So Far So Good with Smartlipo

Had the procedure yesterday on inner and outer thighs (saddle bags). I'm 42, female 115 lbs and 5'4" and have wanted to unload the saddle bags for a long time. Finally scheduled the appointment, bought my compression garment and took Avalox the day before and the day of the procedure. Made sure I had a light breakfast of yogurt and a bran muffin and a large water. At the doctor's office, I was given valium and vicoden. Surgery started at 8:00 a.m. finished at 11:30 a.m.

The initial injections to numb the area to prepare to inject the fluid were fairly easy to take. Kind of like bee stings. There were several of them. Then came the injection of the fluid. My doctor worked in quadrants. First left inner thigh, then outer, then left saddle bag then right. Ok. That part hurt. (Can't imagine doing that part without vicoden.) Outer thigh was worse than inner for some reason. But trust me, once the fluid is in, I felt nothing until he went in to suction the fat. That was mildly pinchy but the laser part before it was painless. I was texting and checking email on my phone for most of the procedure. I was able to get up and pee in a bed pan when we took a break from inner to outer.

I bruise easily so post-op they thought they saw two hematomas, but it was just bruising. The nurse put maxi pads over the little holes, taped them up, helped me on with the compression garment and I was on my way. This is the honeymoon phase b/c I was still feeling the effects of the liquid anesthetic. Upon arriving home I immediately took the dog for a walk. About 3/4 mile. Then I started getting sore, had to change the pads and thought taking another vicoden was in order. So I did. But I hadn't eaten since the morning yogurt and muffin and I got super dizzy from the vicoden. I told husband I had to lay down for a minute and woke up four hours later. That's probably due to the fact that I only got three hours sleep the night before AND I bet the vicoden and the fatigue from the day knocked me out. Upon waking from that massive nap, I took the dog for another walk -- again about 3/4 miles.

Was still draining. Changed pads upon return (could do it on own, but easier with husband's help). Finally ate a light dinner and went to bed. Didn't sleep long b/c I had it in my head that I should reposition often, do leg lifts, toe circles, anything to keep circulation going. So, I'm tired, but that was my own doing. I'm just about at noon-time on day two and still very sore, but managable (staying AWAY from that vicoden) with Tylenol. Took dog for another walk -- about 1 1/2 miles. Good. Looking forward to swapping pads for regular big band-aids.

I know I'm swollen now, but can already see the new shape. I was able to see the new shape right after the procedure before the swelling and before I was all taped up and zipped up. I was amazed. I know from this board that I'll have swelling, lumps and bumps, but so far, I'm very satisfied. My doctor took a very long time and seemed to be very thorough. After he was finished, I stood up and he examined my shape and did a couple of touch ups which I think must be standard protocol. I'm still sore today, but life goes on and I'm off to the grocery store. Hope this helps. It wasn't that bad at all.