POSTED UNDER Thigh Lift Reviews
Getting my Strong Curves Back - Tijuana, MX
UPDATED FROM turquoisesummer
9 months post
Dr. Victor Gutierrez Broker My Heart - don't go there
$12,000
OK for those of you in a hurry, the punchline- At my 2 month post review, I expressed concern that my pelvic and groin scars seemed out of place. He told me well only my husband was going to see it. What about bathing suits? Wear boy shorts.
I went home and cried, feeling very bereft, lied to, betrayed, let down in every possible way.
The detailed version; I showed up my my appointment and Elsa, his girl everything asked me how everything was and I said the healing was coming along nice but that I thought my pelvic scars were wide as in not in the crease bu on my thigh, and the groin incision from the medial thigh lift were low. When I did see Dr. Guitierrez he immediately launched into this lecture that I could not complain for 6 months after the surgery.
Then he asked me to disrobe so he could see and as he poked around and I indicated that I thought the lines were out of place, that is when he said, "Only your husband is going to see that". I wish I were kidding, but sadly this guy in the aesthetic business is not getting it.And I also mentioned that I thought my vaginal lips were pulling open a bit, to which he made no comment or acknowledgement.
He proceeded to poke me and asked me to lie on the floor and moved my legs around and when the scar lines seemed more in place he said "see, they are ok" and I responded that I do not spend my life lying on the floor. Sorry, cheeky I know but I am angry and humiliated. He had spent so much time criticizing other people's work that that I had thought he would be concerned. I was perplexed and really disappointed when he was defensive, tried to excuse things away and saying some really thoughtless things. The soave Dr. I met before was gone and replace by a guy who had no grace and no plan for how to approach a repair. I told him that I thought part of the pelvic issue was the lax skin from NOT DOING the TT that I was marked up for and instead doing lipo. It took him a while to grasp that and after tugging on my skin he saw how that could be true and agreed a tummy tuck would move those into proper position. I asked about the low groin scar and he said he could re-cut, but I asked how that would solve the problem when it was pulling the vaginal lips apart already. He has no response. I found out that he did no undermining on my leg lift, not the medial lift or the belt lift, so all that tissue is anchored down and pulling down so my medial lift produced ZERO results and the rest of it did improve my butt but NOT my THIGH whatsoever, no the font, not the side, not the back. AAACKKKK! what did I do this for? I still have the same lumps and bumps and saddle bags, now that the swelling is down. He did no lipo on my legs. Before surgery he said I did not need it. He could do everything without lipo on the legs. I was doubtful. He grabbed my thighs with his hands and pulled up and said he would do that in surgery and he did not need to do lipo. I said even the saddle bag area and he said yes even there is was just sagging skin. So why do I still have it? NOW he says that he wont do lipo on the legs, no no no. There is a big difference between saying you don't need it and saying you wont do it, whether it is needed or not. What a betrayal. And of course he says, now, "Oh, We couldn't get that in one surgery, you need another lift." WTF@%&*)^&*K?!
One of my driving reasons for going was an old injury on the back of one thigh, right at the base of the butt. over time this has created a big ripple that is visible in all clothing. I wanted this, more than anything, smoothed out. Before surgery DR. G said it was simple, just some lipo. No Big Deal. so Imagine my surpise when it is still there after surgery. Right after surgery he said he could not do it because of where it was located next to the incision. Still in the after surgery honeymoon, I let that excuse go. Now he says, he said he would have don it it he had time. That is so not true. Never did he say that, I would have gone to someone else for sure, if that had been his attitude.
Lastly, as I mentioned he did lipo on my stomach instead of the Tummy tuck that I was marked up and scheduled for. Post op he said I did not need the TT. HOWEVER, his lipo work is uneven and he left a sizeable donut of fat around my belly button. I mentioned it before leaving after recovery, although pretty swollen at the time, and again at this 2 month post-op and he said he left it on purpose so the skin wouldn't be saggy except that now I have a pronounced donut in the center of my belly that I cannot get rid of on my own. Why don't I have a flat belly if I had lipo.
SO- nutshell
Lied about need for lipo in legs
Did not tell me that he does not/ wont do lipo in legs at all, preferring to tell people they don't need it.
Agreed to and marked me up for a TT he did not perform
Did not address my thigh ripple and passed it off as
Did not produce any results in medial thigh lift except a sagging scar
Did not produce any result in thigh lift
Produced irregular results and intentionally left sizable pocket of fat on tummy and also uneven hips.
