Sam Assassa, MD

Finally I can show my arms!
Just be realistic. You can still have loose SKIN afterwards as with any lipo. Please see my before and after, the difference is subtle to others, but for me, the reduction of thickness in the upper arm has made me feel much more confident and feminine.

Dr. Sam Assassa is very professional and caring. He really cares and wants what’s best for you. I’ve been coming here for years and he gives his honest opinion on what looks best on you. He makes you feel comortable and always I’m always happy with the results.

Dr Assassa is so AMAZING! I could cry you guys like yoooooo he took great care of me and my body looks AMAZING! He gives you his personal cell phone because if you're like me you're a worry ward lol I had so many questions after the procedure and he had so much patience! I'm so happy it has been 3 weeks by the way and I am military so I am back to hitting weights, push ups, sit ups all of it! He takes great care of you and I really mean it. I was so scared you guys like.... real life and I don't regret a thing! The contour is PERFECT! Just make sure you follow ALL instructions ALL of them lol

Very sweet and caring, I felt comfortable the minute I walked in his office, it was the very first time in a surgeons office and I felt very welcomed, Im very happy with the results totally recommend Dr Assassa and staff

I had Lipo done in San Diego, 3 hour drive!
I had my upper and lower abdomen, hips, love handles and flanks. So thrilled with my results. Way better than I expected. Dr. Assassa took sooooo much time with during my procedure. About 4 hours. Called me the next day from his cell so I had his number if I needed it. Couldn't be happier. I was so scared. Don't be...he's great! I'm about a month out from my procedure date and my body's still changing. Going in next week for another check up. The worse part....the compression garment! Loving my results!

After working at it hard through diet and exercise I realized I would buy be able to get rid of the love handles or the excess belly fat that I'd accumulated. So after much thought, I decided to go for it. Smart lipo of the flanks and full abdomen (but only one are at a time).

Yesterday I had my flanks done. It was a relatively painless experience. The wrap I have to wear is tight and hurts my hips a bit. I did loosen it just about a 1/2 so it's still snug as all, but not painful. Post-op is in 3 days, and if all goes well we will do the abdomen in two weeks. I'll let you know how it goes.

Updated on 31 Dec 2014:
It's been two days since smart lipo on my flanks. I'm sore but it's not too bad. I'm looking forward to my abdomen getting done in a couple weeks.

I took my wrap off and showered today. There is a lot of swelling and what looks like road rash. Follow-up is scheduled for Friday.

Updated on 9 Jan 2015:
I've been healing fast. The brushing and what looked like road rash are almost gone completely. I don't know if it's the arnica or the bromiline I've been taking or just natural since I eat a very clean and nutrient dense diet. Overall, was the first time I could see any improvent really, but talked to my doctor who said it will take several more weeks for the swelling to go down and see any real results (and another several months to see the skin start to really tighten up). The photos below are 1 week out (I'm a couple days later with the post). And last night I went in to do my upper and lower abdomen (I had it down in two section for certain reasons). I'll post photos again after Saturday Night when I take off my wrap for the firs time.

Updated on 10 Jan 2015:
I was nervous about having my abdomen lipo done, but it was not a big deal at all. Not much different from the flank lipo, other than the fact that it drained a whole lot more (and my junk got all black and blue). There is a bunch of swelling and brushing, but it's clear that I've lost some volume. The hard part is waiting for the swelling to go down so I can see what the finished product will look like. I'll follow up after my post-op visit on Monday. Cheers!

Im choosing to get this for a boost in my journey of weight loss. Im 23 yrs old 5'7 Ive always been about 130 lbs after my daughter i have been bouncing from 150-167. Im very excited but extremely nervous of it not looking natural after! I plan to upload pics and journal my journey on here as often as possible! I just started dieting and working out to help me along. Im hoping to be healed and bikini ready by June 8th! i know its cutting it close. Alot of girls on here I see took about 3 months some only 1.5 months. Anybody have any suggestions on faster healing.! CANT WAIT TILL THE 6th!..:)

Updated on 27 Mar 2012:
SORRY to mention! Im getting smartlipo on full stomach and flanks



Updated on 6 Apr 2012:
TODAY IS THE DAY! and IM FREAKING OUT!!!

Updated on 7 Apr 2012:
Hello everyone! So I just had my procedure around 2;30 yesterday. When I got there they brought me back to this one room to talk a little more about the procedure,and afterthe procedure of dos and donts. she said I can walk and she wants to walk slowly starteing today!!(yes the next day after procedure) I can totally do that! And gave me a little something to relax me(not sure what it was called similar to xanax im assuming its put under your tongue. Then doctor came in and took pictures took pitures and made me look like picasso and then more picture! PHOTOSHOOT OH YEAH!
Alright now its time to go in the procedure room with my robe and booties and little underwear on. the nurse gave me laughing gas which was pretty funny, I could have took it off If I didnt like but it wasnt bothering me so i just left, but they started running out of laughing gas by this time He was about done with all the lidocaine,(WORST PART) but not unbearable. So then he starts with whatever hes doing. ITS A VERY WEIRD SENSATION!!! I KEPT ON SAYING OUTLOUD THIS IS SOOO WEIRD WEIRDEST THING IVE EVER DONE....lol well after the nurse bandaged me p and wrap me up VERY TIGHT.(the reason i am up at 5am) i just cant sleep inside my stomach hurts. On sunday night I can get out of this deathly thing and take a shower and then it goes back on without the EXTRA dressing thats underneath it. its sot of like a spank this with shorts it has zippers up sides nd straps. and a big enough hole to go to the bathroom Ive Just been wearing boy shorts over it and a shirt when im around the house! Well thats about it! if you have and questions LET ME HEAR EM!! I WILL PUT MY PICS UP TOMORROW NIGHT SO STAY TUNED. all wrapped up no!.

