54 Year Old with Menopot - Myrtle Beach, SC

I remembered another community member.  BayAreaLatina41 is also dealing with lumpiness.

I actually only wore the compression garment for 5 days and the doctor saw the indentation and said I could switch to the spanx. He never really said anything about lymphatic message per se, but did suggest Velashape - did not give me a time to start either. I have my first velashape treatment 12 days post-op and I must say it was very uncomfortable - it felt like a vacuum cleaner that sucked the skin and at the same time massaged and added heat. I was quite bruised the next day, but that is to be expected from what I hear. The technician said it's like an iron and really worked that crease on my stomach. After surgery, the Dr. performed what he called a pinch test to see how the skin reacted and told me I should see excellent results. He, also, said velashape would improve this by 20%. He said I should see the full results in about 4 months. I am drinking tons of water and walking at least 4 miles most days and closely watching my diet and sodium. Pre-op weight 149 and down to 143 today. I will post pictures at 3 weeks and we will see if there is any improvement in swelling, etc. I have my 2nd velashape treatment on 19th of August so we shall see. The skin is very tight and stretched that I rub on Palmers essential oils with cocoa butter and vitamin E 3 times daily.

WOW!! Congrats on weight loss,walking and drinking lots of water. You're doing great. Keep up the hard work it'll pay off.

Thank you everyone for your support and words of encouragement!!! I went into to this pretty well informed as I have read quite a few stories on here. I am not looking for instant gratification, but can't wait for the end results!!! Wearing spanx, swelling, creases, etc. are all just part of this process. I will take new photos next Wednesday at week 3.

Have a great weekend, :)

Thank you very much Bella Besos - you have a great weekend, also. I did my 3 miles in 55 minutes - powerwalk with abs pulled in - ate 1/2 subway sandwich - fruit later and tons of water!!!

You're doing an AMAZING job with your exercise,eating habits and healing. It's nice to hear :)

Thank you very much Bella Besos!!! I figure if you spend that much money to look good you should, also, be committed to other good habits to get the best results possible. I usually golf 3 times per week, but no golf for 1 month so I have to find another outlet for this pent up energy!!! I love to walk especialy with my headsets on listening to some

high energy music - music brings such joy and freedom!!!

I hear you,it's EXPENSIVE! Walking is always fun with music but for me i love to run with musica electronica,it gets me hyped,lol. Have a Happy Sunday!

Yes,it does,it takes me to a whole new place :)

Bella Besos - I used to run the 550 and 1 mile in track, then I entered the Air Force. My running days are over, but no one can keep up with me when I powerwalk - I always have to slow down when someone else is along - bummer!!! I massaged my stomach last night with my Palmer's solution and I must have been a little heavy handed - very sore and more swollen today. Down 1 more pound today 142 - my goal is135 - I am 5'6". No walk today - rec center closed and it's been pouring all day long. Hope you're having a wonderful Sunday!!!

You're so close to your goal weight,YAY! I hope the swelling goes down soon Pouring>,wow. I am in Cali&it's freakin' HOT!!! I am having a lazy Sunday but gota take doggie to dog park :)

I meant pouring????? Gotta take. I hate typos.

Thanks Amal Salem - I went to Dr. White here in Myrtle Beach, SC. It cost me $5000 with 4 velashape treatments. I have my last one tomorrow and follow up with the PS a week later. I had always had a flat stomach until menopause and it popped up out of no where. I feel great and almost look like my old self again - not bad for a 55 year old!!!

That is very depressing to hear. My 2nd revision was only 1 month ago, so I think I still have some time left for it to go away. I plan on wearing a bikini.

When did you have your lipo done? Did you have a ridge from the beginning? Any revisions?

Loved Italy - that was my bucket list item. No items left on it.

The right crease did go away and now there is a 5-6" area directly above my belly button, equally distributed between the right and left side. The doctor did not say anything to be at all about separation of the abdominal muscles, so I assume I'm okay. The original question was not answered by any of the doctors on this site. I have a feeling that my surgeon was correct about fluid because when I push down in this area it feels like there is fluid underneath. I guess I will find out a week from Tuesday when I go in for my 2nd velashape appointment and the swelling goes down and away. I see my surgeon a week from Thursday and I will bring up diastasis recti. Thank you for you input and caring.

If you can feel fluid in there, that does seem like your doctor is right about that :).  And if there's fluid, they can get that out, so that's awesome!  Way easier to fix than a diastasis!  Good luck!!!

