Dress: Floral Maci Fit & Flare Dress by Leota (size L) via Gwynnie Bee
Cardigan: MAK, gifted
Tights: Snag
Shoes: Fluevog, Unity: Aimee
Earring & Necklace: Wendy Baker
Bracelets: Vintage
Phtotography: Super Boo, Kate, & Me
Stats: 5'7" 39-37-48
I had the best driver! Gerardo & I talked about marriage, communication, family, & how best to educate people about sex (he specifically told me that it's common there for men to have sex with their young female relatives & he wants that to be talked about & stopped). At the hospital...I was escorted by a young woman who took me to get all the tests I needed. Everyone was so warm & welcoming. Also, best hospital food ever...grilled chicken salad with lots of veggies hidden under there. The weather was nice in Tijuana...not that I got outside much. 
My last meal. My surgeon, Dr. Galvez came in, took these before pictures of me & marked my body up for surgery in the morning. He was such a kind person. I was nervous going into surgery, but the anesthesiologist had come to my room to talk to me & gave me excellent orientation to how it was all going to go...& it went just like he said. I got on the table, rolled on my side, & the next thing I knew...I woke up in the recovery room. 
Over 25 pounds of extra skin was removed! That blows my mind. The surgery took 8 hours & 15 minutes. They did an extended arm lift, full abdomen lift (reverse tummy tuck, FDL, mons lift, extended tummy tuck), & a brassiere torsoplasty. Dr. Galvez offered to add on a breast lift, but he told me with all my extra skin, I'd end up an A cup, maybe a small B. I'm already ridiculously pear shaped, so I opted to wait until I can get a lift with implants during the next round. I'd like to be a full C. Another night in the hospital that I barely remember. The next morning, I had the sweetest nurse. They needed me to be able to walk & pee in order to leave...& I was having a difficult time urinating, so she came in & turned the faucet on & said, "like a baby." 
Avocado with every meal...yes, please. After lunch, I was checked out of the hospital & escorted to the recovery hotel. All the nurses & valets at the hotel were SO nice & caring. AND, my surgeon's mom, Mama Galvez, makes all the lunches & dinners...how awesome is that?! I took photos of all my meals...because what else was there to photograph? The lighting was terrible, but I assure you...the food was delicious. First dinner, grilled chicken & zucchini with a great smoky flavor, salsa, guacamole, cheese quesadilla, & a corn & jalapeño patty. There was also soup, but I didn't eat that. After dinner, I unpacked a bit & set out Halloween candy for anyone visiting my room (mainly nurses & valets). Every morning, the valet would text us what was available at the breakfast buffet, with pictures, & bring it to us. No matter what else I chose, I always got scrambled eggs. 
The second day at the hotel...the nurse showered me & stuffed my swollen body into this faja. She turned out to be my favorite nurse, Josephine. The way she showered me, dried me off, & put lotion all over my body made me feel like a well cared for baby. Then she gave me a massage, including my scalp, unexpected, but relaxing. After the shower, I felt nauseous...when I told Jose, she put an alcohol prep pad under my nose...& it went away! I'd never heard of that. While she was dressing me, she told me I had a big butt...she didn't speak much English, but she got her point across...I like having a big butt & hips...my thighs are out of control here though. The shower was quite an ordeal...lots of bandages & compression everywhere & I was exhausted. 10 minutes after all of that...Alma, the PT person, came by...I had to decline a massage...the thought of taking off anything we had just put on was too overwhelming. She noticed how awkwardly I was in bed & helped prop me up & put pillows under my legs & arms. So sweet. More tasty food from Mama Galvez. 
The fresh pineapple here was amazing...I asked for it every morning it was available & it would last me into the next day. At this point, my pain was minimal & I was declining pain meds...just a very tight feeling because of all the swelling (& faja). The best part of this day was a 3 hour phone conversation with David & my lymphatic massage from Alma. I decided to take my ring off while I still could...barely...so much swelling. I was so excited to see this lasagne was made with zucchini instead of noodles. 
Another day...another sexy hotel look. On this day I discovered the breakfast buffet had fabulous salads & hard boiled eggs...I got one every morning for the rest of my stay & ate it with lunch or in-between meals. The best thing about Mama Galvez's meals...she used a LOT of garlic & the veggies were always grilled crisp tender. 
I am an only child & like a significant amount of alone time...however, this was soooo much alone time. We weren't allowed to leave the room...which I think is a bit of cruel punishment. I was in a FaceBook group for all of us that had October surgery...so we could chat with others who were there, but we couldn't meet up. I thought it was a COVID thing, but when I asked one of the valets, she said it started out that way...but then they noticed patients were healing better. It turns out some women would meet up at the breakfast buffet, & move on into the bar...& often leave the hotel to go drinking. Not sure who is up for that after major surgery...but it's always those handful of people that ruin it for everyone. I think there could be a middle ground...like give us an hour to eat breakfast together or visit each other's rooms. It's nice to connect with people who are going through the same experience as you are. I did not eat that rice cake from the 90s. 
My faja...so I could buy more once I got home. All I did for 10 days was eat. So much food. I never eat 3 meals a day at home. I also watched some really bad Netflix...The Watcher & Dahmer. And...I had 2 of my 4 drains taken out...which didn't hurt, but wow...did it feel weird...I felt it across my whole body...they were so long. Around this time I began experiencing intense back pain...not something I'm used to. 
Fluevog was having a sale...& I had nothing but time. What started out as...I'll get *one* pair...turned into 3. But so stunning. I don't regret a thing.
Drs. Galvez & Sanchez had just gotten out of a 7 hour surgery...this is Galvez...he's so sweet...they both were. I had made bags up for both of them filled with things made here in Madison or nearby...& he posted this to his Instagram story. He answered all my questions...& gave me some insight on my back pain. He said it's most likely because a big chunk was taken out of my back & everything was pulled tight together, so those muscles have been moved & stretched...it should loosen up in time as my skin relaxes & isn't so swollen. I told Dr. Galvez that he's a good man that surrounds himself with great people & that is rare. I'm sure he hears what an excellent surgeon he is all the time...but this was just as important to me. This team is like a family (some of them are actually related) & you can't fake being happy.
More yummy food...& my only problematic drain...it was a leaker.
Half undressed after my massage with Alma...& I got to graduate to compression sleeves...my upper arms are 10 1/2 inches, swollen...they look so tiny to me. I forgot to bring a tank top, so I cut up the leggings I wore the day before...& immediately after, someone in the hotel offered me one of hers. I asked the valet to run out & get me one...but she said those are difficult to find in Tijuana...weird...I mean, they have the perfect tank weather year round. My final day...I gave away all my extra bottles of water, protein bars, & Halloween candy. All that was left to do was pack up & write out thank you cards for all the nurses & valets. 
The final breakfast before zooming off to the airport...it was a quick drive since I had bought a medical pass...which allowed us to go into a special line. I had requested wheelchair service at the airport, which was greatly appreciated as I couldn't walk very fast or far. 
1st class was pretty fabulous...I was in the front row for both flights & got served my sparkly water in a glass glass. The dinner didn't sound very good, so I skipped it (pasta or impossible meatballs). 
Changing planes in Chicago...& home! David met me with a wheelchair...which was a good thing as one had not been waiting for me at the gate. David had our cleaning lady come that day so everything was fresh & clean. My doctor had told me no dogs sleeping with me for the first month (to avoid infection)...so Erika did a deep clean in the bedroom. She can't resist making all our paper products into bows & flowers...it cracks me up. So good to be home. I've already booked my next round for 6 months out...thighs & boobs. 
