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POSTED UNDER Body Lift REVIEWS

Starting the Process - LBL/Butt Aug- East Coast

ORIGINAL POST

Hello All, Just wanted to write a quick note to...

cosmic wisdom
$20,000
Hello All,

Just wanted to write a quick note to start recording my experiences. I'm 33 and recently lost 100 POUNDS. I've been thinking of this for quite some time (the TT and BBL) and Im finally transitioning from stalking this site to taking action.

I'll be doing some consultations later this week in LA with the following Drs:
Dr Hughes
Dr Bruno
Dr Dass
Dr J
and one other Dr I probably wont go with but using as a test run.

In December I'll be doing some consults with some Baltimore area doctors since I'm visiting family. I live in the midwest (Ohio) and I haven't found a doctor whose results are worth doing a consult.

I'll keep you posted thru the selection process and post surgery (if possible). I'm looking to get the surgery done in Dec 2014. Seems like a long time out but I am a project manager by trade - so I'll use my work experience and treat this as my own little "project" FOR ME :)

cosmic wisdom's provider

Samir Shureih, MD

Samir Shureih, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Replies (9)

November 6, 2013

Hi there, welcome and thanks for sharing your journey with us.

Congatulations on your weight loss! Did you do it just through diet and exercise, or did you also have weight loss surgery?

Good luck with your consultations, I hope they go well. Please do keep us updated with your progress.

November 6, 2013
I lost the weight by going old school. Heavy weight lifting and cutting out breads, rice, pasta and starchy veggies. The process took around 1.5 years.
November 7, 2013

Well congratulations, you've done really well! It's obviously all been worth it.

November 7, 2013
Congrats on your weight loss.. Have you decided what doctor you're going with?
November 8, 2013
Good luck on your consultations the next couple days. I think you'll be seeing dr Hughes after my surgery tomorrow :-). By the way if you need insight on any of these drs send me a message, I consulted with all 4, P.S. Besides Dr. Hughes, I love Dr. J
November 9, 2013
Hey Cosmic....how was the consult today? Thoughts?  I just wanted to check in on you..I hope everything went well.   :0)
November 9, 2013
I just came back from the consults....what a whirlwind!! I think I need to ask Dr Hughes additional questions. Still not done yet. Got one more consult with Dr Dass tomorrow. I have mixed feelings. I think I'l need to process this for a while before I can make sense of it. I know this response sounds weird but that commute on 405 is no JOKE.
November 9, 2013
The 405 IS a main freeway-- totally not fun at all.  But also bear in mind you can schedule as follow up visits at a time when traffic subsides.  I live in SF-I think we are a major city--but darn....LA traffic is the worst!  -- and I think you are right--- 
November 9, 2013
Now that you are gathering (lots and lots ) of info ---step back for a bit and think about it and do that a few times--to make the best decision for you.  ((Hugs)) I am so excited for you!      
UPDATED FROM cosmic wisdom
10 months pre

UPDATE LA Round Done

cosmic wisdom
Hello Ladies,

Needless to say my first round of consult was enlightening. Think of it as having a series of blind dates. You'll get some crazies and [RS bleep] and somewhere in there you will find a prince. I saw a variety of surgeons with different specialties. Since I lost 100 pounds there will be no BBL for me simply because I dont have enough fat - which is okay with me. I'll be doing surgery in 2 phases - one will be a lower body lift and the second a butt implant.

Dr. Bruno - nice guy cold but beautiful office. I didn't feel he had enough experience in the lower body lift.

"Dr. S" I will call him. Really arrogant offering me things I didn't want. He specializes in weight lost patient plastic surgery.

Dr Hughes - I met him right after surgery. I know he is hard working but didn't really know what was on his scrubs. Didn't like the coordinator Heidi - she seemed too used car salesmanly for me and didn't provide any specifics.

Dr Dass - Love him, the office and Leslie. He has a perfect blend of experiences and I asked some questions that the other docters glossed over. HE actually told me the really reallys. Liked the fact he trained in Kansas City where the Lockwood lower body procedure was invented.

I will probably go with Dr. Dass in LA however I do have some consults in the Baltimore area and then decide around Christmas.

Replies (9)

