Dr. Lazaro Cardenas at TransOp for FFS in April, 2015

[LizMarie]

So after reviewing surgeons, seeing lots of before and after photos, and exchanging some PMs and emails with various people, I've settled on going to Dr. Lazaro Cardenas in Guadalajara, Mexico. I am currently scheduled to arrive on Tuesday, 4/21, surgery on Wednesday, 4/22, and return home on Friday, 5/1.

I pass at a distance and particularly with medium or longer hair piece (damned hair loss ) but up close or a shorter wig and the reactions can be a bit different.

I'm currently not eager to show up close "before" photos but I do plan to show photos after surgery and as I heal.

I plan to use this thread to document the trip and perhaps to provide information to other prospective patients of Dr. Cardenas.

[Eveline]

LizMarie, you mentioned TransOp, so I think you are probably staying at their recovery residence.

If so, please say "Hi" to Vicente and Tyler for me. They are wonderful.

BTW, if you have a choice and you're by yourself, the downstairs room on the right is nice...

[lana777]

ahh so exciting...im booked for july 2015 . cant wait to be a cardenas girl  

hope your experience is everything u want

[missymay]

Congratulations! What procedures are you having? We'll miss seeing each other by a week; I'll be there from March 31st til April 10th for lipo & fat transfer with Dr. Cardenas. 

Hi Eveline, thanks for the room suggestion

[LizMarie]

Thanks all!

Dr. Cardenas pretty much saw all the issues that I saw so the list is extensive.


He's planning:


Upper FFS Category:   
Type III Forehead Bone Reconstruction - Includes Hairline Advancement and/or Eyebrow Lift if indicated for the patient.



Mid FFS Category:   
Rhinoplasty - Applies to patients who have not had Rhinoplasty before.


Lower FFS Category:   
Upper Lip Lift

Fat Infiltration to the Lips - Includes Fat Procurement.

Chin Contouring - Bone shaving method.

Jaw Contouring - Bone shaving method.

Discount - Chin Contouring, Reconstruction, or Ostectomy performed with Jaw Contouring or Reconstruction.

Tracheal Shave


It's extensive and it's what I expected and actually want, given what I know about FFS. I'll let him continue to advise me once I am on sight and he can do the in-person consultation.

[Eveline]

LizMarie, I have a couple of suggestions for you, having had many of the same procedures:

* Your eyes may swell completely shut, so arrange things on your nightstand and in the room so that you can find the most important ones by touch.

* Dr. C will prescribe a number of post-op meds that must be taken at different intervals (4 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, etc.). If you can plan out the pill-taking schedule with Vicente in advance, it might help reduce your post-op stress, especially at 2 AM when you're groping around on the night table for the right box.

* The hot water in the shower is "on demand" and can sometimes be quirky. I learned to turn on the hot water in the sink (at low volume) before showering, to ensure the on-demand heater saw enough water flow to keep heating.

* Vicente stocks the little fridge in the dining room with fruit smoothies. I lived on those until I could chew again. You can tell him what flavors you like.

[LizMarie]

Thank you, Eveline! That will be helpful, because I wear two hearing aids and without them even shouting at me doesn't work very well. So I do need to be able to find those and a few other things.

I'll keep that in mind. And fruit smoothies? Yum!

[warmbody28]

your going to be happy you went with him. many girls are happy with the results from him

[firestarter]

Good luck with your upcoming FFS.  Best wishes xx

[LizMarie]

I am very optimistic about Dr. Cardenas. In fourteen days I'll be in the operating room. In fact, by this time in the afternoon, I expect to be in recovery.

[LizMarie]

Well, tomorrow I fly! I'm excited and there's a little trepidation, not at the FFS work but at surgery generally. But I'll do what I've done before in my life, block it til they put me under, and when I wake up it will be over. I'll consult with Dr. Cardenas on Tuesday afternoon to finalize details and surgery is Wednesday.

[kittenpower]

Well, tomorrow I fly! I'm excited and there's a little trepidation, not at the FFS work but at surgery generally. But I'll do what I've done before in my life, block it til they put me under, and when I wake up it will be over. I'll consult with Dr. Cardenas on Tuesday afternoon to finalize details and surgery is Wednesday.

Best wishes 

[treeLB]

Wish you the best -  You are in good hands.
Say hi to Vicente and Tyler for me to from Theresa they are awesome hosts.

[Rachel]

Best wishes.

[SorchaC]

Hi LizMarie,

Firstly I hope all goes well for you and the recovery is easy,

I sent photo's to Dr C last year and received a quote which was about what I expected from him. Last week I sent another e mail to Tyler with some questions but so far have not had a reply, Maybe you can answer a couple of my queries?

How far in advance does he need for scheduling surgery? What is the process for paying for it all? The other questions I'll wait on Tyler replying to me to get answers too. Does anyone know if he insists on you completing electro. Most of my work is juat skin tightening rather than reconstruction and that may make a difference.

I suppose my main stumbling block will be being 3 weeks post SRS and the time he wants me to wait between surgeries although they are at different ends.

I will be following your experience very closely seeing as Bernadette is reasonably insistent I get all my surgeries done and then I can get on with life 

Good luck again and hugs

Sorcha 

[LizMarie]

Dr. Cardenas has a US bank account to make wire transfer payments easier. There are other options but that's what I chose.

Tyler can take some time getting back. But once the ball gets rolling things seemed to generate responses quicker from me.

He did not require that I have electrolysis complete.

I first contacted Tyler on February 12th. His response on time frames:

Regarding dates, I have good news for you.  If your dates are flexible, we could probably schedule you for surgery within the next 30 days.  If you need a specific day of the week or date, planning 60-90 days ahead of time should accommodate most requests.

I'll post more once I know more, probably post-op.

[jname]

Hope it goes well babe x

[SorchaC]

Dr. Cardenas has a US bank account to make wire transfer payments easier. There are other options but that's what I chose.

Tyler can take some time getting back. But once the ball gets rolling things seemed to generate responses quicker from me.

He did not require that I have electrolysis complete.

I first contacted Tyler on February 12th. His response on time frames:

I'll post more once I know more, probably post-op.

Thank you and once again good luck 

[LizMarie]

Surgery yesterday. Back at the Recovery Residence today. No easy way to post a pic but I plan to take one each day til the swelling is gone.

Doing well. Haven't met Tyler yet at all. Vincente has been taking good care of me. Typing on phone so slow. Will post more later.

[Jill F]

I wish you a speedy recovery!