POSTED UNDER Smart Lipo REVIEWS
Smart Lipo on Upper/lower Abs, Flanks - Atlanta, GA + inner/outer thighs/hips 6 weeks later!
ORIGINAL POST
Woo hoo! My treatment day is finally here - I am...
RobinetteMay 13, 2011
WORTH IT$6,970
Woo hoo! My treatment day is finally here - I am going in tomorrow morning (5/13/11) at 6:30 a.m. I am going to have my upper and lower abs done and my flanks. I am also having my inner and outer thighs done in June in a separate procedure.
I have had this belly since I gave birth to my son 28 years ago and it is time for it TO GO! I am petite, but have never been able to get rid of the belly or muffin top no matter what type of exercising I do. And, I was born with big thighs. With the onset of menopause, it has only been getting worse...
I started looking into Smartlipo at the end of the summer last year. All the posters here have been a great help and I finally decided to just go for it. I am not looking forward to the recovery, but no pain, no gain, right?
I am 51 years old, 5'4", 123 pounds. I am going to post my measurements, too, because no one seems to do that and I have wondered how many inches people are actually losing. So, as of right now, my waist measures 29 inches and my belly/gut/muffin top is 35 inches at the widest part of my flabby tummy :)
I am attaching my "before" pictures - good Lord, maybe I should have opted to get the thighs reduced first, lol.
Robinette's provider
Replies (1)
UPDATED FROM Robinette
1 day post
Day 1 - I am really surprised that I am doing so...
RobinetteMay 14, 2011
Day 1 - I am really surprised that I am doing so well today! I have not taken any of the RX pain medicine they sent home with me: I did take 600 mg of ibuprofen this morning (ibuprofen reduces inflammation, Tylenol does not).
I don't remember a lot of the actual surgery - they gave me great drugs! I do remember Dr. Okoro telling me each step during the procedure before he did it so I knew what to expect and being to told roll over occasionally. I was surprised that the anesthetic didn't hurt, it was just little needle pricks in each area that he numbed. I do remember some discomfort from the laser (or the suction?) around the upper abdomen where I didn't have as much fat to remove. They took out 1150cc of fat!
I leaked a lot yesterday and slept downstairs last night on the couch with lots of towels and one of those plastic-backed pads that you see in hospitals (you can get them at Walmart) under me. So far today, I am oozing a little but the drainage has mostly stopped.
Pain-wise, on a scale of 10-10, with 10 being the worst, I'd rate today about a 2-3 if I am just sitting on the couch and about a 6-7 when I get up or sit down (just for that couple of seconds, then it goes back to a 2-3 again.) It's really not as bad as I was expecting. People are right when they say it feels like you have worked out really hard and have sore muscles, except that the pain is really deep inside - it's almost more like a "pulling" feeling, like your insides are tight...I can't explain it any better than that.
I don't remember a lot of the actual surgery - they gave me great drugs! I do remember Dr. Okoro telling me each step during the procedure before he did it so I knew what to expect and being to told roll over occasionally. I was surprised that the anesthetic didn't hurt, it was just little needle pricks in each area that he numbed. I do remember some discomfort from the laser (or the suction?) around the upper abdomen where I didn't have as much fat to remove. They took out 1150cc of fat!
I leaked a lot yesterday and slept downstairs last night on the couch with lots of towels and one of those plastic-backed pads that you see in hospitals (you can get them at Walmart) under me. So far today, I am oozing a little but the drainage has mostly stopped.
Pain-wise, on a scale of 10-10, with 10 being the worst, I'd rate today about a 2-3 if I am just sitting on the couch and about a 6-7 when I get up or sit down (just for that couple of seconds, then it goes back to a 2-3 again.) It's really not as bad as I was expecting. People are right when they say it feels like you have worked out really hard and have sore muscles, except that the pain is really deep inside - it's almost more like a "pulling" feeling, like your insides are tight...I can't explain it any better than that.
Replies (0)
UPDATED FROM Robinette
2 days post
Day 2 - OMG!!!! How do they expect you to crowbar...
RobinetteMay 15, 2011
Day 2 - OMG!!!! How do they expect you to crowbar yourself into this garment?? It takes hubby and I together to get me into it!
I LOVE what I am seeing so far! One weird thing - my lower abs are actually smaller than my upper abs right now. My waist today is 28 1/2 inches, the ex-muffin-top is now 34 1/2 inches (so 1/2 inch less for each measurement). I think this is AWESOME considering that I am swollen and my surgery was only two days ago!! My stomach looks like it used to when I was sucking in my gut only now I'm not holding it in :) I really don't have much bruising either, thanks to a great surgeon and the arnica/bromelain/tons of water I have been drinking.
Pain-wise, I am doing well! I haven't taken any ibuprofen or any other pain meds today. Pain when getting up or down is now about 4-5 on a scale of 1-10, and it just hurts for that couple of seconds that it takes to get up (or down). Other than that, no pain and just slightly tender when showering. I am starting to itch, though. Also, all of the incisions have healed over except the one at the bottom of my stomach. Maybe due to gravity?
