“Smartlipo on inner and outer thighs, very painful!”
Smart Lipo: NOT worth it
Pain: Severe
I have always thought of getting lipo but it was always too scary to go through with. I have had cellulite issues all my life. I am very athletic but I cant get rid of this issue. I went for 20 treatements of endermology and 9 velashapes and nothing, no change.
The place I was going to offered SmartLipo, I read lots of your reviews and was pretty nervous. But it seemed so easy, they way they advertise it is NOT what it is at all. Its NOT a lunch time procedure and you definately need to rest for at least 2 days. They also dont mention any of the pain associated with it. Let me explain my experience.
I get there and the Doctor asks me which I want to do the inneror outter tights first. I was like , what? I want to do both, he says oh no you can only do one and come back. I thought I was gonna ring his neck ya know. I was like please you have to do both, there is no way I can get enough nerve to come back. He wind up having enough anesthetic to do both thank God because after that experience I would not go back.
So your awake which is crazy, the more I saw the more anxous I got. Tell them to cover your eyes The first is a tool to make wholes in your legs, not so bad. Then next is a long needle is long and thin and its to put in a local anesthetic, then comes a large fat long needle to pour in the rest of the anesthetic. With BOTH of them I felt lost of pain, sometimes unbearable. I felt stabbing, pinching and shocks throughout my knees as if I were being electricuted. I was not prepared nor did the Doctor prepare me for anything. I thought we were done at that point. Then they told me it was just the anesthetic. I was like, are you kidding?
Then the legs were pretty large and numb. He started with the laser, I ffelt some burning and pinching not nearly as much as the anesthetic. Then the stabbing to loosen the fat and the suction, there was pain involved in that as well, some stabbing and jabbing but again not like the anesthetic. I actually wanted to run out of the room, I started to look at my lumpy legs and think. OMG what did I do.
I had my surgery on 11/20 I am now 3.5 days post op. I just recently added some pictures. You can see I am extremely bruised and even lumpy. I went for my follow up and the Doctor was extremely happy with th results. I do have smaller inner and outter thights but Im still so swollen to see real results. I understand it will take time.
With that said I will continue to post my progress and then make a final "worth-it" decision at a later date.
Updated on Dec 17, 2008:
12/17/08 - I posted some new pictures. My swelling is going down but I was hoping that my legs would be smaller than they are. I know Im not fat or overweight but I still have large legs. I do hope that with time they will continue to get smaller. I wear my garment all day everyday. I also ordered ScarFX because my scars are pretty bad.
Nov 22, 2008Comments and replies (24)
8 posts
24 Nov 2008
Hello love, I had the same procedure done. I did have discomfort, but not actual pain. Pain is very subjective, it depends on what you have endured previously I'm sure to make a valid comparison. I have had traditional liposuction as well as smart lipo. Trust me, this pain is much much less. It is sort of freaky to watch, the garment is tight and itchy, you will have trouble sleeping on your sides but you can do it:). I'm now on day 7 of my procedure and I still have bruising and swelling, but my huge thighs are sooooo much smaller. I could actually imagine myself wearing skirts and shorts after this whereas I never did before. I'm relatively thin as well, just hang in there and try to think "pain is beauty". That's my thought process, hope I could help a little.
12 posts
24 Nov 2008
your experience sounds a lot like what I was feeling during my procedure; if I were to ever do anything again, I want to be knocked out.
45 posts
24 Nov 2008
Hi Cgorman, Your post op condition is WAY better than mine was. I had inner, outer, front and back thighs done 7/1 and I'm still seeing changes. By day 2 post op my thighs were totally bruised from shades of dark purple to black. Be prepared for jabbing hot needles sensations once the nerve endings start to heal. Hang in there though - the doc' took 8,000 cc's out of my thighs and while I'm not ready for shorts yet, I look really good in jeans!
9 posts
26 Nov 2008
Your results look beautiful! After seeing lots of reviews with photo's your bruising and swelling doesn't look bad. I am very pleased with your results. It is surgery and it will take 3-6 months to heal fully. Hang in there you had a great doc! I would like to here about your progress and when you will be returning back to your athletic abilities. I am interested in knowing if it effects endurance, running etc... I am a runner and run road races and been kept away from the procdure because I can't take the risk for sake of my love for running and racing. I wish I had your beautiful legs.
45 posts
10 Dec 2008
Hard to believe I know, but when I looked at several large full containers after the doctor had finished the procedure I gasped and asked how much was there. When she said the total was 8,000 cc's all I could think was how thrilled I was be rid of it. Apx. 4/5ths of the yuck in the containers was yellowish and the remaining 1/5 appeared to be fluid with blood in it. Keep in mind that part of what was suctioned was the tumescent (sp?)fluid initially injected under the skin. Makes me gag to know I was carrying so much nasty fat around with me. Now to keep up with healthy eating habits and a regular workout routine. Hope I don't need to resort to sewing my lips together during the holidays!
unregistered guest
19 Dec 2008
GudyNuf said "I am a runner and run road races and been kept away from the procdure because I can't take the risk for sake of my love for running and racing." You should definitely consider NOT getting any lipo on your legs then! First of all, there could be serious, even deadly, consequences. Is that worth it just for a few inches of what you perceive to be unsightly? More importantly, I'll wager your legs aren't even fat at all, but rather are thick and muscular. Lipo couldn't fix that anyway!
2 posts
19 Dec 2008
I am 4 days post-op, after having inner/outer thighs, butt, and knees done. The pain has yet to subside, I am incredibly stiff and sore, and nervous about returning to work in 2 days. I am in the garment pretty much 24/7 except to shower. Note to those who are planning to have the surgery: do not rush to remove the garment! I tried to shower the day after my surgery, but when I removed the garment I became so overwhelmed and lightheaded that I lost my breath and fell straight down to the ground. Make sure that someone is there to help you, I surely needed it. I am now taking every move slowly and strategically so that I don't have a repeat of that situation. I am hoping this pain starts to decrease, even slightly, so far I'm in pain every time I stand up, sit down, move positions... I'm curious to know if anyone else has taken this long to "get moving", as I keep reading of people who are returning to work 1-2 days post op. I couldn't even imagine. Having stated all of those negative post-op opinions, I will say that I am very hopeful and enthusiastic to see my results as they develop. My doctor removed 3 liters of fat and I can already see a difference through the garment in the inner thighs. Now just waiting to see a smaller behind!
1 post
19 Dec 2008
Um, poodlerider, you DO know that 8000 cc = 8 liters, right? Which is more than 2 gallons? Cuz that's an awful lot of liquid!
45 posts
20 Dec 2008
Troo - While some may think I'm bat do do crazy, the fatty tissue, additive used to thicken it (once it's been suctioned) and tumescent fluid filled 8 one liter containers. It does seem like an awful lot, so during a post op visit I had the doctor check my chart and she confirmed a total of 8,000 cc's had been suctioned. The good news is that within a couple of weeks post op I was down 20 lbs.
5 posts
25 Dec 2008
i actually think your legs look beautiful on the 23rd day compared to the first day, i know it was painful but thats to be expected and it seems like your scars are healing quite nicely. you may hate the results but i think anyone on the outside looking in can see that your legs look awesome now