Re: Plastics in Brazil

[Guest guest]

I did it. It was a nightmare. One should not try to " economize "

in healthcare. I should have stayed in the states and had it

done here.

I have no feeling in my breasts.

No nipple sensation.

My left leg has surface numbness.

To write out everything that happened, would be difficult.

Truthfully, I think I blocked most of it out. My body

basicly " broke down " . I had uncontrolable pain. I didn't heal

well. The surgeon did not preserve blood flow to certain areas so

I lost tissue. I had to be debrided for months after I got

back. One plastic surgeon wanted to admit me to the hospital

and " open me up " and put me on IV antibotics for 7 days. He told

my husband when I came off the Cipro that I would probably " crash "

from massive infection. (I never did but it was terrifying). I

lost about half a cup of breast tissue and half my aerola.

My advice about plastics in brazil:

1. If you have the means, do not go. It's not worth it.

2. Check the doctors complication rate. If they are doing a lot of

transfusions, iron infusions and people are talking about taking

heavy duty antibiotics weeks afterwards... that should clue you in.

3. Is the hospital they do surgery equipped with a defibralator in

the OR?

4. Do they do more then 2 major procedures on DS patients at once?

5. Is your albumin/gobulin ratio several points above normal? Are

your iron stores over 25? Are you at least 2 years out from any

major surgery?

6. Take good pain drugs with you because unless you can handle

morphine (I can't) they don't have percocet or vicodin.

7. Note that surgical artistry does not equal surgerical competency.

8. Ask around and email people PRIVATELY about their experience.

Assure them you wont share what they tell you. Trust me that the

bad experiences do not really come out on the lists because the

lists are all about " getting new business " .

I have historically now looked back at my numbers and realize that I

should not have had plastics at the time I did. I had a total

abdominal hystrectomy 5 months before my breast lift, jaw lipo and

extended tummy tuck. And 8 months before that my DS. My body was

too compromised to handle healing and it's a wonder my stupidity

didn't kill me.

--Kym in Seattle

[Guest guest]

Hi Kym,

Darn thats disappointing to hear. I need plastics done badly. In the large

DS group they always talked about a certain very skilled surgeon in Brazil. I

used to be in his online group. Due to old age I can't remember his name

anymore!!! And its been a few years now. Dr. K did my tummy tuck. I'm happy

with that. Now that has been over 2 years ago. And I still feel tightness in

my stomach area. Nothing major. Just noticeable. I need a total body lift. I

do want to get it done. The only thing stopping me is (always)MONEY and who to

trust. I watched an old Ophra Show a few weeks ago. This woman was on the show

she lost over 300 lbs. She was on talking about her experience. And in the

audience was her plastic surgeon. They are from New York. I wanted to find out

who he was. I figured since he had experience with her. He would be the one to

contact. Its closer for me since I live in Florida... I was just asking my

roommate a few days ago. How far is Brazil

from here? I really want my body done.... I'm glad you wrote in about that.

Because like everything I have done so far. I really had to study every step.

If I didn't. I would have had the other surgery !! Thank Goodness... I believe

in reading everything first...Take Care.

Kym wrote:

I did it. It was a nightmare. One should not try to " economize "

in healthcare. I should have stayed in the states and had it

done here.

I have no feeling in my breasts.

No nipple sensation.

My left leg has surface numbness.

To write out everything that happened, would be difficult.

Truthfully, I think I blocked most of it out. My body

basicly " broke down " . I had uncontrolable pain. I didn't heal

well. The surgeon did not preserve blood flow to certain areas so

I lost tissue. I had to be debrided for months after I got

back. One plastic surgeon wanted to admit me to the hospital

and " open me up " and put me on IV antibotics for 7 days. He told

my husband when I came off the Cipro that I would probably " crash "

from massive infection. (I never did but it was terrifying). I

lost about half a cup of breast tissue and half my aerola.

My advice about plastics in brazil:

1. If you have the means, do not go. It's not worth it.

2. Check the doctors complication rate. If they are doing a lot of

transfusions, iron infusions and people are talking about taking

heavy duty antibiotics weeks afterwards... that should clue you in.

3. Is the hospital they do surgery equipped with a defibralator in

the OR?

