Tumescent Liposuction: Stories

Height 5' 7 Weight 150lbs
I have considered lipo ever since I had my last child in February 2008. I was the smallest I had ever been when I got pregnant weighing only 138. I was so happy with myself. I have always struggles with weight coming from a large family that did not encourage good eating habits nor did they encourage much physical activity. I am now have a 4 year old and a 18month old and my body does not match my personality. I am ready to have fun with my kids and not be self conscious about sitting at a soccer game and having a belly roll! I want to fit into all the cute clothes I bought right before my pregnancy without having to be an acrobat to be able to make them button (lol!). I will be doing 3 different procedure to ensure maximum results, healing and fat to be removed ;)
First procedure is October 26th! Woo Hoo! Here is a link to my doctors website

I will be having laser assisted tumescent liposuction. I have a few questions for any of you that have had this procedure:

Did the needle hurt (I am most nervous about this :/)?

How much weight did you loose?

Did you try to crash diet or loose weight prior to surgery?

I should have proof ready my first post prior to submitting it :/ I have attached before pictures now. This surgery can not come soon enough. I am still nervous about the pain when the tumescent fluid is injected.. hopefully someone will have some insight!

2 Weeks!!

So yesterday was Surgery (part 1) day! I was so anxious. Dr. Long's girls are the best. I was taken to a preop waiting room (very relaxing and where your husband or help can wait with you) to finish up paper work and submit and urine sample. Shortly after, Dr Long came in to discuss the procedure and any questions or concerns you may have about the procedure and after care. We walked across the hall and I was given a rob and the little black undies. Dr long drew on my body and discussed where the fat would be taken from. I was weighed then walked back to the preop waiting room. I was then given Ativan to help me relax and was able to rest (watch Netflix) for an hour with my husband to allow the meds to kick in.
The nurse then took me back. I was given an iv in case of emergency then two tiny injections on each hip. After than Dr Long began injecting the tumescent fluid. This part was uncomfortable at most (coming from a true weenie). I was awake and talking to the girls the whole time. I was then wrapped up tight in my garnets and they even showed my husband how to do it.

I was worried for nothing. The pain was very minimal even after the lidocaine wore off it was totally barable. I am pretty swollen today :( I will have my first follow up Monday and will update again then!

Today was my first follow up! :) they said everything looks great. I just met with the girls not Doctor Long which shocked me but didn't bother me. They know their stuff and are so friendly. The said the little lumps under my skin (which aren't noticeable by looking) are normal and soon my whole tummy will be hard :)))
I bought some Retin-A from the doctor which encourages the growth of new skin cells and will help reduce the appearance of any stretch marks I have. I am most excited about this! My stretch marks aren't bad but I notice them so I can not wait to see how this works! I will try to post pictures tonight :)

I am posting a new picture 4 days post op. I feel HUGE! I don't see a lot of difference but I am posting it for you guys anyways. I really think it is just swelling and really hope to see a better result soon! My next appointment is November 5th. Unless I have a "skinny" day I will not update again until then (:

I had my one week post op Monday & lost 5 1/2 inches around my waist. I do't feel like I look that different though. Hopefully time will tell. I still love the girls at Dr. Long's office. Such sweet people!

Added a new picture. Like what I see from the front but the side view doesn't look any different to me. Feeling very discouraged :(
Two weeks post op tomorrow.

I am a month out. Unfortunately I do not feel like I look any different at all :( really hoping it's just swelling but I'm doubtful. I see doctor long on Dec 3rd to discuss my love handle lipo and set a date. Hopefully he will let me know if it is just swelling. I loved how I looked the day after surgery and I am hoping to see that again. Did anybody else feel this way?? My "holes" look better than expected and are healing nice. I am so glad Dr Long doesn't use stitches!

Friday I had my flanks done. I want to start by saying the reason I used Dr Long was because of his great results and how friendly he was. 

I went in had the area drawn on, took Ativan and waited. When it was time for me to go back I did so just as nervous as the first time. This time I was going to have a few more holes than the first time. During the first procedure Dr Long was really good to let me know what he was doing (ie the biopsy punches). This time I was flipped and rotated a few times not knowing what was part we were at and my anxiety got the best of me. At one point it was EXTREMELY painful and I yelled "ouch!". I felt like doctor Long got frustrated with me as he stopped the surgery to let me "calm down" if it weren't for his nurses compassion I don't know what I would have done. Dr Long is a good doctor I just feel like this last surgery I wasn't the best patient. Kinda embarrassed to go back. Oh well.