Hi Cello,
I am surprised you are not at goal with Dr Keshishian. He is a fabulous revision doc. Have you spoke to him about it or is it extra skin etc ?
Yes, I have had 3 DS's, trying to get it right and I think it's right at last. First one in 2003, by a non vetted DS doc, only to regain a large amount about 14-16 months later. Had a revision by a vetted DS doc, who was not really highly experience in revisions, but was in DS's, and only lost 20 pounds. So this past June I flew out to Dr Rabkin, who revised a second time, found a large hiatal hernia, a fistula gone wild, shortened my cc to 80 cm which was 125 cm but reported as 100 cm in the last OR report, also adjusted the bilio limb, and then also re-did the stomach with plication to improve the improper shape from previous surgeries. Dr Rabkin said he has never seen a fistula like I had, but he took it down and repaired/removed it. I am praying another one does not form. It is like my body was trying to correct the DS as it did not like it as the fistula reconnected the cc and the bilio limb. Weird indeed, but that is me. I am wondering what your name was on other boards as I am trying to place you and your story as I see you are a revision as well. I have been fortunate enough the insurance has paid for all 3 WLS surgeries as I always qualified. I know others are not as fortunate. I did not have to fight hard once things were submitted. Insurance guy at Rabkin's was shocked it was approved on first application. So total I have kept off I think it's about 135-140 pounds now. I would like to lose some more as well. I am hoping more will come off as I can get back to swimming soon I hope in the New Year. Needless to say, my case is certainly not a typical one at all. But through all the surgeries, I only had significant complications after the first one.
So onto Brazil. I went in 2005 and twice in 2007. First trip I went with a another DS'er and had face and arms done, I was only there about 10 days. Oh, I also had varicose veins with another doc while there, he did them at the same time that Dr Kuster did the upper body work. Can't think of his name at the moment, but he was reasonable and they have not returned. Did the varicose veins in prep for the later thigh work. Since they were bad, they wanted time in between the procedures. Of course, this varies by each persons needs. In 2007 I went for LBL, some touch ups and first thigh lipo. I have tons of cellulite in my thighs, like the weight has settled downward as I lost. Dr Kuster is extremely cautious about safety. Hubby went with me for the first trip and we toured some as well.
Second trip was tighten up the thighs from the lipo. Dr Kuster wants to do more to the thighs, but my Dad is too unstable to go and I need more frequent flyer miles as well as their rules keep changing. From the first time I went to Brazil until now a lot has changed. There were other people helping Dr Kuster and they had to be watched carefully for honesty, now a nurse named Vanessa is his nurse for out of the country patients. She speaks english and is VERY honest. I wish I could go back this year, maybe next year though. I need my Dad more stable to leave the country.
I am more than happy to share more but I do not know how much more you want to know.
There are a couple of yahoo groups on Dr Kuster.... they are here...
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/medtoursvix/conversations/messages is a general forum and here are a few before and after pics...
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/medtoursvix_annex/conversations/messages ... and I have pics from my trip here .....now these links show the area where you go...and not necessarily plastics stuff as many people have no idea why I was there ! LOL...
http://gak.smugmug.com/Travel/Brazil-2005/1098631_ddDrFb#!i=51100260&k=r9Zn36g and
http://gak.smugmug.com/Travel/Brazil-2007/3018307_RfJ7wR#!i=167635850&k=CdB8pSm is when my hubby went. Dr Kuster is a christian and my husband is a pastor. We attended his church while there and hubby had the chance to preach and teach with an interpreter . This meant part of the trip was a tax deduction. We got creative ! LOL..
then the third time I went is here
http://gak.smugmug.com/Travel/Brazil2-2007/3647253_NNmJSW#!i=208080382&k=5mg2FZL .
I loved the fact that you recovered across from the beach, could walk about anywhere and there was a lot of cultural experiences while recovering. There is an awesome bakery behind the hotel where it's best to stay.
Since plastics is so common in Brazil, it's no big deal to have a big hat on etc while in the sun afterwards. I have tons of stories I could tell, how much do you want to know? Like the movie theatre has english movies with portuguese sub titles. I also have personal plastic pics, which I will not link here, but if you are really interested you can email me and tell me who you are and I will share as long as they are for your reference and not for web presence.
I want to add that since I work as a Travel Consultant, I will assist people if they want when they go to Dr Kuster. They are not required to use me, but if they choose to, I am happy to help. It is satisfying to help others in this manner. I do not remember which trip it was when I was there, but Dr Kuster wanted to go on a cruise and the Travel agents there could not find a cruise for him and his family, and so he asked me to check.... well I booked them on a cruise and they had a wonderful time. That was a little bonus that I could help him in some way. Dr Kuster does charity plastics for needy children in Brazil as well. He fixes cleft pallate and other issues. He goes to the country side a few times a year to do this. He is also a new daddy too... has a precious little girl to start the new year.
My personal email if you want to see my pics is
[email protected] ... be sure and put a comment in the subject line that I know what it is regarding. I also want people to know that I am not out hunting to help people go there, but if you do your research and want to go, I am happy to help. I would not hesitate to recommend him, but I am not shoving him down anyone's throat either, just sharing my experience as others have. I have always told Vanessa I will help anyone who wants the help in going, so she might drop my name if you email her thru the group. Vanessa is very thorough who works as a nurse and an english teacher .
