How was your Smartlipo recovery?

I just had my surgery (lower and upper stomach and hips) on Thursday, yesterday. I don't remember much of the surgery itself as I was pretty out of it. I do remember feeling a couple of sharp stab pains but as soon as I said something my doctor took care of it. The surgery was fine. I was walking around as soon as I got home and have been walking around all day today. Being up actually hurts less then sitting. I haven't had much leakage, not what others have reported. I'm already using just thin panty liners the next day and have never soaked through my clothes. You will get very nauseous taking off your garmet, I took a nauseous pill about 30 minutes before I went to shower and tool everything off while sitting on my knees. I showered by myself just fine. I can already see major results! The swelling as of now isn't bad but it's only day 2 so it might become worse. So far, everything has gone by pretty easy and I'm not in much pain.

I have read several of these comments and seen both postitve and negative. That said, I have posted my experiences on here and they are similar to the negative. I was told that my skin would be tightened using a laser....which felt like a burning of the inside of skin. It has been 2 years now and I am very saggy. I am 44 years old, very fit and it is so maddening. I did this to improve my appearance, not create MORE issues. The technician at SonoBello even pointed out that it looked like my outter thighs had "fallen". It's very gross and the folks at Sono Bello could give a crap! They took the money and were done.

6/1/13: My SmartLipo procedures were completed on 5/28 (this past Tuesday) and lasted approx. 4 hours for my chin, upper and lower abdomen, flanks and inner thighs. Two weeks prior to surgery I began taking Arnica Montana tablets to help decrease swelling and bruising (found at Whole Foods and inexpensive). I was given a dose of antibiotics, Percocet and anti-nausea medication when I arrived. I have always exercised and watched my weight and am 5'2" weighing 130 lbs (pre surgery) and told I was a perfect candidate to remove pockets of fat that were most likely genetic in how fat settles as we age (I'll be 51 this year). I left with foam wrapped around my abdomen, and then zipped into an extremely tight compression garment (I purchased two from my surgeon so they were ready when I arrived). You will need someone to pick you up after the procedure and watch over you for at least the first 48 hours to help with changing gauze bandages (leakage), re-fasten and zip the compression garment, get in and out of bed, use the bathroom (my compression garment is crotchless), help put meals together and keep you on a medication schedule. Because I had my chin done and wearing a chin compression garment, I'm on a liquid/apple sauce/jello/soup diet (so probably losing another 5 lbs!). You must rehydrate with Gatorade (or another drink to restore electrolytes) due to fluid loss after the procedure. Discomfort was at a level 10 the first night but controlled with Percocet. Limped through day 2 but up and walking. Anything that dropped on the floor stayed on the floor until day 3 (bending is almost impossible due to pain and compression garment). Went to my day 3 post-op appointment and finally saw the results for the first time...my stomach is flat as a board and looks like I'm already 1" narrower from side to side and will continue to shrink as the swelling subsides. I was absolutely amazed. My compression garment was too large in the inner thigh area so I now wear foam pads and Spanks over my compression garment. This isn't fun...it's 90 degrees here. The chin recovery seems to take longer and I look like a chipmunk with swollen cheeks. I'm following my surgeon's direction of wearing the compression garment 24 hours a day for a month and then continuing with nights only for another month. The chin strap is 24 hours for two weeks and then wearing after work. Looking for ideas on how to disguise the chin strap at work!!! Thankfully, maxi dresses are in style so hiding the compression garment won't be a problem. I do think SmartLipo works better for some than others and expectations should be clearly defined and discussed with a surgeon to determine if SmartLipo or traditional Lipo (or other procedures) will get the desired results. Walking in with a picture of Jessica Alba and being 60 lbs overweight living a sedate lifestyle...SmartLipo may not deliver the desired results. Also, Jessica Alba wore a custom-fitted corset 24 hours a day after her second pregnancy and just check the pictures of her in a bikini online! If you are looking for long-lasting results, question any surgeon who says you can walk out the door after SmartLipo wearing Spanx and resume normal activities within 2 days. This procedure is an investment in money and time (with a bit of pain thrown in for good measure). My plastic surgeon is rated one of the best in D.C. area, has practiced in Europe as well, and contact me directly for information. Can't wait to see how things are progressing at my next follow-up visit next week!

