Dr. Ghurani - Sx Date 11/19/13... WHOLE YEAR POST OP. REVISION POSTPONED FOR NOW!!! Aventura, FL

Hey Ladies! Been lurking on this site for a while now, pretty much from the second I searched the web and realized there was a procedure that could make your waist smaller and butt bigger. That was about a year ago almost exactly and now, I'm a little over 2 weeks away from having my procedure and I am ecstatic! (This is going to be long because I'm gonna go into detail on everything because it helps me with my nervousness AND I'm sure some young lady is going to read it and know exactly what to expect at some point.)

Ok, so originally I was all set to go with Dr. Mendieta and he's a great doctor, but he was a bit expensive and I wasn't sure how or when I was going to get the money up for his 20% deposit (that cannot be financed), afford garments, time off, meds, pre-op, a place to stay and care, etc since his fee is only for the procedure, nothing else. So I kept searching here on RealSelf and found Dr. Salama's partner, Dr. Ghurani. His results were fabulous with nice hips, beautiful projection and just looked real! So after a little more research, I emailed Salama's office and got all the goods. Quick rundown:

Called Ghurani's office, was told someone would get back to me within 2 days. Got an email that same afternoon from Cynthia (TOTAL SWEETHEART!!) with the price of the surgery, which includes lipo on abdomen, flanks, & upper/lower back, 2 garments and 2 massages, and an opportunity for additional lipo areas. She asked me to send my photos in to get the dr's opinion and set up the procedure date and sign paperwork. I did, told her I was interested in Dr. Ghurani and she emailed me another (lower) price and some sx dates. One in October (about 3 weeks from the date of the email) and another in November. I already had CareCredit financing from when I was seriously considering Dr. Mendieta last year, so I told her and she said I could finance the ENTIRE surgery without having to pay a cash deposit of 10% (great for me...no $800 out of pocket up front!) I sent my photos and she got back to me the next day with Dr. Ghurani's opinion. He said I was a very good candidate with good fat deposits, he could aggressively lipo my flanks (where I'd see the biggest improvement), abdomen and back, giving me a great waist and better overall torso profile. All the fat grafted would be used in my butt to contour and get desired size and projection transferring a minimum of 1200cc's per side. Cynthia emailed me the opinion and also called me to let me know.

So, I went right ahead, let her run my CareCredit for the cost of the entire surgery ($7574), selected my date 11/19, got an email confirmation back with a receipt, all my info, staff info, and sx info. I thanked her for being such a sweetheart and scheduled a face-to-face consult with Dr. G. I think it was set for the next week. I was so excited.

I left early from work to go to the consult, and took my ex-boyfriend. (He's one of only 2 people that know I'm even having this surgery, and he's been supportive ever since last year when I first told him I wanted to have it done. Even tho we broke up early this year, he's still going to be my caretaker after my procedure). I have been doing EXTENSIVE research here and other places, so I was just ready for Dr. Ghurani to examine me in person and give me more info. The office is in a hospital/medical center I believe in a beautiful building. The waiting room was small like a regular dr's office. I signed it and there were about 4 ppl waiting. 1 girl was about 5 months post-op from a BBL and her mom was telling about how hard her recovery was, etc. I brought my laptop so my ex and I just talked, I looked up more wish pics, and just waited. Nomie called me back, gave me my scripts for meds, went over some medical questions, explained the procedure and aftercare, gave me a few papers and confirmed my sx date. Then she showed us the drains. THAT was a rude awakening for my ex. I think he thought this procedure was going to be a simple one...suck the fat from the belly and love handles, put it in the butt, rest a few days and then boom...sexy new ex-girlfriend. But as we spoke more and Nomie demonstrated where the drains go and how to empty them, etc, he was clearly uncomfortable. She also described how he would have to force me to eat and drink, keep up with my meds, and empty my drains and clean my garment, and remember things for me because after SX, most girls are forgetful. I think it was a RUDE awakening for him. I took that opportunity to show him so post SX pics from this site...bloody garments, bruising etc. and he was SHOCKED. I had to laugh.

