Vaser Liposuction: Stories

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Vaser- Unexpected Recovery - Tampa, FL

  • posted 2 years ago
  • updated 1 year ago

I just had vaser done 6 days ago. I went in for a...

I just had vaser done 6 days ago. I went in for a consultation for smartlipo, but the dr decided to do vaser instead. i thought i read that vaser had less swelling/bruising but after surgery i have found dr's who say the opposite. I was under the impression that most people go back to work 2-3 days post op. I know everyone heals differnt but , i think that just seems like such a stretch. I took off 3 days plus the holiday weekend, which gave me 6 1/2 days to recovery enough to work all day, so i thought i planned it well.

Boy was i wrong!Day 4 & 5 was horrible! I couldnt sit stand or lie down without weeping or moaning. I can honestly say it has been the worse pain i have ever felt in my life. And i have massive migraines on a monthly basis since i was 18, so i consider myself to have a decent tolerence for pain. I also had the shakes uncontrolably at times where i felt at any moment i could pass out.The garment was so uncomfortable. I became almost lathargic at times. I took my temp & it was 101.2. I called the nurse.she said she didnt think it was an infection & maybe my garment was too small. she suggested i buy spanx and precribed predisone.My only concern with the spanx is, will this effect my skin tightening?

Well it been alittle over 24 hours since ive started the steroid and changed garments and i can say i am still in pain but i can certainly feel a difference andi no longer have a fever. although i was supossed to return to work tomorrow and will have to extend my time off because i still cant sit nor walk for any decent amount of time. hopefully one more day will do it.

I can say they i do see a big differnce in my love handles which i am very pleased about, but right now my stomach looks worse that before, its thinner but very lumpy & hard,abit saggy, but this was to be expected. time will tell
i plan to keep you posted with updates & pics.

REVISED SURGERY 1/4/12- So as the months went on...

REVISED SURGERY 1/4/12- So as the months went on after my surgery in May, i continnued to see the end result. One flank was noticeably larger then the other, and there were pockets of fat on my stomach & around my belly button. I was thinner, but it was to me, unexpectable. As i stated before, my day '4' picture looked pretty good, but oddly, it continued to get worse? i beleivei follwed a good regimen after as well. I ate healthy, got a membership to a gym nd stayed away from carbonated drinks, and limited breads, pastas, etc.

At my 3 month check up, the dr gave me 3 ultrasound treatments for free to see if that would help even my lumpiness. it didnt help..one bit. So they agreed to do a revision. I was not looking forward to it as my last experience was not the best, but i also didnt wnat to leave my stomach/flanks so uneven, especially when i spent money for the opposite. But this was to be done by the Mmost experience Dr they had. Dr.Robert Miles. He had explained to me that he trains other surgeons on technique for smart lipo/vaser.

To be honest, surgery this time around was 10xs more painful then the 1st time.My husband said he had to walk out of the waiting room because he heard me yell in agony so much. I asked the dr why it was so much more painful & he explained it was going to be bc he had to work through my scar tissue from the previous surgery. I was so releived when it was over!

Which takes me to today 1/7/12, 72 hours after surgery. I can honestly say that this recovery thus far has been much more tolerable. I think what also helps is i have a differnt compression garment that is so much more convienent when it comes to the dressing changes. I would recommend this garment to Anyone getting this surgery. This made me & my husbands life much easier the lat couple of days. Before i would get so lightheaded and nausiated & shake when we would change them, but with this one, i can exactly lie down when he is changng them. Its also very confortable and not think material. I was surprised it was a stage 1 bc the material feels more of a spanx.

This is the one:

http://marenagroup.com/garmentstore/product/tabid/199/p-34-1st-stage-suit-with-suspenders-and-short-legs.aspx


Well i wish i had a before picture, but i didnt take one. i will post after pics soon though. Hopefully, i will conntinue to see improvement this time.
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Comments (41)