4. Do they do more then 2 major procedures on DS patients at once?

5. Is your albumin/gobulin ratio several points above normal? Are

your iron stores over 25? Are you at least 2 years out from any

major surgery?

6. Take good pain drugs with you because unless you can handle

morphine (I can't) they don't have percocet or vicodin.

7. Note that surgical artistry does not equal surgerical competency.

8. Ask around and email people PRIVATELY about their experience.

Assure them you wont share what they tell you. Trust me that the

bad experiences do not really come out on the lists because the

lists are all about " getting new business " .

I have historically now looked back at my numbers and realize that I

should not have had plastics at the time I did. I had a total

abdominal hystrectomy 5 months before my breast lift, jaw lipo and

extended tummy tuck. And 8 months before that my DS. My body was

too compromised to handle healing and it's a wonder my stupidity

didn't kill me.

--Kym in Seattle

---------------------------------

All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.

[Guest guest]

Dear

Ed in Vegas here. Yes I went to Brazil almost 2 years ago and had the works

done, ass, legs, stomach and face as well as some lipo (well actually quite

a bit of lipo). Dr. Fabio was the surgeon and I used the medical Concierge

Service called mednetbrazil.com as a matter of fact I'm planning another

trip soon with a group of friends. Sort of an extreme makeover vacation! LOL

Everyone I know has something about them they would like changed.

I went with a friend of mine that runs the ER in Las Vegas Valley

Hospital. He was given the tour of the hospital and surgical unit with Dr.

Fabio and was very impressed with not only the cleanliness but the

competency of staff. Now keep in mind he is not a surgeon but the deal was

that if he had any qualms about the situation I would cancel the surgeries

and call it a vacation!

I have heard horror stories about many surgeons. Do your home work! Dr.

Fabio does a lot of reconstructive cosmetic surgery and has had hundreds of

ex-morbidly obese patients. I also met with him while he was in Las Vegas

and had a consult.

Now having said all that. the main reason I went with Dr. Fabio was

because of his experience. ly the dollar is a lot weaker now and it's

not the bargain it was a few years ago. I would not recommend doing this on

your own but several people did.

I did not bring pain meds and what they gave me was fine. I did not

develop any infections, and I have to say I LOOK MARVELOUS! I'll be 54 in

March and look my age but I don't look like a guy that lost 150 lbs.

Below is the service I used. Hope this helps.

Christi deMoraes

President/Head of Concierge Services

MedNetBrazil Concierge Services, Inc.

www.MedNetBrazil.com

USA Tel:

USA Fax:

Brazil Tel: (55) (13) 8125-0919

Re: Re: Plastics in Brazil

Hi Kym,

[Guest guest]

Kym,

So sorry you had such a dificult problem with your plastics. I had

no such problems. Do you mind sharing where you went for yours ?

Feel free to email me privately if you prefer. You have my curiosity

as to where in Brazil you went.

Blessings,

Ginger <><

>

> I did it. It was a nightmare. One should not try

to " economize "

> in healthcare. I should have stayed in the states and had it

> done here.

>

> I have no feeling in my breasts.

> No nipple sensation.

> My left leg has surface numbness.

>

> To write out everything that happened, would be difficult.

> Truthfully, I think I blocked most of it out. My body

> basicly " broke down " . I had uncontrolable pain. I didn't heal

> well. The surgeon did not preserve blood flow to certain areas

so

> I lost tissue. I had to be debrided for months after I got

> back. One plastic surgeon wanted to admit me to the hospital

> and " open me up " and put me on IV antibotics for 7 days. He told

> my husband when I came off the Cipro that I would probably " crash "

> from massive infection. (I never did but it was terrifying). I

> lost about half a cup of breast tissue and half my aerola.

>

> My advice about plastics in brazil:

> 1. If you have the means, do not go. It's not worth it.

> 2. Check the doctors complication rate. If they are doing a lot

of

> transfusions, iron infusions and people are talking about taking

> heavy duty antibiotics weeks afterwards... that should clue you

in.

> 3. Is the hospital they do surgery equipped with a defibralator

in

> the OR?

> 4. Do they do more then 2 major procedures on DS patients at once?

> 5. Is your albumin/gobulin ratio several points above normal?

