I have been going there over ten years for Botox and fillers. Liz is whom has always taken great care of me but everyone there is wonderful. They are very professional and the staff is always soo friendly. I am now in the process of thinking about having some plastic surgery done. I would highly recommend to anyone thinking of getting anything done cosmetically they keep up with all the newest things that come out on the market. Oh and there line of face creams are amazing you have check them out!!! Kathy S
I had my original reconstruction for Poland's Syndrome over 10 years ago when I was 14-15. I had Saline implants placed over the muscle. Even though gel implants were available for reconstructive surgery at that time my surgeon went with Saline in order to correct my drastic difference in breast size (he wanted to fill me on the table). While my breasts looked good in an underwire bra, I had one breast that looked obviously fake (no breast tissue on the Poland's Syndrome side) and the other looked very natural as there was a much smaller implant placed only in an attempt to make my breasts look as similar as possible. In a bra my Poland's was unnoticeable but without an underwire there was a drastic difference. I am now 25 and had been considering having my breasts reconstructed for quite some time. I was never happy with the feel and look of my breasts from the previous surgery but always thought it was good enough considering where I started. I honestly didn't have very high expectation going in for my second reconstruction. My main goal was for my one breast that had little to no breast tissue to not feel like a rock under my skin. While I am only 6 days post op, I can say that I am beyond ecstatic with my results. I had double capsulectomy and placement of gel (gummy bear) implants with Strattice. I'm writing on here because I read this site like crazy in the weeks leading up to my surgery and almost talked myself out of having surgery. While it is hard to put complete faith in a surgeon, I did just that (even though I was secretly doubting just about everything he wanted to do). For the first time in my life my breasts look pretty much the same, something I thought was impossible for someone with Poland's Syndrome. While I am only 6 days post op, I feel like I got my Christmas miracle. I actually felt better waking up from surgery than I have for the last 10 years with my old implants! Do your research, find a great surgeon, and trust their judgment! The good ones know what they are doing!
I have been using botox consistently for the last 8 years every 3.5 (in the beginning) to now about 4.5 months. I have never skipped a session and have never extended it past these time frames. I had terrible forehead wrinkles due to genetics and now you do not even see one line on my forehead. After seeing the low amount of people that said it was worth it, I was shocked. If it was not for Botox, I am not sure what my face would look like today. I think the problem I encounter with most of my friends is they are not consistent and want instantaneous results. Stick with it and I promise you will be amazed. I will be 40 this year and my skin looks really young and unwrinkled. Updated on 4 Jun 2015: I recently switched to Botox at Mirabile MD and so far it appears to be decent. They are definitely trying to accomodate how I like my face...ie very little movement in certain areas. This is my second treatment there and after the first treatment I wanted a touch up but had to go out of the country so was unable to follow up. We will see if I need a touch up this time, however, I had her increase the amount of units from the previous time.
I went to Dr. Colyer requesting cellulaze treatment to my thighs. He examined the area and suggested I have smart lipo instead. The reason I wanted cellulaze was to get rid of the orange peel surface on my thighs. I decided to trust his judgement and had smart lipo performed. The first follow up appointment was 5 weeks later, and I was not thrilled with the result. Dr. Colyer told me to massage the thighs for five minutes, three times daily, and to return in 2 months. I really doubted this would work, but I started that day to perform five minute massages three times daily. My husband began to comment on the way my legs were beginning to tighten and smooth out. I had my next follow up appointment at 5 months post procedure, and am glad to report significant and noticable improvement! I will continue to perform five minute massages three times daily until I reach the six month post op date. Just above both knees I continue to have a very small amount of dimpling, but I am so glad I had the procedure done! I would say I notice a 90% improvement, and at the age of 57, I am very happy!
After researching Smart Lipo for over a year, I finally did it on Dec 13, 2012. The procedure was easy, not to much pain, but the meds made me sick to my stomach. I was told to come home and shower every two hours squeezing out the blood and the fluids, what an experience! The next day I was a little sore but up and out of the house. I was back to work on Monday (had the procedure on Friday). I am three week out and can see a major change in my muffin top. That was all I had done however, I wish I would of had the money to go all the way around. I am still swollen but hoping that goes away and my stomach flattens a little more. I have to wear the wrap for one more week which can get uncomfortable but I am sure it helps. The key for me will be what will it be like in one/two years. If I like the results, will go back and do my flanks and back. My advice would be to find a good plastic surgeon to do the procedure. I lift weights, walk, ride bikes (when warm) so I am very anxious to get back in the gym on Monday. I hope this helps!
