Christopher T. Chia, MD

I’ve booked my surgery for next Friday, the 16th. I’ve always wanted a nice, round butt. I’m pretty slim, and during the consultation, they said it shouldn’t be painful. I’m getting fat transferred to fill in the hollow areas. The doctor was super kind, and I really want a surgeon who makes me feel that comfortable and trustworthy. Everything’s been great so far, and I’m honestly so excited. I’ll share updates after the surgery!

I contacted Bodysculpt in December of 2021 and had my appointment for a month later. I went to a local lab to have all my blood work done to make sure O was healthy enough, I was taking iron supplements for low iron levels but that did not get in the way. There would be little blood loss from awake lipo to just one area and I would not need any drainage tubes. I literally had a few drops of drainage that a few gauges took care of. It was important to me to be awake and to see a board certified surgeon who focuses mainly on this procedure, uses the safer technique of transferring the fat over the muscle and who obviously has a good track record and good results. I was coming from out of state and it was important to me not to have to recover from general anesthesia and to be able to come home the day after. We had a zoom appointment to asses my wants and what he could achieve. I liked that he was realistic about my results. The conference call was comfortable and he was easy to communicate with. I had a lot of questions throughout the whole month prior to my procedure and they were great about getting back to me and answering my questions very quickly. I arrived in NYC the night before. The morning of, I was the first patient. They were quick to open up and bring me into my dressing room. The office was nice, clean, comfortable and modern. The assistant brought me into a special room to take before photos. The dressing room was very nice and I had a friend that was with me to be able to drive me home and they allowed her in to the dressing room and hang out in there to wait for me, and Dr. Chia came in to look at me and go over the plan and mark me up. I only wanted him to take fat from my flanks. My stomach responds better to diet and exercise. In addition I have some loose skin on my abdomen and I wasn’t prepared to address this. Also, a 360 lipo would mean a separate procedure of liposuction of the abdomen on a different day. With an awake bbl they can only give you so much local anesthesia based on your weight and length of procedure. He felt as though I had enough fat on my flanks and waistline for the procedure to have results. I also wanted a natural and subtle look. I was primarily concerned about my hip dips. We as women should normalize them! Unfortunately I have no hips, no waist and I’m tall, long and have lean muscle. My middle, especially my flanks are where I gain weight first and it’s the last to go! That combined with hip dips and a “V” shaped rear REALLY bothered me. If I had had any of the other things like a natural waist or maybe some hips, I wouldn’t care! He agreed that the priority would be to fill in the hip dips and create some curves on the hips. With the fat that was left, he would create some projection and fill in some dents along my banana roll. Liposuction if my flanks and waist would create a smaller waist and filling in the dips and around that area would give the illusion of hips. They gave me some Valium to relax me and then brought me into the exam room to apply the local anesthesia. That’s the part that’s most uncomfortable. The pricking itself doesn’t hurt but the lidocaine stings under the skin. I had done this several times before with the profound RF procedure on my buttocks. The mood was light and relaxing. They put on some music, meanwhile he explained step by step what he was doing as well as making some small talk. I also had the Pro-Nox, nitrous oxide gas that I could breathe in whenever I felt like it, so I was extremely relaxed and happy. I’m pretty sure I was singing along to the music like I was at karaoke. Dr. Chia suctioned out the fat which passed through a closed system where it was separated and purified. He was able to harvest 1100 viable cc’s which was more than he thought so I received 550 on each side. I felt so good I didn’t want the procedure to be over! But it was in about an hour and a half or so. Everyone was super great and it was a very good experience. They got me in my waist trainer which was included. Everything was included in the $10 grand. Which would include 3 more virtual visits and I know that if I wanted more they’d pencil me in. My hips were huge and my waist was tiny!! They did advise me that there would be a ton of swelling for a while and that if I followed post care correctly, I’d still lose 20-40% of the grafted fat. He advised not to sit for 4 weeks. I’ve read that its better to refrain from sitting or sleeping on your back for 8 weeks! I followed the instructions to a T. I literally did not sit, at all, for 4 weeks. I didn’t even use my BBL pillow. I slept on my stomach because of the fat grafted to my hips I couldn’t sleep on my sides either. The most difficult part of all of this was definitely having to stand all day and not be able to sleep comfortably because sleeping on my stomach is a position that is the worst for me. That’s the one thing I wonder