Henok Araya, MD

After months of research I decided to go with doctor Araya. The experience was great and if I had to do it over again I would definitely choose him. I suggest following everything he says to do. I couldn't be happier

Hey guys! After thinking about this for so long I decided to get liposuction. Was gonna get a bbl first but my BMI is probably too high (5"2 weighing 180) and the downtime is something I can't do at the moment.

My actual experience was really painful at first, as the procedure went on it lessened a bit. Still was painful tho. I was awake the whole time under general anesthesia. Nothing intravenous, I believe it was injected through the incisions. Going back in 2 months to get my back done since my doctor doesn't do 360's.

Updated on 16 Mar 2020:
Hey guys, I actually tried going back to add before pics to my journey but I couldn’t seem to. Anyway, I went for my week check up today. Dr. Araya instructed me to give myself massages daily. He stated I needed to wait at least another week before I go to get professional massages. He gave me vitamin E to rub on my stomach. I still feel my stomach is really ugly so I think I will post all my pics once I’m a month or 2 post op. Also, I decided to wrap myself to help with my drooping skin (2 c-sections). Will keep you updated

I the best decision I have made Dr. Araya was the best he talked to you throughout the whole thing made sure you were comfortable the office staff was great and I would highly recommend anyone to come into his office

Updated on 30 Apr 2019:
3 weeks after my having my Lipo procedure upper middle lower and sides done sill a little bit swollen and sore hurts the most the days when I go back to get the fluid drained out really sore on rose days will update again in a pulled of weeks

I had upper and lower abdominal, and sides done at Vita Surgical in D.C. I had a couple friends go there and they looked amazing. I went for a consult in Feb and scheduled soon after. I must admit the facility was not the most updated. It actually looked like it could use new furniture and paint. But I didn’t allow that to discourage me. The doctor made me feel very comfortable with his knowledge and confidence. The receptionist was another story.. I was extremely nervous about the procedure and I misunderstood a few of the instructions listed in the email confirmation. When I arrived I was not fully prepared with everything listed in the email. I opted to reschedule. But the receptionist worked it out after she was aggressive and a bit rude with me initially. I made her aware of how she made me feel and she offered an apology. We proceeded to the exam room. I got undressed under close supervision (which was weird), took some before pics, was administered meds, and waited for the doctor.. here are some before pics..

Updated on 24 Mar 2019:
I was administered my antibiotics and a mild sedative. It was not that bad.. the numbing felt weird and burned a little in some places. But once the doctor allowed the numbing to take affect, he came back in and started my procedure. It felt like pressure. Like, pushing tugging but not any pain. It was about a 2hr timeframe.

Updated on 26 Mar 2019:
I was very swollen, sore and tender. Those are pads on the sides of my underwear. They were helpful with the drainage.. I will post pics at the end of this week.. today is day 4 and I’m very bloated and big.. I know this is part of the healing process just a tad bummed. But I know this is not an overnight process. I will began working out again after my next follow up appt on Monday..

Updated on 3 Apr 2019:
Well I was very very swollen yesterday and back down today. My follow up went well. I had a few spots that were bad enough to be drained so I will continue eating right and lightly exercising.. if the spots are still there he will drain them. Here are pics from today. Hope this helps anyone out there.

I was sort of slim, but didnt want to lose more of my "good fat" (in my thigh and butt area) by continuing to work out to lose my slight stomach pudge, so after my girlfriend got Lipo, I started seriously looking into it.

5 of my friends have had lipo, but for me it was never in the budget. One friend (we will call her Terri) had it once in Baltimore and then heard of Dr. Araya after seeing another girl's (let's call her Kris) result. When I saw Terri's results I was amazed. She then told me to look at Kris' results and again I was floored.

Terri then told me of Araya's in house payment plan (no credit check) and I was like JACKPOT!!!

I originally went in for a consult for some friends. After hearing what he could do for them,I couldn't wait another moment.

I was able to get in about one month after my consult.

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The wait to get my appointment was brutal, as I was super excited. I paid $600 to schedule the appointment and $1800 the day of. The rest they take out on a monthly basis starting 2 weeks after the procedure. You can also pay upfront or use care credit.

The procedure is done in the office and in total it took me about 3 hours. The staff is serious about your health so they check your blood pressure like 4 times. The DC office is across the street from GW hospital so that made me very comfortable (in the event something happens).

