Smartlipo Upper Arms - Campbell, CA

Thank you for your reply! How are you feeling now?

Ok, numbness tingling and uncomfortable but see the light at the end of the tunnel, I had my ankles and calves done, rough area.

Hi mtibbils, My doctor was Dr. Shideler located in Campbel. So far even though its only been 12 days I will say YES it was worth it for me! I am in some pain but the outcome I can tell already is going to be beautiful. My only advise is be prepaired to feel more discomfort then they tell you. Everyone feels it different so it may just be harder for me!

I agree the discomfort is downplayed, especially sitting if you have a day job and make sure you have clothes that cover your garment.

I work from home so im lucky no one sees me on a daily basis. I had to use ace bandages as compression because nothing else was tight enough for me.

I will post some this week!

Good!

you guys are very sweet but to me I just hated them!!! Im updating a quick photo now 12 days post op.

ok I just added a few pics 12 days post smartlipo!!! As you can see my elbow is swollen and there is some tension showing through on my left arm but so far I can reall see a difference now that I can look at the pics :) As soon as this pain goes away I know I will be one happy camper!

Thanks for updated photos!

Thanks for updated photos!

I went to http://skinandweight.com the Cambell office has a few doctors in it

Thank you! Well, I went to see a doc in Mtn View this week and I think I am chickening out. Mostly because he suggested an abdomnioplasty due to loose skin (he said there wasn't a lot of fat) but I've given birth twice and perhaps that has contributed to the loose skin? I wasn't thinking I would need major surgery. I don't have a huge belly and I can hide it under almost everything I wear...except a bathing suit. And since I don't wear a bathing suit often, I think I am ok with the way I am, at least for now. Still considering it but not as much as before the appointment.

Hi buffnomore. I have the same concern as you do. Been researching the smart lipo but have had conflicting reviews with the campbell office. Overall, how many inches did you loose from your arms and are they even?

Oh dlrbayarea, thank you for your message! It makes me feel more hopeful to hear another story like me. I have not had a lymphatic massage...is this painful? I am having a hard time rubbing my own arms because of how tender they are. Are you still uncomfortable with the pain?

Hi Buffnomore, Glad that my message helped a bit. No need to be alarmist at 2-3 weeks out for sure. My PS said that my body would be healing for even up to a year. What we did was very traumatizing, so your body needs to regenerate and heal. Makes sense. I mean, obviously he can't say for sure, and as you have probably seen on the forums, a lot of people have had problems with healing. Plus, even though my PS was great, I don't totally trust any PS 100%. At the same time, I knew the risks of this procedure, and if my results aren't perfect or if I have any latent bumps or scaring, that was the chance I took. But, I am definitely reserving my being upset until more months go by. Are you wearing a compression garment or wraps still? I removed mine yesterday as I think they were contributing to my unevenness--and I feel no different swelling or pain-wise. As for the pain. Yes, I am still uncomfortable and in pain, which is totally normal. In fact, I had a breakdown at my 2 week point and called the office complaining about it. Every day since it has actually gotten better and better. I am sorest in the evening and feel OK after I get up and take a hot shower. Seriously, hot showers seem to really help. I also get more sore at the end of my work day since I am on the computer all of the time. My job is super hectic, as I work at a start-up, and is sometimes a 12-14 hour day including my commute. So my pain is affected by how rigorous my day ends up being. Also, if it is hot, I swell. I'm not a doctor, but what you are experiencing I think is normal, as long as you aren't in deep pain all of the time. Mine certainly waxes and wanes. I stopped taking my pain pills and sleeping pills about 5 nights ago. I was worried about being dependent on the sleeping pills. Sleeping hasn't been easy not taking them, but I am taking some melatonin which seems to help. Hence, why I am up writing you back at 5:30am or whatever. As for the lymphatic massage, this is a must I hear. I had my first appointment last weekend at my 2.5 week mark and it was awesome. I mean, it hurt, but a good hurt. She massaged me for about 1.5 hours. I was in a bit of pain afterwards but it subsided throughout the day and I think helped loads afterwards. Are you willing to travel to SF? I think you are Campbell. The woman's name is Michelle and her practice is EOS Massage. She has weekend and weekday times. She is pricey though, but she does all of my doctors patients and other SF plastic surgeons patients. She is kind of "bay area woo woo", if you know what I mean and has this life coaching thing going, but her hands are amazing. I am actually going to someone else in Oakland for my consistent massages that I have used before for other non-plastic surgeries and is a miracle worker, but that is a bit far for you. I am planning on doing them about 1-2 weeks apart. As for massaging at home, also a must. You gotta just get past the pain and get in there! I actually find that it hurts more when someone brushes up lightly against me than when I actually get in there and start rubbing. Maybe take some pain pills at first if you are having trouble. Or some Ibuprofen. Try to massage the lumpy areas at least once a day. I try to do it for about 30 minutes or more. I also bought a handheld electric massager which helps if you are having trouble touching the bumps--like if they freak you out. Anyways, sorry for the long review, but I hope it helps a bit. I thjnk our cases are the same since we are similar age and size. Obviously our PS was different, but I think if we are experiencing the same thing we are probably OK ;).