if people are really prepared for when they embark on this journey, not sitting for so long and I’m sure many women ignore it and after a few weeks, sit. It takes time for that fat to settle in and establish a strong full blood supply, I wore loose clothing for the first month and didn’t work out for the first 3 months, just very light cardio like walking or light dancing. I was told that I was able to stop wearing my waist compression garment after 2 weeks but I kept it on longer. I would say I lost about 30% of the fat. I also fell hard onto ice on my right side while trying to shovel snow, at week two, but 7 months later I don’t think that it affected me adversely. One thing I will say ladies about this, Is that if you already have cellulite, this procedure will not correct that. I know some doctors say it could help but unless they are also performing another procedure to specifically target cellulite, this procedure very likely will make it worse. It might create dents where you didn’t have them. The doctors cannot predict where and how much of the fat will die. They can use techniques to increase the survival rate, they can be strategic about where and how they place it but they can’t predict which fat cells will die and how the fat will settle and look, that depends on your body and your post care and if you already have fibrous bands connected to your skin to the underlying muscle tighten irregularly. This tightening pulls down on your skin and causes the dimples or cellulite and injecting fat in those dimples is just a “fingers crossed” approach. I ended up with more pronounced cellulite and some dents where I never had them before. I’ll be addressing that with cellfina and more profound RF treatments (which works super well!) Another HUGE thing that I think people should know is that liposuction and fat transfer, as individual procedures, have different post care instructions. Liposuction should be followed by diet and exercise. Fat transfer to buttocks requires refraining from exercise at first then gradually light exercise until 3 months post procedure. It also requires that one maintain their weight and not lose any or much. These post care instructions for both procedures contradict each other yet we want the best results for both, so it’s a fine line.. I tend to lose weight easily and have a high metabolism. I ate more after the procedure because I was so focused on not jeopardizing the fat graft and of course I wasn’t exercising and both those things were not conducive and were counterproductive for the liposuction to my waist and flanks. I didn’t have as dramatic results as I had expected on the liposuction. I went into this procedure thinking that at worst I would have a subtle change in my butt but would have a much smaller waist and so it would create the illusion of more curves and around my backside. But I was surprised that I retained much of the fat grafted yet didn’t have very obvious results from the liposuction. I was expecting a snatched waist. Dr. Chia explained that because my hip bones sit high into my waist, it’s more difficult for me to obtain that snatched waist look. The doctor took everything that I could give him from my flanks and sides of waist, so I honestly believe that my post care actions hampered my liposuction results. If I were to do it again, I would create a calorie intake and meal plan for myself for post procedure and follow it as closely as possible with an app, to make sure that I’m not gaining or losing, and to better hold myself accountable of the quality of food that I’m eating. So just food for thought! Know your skeletal system and how it might affect your results And especially to the gals who are already experiencing the visual effects from loss of collagen and moisture. I was 47 when I had the procedure done. Understand that loose skin or lax skin could become worse. I’m going to include before and after photos. I’ll add that I did try everything before I decided on this procedure. I got into bodybuilding, I went completely vegan and only homemade meals, I was working out 2 1/2 hours a day six days a week And I had better results reducing fat on waist and flanks then with the liposuction but I could not, no matter how hard I tried build the glutes that I wanted! My hip bones are set high up so I have a little waist and the gap between my hip bone in my femur is larger which creates more of a hip dip so genetics really are the deciding factor. One last thing That nobody talks to you about.. how long it really takes for that transferee fat to feel like it’s part of your body! It took about 6 months. I still have mild tingly soreness around the 2 incisions and my hips. I cannot sit for an extended period of time because it becomes too uncomfortable. I have heard through a nurse that I know who has a lot of friends who have had the Brazilian butt lift complain about the same thing and I believe that the reality of this is not acknowledged in any material that you find online because frankly it would discourage more so, I believe, people from having this procedure. I think the key is being very realistic and understanding everything about the procedure as much as possible so that your expectations are also realistic . I will post my before, body my bodybuilding body, my surgery body, my post surgery body and now and seven months later.