So after the physical review, we talked and he stipulated that after the 3 month mark we could do a scar revision and the TT and he told me he would take care of everything but the cost of the suite at somewhere between $500 and $1000. 3 months put us into the Holiday season so I told him I would get in touch with him in January to schedule. He told me that he would fix it that he "Had my back".
In mid January, I emailed to say I was ready to schedule and Elsa and I went back and forth on some dates. A few weeks before the date and she says we need to discuss what was being done and the cost. I said, well Dr. G is supposed to do scar revision on the pelvic and groins area and do the TT and he told me he would do it for $500. She comes back to me with he will do the scar revisions for $1500 but the TT is a whole new surgery at that would be $4500. This is not what we talked about, I even went back over it with my husband. I said, well I was supposed to the get the TT in the first place, and somehow they come up with that I didn't pay for it so there you go. My original email quote did not have the tt is had full torso lipo, then when I saw him for the in person consult, he wanted to do the TT instead for an added 1k. I said I could not do it, and he agreed to do the TT for the original quote price. When I got to the surgery center for pre-op, he wrote down that I was getting medial thigh lift, butt/thigh lift and a TT. So yes it was negotiated into my price.
Anyway, betrayed again. meanwhile they keep trying to sell me on a boob job.
SO I am done, and I can't in good conscience give him a pass, pretend everything is great and not warn other people. Yes he does a nice job on the cut and sew, my scars look pretty good. But I now have even more pronounced saddlebags (saddlebags are not hips) and a donut hanging off my stomach instead of a flat tummy and no results in the thigh lift- all for over 12K.
There are others who have had similar results in their lower body lift and either buy into his excuses or just don't want to admit he failed them, and I wont out them, they can do it when they are are ready. But if real reviews by the community are what we truly have to make decision on then this is my real review. I had to wait several months to do it because I was so emotional about it. But it has been weighing on my mind for a while that I needed to do this, part catharsis and part public service.
I think that is all the details and story to tell. When I feel I can, I will get some recent pics.
I went home and cried, feeling very bereft, lied to, betrayed, let down in every possible way.
The detailed version; I showed up my my appointment and Elsa, his girl everything asked me how everything was and I said the healing was coming along nice but that I thought my pelvic scars were wide as in not in the crease bu on my thigh, and the groin incision from the medial thigh lift were low. When I did see Dr. Guitierrez he immediately launched into this lecture that I could not complain for 6 months after the surgery.
Then he asked me to disrobe so he could see and as he poked around and I indicated that I thought the lines were out of place, that is when he said, "Only your husband is going to see that". I wish I were kidding, but sadly this guy in the aesthetic business is not getting it.And I also mentioned that I thought my vaginal lips were pulling open a bit, to which he made no comment or acknowledgement.
He proceeded to poke me and asked me to lie on the floor and moved my legs around and when the scar lines seemed more in place he said "see, they are ok" and I responded that I do not spend my life lying on the floor. Sorry, cheeky I know but I am angry and humiliated. He had spent so much time criticizing other people's work that that I had thought he would be concerned. I was perplexed and really disappointed when he was defensive, tried to excuse things away and saying some really thoughtless things. The soave Dr. I met before was gone and replace by a guy who had no grace and no plan for how to approach a repair. I told him that I thought part of the pelvic issue was the lax skin from NOT DOING the TT that I was marked up for and instead doing lipo. It took him a while to grasp that and after tugging on my skin he saw how that could be true and agreed a tummy tuck would move those into proper position. I asked about the low groin scar and he said he could re-cut, but I asked how that would solve the problem when it was pulling the vaginal lips apart already. He has no response. I found out that he did no undermining on my leg lift, not the medial lift or the belt lift, so all that tissue is anchored down and pulling down so my medial lift produced ZERO results and the rest of it did improve my butt but NOT my THIGH whatsoever, no the font, not the side, not the back. AAACKKKK! what did I do this for? I still have the same lumps and bumps and saddle bags, now that the swelling is down. He did no lipo on my legs. Before surgery he said I did not need it. He could do everything without lipo on the legs. I was doubtful. He grabbed my thighs with his hands and pulled up and said he would do that in surgery and he did not need to do lipo. I said even the saddle bag area and he said yes even there is was just sagging skin. So why do I still have it? NOW he says that he wont do lipo on the legs, no no no. There is a big difference between saying you don't need it and saying you wont do it, whether it is needed or not. What a betrayal. And of course he says, now, "Oh, We couldn't get that in one surgery, you need another lift." WTF@%&*)^&*K?!
