Never Knew I Could Look This Good - Chicago, IL

Hello Ladies, I'm writing to share my experience with my BBL and surgeon. Like many of you, I spent many hours and a couple years on RS reading BBL experiences, taking notes, formulating opinions and making lists. After a number of consults with different surgeons I finally decided on Dr. Gregory Wiener. He was recommended to me by a local friend of a friend who underwent the same procedure. I had virtual consultations with two other surgeons in Miami (2 of the best and most notorious here on RS) and another two locally, but finally decided to go with Dr. Wiener due to his proximity to me and because of my comfort with his bedside manner. It was NOT an easy decision however, and I mulled it over for a year prior to my surgery. I am 5'5 and normally about 135 lbs, and although I tend to gain in my midsection, I tend to gain weight all over, making a straightforward BBL somewhat intricate. ALL three surgeons I seriously considered told me that to get the results I wanted I would have to gain at least 10-15 lbs. All three surgeons priced about the same as well, give or take $500, and did not nickel and dime me about lipo sites. They all agreed to a flat fee and would take the fat from wherever they could get it, since I have a smaller frame. Also, going into the surgery, I knew I would need a tummy tuck following the surgery. Having a more local surgeon appealed a bit more to me, but ultimately, cost was NOT the deciding factor. Of note: I had fat in my upper/lower abdomen that would help with my BBL, but would ultimately result in saggy, loose skin. Again, I knew this going in, but felt more comfortable doing one procedure at a time since you CANNOT sit on your bottom for weeks following this BBL surgery. I have a medical background and can tell you that Dr. Wiener is an artist, sculptor and forthright surgeon. He does not make false claims about what he can do. Based on my anatomy and the weight I gained (almost 20 lbs.) he was honest in what he could anticipate adding to each cheek in cc's (about 350, each). Unlike many girls on RS, I was not looking for a huge shelf-video-vixen transformation or a HUGE donkey. I am not a big girl with a lot of fat reserves, and am very active. I wanted a better contour (smaller waist) with a bigger booty. I knew going in I had a wider midsection frame by nature and just wanted the best that could be done with my anatomy (being realistic is CRITICAL!) so I wasn't expecting miracles. BUT, Dr. Wiener was awesome and was able to put in over 550cc's per cheek. I am (and my husband is;) so happy with the results. I feel so confident and LOVE my body. It was a hard decision since so many of the girls on RS come out of surgery with 1000cc's in each cheek. Believe me, I obsessed about this as well since there is a fat loss following the surgery, which is anticipated. However, based on Dr. Wiener's former patients testimonials as well as my comfort level with his (and his staff) care and professionalism, I am so happy with my choice, and my results. I still need a tummy tuck - and that has nothing to do with my BBL - and will be getting it 6 months following my BBL surgery, as planned. Despite this, I feel so sexy and love the way my shape and contouring came out. The tummy tuck will only enhance what Dr. Wiener did with my booty. I am now two months post op and LOVING my results. Now that the swelling has mostly diminished in my lipo'ed sites (arms, upper/lower back, upper/lower abs, flanks, inner thighs) I still love my results. Having said all that.....for those of you that want to know about the recovery, it is rough. The first 24 hours are the worst, but Dr. Wiener does not use drains so that limits the discomfort. But sleeping on your belly for 6 weeks is hard if you are not used to it. Not sitting on your bottom for 6 weeks is hard as well. I used a number of tricks I picked up from others on RS in order to drive/sit at 2 weeks and beyond. All in all, I have to say the volume I had at 3 weeks (42 inches) is the same I have now (42 inches), using a measuring tape. So, my loss has been minimal. And those results are REAL and measurable!! I am very pleased!