Dieting and Exercise Wasn't Working So I Cheated a Little - La Jolla, CA
I have completed part one of a two part process....
I have completed part one of a two part process. Today, I had my inner thighs done. I was awake the entire process, which is what I prefer since I don't want to be put under and not know what is going on. I also got marked up for tomorrow's procedure on my abs/love handles. I will follow up with that information after I get the lipo done. So to give you a little idea of why I chose this procedure, here goes.
I have never been skinny. As a child, I was chubby. I grew hips after my senior year of high school so I was no longer square, but had the start of an hour glass shape. And my thighs and I fought a lot. I was tired of ruining my favorite pants because my thighs rub together and I have a hole on the inner thigh. Up until I joined the military, I was sedentary, but the military made me challenge myself physically and I am in better shape now in my 30's than when I was in HS and college. I was always unhappy with my stomach. When I saw my stomach compared to others, it was not flat and I had a crease at my belly button separating my belly into a top belly and a lower belly. I grew to accept the crease, who wants a pot belly anyways? But as I got older, the lower pouch got bigger, while the top stomach flattened or grew with my weight loss/gain. After returning to the states from overseas this month, I decided this was the best time to do it since I was on leave, it's America so there are standards, and I was financially able to do this so I may as well get it done now and make myself happy than sit and think about it for another year.
In trying to decide what procedure I wanted to do, I googled and read about 30 websites before I decided on which clinic I wanted. I also got on realself to read what other people had to say about the procedure. Then I looked at pictures to see what bodies like mine looked like post surgery. I decided on tumescent liposuction at Pacific Lipo since they wouldn't put me under. Yes, it's a PA doing the procedure but he was very competent with what he was doing. He was upfront about being a PA, I asked how he got into plastic surgery and I had no issues since he was very honest. Since this is the only thing this clinic does, I felt comfortable with a PA doing the surgery vice a MD. I have family in the medical field, MD/PA/PT and my thought is if the doctor is comfortable allowing a PA to do the procedure at his clinic, then I'm comfortable. Plus, being in the military, my thought has gotten to be that all doctors aren't competent either so since all the current reviews I read were positive, the results would be good. Also, I head back out of California in June so I don't have time to come into the office for facetime follow ups, I can do them via email and telephone which is good for me when I head back overseas for another year.
Now onto the procedure itself. Today's thighs had minimal pain. I had to get an extra injection while I was laying on my stomach as he was suctioning out the fat from behind, but I guess that's a sensitive area. The work while I was on my back was fine. There was a ticklish section, but it was only mild discomfort. On a 1 to 10 pain scale, I'd say during was maybe a 3, right now, I'm sitting at a 3 as well. It might be that I have a high pain tolerance too. Nothing to complain about. I was done with the procedure before noon, and it's 5pm now and I feel fine. After I was done, I had lunch in old town with a friend, I ran some errands, now I'm sitting in my room trying to figure out what to do. I changed out my pads at 4 and the two holes in the back didn't really drain, maybe too much sitting. My holes in the front had major leakage. The pads were soaked! I called the clinic to ask what I should do since the post-op instructions were pretty vague to me. I feel fine so I wanted to clarify things so I don't overdo it and cause damage. Basically, I was told I could go walking, rest, just don't exercise. I should take it easy. Kind of tough for someone who leads a very active lifestyle. I'm supposed to be national parking this weekend for Memorial Day, we'll see if my body will let me.
Tomorrow I go in for my abs and love handles. I'll post about that when I get home from the procedure. I'll also get pictures on here as well. I've been watching everyone else so I figure I'd share as well. I'm still undecided as well since I haven't got my tummy done yet. Hopefully, I can update that once I'm done and can see the results.
Basic Stats:
33 yo single female with a dog
5'3" 167 pounds
I'll get my measurements on here tomorrow. I forgot to ask for a copy when they taped me.
Basic Stats (pre-op): Upper waist: 34" Lower...