One of my driving reasons for going was an old injury on the back of one thigh, right at the base of the butt. over time this has created a big ripple that is visible in all clothing. I wanted this, more than anything, smoothed out. Before surgery DR. G said it was simple, just some lipo. No Big Deal. so Imagine my surpise when it is still there after surgery. Right after surgery he said he could not do it because of where it was located next to the incision. Still in the after surgery honeymoon, I let that excuse go. Now he says, he said he would have don it it he had time. That is so not true. Never did he say that, I would have gone to someone else for sure, if that had been his attitude.
Lastly, as I mentioned he did lipo on my stomach instead of the Tummy tuck that I was marked up and scheduled for. Post op he said I did not need the TT. HOWEVER, his lipo work is uneven and he left a sizeable donut of fat around my belly button. I mentioned it before leaving after recovery, although pretty swollen at the time, and again at this 2 month post-op and he said he left it on purpose so the skin wouldn't be saggy except that now I have a pronounced donut in the center of my belly that I cannot get rid of on my own. Why don't I have a flat belly if I had lipo.
SO- nutshell
Lied about need for lipo in legs
Did not tell me that he does not/ wont do lipo in legs at all, preferring to tell people they don't need it.
Agreed to and marked me up for a TT he did not perform
Did not address my thigh ripple and passed it off as
Did not produce any results in medial thigh lift except a sagging scar
Did not produce any result in thigh lift
Produced irregular results and intentionally left sizable pocket of fat on tummy and also uneven hips.
So after the physical review, we talked and he stipulated that after the 3 month mark we could do a scar revision and the TT and he told me he would take care of everything but the cost of the suite at somewhere between $500 and $1000. 3 months put us into the Holiday season so I told him I would get in touch with him in January to schedule. He told me that he would fix it that he "Had my back".
In mid January, I emailed to say I was ready to schedule and Elsa and I went back and forth on some dates. A few weeks before the date and she says we need to discuss what was being done and the cost. I said, well Dr. G is supposed to do scar revision on the pelvic and groins area and do the TT and he told me he would do it for $500. She comes back to me with he will do the scar revisions for $1500 but the TT is a whole new surgery at that would be $4500. This is not what we talked about, I even went back over it with my husband. I said, well I was supposed to the get the TT in the first place, and somehow they come up with that I didn't pay for it so there you go. My original email quote did not have the tt is had full torso lipo, then when I saw him for the in person consult, he wanted to do the TT instead for an added 1k. I said I could not do it, and he agreed to do the TT for the original quote price. When I got to the surgery center for pre-op, he wrote down that I was getting medial thigh lift, butt/thigh lift and a TT. So yes it was negotiated into my price.
Anyway, betrayed again. meanwhile they keep trying to sell me on a boob job.
SO I am done, and I can't in good conscience give him a pass, pretend everything is great and not warn other people. Yes he does a nice job on the cut and sew, my scars look pretty good. But I now have even more pronounced saddlebags (saddlebags are not hips) and a donut hanging off my stomach instead of a flat tummy and no results in the thigh lift- all for over 12K.
There are others who have had similar results in their lower body lift and either buy into his excuses or just don't want to admit he failed them, and I wont out them, they can do it when they are are ready. But if real reviews by the community are what we truly have to make decision on then this is my real review. I had to wait several months to do it because I was so emotional about it. But it has been weighing on my mind for a while that I needed to do this, part catharsis and part public service.
I think that is all the details and story to tell. When I feel I can, I will get some recent pics.
turquoisesummer's provider
UPDATED FROM turquoisesummer
15 days post
Back Home, Dr. Says I was Not a Patient
I am back home home and my cat is so happy he hasn't left my side all weekend. Hubby had to work so I just continued to relax and watch movies with my 8 lb bed hog Charlie. Gosh I missed my comfy bed...
Before I go too much further, I just want to say thank you very much to my husband and girlfriend who went with me and helped me that first week out of surgery. It was difficult getting in and out of bed, I didn't want to eat, and I couldn't reach anything on my body because I could not bend. I felt like I had been super glued from my waist to my hip in a solid 5" band. The LBL and MTL were kind of a breeze, except you can't open your thighs or flex your hips much to protect the sutures. The lipo, though, is very tender, and I did not go into a suit for a week, I just had a compression mummy wrap that was pretty loose after 4 days. I know people do this all on their own, but I just would not recommend it. Plus I have to say, as a primary care giver, it is nice to have someone wait on me for a time. And they took really good care of me. Ah but that is all over now. Back home, back to work and back to taking care of my family and home.