@dirbayarea i dont think stop wearing ur garment too early is a good idea..when i did mine there was lady who complained of tightness n did just that..she told me recently that she is planning to do the surgery again cause the fats are lumped at one place. the garment is to keep ur skin and whatever fat is there together...why do we put pressure on our hand if it gets cut...to stop he bleeding or why do we wear girdle(that was the example the Dr used)so i think wearing the garment for 3-4 months is the best think..my waist was 38 and is now 32.Even after my garment got big i bought a smaller one. So if you want good results u have to keep the garment on

The pain will go away and even after 2 months you will still see discoloration..even last night after using the weights and doing zumba i felt slight discomfort on my arms..my lymphatic massage came with my surgery (i did not pay separate) but since its only ur arms u got done u can do it urself ..u could get an electric massager if you do not wish to pay for massage but use arnica oil while doing the massage..(sold in most pharmacy). If ur massage was paid for in ur surgery ur Dr would have called u in

What are the weights for...to help tone, or just to get me moving around? April of 2012!!!!1 Have you gone back to your doctor about the issues?

The weights are used even if u are feeling lazy to do vigorous exercise. u can sit and be lazy and still use ur weights..u r only exercising ur hands..and u do the best exercise..swimming..lots of hand movement..but don't try too hard its early and they advise up 3 months before vigorous exercise.as Lovin13Me said "ur b4 is my after" girl ur b4 size is what i wish for...lol. but read the reviews here and especially what the Drs say and google arm straps i got one dont remember where i bought it but make sure it goes from shoulder to below elbow..i think that was one of the issue why i have the bump at my elbow the garment i got when i did the surgery did not go below the elbow it stopped above the elbow which cause the blood and fat i think to gather there. so get a tight elbow sleeve from the net.CONGRATS ON UR WEDDING!!!!

oh catperson I am so sorry to hear this. How long ago was your smartlipo? I am mainly concerned with the fact that I did this for me, but also I am getting married in 35 days. My doctor promised me I would be in beautiful shape for my wedding! I asked so many many times to make sure they knew when I was getting married, and they said " yes oh yes you will be fine! " Well my dress is strapless and my wedding is in Hawaii...we will see what happens. I am doing all I can to help my healing process, and will remain hopefull!!!

I think I'm learning that lipo or any procedure that removes fat takes away the layer that has been holding our skin up. Without that layer the skin gets loose and saggy.... more so as we age and our skin doesn't plump back. It makes sense if you think about it. I just paid for three cool sculpting sessions and I'm thinking I may cancel bc the skin is going to sag even more...I'm 54....although my abdomen looks like I'm 25....only because he removed the sagging skin though.

ou're correct about the aging skin sag thing. I ended up getting an arm lift which I'm mostly happy with. I do need a revision, however, because surgeon didn't remove enough fat/skin near my elbows. Also, not totally symmetric. But, even with those problems, I'm glad I did it. The scar is very well placed and not noticeable except from an angle that most people would not see. I'm much more comfortable going into the summer with these arms than last year with all the sagging skin. Will have the revision in the fall to have a winter months of arm cover to let the scars lighten. Not thrilled to go through another surgery, but feel confident I'll be totally satisfied with the result. Even without the revision much improved.