Circumferential/body Lift, Implant Exchange, Bbl, Lipo360, and Jplasma

After losing 117 pounds, I was incredibly proud of what I had accomplished, but I was also left with a lot of loose skin. I knew that if I was going to have surgery, I wanted to make sure I chose the right surgeon. This wasn’t a decision I was going to take lightly, so I started researching plastic surgeons.

My very first consultation was with Dr. V.

Before I ever stepped foot into his office, I spoke with Shelby over the phone. She made such a great first impression. She was so kind, took the time to answer all of my questions, explained everything thoroughly, and really listened. I never felt rushed or like she only had a few minutes to talk. That first phone call alone made me feel comfortable and gave me such a good feeling about the practice.

Then I had my consultation with Dr. V himself.

Right away, he made me feel at ease. You can genuinely tell he loves what he does and is passionate about surgery. I explained exactly what I wanted to achieve, and listened. Then, based on his experience and expertise, he explained what I would need in order to achieve the results I was hoping for.

The last thing I expected to hear was that I needed a body lift (circumferential tummy tuck).

I’ll be honest… I was terrified. ????

My first thought was, “Will I be able to wear shorts? A bikini? Will everyone see the scar?”

At the time, there weren’t many before-and-after photos of circumferential tummy tucks, so that made me even more nervous. But Dr. V took the time to explain why he was recommending it. Once he showed me everything, it finally made sense.

Even though I left feeling really good about the consultation, everyone kept telling me to get at least two more opinions.

Those additional consultations only made me more confident that I had found the right surgeon.

And let me tell you…

I am SO glad I listened to Dr. V about the body lift.

Getting the body lift made all the difference. My BBL looks the way it does because the foundation underneath was done correctly. If I had skipped the body lift, I honestly don’t think I would’ve been nearly as happy with my results.

And those scars I was so worried about?

They’re paper thin.

You can barely see them—even in a bikini.

And also, one of the biggest giveaways that someone has had a tummy tuck is an unnatural-looking belly button. Somehow, Dr. V gave me a belly button that literally looks like the one I was born with. That’s the kind of detail that separates a good surgeon from an exceptional one.

I truly have zero regrets.

If you’re looking for a plastic surgeon after major weight loss… seriously, look no further.

And if you’re thinking, “Well, I didn’t lose 117 pounds like you did…”

Girl… that’s even more reason to go see him.

Massive weight-loss patients are some of the most challenging cases in plastic surgery because of the amount of loose skin involved. So if Dr. V was able to create these results after I lost 117 pounds, imagine what he’s capable of for someone with even less loose skin.

There were also a few things I didn’t even realize until after surgery.

For one, I noticed many people have liposuction access incisions on their back. Mine are hidden underneath my arms instead. Unless I tell someone I had liposuction, they’d probably never know. (And if you know me… I’ll be the first one to tell on myself anyway. )

Another thing I really appreciated was that because my surgery lasted more than six hours, I stayed overnight at the surgery center. Most plastic surgeons don’t offer an overnight stay, and neither of the other two surgeons I consulted with did either. Looking back, I can’t imagine going straight home after such a major surgery.

The nurses took incredible care of me. They taught both me exactly how to empty my drains, when to take my medications, how to care for my incisions, and what to expect during recovery. That education made the transition home so much less stressful because we actually felt prepared.

Honestly, all the staff at Memorial Plastic Surgery are incredibly sweet and kind. From the very beginning, they made me feel so welcomed and cared for—like I was part of their little family, not just another patient

One thing I want to tell anyone considering this surgery…

Trust the process.

You’re going to be swollen, bruised, and probably question everything those first few weeks. I know I did.

The area around my lower incision was especially swollen, and I remember freaking out, wondering if it was normal. Dr. V reassured me that it was completely normal and that the swelling would go down—and sure enough, it did. Every question I asked was answered with patience and education. He never made me feel like I was bothering him. He’s kind, incredibly knowledgeable, honest, and truly gifted at what he does.

Healing takes time, so give yourself grace. I would wait at least three months before judging your results because your body is changing every single week.

Someone recently commented, “Body by V.”

Honestly… I couldn’t agree more.

Every time I put on a bikini, or a fitted dress, I’m reminded that trusting his expertise was one of the best decisions I ever made.

I’m forever grateful—not just for the surgery itself, but for giving me the confidence to finally feel comfortable in my own skin again.

If you’re going to invest this much money in yourself, choose a double board-certified plastic surgeon. You want someone who specializes in plastic surgery—not just someone who’s legally allowed to perform cosmetic procedures.