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I had my lower body lift with her in November and am completely in awe of her work. I am actually going back to her this summer for my second set of procedures. Her whole team is great and I really appreciated their emphasis on pain control and healing at their recovery house. The whole business is top notch.
Hello everyone!
November 14th I went to Baja and had a lower body lift with Dr Carmina Cardenas and her wonderfully talented team. I had gastric bypass over a year ago and found that I had so much excess skin. The new clothes I was buying for my tinier frame just didn't look right. After an exhaustive amount of research I chose Dr Cardenas because I really liked the results she gave her patients. She was also wonderfully sweet and honest. She and her team were never pushy and were extremely supportive. I stayed in the beauty care recovery house for a week and it was the best decision I could have ever made. I really needed that time to start the healing process and to have good pain management with the help of nurses and the doctor 24/7. I am I guess about seven weeks out now and am still puffy but am seeing such dramatic results. I still can't believe this is my new body. Only one of my pics would post but if anyone is interested I have others and would be most happy to answer any questions 
I I had a giant hematoma on one leg about 3 weeks post op. A few days after my surgeon said I I didn't need compression all the time. Interestingly, I was talking about this with an uninvolved plastic surgeon yesterday. His simple explanation was that the attachments between muscles and tendons stretch when you gain large amounts weight but don't shrink when you loose the weight.
Its one one of the reasons that people who have lost a great deal of weight have complications like yours and mine.
For post weight loss patients he recommends compression garments 24/7 for a month then at least 1/2 of each day until your sutures are completely dissolved. Which can take several months I haven't done any research but it does make sense. This dr speclizes in post weight lose plastics he did mention that there is a great deal of money by to be made so plastic surgeons who would see these patients a few years ago are now actively seeking them out. I asked him about the surgeon who did my medial thigh lift... but doctors do have this way of avoiding conflict with their peers...but. He does love to talk shop and I'll see him New Years eve/tonight and I'll ask what he rwould do for long term complications.
I'm thinking that this has gone on for far to long and you should ask for a referral to a wound care specialist. If the plastic surgeon is reluctant ask your primary for one.
Thanks for the responses, I did read them before the surgery and they really help. I have bilateral fat graphs and my wrists in splints from 12/10 till 12/24 so didn't do much typing, or anything else for that matter.
I got my new tatas on 12/27. They are huge, but I am assured it's mostly swelling. Should be a large C cup so slightly larger that my pre weight loss breasts but not 45" around. I ended up getting round textured implants under the muscle, and just like someone said, with having the lower body at the same time I barely notice any breast pain. I think they are 230cc. Turns out I had plenty of breast tissue on the top pole. I LOVE my new nipples and belly button.
Looks awsome. I had my lids done in Feb and because my insurance wouldn't cover the brows unless the lids didn't improve my vision I had the brow lift, that my doctor said I needed back in February about 6 weeks ago. Because it was covered by insurance and I don't scar much I had the external lift. So, for now, have a bright red scar above my brows. Not a good look. Should have skipped it and had my brows done when I had my lower face and neck lift yesterday. I was so Po'ed at the insurance for forcing me to have two anesthesia's and two recoveries and was feeling spiteful.
You look great!!!
on 12/30/17 3:43 am
Hope you feel some real improvement soon!
Surgery date May 4, 2017
HW 290. Start weight 229. Day of Surgery 209. Month 2: 190. Month 3: 182. Month 4: 174. Month 5: 164. Month 6: 159. Month 7: 153. Month 8: 147. Month 9: 145. Month 10: 142. Month 11: 138 Month 12: 137. Month 13: 139 Month 14: 131. Month 15: 130. Month 16: 131. Month 17: 128. 162 pounds lost!!
Two year anniversary upon me in 3 days: 136. Need to lose a few pounds..
You look great, Liz. Your surgeon did an excellent job. The results look very natural and you look well-rested, not overly-done like some results I have seen. Thanks for sharing!
Laura in Texas
53 years old; 5'7" tall; HW: 339 (BMI=53); GW: 140 CW: 170 (BMI=27)
RNY: 09-17-08 Dr. Garth Davis
brachioplasty: 12-18-09 Dr. Wainwright; lbl/bl: 06-28-11 Dr. LoMonaco
"May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears."
I'm sorry you are still having trouble. It sounds like it might be a smart move not to have your thighs done. Honestly, I decided not to get my thighs done and I do not have any medical issues. Too many people seem to have issues with thighs. I do hope you are completely healed soon!!
Laura in Texas
53 years old; 5'7" tall; HW: 339 (BMI=53); GW: 140 CW: 170 (BMI=27)
RNY: 09-17-08 Dr. Garth Davis
brachioplasty: 12-18-09 Dr. Wainwright; lbl/bl: 06-28-11 Dr. LoMonaco
"May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears."
Hi Gwen
My protein intake is anywhere from 100g to as much as 170g daily. I do have mixed connective tissue disorder but when I talked to my rheumatologist he said it was ok to have surgery.....regardless of my disorder.
