5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
NY Jun 20, 2008 Cost: $9,500 Pain: Uncomfortable
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I had my surgery done about a week ago...Overall the procedure wasn't that bad....I def saw result on my stomach that day...however...my stomach seems flatter during the first two days...it's still much flatter than before...my lil pooch is gone...I guess I have to wait a few weeks to see better result. However, my arms I see not much difference. The nurse told me not to be discouraged that my arms probably just didn't have enough drainage and I should be patient...Did anyone else have this problem with their arms? I'm being very impatient with my arms!
Updated on Jul 14, 2008:
EDIT: It's been a little over three weeks and i must say that I am really happy with my result! Ever since my procedure I have been checking on my arms and stomach religously and I really couldn't tell the difference. But my friend who hasn't seen me for about a month saw my arms and my stomach and told me that they look amazing! I wore a bikini the other day and showed my bf and he was really shocked. He told me that he thought it was a waste of money in the beginning but now he really sees a diiference. I guess you really have to be patient. Also I started to get back on track with going to the gym and eating healthy. My arms are still not as thin as I want, but it has been only three weeks. This sat I am going to take an after pictures and also make an appointment for the lymphatic massage. Can't wait!
Smart Lipo reviews by RealSelf.com users
Avg cost $5,740
81% say Smart Lipo was worth it
19% say Smart Lipo was not worth it
6/20/08
Could you please tell me who your provider is? I'm in NYC and have S/L scheduled for July 7th...I've paid the deposit to hold the date but not the entire fee yet - that will be next week. I'd like to know about your experience - I'm getting u/l abs and flanks done
6/21/08
I HAD SMART LIPO DONE BY A DOC IN GEORGIA. THE PURPOSE FOR ME GOING WAS TO GET A TUMMY TUCK. HE TOLD ME THAT SMART LIPO WOULD WORK BEST FOR ME AND CHARGED ME 10 THOUSAND DOLLARS. MY BRA ROLLS AND MY BACK LOOKS PRETTY GOOD. BUT MY STOMACH IS ONLY A LITTLE SMALLER. I GOT MY PROCEDURE DONE ON 3/29/2008 AND I STILL FEEL ITCHING, BURNING, AND STINGING AROUND THE LOWER PART OF MY BACK AND SIDES.
I DONT THINK SMART LIPO WAS WORTH IT. MY STOMACH IS STILL NOT FLAT AND I WISH I WOULD OF JUST GOT MY TUMMY TUCK LIKE I PLANNED. WHEN I TALKED TO MY DOC ABOUT MY CONCERNS, HE JUST KEEPS TELLING ME IT TAKES TIME. IM MAD.
6/23/08
Hello, My doctor was Dr. W from Advanced laser center. I also read about him on the Smartlipo website. I really liked him and his staff...I'm very happy with my stomach...my arms, not too much, I have to go see the Dr this week for a check up. But from the research I did online, I just need to wait a little more. Good luck on your procedure and let me know ifyou have any other questions.
6/23/08
Hmmm...My Dr. told me that not all people are good candidate for smartlipo. Depending on how overweight you are, tummy tuck may have been better for you, but then again I'm no doctor. I'm actully very happy with my stomach..just my arms I really see no difference, but it's only been 1.5 weeks for me...Also, if you had it done back in March, I would assume that you should be able to see a big difference by now. I would definetly keep complainig to your doctor and see what he or she can do for you~ Good luck!
6/24/08
I ASKED HIM A MILLION TIMES BEFORE IF I GOT THE SURGERY IF HE WAS SURE ABOUT THE SMART LIPO??? HE SAID YES , AND TOLD ME I WOULD LOVE MY BODY AFTER THIS WAS DONE. HE DID NOT TELL ME IT WAS GOING TO TAKE 6 MONTHS TO SEE RESULTS. HE DID NOT TELL ME THAT MY STOMACH WAS GOING TO HAVE LUMPS OR STING FOR MONTHS AFTER THE SURGEY EITHER. I SPENT ELEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ON THIS. IM SO EMBARRASED AND UPSET ABOUT THIS WHO THIS. THE ONE THING THAT DID COME OUT CORRECT WAS MY BACK. I CAN TELL A BIG DIFFRENCE WITH IT. (BUT MY STOMACH WAS THE PURPOSE OF ME GOING IN THE FIRST PLACE).
