I had lipo done yesterday on my abdomen and flanks. I'm a 39 y/o male and 275 pounds. 37 BMI. I met with Juliette for the consult. The staff is friendly and Juliette did a good job. She set realistic expectations and answered all my questions I wrote done for the consult. She pointed out I have harder fatty areas (visceral fat) on the upper abdomen and lipo wouldn't do much for it. But my flanks and lower abdomen had much softer fat (subcutaneous fat) and lipo would do well with this type of fat. She set realistic expectations of what a lipo procedure can do for my case. I can expect the flanks and lower abdomen to go down, but may see limited results on the upper abs area. I'm glad to know that before the procedure. I went back for blood work on the second office visit. Surgery day went well. They're helpful and made it easy to prep for surgery. I saw Dr. Sotomayor a few times in the back area and said hi to him. But Dr. V actually did the procedure. One thing I would point out is that isn't clearly mentioned on their website, that I saw. I could have overlooked it. I like to do due diligence online before going in. I could tell Dr. V is experienced in performing liposuction procedures. The sedative I drank made me sleep for maybe 45'ish minutes and I woke up for the rest of the procedure. The initial shots are a somewhat painful to numb the areas. Once it was numb the procedure was basically painless. I could just feel pressure while she worked with the cannula. As was pointed out, drainage is to be expected and is actually a good thing. The pads and compression garment are uncomfortable, but necessary. But it's temporary. It was pointed out there's no way to do lipo without making incisions so it's basically impossible to not have some little scars. I heal well so I expect them to pretty much disappear overtime. On a personal note local anesthesia is like $2K cheaper than general anesthesia. It's also safer and I feel Dr. Sotomayor and Dr. V at Graceful Contours offer quality, and safe, procedures at an affordable price compared to other quotes I got for lipo on the same areas. I'll post before and after pictures as they become available. Updated on 29 Sep 2022: I'm at the 3 week point from surgery and I've been healing well. I went for a 2 week checkup and found out I didn't have the compression garment tight enough. I have since been wearing it tighter and also massaging the area each date. I believe that helps reduce scarring. I posted a 3 week mark picture with some before surgery and 1 day after surgery photos. There's still inflammation in most of the areas that had work done in, but it is finally starting to reduce. I can see it lasting for 1-2 more weeks before the inflammation is gone and I'm kind of back to normal, which puts the healing time around 5-6 weeks. I still think I'll see better results up to 3-6 months as my skin resizes itself to my new body size. And if I can reduce my weight (just not maintain it even), I'll see major changes in a positive way at my mid-section will have the advantage of being thinner than normal. I may not post until a few months have passed to see final results
Another happy customer. I don't know where to begin. I love this place. Dr. Sotomayor, Dr. V (who did the procedure) and his entire staff are amazing. From the first consultation visit to the liposuction procedure done on 5/23. I am only 3 days post-op but I am already happy with my results so far. They are very professional but also make you feel so much at home. My consultation was done by Juliette and just like the other reviews say... She is awesome. She was thorough to the point that she was hands on in examining what I needed in order to customize my procedure to me. Other places didn't do it like that, and it was great that I found Graceful Contours and Juliette because there was something that specifically needed to be handled with care during my procedure that other consultants from other companies didn't even mention. P.S. - I am writing under an alias because there are only three people I've told about my procedure since I'm very private.
I had liposuction April 13, 2022. All I can say is my experience was good with Graceful contours cosmetic surgery office. I had Vaser liposuction on 4 areas. My stomach and flanks. Dr.V was my surgeon but Dr. Gerry Accompanied her with heart monitoring, and EKG. Dr Gerry was more on the medication and health side. Everyone was professional and nice. I paid around 4300 for everything. I purchased a garment for 80.00 but I will say it’s a phase 3 garment. The garment is quality but you will need a phase one garment that comes a lil above knee or over knee so lymphatic can flow well. I will be going back for my back.