Nomie was nice and informative. She has had the procedure done and she looks a little 'done' (if that makes sense) in my opinion but she looks good. After she gave me my boppy pillow (also included in sx cost!), she said Dr. G. was on his way in and for me to get undressed and put the little paper gown on. I did and about 15 mins later, he walks in.

Ladies...he INSTANTLY made me feel at home. He's GOOD LOOKING, tall, great smile, etc. Funny and full of info. He sat, went over some more med history questions, and then got into the procedure explanation. He explained EVERYTHING. Why we carry fat in certain places, how genetics, culture, etc determine our vision of beauty and what we want from our bodies, how fat works, just EVERYTHING. Then he began to draw on the paper lining the table I was sitting on of how he sculpted the body, what he wanted it to look like ultimately, etc. Then he made me drop the gown and then started poking and pointing out things on my body. He knew EXACTLY the stuff I hated, but he was very impressed with my body. He said I was built athletically, had excellent skin, excellent fat and that I would heal nicely and he could shape me beautifully but that I had slight scoliosis that he was sure I probably never was aware of and that was why I held weight more on one side of my butt than the other and why I had weird bulges/dents on my butt/hips (always HATED that and never knew why!). He said with lipo alone, I'd probably love my body without the BBL, but WITH it, I'd probably want to marry him...lol. He said he doesn't tell you CC's or take CC requested because the skin and fat tells him what he can do, but that he knows I'd be happy. He also said he hates the fake Nicki Minaj type booties but lots of girls want that so he does it. I told him I wanted a 'spanish girl' butt, upside down heart with nice curve and small waist and HIPS. Just an hour glass figure. He agreed and said he could make me as close to perfect as he possibly could. I showed him a few wish photos and he said I picked perfect ones for my height and body type (25 years old, african american, 5'3", about 150lbs). He asked if I wanted inner thigh lipo (without me even having to mention it) and said he would do it after he did the other stuff and that it might not make a HUGE difference but if wanted it, he would do it. After that, he wrapped up (it had been close to 2 hours!!) and said he couldn't wait to see me for sx.

Whew! So I got dressed and the young lady from the lobby was about to be seen. She let me touch her butt and ask her questions. She looked great, very natural, booty was nice and soft, natural feeling (my ex wanted to touch too but I told him to f**k off!) and she looked VERY happy. So we left. My ex was VERY concerned about the sx at this point. He didn't understand that its a MAJOR SURGERY with a hard recovery. So he started to get annoying because he started to question why I wanted it and if I really wanted to go for it. I'm worried that he won't have the stomach to help me after SX but he promises he's still behind me with it. We'll see.

I've called the office about 100 times since then with questions and I'm always answered pretty promptly. I THINK Cynthia is pregnant so she's out a little bit (I think it's her...not 100% sure but one of the girls I saw in the office is very pregnant and her voice sounded familiar) so my emails take a couple days, but calling is MUCH prompter. Nomie responds very quickly tho via email.

So now, I'm taking Iron, Vitamin C, B Complex and a multivitamin, but after a week I started getting headaches like never before, so I stopped for 2 days and they went away. Idk what it is but I know I have to keep taking them...

Anyway...I went and got all my med yesterday from Walgreens. Cost me about $30 with insurance. I'm scheduled to do my post-op blood work at Dr. G's office on 11/11 (a week from now) since I'm off work that day. That is costing me $160 that they added into my financing...score again! No money out of pocket since I don't think my insurance would cover it since my PCP didn't order it PLUS they have the results right there and don't have to stress about your PCP or lab sending them results on time, etc). Fingers crossed that I have no issues...I'm sure I don't but still.

I'm very nervous and feel like this is unreal that I'm going to have this procedure in just 2 weeks! But I NEED A PLACE TO STAY! I live in south Florida but about an hour away and I need to stay close to the Dr's office for at least 6 days. FInding a nice vacation rental or extended stay has been almost IMPOSSIBLE since I only want to spend about $350 AND I have to pay for a caretaker after the 1st day since my Ex can't take that many days off...just the actual sx day. Ugh...this is the only part that is coming out of my pocket and I'm trying to keep costs down. Any of you girls can help? Ugh! This is the only snag I've hit. Oh and info on garments..help me out you guys!

