Abs and Flanks - Houston, TX
I am a 43 year-old mother of three. I brought...
I am a 43 year-old mother of three. I brought these beautiful beings into this world by c-section. After my last baby (in 2008), I began to notice that while I got down to as low as 116 pounds (I'm 5 ft.), there was a little bulge in my tummy. I began to call it my kangaroo pouch. LOL. Well, after this child, my husband and I also decided to go on birth control. With this, I began to slowly gain weight. Then last year (2012), I began to experience some pulling and sharp pains behind the c-section scar, in which I finally went to my OB in the fall to find out what was going on. I was told that I may have endometriosis, and was put on a different birth control, that had stronger hormones to reduce the pains and see whether this would help my condition. Well, in doing this, I literally blew up! I ended up adding pounds just for smelling food! In January (2013), I ended up having a laparoscopic procedure to determine and treat my abnormalities. For the most part, I feel so much better from the procedure, and judging from the two-hour procedure and images that were taken, I had quite a bit going on inside. But I am now sitting at 144 pounds and totally disgusted in the mirror. I was a very small person when I first got married, weighing in at around 98 pounds, had a 24 inch waistline and was always energetic. Now, I just want to look nice in my clothes and work toward the rest of my goal (at the gym). It has been a little over 4 weeks since my laparoscopy, and I am feeling my motivation and able to move around with so much more ease. Endometriosis can be very debilitating. . .
Sooooo. . . with much appreciation for this site and all of the stories I've read, and lots of research, I have decided on Smart Lipo. My procedure will be March 14th and I can't wait! I am very excited and a little scared, but will be posting my experience. So far, I have met with the coordinator and the doctor, we decided to take care of my upper/lower abs and flanks. My pre-op is March 8th and I will be sure to take in a list of questions for post-op care. The coordinator and I met last week, and she recommended that I cut sodium down in my meals, drink plenty of water, and to begin taking the Arnica and Bromelain tablets twice a day for at least a week before the procedure to help with bruising and swelling. I'll be starting this next Thursday, since that will be the two-week mark. I also understand that I cannot take multi-vitamins, prescription drugs, Motrin (as it acts as a blood thinner), or other pain killers, with the exception of Tylenol. So a few days before my procedure, I will most likely post a few Before photos and during my progress afterward.
Wish me luck!
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3/15/13 I had my procedure yesterday. Everything...
Once my husband got me home, I don't remember much except that he got me into bed and kept our little ones occupied throghout the evening. I remember waking up in the 2 o' clock am hour in some pain. He gave me an antibiotic and I thought I would hold off on the vicodin until I felt I really needed it. He helped me to the restroom, where I realized how much leakage I had and we had to change the dressings and the garment. (Getting into the garment is a pain, for the record.)Then off I went back to bed. . . until around 5 am. My body was in quite some pain, so bad that my teeth began to shatter, like when you get out of a pool in cold weather. :-) So then I became comfortable again.
I am posting the before photos now. Sorry that I didn't get a chance to do this before, as it is not easy to get clingy children out of one's bedroom. I am going to be showering in a while, so once I do, I'll try to get my husband to take some more photos so that I can post an update. On my cell phone, Anna took a picture of the removed fat from my procedure, so I'll get that posted soon as well.
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3/18/13 I'm on Day 4 now. I was moving around...
My husband took me out for a little walking around (just at stores) yesterday to help strengthen. I feel I did fairly well. I will be returning to work tomorrow so wish me luck. I have posted photos taken yesterday, which was day three. And the photo of the melted fat that was removed on the morning of my procedure. Perhaps over the weekend, I will be able to follow up with more photos.
Hi there, welcome and thanks so much for sharing your journey with us!
Good luck with your proceudre, I hope everything goes well for you. Are you all prepared for the big day?