Are

> your iron stores over 25? Are you at least 2 years out from any

> major surgery?

> 6. Take good pain drugs with you because unless you can handle

> morphine (I can't) they don't have percocet or vicodin.

> 7. Note that surgical artistry does not equal surgerical

competency.

> 8. Ask around and email people PRIVATELY about their experience.

> Assure them you wont share what they tell you. Trust me that the

> bad experiences do not really come out on the lists because the

> lists are all about " getting new business " .

>

> I have historically now looked back at my numbers and realize that

I

> should not have had plastics at the time I did. I had a total

> abdominal hystrectomy 5 months before my breast lift, jaw lipo and

> extended tummy tuck. And 8 months before that my DS. My body was

> too compromised to handle healing and it's a wonder my stupidity

> didn't kill me.

>

> --Kym in Seattle

>

[Guest guest]

Kym,

I looked at your profile and you went to a different doc than I did.

I went to Dr Kuster. He is an excellent doc. He does not take high

risks with his surgeries, but is still aggressive to see amazing

results. See my pics .. Did you prepare for your PS surgery ?

Protein load, take arnica and have your labs in goood shape with

good vitamins supplementation ? This all helps make the process

smoother. Sorry you had trouble with your concierge. I had no

problems at all... even had to tell Christiane.. I needed to rest

and not shop ! LOL I know my bodies limits. I do not consider

Brazil a 3rd world country for PS or other surgeries. They have

excellent care there. I was a nurse ina previous life and I am quite

knowledgable about these things. The clinica was cleaner than any

American one I have seen. They wash their hands more than most

places in the US...no wonder they have little to no infections.

I am sorry you had such a rough time. Glad it is behind you now.

Move on with your life.

Blessings,

Ginger <><

>

> I think we went to the same surgeon. I'm not sure... but you can

go to Duodenalswitch.com and look at my patient profile and it's

right there

>

> I am TRULY glad that it was wonderful for you and Ed. I know

> others who have had a fantastic experience and saved lots of

money. They do beautiful work. If I had a complication free

surgery, I'm sure I'd be right there with ya

>

> Brazil is great if you have no complications. If you have

> complications though, it sucks.

>

> Having surgery in a 3rd world country is playing " roullette " with

> your health.

>

> I dont talk about it on list because everyone can rationalize what

> happened. I mean... I do it too. You hear someone talk about a

> horrid experience and you try to tie it to some external event.

> Oh... they weighed more, oh they had too many surgeries, oh their

> bloodwork was off, oh they are a complainer.....

>

> My friend from my local DS group was going to go to Brazil with a

> mutual friend who also had the DS. They are BOTH nurses. She

> knows what happened to me. She saw how bad I was. We talked a

> lot. She agreed Brazil was not the place to go when I was in the

> midst of it. But after some time... you forget. It was sad to me

> because she can AFFORD to stay in the states. She still was

> hellbent on going because it was such a good deal. They were

> going to go together. I gave them my best wishes and tried to

> comfort myself at least they would be together.

>

> To make a long story short, she couldn't go and her friend did.

> Her friend had MASSIVE complications. The concierge service was

a joke. Everything I said... came true. Her friend told her

flat out: I made a mistake. Don't do it. (Her friend has had

plastics before too)

>

> Lucky for her... she decided to not go and just had her plastics

> today as a matter of fact, stateside. But if I couldn't change

HER mind.... then I know I'm not going to change anyone's

opinion on list... ya know?

>

> I st am saying for me... I would not go back. I would not let

> a faly member go again. (My mother had a DS laproscopically from

> Dr. Antalmo who I think is BRILLIANT but I still wouldn't do it

> again -- she would because she had no complications )

>

> For the average Brazil patient with no complications... having

> Plastics in brazil is like hitting the jackpot. It's lovely.

Why doesn't everyone do it? And if you come home and you have

> that " win " under your belt..... it's very easy to pull yourself

back to the table and try again. But you are still gambling.

