These lipomas on my back were hurting. I needed them out. Dr. Hendrix was booked up for about a month until I could get in for my office procedure. I kept calling his office to see if they had any cancellations. His nurse always called me back. He had me put bactroban on my incisions for infection control.
Seven years ago I started a series of very challenging losses with the death of my spouse, a stroke from a chiropractic adjustment- and breast cancer. Thankfully I've come out on the other side -I'm still here and I know that I want to live the best life possible. Throughout all of my challenges my activity level really decreased and I've seen my body changing due to that lack of exercise and age too I suppose. I try and eat cleanly but when I'm bored or depressed I hit the sugar! Wow did all that catch up with me! I've tried wraps, I have tried T-25 and for the last 5 months I've been seeing a personal trainer twice a week. The trainer has helped me with my strength (a lot!) and I'm so happy about that but it has done absolutely nothing for my midsection. Seeing a picture of myself from just the right angle with just the wrong shirt on recently really prompted me to say enough is enough! I am getting liposuction! After doing some research I figured out that I wanted smart lipo. Yesterday I had a consultation at SonoBello, today I pulled the trigger and made an appointment for the procedure! I'm attaching some before pictures because as hard as it was to even take them I know that this will help me see my progress through this process as well as hopefully help someone out there. Thank you! Updated on 22 Mar 2015: I've always been small, I am 5'2" and 129. I don't gain weight in my arms or legs so people tend to not take me serious when I complain about my midsection. Plus I have a wardrobe to disguise it- I was truly horrified to post the before pics- it made me look hard at what I knew but rarely look at. Also it made me feel totally justified in my decision. I am not letting anyone know with the exception of my closest friend and daughter. So I am really banking on it not being too difficult of a recovery that I can't conceal it. How many of you hid it from the people you live with? I feel embarrassed to share this with my circle of friends, it's a very personal thing for me. Updated on 27 Mar 2015: I had my pre-op appt yesterday, it was scheduled for 10:30 and I waited for about 30 minutes to be called back and then for about 30 minutes in the exam room waiting to be seen by the doctor. The staff is all very nice and I really like Dr Hendrix so I will overlook the delay. Sometimes that happens. I asked the questions I had, and he told me about the procedure in detail. Then the nurse took pictures and gave me my prescriptions. I walked out feeling very positive about the whole thing. Especially because he said that I was an excellent candidate and that I should see great results. Updated on 2 Apr 2015: Like I said in the title of this review, I've always had the image of a'skinny' person, most of the time I have even believed it myself (except for my jeans cutting into my waist!) But when the TRUTH is captured in photos- well there is no more hiding behind my wardrobe of midsection hiding tops or good angles from cameras - the belly is there!! ugh After working hard with a personal trainer several times a week for six months... I still have this middle that hasn't improved. I am at a point in my life where I can honestly say- everything I do to improve my appearance is for me. I don't think that I could have said that 15 or 20 years ago, not about the smart lipo or the rhinoplasty I did in '13. I want to feel pretty, fit and healthy- and I want to SEE that when I look in the mirror. So here are a couple more of honest shots of me, just as I really am...well, for another 8 days! Updated on 7 Apr 2015: 4 years ago this month I had a double mastectomy. of course this was devastating for my self esteem, watching my body be deconstructed through the surgery and losing my hair and nails from the chemotherapy and finally the burns from the radiation. I was spent emotionally, but had a peace about it because I was alive. It has taken years to gain my health back. Fast forward to now, I decided that I won't stand by and watch my body dilapidate from age, hormonal changes etc- I hit a brick wall when I realized that the horrible pictures of me were actually the way that I looked and that my dedicated effort on changing my health was not going to restore my body to something that I could be comfortable with. I used to be a 36 full D and now I am a small B. thats the best they could do with what they had to work with after the removal of my cancer. This has made my middle look bigger quicker, i used to be able to offset a little extra but with a smaller chest, my belly cannot be disguised. Thats my backstory... my procedure is in 39 hours. Excited to take control of my body and reclaim a positive self image. thank you to all of you who read this and who share your stories with this community- You really help in doing that! Updated on 9 Apr 2015: Doc H had to get to Ku next door and get betadine since I'm allergic to closes prep. Suspense is killing me. Plus I'm getting loopy! ???????? Updated on 9 Apr 2015: I've been to dopey to post earlier! But I've made it to the other side and I'm excited to see results! The procedure it self was more uncomfortable that I wanted. I was never in agonizing