“Smart lipo, inner/outer thighs, flanks 03/12/2009”

This is a journal of my experience with the Smart Lipo procedure.

Smart Lipo 03/12/2009

Took 2 sedatives and an antibiotic before the procedure. Dr. took pictures of me unmarked and then again after he marked me. Once in the procedure room he and his assistant numbed me up with little needles all over the areas I had worked on – inner and outer thighs and flanks. This did not hurt – less of a sting than a bee sting. Not a big deal. I was pretty relaxed thanks to the sedatives and Dr. played my ipod for the entire time of the procedure. That was nice. I decided during the procedure to have some of my fat injected into my face to smooth out some of the fine lines that were forming around my mouth. He injected some into my cheeks to for a more youthful appearance. The fee for that was $500.00.

The whole procedure took about 5 hours from the time I got there until I was ready to go. He used the Smart Lipo and Vaser during the procedure. He took about 3 lbs of fat total. I was at 18.5% body fat before the procedure and very fit, so 3 lbs. doesn't sound like much but that took me down to about 16.5% body fat! I am wearing a compression garment underneath my loose fitting pants. I look like I am 20 pounds heavier due to that and the fluid and swelling. Not a pretty sight. The leakage is out of control. Dr. said that will last about a day and a half. Not fun. My face and lips are numb from having the fat injected into my face. Feels like I went to the dentist.

Not expecting to see anything positive for a week or two. Too much draining, swelling, bruising to deal with first I think. Not sure if I will need painkillers tomorrow or not. Right now I feel great – just tired from the sedatives.

03/13/2009 Day 2

Last night I was in pain for a couple of hours before I went to bed. Ended up taking a painkiller and experienced some nausea that I took some medication for as well. Slept in a sitting position propped on pillows. I slept all night without changing my dressings so they were pretty soaked when I woke up. Just the ones on my outer and inner thighs. The ones on my flanks were actually pretty dry. Getting up this morning I was sore but seemed to get better as I moved around. I find that when I sit for long periods of time I experience that soreness when I first get up. Nothing too painful though. The most pain I am experiencing is where the Dr. placed the drains on my outer thighs. I changed my dressings twice this morning – about 2 hours apart but it is now 2:00 and I have not had to change them again – about 4 hours later. That is a good sign.

The Dr. called me this afternoon to check on me. I thought that was really cool. He indicated that I could shower if it was just a quick rinse - not a long shower and no soap on my body. He also said I could take the drains out before my follow up appointment on Monday if they are bothering me. I think I will take a sponge bath today and tommorow and shower on Sunday. If my incisions are not draining heavy by tomorrow or Sunday I will take them out as they do cause some discomfort. I did not know drains would be necessary - that was a surprise. I have not taken any pain medication today. The Dr. gave me a prescription for some antibiotics that I have to take twice a day for 10 days. I think Tylenol will be the only meds I need for pain from here on out. I think the swelling is getting better as the day goes on as my garment is fitting higher up on my waist.

Updated on Mar 15, 2009:

03/15/2009 Day 4

Drainage has stopped from incision points. Swelling and bruising are very noticeable. On Day 2 I looked like I had gained 25 lbs. Now I look like I have gained about 15 lbs so it is getting better. I switched over to a compression garnment that I bought at the store. I am hoping it is as good as the Spanx as the doctor had suggested. I will find out for sure tomorrow at my first check-up appointment. At night I am still wearing the compression garnment that the doctor gave me.

Physically I don't feel sore the way people describes as if they had just worked out. It isn't a muscle sore. It is definitely a sore like being badly bruised. Otherwise I feel fantastic! I am cooking meals and cleaning house and today I am going to take a long walk to get some exercise - nothing crazy though - I know I need to be careful not to over do it.

Updated on Mar 17, 2009:

Day 6  03/17/2009

I went in for a check-up yesterday and the Dr. said everything looks good.  Possible seroma in my right outer thigh.  Dr. said just to watch it.  If it turns into a seroma they will drain it.  Yesterday was my first day back at work and by the end of the day I was swelling so bad it felt like I would pop out of my skin!  I sit down 8 hours a day at work and the lack of movement really did not help with swelling.  I iced all evening long and took 800mg of IP and Bromelain.  I was feeling better by the end of the evening.  The Dr. said that walking would definitely help me heal more quickly.  Today I will go to the gym for sure!  The Arnica gel seems to be helping with the bruising.  I brought ice to work today so I can ice throughout the day.  That really seems to help too. 

Updated on Mar 22, 2009:

03/22/2009  Day 11

I finally woke up today feeling like I am back to my normal size!  Which is really exciting because I am still experiencing some swelling and bruising.  I have to say that Arnica gel is wonderful!  It is amazing how much my bruises have faded over the last week.  By the end of this week they should be almost completely gone.

I really felt like the swelling would never end this week.  I strongly believe that the reason I am healing so quickly is due to staying active!  I hiked 3 days this week, worked out with my trainer, took a long walk and did two 45 minute cardio sessions.  I noticed when I sit for long periods of time I swell. When I am active the swelling is not as bad and today I am swollen but so much better than in previous days!

I will add before and after pictures when I get them from the doctor.  He is going to take after pics at 2 weeks and at 2 months.  I can definitely see the results.  My outer thighs are looking really good and my flanks are too. 

Updated on Apr 13, 2009:

04/13/2009  1 month - post op

My healing from this procedure has been relatively slow.  Most likely due to the fact that I had three areas worked on during the same procedure.  The swelling has been my biggest issue. 

I went in last Thursday to see the Dr..  They did not seem concerned about my recovery progress, although they did seem surprised that I was still so swollen.  The Dr. prescribed a diuretic for me to take for 10 days.  Honestly, I don't think it has done much to help the swelling but time is helping.  I am back to the size that I was pre-op and I am still quite swollen in areas so I do think that once I am totally healed the results will look pretty good.  I am thinking it is going to be another full month before I really see the positive results from this procedure.

I had a lymphatic massage done while I was at the Dr. last week also.  This was supposed to help with lymphatic drainage  and help the healing process.  I will have one more lymphatic massage next week. 

I am back in the gym full force and working out everyday.  I also am on a very healthy nutrition program hoping to shed a few pounds of body fat in time for bikini season.  Hopefully by the time the swelling dissipates and I lose a few lbs. of body fat I will be feeling pretty good! 

My Dr. has indicate they will take after pics at 2 months post op so I will post some before and after pictures at that point.

Hopefully this journal is helpful.  Everyone heals differently.  I know it is discouraging if you are one of those that heal slowly but with time and patience you will see results!