April F

Hi Purple Haze, You know, I don't know of anywhere to send you that addresses the question of how to sleep (position-wise) after having a combo tummy tuck and buttock augmentation... I highly recommend posing your question to the doctors on RealSelf (click on the Start a new discussion button to the right).

I've read that massage and lymphatic drainage can really improve your lipo results and I'm glad to hear it's working well for you and smoothing everything out! A friend of mine just recently had some extensive lipo done and is starting to look a little lumpy, so I'll mention the ultrasound massage to her as an option. Also, I'm glad you checked with your doctor re: Arnica recommendations because he/she knows your body and your medical history best and can make customized recommendations for you.

Your 16 wk photos look Uh-mazing! You have such a tiny little waist and perfect hourglass shape! This is one of the best tt results I've seen. Have you been working out during your recovery?

Hi Bootyfull,

I noticed your question regarding how long to wear the compression garment after Vaser. Since recovery from any type of surgical lipo is about the same, you should be able to find the info. you need about how long to wear the compression garment here: How long do you recommend wearing the compression garment after liposuction?

Also, I saw you asked about using Arnica after your Vaser procedure. In answer to the question, Does Arnica cream help with post-Smart Lipo hardness?, Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian said, "The best time to use Arnica is in the immediate postoperative period, but the agent can be used successfully to reduce inflammation in an area of concern at a later stage of healing."

So, according to Dr. Karamanoukian, it would be not only OK but ideal to use Arnica after your lipo procedure. I'm not sure why your doctor said you shouldn't, but I would double check with him before proceeding, as it can be risky to disregard your doctor's unique recommendations for your particular situation.

I hope your recovery is going well!  Please keep us posted :)

Best,
April

Hi 4619anon,

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I'm so sorry you had to go through this awful situation; it's definitely a cautionary tale.  How horrifying to think that doctors, who you assume you can trust with your life, might try to take advantage when you're at your most vulnerable.

If you decide to get a revision surgery, I would definitely recommend spending a lot of time getting to know the doctor you choose and making sure you're comfortable. And if he or she has any problem with a friend being nearby for all of your consults and appointments, I'd consider that a deal-breaker.

Also, it's important to note you do have recourse, here. I would suggest you fill out a health care complaint form with the Hawaii Regulated Industries Complaints Office: http://hawaii.gov/dcca/rico/forms/

FYI - I did run a public records search on the complaint history for this doctor and found the following:

There have been 3 other complaints filed on your doctor over the past 7 years, and in all cases the allegations made were regarding his "failure to comply with laws governing professional conduct." The outcome of each complaint was "insufficient evidence."

Good luck, and please keep us posted on how everything works out.

Best,
April