I waited until I could do a real review. Now I’m over 3 months post-op. I first did a consultation the second week of March. Everything went well and told me I would be a candidate. The staff was really nice-A1. I met Dr Sotomayor briefly this day. I paid the deposit and scheduled for 2 weeks out for lower/upper ab and flanks (i wanted to do the back rolls as well but decided not to). I honestly booked on faith because the reviews were iffy. Day of surgery, I come in they take vitals and give me a “relaxation pill” and local anesthesia. Now here is where my problem lies but I was so out of it, I couldn’t respond at the time. I thought Dr Sotomayor was doing the surgery but it ended up being a lady named Dr. V. I feel she did me good but this def should’ve been communicated because I literally knew nothing about her. During the approx 2hr surgery, it was a bit painful but they acknowledged my pain and handled it great. I was sent home with instructions and meds. To sum this all up, I love my results considering I had a lot of fat-i think she said she got rid of 4000cc. After the lipo, i was not in a ton of pain but the itching and swelling is a beast. The scarring is bad. I have use Shea butter, Vitamin E oil and Bio Oil every single day, twice a day. The scarring has improved and hopefully will be non existent one day but only time and consistency will tell. If you are ok with scarring then go with them. The price was good considering I had a 35 BMI. My advice to Graceful Contours is to be up front about who will perform the surgery. I will add pics of my great outcome!
Everyone in his office did an amazing job! His nurses, assistants and office staff are all the nicest people I’ve ever met in a doctor office! They made me feel like I was talking to a long time friend! I had lipo of upper and lower abdomen and flanks. I was looking pregnant before with ZERO SHAPE! I didn’t want to just lose weight because then I’ll lose all butt, hips and boobs and I will look like a stick! I was actually going to have a bbl because I thought I didn’t have hips but now I am so happy with my shape that I don’t need it! I had surgery on January 20,2021 and I’m 20 days post op. I’m going to insert before pictures and then 2 dpo, 7 dpo , 2 weeks and today. And remember I still have a lot of swelling that will go up and down throughout the day depending on how long I’m standing, sitting or laying. I’m completely satisfied! Now let me tell you, when they put in the numbing fluid it felt very weird and I did have sharp pains occasionally because I had a lot of scar tissue from many surgeries on my stomach but you don’t feel the actual lipo unless they hit particular part that has a lot of scarring so I only felt it a few times but it wasn’t painful enough to scream or stop surgery, that being said it’s not completely pain free. I also had weak muscles so my recovery might be different than yours but I was in a good amount of pain the next day and for a week it was pretty bad but after that it got better rapidly. It wasn’t painful enough to regret doing it and I would do it again if I had to but don’t let people fool you into thinking it don’t hurt at all because it does!! I will update this post once a week if I can and let you see how I’m doing. Also my stomach was really hard for awhile but it’s not hard anymore and all the word lumps are gone but theirs still swelling especially at the bottom. Updated on 10 Feb 2021: This is the 3 week mark. You can see I have one or two scars that are visible with underwear on, that’s to be expected but I always heal very well when it comes to scars, so I’m guessing at 6 months you won’t be able to see them! I will keep updating until the 1 year mark
I am a 25 year old mom of 2 little rascals. I decided to have lipo because I have always had issues with the way my body is shaped. I have "hip dips" and then I notice I carry my weight on my waist. I wanted to do this review because I only found ONE other review for this doctor on Realself. So I went in for my initial consultation in February. I met with the surgery coordinator who is AMAZING! So sweet and funny but knowledgeable and professional at the same time. She addressed my areas of concern and told me what type of results from the procedure. Once I told her that I wanted to proceed, she went ahead and did my blood work and scheduled a day for my procedure. Oh and if I may also say every single person in their office and great! Incredibly pleasant staff to work with. Anywho, fast forward to the day before my procedure. They gave me 2 light sedative medications, one to take the night before and the other to take about an hour before the lipo. It made me pretty sleepy and calm lol. So the morning of, I had a light breakfast and headed to the office. I waited about 20 min and then was taking back to the consult room to be marked and gowned then on to the surgery room. Dr.Sotomyer came in and explained everything in detail and made sure I was completely comfortable. Oh and I was awake through the entire thing. No pain really, just a strange uncomfortable feeling of the fluid being injected under my skin. It feels exactly like you think it would except no pain associated lol. Afterwards Dr.Sotomayer told me he was finished and that the nurse would come in and help me put on my garment which btw I purchase from their office for $80. She helped me squeeze into it and then off I went. So from start to finish it was about 4-5 hours. With my procedure the doctor used the open drainage so a lot of the fluid drained out that night and a little the day after. I was pretty swollen the day after but I could still see good results. The Doc did give me a rx for pain pills but I'm not even going to fill it because I really have no pain. It feels exactly like when your muscles are sore after you haven't been to the gym in a while and finally go. I will post every week and update with pics. Updated on 10 May 2018: Here are some of my before pics. Updated on 10 May 2018: The very next day. Veryyyyyy swollen but no pain at all. Updated on 18 May 2018: So I feel great. I am loving my results and I can’t wait to get in the gym and starting working out like I want to. I do have a good bit of lumps und r my skin but I have been massaging them everyday. I do feel that one flank is slimmer than the other but I know it will take time for me to see the real results.