I'm a 25 year old male. I used to be a little over weight in middle school and as I progressed into high school I dropped the pounds like crazy. I went from a size 36 pant to a 30 (my current size). My body looks great with my clothes on and everyone always would tell me how great I looked. However, I had a 'love handle' and was a little 'jiggly' from losing so much weight (see pictures below). I tried and tried to get rid of the handle but the only things I could tone were my legs and butt from riding the bike for 2 months. Looking into Smart Lipo I decided that this may be what I needed to help get rid of that stubborn fat that I just couldn’t drop. This makes sense if you think about it- men typically store their fat in their torso where women store in in the face, arms, legs, etc. Looking on this site I found some great reviews on a plastic surgeon that was 2 hours away (in Overland Park, KS) and had reasonable prices. In Columbia, MO the only person I could find was nearly double the price ($5500 an area) and used a larger cannula (so you'll have a larger hole = larger scar) on your desired area. After a month of thinking about it I finally just said screw it and scheduled a consult with him. I expressed that I was self conscious about my ‘love handles’ and not having any abs because I could never tone that area and the first thing he recommended was some smart lipo. Cost wise was $2500 an area but if you have multiple areas you want to do you get a $500 discount if you schedule your appointments within 90 days of each other (pretty good deal really). So I scheduled my upper/lower abs ($2500) and then my flanks ($2000). I only had to pay for one area at the time because he likes to wait a month or so to make sure your happy with your results and to make sure everything goes ok. Most plastic surgeons, if you think about it, would recommend a bunch of other things (e.g., tummy tuck = more money). Below is my story of my smart lipo procedure and I hope it helps you decide if it’s right for you! Day 1: 30 minutes before the procedure I took 4 pills total (two for pain and two for anxiety). Once I checked in I paid and then was taken into a very nice room. I changed into a robe, the nurse took some before pictures (one of the front, and two of the sides) and then let the doctor know I was ready. After that the doctor came in and drew on my abs with a marker (he was making landmarks about where he needs to focus and where the cannula insertion points will be). He went to prep everything and left me with the nurse who injected multiple areas of my abs with lidocaine (this numbs the area). About 15 minutes later I was taken back and the fun began. The most painful part of the procedure was the prep. They used a cannula and filled me with tons of saline and lidocaine in all four of the areas that he marked earlier (this was probably the most painful part of the procedure). After that he began his work with the laser. It was pretty painless; he used a very small laser, inserting it in those four points he marked earlier and moving it all around on the upper/lower abs. You'll feel a weird popping feeling under your skin but nothing too bad. After that he begins his work sucking the fatty saline mixture out. This is a little uncomfortable but nothing too bad. This took about 45 minutes to 1 hour. They kept saying they were so impressed with how much they got out this time (it was around 950 cc of fat/saline/lidocaine!). After that the doctor explained to call him if I had any concerns and to make a follow-up to come see him within the next 2-3 weeks. The nurse then began milking my upper/lower abs (which was pretty gross, even for me since I work in the health care field and see a ton of nasty stuff). A bloody mix was pretty much spraying out of the four holes I had on my abs. She said that this and compression is the MOST CRUCIAL part of the procedure. Although it hurts she said every 3 hours for the next couple of days I have to unwrap my abs, milk them (pretty much just start from the top of my abs and go down to milk the fatty mixture out in the shower). After that I need to double wrap my abs in a compression wraps. Compression wraps help decompress the swelling and help give you the look that you desire. The nurse said she couldn’t stress how important milking the area and compression is for the best looking result. She said so many people give up on that and are not happy and it’s because they didn’t follow directions. They give you plenty of pain and anxiety meds, stay on top of that and continue milking! No use in wasting that money because of pain. The ride home (we live 2 hours away) was pretty painful. I had to take 2 pain pills on the way home and felt sick. Once we got home I hopped in the shower and started milking the area and I was so disgusted at how much came out. The shower floor was filled with that fatty/bloody mixture and I was just so nauseated from it. Not only that but it was soooooo painful. It’s really tended but I just kind of bit my lip and did it. I really want a great result from this and temporary pain is worth it. That night my mom came home with me and changed my bed and put a ton of towels down and I still bled through my two compression wrap, gauze, and had blood all over the towels. Also another thing the nurse said that if your bleeding a lot, before 3 hours is up, that means you need to go ahead and hop in the shower and begin milking early. So that’s what I did. It was so hard to keep up with this the first night, every 3 hours getting up, jumping in the shower and milking my sore abs but it’s going to be worth it. Day 2: I’m a little worried because they said I could go back to work 2-3 days from the procedure day and I’m still in a ton of pain. I guess I can- I’ll probably be a little slow though. One night of suffering will be worth it because I have 3 days off after that. Once I get unwrapped I’ll take some pictures today. Updated on 9 Nov 2012: Day 3 (cont): Work was rough. I only had to go in for a 6 hour shift but grr I was in pain the whole night. Eventually I had to take 800 mg of Ibuprofen and then when I got home I was able to take some narcotics