So many questions! (Sauceda vs local doc)( twilight vs general)(lift w/out implants?)

Hi all!  Newbie here... ten months out from WLS.  I know I've got a bit to wait before I can have plastics, but I have started my research stage and have come to a place where I could use some opinions.  

I've been looking into Sauceda (Mexico) for plastics.  Looking to do arms, boobs, tummy and if I can afford it-- thigh lift.  I love that he can do a total body transformation all at one time with one recovery period, but I'm a little weirded out by the twilight sedation.  I've seen posts from people who have woken up during surgery and feel no pain but do feel tugging and are lucid enough to ask what's going on or remember it when they wake up.  That scares me!  I don't want to wake up and know what's happening, but I have to give Sauceda credit... his results are amazing.  I've seen quite a few before and after's and honestly... he blows local doc's out of the water with experience and sculpting techniques.  Also the fact that I would have to pull my own stitches and it's not a quick trip to the doc if complications arise is a little worry some.  Local would be more expensive, but much more convenient.  It's just that Sauceda's results are so darn good!  Anyone else have this conversation with yourself??  What did you finally decide??

Now for the boob talk!  Mine are terrible.  I am a 34 DDD but they hang to my knees.  A lift and reduction are definitely in my future, but I know that with a lift alone in 10 years they might not hold their shape, especially if I would like to keep some of the volume.  I've always had big boobs, so I'd like to stay at least a C/D cup.  I'm not sure if I want implants (hubby prefers natural looking breasts) but I do really want nice looking boobs, and I'm feeling like implants would give me more shape!  Has anyone had a reduction/lift with no implants??  Are you happy with them??  Do you still have side boob issues or does the lift take care of that??  

Thanks for reading my post, guys!  Any input/opinions would be wonderfull!

This question comes up all the time. Search previous posts for your answers. Btw have you REALLY looked at his work? http://www.medicaltourism.com.mx/mtosbl.html

Compare his gallery with the gallery of the well known American plastic surgeons, mentioned on this board. Good luck.

Agree. I am not impressed with his work, and I would never risk surgery outside the country. Read this http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/276918/162897/dr-joseph-capella-interview?ap=831

Thank you for the link...  Surgery in MX has it's drawbacks and I'm certainly taking that into consideration.  I had my sleeve done in MX and had a wonderful experience, so I'm open to the idea but not yet convinced.  Plastics is a much larger surgery with a higher complication risk, so this is what's giving me pause.   I think my issue is that I'm not impressed with docs local to me.  Looks like I need to keep researching!

Where are you? I am in Indianapolis and I am traveling to NJ for my plastic surgeon. 

I'm in Minnesota. Travel isn't out of the question, but it has some of the same drawbacks as mexico with 3 times the cost.

That is not necessarily true. My surgeon is very affordable even with the travel costs he is less expensive than what I would get locally. What's more, he is the very best plastic surgeon with the world's largest experience in post bariatric body contouring. And he his bedside manner and is bar none. What more could you ask for in a surgeon?

Hello! I am contemplating plastics as well. I've been looking at Sauceda but apprehensive about Mexico. Who is your surgeon? And what made you choose him/her? Thanks

My surgeon is Dr. Joseph Capella in Ramsey NJ. I chose him because his working is stunning, he cares about his patients and his care has surpassed that of any doctor I've ever had, and his prices are great. Here is an interview that I did with him on plastic surgery after weight loss: http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/276918/162591/intervi ew-capella-plastic-1?ap=831

Here is a review that I wrote of him after my tummy tuck. In two weeks I am having more work done with him. I would not go to anyone else. 

Dr. Capella is the top plastic surgeon for post-bariatric and massive weight loss patients. He is an innovator and pioneer in the field and has one of the largest experiences in the world having performed more than 5000 body contouring procedures. He truly excels at sculpting beauty from gobs of fat -- just check the tons of patient photos on his website. I have seen far too many patients lately who are very unhappy with the results their surgeons gave them. Worse, those surgeons then refuse to fix the work that they did. It truly breaks my heart that these patients must go through this heartache -- not to mention the waste of money. I promise you that if anyone can make your body look good, it is Dr. Capella. Dr. Capella truly cares about his patients, I think more than any doctor I have ever met (and I know many doctors owing to my profession). All of his patients that I know speak so very highly of him. As for me, I met him in 2006 when I was interviewing surgeons and since then he has always been the doctor whom I wanted to perform my surgery. I could not imagine going to anyone else. I am going to do a total body transformation with him from head to toe and have two more surgeries planned to accomplish that. I am very involved in my healthcare. I have lots of questions and need to know and understand every detail of my treatment. To that end, Dr. Capella has always made himself available to me. And when I have had fears and concerns Dr. Capella was always gentle and calming and gave me all the time in the world, never once trying to hurry me through an exam or on a phone call. He has been fantastic with me in many regards. I also admire Dr. Capella's philosophy and approach to business. He tries to do his surgeries as efficiently as possible and run his practice efficiently so as to keep the cost of surgery down. His goal is to make surgery attainable for as many people as possible. I have seen far less qualified surgeons charging considerably more money. Dr. Capella also does free revisions and does not charge for his consults. There is simply nothing more that a patient could want in a doctor than what they get in Dr. Capella. My only complaint, and I have heard this from several other patients, is that his surgical coordinator Terry was very difficult to deal with - hence the reason for my 2 stars on staff professionalism and courtesy. She lacks competency and has an aggressive personality. I say this because she neglected to give me my pre-op and post-op instructions and written prescriptions. And she was quite rude to deal with on most of my interactions with her. I brought this to Dr. Capella's attention and he must have addressed it because Terry has since been pleasant

I have never been impressed with his results either.  The scars always seem to be much thicker than any of the doctors in my local area.  I am three weeks out and the scars are fine pink lines and I've seen some medical tourism scars that are a quarter inch thick or more.  I like having my doctor close by too.

 

I would have plastic surgery consultations with as many doctors as possible before deciding.  In my area they provide consultations free of charge.  They will also show you before and after pictures that aren't on their website if you ask.