I had my first surgery April 2017 and I returned again this month. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better doctor! He impresses me each time. I am a huge worrier and he makes me feel so comfortable. I trust him and that is very important to me! I can't say enough great things about him. It's a great feeling to have a doctor that not only you can trust professionally, but also view as a friend. I love him!
After years of back and forth with myself, I decided to go ahead and get started with the change I have been wanting for years. My surgery date is 21 March 2018!! I am going with Dr. Sotomayor in Norcross, GA. I’ve seen and heard nothin but great things about him. My consult was via email and telephone which was a plus. Just now anxiously waiting until the 21st. Updated on 8 Mar 2018: Uploading most recent pics. Updated on 19 Mar 2018: My surgery date is this Wednesday and I’m nervous and excited. I have to call the office today because they haven’t called in any prescriptions for me and I’m supposed to take some now before my surgery. They are pretty quick in responding so I’m sure I’ll have them today. Updated on 20 Mar 2018: I don’t know how to feel. My surgery is tomorrow and I never thought this day would come. I have been taking my antibiotic they gave me and the other pill. I’m getting a little sleepy. I have my black sweats and t-shirt. The office called and confirmed my appt. I will update tomorrow once I get to the office. I’m 2 hours away driving! Good nite! Updated on 22 Mar 2018: This is kinda long! Well yesterday was the day and I am so happy I chose Dr. Sotomayor to perform my VaserLipo. Upon arrival to his office I was greeted by his staff who was so sweet. There was another person in front of me so after I paid my remaining balance I guess I waited about 45 mins before I was called back. Once I was called back in changed into those surgical underwear and took off my clothes. After I was finished changing Juliette came in and let me tell you, she is the nicest person ever and funny! She answered my questions and then marked my areas, gave me my sedative and walked me back into the surgery room. It was cold but they have HEATED OPERATING TABLES! The sedative worked I’m about 30 mins because I was sleep and woke up to Dr. Sotomayor who came in and asked me some healt questions then proceeded to inject the numbing medicine into my areas. I don’t really remember how long that was. After he was finished I think I waited another hour for everything to do it’s job and I was good to go. Again I fell asleep, so I woke up to the procedure actually being done. Another thing I loved about the office was I was able to bring my my phone and headphones so I could listen to my own music! That helped me so much with my nerves. About the procedure itself, you can feel the tugging but it’s not that painful. There where some spots where I screwed my face up but my music and communicating with Dr. Sotomayor he explained why and tried to minimize the pain. When the surgery was over, they put on my compression garment gave me my after care rules, my prescription for pain, made my follow up appt and I was done!! I would say I was there 6 hours from my arrival until I left. Updated on 22 Mar 2018: Here are the before pics and the containers of my yucky fat! He removed 1900cc of fat!! Roughly 3-4 lbs. Thays a freaking lot! Updated on 22 Mar 2018: I was finally able to take my garment off to shower!! The one day post op pics and I m very happy. Still swollen but you can see a big difference. Updated on 30 Mar 2018: Well I am loving my results. People are starting to comment on how different I look now that my belly isn’t as pronounced. I’m still quite sore but it’s tolerable. I have my lymphatic drainage massage my week and I need it. I’m developing hard, dense areas that I know are filled with liquid. I was wearing lipo foam but it hurt more to wear it than not to. I also start my exercising next week and I am so happy. So far so good.