So why did the doctor say I was not a patient? Because I came out of surgery and had a 15 minute cogent talk with the associate surgeon right after, then spent 2 hours on the phone with family. I was ready to leave post op by noon the next day. My swelling went down so fast I all but fell out of the mummy wrap (he prefers not to put you in the suit until the drains are removed). I was standing perfectly erect in 1 week and climbing stairs (slowly) and my overall energy and mood. Also, I worked from bed running the last week of the campaign. He said, although he did multiple procedures, including some fat grafting to even out my derriere, and the lipo removed 3 liters from my torso, I just wasn't "patienty" except for the getting in and out of bed, which had a lot to do with the lack of mobility in my hips.
So 2 weeks post and I can do just about anything but bend over to get flat things off the floor and deep bends in the knee (still protecting those incisions). I know part of this has to do with the pre-op care and conditioning I did, including toning up my lymphatic system which is the main mechanism that manages the swelling, and the other part is the care and detail that Dr. Gutierrez takes during surgery. He does not let you bleed. He is a micro surgeon by training. He is precise in his technique, very gentle with the tissue and this keeps bleeding to an absolute minimum. Less bleeding = less bruising = less swelling and less complications and great recovery. Truthfully, the only thing holding me back is this dang garment.
I am so getting excited to see my scars. I am supposed to leave the tape on and let in come off naturally. Of course the very first area to come off is the groin, which I can't see. But the tape is starting to come off the pubic area and my lines are very straight. I love that Dr. G uses internal stitches and tapes the top skin. NO PUCKERS! or blanket stitching look. Not very red, so far as I can see and just this small straight line. Why doesn't everyone do it this way? It is another reason I chose Dr. G over others.
So I am in my second suit after less than a week and I need to shop for my third as I expect to be out of this one within 2 weeks. I am trying to decide if I should continue in the full body suit or move to an high waist bottom and then a top. The lipo went up my shoulder blades and even a little in the axilla and my left arm ( to even them out) so I am thinking maybe a top with half sleeves? Anyone have an opinion here? I am using lipo foam 360 around the middle which goes up just to my shoulder blade. Gosh it makes this suit feel better,especially the zipper area that bunches whenever you are bent. I'd like to get some compression in the axilla. I shoved some oversized pads in the armpit of my suit until I ran out. Maybe rolled up socks will work? Has anyone used a tummy board?
I think that is it for now.
Before I go too much further, I just want to say thank you very much to my husband and girlfriend who went with me and helped me that first week out of surgery. It was difficult getting in and out of bed, I didn't want to eat, and I couldn't reach anything on my body because I could not bend. I felt like I had been super glued from my waist to my hip in a solid 5" band. The LBL and MTL were kind of a breeze, except you can't open your thighs or flex your hips much to protect the sutures. The lipo, though, is very tender, and I did not go into a suit for a week, I just had a compression mummy wrap that was pretty loose after 4 days. I know people do this all on their own, but I just would not recommend it. Plus I have to say, as a primary care giver, it is nice to have someone wait on me for a time. And they took really good care of me. Ah but that is all over now. Back home, back to work and back to taking care of my family and home.
So why did the doctor say I was not a patient? Because I came out of surgery and had a 15 minute cogent talk with the associate surgeon right after, then spent 2 hours on the phone with family. I was ready to leave post op by noon the next day. My swelling went down so fast I all but fell out of the mummy wrap (he prefers not to put you in the suit until the drains are removed). I was standing perfectly erect in 1 week and climbing stairs (slowly) and my overall energy and mood. Also, I worked from bed running the last week of the campaign. He said, although he did multiple procedures, including some fat grafting to even out my derriere, and the lipo removed 3 liters from my torso, I just wasn't "patienty" except for the getting in and out of bed, which had a lot to do with the lack of mobility in my hips.
So 2 weeks post and I can do just about anything but bend over to get flat things off the floor and deep bends in the knee (still protecting those incisions). I know part of this has to do with the pre-op care and conditioning I did, including toning up my lymphatic system which is the main mechanism that manages the swelling, and the other part is the care and detail that Dr. Gutierrez takes during surgery. He does not let you bleed. He is a micro surgeon by training. He is precise in his technique, very gentle with the tissue and this keeps bleeding to an absolute minimum. Less bleeding = less bruising = less swelling and less complications and great recovery. Truthfully, the only thing holding me back is this dang garment.
I am so getting excited to see my scars. I am supposed to leave the tape on and let in come off naturally. Of course the very first area to come off is the groin, which I can't see. But the tape is starting to come off the pubic area and my lines are very straight. I love that Dr. G uses internal stitches and tapes the top skin. NO PUCKERS! or blanket stitching look. Not very red, so far as I can see and just this small straight line. Why doesn't everyone do it this way? It is another reason I chose Dr. G over others.
