I used to roll my eyes at people who got cosmetic procedures. Like, what’s wrong with just aging naturally? But then I caught a glimpse of myself in a department store mirror one day and didn’t recognize the woman looking back. I wasn’t unhappy with my life — far from it — but my face, my body… they didn’t match the energy I felt inside. That was the beginning of what I now call the most empowering, personal, and surprisingly emotional journey I’ve ever taken.
It started in Atlanta. I remember googling “liposuction Atlanta” with a mix of curiosity and shame. Like I was doing something wrong by wanting a flatter stomach or a more defined waist. But the more I read, the more I realized how common it was — and how many people felt the exact same way I did. I found a plastic surgeon in Atlanta GA who wasn’t just technically great — he made me feel safe, heard, human. That’s where I first learned about neck lipo Atlanta too. And suddenly I was thinking, maybe I don’t have to hide under scarves anymore. Maybe I can love my profile in photos.
That was the spark. From there, the doors opened.
A friend of mine had just returned from Dallas after getting a 360 lipo procedure, and she looked… amazing. Like herself, but lighter somehow. She had also done a breast lift Dallas-style — subtle, not exaggerated — and she kept saying how clothes felt better. Not tighter, not smaller. Better. Comfortable. Feminine. I didn’t even know that was a thing people did without implants, and it honestly made me feel seen.
It snowballed in the best way. I started paying attention to what I wanted. Not what social media told me. Not what partners wanted. Just me.
I went to Los Angeles to visit my cousin, who was prepping for a skinny BBL. She’s naturally petite and didn’t want the dramatic look — just shape, balance. I thought BBLs were only for Instagram models, but this was tasteful. She also told me she saw a lot of male BBL Los Angeles patients at her clinic, which totally blew my mind. I mean, why shouldn’t men want to feel good in their bodies too?
While she was recovering, I did something spontaneous. I booked a quick chin lipo Los Angeles appointment I’d been putting off for over a year. It was small, but the way it sharpened my jawline changed how I took selfies. No more awkward angles, no more turtlenecks in summer.
Somewhere between all of this, I met people with their own stories. One woman from Houston had just done a facelift. She said the facelift Houston surgeon gave her exactly what she wanted — not a frozen look, just refreshed. Like she finally got eight hours of sleep. Another woman swore by vaser lipo Houston and said it helped her drop fat in places that workouts couldn’t touch. Another mom went through a Houston mommy makeover, and the glow she had afterward? Unreal.
I even met someone in Tampa who had done awake lipo. Yeah — awake. No general anesthesia. She was nervous at first, but ended up loving it because she bounced back fast. A different woman had done a mini facelift Tampa recommended, and she said it made her look less tired without making her feel like a different person. Oh, and rhinoplasty Tampa? Another close friend had it done to fix both a breathing issue and a bump on her nose — two birds, one beautifully sculpted stone.
Encino was one of my last stops, and I’d heard from a few people that liposuction Encino had this boutique, tailored vibe. Not flashy — just detailed work. When I met the surgeon, I understood. It wasn’t about changing who you are. It was about bringing forward what you already had, just a little more clearly.
I still remember the name someone whispered to me in Dallas — dr chin lipo Dallas. He had a reputation for being exact, artistic, and so quiet about his work that you’d never know how many of your favorite influencers had passed through his clinic. I didn’t end up booking with him, but knowing those kinds of specialists existed made me feel like this whole industry was deeper than I thought.
When I wasn’t traveling or recovering, I spent hours on AestheticMatch.com — stalking before-and-afters, reading reviews, building my own mental checklist. It wasn’t just a website. It became my comfort zone. A place where I didn’t feel judged for wanting change.
So yeah, I guess I became “that girl.” The one who had procedures. Who shared her post-op skincare tips. Who could explain the difference between lipo BBL Dallas versus a standard fat transfer. The girl who once rolled her eyes, now rolling compression garments into her carry-on bag.
And if I’m being honest? I wouldn’t change a thing. Because I didn’t become someone else. I just made space to finally feel like myself again.