November 10, 2013
Hey cosmic I think Dr. Hughes and Dr. Dass are both excellent choices. You probably met Dr. Hughes after my surgery lol. I can recommend you to really take your time. You still have plenty of time to decide and no need to rush choosing a surgeon.
November 10, 2013
I am a little anal. But hey I use to to get paid :) I like Dr Hughes but that Heidi seems a little shady. For now I'm leaning towards Dr Dass but will prob think about it for a couple of months at least. Now I know what ppl are saying about being an emotional ride!!
November 10, 2013
I know I didn't like her either. When I went back I dealt with Adam, never dealt with her again. It sure it but things will fall into place and you'll make the right decision if you take your time.
November 18, 2013
I also am shopping for a LBL, I had a wonderful consult with Dr Katzen in Beverly Hills, Even if you are using another surgeon, it's worth your time to visit his website and view a TLC show he did a couple of years ago showing 2 lower body lifts, a man and a woman, I've watched it 3 times now...I could practically do one of surgeries myself (just kidding of course) but I like to know exactly what is going to happen. I so enjoyed my consult with him, he sent in for insurance approval, in the slight chance they approve some of it, I'm there!!! I wish finances were not a consideration but for me they are...
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November 19, 2013
So who did you end up going with.
December 13, 2013
I still havent decided yet...got some consults in baltimote near family
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November 24, 2013
I had three consults scheduled in the LA area for the same procedures a couple of months ago. I know what you mean about some [RS bleep] and crazies! My first consult was with Dr. Hovsepian. I think he's probably a good surgeon for what he does. After my consult, I came to the realization that he probably specializes in his brand of lipo, and picks patients that will benefit from that. My issue is much more skin issues than fat. But that doc? He arrogantly told me to do squats, lunges and endermologie treatments! This was after a few years of squats & lunges (insanity workout, for one). I left his office $200 poorer, in tears, and feeling my body was so bad it was beyond hope. I was to go from that appt to Dr. Hughs' office for my next consult, but was a mess, emotionally speaking. I blew it off, but wish I'd kept it. Had I known about Dr. Katzen, I'd have definitely gone to him for a consult. Anyway, long story, but I kept the appt I'd made for the following morning in Marina del Rey and really liked the surgeon (he helped train my surgeon that did my mommy makeover). I had another here in AZ, and a sort of virtual consult with my chosen surgeon in FL. So I totally agree with the idea of consulting many surgeons - even if it means surgery and recovery elsewhere. :) But I agree with AZDee that you should consult with Dr. Katzen, too. If he's as good as I've heard here and seen on his website, I'd have probably one with him, myself. No regrets with my own choice, but LA is so much closer to home for me. That part would have been much easier. Keep us posted! Good luck with making your decision.
December 22, 2013
I hate that doctors turn to insults when they dont have the experience needed. Sorry to hear that. I do full body heavy lifting 3x a week so I understand your frustration about the squats comment.
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December 22, 2013
Thanks for understanding! I think that's right- some are just [RS bleep]. Geez- just be honest about what you do and don't do. Why resort to insults?!
UPDATED FROM cosmic wisdom
9 months pre

Washington DC/Baltimore Consults

cosmic wisdom
Hello Ladies,

I know I've been MIA but wanted to followup on the second round of consults with:
Dr Joseph Micheal
Dr Douglas Foreman
Dr Shurieh

I have to say that I was way more impresses with these doctors than the ones in LA. They spent way more time with me (but waiting for the docter took longer).

They are all awesome as well as their staff. Dr Joseph Foreman has a fellowship in body conturing after weight loss (which is rare to find). This visit with him seemed like I was talking to a friend about the weight loss process itself versus the procedures. He has a small solo practice and really educates you on the rationale of the techniques vs just the results. Dr Douglas Foreman has a Ivy league education but a golden heart. He really cared about me and how I would fare in the aftercare strategy. Dr Shureih is a very detailed person. I spent 3 hours with him and 1 hour was just looking at my body!! We spent the next 2 hours going in details the procedures that could give me the desired results and the risks associated with each. He is well established and respected and is doing some cutting edge stuff - especially with the booty!! One of his procedures for butt augumentation is a fat dermis - inserting the fat and skin from a tummy tuck into the buttucks versus a implant. He is the only docter in the US doing this.

So I have great hopes for 2014!! Im really leaning towards Dr Shureih right now. I've decided to think it over over Christmas. I do know one thing though - Im not going to LA for this procedure.

Replies (8)

December 21, 2013
Wow these consults sound promising. I commend you for taking the time to go on these consultations & doing diligent research instead if just jumping on a dr wagon. I'm sure you'll choose the right dr for you. Btw I'm very intrigued by the fat dermis...
December 21, 2013
Me too...I plan on getting the surgery around late Aug or early Sept
December 21, 2013
That's good time do you can prepare financially, physically & emotionally. Good luck and keep us updated.
December 21, 2013
Ahh-that's do funny/kinda like "crazy blind dates-"--lol! But there is a lot if info to juggle for sure. The most important issue is that you feel comfortable wherever you go.--what are you looking at for a date ??
December 22, 2013
looking at late aug or sept 2014
December 23, 2013
This seems to be the window of time that I will have also to have my LBL. Had planned on doing it earlier, then my daughter decided to have a baby so I have to plan around that event and make sure I am healed enough to be a help, so I decided to wait until the fall....in the meantime I am planning a long cruise to mentally prepare...lol
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December 23, 2013
Life sucks! Hahaha. I'd shoot for LATE Sept. at the earliest. Too damn hot in AZ for those compression garments. ;)
December 26, 2013
wow we may be LBL twins :) I don't know what to do to mentally prepare except to read as much as I can, ask my surgeon tons of questions and start my list of needed items. I wont schedule my surgery until the end of Feb for 2 reasons: 1. Stop smoking 2. Really think about my consults to ensure I chose the right doctor.