College Student, Serious Problem Areas with High Fat Concentration - Providence, RI

I have struggled with my weight my entire life. After several failed "non-invasive" procedures and thousands of dollars that put me in more debt, I gave up for good on out of home procedures. I decided instead I'd try and change my life by adopting diet and exercise habits that would stick. I had been on numerous diets before, tried exercising and even tried supplements but NOTHING worked. This time, I had a total different mentality. I wanted to like working out, I wanted to like eating healthy and overall I wanted to like myself. I was halfway through my senior year of high school when prom time rolled around. I weighed about 230 pounds and realized that not ONE dress fit me and the ones that did looked absolutely awful. I couldn't believe I had let myself get this out of control. My first idea was to start off simple. I decided I'd walked every day for about 30 minutes a day. Admittedly, the 7 days a week plan turned into a 4 day a week plan but it still helped a little bit. I drank a lot of water, cut out all beverages that weren't water and tried to eat healthier. This was in April of 2013. By prom time I had lost about 5 pounds and was incredibly upset about it. The summer before college I again tried to develop a weight loss plan. I weight 225 in August of 2013 and while being in school lost about 5 pounds in 10 months. I started to accept the fact I would never lose the weight and I would always be bigger. The summer between my freshman and sophomore year of college was when everything changed. I came into some money and started looking up more options besides the diet/exercise plan. I met with Dr. Leon Goldstein in Providence in June 2014. I first went for a Brazilian Buttlift consultation. I wanted the fat from my stomach and thighs to be redirected into my butt. He was incredibly nice and helpful but told me that that wasn't the procedure for me. He also encouraged me to try and lose weight before considering any form of liposuction. I think his words are what seriously motivated me. I lost about 15 pounds in 1 1/2 months after visiting with him. I became a vegetarian, exercised everyday at my local gym (it was really hard but I had to keep telling myself that I LIKED working out) and got a weight loss buddy who suffered from similar weight problems. The 15 pounds I lost then was the most I had ever lost in my life. I was very proud of myself and went back for another consultation with Dr. Goldstein. Soon enough, I had my surgery booked and I would be getting laser liposuction to the upper/lower abdomen and flanks. I went in the day of my surgery at 205 pounds with serious problems areas with high fat concentration. The surgery was nerve-wracking but once I went to sleep it was a piece of cake. I woke up disoriented and a bit woozy but the nurses reassured me everything was fine and that it was normal. I had a tight garment wrapped around my stomach and the area felt numb but I wasn't in pain. In about 10 days, I was about 80% back to my old self. I felt fine and was up and at it. I was moving back to school and even helped move my stuff in. The area was incredibly swollen for about 2 months and I didn't see significant results until about 3 months in. I immediately started working out at the 14 day post-op mark and continued my streak of exercising.

As of today, January 3, 2015 (a little over 4 months post-op) I weigh 175 pounds. My BMI went from a 36 (obese) to a 27.4 (slightly overweight). I feel great! I have so much energy, I love working out and I still stick to it religiously. I went from a size XXL in shirts to a size L and a size 18 in jeans to a size 12. This procedure was well worth everything and I'm incredibly happy with my results.

Please note that this was a journey that was over a year's length in time. Dr. Goldstein informed me that he took out 6 pounds of fat during my procedure. I lost a total of 55 pounds overall so 49 pounds was all me! Diet and exercise is an absolute must! Dr. Goldstein was an awesome support system through this and I am so happy I chose to get this done with him. Now, I must try and build muscle and lose the excess skin that came from my huge weight loss. It will be a struggle everyday but getting this done with Dr. Goldstein is a boost that is well worth receiving!

All in all, Dr. Goldstein was courteous, professional and amazing during my transformation. This procedure changed my life. Everyone notices the changes I've overcome in the past years. Losing 55 pounds and getting laser liposuction with Dr. Goldstein has helped me in a wide array of aspects in my life. I am more confident, I am happier and I am healthier!

Thank you to Dr. Goldstein and the staff at Coastal Plastic Surgery for seeing me through my turn around! :)