“So Far So Good! - Atlanta GA”

I'm 5"5 and 145 pounds. I'm healthy and 41 years old. Even though I work out 3 times a week and have a great personal trainer, I could not get rid of the 'donut' I had on the top of my stomach. My sides, hips, thighs and butt are still nice and shapely. But when I turned to the side it was a different story!

I never dreamed of lipo because I heard it was painful. Then I heard on the radio about laser assisted lipo and the DJ was raving about her results. I know I took a chance but I went to a laser lipo clinic where that is all they do. They've done hundreds of procedures and the docs put me at ease. great bedside manner and I felt I was in good hands. Most importantly, they did NOT talk me in to getting areas that I did not need done. That set my mind at ease because I'm not trying to get perfect. I'm just wanting to wear a 2 peice bathing suit and not have to worry about my belly spilling over the top.

Long story short, the docs were great. It took 1.5 hours and they removed 2,700 cc's of fat and fluid or whatever it is. That's like a 2 liter bottle of soda plus almost another 1 liter bottle. I had a lot in my belly. They did not take it all out because my doc said she did not want me to have loose skin. She said I'm active and will lose the rest naturally.

Did it hurt? Yes!! Stung like heck at time especially around my ribs where I have no meat. But it didn't hurt enough for me to say don't get it done if you want or need it. It's like a root canal. Stings when they give you the novacaine and here and there they hit an area which isn't that numb and you jump, but they stop and get you numb again.

It's been 7 days and the swelling goes down a bit more every day. I'm so excited to think that this will improve every day for the next 3 months. I'm happy now I can't imagine it's going to look even better :-) So far I have no loose skin, no unevenness, no lumps (but I do have swollen area in the middle that is still sore and will probably for at least another week), no major bruises. I did not leak beyond 24 hours. I feel my lower belly the most sore and can feel the skin tightening as the feeling slowly comes back from being numb.

Thanks for everyone who shared. It gave me so much information I was totally prepared for the proceedure and the after care. I did not take before pics but will load them when my doc sends them to me.

My advice is choose your docs carefully. I felt an immediate emotional attachment to mine and they are sincere. Don't be fooled by flashing advertising and a really nice office. Ask your docs to see pictures of lipo patients they've done. Ask how many proceedures like your's they've done. Some plastic surgeons do mostly breasts and regular lipo. Some do facial reconstruction and nose jobs. Every doc has their 'thing'. No one doc masters everything. they will tell you that but how can it be true? My docs do 3-4 smart lipos a week. The other 2 days they do consults. They don't do one a week, then spend the other 4 days doing expense breast implants, nose jobs, butt implants, regular lipo- all the stuff that makes the real money.

Would I get a touch up on some unperfect areas? Heck no!! If I can't get the rest of this with diet and exercise then so be it. But right now I feel like I have a fresh start.

Updated on 2 Sep 2011:
10 days post surgery and I feel great. Tummy is firming up more each day and hardness/ lumps are going down slowly. I am at work in my compression garment but no binder. I hate that thing!! Is it ok to have the compression and no binder? I will wear it at night with the compression garment but during the day sitting at my desk it makes me miserable.

Updated on 5 Sep 2011:
2 weeks and swelling has gone down bit by bit each day. Better in the morning, swelling at night. But still improves each day. Will post pics tomorrow. Pre op my waist was 34". Today it was 32". I'm hoping it will be more I'm another 2 weeks. Lower belly is the area the most fat was taken out of so it's the most swollen. Massage is helping with the lumps. They are not major and respond to gentle massage. Hipbone area is swollen like bruises underneath. Lots more healing to go but there is a light at the end of the tunnel... Would not do this again cuz I'm too active and too impatient:-)

Updated on 27 Nov 2011:
It's been 3 months and still some swelling and firmness. Gets better every day though. Swelling is mostly in the evenings. I'm massaging a lot and it does help.

I've lost 5 pounds overall. Watching what I eat and exercise. Still glad I had this done. Wearing fitted clothes for the first time in my life. I will upload photos as soon as I get to my pc. Oh yeah, I'm still wearing my compression garment to bed. Don't know why I swelled so much but everyone heals at different rates. I'm happy I did this, although I wish I had gone to a well established practice...

Updated on 27 Apr 2012:
The good news is that my weight is down to 140 (yay!!!). But the bad news is that the more I lose, the more I noticed that fat was left in more areas than I thought. I also notice a line or a ridge in my lower abdomen, more weight I lost. Of course this can be attibuted to the surgeon's technique. So I'm going back for a revision on 5/24 and also getting my flanks and bra roll done. I will update with before pics once I go for my preop exam on 5/7. I still say it was worth it because I'm a full size smaller in my pants. But I'm trying to get bathing suit ready and bikkini flat belly. Wish me luck!!!

Updated on 27 May 2012:
Just had my revision yesterday. Anesthetic was painful due to scar tissue but hardly their fault. Doc and staff was awesome. No bruising- took arnica. Minimal soreness this morning. And belly is super flat!!!! Had back bra roll done too. That is sore cuz doc said I have muscle. Took off garments this morning and almost cried. Finally the flat stomach!!! I love Sono Bella. Super nice staff and gorgeous office. Felt like a day at the spa:-). Love them!! I'll paste photos as soon as they send me. Btw, I'm down to 139.

Updated on 28 May 2012:
Little bit of swelling and some bruising but I'm still amazed at how great a job the doctor did. I now know that experience pays a huge part in the final result. The first practice I went to did not take out enough fat around my belly button. However, Dr. Welsh went in through my belly button and got a lot out. That line is also gone too. I went to one other doctor to get a consult on a revision. That doc tried to talk me in to a tummy tuck. All I can say, is thank God for Sono Bello.