After much thought I decided to proceed with liposuction on my thighs. I'm not new at this...had liposuction 10 years ago on my back/bar line and arms. I learned a lot from that procedure: 1. Post op care will ultimately determine your results. 2. The fat can come back if you don't change your lifestyle. 3. Wear your compression garment!!! So, with that said I've prepared as much as possible. I've also scheduled Lymphatic Drainage Sessions with The Wellness Sanctuary Inc. I promise to post weekly and track this journey! Updated on 21 Jul 2016: I arrived a few mins late at 9:05. Finished signing all docs which too another 5 mins. Paid the remainder of the balance and waited to be called back. At 9:30am the nurse took me to the room where I did the consult. She took my vital and weigh, had me take some sedatives, then gave me socks, a hair net, panties and a robe. After I changed she took me to the surgical room to lay down. Dr came in marked me up and began administering the anesthesia. They use tiny needles with multiple holes the shoot out the medicine. This procedure hurts at times but bearable. Once complete, you lay there for an hour to allow the medicine to numb your areas. Surgery began at 1:50pm and ended at 3:50pm. They took about 3 liters of fat from both thighs. At times I fell asleep, but remained very relaxed when I was awake. Dr. Sotomayor was very nice and easy to talk to. During the surgery we discussed politics, family, favorite songs, getting married. He even sang to me and I must admit...he's not that bad. Cindy was a sweetheart the entire time from getting me changed at the beginning to applying my dressing after the procedure. Very gentle and nice. Updated on 22 Jul 2016: Oh my!!! I was not expecting this to be so rough. After a light dinner I fell asleep on the couch and woke up at midnight. My husband was trying to help me get upstairs to bed, but as soon as I stood up I started draining and my thighs were super painful. I immediately asked for my hydrocodone. Then I started feeling light headed. My hubby famed we while I sat for a min. After making it to bed I realized I was going to have two challenges throughout the night. 1. Getting confortable enough to fall asleep. 2. Peeing! This garment is the worst!!! So hopefully today I'll get a P-EZ to make peeing a little easier (and less messy).
I saw a Groupon for Vaser Liposuction by Graceful Contours in Norcross GA. I went for my consultation yesterday (1/26/2015). The staff was nice, explained the procedure and showed lots of before and after pictures. I am still afraid but I believe that I can handle the outpatient procedure. After about 1.5 hours of rapid fire questions (from me to them), I scheduled my session for 2/18/2015. I am having my abs (upper and lower) and flanks done. I am excited and afraid. Updated on 4 Feb 2015: Whew, I had a false positive blood test and almost lost my appointment. I understand their concerns but I was in a panic about my health. Crisis averted....on to my lipo date (February 18, 2015). Will post pictures soon. Updated on 16 Feb 2015: Added my before pictures. Office says to expect a 50% improvement. I'm hoping for more. Updated on 18 Feb 2015: Ok I'm going to make this fast beca use I just took a bunch of drugs and I will be asleep soon. 1. Arrived at facility, they were short staffed but didn't miss a beat. 2. I took care of paperwork and paid my additional fee (it wasn't a surprise, I added flanks. 3. I was ushered Updated on 18 Feb 2015: Writing on my phone was too hard. I don't know how to delete the previous partial review so you get a 2 for 1. Ok I'm going to make this fast because I just took a bunch of drugs and I will be asleep soon. 1. Arrived at facility, they were short staffed but didn't miss a beat. 2. I took care of paperwork and paid my additional fee (it wasn't a surprise, I added flanks. 3. I was ushered into a private room where I asked the anesthesiologist "Dr. B" a million questions. She was kind and answered all of my questions with care. Bedside manner ....check. 4. After I changed in the private room and took my relax pill. I was then ushered into the other facility where the procedure was going to be conducted. 