Working out of Mia Aesthetics’ Atlanta clinic, Dr. David Gray is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in body procedures including breast augmentations and mommy makeovers. Dr. Gray respects and values each patient as a unique individual and cherishes the opportunity to make an impact on their lives. Whether he performs liposuction or a breast augmentation, it’s his hope to have such a meaningful effect on the lives he touches that patients remember him years after their procedure. He understands that plastic surgery is about how you feel as much as how you look. Dr. Gray graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and completed his residency at St. Louis University. He has since gone on to almost 20 years of excellence in plastic surgery, thanks in part to working under excellent mentors during his training.
I know you would like a definitive answer you your question, but unfortunately, the answer is maybe. It's often possible to do so, but first you will need to make sure your thyroid issue is well-controlled. Even when your thyroid is doing well, Hashimoto’s can slow your healing and increase the risk of an allergic reaction to fillers and Botox. A plastic surgeon will likely be willing to perform a BBL or provide you with Botox and fillers, but only if and when your endocrinologist gives you the all clear.
No, you can’t get a liposuction and BBL during a c-section. For one, c-sections are performed by gynecologists and obstetricians, not plastic surgeons. A plastic surgeon simply won’t be present during your c-section procedure. You will also need to wait for at least six months after delivering a baby to have plastic surgery. Your body needs time to heal and settle—it will go through a lot of changes after you deliver. Until those changes happen, it’s impossible to even assess how much lipo and fat grafting you will need and where you will need it. As for curbing your appetite, that is something you’ll need to discuss with a bariatric surgeon. Liposuction can make your tummy flatter and more toned, but it won’t affect how much you can eat or your desire to eat in any way. Appetite reduction is generally achieved through gastric bypass and gastric sleeve procedures. You may want to wait until you have your bariatric procedure and reach your desired weight before considering plastic surgery since significant weight loss can impact which cosmetic procedures are best for you. If, for example, a weight loss procedure leaves you with sagging stomach skin, you may need a tummy tuck rather than abdominal liposuction.
I wouldn’t recommend a 21-hour flight until at least two to three weeks after a BBL procedure. Do you have enough vacation time saved up at work to stay a few weeks after your procedure and see the sights? If so, that would be best. If you absolutely must take this long flight soon after surgery, I suggest using a BBL pillow to keep the pressure off of your buttocks while sitting during the flight. Secure an aisle seat, as well, so that you can easily get up and walk periodically to improve your circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots. Wear your compression garment and compression socks during the flight as well.
Absolutely not! In fact, you won’t realistically be able to use all of the fat harvested during your liposuction. During a BBL procedure, your plastic surgeon will remove fat via liposuction from areas where you don’t want it. This fat is then processed and examined, with your surgeon injecting only the healthiest and most viable fat cells into your buttocks. Not all of the harvested cells will make the cut. The amount of fat used in your BBL is based on your aesthetic goals and desired outcome. Your surgeon will assess whether you have enough excess fat to meet your goals, but there is no need to use all of your harvested fat if doing so would create an undesirable result for you.
A quick web search can provide information about US plastic surgery clinics that perform clinical trials, and you can always reach out to them to learn more about the work they are doing and their study participant needs. I would highly recommend against participating in clinical trials outside of the US. These trials are not subject to FDA regulations and other established safety guidelines that American researchers must legally follow. Going elsewhere could put your health at risk.