The fluid seems to have lessened, but the crease above the belly button seems to be getting deeper- this really concerns me. The lower abdomen swelling is going down and getting really tight. I just wonder if this is all going to blend in. When I do my powerwalk I walk extremely straight and pull in abs as I walk hoping to get rid of this 5-6" crease above my belly button. Has anyone else ever had this problem? Please answer - I am truly freaking!!!

Thank you Jamie for your input. I have looked at tons of pictures and have only seen one other person with this type of crease and it really bothers me. I think my doctor suggests velashape because he does not have a massage therapist for lymphatic drainage. The therapist said the velashape machine is like an iron so maybe it can iron out small mistakes? I don't really know what to think since the doctor seems to think this is fluid - will see him next week and really bring it to his attention. I see the velashape tech Tuesday and doctor Thursday. There is no way I will go through a revision. I hate wearing spanx - very uncomfortable and flatulent producing!!!! I realized going into this procedure that it was not automatic, but really didn't think it would be this bothersome - you see videos on you tube of someone going in on their lunch hour - talking and bouncing out after - really!!!

I am 5'6" and weighed 149 at start of procedure and am down to 142-143 now - I was never considered overweight by any stretch since I have large bones, big hands and feet - father was Hungarian!!!

One of the doctors on this site has assured me to give it time that I have nothing to worry about, so I have decided to believe him. My stomach seems to be shrinking, but still have the crease. After velashape Tuesday hopefully the lymphatic fluid will be eliminated from my body and the crease will leave. Will see doctor Thursday - will let you know more then. I weighed 141 1/2 the other day - down 8 1/2 pounds - still have 5 1/2 pounds to go. Going to the rec center again today for my 3 mile powerwalk - I will prevail. Thanks for asking Bella Besos!!!

Your ps does know best and the waiting game is the Worst. It will out work out. You're so disciplined with work outs,i wish i was,i need to get back to it because i feel lazy when i don't. Happy Saturday!!!!

Happy Saturday to you, also, Bella Besos. I am patiently waiting. I will update photos and info from ps Thursday. Thanks for being there to listen!!!

Ok i look forward to updates&pics :)

I am here for you to vent anytime. I am always around. I wanted to check in on you. I pray everything works out. I am getting this done in November,so i definitely would love to see positive results and HAPPY patients. Have a Happy Sunday!

Thanks Bella Besos!!! I will update Wednesday with pictures after my 3rd velashape appointment. I still have that shelf type thing above my belly button, but after my last velashape treatment, it is not as hard - I think she woke up that area with the torture device, but I am very swollen. I can definitely tell when I have to much salt, too!!! I golfed 18 holes for the first time today with no problems at all except my poor short game - after 5 weeks . Hope you had a good weekend!!!

OMG!! Me too,when i eat popcorn or chip i SWELL like a Blow fish! YAY!!!! Congrats to hear you got on the golf course. :) You'll get better with practice. Patine Grasshopper. lol. I had a good weekend minus the Earth Quake!

I didn't realize that you lived in California - I thought everyone there thought of an earthquake as nothing since they happen so often. I have a GF who lives in the moutains and they had one there about 15 years ago with extensive damage to their residence - fireplace on outside of home destroyed, walls moved - took them 6 months to get back in their place, Ben Lomond. I am postingpictures today - down to 140 - nine pounds lost yippee!!! I have been working out hard and not eating very much - once a day and drinking lots of water, but of course I do drink a couple glasses of wine in the evening. I am posting today!!!

I have a friend who lives in Ben Lomand and went through extensive damage 15-20 years which took months of be fixed. Hope everything is okay at your residence. I am posting an update today before my 3rd velashape.

I have a friend who still lives in Ben Lomond who have extensive damage to her house 10-15 years ago - it took 6-8 months for repair. I sure hope your residence survived without any damage!!! I am posting pictures today before my 3rd velashape.

Ys,i am a CA native and they Don't effect us until they Affect us! I lived through the Loma Prieta in 1989 and it was a 6.9 NO BUENO! I am glad you're back on track and doing well. I'll check out the pics :) Have a great night

Napa is 1 hour and a half away,so i am ok thank you though :) However,i did feel it. Checking now.

I am now over 15 weeks post-op and still have swelling and a little ridge above my belly button, but I think this area is still swelling and the last part to heal. I am quite happy with the results - went from size 12 (because of stomach) to a size 8/10 depending upon manufacturer. 5'6" and originally 149 to start with, lost 3 pounds with lipo and have lost an additional 7 pounds - right where I want to be. I lead a very active lifestyle golfing 3-4 days per week plus walking a lot. I was lucky enough to be able to retire at the age of 54 due to working in a paper mill for 25 years - pension and 401. Worked the same jobs that men worked for 13 years and went into quality control which was more to my liking. What kind of procedure have you had? I looked at your profile, but could find none.