Prior to my surgery, I was a little discouraged because I had read somewhere that Dr. Araya was an optometrist, which is accurate, but he also has other specialty.

I opted for the tumescent procedure because it is the safest. I was fearful of being awake but other than the initial numbing process, I didn't feel a thing. We actual joked and laughed the entire time.

Ask anything if you have any questions. Hope you all enjoy your results as much as I have so far... Only time will tell, but as of right now I'm thrilled!!

My son will be 18 yrs old this year and 19 yrs ago I was fit with a flat stomach with curves needless to say my number 1 love give me extra 100 . I've contemplated liposuction for years but didn't think I could afford it now after some restricting myself resurrecting my credit I'm able to get this belly together. I've tried loosing weight kept it off but no matter what I do I just cant lose this stomach , back rolls and section flanks .I have a friend that referred me to Dr. Arya Henok from Vita Surgical her results where great .When I had my consult he was able to answer all my questions and concern made me feel really comfortable so I did some additional research and after 4 months I scheduled my appointment. Its now 4 days before my day I'm excited and nervous I cant wait to see the results .

Updated on 14 Feb 2016:
I woke up this morning like wow its almost here exactly 24hrs from 6am it begins .I'm ready prayed it all goes while and a speedy healthy recovery . I struggled with whether I was being vain by doing this ,but ultimately came to the terms with myself. I've struggled with weight loss for last 17yrs and have been successful but for some reason my stomach just likes to hang around like we have a bond that is just gonna be forever and I'm tired it is the thing that demotivates me when I've lost over 76lbs . I see my stomach and rolls and be like F it, so fast forward to the day before I say goodbye to the pooch I'll continue on my weight loss journey but with a lot more confidence.

Updated on 16 Feb 2016:
So today has been pretty good went to my first post opt appointment . I'm swollen of course with what I call little pain so taking my antibiotics and resting. I just wanted to give everyone a look at first results I went from a 49inch waist and I'm 42 inches in the waist today with swelling Dr. Araya says it will decrease another 3 to 5 inches after swelling goes down. Oh I started the diet today its going to be some work but I will do it because I have body goals lol but for real so far I'm liking what is taking place.

Updated on 19 Feb 2016:
Today has been good as far as energy is concerned ,but the swelling is the most today can't wait for this part to be over. However yesterday I tried on one of my swimsuit from last year and although I'm still very swollen I can see the improvement I just cant wait for everything to go down to really see results .My new diet is surprisingly easy to follow for me I guess because I used to be a vegetarian its not so bad since now I'm eating all the healthy things in life again.

Updated on 10 Mar 2016:
So this week has been the best so far a lot of swelling has gone down just in time for my Bday 3/9 I woke up yesterday and looked at myself and said YESSSSSS I WILL SLAY TODAY I did all WEEK TO BE HONEST I'm feeling great still swollen but down to 37inch waist OMGGGGGGG SUPER EXCITED TEARS especially since doctor said it will be at least another 5 to 6 more inches . I really haven't seen this size all my adult life in stomach area would lose weight and the stomach would stand its ground of sitting with me ;(. I'm GLAD TO BE SAYING GOODBYE SOON AND BACKROLLS BE GONE . Here is some updated pics

Updated on 29 Jul 2016:
So its been awhile was trying out this summer of "16" body although still swollen I'm loving the results so far

I totally agree with all the reviews. I just had my lipo done two months ago. The before and after pictures were amazing but that is NOT his work. The procedure was so painful and he somehow makes you feel like it is something that you are doing wrong. I was awake the entire time in excruciating pain. It's two months later and my tummy is hard and I still have several seromas. He even advises me to drain myself at home by sticking needles in my tummy. To make it even worse, he makes you sign a consent form to NEVER be able to sue him no matter WHAT the results are. I just went to get a second opinion from a board certified plastic surgeon and he confirmed what all of your stories have said, my results are NOT normal. Now, I have to continue to pay for disfigurement and he is getting off Scott free!!! PLEASE BE WARNED..... DO NOT GET LIPO FROM VITA SURGICAL GROUP!!!!

I'm going to have liposuction done on Tuesday at vita surgercal in d.c. I'm getting my whole abdomen, flanks ,love handles, and sides done. I'm so excited to b able to do something for a change and to feel good about my body . I had a baby 3 months ago . I worked out alil n change my eating habits . but my love handles, bra fat or stomach would not go away. I aways had a lil purge. I kno it's only been 3 months but I want to beat ready for the summer . these are my before pictures.