Updated on 7 Apr 2012:
just took a lil walk over a mile very slowly. Cannot wait till tomorrow night to unwrap!

Updated on 7 Apr 2012:
4.7.12 the past few hours the pain and soreness have just been increasing. I can't take anything like vicodin or hydrocodone does anyone have any suggestions.? It's getting harder and harder to move. Will tomorrow be worse or better? :/

Updated on 7 Apr 2012:
Im feeling like I'm getting some what of a temperature has anyone experienced this?

Updated on 9 Apr 2012:
Just posted pictures from tuesday night after my first shower.

Updated on 10 Apr 2012:
When did everyone do something a little strenuous? I'm
Thinking of going snowboarding on Sunday. Need to know if this Would be a bad idea or is it just a pain thing why people
Don't do much?

Updated on 17 Apr 2012:
HELLO!! its been almost 2 weeks friday. I just got back from 7 miles walk. I can pretty much do my normal workouts except running. I am now starting to get these little pea sized ball things in my stomach. I've been just massaging my stomach thoughout the day and at night i kay on the couch and massage them for about 30 minutes. ???WHEN DID ANYONE FEEL THESE THINGS STARTING TO GO AWAY??? I feel that my last pics i posted i look smaller than I do now. Which is a bummer! I dont really think im swollen at all, but I really dont think so. :/

Updated on 18 Apr 2012:
I've come to the conclusion I'm still really swollen I took off my jeans and I had the craziest imprint from my pants and drs on real self says that's a definite sign of swollen! Yay!!!

Not a smart thing to do for me because I wasn’t aware of what the outcome would be doctor did not tell me either. I’m very sad and with no money to fix it. Doctor did the procedure again but it came out the same ugly disgusting fat hanging stomach ??????????????doctor said he would change me 800 dls to remove my fat fupa but I had no more money. I feel that if the doctor does not tell you how you could look later he should at least not charge you to correct any of the problems you could have later. Because you should be happy after your results now feeling depressed and sad after. Everyone told me I looked better before then after which I now I did. The doctor showed me a pick of me of before and after but I didn’t really see the difference, I didn’t want to sit there and argue which I should, but that’s when he said he would do it again so I didn’t want to mess that up. But at the end it was all for nothing.

I've been considering getting lipo for a while- after being told I'm overweight by military standards for years- so I did my research and I'm finally taking the plunge. Training trips over the years for work haven't been kind to me- no time to exercise and eat right. I went from maintaining a reasonably healthy (but still overweight for my height) 180 lbs. 4 1/2 years ago to 220 at my highest- 4 years ago after the completion of an extensive and stressful 7 month long school. I haven't been able to get my weight under control since then. I'm currently 5'9" and 210 lbs. I'm hoping this will help kick start a new and healthier and happier me. My procedure is scheduled for May 5th- Upper/Lower Abs, Flanks and Inner Thighs. I have my military weight in 2 weeks after the procedure, so hopefully my swelling will be down enough for me to pass getting taped. Wish me luck- and any advise will be greatly appreciated. :)

Updated on 9 May 2017:
Traveled from San Diego to Texas to visit family the morning after my surgery. Probably. It my smartest idea, but it happened. I traveled with my pup, who was extra anxious this flight and stood panting on my legs the entire 2 1/2 hour flight. Maybe she knew I wasn't 100%. By the time I got to Texas, still had a 2 1/2 hour drive to get home. I had breakfast before leaving SD, but only had a cup of watermelon around 5 PM on the drive home. Was exhausted and sore by the time I got to my parents house and insisted on taking a shower before going to bed that night. Was up every 2-3 hours having to go to the restroom during the night, so not a very restful evening of sleep. Today I'm 4 days Post op, drainage has significantly slowed down, and I'm just a little sore. Day 2 was the worse by far.

After several consultations and reviews on docs. I found Dr.Assassa was well trained in many aspects and techniques whether aesthetics or lipo. He teaches procedures to others and has knowledge of different techniques from all over the world. In addition the pricing was very reasonable.

Updated on 17 Feb 2017:
Today is day 2. Theres still soreness and tenderness but tolerable. It's hard to move around, Bending is the worse but the difference from yesterday to today is great. I struggled to get in and out the car or bed yesterday and when I cough (I have a cold) it was horrible felt like I had torn muscles or something. I'm pretty sure this wrapping they have me in plays a large part for I'm stiff as a board in it.
I haven't seen my results they wrapped me up immediatly following the surgery. I'm anxious to see what results I may have tomorrow and finally shower tomorrow and get this thing off ugh.

Updated on 18 Feb 2017:
Just removed my cast as I like to refer to it. I can already see the results and I'm so happy. When I leave over the rolls don't exist anymore. There's obvious swelling and I need to start my massages today but so far I'm grately pleased with the results.. I took these pics immediately after removal of the padding Ect and before the shower.