I got my top surgery date today with Dr. Garramone for Aug. 23 today.  Was pretty nice taking that step even if it will take every penny I have in savings.

Just wondering if anybody has gone down to Florida or lives in the area and can give recommendations or advice?
I have never been to that part of Florida other then driving through it.  My goal is to be as cheap as possible since like I said, I am using every penny to my name and if necessary maxing out a credit card or two.   I am still trying for some financing but things don't look so good since my income is 1/3 less then it was about 6 months ago and it is making my debit/credit ratio look really crappy even though I know I have the money to pay back a loan.

Thanks in advance.

Congrats on getting your surgery date!  I just had top surgery with Dr. Garramone in early June.

My mom and I booked through orbitz so that we could get the flight and car at the same time.  I feel like the rental car made things easier for us and that we got a pretty good deal booking it with the flight.  A cab might be cheaper if you don't go anywhere besides the office and surgical center.  Maybe.

The hotel we stayed at was an extended stay hotel, Staybridge Suites (N Pine Island Rd).  For us, it was in the perfect location.  About 15 minutes away from both the surgical center and the office.  Across the street was a Publix (market + pharmacy) where they had free antibiotics.  I think the pain pills were $18-20 (without insurance).  The hotel was expensive ($1000) but since we cooked our own food, I feel like we saved money.  Especially since my mom and I split the bill.

Other stuff around the area..two malls, a ton of restaurants.  Also, at the hotel, if you let the front desk know ahead of time, they had a shuttle that would take you anywhere within 5 miles.  So I suppose if you used that and a taxi, then you wouldn't need a rental car.

Sorry to ramble lol Hope that helps some.  If you have any more questions, feel free to either PM me or post a reply.

Thanks Adio!
     I am excited to finally get to this point.  I was in my therapist waiting room when I got the consult phone call, so it was pretty funny when my therepist asked when I was considering top surgery during the session and I just said the date like it was no big deal.  She had to do a second take.  I had a good laugh.

   I really wanted to do surgery closer to home or near family, but total price wise (and reputation) I could not beat Dr. Garramone.   I was looking at the Staybridge you mentioned on the internet and I think it said it had a rental car desk at the hotel?  If so, I am set for sure!  I will be using some of my priority club rewards points to reduce the price.  Glad I never used those points now!  Figure the free breakfast and sundowner supper will help cut down on food, so depending on how I feel we may grill out some while there.

During the 8 days there, did you feel like doing anything at all or was it just a relax and sleep time?  Kinda hate the idea of just sitting around, but I don't want to ruin healing or anything.   Also guessing I should bring plenty of button up shirts?  I don't see how it is possible to put on t-shirts or anything that requires arms to be up?

Haha no problem. 

I'm not sure if there was a rental car desk at the hotel.  Definitely call and ask before you book.  We used the one at the airport.  That's awesome that you have some reward points to help with the cost.  The breakfast was the same everyday (cereals, waffles, sausage, biscuits, fruit, eggs, and some other stuff that I can't remember lol) and the supper changed, stuff like tacos, bbq, etc.

I didn't do anything except sleep, eat, and relax.  I felt kind of sick (reaction to anesthesia) for a few days and after that, I may have been able to go somewhere but didn't.  I know other guys have gone out after surgery though.  Definitely bring button up shirts.  There was just no way to put on a t-shirt, especially with the drains.  Laundry at the hotel was cheap ($1 for detergent).  So you won't have to bring 8 shirts or anything.   

Kvall,  Thanks for the info.  I was searching those sites and will use one for sure when I book.  I just wish they had an option for airline and car only.  I plan to use my rewards points for either all or most of the hotel bill.

As far as being entertained.... I am going to go nuts.  I have a feeling I will be watching a lot of TV and hopefully surfing the internet.  That can keep me semi busy at least.

Adio, did you (or know anybody) that got the ManSculputure option?  I am trying to decide if it is worth it.  I found out today I have a few loan options, so I am considering it.  I am far from super thin, so anything helps...but just not sure if it really would make much of an impact on appearance.

Jigsaw, on orbitz I know for sure that there is a flight+car option.  That's what we used.  I don't know about priceline.

I didn't do the mansculpture option, although it was very tempting.  I just don't have the money.  I also heard that Garramone lipos but doesn't take the loose skin away (with mansculpture).  For me, I already have loose/sagging skin from weight loss so it would be fairly pointless.  I'd rather exercise, lose more of the belly fat, and hope that my skin tightens up from toning.  But that's just me.

Adio, Thanks!  I don't know how I managed to miss that the first time!  It does come out pretty cheap and I thought I had to stay in Florida 7 days, but apparently my follow up is a week later, so guessing I can leave right after that, which will save me a bit of money.

I checked the Staybridge site again and it said rental car desk still, so I called.  The lady said there was nothing there for rental cars, so Orbitz will be the site i use I think.  Will just let my g/f get a car for the week in her name. 

I am still tempted to get the lipo done.  I was sitting at work and I just felt so disguisted by myself.  Just thinking about how I let myself go to waste over last 6 months and the lipo would help me look and feel better and jump start my fat loss I think.  I don't have any lose skin at the moment, so will have to ask questions about it.  We found out today we have 4 loan offers, so it is now an option I can afford.

Hey Jigsaw!

I just got back from Florida on Monday. I spent 2 weeks there since I travelled from the UK and really wanted to be sure that I'd be up for the long flight back afterwards. It also allowed us to enjoy the place during the second week.

I would veeryy highly recommend the place I stayed at!
It's called Liberty Suites.
The website is a bit rubbish, but the place is fantastic. It's owned and run by a couple - Joe and Jack. These guys are extremely welcoming and helpful! They say it's marketed towards gay fellas, but all are welcome. I stayed there with my dad, and the other FTM guy who arrived during my second week was there with his girlfriend. They get a lot of Dr.G's patients there apparently - The week before I was there they had two more!

This means.. Joe and Jack have plenty of experience catering for us lot, and they understand that we're there recovering from surgery - not on vacation (exactly), and do everything they can to make sure you're especially comfortable and happy. The rooms all have fully equipped kitchens (really pretty essential during your recovery week I'd say), free internet, plenty of TV channels, and all the usual stuff. They're nice and clean, and there's a laundry room too (also probably needed).

On top of this, the prices are very decent. It's on Garramone's recommended list, and you get a 10% discount if you mention he's referred you. They also gave us an extra 10% discount because there was only 2 of us, in a double suite big enough for 4+ people (the only room with more than one bed - 3 in fact). This worked out at $1500 for 2 weeks I think.


For the car I went through AutoEurope, though the actual rental is from Dollar. Doing it this way we got a $200 discount + all the insurance is included, through AutoEurope. The car was $400 for 2 weeks, in comparison to Enterprise quoting about $800 for 2 weeks.. simply because they chuck all the insurance and everything on separately!
Dollar was also one of the few that would accept non-credit card rentals, though it turned out we didn't need to leave a cash deposit in the end, because our debit cards are treated as credit cards in the US apparently!
Also, don't bother with the Sunpass toll thing if they try to offer it to you! Very much not needed, even though they swear the area is full of cash-less toll roads.


I went for the lipo myself! Check my post I just made about it here: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,99118.msg755112.html#msg755112
Definitely make sure you can afford it, though. I wouldn't say it's worth breaking the bank..
Anyways, if you have any questions for me, just shoot.