10/26/12 I had my upper and lower abs, back (part that squeezes out of the bottom of the bra), and flanks (love handles) and topped everything off with a mini tummy-tuck. It's been 6 days now and I'm not as uncomfortable as I was the 1st or second night. I cried when I had to get in bed the first night because I was so sore. The pains meds seem to make me sleepy instantly, but dont really get rid of the pain. I am a size 12 and they sent me home wearing a size SMALL compression garment! I think that contributed to the pain as well especially in my sides. I wore it as long as I could but on the 3rd day I cut myself out of it and put on some spanx which were much better. I then realized the garment is supposed to be super tight so I whipped out the sewing machine and sewed the spanx tighter. Now I'm uncomfortable again, but not so worried about my results not being good. I also ordered the exact same garment they gave me only in a Medium instead of small and also in brief bottom instead of thigh length. My thighs were squeezed so tight in the one they gave me! The binder is more annoying. That is what causes me not to be able to bend over. I went to work 4 days after the procedure. Yes it took 5 whole minutes for me to get in the car and it hurt to sit up and drive, but I made it and today is much better. I'm taking it one day at a time. As for the results, they are great! I love looking at it when I have those 20 minutes out of the garment to shower. My stomach is flatter and my once-love handles are now curves. Its exciting to know that its all still swollen and will go down even more. My pants are too big in the waist now even with the garments on. The tummy tuck stitch is quite long but soo worth it not to have skin hanging. My advice. Be patient with seeing results and STICK TO THE GARMENT SCHEDULE. Whatever you look like in the garment is what you will look like outside of it when you are finally healed.

Thanks to you all for the advice. I am not going to give up the diet and exercise plan, but I have had enough of looking at the boulges! Regarding the choice of doctor, I am being careful. I have my first consultation in a few weeks time with a specialist who so far has giving me very good advice. Here in Italy there are not many doctors specialising in this type of technique and the ones that do are all highly experienced. However not much info can be found on the net on forums, because the women undergoing this type of treatment are too few! I am thinking now of waiting at least a year to see the results of the exercise plan and to avoid falling ill and let work and babies down. I will carry on reading this very informative forum and wish you all the best of luck. X

@Schlau- I'm happy so far with my results. It's been about 4 weeks, I still have the rest to do they couldn't finish that day because of my size (I was told to small for all the numbing and epinephrin) and my Dr. went on vacation the next day. I have soreness in some areas and cant really run or stretch which is making it challenging to exercise. I learned that there is nothing you can do short of not ever eating and working out to get rid of those areas your body stores fat. As you age it's your body settling and genetics. If you want to live your life on that strict diet and working out vigorously then you may see results eventually. The lipo doesn't mean you get to eat whatever you want. You have to eat healthy and workout but it will get rid of the fat stored in the areas you cant.

I am just now considering having the lipo laser, but, after reading your comments, I am seriously thinking of delaying it. I have been on a strict diet for 1 month, jogging every day for 1H, but getting little results (Kg 2.5 in 1 month!). Since my last pregnancy my methabolism has changed and cannot lose fat easily like before. I have lo lose around 15Kg (2 stones roughly) and 2 dress sizes (from 16 to 12). I should do the lipo laser on thighs (inner and outer); belly (upper and lower); hips and maybe bum. A lot of lipo! What do you advise? Should I wait a few more months to see if a few more pounds can be shifted naturally? Also, for the ones who experiences lumps: did you manage to get rid of them or are they permanent? Did you have to lose a lot of weight like me? Thanks for your comments. X

I had SmartLipo yesterday on my chin, inner thighs, bra rolls and lower back/waist. This morning I have very little pain, I'm up walking around no problem! The chin area is a little sore, but not too bad. I was able to sleep fine, can get up and down without pain. I took a sneak peak last night when I washed my garment (it was COMPLETELY soaked after the ride home) and all I can say is WOW! I realize the swelling will kick in soon, but I can tell you IT WAS SOOOOO WORTH IT!!! Btw, my doctor is Dr. Stanley Okoro in Atlanta. I highly recommend him! The procedure itself was not bad. I had 2 xanax, a pain pill, antibiotic and an anti-nausea pill before. I could feel a little twinge every now and then, but it wasn't bad at all. Also, I'm 52 5'5" 147 lbs (before of course). I'm fairly athletic, lift weighs and run but had these pockets of fat that Ive had my whole life and don't respond to weight loss or exercise.

Can't believe that your Doc didn't give you any pain meds. My doc prescribed
pain meds before surgery and afterwards. I have no nerve damage after my
procedure. Sounds like you had a terrible experience.

Hi SmartlipoCA,
How wonderful that your doctor gave you pain medication to take home with you.
If your doctor was not a board certified plastic surgeon, you may want to watch for nerve damage as the days pass. If you get the blow torch feeling, I would highly recommend seeing a nerve damage physician, and your primary care physician to monitor your progress. Good luck to you!