Ok. I think I've covered EVERYTHING so far. I'm going to try to upload some photos and wish pics and keep you all posted on the next steps!

I'm going to add pics when I get home after work. But update...I booked my place to stay! I finally got the vacation rental that I had my eye on. I used the site Airbnb.com. Don't know how I even found it but I was googling and the site came up. If you sign up thru Facebook, you get $25 off your first booking. Every little bit helps! So that is out of the way. Its a BEAUTIFUL studio about 10 mins from both the SX center and Dr. Gs office right outside Hollywood and it has a queen bed plus a queen sized pullout couch, full kitchen, full bathroom, WIFI, washer & dryer, free parking right in front of the unit & more. I'm in love. Load off my back.

Now the bad news...my ex isnt sure he can be with me for Sx. His job is giving him a hard time. I got upset and told him not to worry, I would just hire a nurse (which I wasgonna do anyway since we knew he couldnt take many days off work to help me) but now its looking like I'm going to need full time help from the day of Sx. Bummer. More money that I have to scramble to find. I should make him contribute since he's backing out.

Other than that I've looked into massages here in the west Palm area and I found a great recommendation from another BBL sisters update (I'll find her name later). Called and the lady was very nice. Its recommended that you have 1-5 pre op lymphatic drainage massages before your SX and then at least 10 post op. Im gonna try for at least 2 pre op starting next week. Wish insurance could cover it.

So I need advice & numbers for nurses for Sx care. I have called a few...about $175 for 24 hours...trying to find cheaper if possible. Please BBL sisters, help me out! Pics later!

Hello BBL ladies! I woke up about 2 hours ago (damn time change) and haven't fallen back asleep so I started packing my bag for SX (yes...2 weeks in advance) with some of the stuff I've picked up and researching more things. Soooooooo much info from you ladies got my head spinning on all the stuff I need to buy! I already have arnica gel and pills (on sale from Vitamin Shoppe), gauze, medical tape, medical dressings, extra strength tylenol, Hibiclens (to shower with for a few days pre SX), all my prescriptions, granny panties (lots), thick high (men's) socks, slippers, maxi pads, chloraseptic throat spray, hair bands (to anchor drains to thigh so they don't snag or trip me up in shower, etc), boppy pillow (given to me at EPS by staff, included in SX fee), thermometer, Neosporin, alcohol, peroxide, wound cleaner/Bactrin spray (2 different kinds...maybe for drain sites since they are the pain-relieving kind and I heard about the discomfort/burning of drains), baby wipes (big box for bathroom sessions and general wiping up...heard the #2's are messy :-/ ), blister cushions (garments rub against you and give you nasty red blisters at time, I've heard) and maybe 1 or 2 other things. I know I need more. I saw Bromelain at Vitamin Shoppe as well but I had only a limited amount of cash on me since I literally just ran in on a whim. (They had a nice sale on too! Check them out in your town if you're prepping for SX!)

I keep hearing about thick foam for your bed (what is this for? To cut so you can lay on your back with no pressure on your butt after SX, maybe?), extra foam for your garment (where can I get this at a good price? It's Epifoam, right?), an adjustable head rest type thing to slide into your bed at home that is pretty much the face cradle on a massage table to make stomach sleeping much easier (a BBL sister SWORE by this so I will be ordering from amazon. Brand is Earthlite), a camp seat for us ladies who work sitting down (I have told my job I'm having back surgery so I have practiced standing up and working and also kneeling on my desk chair...neither is very comfortable for more than about 20 mins or so, so this camp chair may be a good idea), a beach chair to cut a hole out of in and stack a boppy pillow on in order to "sit" after sx at times, Jolastic washing solution (for garments), Heelbo (for elbows since you will be up on them for weeks after SX, I guess), prosthetic fitting lotion for garments, a stimulation ball for your groin area to rub for lymphatic reasons and swelling (labia gets swollen due to compression, I've heard), Zims Max Freeze Gel for skin after SX (like arnica, I think) and a definite cream for itching and firming (heard garments do a NUMBER on your skin and your lymphatic system makes you itch like crazy as some points afterwards) and buckwheat pillows (supposed to be more sturdy and supportive and used to drive and under your knees for leaning. Don't collapse or go flat. Kinda expensive tho even on Amazon...another BBL swore by them tho and it made sense). My head is spinning but I'll get it together.

