Thanks, FL Gal. I am so glad it worked for you!
I don't know if it was the technique, doctor, or my own healing that caused me to not get the results. I think he "went too deep" since no results are showing on the skin surface and so many people are reporting great results.
I followed all pre and post op directions and did not exercise at all until the Dr. cleared me to do so. He knew that I had goals for running events and triathlons before the procedure and we scheduled it carefully to accommodate that. When I resumed my training, I described the symptoms (the sand bags attached to my thighs!) and pain and he advised that "I push through it". I have a pretty high tolerance for pain.
He advised some additional massage during my follow up last week and said that it is likely nerve damage. Time will tell if it is permanent - it has been almost 5 months. If I catch the back of my legs the wrong way on a chair, it sends a sharp pain - similar to what you describe as an electrical shock.
Most discouraging is that the cellulite is the same - and the back of my legs actually look worse with the added bands of fat - still no swim suit in public. He has offered to touch up and add liposuction (for free), but I am not sure I should have him redo it. My gut says "no way"! Would you? A second opinion is a must before I do anything. I wish I had the opportunity to see Dr. Katz - even for a consultation - that segment on the Today Show is actually what prompted me to do this.
Thanks LaurelC - I am still discouraged :(...I posted an update today.
Undecided28 - my doctor took before pictures and is waiting until 3 months to take after pictures - I did have my husband take before pictures so I will get him to take some (and then figure out how to post them!). Maybe they will show some improvement...
I read your review and can relate to the weight gain - I keep hoping it's water/fluid too. My expectation was some immediate results, with continued improvement for 6 months to a year...trying to keep the faith (and be patient)!
Today seems like less numbness and more pain - so maybe things are healing? Maybe I am in a better place mentally because I let some of my pent-up frustration out by posting and feel like someone "gets it"...
Thanks for the tip on bentonite clay. I am going to try it!
Thanks Megan! It is so frustrating to not be able to work out and that is definitely adding to my emotional upheaval.
I did read LaurelC's review - think I read them all before I got the nerve to post here. My hope is that I need to be patient, but so many saw results right away. Of course, many are not seeing results right away, so I am hopeful that, as time passes, we will all triumph over the cellulite. For me, the expectations were set that Cellulaze is an easy procedure with minimal down time and immediate permanent results, which adds to the frustration.
I purposely left out specific information about the Dr. and the office staff. There are reviews of my Dr. (for other procedures) on Real Self with extremely positive feedback, but I do not feel that the "customer service" has been great. I don’t want my disappointment in the results to cloud my opinion about the staff. Yeah, maybe they don’t call back, but maybe I wouldn’t be as upset if I felt this was going well. Really like the Dr. and had faith in him, but don't think he gave me realistic expectations at this point (maybe I heard what I wanted to hear?!). Plus, not having a follow up appt for 3 1/2 weeks is making me crazy.
I think my other mistake (besides believing the hype – which is easy to do when you are desperate to be rid of cellulite!) was not finding someone to confide in, other than my husband (who has never lived with cellulite) and can’t understand why I am so upset. I can make more money, but I can’t get the time back and am struggling with the pain and disappointment. That is why I posted here – to find others who are willing to “listen” and can relate and understand – and hopefully I can help them in some way too. Thanks for replying.
Recent comments
Posted to Cellulaze June 1 - Discouraged - Maryland on 25 Oct 2012
Posted to Cellulaze June 1 - Discouraged - Maryland on 31 Jul 2012
Undecided28 - my doctor took before pictures and is waiting until 3 months to take after pictures - I did have my husband take before pictures so I will get him to take some (and then figure out how to post them!). Maybe they will show some improvement...
Posted to Cellulaze June 1 - Discouraged - Maryland on 21 Jun 2012
I read your review and can relate to the weight gain - I keep hoping it's water/fluid too. My expectation was some immediate results, with continued improvement for 6 months to a year...trying to keep the faith (and be patient)!
Today seems like less numbness and more pain - so maybe things are healing? Maybe I am in a better place mentally because I let some of my pent-up frustration out by posting and feel like someone "gets it"...
Thanks for the tip on bentonite clay. I am going to try it!
Posted to Cellulaze June 1 - Discouraged - Maryland on 21 Jun 2012
I did read LaurelC's review - think I read them all before I got the nerve to post here. My hope is that I need to be patient, but so many saw results right away. Of course, many are not seeing results right away, so I am hopeful that, as time passes, we will all triumph over the cellulite. For me, the expectations were set that Cellulaze is an easy procedure with minimal down time and immediate permanent results, which adds to the frustration.
I purposely left out specific information about the Dr. and the office staff. There are reviews of my Dr. (for other procedures) on Real Self with extremely positive feedback, but I do not feel that the "customer service" has been great. I don’t want my disappointment in the results to cloud my opinion about the staff. Yeah, maybe they don’t call back, but maybe I wouldn’t be as upset if I felt this was going well. Really like the Dr. and had faith in him, but don't think he gave me realistic expectations at this point (maybe I heard what I wanted to hear?!). Plus, not having a follow up appt for 3 1/2 weeks is making me crazy.
I think my other mistake (besides believing the hype – which is easy to do when you are desperate to be rid of cellulite!) was not finding someone to confide in, other than my husband (who has never lived with cellulite) and can’t understand why I am so upset. I can make more money, but I can’t get the time back and am struggling with the pain and disappointment. That is why I posted here – to find others who are willing to “listen” and can relate and understand – and hopefully I can help them in some way too. Thanks for replying.
I will update after my appt on 6/25