AT THIS POINT IT DOES NOT SEEM LIKE HE WILL GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK. BUT IF I KNEW I WAS NOT GOING TO HAVE A NICE LOOKING STOMACH, I WOULD HAVE GOT A TUMMY TUCK IN THE FIRST PLACE.
MY STOMACH IS STILL BIG. (NOT AS BIG AS BEFORE) BUT NOT FLAT EITHER. I AM EVEN STILL WEARING THE GIRDLE. (MAD)
CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHEN THE ITCHING, AND BURNING WILL GO AWAY??
DO U THINK MY STOMACH WILL EVER GO COMPLETELY GO FLAT???? HOW SHOULD I TELL THIS DOCTOR THAT I AM NOT SATISFIED?? HE JUST KEEPS SAYING IT LOOKS GOOD AND THINGS TAKE TIME ETC:
I AM VERY UNHAPPY. ANY ADVISE????
6/24/08
I'm not sure about the burning but I am starting to get itchy...I heard this means it's starting to heal...Do you know if your doctor used a laser and also the suction? From reading some of the comments from other people on this site...apparently not all doctors used the laser...Did you drain alot? If you didn't drain alot of blood and fat in the first few days before your holes closed, it takes longer for you to see the full result. And the lumps are suppose to go away...massaging them helps. You can also go to your doctor and ask him to massage and drain it for you.
Also, did your doctor tell you that your stomach will be completely flat? I asked my doctor this and he said...he never guarantees a flat stomach, but that he will get as much as fat as possible. I'm really sorry to hear that you're going through this. Hope it gets better, please update me.
Thanks,
6/24/08
I'm sorry , I made a mistake in my question...I meant to ask if your doctor used a suction after the laser procedure...because some doctors apparently don't use the suction after the laser...(i got this from reading this website)
6/24/08
I GO BACK TO THE DOCTOR THE 3RD OF JULY. I HAVE ASKED HIM BEFORE IF MY STOMACH WILL GET FLATTER? HE STATED THAT I WILL NEED TO DO CRUNCHES STILL. I DID DRAIN ALOT FOR THE 1ST TWO DAYS OR SO. BUT HE DID TELL ME TO EXPECT THAT. I AM HOPING HE NOTICES THAT MAYBE HE WILL HAVE TO GO BACK IN, AND TAKE MORE OUT IF MY STOMACH DOES NOT GO COMPLETELY FLAT. AT THIS POINT I WILL MOST LIKELY HAVE TO GET A TUMMY TUCK. (WHICH I COULD KICK MYSELF FOR NOT DOING FIRST). THE HARD ROPE, AND HARD LUMPS THAT WAS AROUND BOTH SIDES OF MY LOWER ABS ARE GETTING SMALLER. I NOTICE THEY ARE NOT AS BIG AS THEY WERE LAST MONTH. I DO THINK THAT MY DOCTOR USED LASER AND SUCTION. HOPEFULLY BY THE END OF THE SUMMER, I WILL SEE BETTER RESULTS,
AS FOR NOW, THE SMART LIPO WAS NOT THE BEST PROCEDURE FOR ME. BUT GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR RESULTS. I HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE NEW YOU.
HAVE A BLESSED DAY
7/1/08
Did you have a lot of drainage from your arms? I have noticed that my arms showed immediate results but they also drained continually for the first 3 days. The other areas didn't drain much and I can see only slight results with them. I'm assuming that as the fluid is absorbed it will be more apparent.
7/1/08
I actually didn't have much drainage in my arms...it's been about 2.5 weeks...and i see very little difference...my dr said to be patient so we will see...How long ago was your procedure?
7/1/08
My surgery was just 6 days ago. My arms drained like a seive (sp?). I don't see much with the rest of my body yet but they only drained a little. I bet it just has to do with how long the body takes to absorb all the fluids.
