Smart Lipo: Stories

A former skinny girl, I woke up a mom in my thirties with a fluffy belly! Seriously, I do feel skinny still (usually) - I'm 5'3" and 123 pounds, but man this extra weight around the middle haunts me! It affects how I carry myself, it affects my daily wardrobe choices, and though I'm not the type to talk about / obsess - I gotta say it's always on my mind. I have an "on again / off again" relationship with my gym membership. I'll take 3 weeks off, then go several times a week for a good 2 weeks. I always WANT the cupcakes at the office, but only sometimes, indulge. I really feel like I'm doing what I CAN do. Could I skip smart lipo, subscribe to some meal plan and work out everyday - sure. But my life would be my career and working out... Who will cook dinner, run the household, pack team snacks for soccer, have ticle fights and make sure we have clean underwear?



So... Yeah... I've talked myself and my hubby into it. Do I feel a tad guilty and like I'm taking the easy way out. Maybe. Am I ready to no longer be held hostage by this belly. You're dang skippy!!!Updated on 22 Nov 2011:Surgery day: Wow. I did it. Crazy! Here's how things went.



Wake up: I had breakfast and headed to the doc's office. I took an anti-inflammatory, sleeping pill, pain pill and antibiotic when I got there, they marked me up and took pics.



Procedure: 4 bee sting-like shots (ouch but brief) so the cuts could be made. Then came the numbing liquid. Now this part felt crazy weird and he sometimes hit places that weren't fully numb. Those were BREIF moments of pain and the doc immediately added more numbing fluid. Then came the laser - breezy. Then he sucked out the fat and liquid. In total I was on the table for just over an hour. All in all it felt weird (pressure) but didn't really hurt except for those few zings.



After: I'm 10 hours post and my belly is still all the way numb. I'm sure some pain will kick in when the feeling comes back, but right now I'm golden. I have a drain in and am emptying often - minimal oozing from the incisions (all caught by gauze). Am wearing an adult diaper to catch ooze also. I'll put the garment on in the morning. I have old sheets and blankets on the bed though, just in case. Now it's time to heal!Updated on 8 Dec 2011:Week two: I'm still in the compression garment and (hopefully) still swollen. I say hopefully because I only see a slight difference. The doc did say "don't look until a month has passed". So I'm trying to listen.



I was sore for a while, still am (sit ups sore). I was off work for a total of 5 days thanks to a holiday and a weekend - and I needed those days. I was fine back in the office when I went, but did wince when I stood and at the end of the workday (that first week) I was beat! I had a few maxi dresses and elastic-y waistband pants to wear. You'll want to hide the garment but not have anything pressing, causing creases on you or rubbing. I'm pretty much back in regular clothes now - just have to hide the top/bra part of the garment. It has more coverage than any bra I own and sticks up pretty high. Thankfully, it's scarf season; so glad I did this in the winter for so many reasons!



I have the hard lumps that folks talk about, but know they'll go away thanks to this forum and from my docs office pre warning me that it might happen. They are freaky though and hurt to be touched.



So at week 2 I'm functional, no longer tired at the end of the workday, can pick up my kid no problem, still sore and swollen and still hopeful for my coming great results! My mind set has shifted and I'm watching what I eat even more and eating a bit less.Updated on 14 Dec 2011:Week three: I gave up on the compression garment at 2.5 weeks because it was CUTTING into my shoulders. I do still wear it at night though. I've had no change in apperance over the past week and am still only seeing the very slight difference. I posted Day 9 pics.



I'm still "sit-ups sore" and still have the hard lumps in my belly, a new one has formed that is just below my bikini line and it's shaped like a drinking straw is in there - weird! I'm back to normal activities and back to all of my regular clothes. Those first few days without the garment in jeans was not pleasant! All good now.



So, no change in the last week. I'm still trying to be patient and am hopeful that I'm just a late bloomer. :)

Week 5: I went for a follow up with the doc at week 4 and told him that I only see a slight change. He said, "I told you at week 4 you'd START to see a change. " He told me at my height and weight I'd see my final result at month 4. Whew! So, I have my patience motivator. He said he sees this with girls my size all the time and if I had a dramatic amount to take out, I'd see a more immediate result. Now, I'm sure he was trying to soothe me with a sly compliment.... And it worked. So we wait!



Now I've got to get all of these Christmas sweets out of my house and get back into the gym come January. Matter of fact, I think I'll go toss those sweets now...