I FINALLY Love my Body… Proportionate, Natural-looking Results Are Worth Every Penny! - Atlanta, GA

I have always been a "top-heavy" apple-shaped woman and I've never had a defined waist, hips, or a booty, even after years of heavy exercise and healthy diet. After years of researching this procedure and reading reviews on RealSelf, I finally saved enough money for my BBL. I consulted with both Dr. Jimerson and Dr. Okoro, the two "top docs" in my hometown of ATL. When I did my consultation with Dr. Jimerson (which cost $100), I was forced to wait 2 hours to meet with the doctor, who upon finally seeing me gave me only 10 minutes of his time, seemed rushed and irritable, brushed off my health concerns, and told me to either gain 10 lbs (which would be dangerous and difficult as I am a diet- and exercise-controlled diabetic) or else I would need to receive implants (which I was not comfortable with). My (also $100) consult with Dr. Okoro was very different: despite the fact that I was VERY late to my appointment (due to confusion over the location of the office), the staff worked me in that day anyway, and despite my tardiness I didn't have to wait long to meet the good doctor. Dr. Okoro was personable, charismatic, and funny, and he patiently listened to my health concerns and wishes, then offered me a reasonable idea of the results I could get with the weight that I already had, rather than requesting potentially dangerous weight gain. He also recommended two extra areas of lipo (axilla and bra rolls) in order to make the most of the fatty deposits I did have, which is why my procedure was more expensive than some others. The price was also all-inclusive, including anesthesia, garments, post-op meds, exparel treatment (HIGHLY recommended to reduce post-op pain), post-op appointments, two lymphatic massages, and laser hair removal! The choice was clear following my consult, so I went ahead and scheduled my surgery with Dr. Okoro. The day of surgery I was TERRIFIED, but the nurses were so sweet and understanding they put me at ease. For two hours after I woke up I was in the greatest amount of pain I've ever experienced and I could barely move without experiencing overwhelming nausea. After 2 hours of this, the exparel kicked in, and OMG what a relief that was! The exparel is a long-lasting novocaine analog that is injected into the surgery sites and lasts about 3 days, which, when combined with the prescribed hydrocodone and ibuprofen, makes the initial pain of the operation ALMOST disappear completely. It wears off around day 4, but by then the pain is much more tolerable, and the results make the pain in your body and your wallet irrelevant! By day 6 or 7, I was able to stop taking my hydrocodone as well, as the pain was well-managed by the ibuprofen alone. The swelling and bruising was really bad for about 12 days (I went back to work after 8 days, and the first 3-4 were miserable). Now that I'm almost 3 weeks out, the swelling has gone down some (everything is smaller) and now that I'm starting to see my final results, I'm loving them! I finally have a more balanced and feminine physique, I no longer avoid the mirror (I spend lots of time checking out my new lady lumps), and I feel super sexy now! I really hope that I don't lose too much more fat in the upcoming months, and I know that the final result is yet to be seen, but here's hoping for the best. Dr. Okoro is truly an artist at what he does, and he is worth the money. The outcome of fat transfers like BBLs are very technique-dependent, so in this case you get what you pay for, and you REALLY should go with an expert if you want a good result. Things I wish I had known going into this surgery: the "no sitting" thing really gets old, and you will need some expensive infrastructure to get around it. I STRONGLY suggest that ladies considering this operation invest in a good BBL pillow, not a boppy (too much pressure on the edges of the butt) or a rolled up yoga mat (cuts off the circulation and makes your crotch go numb). I finally bought a "Booty Buddy" and I love it because it actually allows me to sit for extended periods on my thighs somewhat comfortably and without loss of circulation. The price tag ($85 with shipping) is ridiculous, but it's honestly worth it. I also suggest the purchase of a massage table (often available for as little as $70 on Craigslist) if laying on your stomach with your head turned to the side for long periods of time hurts your neck. If you have a smartphone or a laptop, you can even use your massage table to do work, text, or watch videos while laying on your stomach. I also strongly suggest that you have someone available to be with you 24/7 on the day of your surgery and the day following your surgery (you will not be very mobile for these two days). Finally, be sure to arrange carpools to and from work and have friends who are kind enough to ferry you around because you should not be driving for a minimum of 6 weeks after the procedure. Good luck ladies, and