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chellamia 14 Feb 2013
KaylaHanna, Sorry you had such a difficult experience and so much pain. I had hips and stomach much like yours and had it done in Costa Rica at the same time I had a Facelift in 95 and I had this recovery center for a week after and then was well enough to go on tours and stay at the Grand Hotel and go around everywhere. Just a little black and blue so I'm really sorry to hear as I saw beautiful pictures in the Adora Clinic and I do think you look good....it's hard to see the lumps so has it resolved in the last year? The woman I was with had a much worse time because she was a smoker so PEOPLE BEWARE, TAKE NO SMOKING SERIOUS BEFORE SURGERY. It was nice that Dr. Miles did a follow up at no charge ...you said the recovery was easier but it was unclear if it solved the original problems. I just had a minor bladder surgery and couldn't believe the amount of bleeding and pain in my thighs for three days so I think people need to be aware that with removing so much fat, there is bound to be pain. Hope to hear from you and that things have improved.
Susan in Virginia 29 Feb 2012
I had liposuction 10 weeks ago and I am still experiencing significant swelling to each of the areas that were liposuctioned (i.e., waist, inner and outer thighs, hips, and knees). Worse is that I do not have any positive result that I paid my doctor exceedingly well to receive. My waist isn't smaller nor my any of the other areas that were treated. I did my research on finding the right surgeon but obviously I was not thorough enough in my investigation of the procedures involved nor did my surgeon fully inform my of expected outcomes. To think that I will need to have revision surgery again because this idiot physician did not perform his job well makes me furious. I can only hope that the second surgery will provide the results that I was originally assured could be accomplished.
chellamia 14 Feb 2013
i'm confused. Susan in Virginia...are you the same Susan below who had it done in Peru or did you go to Adora Clinic? I hope you reply and let us know if things improved after a year. Sorry about your experience. In 1995, I had a facelift and some liposuction in Costa Rica when the doctor was new and I had good results but I did go back the next year to fix where he attached my ears and he did some other complementary procedures. For the unbelievable price, I cannot complain and I would go back to Dr. Lev now but he is the same price as in the States.
Suzanne6328 1 Aug 2011
where did you have it done? I live in the tampa area and am looking for a good doctor.
suzyq516 1 Aug 2011
I did mine during a 3 week vacation to Peru. Visited some friends and used the same surgeon my friend used. let me know if you want more details.
Suzyq516 in NJ 20 Jul 2011
Thank you that was so clarifying especially why it feels like it gets tighter. I had a fabulous massage today where she massaged cream in the hard areas and where I'm still feeling pain. It was one of those '"bite into a sheet and be tied to the bed posts so you can stand it they used to show having a baby experience but I had to have her do it to help with the stiffness. I'm sure it did something although you can't tell that by me now. I'm getting those with LMD and ultrasound 3x/week to help me get ready for my return trip. Only time will tell.Thanks for the encouragement>
TiffanyD 20 Jul 2011
You are so welcome....trust me it will continue to get better.Please keep me posted :0)
suzyq516 21 Jul 2011
OMG! I woke up today feeling like a new person. I decided last night to loosen up the compression suit a bit by hooking it on the 2nd set of hooks to the point it was uncomfortable but leaving the rest hooked on the first so I could sleep comfortably. I think that and the massage from the day before, loosening up the hard spots with cream and the tens unit helped tremendously. I'm scheduled again for tomorrow. today I'm standing up straight and moving with little discomfort. I will not overdo it after reading some of the other posts. In fact, I swear, as I write this the compression suit just did a "vise" like move. LOL So I'm low key and doing better. let's see what happens.
suzyq516 1 Aug 2011
Much better. Still some swelling and stiffness when moving after sitting too long.
also the hardness and numbness I'm getting used to. The suit started causing some serious irritation from rubbing so I ended up in spanx and flexees while I wait for the new ones I ordered to come in. I'm at week3 and ended up in the spanx after day 15. I hope that's not too early. I'm back in the original suit a few hours a day while I wait for the new ones. So coming along. Back to work tomorrow.
TiffanyD 19 Jul 2011
Yes start the arnica gel asap...I know you don't want to touch it but just gently rub your belly with the firming lotion. I promise it will help.I put my garment in the dryer for 5 min it won't harm it....When I washed mine, I put on spanx until it was dry because it is actually uncomfortable without the garment...you may get dizzy and it will be hard to breath but this will get better day by day.Yes I think the tshirt is making it to tight...I hate to be harsh but you are just going to have to suck it up ....the sensitivity will subside. It appears to be shrinking because your belly swells as you do activity and it makes the garment tighter. After a month i was told to wear the spanx, 12 hrs a day. I got the high waste panty spannx it provides excellent support.....
suzyq516 19 Jul 2011
Thanks for clarification. should I start the arnica gel now? When do i use the firming lotion? Right now I'm still too sore to want to do more touching than I have to. I wear a shirt under the garment for comfort. Think that's a problem? I ordered another garment because I was told I couldn't put it in the dryer and I wasn't sure how long to keep it off. so far more than 20 min at a time. Do you think the undershirt could be making it feel too tight. If I didn't know better I'd think it was shrinking and this is not having been washed yet. Aftr your 1 mo 24/7 what was the schedule w/ the garment?
TiffanyD 19 Jul 2011
Yes start the arnica gel asap...I know you don't want to touch it but just gently rub your belly with the firming lotion. I promise it will help.I put my garment in the dryer for 5 min it won't harm it....When I washed mine, I put on spanx until it was dry because it is actually uncomfortable without the garment...you may get dizzy and it will be hard to breath but this will get better day by day.Yes I think the tshirt is making it to tight...I hate to be harsh but you are just going to have to suck it up ....the sensitivity will subside. It appears to be shrinking because your belly swells as you do activity and it makes the garment tighter. After a month i was told to wear the spanx, 12 hrs a day. I got the high waste panty spannx it provides excellent support.....
suzyq516 19 Jul 2011
These comments have been helpful since I'm experiencing so much of what you all are. The stiffness in the morning is a drag. Nobody is mentioning going to the bathroom frequently. When I have to go the urge is so great I almost wet myself before getting there. I understand from the Dr. that's drainage. I'm told I need to drink water to help with the drainage which of course makes it necessary to go to the bathroom and opening this compression suit which for the life of me I can't prevent peeing all over. You sure this hardness is going away and I'll get feeling again in those areas? And if that's not enough to worry about. I did this on vacation in a location away from home and will only be around for a 3 week post op. What was I thinking? I don't think I'm going to regret this later but right now this was one of the stupidest things I've done. Pics later.
TiffanyD 19 Jul 2011
Susyq i never experienced any frequent or uncontrollable urination...I don't think that is common and I drink a lot of water and never had that problem. I am now 2 months post op and all the feeling is back in my stomach and flanks....I have one small hard spot but it is going down everyday...I understand where you are....I felt I had made the worst mistake ever but I am so happy with the results and I am told it will only get better until month 3! Stay optimistic and I am sure you will be happy....I have yet to post pics....I am so lazy but i promise one day soon i will
Suzyq516 in NJ 19 Jul 2011
Thanks for the encouragement. Will call the Dr about the urination issue. Today I've done nothing but read these posts all day. Had an ambitious day planned. but what the heck I needed this info to be reminded I will be normal again.Same here with the pics. The bruising would scare somebody.
TiffanyD 19 Jul 2011
Glad you feel better.. I was told I would be back at work in 3 days I had it done on friday and thought i would be be back on Monday...Yeah right. I was in so much pain...I was out of work for a week. I was moving around better after 2 weeks.but I still had discomfort and pain. Make sure you wear your garment faithfully no matter how much it itches or is uncomfortable. I wore mine a month straight 24hrs a day except to shower and wash garment and at 1 month 12 hrs aday..go to the health food store and get some arnica montana gel and pellets to rub on bruise and also to take orally this will help the bruising go down quicker....also get some palmers firming lotion and rub your belly up and down towards your belly button this is how they do the lymphatic massage and it will help with the drainage.....hope this helps and feel free to ask me any questions :0)