So I am in my second suit after less than a week and I need to shop for my third as I expect to be out of this one within 2 weeks. I am trying to decide if I should continue in the full body suit or move to an high waist bottom and then a top. The lipo went up my shoulder blades and even a little in the axilla and my left arm ( to even them out) so I am thinking maybe a top with half sleeves? Anyone have an opinion here? I am using lipo foam 360 around the middle which goes up just to my shoulder blade. Gosh it makes this suit feel better,especially the zipper area that bunches whenever you are bent. I'd like to get some compression in the axilla. I shoved some oversized pads in the armpit of my suit until I ran out. Maybe rolled up socks will work? Has anyone used a tummy board?
I think that is it for now.
Replies (5)
September 3, 2014
Question. What did you do to tone up your lymphatic system? I have never heard anything like that b4.
September 3, 2014
The lymph is like your vascular system, vessels all over your body, but unlike your vascular system, it does not have a pump (the heart). So the lymphatic fluid and debris that it collects is circulated by your movement. The purpose of the lymphatic system is to clear excess interstitial fluid and debris, dead cells, bacteria after infection, etc. When you do not move enough, are chronically dehydrated, suffer severe or chronic infections, your lymph system can become sluggish, stagnant and even blocked. If you have ever had a blocked lymph node, say in your groin or armpit, it becomes enlarged and firm and tender. There are herbal supplements and activities you can do like getting a lymph massage or doing self lymphatic massage or skin brushing that will help to circulate the lymph and clear stagnation and blockages. Burdock, is an excellent herbal supplement that supports the lymph and is not expensive. So about 2 months or so before my surgery I started to take Burdock and I did skin brushing to make sure that my lymph system was clear of stagnation and I did not have any blocked lymph nodes. Sort of like cleaning/ tuning up the system because you are about to undergo something that is going to dump a heck of a load on it. Any surgery is going to impact the lymph system and LIPO especially dumps a heck of a load on your lymph. Lipo, first does some damage to lymph vessels themselves, so part of what you see in the drain is lymphatic fluid, also the lipo fluid is being picked up by the lymph, plus cells that do not get sucked out plus the oozing blood from damaged blood vessels. A clear system makes the removal that much easier for the body. I had no swelling in my extremities or in my genital area and my initial swelling subsided very quickly. I started taking the burdock again a few days after surgery and I do some skin brushing over my suit to continue to encourage lymph movement as post op there is not much body movement going on. Do not skin brush freshly lipo'd skin directly, you will be too sensitive. YOU can google Skin brushing for more details and technique. I prefer skin brushing over lymphatic massage as it self regulates the pressure. Lymph massage is very gentle and very superficial. More like a pumping and sweeping motion than like a regular muscle massage. Too hard or deep is really counter productive and I've heard of many people getting a "lymph" massage that hurt. It tells me that the masseuse is not skilled. I will probably do all of this very regularly for at least 2 months, maybe 3 as the healing will continue generate above normal material and fluid that the lymph will need to handle. If you have never done it, you may get a kind of funny, tickle-y feeling or flu-ish feeling, that indicates you had pretty stagnant lymph fluid. It passes in a a moment. We call it a little healing crisis. Plenty of water helps also.
September 3, 2014
You are really welcome. Feel free to catch me on a comment or message me anytime if you have questions.
September 3, 2014
That's excellent info turquoise! Wish I had done skin brushing and more massage when I had lipo on my thighs. Are you having any swelling in your legs? How's your butt coming along? coming along? I keep wondering about how my butt will turn out if I get a lbl. I don't want to lose what I have.
September 4, 2014
HI Suko. If you look at my surgery pics, you will see one of me on the table pre-op with my high domy butt because I have a lot of muscle. I see that the over all size went down from pre-op but the shape is better, not so square and quite a bit came out the bottom of the bottom. I had a little bit of grafting to even things out and it seems to be high so I am not sitting on it. Dr. G. will do a flank flap implant, which immediately improves the shape of the upper buttock and there is no fear of loss like the injected fat. You really need to put some pics up hon! Yes I do have swelling, mostly in my upper thigh and hip where the work was done. By the end of the day my knees can get a little puffy if I am up alot but no swelling below the knee. I just ordered my next garment which is a butt lift model with extra compression at the top of the back of the thigh, which I need. When I get back into the gym in October, I plan to really work the back of my thigh more and see if I can improve it or do I need Dr. G to fix.
September 4, 2014
I've read that bouncing on a trampoline for 5 minutes will also help in cleansing your lymphatic system.
