“Upper/lower Abs and Love Handles, Not Sure Yet About Results”

Pros: Done under local anesthesia,

Cons: Very painful at times.

I did this because I have struggled over the past few years with a very poochy lower stomach and love handle area. Even when I lost 30 pounds with Weight Watchers, it was still there.

I did a lot of research on Smart Lipo, actually for about 6 months before deciding to do it. I was very skeptical about it after reading some reviews, and very excited after reading some reviews.

My procedure was done on 11/14/09. The procedure itself was very painful, but after reading some other reviews, it seems some doctors let the lidocaine set in before beginning the "sucking out fat" process. My doctor injected the fluid and started right away sucking out the fat. Perhaps he should have let this set for a little while? Not sure because I'm no doctor. Anyway, there were times when I couldn't feel anything, then there were times that were very painful. I told him this and he injected additional lidocaine, but it didn't help much. He was fairly nice about it, but I felt he was frustrated at times when I told him it really hurt.

He did my upper/lower abdomen and love handle area, and the procedure only took 1 hour and 15 minutes. I have read some reviews that said they were there for 3-5 hours for this same procedure. He sucked the fat out, then used the laser to tighten. He removed 3 liters of fat from me. (3 canisters)

When I left there that day, I was doing fine. Later that evening, pain hit me that was excruciating. I almost passed out from the pain level. I was miserable and took 2 Vicodin. I was okay after about 45 minutes. Sunday morning I was very sick to my stomach and vomitted several times. I took my compression garment off to shower and I must say, I was shocked at the results already. My tummy looked good considering the trauma from the day before. I'm hoping that is what my results are going to look like eventually.

Monday, two days later, I returned to work and it was a struggle to make it through the day. I feel that if you're going to have this procedure done on the same areas I did, you need to plan on taking a week off. On Tuesday morning, I started to swell up pretty good. I had dark purple bruises and lots of puffiness.

Today is Saturday, 11/21/09 and I'm one week post op. I find that when I get up in the mornings I am very flat, but I swell during the day. I don't know how long this will last, but my doctor said to be patient and I would see the final result in 3 months. I am supposed to wear my compression garment for one more week so we'll see what happens after that. The second morning the results looked good, but haven't seen that since. I'm sure the swelling and bruising is part of it. I am a very impatient person so I'm trying to be patient.

I will post more in another week or so.

Updated on Nov 29, 2009:

Update 11/29/09:

Well, I'm definitely seeing good results.  I was a little skeptical, and concerned at first, but I called the office this past week about how I was swelling up as the day progressed.  I would be flat in the mornings and kept swelling as the day progressed.  My doctor phoned in Lasix for 5 days and it definitely helped me alot.  I guess I was holding a lot of excess fluid.  I am seeing good results.  I had a pretty large flapover lower tummy area and it's getting smaller and smaller each day.  I have to say my doctor seems to have done a fantastic job.  I'm going to post some pics for everyone soon.  I have before/day after, and 2 week pics.  good luck all.

Updated on Jul 7, 2010:
7/6/10 Looking back on this, I would not recommend this procedure to others. The pain was severe, I'm definitely not thrilled with the results. I am almost 8 months post op and I still have upper roping and knotting on my abdomen, but it is almost gone. It's been horrible. Visible under my clothes, made me feel worse, etc. I have been taking Lasix off and on since end of November or early December, two to three times per week. I still seem to swell up during the day. On days I take Lasix, I lose 3-4 pounds of water weight that day. It's crazy! I feel that my doctor was nice enough, but I guess looking back now, I should have been more particular in selecting a doctor and the procedure that was right for me.

A couple months ago my doctor emailed me he said to check in, but said he was concerned because he had been reading my blogs to other realself members, as well as my own. He wanted to make sure the person I was talking to had still done the procedure done with him and that I didn't "discourage her" with the facts I stated on my blog. After discussing this with my husband and others, I now realize he was unprofessional to do this. I feel if he was so concerned about my well being then he should have done some things differently like regularly checking on me, or perhaps he could have said goodbye when he was done with my procedure that day instead of just racing off? He offered to do a touch up for me the last time we talked, but to be honest (and I told him this), the procedure was too horrible of pain and I can't put myself through that again.

I have consulted recently with a plastic surgeon and he said he can flatten my stomach with a mini tummy tuck and even offered me a discount because my results after this procedure are not what I was looking for and I explained to him that I spent $6500 for the Smart Lipo.

I am very discouraged that I paid $6500 and did not get good results. It's been up and down. For a while there I thought I was getting good results, but in the end, I barely see a difference. I have 3 good friends who also wanted to do this procedure and now they also have changed their minds after seeing my lack of results. So please keep your money, diet and exercise, and if you have a substantial amount of fat to be removed, please opt for a tummy tuck or true Liposuction. You will be thankful in the end.

I hope this helps anyone considering this procedure.