After months of researching plastic surgeons all around Southern California, I finally decided on Dr. Bivens at Pacific Lipo San Diego! I scheduled my Liposuction procedure 2 weeks out, and had my surgery yesterday. I'm writing this because I hope it helps someone like me make the right, informed decision!
I had liposuction to the full abdomen, flanks, love handles, and posterior bra roll. The total cost of the procedure was $5990, NOT including an extra $150 for lab work/Covid test, plus an extra $46 for 3 prescriptions after surgery.
Surgery day was very smooth, although they were running behind from the previous procedure so I didn't get my procedure started until ~2 hours after check in. During check in, I met with Dr. Bivens to be marked up, had photos taken, met with the anesthesiologist and the nurse. I had an IV started, was given some medicine to help calm my nerves and patiently waited until being brought into the operating room. Once on the table, I was put to sleep instantaneously.
It's currently the day after and I'm VERY sore, hence being up at 5A to write this :) I plan to update throughout my journey.
Updated on 21 Dec 2020:
The pain the day after surgery was BAD! I expected to feel sore, as in, really hard workout sore. But this was a whole new level of sore! I can not sit up or sit down without help, let alone do anything else like lay down or even bend over to pet my animals. I have incisions in the middle of my upper back and top of my booty crack which are VERY SENSITIVE and make resting in any position hard. I’ve been sleeping on my stomach, which hurts much less.
As of this morning on day two, I’m feeling better and am able to move a bit more than yesterday. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow, day three, as I can finally shower.
I haven’t taken my garment off yet, but am already LOVING the shape of my body. I was most self conscious about my love handles, and without them, can see that I will have a more curvaceous figure. With all of the swelling I’m currently feeling, I hope my results only become more pronounced with time.
Updated on 23 Dec 2020:
Feeling a ton better than the first two days post surgery! Still pretty sore - it hurts a bit to walk and sit up/down. Having some light bruising, but happy with the shape my body is taking albeit still feeling very swollen.
Updated on 18 Jul 2021:
7 months later and I have to say my lipo results are very conservative compared to what I was hoping for. To me, this surgery was not worth it because the greatest insecurity I expressed to the Dr. (my side love handles) either were not touched during the surgery or did not have enough fat taken out. I’ve maintained the same weight as pre-surgery with strength training and running 5 days/week.
Ultimately, I am going to pursue either further liposuction or a BBL with a local plastic surgeon for around $10k with more drastic results.
Updated on 18 Jul 2021:
After pics to go along with my review
Updated on 18 Jul 2021:
My biggest insecurity, the love handles visible from my front/back, are still there. I was hoping these would be gone and I would have achieved a more desirable hourglass shape. Going to address these with a different surgeon.