September 6, 2014
That is what do regularly, and especially did it before surgery, however after surgery, I could not bounce, so I had to find alternative ways to keep things moving. Now I am happy that enough time has passed and I have healed enough to get back on my trampoline, because bouncing is FUN!
September 9, 2014
Cool that you understand the lymphatic system! I have read a here and there about the skin brushing but have not tried it (too lazy...lol). No question that lipo + long incisions take their toll on it. I did lymphatic massage for the first surgery, but my massage therapist has been out of commission, and didn't find anyone else. The swelling this surgery is nothing compared to last...but i do have some. My doc gave me lasix for when it gets bad. Seems to help. Interestingly enough, my LBL, which was done seven months prior to my last surgery, created swelling directly above the back incision...a lower back "poof- well that "poof" reemerged after this last surgery due to systemic swelling! Just proof positive that your lymphatic system does take quite a while to recover from these surgeries!
September 9, 2014
I have that spot to. Seems to want to collect there because most suits are not tailored well enough compress the small of my back. I put a piece of lipo foam over it under my garment to increase the compression there. Huge difference, try it.
September 3, 2014
What's lipo foam?
September 4, 2014
it is a foam sheet you put over an area that has been lipo'd, inside your garment, it keeps the suit from irritating and creating creases, particularly under the closure area which tend to ripple harshly. Helps the skin re-attach more evenly also. Although in my last pics, I had my ab binder on instead right before so you can see what the ab binder does to the skin without the foam.
September 5, 2014
Can't wait to see you when I get back from Texas. You seem to be healing just great. Had a wonderful time over the weekend meeting. LisaLias....man is she in great shape, wow the pictures don't even show it, and her arm lift, just fabulous....
September 5, 2014
Yeah let me know when you get home. Im dying to see how yours has progressed. I can say at least that the jeans i took with me to MX fit much looser now even with all my binders and foam on. I ordered a new suit that is supposed to get here tomorrow. Cant wait to try it out as it is a butt enhancer style with extra compression in the upper thigh. Getting any rain out of the tropical storm? We just got soaked. Looking foward to the lower temps this weekend.
September 7, 2014
Thanks for all the detail. The surgery photos are graphic and shocked me a bit, but are so educational.
You're looking great already. Good luck with your ongoing journey.
September 9, 2014
The suit that has saved my life has been this one - as you have the knee incisions you at minimum need a capri length suit - this one is expensive, but no tugging on your delicate incisions to get it off and on (i KNEW i was having the long thigh lift so i really needed it to NOT pull incisions). Have not used a tummy board, but this particular suit is a stage 1 - but i still wear it now - had to switch from larges to mediums for 2nd surgery though http://www.classicshapewear.com/annette-renolife-post-lipo-ankle-length-bodysuit-17394-p-2732.html
No idea what to do with the Size large ones??? hate to toss them as they are pretty expensive!
I did NOT like the top with the sleeves - the top was too tight aound the band and the elastic unforgiving - hurt underbust! And this was a size Medium and i am a 34 band size?? My fave compression sleeves were the solidea ones - but i really DO NOT reccomend the bodice style - had two different varieties - liked neither - feel free to PM me if you want to talk compression
http://www.solideausa.com/product/shapewear/Solidea-Silver-Wave-Slimming-Sleeves/S0433A5
September 9, 2014
I ended up getting a Marie E product. I wanted capri length because I felt the shorter was just trapping some edema at my knees, BTW I do not have a long incision on the medial thigh, just the groin incision. I wanted a garment without the built in bra and I also wanted a butt enhancer styling as I felt the Frederick brand garment was putting too much compression on booty and hips and I was not getting enough compression on my torso. I ordered the large based on measurements and I did get it on and and it fit like a glove except the top of my thighs where the previous garment and been pushing all my swelling. I wore it 5 hours on 2 different days and got a little concerned about my inner thigh incision so I have ordered the XL which will come tomorrow and I will see how that one compares. The nice thing is this style has 4 rows of hooks so you can take it down as you tighten up. I wore my first garment no even a week, the second one barely a week. I should be in this next one at least a month or more. I am also 8 lbs below my pre-op weight, which at 3 weeks post is very unusual. I think part is my rapid loss of swelling but I am also losing weight and I think it is because my estrogen dominance may not be so strong because of the fat removed. AND I had a good diet and lots of water. I know this happens to a few women. I hope it keeps going for a while, like 10 or 15 lbs more... :) I will look at the sleeves you linked, Thanks!
