Thanks for your advice. I will definitely take it, you and DCGirl sound like the experts!

I agree with everything DCGirl said. In addition, I've read that gaining or losing more than 10 lbs after plastic surgery can affect your results. If that's true, you definitely want to be at a stable weight for awhile before having it. I had a 12 lb bounceback after hitting my lowest weight. It's pretty common...

Just read your post and saw your pics, you look AMAZING!!! He really must have an incredible gift. Congratulations on your transformation. :) I'm in Troy NY, about 5 minutes from Albany. I know Ithica well, a friend of mine went there so there were many parties. ;)

I'm still loosing an average of 3 lbs a week so I'm hoping that continues through the next 2 months. I set my own personal goal to be at or under 169 lbs by my birthday on October 5th.

• My highest weight was 290 on 12/18/18
• RNY surgery on 3/11/19, weight was 264
• Last Friday, 7/26/19 weight was 192

Timing is still in question since I haven't come close to goal yet. For all I know, I could continue loosing past my goal. Wouldn't that be a kick??? :) Thanks so much for the advice!!!

I am team Dr. Joseph Michaels 100%! I had the best experience with him. He does virtual consults. I can't say enough good things about him.

Here is a post I did a couple of years after plastics, and it links to my original plastics post.

I would recommend waiting more than a few months. Many surgeons recommend that you spend 6 months to a year at your goal weight. I have had regain since my lowest weight, and had I had plastics at that low number where I stayed for like a hot second, I don't think I would still have such awesome results.

Where in upstate NY? I went to college in Ithaca!

a lot of surgeons in Mexico seem to use recovery houses - I think they're a great idea! Another surgeon in Mexico who's pretty well-known on OH is Francisco Sauceda. I actually did an email consult with him - he's much cheaper than US surgeons - probably half the price, as I recall. Dr. Carmina Cardenas is as well, from what I've heard. They are both very well-respected and well-trained surgeons - in fact, Dr. Sauceda at one time worked in the burn unit at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. If you end up going to Mexico, either one of them would be a great choice.

overall, there are excellent surgeons abroad, and some not so good ones. You just have to do your research to make sure you're getting a good one. And from everything I've heard, Dr. Carmina Cardenas is very good.

I know what you mean about going abroad, though. I was tempted but decided to stay in the US in case there were issues. Although I suppose most doctors here would treat you if you had a complication - but maybe you should check with yours first to make sure that's the case. Just for peace of mind. It'd be a huge pain to fly back to Mexico. But if you're covered on this end for potential complications, you may be fine.