Over the Last Year I Have Had a Total of 7 Different Procedures, This is my Story - Santa Ana, CA

Hi everyone! My name is Laura and I am now 25 years old. I have had a total of seven cosmetic procedures. I wanna keep this post and my experience as real, honest, and personal as possible for you guys =) My experience is my whole entire life. The scars I were given through my Plastic Surgery were earned and I am extremely proud to wear and own them. My choice to have this many procedures cuts deep and is with no regret. As I believe we come to love by seeing imperfections perfectly, I was taught by an amazing women, that the first key is to Love yourself and your body for who you are inside. She has taught me that beauty runs through your blood and veins. Beautiful people know defeat, struggle, suffering and loss. They find their way out of the depths. They earn an appreciation, sensitivity, and understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen. I gotta tell you, before you undergo any type of cosmetic procedure, make sure you love yourself first, for beauty is forever on the inside =)

September 27, 2008 I underwent Gastric Bypass I was 20 years old and weighed 398lbs. I lost a total of 226lbs. My Gastric Bypass surgery was one of the best decisions I have ever made, but it really left my body with excessive lose skin. I hated it! In 2011 I started looked for a plastic surgeon. I met and had consultations with over 5 different doctors and none of them really stood out to me. My parents found a female surgeon online with great reviews and with an amazing credential level. They urged me to met with her, as I wasn't really interested, I prefer male doctors, but hey I went to humour my parents. It was absolute love at first sight. We never take into consideration how much our physicians mean to us, but they are who keep up healthy and safe. I fell in love with this plastic surgeon. She was honest, smart, knowledgeable, and realistic. What stood out the most to me was her love, compassion, and gently kind heart. She treated me like a person and she recognized my struggles and success. I knew after my 3rd visit with her that Dr. Ghada Afifi would be the person to drastically change my life and I felt lucky she was my gift from God =)

I booked my surgery for April 20,2012. I was scheduled to have an Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), Pubic lift, Brachioplasty (arm lift), and Breast Augmentation with a Doughnut Lift! I decided to go with silicone implants 533ccs, which have made me a 36DDD. I chose silicone as I liked and appreciated the feel a lot more and Dr. Afifi felt it was a good choice for me. I have to say the day of my surgery I wasn't nervous at all, I just wanted it done and over with. Dr. A was great. I really trusted her and had full confidence in her. My surgery took about 7 hours. When I woke up the first person I saw was my brother and Dr. A. I was in no pain, I just felt like I was in a fog. I don't remember getting home, but I remember when I did get home I was so hungry =) My pain was very very minimal, but Dr. A did give me a pain pump which stayed inside me for 5 days. The hardest part for me was sitting still. I wanted to see what she did to me and I couldn't because I was completely bandaged and in 3 different garments, which in fact were my best friends. I had 4 drains in my pubic area that I had to dump and measure every few hours. My surgery was on a Friday and I saw Dr. A on that Wednesday. When she unwrapped me I just sat there and cried my little eyes out. She changed my whole entire life and did a beautiful job. For the first time in my life I was going to be able to love my outer body. The next few weeks only got better as I started to heal and the swelling went down. My garments were a blessing, the tighter they were the better. Ice packs saved my boobies at night, as they were sore. I healed beautifully. My surgery was a success and I was the happiest.

December 14,2012 Dr. A and I decided to go forward with my second set of procedures. I had a Flankplasty, Medial Thigh Lift, and Liposuction. This time I was very nervous as I was having some issues in my personal life. Dr. A was on time and never left my side. She was there when they placed my IV, she took me into the operating room, and held my hand and mask as they put me to sleep. I can honestly say without her as my Plastic Surgeon I would have never went forward with ANY cosmetic procedures. This time my surgery took a total of about 6 hours. When I woke up I was in pain. I hurt all over. Like a mac truck hit me. I was bruised all over where I had lipo. I had surgery on Friday and Dr. Afifi called me Saturday to see how I was doing. This time around was hard. I had a lot of pain, my body ached, I was bruised, my inner thighs burned, and when I sat down to go potty it felt like my inner thighs were splitting. I had four drains one of each upper butt cheek, and one in each of my thighs. They hurt this time. I saw Dr. A a lot over the next few weeks as I was not feeling good and was in a lot of pain, but as the days passed so did the pain and I slowly started to feel better. I was over joyed with my results and was thrilled Dr. A was able to get rid of my saddle bags!!! It was worth all the pain sweat and tears =)

It has been almost a year now since my first procedure and I feel and look amazing. I regret that I did not know about Realself at the time, as I would have loved to share my experience sooner, but I am glad to share it now. Dr. Afifi has been amazing and I am truly blessed to have found her for my interaction with her is beautiful. I love her to death for what she has given me and I will NEVER EVER let another plastic surgeon lay a hand on me, as she is now my Plastic Surgeon Life Partner hahah. As I believe it should be that way with every one. This person is going to cosmetically change your life. Make sure you appreciate them and that they appreciate you as well and you feel that trust, connection, and bond with them. It makes the whole experience that much safer and better.