Tiffany
chellamia 14 Feb 2013
SuzyQ516, I can really sympathize with you and makes me laugh as I know just what you are going through as I also went out of the country and I just had this "sling surgery" for the bladder issue and it didn't even help with the urgency and I went through ton of bleeding and pain in my thighs. I try to drink most of water in the morning and little as the day goes on and at night I have lately been drinking tumeric and ginger homemade tea with honey and mint which really good for lot of things including inflamation. I had some problems but as I said below, for the overall price which included a wonderful vacation, I would do it again as it stopped the aging process and changed my figure so I could wear clothes I could never wear before because of big hips and stomach like the Hanna girl in pictures above so I hope things turned out better for her and where are your pictures? Maybe click on your name...
chellamia 14 Feb 2013
I forgot to say that I was numb in the top of my head for years and not even sure the feeling ever came back as eventually i just got use to it. I didn't think my legs were exactly even either but MUCH better than before... The urgency to urinate is something that has come on 20 years after surgery...It is a big risk to do any surgery and mine wasn't perfect but overall, it was totally worth it. I still haven't got around to posting before/after as I don't have a block out knowledge plus I have to upload as they aren't digital......I have other pictures on Real Self as I have now developed jowls...I still look much younger than i am but I also eat a very healthy diet.
chellamia 14 Feb 2013
I order all my food supplements at Puritan.com and they always have specials and ARNICA gel was one of them so thanks for reminding me about this if I do get more Lipo. I thought that the garmet came with the surgery so we have to buy one? That seems weird but Hanna provided a link.
AdrianRH 21 Jun 2011
See my comment recently posted. I uploaded pics.
TiffanyD 21 Jun 2011
where are they again don't see them
bootyfull 18 Jun 2011
Hi

I think your photos are great.

It is the worst pain i had ever been through so i know what your going through, u soon forget it though.

I think im gonna have mny thighs done soon, its so addictive!!!

My back killed me and i couldnt really walk afterwards, all the fluid was sitting on my lower back which is why, massages helped this, there a killer but it drained all the fluid away.

Good luck

xx
AdrianRH 10 Jun 2011
Hi All; yesterday I went for my fourth massage. It was a little painfull because I start to recover sensitivity and the doctor said that is totally normal. Also, I´m still swollen. I consulted an plastic surgeon nurse (colombian) and She told me that swollen lasts at least 3-4 months, unfortunatly. It's funny because all people I know (including me) say that during 1st week after operation they ask "what I've done?" .... but I think It's normal, We need to be patient. next monday I'll upload pics.
AdrianRH 9 Jun 2011
Promise I'll send pics :) It's good to share this xperience. If you want add me via skype. adrian.rosas1
TiffanyD 9 Jun 2011
Adrian....
It isn't hard at all. just stroke your belly from right to left and up and down towards the belly button. you can add a little pressure as much as you are comfortable with. I use the palmer's tightning lotion and to massage and i finish with the arnica. I have started to wear my spanks hi waste panty 12 hrs a day and I tell you it felt so strange being without my garment.....lol much cooler I tell you Alabama heat is outrageous right now lol. I wasn't big either I weighed 129 at 5'6 and i work out 3-4 days a week but I have ALWAYS had a little pooch that i hated and I can finally say it is flat but like i said my belly still swells from over exursion from time to time.I can't wait to see the final result!

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