Smart Lipo: Stories

Brief bio about myself..I am a 29 yr old african american women, physically fit, no kids, just had some fat around the midsection that would not go away.

Received Smartlipo on October 20, 2010 in San Antonio Texas. The price I paid (3700) wasnt bad at all. I got my upper/lower abdominals, flanks, "back fat, or bra fat" removed.

I know the procedure can be done with local anesethis but I opted for general for many reason. 1. It was recommened by my surgeon. At first I thought it was just a way to get more money out of me but from research not everyone likes the tugging and pulling from the procedure. I chose to be knocked out so they can do the best job that they could. I read on here some lady said they had to stop the procedure so she could use the bathroom..OMG can not amazine that. So I will talk about my experience, and try to update with pictures as soon as I get them on here..

Day 1...Everything went smoothly..arrived at the office at 9:30 was prepped, signed more paperwork and off to surgery..The only thing I do not like is waking up from GA..it can be kind of scary. But overall I was able to move. I walked to the bathroom, got in the car and that was about it. As soon as I got home, took some pain pills even though I wasnt in that much pain yet and went to sleep. Had some drainage but not a lot. It didnt get on my clothes or bed just the garmet I was wearing..Now this is why I say you shouldnt believe everything you hear. I read one lady said she was out grocery shopping after the procedure. Everyones body reacts differently not saying I am super women but there was no way I was going to the store day 1. That first night was rough..the garmet hurts and I could only sleep on my back. My surgeon scheduled a post operative visit the next day so they could take off my dressing and examine me.

Day 2 October 21, 2010
Today was ok. Still sore, and swollen but able to move around slowly. Still cant sleep. I found myself getting up and using the restroom a lot the night before. When you first get up off the bed it feels like blood is rushing down to your stomach. "weird". But overall I was able to get up, get dress and drive myself to my post op appointment..slowly lol.. At the appointment they took my bandages off and said that I was healing good. No bruising at all, but I am still swollen. Which is to expected day two days after surgery. I was told I could take a shower when I got home. The best shower I've ever had. Still hurts, still cant sleep. Just cant get comfortable. Now I must say this even though I consider myself to be healthly I do have a lower back problem in my L5/S1 area, so Im on pain medication already. For somebody who doesnt take pain meds on a regular the medication they prescribe may have you sleeping and feeling great but not me. My body is used to it..Moving on..Moving around in the bed is the worse part. I feel like a severly obese person, rocking and rolling just trying to sit up. ( Don't mean to offend any obese people who have to do this on a daily basis).

Day 3 Back to work..
I have a sit down job so thus far at 7:20 in the morning I am ok..still sore mostly from the garmet that I have on..Hopefully the day goes by ok..ill keep posting..

Update to day 3: So the rest of the day went by ok. I actuallly feel more comfortable being at work sitting in a chair for 12 hours than I do at home laying in the bed..Still had a hard time going to sleep that night. Still rolling around. But for a postive I see a little change.

Day 4: Another work day. I actually couldnt wait to get to work so I could relax in my work chair. I actually feel asleep in it. I am able to go without pain medications during the day but for some reason as soon as I get home I am in pai. Maybe from moving around. I had the worst spasm last night it had me in tears. Felt like a "charlie horse". Stomach is going down more..I cant wait for it to be over..Still dont know if I can wear regular pants yet. I dont care if the size is smaller I just want to wear something other than shorts. I will say this. I do take my garmet off and wear tight biker shorts to bed. It is more comfortable than the garmet at night. Ill keep updating, and I promse I will post pictures soon!

Day 5: finally a day off work. I must say I work up this morning with a little more movement. I have my second post op appointment tomorrow. I am going to ask about the garmet. Ive been wearing tight biker shorts pulled up to my breast..lol..it feels alot better than the original garment but I want to make sure a heal properly. I was told I could wear spanks after a while. Anyone know about that? I feel a little different but not completely healed. I wonder if I can start massage therapy now? Well Ill keep you updated!

Day 5: finally a day off work. I must say I work up this morning with a little more movement. I have my second post op appointment tomorrow. I am going to ask about the garmet. Ive been wearing tight biker shorts pulled up to my breast..lol..it feels alot better than the original garment but I want to make sure a heal properly. I was told I could wear spanks after a while. Anyone know about that? I feel a little different but not completely healed. I wonder if I can start massage therapy now? Well Ill keep you updated!

Pictures so far..

Tomorrow will be week 1 since procedure. I will take a picture later today. I can honestly say this has not been what I expected but I feel I had realistic expectations. I woke up today in a lot of pain. Not sure why. I have my second post op appointment today. The only concern I have is I know I am still swollen in my lower abs but I still have a roll on my back. I can pinch it like it wasn't even even sucked. It was there before I had the procedure. I really don't want to have a touch up even though many people do. If I do I'm not doing general anesthesia, I really think I spent the extra money for that for nothing. Ill write back after my appointment today!

So after my appointment today I feel alot better. Everybody body heals differently. For me I'm still swollen in my lower ABS, and I was told the roll I was concerned about will go down in time. Since I'm at week one I can wear a different type of garment
I still have to wear something for another 3-4 weeks which is ok. Ill keep you guys updated on my progress

 

It has been two weeks since my smartlipo procedure. I will update pictures probably next week. I can not say I am completely happy with my results thus far but I am trying to stay hopeful that I didnt waste my money. I get frustrated when I look at other people pictures on here, day 1 or 2 and showing a big difference. I am at week 2 and I look how I did before the surgery. I am still swollen and sore in in my lower abs.I can tell that is going down slowly, but still there. I will try to stay positive. Every body is different, maybe mine will just take forever to heal

Update..so I recently had my 3 month follow up and no results. I am the same size I was pre-surgery (weight and measurements). So I would say the procedure was unsuccessful. I am considering a re-touch. The Dr couldnt understand herself why there weren't any changes. Today I received a call saying that my hips have gotten bigger so its possible I gained weigh in that area, but that doesnt explain why there were no changes in my stomach area. The Dr said that I should try to lose the weight in my hips and then we will look at re-touch options. I dont understand, my hips werent even done so I dont understand how that has an effect on my stomach. On top of that I only gained less than an inch in my hips..like I said no weight gain..Still not satified, waste of money!

Update..I decided to try it again on May 4, 2011.This time I got regular liposuction in my upper and lower abs. I went to a double board certified plastic surgeon and lets just say that when I left the hospital I seen results. So much for the I just swell theory. This go around was less painful which is weird bc I thought smartlipo was suppose to have minimal pain..oh well..I have a posting under liposuction with some pictures. I am looking foward to seeing my final results..