“Liposuction - Abdomen, Flanks to Correct Mommy Belly on JULY 22, 2010 - Charlotte”

After visiting this site many times to read everyone else's experiences, I have decided to document my own. My procedure is scheduled for 7/22/10. I have found a wonderful DR here whom I trust completely. I had originally gone in to request a tummy tuck, but the DR suggested I would only need some lipo in a few areas.

I am 5'7" and about 155-160lbs. I am very athletic build. Most would not say I needed to lose any weight... but the "mommy belly" is really affecting my self esteem as well as my ability to fit in the correct size pants.

I am very excited despite reading some scary posts. I feel like I am in good hands and I am so anxious for the procedure! Pictures to come!

Updated on Jun 16, 2010:
Question- Like a bonehead I scheduled my hair appointment for the day after surgery. Will I feel ok enough to go sit in a chair and have my hair highlighted the day after surgery? Anyone with experience please help.

Updated on Jun 18, 2010:
Adding Before Photos...

Updated on Jul 27, 2010:
Day 1 (Day of surgery) was not as bad as I had thought it would be. I had general anesthesia and so I think I still had a bit in my system. I was actually in a good mood, walking around the house a bit, and even helped with light dinner clean up. I was already swollen - and my female area was painfully swollen. But overall I was pleased that the pain was much less than I was expeting.

Day 2 Pain a little more severe - although not bad enough to take any pain meds. Pain meds = major constipation for me. And there is nothing worse than that... so I decided to avoid pain meds. I still felt good enough to take my kid to a museum for a few hours! As long as no one bumped into me and I did not have to sit down I was ok.

Day 3 Still very swollen. Decided not to take sleep meds at all - but I am actually sleeping better now. Had my first BM and it was not bad - diet contained TONS of fruit over the last few days so that helped a lot. Went to my son's birthday party with tons of family that had no idea I had surgery (i didnt want to publicize) and I pulled it off! No one suspected I was in pain! Ha Ha.

Day 5 Every day is getting better. Still black and blue. ESPECIALLY legs and woman area. Pain is now only on contact. Still very swollen - but figure is already improved. Measurements and weight still slightly up. I walked 1.5 miles on treadmill SLOW (3.5mi/hr) in the gym (with AC) and it was not bad.

Updated on Aug 2, 2010:
Day 11 : Very swollen in lower back right above bottom crack. Stomach is a little sore - but nothing compared to flanks. Still sore to touch, sit, lay. Bruising is fading. Keeps dropping lower on my legs. Down below my knees now. Weight is right at pre-op. Diet is excellent although my movement is limited. Walked/light jog on treadmill for 30min now but I was sore. Lots of painful jiggling in flanks. I can feel nerves coming back to life (painful ones). Shape look good though... Not as small as I would like but it is still early. Swelling still severe. Thinking of trading CG for spanks of fexees. Garment is cumbersome and hot in this summer heat. To be continued...

Updated on Aug 5, 2010:
2 week post op: Today is 2 weeks since surgery. Honestly no change in size or shape or weight since this time last week. Nothing to report. Still sore/swollen in lower back, flanks, belly, thighs... basically all treated areas. Bruising almost gone. I would say 80% gone. Pain still there... painful to touch/sit (pain = 3 out of 10). Thought I would be more healed than this.

Updated on Aug 12, 2010:
3 week post op: Today is 3 weeks since surgery. Still no change in size or shape or weight since week 1. Still sore/swollen in all treated areas, especially lower back, flanks... Bruising almost all the way gone (99%). Not noticeable. Pain still there... painful to touch(pain = 3 out of 10). I am veru frustrated that at 3wks out I still look the same as 1wk out. No little improvements... nothing. Just a lot of swelling. Hope this is normal!

Updated on Sep 1, 2010:
6 week update: I am still somewhat swollen. Up about 3-4lbs from pre-op weight. Measurements today show a 1 inch decrease in waist. Same in lower abs, bra area, and thigh. Waiting to see improvement here. I saw the Surgeon today. He said I am actually looking ok. He said it is normal to still be up a few pounds of swelling at 6weeks. He was optimistic that I will be very happy after the full 6 months. I sure hope he is right. Otherwise we will be talking about a 6month revision! I will post pics soon of the 6 week status.

Updated on Sep 23, 2010:
As of 2 months PO - my body is still in pain. I cannot tell if I have swelling or fat in treated areas. Thighs, bra fat is unchanged. Flanks have big improvement. Abs look the same. I like the small change in my figure... but not worth the money. I have been waiting to post after pics until the swelling was down... now I know this is it. So I will post some pics soon. Weight +7lbs from pre-op. Eating and exercise the same. Must have been more traumatic operation than I intially thought. Would not do it again if I have the chance.