I have begun the process of removing my sutures!

Ohhh these middle aged eyes make it a challenge. When i resume this evening, I am going to have to be sure to break out the reading glasses so i can actually SEE what I am doing. I managed to get about 1/3rd of them out last evening. (there were probably close to 175 or 200 altogether externally). Sooo... will carry on with this task this evening. It really is quite the project!
kathy.. should have had you fly on out to help! lol.

kind of stings, doesn't it. at least, it did to me.  i can't imagine getting those all out. what about the ones that go around towards the back? can candice help you?  let concentrate on it and i can pull them out telepathically. lol  good luck. vick

Actually the ones in the back side, Dr S. took out before i left Mexico. That area was farther along in healing I guess. The only time it stings pulling them out, is when one or two are hung up in a scabbed area. I think the stinging is the scab pulling off. But the area under the scab is all healed, just still there I think due to the garments. The only scabs left are in areas where the garment rubs and irritates the incision line. The areas I took the stitches out last night, I covered with thick ABD dressing pads, to cushion them from the rubbing and pressure of the Garment.

OK start pulling, but don't forget to cut  them first! LOL.

Patrece - was wondering why you chose to go out of country for the surgery?  Was it cheaper?  How did you choose a physician?  How did you know if he/she was safe, etc.  I have talked with a friend who got a quote for the boob and tummy tuck for about $5000 to be completed by a Student Resident (last year of residency) at Loma Linda University Medical Center.  I know that Kaiser charges I lot more than that.  Just curious about info for the future.  My boobs are just about  touching my waist - so sad and disgusting looking.  will definitely have to have them redone when finished with the weight loss.  I had an overhang before the weight loss - now its worse.  My thighs really look bad.  They are so pocked with dimples from the weight loss and the cellulite - ugly.  Oh well I look good in clothes.

down 71 pounds so far and my size 16 pants are starting to bag.  Good thing we "old" ladies cover most of everything up at this age.  Not looking forward to the  summer and a swim suit.

You mentioned something to someone else in another post (that I can't find) about getting wheat crackers instead of saltines.  I looked at labels last night in the store and a lot of them have a lot of fat in them.  What wheat cracker do you suggest?

First...the wheat crackers.. look for a baked brand. Even if they have a bit more fat, they are whole grains which provide much more fiber and other health benefits. I cannot recall the brand I bought when I lat got them. (I avoid crackers for the most part so haven't gotten them in quite a while. I can look at them when I am at walmart later today.)

I chose Mexico becaue that is where having so many procedures done wasmost affordable. But in addition to this (as i looked into other places as well) I found Dr Sauceda. I have talked to and interacted with probably 30 or more of his patients, looked at thier before and after's and asked every question imaginable. I researched for about 3 months ALOT! I also emailed the DR and we must have emailed back and forth over 25 times concerning my surgery. He is very patient, very good and has an awesome patient manner.He speaks English pretty well too, so thats a definate plus!  Another thing to note here is that I am big on listening to my gut feelings...and I had nothing but good feelings about this decision once i found Dr. Sauceda, and interacted with him and many of his patients. So far everything is going wonderfully. I am quite happy with my decision.

sounds like a good doc to me.  Where is he in Mexico?  what procedures did you have done? If I can be so bold as to ask.

I ended up with a wheat cracker that had the least amount of fat and calories.  Ironically, after I read every package and look at the different labels - I ended up only eating one cracker last night with my tuna.  Crackers are definitely too filling.  Just thought I'd change it up some.

also bought some more sole, some orange roughy and salmon last night.  Trying different fishes to see what tastes good.

I had the following procedures:
Lower body lift: this involves An incision that goes all the way around the lower body, right above the pubic area in front and at the top of the crack of the behind in back.
Anchor cut: This is an incision that goes up and down in the front center of the abdomen from the bottom of the breast bone to the pubic line. It removes the excess skin above the belly button and also the abdominal mucsles are tightened, which help flatten the tummy more.
Breat Augmentation: I am sure you know what this is...lol
Neck Lift: To get rid of the hanging skin below my chin.
Liposuction: Had this done to my upper outter thighs where my saddlebags were to help reduce them.

The surgeon is located in Monterrey. They pick you up from the airport and take you back.
There is a group here on OH called Patients of Dr. Sauceda. You can read lot of info there.

thanks for the info - I'll keep it in mind for when I get there.  My skin is so bad right now I can't imagine what it will be after I lose 55-60 more pounds.

Oh my gosh you must have hurt a lot after all that.  How long did you stay in the hospital down there?

The day after surgery, I felt like death warmed over.. Told my daughter... yo DO NOT want to do this.. haha! She said Mom I am gonna have to..please don't tell me that! I did not sleep at all the night of my surgery, nor all day the day after. that night, I got a sleeping pill and slept like a baby! felt like a whole new person the next day, thankfully. Yep I was pretty sore! BUT I have to say, not as much pain as I expected, other than the next day.

I stayed in for 3 days including the full day in surgery. I asked to be released to go stay at the hotel. I felt pretty good by then but very tender still...all over the place! I still have a lot of abdominal tenderness, and If I am too active or up to long it hurts worse. Usuallly still need a nap sometimes 2 each day.

My biggest worry when i was having all that done was how was I to sleep with an incision going all the way around me, but suprisingly enough, the incision in the back was fairly painless. the worst part was I could only lay on my back and the pressure points were very sore.