about out of states surgery. Please guys chime in nere and help me

There are a lot of people on OH who go to Dr. S and are very, very happy.  I believe, in the end, you have to do what is best for you.  As much as your family loves you, this has been your journey more than their journey.  You are right...you could never accomplish all you want in the States.  I've had one consultation, so far,  for a facelift...$24,000!  I'm looking at $50,000, easy,  for just 2 procedures.  I'm trying to figure it all out right now.  I hope you receive a lot of responses.

I know what you mean.  I had 3 consults here in Denver and the least was $17,900 for a Brachioplasty and TT without hernia repair and no muscle repair.  He said  he would charge more if he got in and had to repain a hernia.  He also charged more to lift the mons pubis.  Dr S did all of that and didn't charge me any extra!  I would never have been able to get any thing done, if I hadn't found Dr S.

You look unbelievable too.  I think living  in a border State has given me a block about going to Mexico.  However who in the States receives a daily visit post op from both their surgeon and his nurse...no one.  Oh it is a hard decision.

Yup!  Can you imagine my quotes here would have been for outpatient procedures.  I would have been under a general (which I am allergic to!) and then awakened to be placed in my daughter's car and sent home to fend for myself!  I just cannot imagine riding in a car after a LBL and extended Thigh Lift!  With Dr S I was wheeled from the PACU to my room and I had 24 hours nursing care for 3 days and then returned to the OR for my total facelift.  I then stayed another 3 days!  Someone there to assist me in every way possible.  It was wonderful.  Then at the hotel every morning Patty, RN would arrive at 0830 and stay a few  hours helping me shower, dressing my incisions and get me back into my garment.  She also examined the incision lines every day and reported back to Dr S if she noticed anything out of the ordinary.  I knew she had reported back after each visit because he would call to check on me later - I am a fainter and I had become dizzy in the shower a few times and had to get out and sit down.  She would call him and he would always come by to check me as soon as he could. 
She also was very sweet to pick up the soap when I dropped it!  After the LBL, I didn't want to bend over to get it myself!  I was spoiled!

Does sauceda remove alot of fat and tighthen skin really well?

I live in a state bordering Mexico.  I see and hear from patients too often who have had surgery in Mexico and require postop care beyond the 2 weeks they are down there.  They often do not have insurance and are stuck trying to get issue taken care of.  Little problems then become big ones.

Body lift is the biggest plastic surgery there is, and regardless of your surgeon's skill and experience, problems can and do occur.

No surgeon wants to take on another doctor's patient because the fee a patient pays their surgeon includes managing all postop issues.   This is where the cost savings come in...you don't get what you don't pay for in terms of postop care when going abroad.

If you're going to do it, arrange for your care after surgery.

While in Mexico, you have no legal protection and your health insurance may not be applicable in case of a problem.  This does not matter as long as everything goes well and different people have different risk tolerance here.

Immobilization on a flight or trip greater than 3 hours can increase the risk of blood clots, so your doctor should address this issue with you, as some patients will be candidates for Lovenox therapy.

http://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/blood-clot-symptoms. html

I had my panniculectomy and abdominoplasty done three weeks ago in Indianapolis. The panni was covered by insurance, but the abdominoplasty was not. Yet I paid less than $1500 for it total. There have to be more places like my doctor's group who don't charge a king's ransom for plastic surgery. You should keep looking before you leave the country. :)

 I am having all of my PS done in the states.  I am sure that going abroad works out fine for some people.  However,  I am really glad I stayed close to home for mine.  Even though I really didn't have any big issues post-op with my first surgery (BL and Brachioplasty), I still needed post op care from my PS well longer than 2 weeks.  I went back to him for minor things (such as seroma drainage) up until about 6 weeks post op.  It was really reassuring that my doctor is only a car ride away if I needed to see him.  I love my results.  He was meticulous in my surgery and also in my post op care.  I agree with Dr. L... post op care is something I would feel really wary about if I went abroad.  I know some of the ladies here have had great experiences though, so you just have to ask yourself what is right for you...

I agree, the aftercare is vital and I believe that IF you don't have a good doctor at home to back you up 1000%, you have no right going aboard for your surgery. Some still do, however, and they are just very fortunate.

My PCP backs me 1000% and he insists on seeing me when I return. He worked with me when I had a seroma and checked all of my incisions to make sure they were healing properly. I felt comfortable calling him day or night for any problems. He also had a plastic surgeon in his office building who was willing to consult with him and me - if we needed something further.

Going aboard is not very everyone, but with my Malignant Hyperthermia and massive weight loss, Dr Sauceda doing his procedures with an epidural, I felt much more safe. He has a lot of good experience with those of us who have lost over 200 lbs and that made a big difference for me.