This man is the kindest most thoughtful doctor in any specialty I have met. I do not want to belittle this statement with random examples as they might include properties which some people do not value as high as others and will detract from the overall message. I am the kind of person who gets anxious for and dreads a haircut. But from consultation to finish he made sure I was comfortable and understood what was going on at all times.
NOTE: I had 2 areas treated, abdominal and flanks

I had a consultation with Dr Chia. From the moment I walked in, the Dr and staff made me feel extremely comfortable, the doctor answered all of my questions thoroughly and only recommended what he saw fit to do. He did not try to oversell unnecessary procedures. Pamela and the whole team at body sculpt responded to my emails and phone calls promptly with any questions I had. I am very excited to see the results of my procedure and will share. Definitely recommend them!

Dr Chia is the best of the best!
I had my abdominal liposuction and small fat grafting for butt lift and filling of natural dimples. He extracted about 600cc of fat and injected a little on the hips and buttocks. It was all done under local anesthesia! Slight discomfort with the first injection of lidocaine, then smooth sailing from then. His staff was warm and helpful, Dr Chia was very informative and careful during the procedure. If I need more work done in the future, He will definitely be my doctor of choice! The areas are still healing and I am already seeing great results! Post op was sore but tolerable, had surgery on a Friday and returned to work on Monday.

I'm a thin girl seeking curves. At 5'4" and around 140 pounds, I have spent the last several years working out, focusing on lifting and building my glutes. Nothing helped build mass on my ass.

I wanted a BBL under local anesthesia by a board-certified plastic surgeon and Dr. Chia was the one. He's super knowledgeable and most importantly, REALISTIC. With my frame, he let me know what I could realistically expect.

I booked the appointment immediately and got a date about a month later. I'll keep you all posted on my journey.

My goal is to build a bigger butt and fill out my hip dips. I do NOT want a Kim Kardashian/Instagram model look. Ideally, I'd want a shape that is more athletic than bodacious.

Updated on 22 Dec 2018:
I just got my BBL procedure. The entire process took about 2 hours. I am pretty small so they only liposuctioned my flanks. I got about 400 ccs in each side.

The process itself was incredibly easy. I took the pill cocktail prior but since I had eaten a big breakfast, I didn’t feel loopy at all. I was able to talk to Dr. C and the nurse in attendance the entire time.

Although the poking from the cannula felt a little uncomfortable at times, I’d say the overall pain was a 2/10 for me. Mind you, I’ve had several tattoos and smartlipo prior so I have a high pain tolerance.

When I was done, my butt and hips were HUGE. I know the swelling will go down but I’m gonna miss how juicy I was looking.

I took one hydrocodone pill at night and slept pretty good. The next morning, my hips were SOREEEEE but one painkiller was enough to relax me.

So far so good!

Updated on 23 Dec 2018:
It’s day 3 and I’m feeling pretty good. I stopped the prescription pain killers and switched to Tylenol. The hydrocodone made me nauseous and I don’t want to get hooked.

My swelling has subsided but my flanks are still tender.

I’m eating normally and can walk a few miles a day without being tired.

Updated on 3 Jan 2019:
It's been 2 weeks post BBL. I got my stitches out and the swelling has reduced substantially in the flanks. Dr. Chia says that I can remove my compression garment but I plan on wearing it for a week or two longer (personally I like how it sucks me in).
Looking forward to being able to sit in 2 weeks....Other than that, everything is A-OK.

Updated on 27 Sep 2019:
It's been 9 months since I got my procedure and I love it. The biggest thing is how my shape is totally new. I don't have a huge Kardashian-esque butt (which frankly, I didn't have the fat or the legs for) but I have a more hourglass figure. I'm able to work out fine now. There's no more residual numbness and my swelling has reduced to what my butt is going to be.

For those of you considering a BBL, here's my pros and cons:

Pros:
I went from an apple to an hourglass. No amount of squats can do that.
Great butt shape that looks natural for my body type
I get so many compliments now when I'm walking around!

Cons:
Heavier people get the most dramatic results from BBLs. My skinny girls, don't get taken by those crazy pictures online.

Since it's local anesthesia, Dr. C can only harvest a certain amount of fat safely. Don't expect a full body snatch.

Weird fat gain after lipo. My upper back and arms store fat and I've had additional Coolsculpting in non-lipoed areas to ensure a balanced shape.

Price. It's NYC and the entire procedure was $12k+ for me (including one flank revision). If I add the Coolsculpting on top, it's well over $20k. It ain't cheap!

All that said, I highly recommend Dr. Chia.




I highly recommend Dr. Chia.
Updated on 27 Sep 2019:
Awesome experience with Dr. Chia. Love his bedside manner and everyone at his office is super sweet. He's very realistic in what he can do and I got a good vibe from him from the get-go. Highly recommend him to anyone in the NYC area looking for a knowledgeable and down-to-earth doc.

Dr. Chia is the best doctor. I was so happy with my body after my BBL. He was so caring and reassuring all along the way. He always made me feel very comfortable and not self conscious at all. I would recommend Dr. Chia for any plastic surgery procedure, but I personally had a BBL with liposuction of my abdomen and flanks and I am extremely pleased with my results.

