“Significant pain/sensitivity after lipo to flanks”
Liposuction: Undecided
Cost: $12,000
Pain: Severe
Review of Liposuction:Pain: Severe
Liposuction satisfaction: Good
I had a tummy tuck 7 weeks ago today. My stomach is exactly what I expected - flat but with a serious scar. Also, had lipo on hips and flanks that appear to be waste of money. My hips haven't changed an inch since surgery and my lovehandles on my back look exactly the same in clothes.
Updated on Oct 4, 2009
I love my tummy tuck but still unsure about the lipo to hips and flanks. At 8 weeks I haven't seen any drop of clothes size and my hips seems to be getting wider!
4 weeks post op
8 weeks post op
Sep 18, 2009Comments and replies (18)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.
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3 posts
23 Sep 2009
I am so glad that I read this. I am planning to have a tummy tuck in about 5 weeks. I had some agressive lipo done on my hips, flanks, lower back, and belly. The lipo was done 2 weeks ago. I kept hearing of people going back to work a few days after lipo, and I was wondering if something was wrong with me because I am still in so much pain! My flanks and lower back do look very different in clothes, so I am happy about that. I was just wondering why it is taking me so long to heal up. My belly is still pretty swollen, just like you said...significantly during the day compared to what it looks like when I wake up. I was relieved to find someone experiencing something very similar. I, too, was not prepared for the area of my flanks and lower back to be so painful! Even when my husband just touches me lightly. I had no idea my skin would be so sensitive 2 weeks out.
10 posts
27 Sep 2009
Amy - you will love the tummy tuck. Everyone I know who has had it done has a flat stomach. Honestly, the pain is much easier than flanks. Let me know how it turns out.
9 posts
7 Oct 2009
omg multiplemom you have to go get that checked it looks like fluid build up it's definately not fat but did you have to wear compression garments or anything after? I would get another opionion from a diff doc. Good Luck.
44 posts
11 Oct 2009
It's hard to believe that this is your four week and then eight week post op pictures. I want you to know that you are not alone. I am having similar smartlipo reults. I also am over three months post op smartlipo to my upper back and flanks and I have that same sensitivity. Do you have preop pictures you can post? I dont understand whats going on with your hips. Could they be swollen? However, your stomach looks great! I would consider a scar revision for symmetry if I was you. I think it is soon for you to see final results. Swelling may subside and you will look wonderful! It looks like you have a very nice body. I wish you luck!
2 posts
22 Oct 2009
multiple mom - how are your hips doing? Did they go down? I had lipo on my hips and tummy tuck at the same time I am 13 days post op and my right hip is swollen and it hurts to walk (putting pressure on the right leg).
2 posts
23 Oct 2009
I forgot to mention that you need to wear garmets to keep you tight. Try Spanx or however you spell it. A lot of doctors say wear them for 3 weeks or so but I wore mine for 8 weeks and I still put it on every once in a while. It prevents your fat from forming back unevenly. For the first 8 weeks after lipo you should have never taken them off except to shower!!! No joke there is no exception to that if you want to look good longterm.
10 posts
28 Oct 2009
Hey there - I wore a garment for 5 weeks all day/everyday. Then, I switched to spanx during the day. It's been 11-12 weeks now and there's no improvement on the hip issue. They are bigger than before surgery. Nightmare, really
2 posts
23 Oct 2009
I had my procedure May 08. I had Lipo on the inner / outer thighs and flanks and smart lipo on the stomach as well as breast lift and implants. I still have minor sensitivy in the flank area. I will tell you there were times that if I was touched in the flanks it knocked the breath out of me. It goes away over time as the nerve endings heal. As far as your hips... My doctor told me it takes up to a year for your body to truly adjust to liposuction. When you remove significant numbers of fat cells your body is knocked out of homeostasis which is a normal metabolic / fluid level "way of functioning". As a result you body is now trying to figure out what you did and how to fix it. It is so important after lipo to say away from soda and salt. You probably have all the fluid in your hips because you may eat to many foods with sodium. While your body is trying to figure out "normal fluid" levels after you removed fat, if you eat salty foods it is going to retain alot of water. I bet if you truly try to watch your sodium content you will see a big difference in your hips. It took my body a good year to adjust after my procedure and I have found now that I can put weight on quickly if I dont watch the foods I eat and exercise. Lipo is not just a quick fix, you need to maintain the results by taking care of your body so you dont end up looking the way you did before you paid for your procedure. Its not easy... I know! Truly its too early to see you end results, but be careful with salt. A little about me, I was a size 10 before and had over 3 liters of fat removed. I am now a size 8. I weigh the same as I did the day of my surgery.
1 post
31 Oct 2009
I"m at 6 weeks and still wearing the full garmet to help to skin tighten back up to the muscle. Looks like it's working
6 posts
10 Nov 2009
multiplemom - Just wondering how you're doing? I had breast augmentation, a "mini" tummy tuck and lip of the flanks 5.5 weeks ago and am surprised by how much pain I still have in the flank/lower back region. Would love to know if/when your pain subsided. Thanks!