Luzan
Texas
“Good results, not as easy as they market it...”
Cost: $9,000
Pain: Uncomfortable
I had SmartLipo done last Friday. I was never interested in regular lipo because it seemed too invasive with too much recovery time. SmartLipo seemed like a great alternative. The doctor used SmartLipo, Vaser and suction on my upper and lower abs, flanks and chin. The procedure took almost 9 hours but a lot of that time was letting numbing solution take effect. It didn't hurt and I was very comfortable for almost all of it EXCEPT the initial injection to sedate me (felt like fire) and the numbing solution injections that went in my skin (stung more than I could possibly describe).
I think the results will be great. I can see a difference already. But I will also say that I have a lot of bruising and am REALLY sore. It's been 3 days since the procedure and my skin is super tender just to touch. It also hurts a lot when I get up and move around. I am supposed to start massaging the treated areas today to avoid scar tissue build up and, wow, it definitely takes some willpower to dig in and massage such tender areas!
It will be months before I know the final results. As I said, I think they will be great. At the same time, this definitely isn't as easy as they market it. I've followed all the directions to the T as far as no caffeine, alcohol, etc. and also supplemented with Arnica and Bromelein. Still, lots of bruising and tenderness.
Updated on Sep 9, 2008:
September 9th update:
So far I feel like my results and experience are consistent with what others say about SmartLipo. I did research beforehand and tried to be prepared, but have definitely been caught off guard by how the marketed recovery time and actual recovery time are different. I have no idea if my results will be worth it, too early to tell. I'd say this for people considering the procedure...
1) Take a week off. If you don't need it, you can always go back to work early. But to NOT have the time off and need it really sucks.
2) Be prepared to go through a pretty lengthy ugly phase. I have bumps, lumps, soreness, bruising and it seems like that's the norm (versus the few reviews I have read of people that look great right away).
3) I think the Arnica and Bromelein I have taken have helped. I was black and blue the day after the procedure (I bruise easily) and within a week my bruises are almost completely healed.
4) Massage. It hurts. But it seems to really help me even though I am so early in the process. I am trying to find a good lymphatic drainage masseuse in Houston (if you know of one, let me know) because I hear that makes a big difference. But I spend about an hour each night massaging and it although it feels like I am jabbing hot pokers into my belly, afterwards I feel more flexible, less sore, and less bumpy.
Updated on Sep 11, 2008:
Today I finally had a good day and it was entirely because I wasn't feeling so sore (or as one member described it, feeling like I had rabid squirrels under my skin)! I am rock hard, lumpy and still basically deformed ;) but not being in pain has been AWESOME! I am now, finally, sore like I'd be after a good workout. Good news too since I have an incredibly active job and with the hurricane Ike coming, I will be out doing tons of rescue work. It's gonna be crazy! But today I was able to REALLY massage hard since I wasn't in a lot of pain. Just positively lightening not to have so much pain...
My measurements are still the same, my weight is going down a tiny bit each day.
That's the latest!
Updated on Sep 20, 2008:
well, i am right at the three week post-op mark. nothing like a hurricane to distract me from SL. ;) I don't have power still, what a pain.
so the pain is decreasing and i FINALLY depuffed. it looks like i have dropped about 5-6 pounds which is what they said they removed. of course I am also not eating much and being incredibly active so hopefully the scale will keep dropping.
I am massaging each night and it always hurts a LOT when I start and by the end I feel ok. I have hard bands of tissue (fluid?) under my skin and they are just so ugly.
I am regaining sensation in my back (skin has been completely numb although underneath has been tight and painful for weeks). I am still wearing my compression garment all day because I am way too sensitive to touch and it makes me feel more protected. I haven't taken measurements but pants feel looser and I am finally back in my 8's. Life is good and I just hope it continues to smooth out and look like a nice flat belly.
Updated on Nov 10, 2009:
Nov 10, 2009Comments and replies (29)
unregistered guest
2 Sep 2008
Update on 9/2/08: In reading my last post, there is an error. It wasn't the injections in my SKIN that hurt, it was the injection in my CHIN that hurt. Sorry about that. All of the in-office stuff was great - the staff, the meds, everything! I wish recovery was as great! I feel super tender to the touch and when I walk, it smarts a bit. I am tender enough that the impact of my feet hitting the floor makes my sides and belly hurt. At this point the only reason/time I am taking pain meds is when I am planning on massaging. I have also taken Benadryl because I am ITCHY as I heal! Especially at night. I look forward to a good night's sleep. At first I had trouble sleeping because I was so tender. Everytime I shifted positions I woke up. Now I am not nearly as tender but I keep waking up because I want to scratch, scratch, scratch. I am still avoiding caffeine and alcohol as well as making a point to drink a gallon of water a day. I can't wait for the swelling to go down - my measurements are bigger than my pre-op ones and I am not looking forward to putting on work clothes that are too tight for comfort! Preop I was 143 pounds. Waist 28, hips 35. Now I am 149 pounds, waist 30, hips 36. I'll post as progress continues...