Went grocery shopping, ran errands, did laundry today, all with no problem. But, now I am seriously dizzy and light-headed. I guess I overdid it - makes me wonder what it will be like at work tomorrow? Also, I am behind on my water quotient for today, so that may be part of it.
Things I Have Learned So Far:
1. You'd better have someone around to help you for the first several days or you'll never get back into your compression garment.
2. Absolutely stick to drinking 1/2 of your body weight in ounces of water (so if you weigh 140 pounds, drink 70 oz of water per day).
3. DON"T use maxi-pads with those little crisscross "quilted for better absorption"-type panels unless you want to look like you have applied waffles to your body. I thought getting the thick pads would be good for the oozing, but never thought about the impression they would make!
4. Move SLOWLY in the shower. Normal, regular movements will make you very dizzy and light-headed.
5. Beware of how you zip up the garment - on mine there is a "flap" under the zipper so you don't get a zipper imprint. I didn't realize mine had bunched up in a couple of spots and those are the places that are bruised.
I LOVE what I am seeing so far! One weird thing - my lower abs are actually smaller than my upper abs right now. My waist today is 28 1/2 inches, the ex-muffin-top is now 34 1/2 inches (so 1/2 inch less for each measurement). I think this is AWESOME considering that I am swollen and my surgery was only two days ago!! My stomach looks like it used to when I was sucking in my gut only now I'm not holding it in :) I really don't have much bruising either, thanks to a great surgeon and the arnica/bromelain/tons of water I have been drinking.
Pain-wise, I am doing well! I haven't taken any ibuprofen or any other pain meds today. Pain when getting up or down is now about 4-5 on a scale of 1-10, and it just hurts for that couple of seconds that it takes to get up (or down). Other than that, no pain and just slightly tender when showering. I am starting to itch, though. Also, all of the incisions have healed over except the one at the bottom of my stomach. Maybe due to gravity?
Went grocery shopping, ran errands, did laundry today, all with no problem. But, now I am seriously dizzy and light-headed. I guess I overdid it - makes me wonder what it will be like at work tomorrow? Also, I am behind on my water quotient for today, so that may be part of it.
Things I Have Learned So Far:
1. You'd better have someone around to help you for the first several days or you'll never get back into your compression garment.
2. Absolutely stick to drinking 1/2 of your body weight in ounces of water (so if you weigh 140 pounds, drink 70 oz of water per day).
3. DON"T use maxi-pads with those little crisscross "quilted for better absorption"-type panels unless you want to look like you have applied waffles to your body. I thought getting the thick pads would be good for the oozing, but never thought about the impression they would make!
4. Move SLOWLY in the shower. Normal, regular movements will make you very dizzy and light-headed.
5. Beware of how you zip up the garment - on mine there is a "flap" under the zipper so you don't get a zipper imprint. I didn't realize mine had bunched up in a couple of spots and those are the places that are bruised.
Replies (5)
May 15, 2011
I'm so glad it went well for you! Can't wait to see the after pics. Hope you're still feeling well!
May 15, 2011
I'm doing well - how are you now? You are now about 2 1/2 weeks post-op, right? Tell me things are tightening up and that the compression garment (which is driving me NUTS!) is more comfortable! Do I remember correctly that we have to wear it for 6 weeks? Is that 24/7?? Ugh...
May 16, 2011
Yes 2 1/2 weeks and doing really well. I went by the email instructions that you get after the procedure and ditched the garment they give you at 10 days and am now wearing high waist extra control briefs. I have a few different brands, most from Walmart. They are a little difficult to get on and off but feel just as supportive but don't cut in my waist and abs when I'm sitting down. The garment they gave me I felt was cutting in to me in certain places causing swelling in those areas. It was great when I was constantly up and walking but not designed for sitting. I did wear it 24/7 for 4 days and went to 8 hours off 12-16 until the 10th day. As far as tightening I'm not sure if that's happening yet, maybe a little. I feel similar to how I did after having a baby, that loose skin just took weeks to firm back up so I'm just expecting the same now. Your pics look great!! Glad you're doing well!
May 17, 2011
Yeah, I totally understand about how the garment is cutting into you. I am on Day 4 now and took it off to launder tonight - I have these big wide lines running across my stomach where it digs into my waist. And the zipper "crunches" up in certain places, what's that about? I'll have to look into those extra control briefs... Thanks! I'm glad you are doing well, too!
May 17, 2011
Make sure you get them that come down to mid-thigh. I made the mistake of not getting those and noticed swelling in the hips and couldn't understand why until I noticed my briefs were the cause! If you get the ones that go down to mid-thigh it doesn't cut the circulation at the hips. I'm hoping the swelling will eventually even out again! I also still have one incision on my lower abdomen that has not healed yet and the two on my hips are almost healed. Hang in there!
Good luck with your surgery today! Let us know how it goes.