Melanie with her husband after having surgery in Mexico, “I have never been happier IN MY LIFE! I have gained years on my life, I have gone hiking, running, wearing a ‘normal’ seatbelt on a airplane flight- instead of the fat-belt extender, and being active in my kids life!”
The following success story was submitted by Melanie, a patient of CosMed Plastic Surgery Center in Mexico
My name is Melanie, I am 37 years old, and this is my story…
I have not always been overweight, but when I had kids, I found out that I had Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). One of the many symptoms is weight gain. There is no cure. It is sort of a catch 22, because one of the treatments is weight loss.
After MANY more years of gaining weight, and being so tired that I couldn’t even keep my eyes open, I would go to doctor after doctor…and having MANY doctors tell me “you just need to get off the couch” “stop being lazy” (yes, they ACTUALLY said this to me!)
I FINALLY found a doctor that discovered I had a Thyroid condition! EIGHT years passed, before I was Diagnosed! So between both diseases, I ballooned up to 366 lbs. I told my husband that I wanted to be an active part of my kids lives, and I wanted to watch them grow up, so I made the decision to have surgery. At first I was determined to get gastric bypass but I needed to jump thru hoops to TRY to get anything done – up to two years! So I looked into alternatives. I still wanted to to have Gastric Bypass, until I found Dr. Gonzales. I researched him extensively, looked on weight loss blog sites, etc. My husband was SO against going to mexico, let alone for a SURGERY!
What we didn’t realize was that doctors in Mexico are trained a lot longer than Doctors in the US. After meeting the Doctor, having him explain the benefits of Lap-Band, and knowing that he is one of the top weight loss surgeons in the country, my husband was asking ” so how soon can I get my wife into get the lap-band?!” I had my Lap- Band surgery in January of 2007. Since then I have lost 123 lbs!! (It is hard to lose more, since most is skin) The bed side manor of the doctors, is BY FAR the best in the WORLD!
When I had my surgery, I needed to used the restroom, after all the IV. I saw Dr. Gonzalez and when he asked me how I was feeling, I asked him for a nurse, because I needed to go- he said, “We don’t need a nurse… I am here, & I will help you”. He proceeded to help me up, to the restroom, waited outside the door, then helped me back to bed! Even in all my grogginess, it is something I will NEVER forget. Genuine, caring and compassionate!
Melanie before weight loss surgery, “I FINALLY found a doctor that discovered I had a Thyroid condition! EIGHT years passed, before I was Diagnosed! So between both diseases, I ballooned up to 366 lbs. “
Well, needless to say, I have never been happier IN MY LIFE! I have gained years on my life, I have gone hiking, running, wearing a ‘normal’ seatbelt on a airplane flight- instead of the fat-belt extender, and being active in my kids life! But the happiness came to a grinding halt, when I started having a lot of pain in my neck and shoulders. Again, back to sleeping all day and night, doctors, tests –all to find out I had Fibromyalgia. Disease #3. This was life changing. I could no longer function normally. I hated sleeping all day again, and not be active with my family. UGH.
The doctors wanted to start me on yet ANOTHER med, but I refused. I changed my diet, changed my exercise, and learned my limits. I was taking my life back- but there was more. After many wasted years of being overweight, I had tons of extra skin. I had many back problems and migraines up to 3 times a WEEK, and neck pain. I knew that I needed to have a breast reduction/lift to help with this. I know I also have to have a full body lift, but I started with my breasts first. BY FAR, it is THE SECOND BEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE!! As soon as I woke up from surgery, I didn’t have anymore back/ neck pain! After about a week, I realized that I no longer was getting migraines!!!
Dr. Alejandro Quiroz: Since going to CosMed, I had met him many times, and I knew when the time came, I would have my plastic surgery done by him. Again, I researched him EXTENSIVELY along with recommendations, and pictures and found that he was another doctor who is top in his field!
My husband met him, and felt the same way that he felt when he met Dr. Gonzales! He explains things in a way that the average person will understand. Most Doctors give you a whole bunch of technical bull, that leaves you more confused, then they leave… NOT HIM! Dr. Quiroz was patient with all our questions, all our concerns, and took as long as we needed until we were content with our decision to go forward with the surgery!
The trust and compassion that you feel with the Team at CosMed, is indescribable. They TRULY care about their patients, before, during and after surgery! The front staff is amazing. They always call to check on me. When I had worries with my breast reduction, I emailed the Doctor, and he called me back! THE DOCTOR! I was a little stunned at first. I expected a nurse to call like they usually do in the States! But I was happy that I got to voice my concerns with the Doctor HIMSELF, instead of thru a third party! Just talking to him, calmed my fears, and I will forever be great full for that.
I have not been able to have my body lift, but when the time comes, you better believe that there is only ONE place that I will be doing it! COSMED!
If I can do this, with all the trials that I have had in my life, YOU can too! We all have the power to make the changes that we want to be.. I hope that one day, you will see the “new & improved” pictures , after my Lower Body Lift (LBL), but until then, here are a few before and afters of my weight loss! (Oh, and when I started eating right, and making changes and losing weight, so did my husband! lol)
Before and After
Love, and many Blessings…
-Melanie Corral
CosMed Patient