My entire life I have struggled with getting a flat stomach, no matter how hard or how much I worked out and/or dieted. After a recommendation from a friend, I decided to book an appointment to meet with Dr. Chia. From the second I met him, I felt so comfortable and confident in undergoing this surgery. Throughout my surgery, Dr. Chia kept me updated, made sure I was comfortable, and everything went smoothly. After two weeks, my stomach is extremely flat and I am not in pain. Dr. Chia's staff is very attentive and he is very thorough in everything that he did regarding this procedure. I highly recommend Dr. Chia for liposuction on any part of the body.

I am so very grateful and blessed to have been referred to Dr. Chia two hours after an accident that resulted in a severe laceration directly under my bottom eye lashes. I could tell instantly upon meeting Dr. Chia that I was in good hands (literally)! His calm demeanor coupled with his warm, gentle and caring manner during this emergency surgery immediately put my mind at ease. His work is extraordinary and no one can believe how miraculous the results have been. Dr. Chia is very humble and kind which instills patient confidence and enhances his creativity, skill and expertise even more. He not only answered all of my questions with sincerity and integrity but has been incredibly supportive throughout. He and his wonderful staff have made each follow-up visit a pleasant experience. Dr. Chia's good nature and beautiful heart definitely contributed to my peace of mind and the gift of healing.

I went on three consults. One was an old PS I have used before using traditional liposuction. The other was sort of ritzy charging way to much for "newer technology" . Information overload was in effect. Then I found "that one" today. I felt his vibe and the staff was amazing. So it's going to happen. Pics to follow.

Updated on 1 Oct 2016:
I have 21 days to go. Had my labs done today. And I am dreaming about the new me. A little nervous because you see photos and read reviews not all positive. But I am a researcher and sometimes that's good and bad. Will continue to keep you posted. I will add my day before and day of photos. Promise.



Updated on 15 Oct 2016:
So my labs are good, next step is pre-op pics for the doctor. This is all surreal can't believe I have finally decided to take the plunge. More to come. 10/22 THE day

Updated on 19 Oct 2016:
I had my pre-op photos done today. Wow how vulnerable you feel under the lights showcasing all the things you dislike about your body. Well hopefully that will be a thing of the past come Saturday.

Updated on 22 Oct 2016:
So I can't sleep. In about 7 hours it's crunch time. Nervous and anxious. Keep you posted

Updated on 22 Oct 2016:
Just got my markings and my meds. Nervous and excited. Let's see. Hope I get what I asked for.

Updated on 22 Oct 2016:
It was a process. Just got home. He was very aggressive as I wanted. He was very meticulous and attentive to me. I absolutely love him and his staff. Sore. Not in severe pain. Draining as I lay her. Very swollen. Will take my before and after with my first shower tomorrow.

Updated on 22 Oct 2016:
Fluid coming out. Garment tight. Pain non existent. Thank God.

Updated on 23 Oct 2016:
Haven't showered yet can't wait to. Drainage was ongoing on day 1. Today I feel like a bus hit me. The flanks and back are the worst with pain. I did here that. Took no pain killers trying to function without since I have work tomorrow. I see swelling is slowly going down and my medium binder had to be adjusted last night good sign. Keep you posted. Oh and no nausea when standing today. Thank God for that.

Updated on 24 Oct 2016:
I am at work. A little sore. Walking can be a bit of a challenge but drinking tea and water. Salad for lunch for sure with salmon.
Updated on 24 Oct 2016:
The day of I arrived was greeted and given my medicine by the nurse. The doctor came in to check on me. The procedure was not bad at all. The areas that I did feel pain were addressed immediately. Dr. Chia was so attentive and kind. He removed so much fat and check and double checked before moving on. Afterwards the nurse wrapped me up and I was off. I slept most of Saturday but no pain at all.



Updated on 25 Oct 2016:
I put on a tighter garmet last night and woke up ready to run. No pain with movement and definitely no pain meds since Saturday.

Updated on 25 Oct 2016:
Feeling good about doing this step for myself.

Updated on 26 Oct 2016:
Found this picture from the summer and I knew I was sold.

Updated on 26 Oct 2016:
I'm feeling a little sore but not horrible. It's been a great experience.

Updated on 3 Nov 2016:
Feeling good. Pain has not been an issue. Sore and now the itching. Lol. Not horrible but there in places I can reach. Sutures are out no issue there either.

Updated on 12 Nov 2016:
Feeling great. Swelling present but not major. Can't wait for the final results
Updated on 13 Nov 2016:
Finally got my back and flanks done by Dr. Chia. 1550ccs removed. Boy did he work hard for the money. During the procedure there were times I felt pain but he addressed it right away. We talked and listen to music. It was very pleasant and the staff equally as pleasant. I went home relaxed took the cocktail because I didn't want to hurt. No pain though.