If anyone is interested in the Maria E fajas, particularly if you are naturally curvier or had a bbl, They are on AMAZON and you can search the brand. Take your measurements, don't try to snug them up, you'll be sorry. If you're measurements are at the top of the size spread, the garment will take you 20 to 30 minutes to get on and will fit on the last set of hooks and you will be very snug but I did not feel like I could not breath. I am hoping that the next size up will fit very snugly and give me some play room with the hooks to be able to add the lipo foam underneath. we will see tomorrow I guess. I do like how it is made, it is lined in the torso with something soft, the seems are few and don't seem to bother me and this gives my natural girls such a nice lift. I have a high back style and it is great on my posture as well. The one I got was $92 amazon prime so 2 day shipping included and free returns, so it makes checking it out kind of a no brainer.
September 9, 2014
very good thinking on the longer length! I have been fighting with trapped edema myself since my incisions (and the lipo i had) go to my ankles so compression has to really be to my feet! I also, based on my shape, have to order the size that accomodates the largest part, so my tummy/back didnt get as much compression! Awesome on the 8lbs down swelling and all! My freaking estrogen is in the toilet now unfortunately! All that fat was saving me from perimeopause apparantly! I did buy a real faja but the darn thing was WAAAY too small when i got it pre surgery but would probalby fit now! Yes definitely order the next size up!
September 9, 2014
When I put the The Maria E on it was definitely shaped hourglass. I look just like I did in the last pic of me on the surgery table before they mummified me. It is the first garment that gave me real compression in my torso, important because I had thorasic lipo and I need good compression to make that tissue re-adhere properly. But the size that should fit me will not accommodate the lipo foam. So I am waiting for tomorrow aftenoon. But the hours that I did have in on, it made a difference in my knees. You might try the burdock supplement to see if that helps with your swelling. Did you get your hormones tested? why do you think you are peri? pm if you prefer.
UPDATED FROM turquoisesummer
9 days post
1 Week post
1 week post op. Went to see Dr. G and get my first compression suit m because the compression dressi g bad been too loose for days and not giving me any suppot. However still draining too much to remove drains due to the lipo.
A WORD ABOUT LIPO this is the only thing that gave significant discomfort. I had lipo 360 from waist to underbust. This is the only thing that bruised and produced the majority of swelling that settled in my lower back. Unlike the thigh and butt lift, this was more than uncomfortable when I needed to move. Just laying there wasn't a problem. Rolling over, in and out of bed or going potty was. The paracetamol kept things well in check but I started to get dizzy so switched to ibuprofen Saturday afternoon. Once I got the compression garment and ab binder on Monday, this was all much better as it was supported much better and the ab binder was finally able to address the lower back swelling. (You can see the swelling in the pics). Next hurdle is getting these drains out which are hanging out the bottom of my suit through the open crotch.
Thank god I had spent the time strengthening my legs and arms. It has made a huge difference in the little bit of movement you have to do. I recommend everyone improve their strength before taking this on.
THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE IN THEIR RECOVERY KIT
Toilet seat riser, yes my legs can handle but it was tricky and lower puts undue stress on sutures
She pee, first several days after surgery you dont even attempt to sit and peeing standing up unnecessarily wets the groins sutures.
Burdock, a natural supplement that supports the lymph system which is what handles your swelling. Take the month before surgery stopping just a few days before surgery and then start again 2 or 3 days post. I dont recommend starting right after surgery as it increases urine production, but it does a marvelous job of managing swelling and keeping lymph moving. Skin brushing, which is a non hand lymphatic masage, i also did and recommend before surgery to make sure the lymph system is clear of stagnation and flowing freely. Although I had swelling the surgery areas, I never had swelling in my extremeties or my labia. I like skin brushing over manual lymph massage because your are less likely to over due the pressure, which is counter productive, plus it exfoliates and tonifies the skin. Do not skin brush freshly lipoed skin, but you can do extremeties post op and you can brush over the garment. Google skin brushing for more details and technique.
Protein powder or protein shakes, protein is critical for good recovery but I found my appetite really lacking the first week post op. Most food sounded very unappealing and the smell of bbq was a turn off. I had a steady diet of bananas and protein smoothies made with banana, strawberry and a vegetarian based protein powder for the first 5 or 6 days. I chose to be dairy free due to antibiotics which can upset your gut flora, no need to add digestive distress to the mix. Bonus, this plan plus adequate amounts of water throughout the day kept the bowels moving easily.