and everything was ok again. I took a shower when I got home and uploaded two pictures. Let me know what you think. Updated on 11 Nov 2012: Day 4-6: FIrst off let me say that going back over my previous posts I found a lot of typos/bad grammar/etc. so let me apologize for that. For some reason it won't let me edit it so you'll just have to deal with it. Last night was my 4th 12-hour shift in a row and my pain was much better. Don't get me wrong- I was still very sore but keeping on track with 800 mg of ibuprofen every 4 hours really helped me make it through work. The most painful part was twice when I had to bend down to pick something up. By this time the 4 puncture sites have healed and the milking process is over. I'm just wearing my compression device every day (24/7), massaging my abs, and taking it as easy as possible. I probably won't update that often anymore because now it's simply healing but if anything big changes I'll let you know. Updated on 18 Nov 2012: Week 2: Well the swelling has started to go down but my entire stomach is rock hard; and not in a good way (I assume it's because it's still inflamed from the trauma that entire area went through just a week ago). I added some post-op 2 weeks pics today. Also, I forgot to mention that I gained roughly 15 pounds from the inflammation and what not during the first week. I'm finally back down to pre-procedure weight (which is 150 lbs). Overall I'm happy but hope the process continues to improve as they tell me it will. I feel like now I'm just slightly smaller than I was before and less 'jiggly' but not where I hope I will be. I haven't started working out yet because I still have some slight pain when I bend over. Going to give it another week or two before I hit the bike. I have started working on the diet; less sweets and more fruits and veggies and looking at overall caloric intake/fats/etc. I'll keep you all updated and let me know if any of you are experiencing similar things! Updated on 1 Mar 2013: Well it's been about 4 months. I don't notice much difference but will keep you all updated. I think I've hit my max and am quite happy with it. I need to continue working out and eating well and ill be quite pleased. :)
went in for smart lipo on my flanks today so far so good, OMG the numbing was so painful but everything else went really good, but the draining is aweful changed underwear and clothes 3 times feel really woozey and dizzy maybe from the blood loss been in bed the whole day. as soom as I stop draining I will post pics
I am a 42 year old active woman. I work out 5 days a week and I follow a healthy lifestyle. My decision to investigate Smart lipo stemmed from the fact that there were areas on my body that would not respond to diet and exercise. I interviewed 3 different doctors and I did hours upon hours of research on the procedures. I ultimately selected my doctor because he was very realistic with me and his philosophy was much more conservative as to how many procedures he was willing to preform at a time. He would only do one body part per week. This philosophy proved to be the perfect match for me. On Jan 10th of this year I went in and had my inner thighs done. The following week, my outer thighs, then my stomach, and finally my flanks. Throughout this whole period I took an oral arnica and I used an arnica gel liberally on each area treated. My bruising and swelling were minimal. After each procedure, I was able to cook dinner for my family and go to work the next day with no issues. I have read horror stories on this website, but I think you have to select the best surgeon you can and be realistic about what your end results will be. I do not expect to look like I have the body of a 20 year old, but I am pleasantly surprised by my results thus far. By week 2 of my 1st procedure, my thighs were both 2 inches smaller. 3 days after my upper and lower stomach procedure, I was also 2 inches smaller around my waist. My results will only get better. I am extremely happy with my decision to do this, but it must be stressed here that this procedure is not for the faint of heart. IT HURTS ALOT when the anesthesia is being administered, but this takes maybe 2-3 minutes to be completed. The actual procedure is not painful. Once the doctor has finished with the laser portion and sucking portion, they wrap you up and send you home. It is imperative to "milk out" the residual anesthesia. There is blood and it's not pleasant, but this isn't but for a day or two maximum. My experience thus far has shown that at the 2 week mark, you will see a significant difference in swelling. My legs are incredible! No longer do my inner thighs touch when I put my legs together. What is important to remember is that Smart Lipo does not get rid of cellulite. If you had cellulite before there will be some left, but it is easier to manage when you are inches smaller. I know this is a long post, but if you are on the fence about having this procedure done and you are healthy, do it. I have recovered a confidence that has long since gone away and I am happy with my body. I will add photos when I have a few minutes. The Dr has the before photos and I will add the after. It's only been 2 weeks since my thighs were done and 1 week on my stomach. It has only been a few days on my flanks. That is why my "muffin top" seems worse because of the swelling, but as experience has shown me, in another week or two everything will properly align. Updated on 15 Aug 2013: I just thought I would update photos 18 months later. I am really happy with the procedure and the areas I had done, but I also learned that you can still easily gain weight even after the smart lipo. You just gain weight in different areas than before. 12 months after my procedures I had managed to put on 10lbs and I was frustrated to say the least. I joined weight watchers online and I dropped a total of 19lbs. At this point, I can really tell where I had the procedures performed and I couldn't be happier! I just finished my whole body revision with a breast augmentation by the same doctor so I feel like I was when I was 18, before kids. The new photo is 4 days post-op of the procedure.
