Dolores Catania Opens up About Her Decision to Get a Tummy Tuck & Liposuction

For the past few weeks, Dolores Catania has been showcasing the results of her recent tummy tuck in everything from festive crop tops to bikinis and lingerie. Recently, The Real Housewives of New Jersey mom went on social media with plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph Michaels to spill all the tea on her procedure and why she decided to get it. 

During an Instagram Live session on July 9, Dolores recalled the exact moment she realized she was ready for a change. "I was on the beach with Melissa and Teresa, and I felt very insecure and I covered up. And I just didn't feel myself in that moment and I knew right there that was the last time that I wanted to feel that way," she told Michaels.

Later she added, "I had lost 25 pounds, which after I lost that weight I had realized that where I felt uncomfortable wasn't going anywhere. And that's why I came to you."

Finding the right doctor was a very important part of the process for Dolores, especially because she had a few reservations about getting a tummy tuck. "This is a surgery I never wanted to have. I always had a flat stomach. I knew it was a long recovery and I didn't know if I could ever sit that long or depend on so many people," she shared. 

Dolores explained that even when she found Michaels, who practices in the DMV area, she kept a low profile about her surgery. "I had people that were so against it that I didn't tell them. I really didn't talk to anybody about what I was doing until the night I was leaving." She continued, "But it comes to a point where you have to put all the negativity out of your head and not look at yourself every day and worry about what everyone else is thinking. And I've had plastic surgery before — I had a facelift. People told me I didn't need that either — well, I did."

In addition to the tummy tuck, Dolores also got 360 lipo and a fat transfer to add some roundness to her butt. The total procedure took five hours and cost between $14,000-$16,000, Dolores revealed. 

During the video, Dolores showed off her new flat stomach four weeks out from surgery. "I had extra skin that when I could pull it out like this, it bothered me. I can't pull nothing now," she said. "I have no regrets at all — none," she added.

The RHONJ ladies also seem to be loving Dolores' results. Dolores told Michaels that when she went to a recent party her friends couldn't keep their hands off her. "I got fondled because Melissa Gorga's an ass girl. She's got to grab my ass. Everybody was feeling the ass that you kind of tweaked," she told Michaels