1 post
2 Sep 2008
Im doing the procedure on Sept 10 and i was wondering is it alright to do massage after smartlipo. What is the massage for?
45 posts
3 Sep 2008
{edited - provider information is located above the original review} did a full thigh job on me July 1st followed by upper arms July 9th. As was the case with you, {edited} and her staff were wonderful, no pain during my 9 hours on the table, but I am now over 8 weeks post-op and am surprised at how incredibly uncomfortable I am. Swelling went down at week 3 or so, also itched like crazy and had skin peeling like I had been sunburned. For the past 4 weeks I've been experiencing needle sharp pains that I'm told is nerves healing. Sometimes it gets so bad that I feel very cold and actually get goose bumps. My thighs and arms are also really sensitive to pressure and my upper thighs feel like they were burned from the inside. All treated areas are much slimmer than they were prior to treatment, but I still have lumps, some scar tissue, discoloration and wrinkles. I have also lost close to 20 lbs! I've been working out like a crazy woman, so I'm sure that has something to do with the weight loss. Jeans look pretty good on me now, I just hope that within the next few months my legs look good enough to wear shorts. As for my arms, the batwings are gone and once the skin has tightened up a little I'm sure they'll look great.
unregistered guest
4 Sep 2008
Wow, congrats on the weight loss - that's awesome. I am looking forward to being able to exercise so I can get in better shape. But first I have to be able to walk around comfortably :) So, the staff say the sharp pains are normal and part of healing? It seems extreme, I hope it goes away soon for you. I can definitely relate to the sensitivity - I can't believe how tender I am. I thought SmartLipo was supposed to be a breezy procedure! I guess it is for some people according to what I've read... but not for us! Thanks for sharing your story, it really helps to hear from others especially those that have been to the same doctor.
unregistered guest
5 Sep 2008
Update 9/5/08 So today is the one week mark! My bruising is almost gone but I have some nasty burn marks from the laser. I am still very sore and the bumpiness is profound. When I get home from work I take some pain meds and just massage, massage, massage. I have a lymphatic drainage massage scheduled for next Tuesday. I switched to a smaller compression garment and started using some anti-scar cream (gosh, all this stuff just adds up financially). My measurements are no different. Still swollen and big. I sure wish I could see some results! I know they are there... somewhere. Still taking arnica and bromelein. That's the latest!
2 posts
7 Sep 2008
I had a simiar procedure Friday. I was under general anesthesia for abdonme, hips, and thighs. I am 5'5" and went from 143 to 147 pounds. Measurements have stayed the same. I am truly hoping for good results after all this expense and pain.
45 posts
7 Sep 2008
Still feeling the needle sharp pains and soreness in both my thighs and upper arms. I'm not sure why, but these feelings feem to intensify in the evening. I'm taking a pain killer when needed and the doctor suggested a B complex and Claritin. I've been massaging every chance I get since a couple of days after surgery, but still ended up with scar tissue on both inner thighs. I've lost another couple of pounds, so a total of 22 since surgery day. Post-op check up is on the 9th - will keep you posted.
unregistered guest
7 Sep 2008
Every day is a little different and yet some things remain the same. This morning I woke up and my belly was so tight and sore I couldn't imagine touching it - let alone massaging it. I hate the idea of taking painkillers every day and I tried to massage without them, but it was futile. I just couldn't stand how much it hurt. It's a stinging, searing type of pain. Not fun. Still hurts when I walk and bend over, etc. I CAN'T believe it's advertised as a procedure where you can go right back to things in a day or two... or that it feels like "you worked out really hard". I'm sorry, I'm pretty active and I have never had post workout pain like this (unless you count strained or pulled muscles)! My measurements are no different. I'm trying to remind myself that it's only been a little over a week and they DID tell me it take months to see full results. I just hope it doesn't take months to be pain-free. Today is a pessimistic day. I am feeling annoyed that I wasn't better informed about the extent of recovery time and effort this would involve. I hope others keep posting updates - it keeps me hopeful!
1 post
9 Sep 2008
Hi guys, I love reading all these comments. It's making me better prepare myself for my surgery coming up this friday (sept 12). I imagined that the surgery would be a lot more painful than they say, but im hoping im not in too much pain. I play softball, how long do you think till I can play again? thanks again for all these comments.
unregistered guest
9 Sep 2008
I think it's different for everyone. It's been a week and a half since my procedure and it still hurts when I walk. If anybody or anything bumped into me it would KILL! So something like softball would be out of the question for me. Each day definitely gets better but who knows when sports would be an option. So, that's just my two cents maybe others will have additional thoughts....