Hi, I'm 40 and a long distance runner and have saddlebags and stubborn banana roll on the back of my thighs. I run at least 20 miles a week and love running in Half Marathons and will complete my 13th half this weekend in KC. I've also ran 2 full marathons and a sprint Triathlon. I lift weights, swim and bike. All of these activites keep me in great shape but don't seem to remove or reshape my fat on my legs. I have finally decided to remove it permanently with Smart Lipo. I'm tired of working so very hard and not getting the sleek legs of a runner. I don't need to do this surgery for weight loss but for hereditary stubborn fat. I have visited with 4 different doctors before finally settling on a board certified plastic surgeon. All the doctors examined my problem areas and all said I was a classic candidate for Smart Lipo. With all that said I am scheduled for surgery Nov. 3rd on my outer thigh and "banana roll" (fat at the back of my thighs under my butt). I'm excited and scared. I nervous for the oozing I've read about and the bruising (I bruise easily). Not very scared about the pain. If you have ever ran a full marathon then you understand major leg pain where you can't even lift your leg up a 6 inch step and have to walk downstairs backwards (it looks silly but makes it easier). If I can go through that, I can deal with the pain of this surgery. I'm also nervous for the lumps that some people seem to have. I haven't found any information post surgery about these lumps and how common they are and how long they stay. That is one question I will be asking the doctor about. I will be very diligent about updating my procedure and healing process because I have found this website very helpful but I also haven't found very many reviews about the area's of treatment that I am doing. I hope my review will help anyone else considering Smart Lipo. Hopefully I will receive the results that I want and will be rid of the saddlebags and banana roll forever!! I will upload before and after pictures soon :) Updated on 1 Nov 2011: Ok well I am now only 2 days away from my procedure and I am getting very excited! The nurse called today and moved my surgery from 4:00 to 11:30!! I'm glad I will have most of the night then to rest and recover. To prepare I have bought Arnica pills and gel. Not sure how it works but since I have read so many other people using it I thought I would give it a try as well since I bruise very easily. I also bought 2 spanx and have stayed away from ibuprofen. Hopefully all this will help minimize my swelling and bruising. I will post over the weekend how everything went. Ive posted my before pictures (YUCK) and will post after pictures this weekend. Hopefully in a couple days I will have the nice sleek legs I've always dreamed of. Updated on 4 Nov 2011: WELLLL, Im 24 hours post op. Everything went really well. The numbing part is the worst! Very uncomfortable but the actual procedure was totally painfree. The Dr and nurse were awesome! Made me feel totally comfortable and relaxed. The nurse started by taking before pictures and measurements and then gave me several shots to numb me up before they put in the numbing solution. I was there a total of 3 1/2 hours from walking in the door to leaving. The ended up taking out 1 liter of fat!!!!! Thats just crazy! The car ride home made me feel a little sick but once I got home and ate I felt a lot better. In fact I felt great. Once I was done eating I went right in and started "milking" my legs. Now let me tell ya...that is gross!!! It really just shoots out of you. It made me feel a bit sick to my tummy and dizzy. My sweet wonderful husband has actually came into the shower and done the "milking" for me. He is awesome. He also has helped me get all the bandages back on and wraped back up. Several times during the "milking" I have to stop and lay on the bathroom floor. It really makes me feel weird. I didnt sleep great. I can sleep on my back and tummy and right side fine but my left leg is really really sore. I am already very bruised but I excpected that. I am pretty sore today. Its not like a sore muscle soreness but more like someone punched me in my legs soreness. Milking the left leg hurst like hell but other than that Im not to bad. Sitting and standing are ok. I will post after pictures in a day or so. Im still oozing pretty good and Im pretty lumpy but I think thats from the ace wrap that they put on me when I left and told me to keep it on until today. I just switched to wearing my spanx and it is way more comfortable. I still have maxi pads taped to the open holes because of the draining but it is getting better and will probably be able to switch to a smaller