On to the body. I'm about 5'3", about 140-155 (same 15lbs for about 5 years on and off) but no one EVER believes I weigh that much, and I always gave the impression of having curves and a nice lil booty but my waist has been nonexistent FOREVER. My mom and I are shaped almost exactly alike (I'm shorter and a bit more curvy...it took for her to have kids to have the kind of body I already have, if that makes sense) and for YEARS she has been under the impression that she has a big butt and hips. It took my grandma (who is THICK, ya'll) to be like 'Ummm...no." My mom actually came to me to ask me if my grandma was right and I said yes. In my head I was like 'and that's why I'm having SX in 2 weeks because our bodies are too similar!'

Anyway, in my pics you see I have a lil hump booty, no butt cleavage and it's flat right above my crack. I have pockets of weird fat that look like they should have been hips but never really formed, so just weird lumps on each corner of my butt and directly under that it's hollow, like God scooped the fat out, making my butt square. I have a little volume but it's only on the bottom. No slope, no shelf, no nothing. If I'm wearing a tight dress and like a cardigan or blazer that stops maybe a 1/2 inch below my crack, I look FAB and that's what I've been doing to fool folks for years on this body, but no more!

I'm a natural 36C which I loooove, but i've always had a belly. Always. Even as a skinny minnie kid. No waist, really. Fat accumluates in my back/bra strap area, so I have rolls there and deep mid back folds. Just UGH! Makes me lumpy and bumpy and look bigger than I feel I am. In my pics, I look a LITTLE pulled in but I think it's just because the fat lumps I mentioned earlier give that illusion, if that makes sense (I THINK these are the flanks).

No hips, no real shape, so I'm looking to totally overhaul that. I want ROUND, PERKY, FAT booty. Not huge, but nice and well sized. Not a big shelf, more of a heart, curvy like Amber Rose (love her!) with an S-curve, a nice one!I have big thighs (big quad muscles as Dr. G. pointed out...he says I have an athletes' body which is why my butt is square shaped and my quads are big...the quads dominate my movement so in my workouts in the past, my butt grows slowly because my quads do all the work pretty much. Look up Nick Nilsson...his booty workouts are great because he addresses these problems. I was doing his workouts until I got lazy and decided I wanted SX first, then perfect the perfection with this methods!) Where was I? Oh yeah, big thighs/quads so I know I can pull off a bigger booty without looking fake because I have the thighs to hold it up. It's like I was MEANT to have ass, but my stomach and back got greedy and took the fat, so this SX is just putting it where it was SUPPOSED to be all along. Nothing fake or phony about that!

I want projection, S-Curve and hips, a sculpted and tight upper back/bra/love handle/flank area, and a flat tummy, of course. I'm also doing inner thigh lipo I think because I have cellulite there and my thighs rub together, but Dr. G. as I said, pointed out my QUADS are big and always will be so inner thigh lipo may not totally fix that probably but give me some improvement. My only concern with this is having to wear long garments for longer time to compress the thigh area AND I don't want this to interfere with what really matters - that aggressive upper/mid/lower back, abdomen and flank lipo. I mean, the waist sculpting is what I'm looking for and the Dr can only take out so much fat legally. Dr. G. told me there is NO WAY I have 4000L of fat in my body and my procedure will more than likely be one of his shorter ones (maybe 2 1/2 hrs) but still. I paid for the extra lipo ($500) i think and if he can't do it, then I think I get refunded so...we'll see. Posted some wish pics for you ladies. The sun is up and its time to get ready for work. I'm sure I'll be back soon since I can now update and upload from my phone! :) Happy researching and healing!