Chicago BBL Process and Review

Here to share some insights on my recent BBL in hopes of helping others! Currently anxiously awaiting the final results after healing, but here are my “before” pics. I regret not taking more beforehand.

April 24, 2019 was surgery date!

I followed all instructions: 

- Wash with hibiclens the night before and morning of 

- Don’t eat or drink anything after midnight before surgery 

- Pack light on surgery day and wear comfy clothes 

- Have someone with you to drive you and stay with you for min 24 hours afterward (I appreciated having someone for a couple days after - more on that later) 

The surgery began around 7 AM. I arrived at the facility around 6. It’s worth noting that Dr. Platis works out of an accredited surgical center, and I found all of the nurses, staff, and anesthesiologist to be friendly and welcoming. Between 6 and 7 I was dressed in the hospital gown, with compression socks, hooked up to the IV and ready to go. I met with Dr. Platis once more to go over final wish pics and be marked up for procedure. By 7 things were underway and before I knew it at 9:30 I was beginning to wake up. About an hour later I was ready to leave. My boyfriend and I rented a mid-size SUV - I was very thankful for this, as he drives a tiny sports car and I cannot imagine tying to get in and out of it in the state I was in. The hour ride home to the city (Dr. Platis works out of a surgery center in Northwest Indiana) was painful to say the least.

Day 0 - Surgery The evening of the surgery I appreciated that Dr. Platis reached out to see that I was doing okay. I was pretty nauseous from the anesthesia and couldn’t keep food down, but other than that just sleeping. I could hardly feel anything as long as I didn’t move.

Day 1 - The first full day post- surgery was by far the worst... the anesthesia had worn off and one pain pill every four hours as prescribed was hardly enough. I was thankful to have my boyfriend with me, even though I was hardly awake and only left bed to use the washroom. The good news is it was only a day! In the grand scheme of things, that’s a very small amount of time compared to how long we all hope these results will last. 

Days 2-3 - The second and third days came around and things got much better. It was easier for me to get in and out of bed on my own. I was told I was able to shower 48 hours post-op, so on the 26th I gave it a try. I removed my garment for the first time. As I have since learned, the shift in blood pressure while doing so often leads to light-headedness and fainting, and I all but passed out right on the bathroom floor had my boyfriend not been by my side to catch me. I would definitely recommend having someone with you in the first few days afterward. 

Day 3 - This is when the pain substantially subsided, thankfully... I attempted the shower again. It helps to take off the garment and stay in a horizontal position for some time to help your body acclimate to the change in pressure before getting up to shower. It was a bit of a mental hurdle to me also, as I was feeling like my mid section was very vulnerable. This could be just me, as I’ve been known to be pretty squeamish, but I specifically didn’t look in the mirror and stuck to washing up with a wash cloth and the bath faucet and washing my hair in the sink... it did the trick! I actually was able to attend a friend’s birthday party this night for a bit and was out of the house for the first time. 

Days 4-5 - These days included lots and lots of rest. I was off painkillers by the 3rd day and was amazed and how much recovery progress my body was making each and every day. Things were looking up and I was certain the worst was over. All in all, even the worst wasn’t so bad. 

Day 5 - I had my follow-up appointment and Dr. Platis advises that things were healing according to plan. The bruising was subsiding, and he gave me a tip that anytime I felt lightheaded just to lay down flat immediately. Luckily soon after this the faint feelings subsided naturally anyways.