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POSTED UNDER Smart Lipo Reviews

Abs and Flanks - Houston, TX

UPDATED FROM Shell in Houston
4 days post

3/18/13 I'm on Day 4 now. I was moving around...

Shell in HoustonMarch 18, 2013
$4,650
3/18/13 I'm on Day 4 now. I was moving around pretty slowly the past couple of days. And after my shower on the 15th, I just wanted to climb into bed. Felt like it took a lot out of me for some reason. I've been doing so much better since. I've taken about 3 Vicadins total and feel that Motrin will do. I continue to take my arnica and bromelain several times a day and have been very careful with my sodium intake, and have stocked up on papaya and kiwi. . .These are known to have enzymes to help with swelling and bruising. And healing in general. I've lost a total of six pounds from the morning of the procedure to this morning (after breakfast), but I know that I am still swollen. While I know that I won't lose much for weight, I am happily surprised for the six pounds that I have lost. This may be attributed to discipline in the portions in my plate.
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.

Shell in Houston's provider

James Kern, MD

Physician

Shell in Houston rating for Dr. Kern:

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
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Wait times

Replies (3)

newgirlsbody2013
March 20, 2013
Hi Shell, Thank you for sharing. I had lipo on March 13 2013. Lower and Upper Abs, Flanks and inner thighs. I am 41, 4ft 11 inches 126 pounds before lipo and 123 now. Living in Canada and loving this site because it is helping me see others who have had similar results to myself. I also had 2 c-sec because of being small and have children that rely on me running around while I try to recover. This is day 6 for me. I have very bad back pain and like yourself have the shakes. I get really cold in my hands and feet if i stand too long and then start to shake from feeling so cold. By my 3rd day my house was heated to 75, i had a shirt on two sweaters and a winter coat while the rest of the family walked around almost naked !! Would love to keep in touch with you and see how our results progress. From your pictures our body types look quite similar. I have not taken pictures yet but will do so today. Take care. xx
Shell in Houston
March 20, 2013
Hi, newgirlsbody. Yes, I would love to keep in touch to see our results progress. Today was my first day back at work and I have to say, it was very tiring but I definitely caught a few double takes. Like they couldn't quite figure out what was different about me. I've been out of the office since March 8th, so for all they know I might have just really been watching my diet. . . Do you know how much fat was removed during your procedure? I couldn't believe how much was removed from me and how comfortable I was the whole time. Did you have a good experience on the table? I find it amazing at how we may all differ on this part of the experience. Take care and let me know how you're doing with the shakes. That was the first time I found I needed the meds. (5 am - Lol!) :-)
newgirlsbody2013
March 20, 2013
Hi Shell, Good for you going back to work today. It must have made you feel great with the looks !! 3 litres was removed, I had a general anesthetic so I was asleep the whole time. Here they highly recommend it and my Dr does not do lipo without it. I was scared at first but after reading some of the experiences of other lipo patients I am so glad I had it. I woke up in the recovery room all wrapped up in my body bandage. I had very little leakage from my bellybutton area. I changed the pad the next day and that was it. ( Almost no drainage at all ) My scares are amazing very small. I can't even find the bellybutton one. I am quite happy with my results, my only concern is the fat over my c-section scare looks bigger now than before. It hangs from my right side all the way to my left side. Hopefully it's just swollen.
LongTallTexan
March 20, 2013
Hi Shell. Thanks for the review. I'm considering SmartLipo and wonder if you would post your doctors name. Thanks and happy healing!
Shell in Houston
March 20, 2013
Hi, LarCee. I've updated my doctor's name. Let me know how you do on your journey. :-)
LongTallTexan
March 21, 2013
Thanks so much Shell. I've been on one consultation with Dr. John Bergeron. Lipo is all he does. I'm probably going to schedule for mid April. How are you feeling! Better, I hope. Is the swelling getting any better?
Reredewanda
August 21, 2013
Hey can u post pictures now!!!
UPDATED FROM Shell in Houston
1 day post

3/15/13 I had my procedure yesterday. Everything...

Shell in HoustonMarch 15, 2013
3/15/13 I had my procedure yesterday. Everything went at the doctor's office. I arrived and was greeted by Lucinda and Ana, then moved on to a room where I was put into a robe and got started with photos and markings by the surgeon. I was made very comfortable both before and during the procedure. I know this sounds silly, but as the surgeon worked on my rib areas, I couldn't help but laugh. It felt as though I was being tickled. (Please don't laugh at me, but with me. LOL) Throughout the whole process, either I was well-medicated or the doctor was very gentle. Perhaps both(?) And when I did feel uncomfortable, I was attended to quickly. So I can also say that during the insertion of any needles or the instrument, it was not bothersome. The overall experience was a lot easier than I expected. When they rolled me out in a wheelchair, they provided a really appreciated and much needed cover that fit over the seat so that any leakage wouldn't get onto our leather. (That would just crush me.) They advised my husband of what to expect and when to start taking my meds. So . . .
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.

Replies (0)

ORIGINAL POST

I am a 43 year-old mother of three. I brought...

Shell in HoustonFebruary 24, 2013

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!

Replies (2)

K_at_RealSelf
February 27, 2013

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?

Shell in Houston
March 6, 2013
Hi, Kirsty. Thank you for the warm welcome. At this time, I am still very excited to have this procedure. I'm planning on posting some "before" photos, emphasizing the areas that I am having Smart Lipo, at least a few days before my big day. Stay tuned. . .
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