Upper waist: 34"
Lower waist: 39"
Inner thigh: 26" each
Day two is over and I had my stomach done. Nine incisions later, I've got a slightly bruised but flatter stomach. Not too sure about the love handles though since I was too busy plugging up leaks to be looking at myself after my shower. Needless to say, no post op pics until I stop leaking everywhere. It's kind of gross. I do notice that my compression garment is a bit looser on my torso than on my hips. We'll have to discuss getting something that fits my top part better since my thighs and butt aren't going to shrink to a medium when I have my follow up next week. Now about my operation.
My stomach fat is ticklish! I was laughing during a good portion of the procedure. There was a little pain when he gave me the lidocaine shot up at my ribs, but that was it. There was mild discomfort during the medicating and suctioning of fat, but nothing too bad. It was most uncomfortable as he ran across the centerline of my stomach but you gotta do what you gotta do. I was hoping for less incisions but there were hard to reach pockets of fat. Rod told me I could either have less holes and random fat pockets since the probe wouldn't be able to reach or he could do it right. I opted for do it right and the 9 holes. Overall, it took less than 2 hours to do my belly. Rod called me that afternoon, but I missed the call since I was on another line. He was checking up to make sure I was okay and gave me his cell phone number if I had any concerns.
About 6pm, I took a couple tylenols since my stomach had a good bit of achiness to it. It felt like I had overdone it on an abs workout. That's the only pain medication I've taken in the last 3 days. I've got the antibiotics that I'm doing, and the 4 days worth of steroids, but no other pain medication. I am taking arnica montana orally and applying a topical gel to help with the bruising. My bruises are in the netting pattern from the sock thing they had me in for my thighs and stomach. There is one bruise on my belly that is really deep too. I'll let you know how well the arnica works for my bruising. Tomorrow if I don't leak so much, I'll try taking pics so you can see the bruising and what I look like 2 days after having my stomach done.
I washed my garment this morning since I had all sorts of blood leaking on me last night so it feels so much cleaner today. So far, no blood on it today so I shouldn't have to wash again. I'm pretty mobile today. I've gotten my oil changed, bought parts, replaced a light bulb and the windshield wipers on the car. I got some shocks too but a mechanic will be doing that work for me. I don't know how and I'm not that mobile. There is some stiffness getting into the car, but other than that, I feel fine. I am 'rubbing' on myself to help with the drainage and also to soften up some of the hard lumps I feel. Overall, I'm happy I got the surgery done. I'll be even happier when I see the results - i.e. stop leaking so I can actually see myself.
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Initially, I was sore - kinda of like too many sit ups. I had problems getting up when I was laying on my back. If I laid on my belly, I did a push up to get up so that was a lot easier. I did take some Tylenol yesterday for the stiffness but I'm fine today. I feel better when I'm up on my feet rather than resting on my belly. I did some shopping this morning, changed out a lightbulb for my car, replaced the windshield wipers. Doing basic things but no real exercise. I'm supposed to be national parking this weekend, so I think I'll be able to do some light hiking. I'm going with my 62yo mother so I'll be moving her speed! What will be challenging is sitting in the car for the long drive to Colorado. We will be stopping every few hours but sitting upright will be interesting. I'll do it though so I can avoid wrinkling my stomach.
I've posted some new photos 2 days post-op. I...
Today, I hit the road for Vegas, then onto Colorado and Utah. I'll update at the end of my long weekend and maybe by then, I'll stop leaking and I can get some new photos on here.
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I have also been trying to sleep on my stomach. So its good to hear that is the advice he has been giving you. My doctor just told me to keep rotating to make sure the swelling is distributed evenly.
My other challenge is that I still have not been able to go to the bathroom. Have you had any luck in this area? I finally called today and got permission to use a laxative. I was dying over here :-( TMI I know...
I'm having the worst time sleeping on my stomach. As I'm not used to it, it's causing my lower back to hurt. Go figure. I flip myself over a couple times at night just to even myself out. I do notice that if I lay on my belly, I don't leak as much in the morning than when I sleep more on my back.
No bathroom issues to report. I eat a pretty healthy diet full of fiber and plenty of water. My system flushes itself. Hope things are going better for you. I'll continue to post as I can while I'm out on my travels!
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