5. I laid on the table and Dr. B took her time making me comfortable and arranging the anesthesia to where it would be most comfortable. After this point, I remember little because I was so comfortable I fell asleep lol. 6. The doctor (Dr. B) spent time injecting the local anesthesia (it took more than an hour). It didn't hurt and Dr. Sotomayer was in and out during the entire procedure. He even answered a few of my questions when I was awake. 7. After Dr. B was finished, I got to relax in the office for about 20 minutes or so. I am pretty sure I was still asleep. 8. The doctors returned to the room after my cat nap to start the procedure. I immediately put the covers over my face because it was too light, I was enjoying the sleep. 9. For over an hour, BOTH doctors worked on me (one at a time of course). Dr. Sotomayer answered more of my questions. I was very interested in his gyn background as I have a few non-lipo issues. That is one of the reasons that I picked him. 8. Everything went well, no pain at all. However, my stomach is huge like a balloon. I was assured that it would go down after a while. 9. Dr. B assisted me with my garmet...that was a joke getting it on. We did it though. I immediately started leaking down my leg, Dr. B said that was normal. 10. I felt numb...I even went to dinner before I went home. 11. I got my medication and started taking it at the first sign of pain so I am pretty good right now. I will have my boyfriend take a picture with me in and out of my garment tomorrow morning. Updated on 18 Feb 2015: Updated on 19 Feb 2015: Note to self: Make sure that you get more than one compression garment; after one day of consistent bleeding it stinks something terrible. Luckily I have a boatload of girdles in my drawer. I will make due until that one dries. After surgery I felt like a leaking faucet. Liquid flowing from my body something terrible. My doctor said leaking is a good thing so I spent the rest of the day and night with towels and consistently changing my shirts. My pain level was tolerable as I was still numb until I went to sleep at night. The next day was a bit difficult because I couldn't take my medicine because I needed to take care of business and didn't want to be groggy. I couldn't wait until I was done to get the pain under control. It wasn't bad though; just hard to bend or sit. Once the medicine kicked in everything was fine. Boyfriend helped me with my first shower. I had to shimmy out of the compression garment. I think I had more fear than pain. My wounds were manageable and were not nearly as leaky as the night before (and the morning). I am still pretty swollen so I am not going to judge my progress as of yet. Updated on 23 Feb 2015: Today I'm swollen and I feel bigger than pre-surgery. I mean I have swelling even in my feet. I would really be stressed if the doctor didn't tell me to expect the up and down for a few weeks. Updated on 28 Feb 2015: I taped myself yesterday and there are absolutely 0 inches gone. I don't understand how they can suck a ton of fat out of me and I have not lost any inches. Maybe I am measuring too soon, it has only been a week and I am still healing. Updated on 5 Mar 2015: Ok, here are the pictures from surgery day and my 2wk checkup. Granted, I had a colonoscopy yesterday and they filled my belly with air (and it is my TOM). It actually looked better last week. Even now, my stomach overhang looks better and my upper stomach that starts under my breast bone has decreased significantly. Overall, I am pleased (not happy yet though). Interesting discussion with the doctor though. They wanted me to schedule and pay for massage sessions...to the tune of $345. I don't think I am going to do that; me and the honey bunch are going to have to work that out. Updated on 13 Mar 2015: Ok I can see a little difference now. I'm itching like crazy and am still wearing my garment 24 hours a day. I can't wait to hit the gym again. Updated on 13 Mar 2015: Updated on 25 Mar 2015: I see a difference in my belly finally. My sides/flanks have improved from the beginning. Time to start working out again. Updated on 13 Apr 2015: I definitely see a change. I see the realistic explanations that the staff spoke of (50% improvement). Time to hit the gym again.
