My Smart Lipo Chin Experience - Tennessee

I had smart lipo on my chin/jowls on 3/9/11 (Wednesday). Before surgery, I read numerous reviews here, so I thought I would share details about my experience for anyone considering it.

I wasn't nervous on the day of my surgery, but I was given a valium when I first arrived at the surgery center. The doctor marked up my chin, and not long afterwards, they took me to the surgery room and asked me to lay on the table.

The IV stung a bit, but then everything started feeling fuzzy. My doctor used IV sedation, so I was awake for the surgery. I saw the instrument making the incision under my chin, but closed my eyes after that! The laser machine hummed softly, but I didn't feel much movement. When the suctioning started, I could feel more movement. It wasn't a smooth in and out movement, but was a big jerky. The device was very thin.

It didn't take long, and then they were wrapping my head and helping me get dressed. My chin area was numb, and I had difficulty speaking clearly. We went for coffee afterwards (probably not the best idea after surgery, but I'm a coffee addict!), and it dribbled on my shirt from numbness. I had to use a straw to drink for several days. I tried to take a pill, but it got caught in my throat, and I realized my throat was a bit numb too. I was not in much pain at all--some dull pain started about four hours later.

On Friday, I peeked at my chin, and it looked great! Not much bruising. I had a few dark bruises on each side of my neck that looked like hickeys and some yellowing where bruises were healing, but thats all.

On Monday, I unwrapped and went back to work. I was disappointed to find that I was starting to swell. My chin and neck looked different every time I looked at it! Sometimes lumpy and swollen, and sometimes not.

I wore the wrapping at night as directed by my doctor. My chin always looked great in the morning, but would swell during the day.

On Wednesday, I got my stitch out. The numbness disappeared, and I had some mild pain as the nerves started firing again.

I've worn the wrapping all weekend 24/7 and am trying to stay more hydrated. Once this swelling goes down, I think my chin will look great!! I really didn't expect my chin to look so great when I first took the wrap off, and the swelling to start a few days later, but I think its all part of the process (hopefully!).