Although many people (family & friend) don’t know about my upcoming procedure, I wanted to be able to share this experience with others because of the lack of thorough reviews we find online. I intend to be completely honest & share my experience with you all in hopes that it helps the next person on their journey. This is my initial post & my procedure is in 2 weeks so this may be a little lengthy so tune in :)
I have always been skinny. I recall having to GAIN WEIGHT to join the Army. After I had my daughter in 2008, I just knew I would keep some of the weight; definitely gained 80 pounds! But nope, it all shed off within weeks. I was even down to 112 in 2011. For some reason, in 2013 I stared to picked up weight. My body started to change & I felt I was “boxy”. Love handles came with a vengeance and my stomach started to get a little bulge. No matter how much I worked out or which waist trainer I used (I swear I have like 5) I could never get it to be flatter. Here I am now weighing 142, the most I’ve ever weighed (not being pregnant) and my stomach makes me cringe. Everyone thinks I’m delusion & “sees nothing wrong” but I DO & I hate it. It’s easy to hide behind clothes & tummy control spanx (I’m sure most of you know exactly what I mean) but I was not 100% happy with my body.
My research for a BBL started back in 2014. It was either money or timing that prevented the procedure from happening. I initially had a consultation in Columbia, SC & this particular surgeon wanted to do implants. He basically insisted that I didn’t have enough fat to harvest so that was my best bet. Nope. Not what I wanted AT ALL! So I continued my research and found a place in NC. I loved their reviews and results but I could NEVER get in for a consultation. Fast forward to April of this year. I accepted a contract position to work in New Hampshire. I knew I would be working here for at least half a year so my research started day ONE! By June, I had paid for & scheduled my consultation with Dr. Chatson. (The $75 fee went toward the surgery.) July 6 I visited his office in Nashua, NH. We discussed all my goals. Once the gown was off, we discussed all areas to lipo and the dream booty I wanted. He was thorough and honest. He mentioned my need for a mini tummy tuck because my lower abdomen skin is loose. I’m not sure if I will have more children so I walked away with two quotes, one including the mini TT ($12295) and one without ($8600). The initial areas of lipo included inner & outer thighs, with abdomen and both sides of “love” handles. On Aug. 16, I paid my $500 deposit (also applied to the surgery fee) and secured my spot for Oct. 30. At this time, I also decided to not include my inner thighs for lipo and the total dropped to $7525.
My pre-op appointment was on Oct. 5. It was a very thorough visit that included consents for smartlipo, lots of before pictures & measurements for the two garments they will provide me with afterwards (one is for immediately after surgery & the other I will transition into by week two post-op). I also got m prescriptions for pain meds and antibiotics.
I paid my surgeon’s fees on Oct. 2 and the remaining fees on Oct. 6....PAID IN FULL!!!Updated on 16 Oct 2017:
*not pictured* Happy Booty Pillow, pill blister of laxatives & a 16 bottle case of Ensure EnliveUpdated on 20 Oct 2017:
OMG! This seems so surreal to me! The surgical center called me yesterday while I was sleeping (I work 3rd shift) to remind me to be NPO after midnight & to make sure I bring the required material & a designated driver. I have to be at the facility at 7am. One thing I am kinda freaking out about is my piercings. I have 4 others besides my ears ???? Im mostly worried about my nips. The other two I’ve had out for at least 4 hours with no issues getting them back in. I told my friend, who is flying from MD to help me out, that her first task was to get them all back in no matter what ???? P.S. Here are a few wish pics ????Updated on 25 Oct 2017:
Well.... I work my last shift (before sx) tomorrow night. Afterwards, I don’t go back until Nov 7, unless I pick up a weekend shift (my unit stays busy). Money calls LOL & I’m already missing a week for the sx. I was able to get sanitary pads (I didn’t realize I may need them until I read a couple reviews recently), Hibaclens, and extra chux pads from work...the joys of working in a hospital! I’ll check in with more before pictures the night before :)Updated on 29 Oct 2017:
Not happy with what I’m seeing.....that’ll all be changing in about 11 hours :)Updated on 30 Oct 2017:
So today is the day BUT there was a bad storm last night soooo guess what?! I get a call like 20 min before I’m going to leave the hotel & I’ve been delayed because the surgery center has no power!!! :( They are currently running off generators but no surgeries can be performed until the power is back up and running. I’m staying calm, staying patient it’s not even 7am yet ....please say a prayer for me :/Updated on 30 Oct 2017:
Hi RS dolls! So the power was restored fairly quickly so when they called we jumped right in the car. I got there right at 8. I’m only a couple hours post-op....sore & a little nauseous :/ Updated on 30 Oct 2017:
about 10 hours post op Updated on 31 Oct 2017:
So yesterday wasn’t TOO bad. I got to the surgery center around 8. I was called back within 5 minutes. I had to provide urine to prove I wasn’t pregnant. PASSED (as if I had a doubt lol) ! I was sent back to a pod & was told to change into the gown (leaving my underwear on). They kinda “tag teamed” me the whole time but they were extremely pleasant & efficient. I do think one of them felt uncomfortable with my nakedness when it was time for markings but I’m like you probably see all body parts on a daily basis, chill LOL! They got my vitals, then I signed my consent for general anesthesia. Dr. Chatson came in with my garments. They ordered a large and a medium. The medium was the best fit so now they owe me a small to transition into. He asked if I would sign consents for pictures & vides. He was elated that I agreed. Apparently most of his patients decline. Hey, I don’t mind being your walking billboard ;) Now the pressure is really on for him to do a great job! LOL! While the nurse was placing my IV the anesthesiologist talked to me about the process including which meds he wold be giving me. I was really impressed with the staff overall. My nurse came in and I was wheeled back to the OR. I was freezing so they kept layering warm blankets for me. The student nurse introduced herself to me & Dr Chatson’s PA (who I met at my consultation) came in as well. I remember the nurse putting the oxygen mask on me and saying “we’ll take good care of you”. Before I went into lala land I remember saying “make sure he gives me curves like Kylie Jenner!” LOL I don’t even like the Kardashian’s/Jenner’s so idk why I blurted that out. He was pushing the propofol & I was OUT!
We got back to the hotel around 1p. By 3p I was hurting! Mostly my lower back & around to the bottom of my belly. Imagine a tire around my waist...all that circumference HURT! I only had broth, V8 and ginger ale but I needed to take the pain meds so I just took one. The pain eased up but I was still hurting so I took a second one within an hour. That did the trick.
I knew I had to get up & walk around but it was so difficult ...not from the pain but the nausea! I got zofran before and afterwards. She gave me a scopalomine patch before he case as well. Then right before I left the facility I felt bad again so she gave me benedryl IV. That was “all she could give me”. But it allowed me to stand to get in the wheelchair, make it in the car and ride without having to puke. Back in the room, could only walk short distances before the waves hit me & I was dry heaving on my way back to bed. At some point I started to itch a little (I’ve read all the horror stories) so I took a benedryl. Idk why I didn’t think to take it sooner because it helped calm the nausea too. A blonde moment indeed. LOL!
I started taking the bromelin and arnicore to help with the soreness/bruising & to keep me from having to take the percocet as much. I napped on & off all day. My friend made sure I kept something in my system to keep me comfortable. She also forced me to drink more V8 & water. I only had a couple pieces of pineapple before I was down for bed.
I woke like 12 times to pee...okay maybe I’m exaggerating lol but I did get up A LOT! It was like as soon as I got comfortable I had to pee. Ugh! Thankful for the Go Girl!
We changed my gauze & added one sheet of lipo foam before bed. This morning we changed the gauze again & added a second lipo foam so I could wrap them around my sides to connect at my abdomen.
The swelling is real & I’ve only only seen bruising on my thighs. Today I’m moving around slow but it’s not pain it’s soreness. Still taking my meds around the clock. Still struggling to lay on my stomach constantly. Taking it easy! Gonna finally watch Stranger Things :)Updated on 1 Nov 2017:
Last night I tossed & turned. I may have gotten a whole four hours of sleep. So I’ve started taking something for pain every 6 hours to keep me comfortable. Sleeping on my belly is sooo hard...my poor neck is super sore. I finally have a appetite so I’m eating small meals here & there. I passed gas today (TMI) yay! Nervous about having a BM tho. How am I supposed to sit??? I’m gonna shower tonight so I’ll have pics later :) Updated on 2 Nov 2017:
Still haven’t gotten a good night of sleep but the naps throughout the day are helpful. I showered this morning & I could see how swollen I still am. I don’t want it to discourage me because I know it’s a process but the curves aren’t just there yet. :/ I had my first post-op appointment today as well. His PA showed me the videos :) it was exciting to see myself in the process. They took out a total of 1200cc and distributed 450 to one cheek & 480 to the other (I can’t remember which cheek got which amount). Since I kinda already had a tear drop booty, the fullness was added to the top. My stitches won’t come out until next Thursday. And TMI but I just pooped...I was so nervous about that but it was easy breezy LOL!