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It sounds like your surgery went very well. Congratulations. It sounds like you have undergone quite a transformation. It must be a wonderful feeling. I had smart & traditional lipo done on my love handles, inner/outer thigh & stomach on May 16th. I was put under due to the number of areas involved. My pain was not that bad but I could not have epinephrine so I still have bruising & swelling a month later. To respond to your question the only area that still is numb for me is my stomach. I don't know how long it takes to come back either. Has your feeling returned yet? My big problem is that my skin near my belly button is very wrinkled from having my daughter (she's 13) and it has not improved since the procedure. My plastic surgeon said that he could try to gather the skin near the belly button but it usually does not look that good when they do it. I wonder if anyone else had experience with this and what the solution was if any?? Let me know. Thanks, Michele

Hi Annie, Well so far so good. My surgery went well on Friday, 5/16. My PS did put me under general because he did combo of regular and smart. I went to his office today and he said even with the swelling he thinks it looks good already. (What else would he say) but I am excited!! I am too squeamish to really take a good look yet. Still wearing compression garment. He wants it on for three weeks. Only off to shower. Did you feel tired at all after yours? I feel exhausted almost like I would with the flu. Also have a huge headache. I don't know if this is common of lipo or just anesthesia. I will give it a few weeks and post before/after if I can figure out how. I am not very computer savy but I'll try. Hope all is well with you. Michele

Annie, Thanks so much for the positive encouragement. I'm glad you had a good experience. Do you mind me asking what kind of anesthesia you had? I have read that most people have smart lipo done with local anasthesia only. I met with surgeon's nurse yesterday (my last appt. before surgery next Friday) and she said he prefers to use general because of the number of areas and the fact that it is smart w/suction and some traditional lipo. I was shocked!She said that they may opt for sedation, which I would be much more comfortable with but will decide that day. I had a rhinoplasty done 4 years ago and had a tough time coming out of general so my hesitation to do it again is based on that experience. (I would not take a breath when they pulled out the breathing tube so my lungs filled up with fluid). It was the same plastic surgeon whom I trust completely and he said that it was a rare occurence and should not happen again. Thanks for getting back to me if you have the time. I will keep you posted on how it goes next week. Have a good weekend. Michele

Hi Annie, I am having the procedure on May 16th. My plastic surgeon's nurse said that I'm going to be purple I'll be so bruised without the epi, "but it's only a color" she said. Not very comforting. I will let you know how it goes. My husband is supportive of what I want to do but it helps to chat on this site as I am not comfortable telling other family members. They have always considered me the "skinny" one in the family and while I've been fortunate to not have a weight problem after having my daughter there are just some places that carry excess fat. Thanks for responding. PS How was your experience overall? Take Care, Michele

I am having a combination of smart lipo and traditional on my love handles, outer thighs, stomach, and a bit on the inner thigh too. Because of the number of areas involved, I am having it done at an ambulatory surgery center. I am very worried about bruising. Usually the surgeon uses epinephrine to cut down on this but I cannot have it because of a sensitivity to it and caffeine. Has anyone had this procedure without the epinephrine in the solution and how where your results/bruising?? I am 41yr.old female, mother of one. I am not overweight at all (weight approx. 120lbs) but we spend a lot of time at the beach and hate having to throw a cover up on because I am too self conscious to stand up without it because of these few problem areas. Thanks, Michele