>

> --Kym

>

[Guest guest]

I have moved on. That statement was hard on me because I don't want

to be viewed as someone who hasn't because Im addressing information

in posts or being asked direct questions I only spoke about

this because someone asked. This doesn't enter my day to day life

ya know? I used to not speak of it at all because there was no warm

and fuzzy feeling doing so. Everyone wants to find a reason to

place the blame solely on the patient. It's human nature to make

judgements. However maybe there is something in my story that can

benefit someone else. Ultimately, I am my own advocate so I should

be held to my own standards. It was my mistake or mistakes that

contributed to my difficut time. I am a big girl and take full

responsibility.

Kuster trained my doctor and I wish he was an option with conceirge

before I went. I am sure I would have gone to him because my

research would have directed me that way. Christianne is

awesome. She's smart and efficient and I loved her. She was

still working with the other girl at that point. The other girl

is not professional in my opinion.

LOL at the " did you prepare for surgery " comment. I am a control

freak and one thing people can not say is that I don't prepare for

everything. But I am not a doctor or a nurse and my level of

knowledge is not on par with a professional.

I did not realize that my Albumin was low before I went. It was

just like " just barely out of the normal range " . Could have been a

day to day fluke really. Who knows? Was this what caused my

cascade of events? :::shrug::: I'm sure it's not the sole

cause. My numbers were all good in the normal ranges... although

things were " low normal " . I wish my PCP had said " nope no surgery

right now " . I didn't realize the " significance " of Albumin until

I just was putting everything together for the hematologist and

educated myself. I think that is part of what is driving me now to

get my fatigue figured out. If something happens to me (car

accident or something) I don't want to be in the same position I was

in Brazil... with a system that doesn't have enough " oomph " to

heal at a proper rate....

The thing is there is no one place to place blame with my Brazil

adventure. Life would be easier if there was! Sometimes these

things just happen. And I have said before, it could have happened

here as well. I really loved my surgeon...thought he was an

artistic genius -- but it's with time and distance that I am

beginning to realize not only my own mistakes and misjudgements...

but his. Was there something I did to cause the loss of my

aerola? No. Could it have happened here? Yes. Before I

chalked it up to just an " accident " something that could happen

anywhere. But then someone who knows about me sent me an article

where a woman in Florida who was just awarded an 8million dollar

judgement for losing her aerola in the same way. The judge said

evidence showed how preserving blood flow during surgery is basic

competency - it should never have happened. And my aerola died

within four days... so it happened during surgery. Even though in

my head I always blamed my " swelling " . The universe showing me

things as I move farther away....

So that " complication " was only talked about once on that list.

So people don't know. I blamed it on swelling or some weird " oh it

could happen anywhere " statement. And because I loved that doctor,

I didn't want to share it I didn't want it to reflect badly on him

because I *liked* him. And many others... who have also had

complications ranging from small to large also don't discuss on " the

list that sells his services " what happened. So how does one

REALLY research a doctors complication rate in Brazil?

Actually...it wasn't my doctor who was operating on that side of me

(which is also where I lost feeling in my left leg as well) but his

partner. So when you research the doctor...understand too that

they have " team " and you don't know what is going to happen when

you are under the knife.

Different choices for different people. There is no right or wrong

answer here. I just appreciate the opportunity to share some of my

story, why I would make a different choice now and hope that the

information might help someone else.

--Kym in Seattle

[Guest guest]

Kym,

(((HUGS)))

Sounds like you went through more than you should of with your

experience in Brazil with Dr Fabio. I am so sorry this happened to

you. Glad you have been able to move on with things and put it

behind you, but so important that you share what did actually

happen.

Yes complications can happen and do happen.

I researched long... over 2 years before choosing Dr Kuster and his

complications are among the lowest of all foreign docs I looked at.

I checked Brazil, Mexico and Costa Rico and kept going back to Dr

Kuster. That is just what " my " research showed. I know everyone has

their own way of researching and I was VERy anal about it...pro/con

list etc.. LOL drove DH nuts ! He did like the pics I collected thru

private emails though where I compared visual results of all the

docs I was checking out ! He has a good eye for detail and he helped

me compare photo results from many docs.

You are right about Christiane too ! She is a doll and has so much

christian love to share with those who do travel there for plastics

or WLS or dental work. She is a definite gem over there and has our

best interest in her heart.

Sorry if it sounded wrong when I said " did you prepare for surgery "

did not mean for that to sound wrong.. just not sure how else to say

it...it is a shame the docs did not mention that labs could of been

better rior to your trip.

