???Recovery time and other???

I am looking at having my arms, thighs, lbl, and bl done.  I am considering Dr. Sauceda in Mexico as well as possibly teaching hospitals.  Money is a factor, I would really like to go to Dr. Sauceda but my husband is very against Mexico with all the horror stories you hear even the though you don't hear them for Dr. Sauceda plus when I go I would have to go alone which also freaks him out.  But anyways my questions are
1.  Has anyone had work done at teaching hospitals?
2. How were your results?
3. How much did it cost?
4. How long were you of work? ( I have a job that doesn't allow for light duty and has some moderate lifting say 30-45lbs a few times a day... I am also pretty busy but I can sit here and there quite a bit)
5.  Anyone had the benelli/donut breast lift?  I have just learned about this and am interested
If anyone is curious, for all of my procedures Dr. Sauceda quoted me 14,500 and that was to also have breast augmentation which I do not want.

Hello!
Your husband sounds like he has been talking to my husband! LOL!
I, too, wanted Dr Sauceda, but with the violence and then the recent Casino attack in Monterrey, hubby put his foot down. Due to finances, my only other option was the Teaching hospital. I have not had my surgery yet, but I am very pleased with my care so far. The only drawback so far has been getting the resident Dr and the faculty Dr scheduled for surgery. 2 very busy men gotta find 1 day together! lol! Finally, I go in Sept 29th. Dr S quoted me the same price for the same work as you. At the teaching hospital, it will be broken down into three surgeries, but the cost, even with 3 surgeries was equivelent to Dr S. without the travel and hen worry of aftercare.
My LBL is costing $6600. My thigh lift is $3000 and the arms and Breast lift with small impants for shape is $5000. My hospital is in Dallas, TX. I'm sure different hospitals have different pricing.
I have been told I will be out of work for 4 to 5 weeks. I have a very physical job with lots of lifting. My work does not allow light duty or restricted duty unless it is an on the job injury, So depending, I may be out longer - we shall see!

Hang in there!
Good luck!
Gail

I am so glad you posted, its as if we are almost identical scenarios.  Even down to the hubby's lol :)  Which hospital in dallas is it?  I'd really appreciate any info on your process with these surgeons/hospital that you can give me.  I take it your down time is per surgery since you are having 3 different ones?  Again thanks so much for posting,  because the hubby was threatening to call my mom ( I am 30)  and they don't get along at all but on this he was gonna call her up if I was insisting on going to Mexico and I was :)  I am stubborn.

Too funny! My husband threatened me with my son. The hospital is the Southwestern University. I found their info online. Had to fill out a request/application form. Got approved. Went in March, met a Dr. I was very skeptical. I still wanted Dr S. I thought for sure they would piece mill the surgeries. Lower body lift wasn't listed as an option. I was very surprised when they said no problem! I am disappointed I won't be getting all my surgeries at one time, I am excited and so ready! I ended up with another Dr and the faculty member is one who teaches body contouring all across the US.

Let's stay in touch!
Gail

Hey!  I'm a Dr Sauceda patient!  I've been twice and going for my third time at the end of the year!  I have to tell you guys that I wish you could go with Dr S. 

Money wasn't a factor for me, but I chose him because of his skill!  Maybe the two of you could go together OR we could all three go together. 

I was just there in May and June (I stayed 17 days) and felt very safe.  The hospital and hotel are in a safe area and Dr. S goes out of his way to keep his patients well taken care of.  He has a private driver who picks you up from the airport if he is unable - and his nurse comes every day to the hotel to help you shower and dress for the day.  Truly, you can't get better anywhere else.

Just thought, I'd give my 2 cents!

I'm still hoping for December with Dr. S as well.  A group of us would be great.

I live in Dallas & did a consult w/UTSW, wasn't too impressed.  Went for a consult w/Baylor Residency in HOuston & LOVED them!  I am still off & recovering from my second round.  The first surgery I took off 2 weeks, have a desk job & could rest during lunch, I did fine but have to admit that was pushing it, 3 weeks would've been better.  This time I had surgery last friday & am returning to work on Tuesday due to the holiday it allowed me 10 days off.  I'm fine now & could actually go back now tho.

I would be careful w/the lifting!  Was scheduled to go to Dr. S in Monterrey also, but the safety decided it for me.  I know people go there and report back safely, but you just never know and yes I know.........we never know anywhere..even in the US.  I would have gone to Dr. S had Houston NOT worked out for me.   Afterwards now tho I have to admit, there is no way I would've wanted to do this all in 1 surgery like Dr. S does. 

Good luck in your journey!

Cyndi, what bothered you about UTSW?  I am obviously still looking at options but really feel like that is my best bet as Dallas is already about 4 hours from me and Houston is around 10.  What were the costs of your surgeries in Houston?  Also, what is the aftercare plan?  How often do they want to see you and when do you think you would have been able to do heavy lifting?

Gail,

Did they say why they wanted to do the thigh lift on its own?  Also, what all are they including in the lbl?  Are you having any augmentation to your butt? I don't want implants there either but the flap thing doesn't sound bad, I wonder how people who have had that are liking their results.

Crystal

The prices at UTSW were just about as much as private doctors I had seen.  Houston was about 1/2 price.  UTSW also wanted to do 4 different surgeries:  1 for each: thighs, lbl, breasts, then arms.  Houston was going to do 2 surgeries: lower body w/thighs & butt aug, then breasts w/implant and arms (removed alot of side boobage & back skin also).  They carried my incision on down my sides to remove this skin.  The butt aug was just the flap, no implants. 

I also didn't get a good feeling from the staff & resident at UTSW, could be someone totally different now.  I fell in love w/the resident, attending & staff at Baylor Houston.

It is farther for ya but might be worth checking into, or at least callin Johanna and tell her what You've found out so far, she could probably ballpark some numbers for ya.  Would probably be easier & cheaper to fly to Houston in your case instead of driving. 

First surgery was on a Thursday, we went down on Wednesday for preop, markup and got settled into hotel.  Then I had an appt on the next Monday for post op visit, then we drove on in to Dallas.  Had to go back the next week for drains to be removed.  The second surgery was on a Friday, stayed til Monday, then post op &  home.  He said I could remove the drains myself which we did Thursday night, not a big deal at all.  The resident has been in contact w/me constantly.  I love him!

Let me know if you have any other questions.