How bad are they? What does your PS say? Revision?

I went and asked him to post a picture of his.  He only took one though because he was so depressed.  Here is a link directly to the comment where he answered me about the edema.

I saw my PS today and was not to pleased. First, I had velashape done and she went over and over the shelf area with this torture device - high suction, hat and massage - can anyone say ouch. I am now red and very swollen, but I must say that the shelf is not as hard and everything is swollen so there is no shelf now. I spoke with my PS surgeon and told him that I am on this site and have seen 100's of people way bigger to begin with who didn't develop this shelf - could be my genetics, DNA or something else. I have 2 more velashape appointments - one a week or the next 2 weeks and am hoping this goes way. I see him again in 8 weeks - today he said we could revise if there were problems later on - of course, I will have to pay for supplies - his time would be free. I just pray every day that this is just the healing process and not my lasting result. I paid a lot more than most most for just the mid abdomen smartlipo. I didn't have flanks or back done. Very upset right now. I don't eat very much - healthy, once a day - am down 5 pounds post-op, walking 3 miles 5-6 times daily in 50 minutes and not he has released me to resume golf as long as I wear my spanx - believe me, I would never try it without it. I am going to walk tomorrow and try to hit some golf balls to see if I can tolerate 18 holes. Mad and disappointed with my doctor right now. Please say a prayer that everything will turn out all right!!!

I read about all of his surgery - poor guy - I hope he is doing better now. I know I am only 4 weeks post-op (tomorrow), but how many shelves do you see on here? Did he remove to much fat from that area or what? I am going to be patient and wait and seem but his flippant attitude today really pissed me off.

I am no expert, unfortunately.  I wish I were!  I wonder whether the shelf is the upper edge of where the lipo was started, and that it's swelling all the places the fat was taken out, but not just above, and so you end up with this differential.  And now that it's become hard, it's even more obvious exactly where the lipo was done.  If that's the case, it will go away for sure.  Did you have fat taken out above where the shelf is?

No fat taken out above - I had no fat there. My fat was localized in the mid abdomen from menopause - no fat removed below appendix scar either - just mid abs. Thanks for your input and support. I just looked like I was early stage pregnancy - small basketball directly in mid section.

Yeah, then it really does match up with the hard swelling idea.  I looked at your latest update and even though I still see that localized swelling, it really does look much better.  I think it's going to straighten out!  I wonder whether wearing an actual binder might help, instead of spanx.  My experience with spanx was that it was not very strong, but the store also didn't carry a size smaller that I could have tried out to see if it was tighter.  Maybe yours is very strong :).  Very glad to hear you've kept 5 pounds off--that is significant, so you have to be smaller.

Patience is toooo hard!!!  But you'll get to the place you want with this.  He took out a lot of fat for such a small area.  I think you're going to be happy :).

Thank you so much TwoPlusOne for your support. I just get a little freaky especially since I spent that much money. I am trying to be patient and go one day at a time. My spanx is tight especially after washing. I hit some golf balls today and it felt great - a little rusty from no play in a month, but no pain whatsoever - PS said as long as I wear spanx, no problem!!! The binder was extremely uncomfortable and I think initially made the indention above the belly button. BiomedJacob on this site told me he had the same problem and it is called a brawny edema - his PS assured him that it would go away so one can only pray.

So glad you talked to BiomedJacob :).  We'll see you through this :D.  And it's wonderful to hear you were able to play golf again…we'll see if you get sore! ;)

I love this community - so many good people and such a great support system - I'm so glad I found all of you!!!

xoxo

Ditto!!!

icowan - my PS told me in October that I would need a revision and he was right. He did not take enough fat out around the belly button, but he is board certified and has done thousands of these. I may be old, but the skin shrunk nicely after the initial procedure and I expect more of the same after the revision. I am taking your advice under advisement. My belly looks nasty right now, as you can see in the 6 months photos or I certainly wouldn't be doing it. So sorry you had such a bad experience.

roseusa - I did get a revision 5 weeks ago - still a work in progress. Probably will have to get one more revision to fix the problems that the PS caused - we shall see. Working my butt off not to do this, but I think the damage was done initially and at the revision. Will post 5 weeks post revision pics tomorrow - you will my trouble spots.

will see my trouble spots - fingers work faster than brain rozeusa!!!