SmartLipo Procedure Done on Muffin Top, Lower Abs & Flanks - Am Very Happy!!

I just had SmartLipo done on July 1st and am happy with the results already. You MUST, MUST, MUST do your research and make sure your doctor is a very good surgeon. Make sure they have many, many, pictures in their portfolio to show you. I cannot emphasize that enough. If other doctors offer a "deal" - I'd look into that as it might be that they're just trying to get experience...you DO NOT want to be part of their journey in them gaining expertise.

I had my lower abdomen, muffin tops and flanks done all at the same time. The total time for the procedure took about 2.5 hours (or just under 3 hours). For the procedure itself, I really didn't feel uncomfortable at all. I have a pretty high pain threshold. I also totally mentally prepared myself for the experience, so I had no anxiety going into it. I had done about 8-months of research on the internet before making the decision to do this, so I went in very well educated.

They brought me in at 7:00am in the morning, prepped me for the procedure and then I was in the room around 8:00am or so. The location that I was at was a BEAUTIFUL office and the nurse and doctor was so great.

I've read a lot about people saying the part where they are filling you up with Lidocane hurts - it didn't hurt me at all. At times, I would feel pressure - almost like someone pressing their elbow gently on my flanks and abdomen. But, no pain at all for me.

Then it was time to "liquify the fat" (as you can see, I'm not medically-technical). That part was a very weird experience. Its almost as if my mind could not comprehend what I was feeling inside. It did not hurt - in fact, it was almost like an internal "tickle". Some of the fat that was "harder" was very weird to feel it "break up". But again, I want to emphasize it didn't hurt. There were times of more "pressure" than others and I did feel a few "shocks" which almost feel like when you have too much static and touch a light switch or something. But, seriously, I can maybe count five times that I felt that.

The sucking out of the fat was pretty interesting. Yeah, I pretty much have a visual in my head each time that I want to eat something relatively unhealthy now. The nurse told me that they took out about 3lbs. or 1000cc. Before the procedure, I was 120 lbs. and 5' 2". I didn't think I had that much in my midsection as I wasn't really that big to begin with. But, who knew?!?!

The fluid that came out of me right after the procedure felt like my water broke - it was a bit embarassing, but the nurse reassured me that I was fine. I had to change my dressings three times before I left the dr.'s office. I HIGHLY recommend that you get some depends and some maximum absorbency maxi-pads. The combination of those two really do the trick. My drainage had tapered off by 7pm that day and I had a bit here and there the next day.

So, the overall procedure itself was a relatively easy one to go through, in my opinion.

That night, I was able to walk around a bit "gingerly". You are sore - it does feel like you worked out, but it also feels like bruising inside. I was off the pain medication by 11am the day of the procedure as I did not like the nausea feeling from that. I felt like I'd rather deal with the discomfort than feel sick to my stomach. That night, I slept okay - when I would need to turn from side to side, it was a bit uncomfortable. Last night was much better in sleeping as well as how I feel today...which is Day 2.

Today, I really have no drainage at all and I'm moving around much better. The compression garmet is really helping my stomach muscles as they're still weak. Even as I was swollen, I could already tell a difference. Think this through as its a big decision - but in my opinion, as long as you research your doctor and make sure he/she is very well experienced (I can't emphasize that enough), then its worth it.

BTW - I rated the pain experienced Uncomfortable because of how you feel the next day. If I had to rate the procedure alone, it would be MILD.