Smart Lipo on Upper/lower Abs, Flanks - Atlanta, GA + inner/outer thighs/hips 6 weeks later!

Hi Coffeebean! 7 days is wayyyyyyyy too early to see any changes - try around 4 - 9 months (I am 52, but my hubby also had it done (he's 45) and didn't notice much change until around 5 months)! When I had my first surgery, I could tell right away that the stomach "pouch" was gone, but I didn't see a whole lot of difference in anything else that had been done. You are wayyyy swollen right now (I know this because I just had a touch up on Thurs (5/3/12) and have lost all the ground I had gained, due to swelling. I measured myself before/after each procedure in the areas I had done and can tell you that they all shrank somewhat. I had the biggest change AFTER I did 7 sessions of Smoothshapes to help break up the scar tissue and get rid of the trapped water/fat in my upper/lower abs and waist. My Dr/surgery was through Sono Bello, like yours was and Sono Bello will try to sell you on their version of Smoothshapes (which is VelaShape) for $1,000 but I found a Groupon for the same thing, different name, for $400. That helped a LOT! That being said, I never shrank as much as I would have thought/hoped in most places given the sales pitch Sono Bello did. During the consult, the sales lady grabbed my waist and pulled it really flat and tight and said "That's how you will look afterward. I had it done and went from a size 8 to a size 4," so I was really excited and plunked down my money. But, I NEVER changed pants sizes AT ALL even after a year (but they did fit better)!!! Also, after just shy of a year later, when I sit down, my stomach looks like the Michelin Man's and never did before (though it is flat when standing, what's up with that?). When I asked the Dr about it at the touch-up consult, I was told that it was loose skin that likely would not tighten without a tummy tuck (ummm, there's NO WAY).
Even 1 year later, I find that I actually expand (swell) a good 2-3 inches from morning 'til night. I measured myself for a couple of weeks and kept records and that is how it turns out every time. That being said, the area where my "pouch" was had gone from 38" to 32.5" and my thighs (untreated with Smoothshapes) each went down about 1.5". That doesn't sound like a lot but the shape.contour is different so it looks like it changed more. Lately, people are asking me if I have lost weight, so I must look different ('cause I weigh exactly what I did a year ago pre-surgery).
BOTTOM LINE: look for a deal on Smoothshapes/Velashape/or something similar (I have a friend who just had her procedure on 3/3/12 and went through a series of 10 lymphatic massages and she looks awesome (age 50) that will help a lot. Also drink lots of water (1/2 your weight in ounces (so a 120# person should drink 60 oz/day to help flush everything out).
I hope this helps - let me know if you have any more questions. Good luck!

Coffeebean, I'm sorry to tell you, but you will NOT see the results you are looking for in one month. Last May (2011), I had my waist, abs, and outer thighs done. I did not see "good" results until about 3-4 months in, and final results at about 6 months. On February 2 of this year, I had my outer thighs and knees done (I have my 3 month checkup tomorrow), and I am still swelling, have lots of itching, and I'm still a little sore when pressure is applied in those areas (but I just started seeing results about 2 weeks ago). While I'm certain you will see fantastic results, unfortunately, you won't see them in a month's time. Also, I did the lymphatic massage about one week after my surgery for about 5 sessions, and because there is still soreness, the massage therapist is pretty gentle, but will get the job done. Good luck and be patient, my friend.

Hi Coffeebean - yes, I saw your pics and I can see some changes in the "after" pictures already. Don't worry - you will get there, just not in a week or a month. I know what you mean about the massage - a lymphatic massage would definitely be better right now since the therapist can alter how much they push on your bruises. Velashape/Smoothshapes HURT LIKE HECK and I didn't have it done until maybe 5 months after surgery. Like Tenderbrown, I am going with the lymphatic massage this time and will start if on 5/21. In her pics, she looks similar to you and I before surgery and looks great now - it just takes time...Feel free to ask me anything if you have other questions!

Good luck! You'll do great, I am sure. Just remember to take your Arnica, drink LOTS of water, and wear your compression garment :)

Ok. About two weeks before surgery i started arnica. Started smooth shapes about 2-3 weeks post surgery. Also started deep tissue massage. I went to a masseuse that specializes in post surgery massage therapy. NOT a spa (but I also went to another masseuse for the froo froo massages. . The difference is here is that the masseuse worke strictly in my surgery areas breaking down scar tissue and pockets of swelling. No weight loss but I sure do look different.

when you go back to get a touch up do you have to pay for that? just woundering because i had sl done on my lower abs and my flack and im thinking i might have to havve a touch up but not sure because im very sore to touch so might not be at finish results

Hi auntie k, how long ago did you have your surgery? They tell people they will have full results by 4 months but I have seen some Drs posting on here that they can take up to 9 months. Mine took that long, I think because I am 52. I STILL swell up by the end of the day! It helped a lot to have Smooth Shapes done and a friend who just went through SL has been having lymphatic massages that have really helped with her results (she is 50). Anyhow, I didn't have to pay for the touch up since I was also having the bra roll done. Not sure what (if any) the charge would be if I had only done the touch up...

hi i had sl 2 months ago so im glad to know i still might not be at the end result. what is smooth shapes? I am 47 , i am soo sore on my sides, cant wait for that to go away! Did the touch up heart worse like some people say? thank you for answering me :)

Thanks! Maybe we are all too self-critical? I am happy but not ecstatic, you know? I really don't remember any of the surgery so I was happy with the pills and local anesthesia. Off to Smoothshapes, fingers crossed that it smooths the lumps :)

Thanks, HIG: It's funny - I think the pictures can look better than what I see with my eyes. Maybe the angle or how the light hits my abs? Anyhow, it feels like there is a hard, flat layer under the lumpy skin. If the lumps don't go away, I am on the fence as to whether it was worth it. I am thrilled that the saddlebags and stomach pouch are gone, but my stomach is more wrinkly than before and my waist measures a little larger than pre-surgery. I am mostly disappointed that I haven't decreased in size. I am a 5/6 and was really hoping to be a 4...

For the lumps i used a rolling pin..I know if sounds wierd but I read someone else who did it so I tried it. I think it did help..I also go massages. I hope this helps you too

Hi Thinner1, it seems to me that they took about 1300 cc (I am not totally positive since that was about 4 months ago). I have not lost ANY inches in the hips or the thigh area although I can definitely see a difference in the photos - not sure if it's because I am still swollen? They told me that thigh results take the longest time of all the surgery places so I should shrink more, I hope...Thanks for your kind words about my pictures :)