Yes we all generally *like* our docs, but we need to be truthful in

what happened with them no matter what. So glad you shared your

experience even post the event as it is important for people to know

these things. Sounds like overall good results in the end, minus the

areola. Let's face it ....it could of been worse and that is a minor

complication compared to what has happened to others.

Blessings

Ginger <><

>

> I have moved on. That statement was hard on me because I don't

want to be viewed as someone who hasn't because Im addressing

information in posts or being asked direct questions I only

spoke about this because someone asked. This doesn't enter my day

to day life ya know? I used to not speak of it at all because

there was no warm and fuzzy feeling doing so. Everyone wants to

find a reason to place the blame solely on the patient. It's

human nature to make judgements. However maybe there is something

in my story that can benefit someone else. Ultimately, I am my

own advocate so I should be held to my own standards. It was my

mistake or mistakes that contributed to my difficut time. I am a

big girl and take full responsibility.

>

> Kuster trained my doctor and I wish he was an option with

conceirge before I went. I am sure I would have gone to him

because my research would have directed me that way. Christianne

is awesome. She's smart and efficient and I loved her. She was

> still working with the other girl at that point. The other girl

> is not professional in my opinion.

>

> LOL at the " did you prepare for surgery " comment. I am a control

> freak and one thing people can not say is that I don't prepare for

> everything. But I am not a doctor or a nurse and my level of

> knowledge is not on par with a professional.

>

> I did not realize that my Albumin was low before I went. It was

> just like " just barely out of the normal range " . Could have been

a day to day fluke really. Who knows? Was this what caused my

> cascade of events? :::shrug::: I'm sure it's not the sole

> cause. My numbers were all good in the normal ranges... although

> things were " low normal " . I wish my PCP had said " nope no

surgery right now " . I didn't realize the " significance " of

Albumin until I just was putting everything together for the

hematologist and educated myself. I think that is part of what is

driving me now to get my fatigue figured out. If something

happens to me (car accident or something) I don't want to be in the

same position I was in Brazil... with a system that doesn't have

enough " oomph " to heal at a proper rate....

>

> The thing is there is no one place to place blame with my Brazil

> adventure. Life would be easier if there was! Sometimes these

> things just happen. And I have said before, it could have

happened here as well. I really loved my surgeon...thought he was

an artistic genius -- but it's with time and distance that I am

> beginning to realize not only my own mistakes and misjudgements...

> but his. Was there something I did to cause the loss of my

> aerola? No. Could it have happened here? Yes. Before I

> chalked it up to just an " accident " something that could happen

> anywhere. But then someone who knows about me sent me an article

> where a woman in Florida who was just awarded an 8million dollar

> judgement for losing her aerola in the same way. The judge said

> evidence showed how preserving blood flow during surgery is basic

> competency - it should never have happened. And my aerola died

> within four days... so it happened during surgery. Even though

in my head I always blamed my " swelling " . The universe showing me

> things as I move farther away....

>

> So that " complication " was only talked about once on that list.

> So people don't know. I blamed it on swelling or some weird " oh

it could happen anywhere " statement. And because I loved that

doctor, I didn't want to share it I didn't want it to reflect badly

on him because I *liked* him. And many others... who have also

had complications ranging from small to large also don't discuss

on " the list that sells his services " what happened. So how does

one REALLY research a doctors complication rate in Brazil?

>

> Actually...it wasn't my doctor who was operating on that side of

me (which is also where I lost feeling in my left leg as well) but

his partner. So when you research the doctor...understand too

that they have " team " and you don't know what is going to happen

when you are under the knife.

>

> Different choices for different people. There is no right or

wrong answer here. I just appreciate the opportunity to share some

of my story, why I would make a different choice now and hope that

the information might help someone else.

>

> --Kym in Seattle

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Geeze, Louise! I would trade one areola for $8 million dollars in a

> heartbeat! Any takers? Anyone?

>

Mine is worth less then a million. Really. I'm cheap.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/16/2006 12:07:09 P.M. Central Standard Time,

kymberly@... writes:

Mine is worth less then a million. Really. I'm cheap.

______________

I'd trade mine for a cheap boob lift...LOL

Mel