Updated on 16 Feb 2016:
today I went to get lipo my up, middle, lower abs, sides, flanks , love handles. It hurted a lil. but the dr try to make it easy as possible. I'm swollen alot but I do see a difference. so far good he was able to remove 11lbs of fat.

Updated on 16 Feb 2016:
when I woke up there was so much blood .

Updated on 17 Feb 2016:
I went to my follow up my waist was 36 today it is 29. he said I should b 25 or 24 after the swelling go down. the pain is bearable today. I was able to do some runner around .

Updated on 17 Feb 2016:


Updated on 17 Feb 2016:
it wasn't bad . I took pictures while he was doing it . it only hurt when he numb me . he was very gentle he made the time go pass fast. but after it was painful . the 2nd day was a Lil eaSY going

Updated on 18 Feb 2016:
I feel a lil better

Updated on 22 Feb 2016:
today I woke this morning not happy . I'm so swollen I still think I have fluid in me . I look bigger then I did before . n I have been wearing my garment 24/7 accept for whn I shower. I pray my stomach go down but I regret getting liposuction . now ..

Updated on 2 Mar 2016:
so today I went to get drained . n it helped alot. it hurted a lil when she put Needge in but it was fine . I feel better n look better. vita is great they made sure I was ok . whatever I needed they got it for me. the secretary even went out of her way to call around 4 me until someone answer the phone to put My prescription In at CVS. the dr is very nice n very patient. n I see I big change today . I'm still swollen but I feel 10 times better

Updated on 5 Mar 2016:
I must say I'm pleased. so far . I'm still a lil swollen but I see a big difference

Updated on 2 Jun 2016:
So i wanted to give an update .

Last Friday (July 31st) I Receive my consultation for my Lipo with Dr. Henok Araya. I've been shopping a around for years and I finally decided to go with Dr. Araya. He's a Wonderful Doctor and very informative. Next step blood work that will be done today.

I’m nervous but oh so excited.. I’m from MD so going local to have my stomach snatched. I was looking around for a Doctor that had a lot of experience with black skin and shapes. I found the review pictures on Vita Surgical Group’s site that had black women with large abdomens snatched. I want to still be curvy but minus the muffin top..

Updated on 4 Jun 2018:
Well I am down to one day left then on to the new me????????

Updated on 6 Jun 2018:
Woke up feeling anxious and excited.. getting here wasn’t bad.. the nurse was very inviting and nice which calmed my nerves.. the Ativan is starting to calm me and relax my mind. All prayed up and waiting for this to begin and end..

Updated on 6 Jun 2018:
So I’m all done and I’m feeling sore as if I have been in a fight.. lol and the draining has begun.. man is there a lot of draining.. I’ve already replaced the pads on the bed 4x. The pain medication is helping tremendously.. the doctor told me that 12lbs was taken from my abdomen flanks and some of back.. I can’t wait to see results cause now I see lots of skin that needs to snatch.. lol but I see my girl down there after years of not seeing it (vagina) .

Updated on 6 Jun 2018:
This was taken 10hrs postop lots of swelling and starting to bruise

Updated on 7 Jun 2018:

Updated on 8 Jun 2018:
One side has smoothed out from wrinkles now hope the other side will too.. I can see those stretch marks still prominent but the flatness is coming around. still sore but it’s tolerable..the drainage has completely stopped. The bruising has increased . I had my follow up visit today and Dr. Araya said everything is looking well.. Just waiting on final results.



Updated on 13 Jun 2018:
So today marks 1 week since my Lipo procedure. I feel a lot more mobile and less pain then a few days ago. Still a lot of swelling but less and less everyday.. my stretch marks are very prominent so rubbing pure Vit E from the capsules per Doctors recommendation. Can’t wait for 3 month mark to hit to see more of my final results. What did y’all do to help with loose skin and stretch marks?

Updated on 13 Jun 2018:
From week one

Updated on 20 Jun 2018:
2 week update.. finally out the binder and into the faja.. maaannnnn it’s a job putting this on but it feels good.. swelling still prominent but okay.. less pain. Skin wrinkles still there but been rubbing Vit E to help..