I recently had a "Brazilian Butt Lift" (fat transfer to my hips and bum) with Dr. Mendieta in Miami. The results are good and I thought some folks might appreciate a little detail on the experience.
I chose Dr. Mendieta because he had very good reviews and specializes in BBLs. The cost was in the $10,000 range, which is higher than some, but I think it was worth the extra to have a real expert do the work.
In our initial consultation a month before the operation, Dr. M asked me to put on another 5 pounds so he had more to work with. I thought this was pretty funny, and had no problem adding the weight.
A few days before, I had a pre-op appointment and Dr. M was patient about answering my detailed questions. One big concern for me was that he be cautious about lipo on the legs, as this area is apparently easy to ripple. He took notes on this and actually changed the description of the procedure right there and then, and had me initial it. That was nice.
At the pre-op, they also provide a compression garment, but you have to buy it (not included in the cost of the procedure). It was not cheap, but after doing some online research, it clearly was top of the line (a Marena ComfortWear Stage 1 Full Torso Bodysuit).
Dr. M also stressed the importance of not sitting on my butt for two months (not a week, not a month, but two whole months).
I knew this was coming, and tried to weasel, but he was firm so I decided to just go with it.
The morning of the operation my sis drove me and stayed so she could take me home (she's a godsend). I was pretty nervous as the planned liposuction included inner thighs, tummy and love handles, lower and upper back, and the backs of my arms. I tried not to think about him using that big lipo needle in all those places, but failed. Ugh.
The OR staff were ready for me on arrival, and before I knew it I was being shepherded into the OR and onto the table. Everyone introduced themselves and the mood was friendly and upbeat, which was comforting.
I always like to talk to the anesthesiologist to see how long I can stay with it. This amused her, and the last thing I remember is asking, "what are you putting in the IV now", and her saying "propofol".
When I woke up in recovery, Dr. M had already put my compression garment on, so all I had to do was grab my things and check out. As mentioned, you're not supposed to sit on your butt, so I had the "bucky pillow" they recommended with me, and was ready to sit with it under my thighs in the car.
Now begins the difficult part, starting with the ninety-minute drive home through stop-and-go Miami rush-hour traffic. There was just no way to sit properly in the car in the shape I was in, so I ended up laying down in the back seat - on my tummy - the whole way home. That was miserable, but at least I didn't sit on my expensive new butt.
The first 4-5 days are kind of a blur - I was extremely uncomfortable, taking pain meds and sleeping on my tummy, and having to take the compression garment off to shower, put it back on, etc. I would not care to repeat that first week.
After a week the pain wasn't so bad, but for the rest of the recovery time, I have to say that not sitting or even lying on my butt has been a complete nuisance. I can also think of some four-letter words to describe the experience. Really not fun.
The bruising was fairly extensive but was mostly gone after three weeks. The last remaining pains were on the skin under my bewbs and arms. I guess it's kind of thin there, and gets stretched a lot when I move.
I'm now at the 6-week point and can say I'm very happy with the results. I gained about 4" around my hips, and some nice projection on the posterior, which is pretty obvious even in looser clothing.
When I get the final before and after measurements from Dr. M, I'll post them here for reference. Today I'm 44 - 34 - 44 so at least the bottom part is as big as the top part now.
So my overall assessment at this time: worth it!