7/19/08
i'm sorry to hear your results were not good... you should be stern. tell him you are not at all happy with your results. tell him you spent your hard earned money and expect more! if he doesnt fix the problem... consult a lawyer. i am thinking of consulting one for my procedure. i had regular liposuction, but the doctor had to fix my back and was very rude and abusive when i came back to have it fixed. he hurt me very badly (i had only local anesthesia the second time).
if he does not fix it, have a lawyer send him a little somethin somethin in his/her letterhead.... you prob dont want him to fix it after he gets that letter (he'll be pissed). but definately get your 11k back... and have that tummy tuck done you asked for by a better surgeon! update me! i care!
8/2/08
Hey I was wondering how much did you pay for just the arms? Im interested in doing my arms cause I hate them but Im a little skeptical of the procedure. And the drainage, how does that work?
8/8/08
$5900 for just the arms. The doctor left the incisions (tiny) incisions open for the fluid to drain out of. It took 3 days for it to stop. My arms look better than they ever have - I'm thrilled every time I look in the mirror.
8/16/08
Hey "ymiller," did u happen to go to the same doctor as Ba? Im very interested in getting the procedure done by Dr.W in Long Island and I just want to make sure he's great so I dont get disappointed results or at least nothing goes wrong.
9/3/08
I WENT BACK TO THE DOCTOR THIRTY DAYS AGO AND HE TOOK MORE OUT MY STOMACH AND MY BACK. HE DID NOT CHARGE ME ANY MONEY AND HE TOOK HIS TIME. I THINK IT HURT MORE THE 2ND TIME FOR SOME REASON. I ALSO HAD HIM REMOVE MORE AROUND MY BRA AREA. WHICH HE SHOULD GAVE TOOK OUT MORE THE 1ST TIME.
MY STOMACK HAS WENT DOWN ALOT MORE THOUGH, NOT COMPLETELY FLAT. BUT IT DOES LOOK BETTER THEN IT DID. IT'S STILL SOAR AROUND MY BELLY BUTTON AREA AND I DO HAVE LUMPS THAT I CAN SEE AROUND CERTAIN AREA'S OF MY STOMACH. I WISH FOR-REAL I WOULD OF JUST HAD ME A TUMMY TUCK. I WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS TWICE, AND STILL I DON'T HAVE THE BODY I THOUGHT I WOULD. MAYBE I WILL HAVE TO GIVE IT MORE TIME FOR MY STOMACK TO HEAL.
10/11/08
Hello,
I just had a consultation at Advanced Laser for Smart Lipo this week and I'm very excited and nervous. I'm scheduled w' Dr. W for this December and I'm wondering if you had any tips or suggestions to ease my nerves. I hope this is the right descision for me.
Do you really, really love your results?
Do you have photos to share?
I hope I have a positive experience.
Thanks,
Chris
10/14/08
Hey Chris. I recently had Smartlipo done with Dr.W the first week of October so Im still recuperating. I was extremely paranoid and nervous about the whole thing but it went great. His staff and him are awesome they will explain everything. The procedure wasnt bad. I did my arms and all you feel is a pinching feeling when they numb you up. Every now and then you felt the pinching feeling but its tolerable. Im going back to him tomorrow for a follow up but even though Im still swollen I see significant results. He did a great job.
10/14/08
Thanks so much Omayraf! I appreciate your honesty. I'm sure I will continue to feel very nervous but it's comforting to know that someone else had a positive experience with Dr. W. You never know! I plan to do my upper abs, lower abs and flanks. After 2 kids, my body has had it! LOL I'm looking forward to wearing clothes I never felt 100% confident in. How much smaller are you? i.e. dress size-from what to what? Thanks again!
10/16/08
I totally understand the nervousness. It never the same for everyone but good luck! I agree so much with you on wanting to feel so much confident in yourself when you have a problem area. I was always self aware of my arms and now even though there's more results to come Im thrilled and excited. I was a large and now I can use a medium and have my arms just slide it and not have my shirts feel so tight. The Doc told me Im going to slim down some more because Im still swollen. Let me know how your procedure goes cause I would like to do my abs in the near future.
10/17/08
I will keep it touch.