Bendable straws, because you wont be so bendable. ;)
Thin soft material like a tee shirt or pillow case, for between your legs when you're laying abed the first several days. You are supposed to keep the groin area dry but keep your legs closed, uh huh yeah right. A wash cloth or hand towel size piece of cloth patted in their does the trick. Depending on how sensitive your skin is, and surgery made me very sensitive- every wrinkle in the sheet became irritating for awhile, I found thin and smooth material was most comfortable. Plus easy to adjust as needed while laying about and having to navigiate the drain lines. Once you are more mobile, switch to pads.
I hope this helps. As i think of other helpful hints, I will post.
A WORD ABOUT LIPO this is the only thing that gave significant discomfort. I had lipo 360 from waist to underbust. This is the only thing that bruised and produced the majority of swelling that settled in my lower back. Unlike the thigh and butt lift, this was more than uncomfortable when I needed to move. Just laying there wasn't a problem. Rolling over, in and out of bed or going potty was. The paracetamol kept things well in check but I started to get dizzy so switched to ibuprofen Saturday afternoon. Once I got the compression garment and ab binder on Monday, this was all much better as it was supported much better and the ab binder was finally able to address the lower back swelling. (You can see the swelling in the pics). Next hurdle is getting these drains out which are hanging out the bottom of my suit through the open crotch.
Thank god I had spent the time strengthening my legs and arms. It has made a huge difference in the little bit of movement you have to do. I recommend everyone improve their strength before taking this on.
THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE IN THEIR RECOVERY KIT
Toilet seat riser, yes my legs can handle but it was tricky and lower puts undue stress on sutures
She pee, first several days after surgery you dont even attempt to sit and peeing standing up unnecessarily wets the groins sutures.
Burdock, a natural supplement that supports the lymph system which is what handles your swelling. Take the month before surgery stopping just a few days before surgery and then start again 2 or 3 days post. I dont recommend starting right after surgery as it increases urine production, but it does a marvelous job of managing swelling and keeping lymph moving. Skin brushing, which is a non hand lymphatic masage, i also did and recommend before surgery to make sure the lymph system is clear of stagnation and flowing freely. Although I had swelling the surgery areas, I never had swelling in my extremeties or my labia. I like skin brushing over manual lymph massage because your are less likely to over due the pressure, which is counter productive, plus it exfoliates and tonifies the skin. Do not skin brush freshly lipoed skin, but you can do extremeties post op and you can brush over the garment. Google skin brushing for more details and technique.
Protein powder or protein shakes, protein is critical for good recovery but I found my appetite really lacking the first week post op. Most food sounded very unappealing and the smell of bbq was a turn off. I had a steady diet of bananas and protein smoothies made with banana, strawberry and a vegetarian based protein powder for the first 5 or 6 days. I chose to be dairy free due to antibiotics which can upset your gut flora, no need to add digestive distress to the mix. Bonus, this plan plus adequate amounts of water throughout the day kept the bowels moving easily.
Bendable straws, because you wont be so bendable. ;)
Thin soft material like a tee shirt or pillow case, for between your legs when you're laying abed the first several days. You are supposed to keep the groin area dry but keep your legs closed, uh huh yeah right. A wash cloth or hand towel size piece of cloth patted in their does the trick. Depending on how sensitive your skin is, and surgery made me very sensitive- every wrinkle in the sheet became irritating for awhile, I found thin and smooth material was most comfortable. Plus easy to adjust as needed while laying about and having to navigiate the drain lines. Once you are more mobile, switch to pads.
I hope this helps. As i think of other helpful hints, I will post.
Replies (1)
August 30, 2014
You look absolutely fabulous!!!
August 30, 2014
Thanks. Just got home last night. The drive left me feeling a bit like a bruised tomato.. Sitz area is tender. But suit is doing its thing smoothing and firming things up. Ready to move a size down either this afternoon or tomorrow.
August 30, 2014
You strengthen your body before surgery and made sure you were healthy. It sure does not take long for swelling to go down in a healthy body, and the right size compression garnment certainly helps to shape, curve, and slim the body. You look marvelous!!!!!
Take it very slow, HAPPY HEALING:)
August 31, 2014
Sorry..I am using my cell phone to write...but glad you made it home safely....now just rest,I will see ya in a couple of weeks....
August 31, 2014
Hi Dee! Yes I'm glad to be back in my own, comfy bed. The one in fhe condo was decent but mine is lower and a bit easier. Am a size down already on my garment. Need to talk to you about where to get my next one. Have a lovely time in Texas with the family!
October 27, 2014
Hi Turquoise. Howve you been and how are things healing? I havent been here in awhile and it looks like no one else has. Let me know. Thanks so much.
Replies (5)
I'm sorry you didn't get the results you were looking for. Â Thanks for the update.