pain but it was uncomfortable and they gave me a shot of Demerol because I was so miserable. After that it really just tickled and not in pleasant way but it tickled. The pills they gave me off the bat when I got there; Percocet, Xanax and one for nausea. Ultimately, he removed 1500 cc. He had told me that I was a good weight and I didn't need debulking I needed lipo sculpture and he loves to do that. Right now I'm sore. Which tells me the next few days will be quite horrible. But I can get through it and I can't wait to see my new middle Updated on 10 Apr 2015: Last night was not too pleasant. I had set up for 'after' on my bed, but getting in and out of it was waaaaay too hard. So I move to a recliner in the family room. The recliner was better but when I dropped the remote control I just couldn't bend... So I was stuck with"worlds best pressure cooker" and "shark vacuum cleaners " until it finally turned off when my dog stepped on it. All joking aside- the pain is for real. The good news is it's not constant, you feel it when you move from sitting to standing or trying to adjust yourself and back up again. I took a shower this morning, unfortunately I forgot to take pics, I will take some in tomorrow For now I took a picture of my back side in my garment (keep in mind I have pads underneath it.) today I'm wearing a pair of jeans -my softest and loosest around the wast- and with pads, compression garment, AND binder they are still loose and comfy. I take this as an awesome sign!! Updated on 10 Apr 2015: Updated on 10 Apr 2015: One of my incisions burns a little so I too everything off to put a bit of neosporin on it. Took advantage of the photo op. Updated on 12 Apr 2015: I did entirely too much yesterday and I could feel the swelling kick in. So I got off my feet and I felt the tightness subside. Getting in and out of bed has also improved although it's not pain free. I was up by 4:00 am because my neck and shoulders are stiff from sleeping propped up on pillows. This morning I am itchy at my insicion sites so that means healing! When I was getting in the shower I took my 2 days post op pictures. Here they are! Updated on 14 Apr 2015: I'm Feeling better, no doubt, but I still have pain when I move and when I'm jostled while driving. When I got in the shower this morning I noticed my abdomen is tight from swelling. My postop directions said that I coul forego the velco binder after day 3 - I think I swelled more without it yesterday and movement was more uncomfortable- so I'm putting it back on today. I can feel some spots that are maybe hard lumps? I give them the slightest massage while showering. That's it for today, happy healing! I do realize that it super early on, so I'm not concerned. I don't know why I hav been struggling with eating right- I certainly did NOT lose my appetite! lol Updated on 16 Apr 2015: Its been a really sllllooooow week! I have had very little bruising, but I felt like a sausage in a casing the first few days with my swelling in my compression garment. I purposefully did not look and evaluate my every change all week, I do better just waiting until there might be a substantial difference. Less obsessive thinking for me. I have my one week follow-up this afternoon, where I hope I to order a stage 2 garment- these zippers down the side make it convenient to put on and take off but for anyone with work on the waist and hips they dig in right at that spot. So, after my shower this morning - I pulled out a swimsuit that I have not been able to wear for 4 or 5 years... I carefully put it on, not expecting to be able to pull it off- I didn't want to dissapoint myself.... AND IT FITS!!! doing a gentle happy dance since I am still quite sore. but dancing anyways. Yes, I have already identified an area that I think is bigger but right now I'm just going to enjoy this moment of success. (my right hip is the area) That hip is the most sore, so maybe some of it is swelling. I really wish I had a before pic in this thing- actually I would not have posted a before in it because it was absolutely ridiculous looking!! (big man in a little coat-lol) Updated on 24 Apr 2015: my belly is feeling better every day- the few areas that feel tight or lumpy are improving although i feel pain when I do the massaging. What I am thoroughly enjoying is my clothes! Yikes, I must have been busting at the seems before. Now it all feels terrific! Updated on 26 Apr 2015: I commented about being so happy with my clothes now. It can be seen in this old pair of khakis. They are several years old- and even when I bought them they never fit like THIS! I had stopped being able to wear them at all about 8 months ago... But they are back in the lineup Updated on 27 Apr 2015: I was asked about my CG. The compression garment I have is one from my doctors office. I did buy a foundation garment at Dillards when I got frustrated with my stage 1 and my stage 2 had not arrived yet. I will tell you that the ones that are not medical grade, even though they're excellent foundation garments are just simply not made for 24 hour wear even if they do provide strong enough support. You may notice that when you try to wear them for that long. I believe it's in the material and seams-the ones for 24 hr wear are smoother and softer without compromising compression. this of course is just my opinion- but anyways this is the information on the one I have. The brand is ISAVELA. they do have a website. Hope that helps.