guaze pad later today. Does anyone know..am I suppose to keep bandaids on the wounds until they scab over? I wasn't ever told what to do once the huge oozing is over. Anyway..all is good and so far so good!!! Updated on 6 Nov 2011: Day 3 post op. I am feel alot better. Not as sore as the other 2 days. Yesterday I felt well enough to go out for breakfast and late in the day a movie. Came home and rested the rest of the night. I moved around pretty slowly. It is more uncomfortable than I thought it would be. Its not the same muscle soreness you get from a hard workout or a long run. Its different. I haven't taken any pain med since saturday night. Now just ibuprofen a couple times a day. Totally believe in the Arnica pills. My bruising is getting better everyday and I believe its from taking those pills. Sleeping is tricky..trying to roll over and get comfy. I can't sleep on my sides because of my legs hurting but its not bad laying flat on my back or my tummy. All of the holes are not oozing anymore except the 2 lowest ones on my legs. The right side is more than the left. Still have to wear big guaze pads but I don't have to change them as often. I took a couple pictures the day after surgery of my bruising. I also took some day 2 post op and then again tonight. The ones I took tonight are AWFUL. Im very swollen and lumpy. I'm sure its from riding in a car for 3 1/2 hours and its at the end of the day. UGH. Almost to embarrassed to post them. I have to remind myself that it is going to take alot of time. I do see one spot on my right hip that really sticks out and that concerns me. I'm not sure if the Dr missed a spot or if its just swelling. Guess we will wait and see. If he missed it he will fix it :) PATIENCE PATIENCE PATIENCE Updated on 10 Nov 2011: 1 week- I feel like my legs are 8 months pregnant..LOL. I am getting around much better but still have pain. Its more of an achy pain and if I'm up walking alot it starts to throb. I am able to sleep on my sides again, if I roll slowly into position. The bruising is waaaay better but I still have oozing on the bottom right hole. The very werid thing is that it turned from blood, to watery blood to now YELLOW!! WTH??!! I have no idea WHY its yellow and I have put a call into the doctor. It's not like and infection type of yellow..its bright yellow. I have half of a large maxi pad taped to it and I need to change it about 3 to 4 times in a 24 hour period and its tappering off and I see it getting less and less everyday but still...YELLOW? I'm still pretty lumpy but thats to be expected. I have worn my spanx and a pair of capri under armour leggings religously. I have tried to stay hydrated and rest every moment I get. Not sure how some people go right back to work after having this done. I am luck and work at home so I can sit and stand when ever I need too but I cant imagine going back to a desk job or a standing job right after having this done. I am 1 week out and just now am starting to feel a bit better. No pictures this week because of no changes. This is a long process. It takes patience. Updated on 17 Nov 2011: WEEK 2- Can't believe its already been 2 weeks since my smart lipo. I'm feel better and better everyday. I am still tender to the touch but not as bad. I can sleep more comfortably on my sides now but if I am in that position for very long it starts to hurt. Also going down into a squat is next to impossible. That HURTS. The bruising is almost totally gone. The incisions are all scabbed up and are coming off and the yellow weird oozing stopped on day 9. I still have no idea what it was (the nurse never called me back). The swelling has also gotten better. I had my husband start massaging me this last weekend. It actually felt really good. It was a good hurt I should say. I've heard to massage upward and to do it twice a day for 15mins each to help with the lumps and swelling. I'm also still wearing my spanx all the time except in the shower of course. It hasnt really bothered me at all to wear it. I'm sure it will feel very strange when it comes time to wean out of it. I plan on starting back to exercising this coming Monday. My doctor told me not to run for 4 weeks sooo I am sticking to that. I've hear other people have ran only a week after but I'm going to follow my doctors orders and just wait. I AM going to start swimming and lifting weights but mainly working upper body for the next couple weeks. I have posted new week 2 pictures and I have to say they are looking pretty good. I can still see that I'm swollen but it is much better than last week. The lumps seem to be a tiny better too. QUESTION..does anyone know anything about tanning after smart lipo? Is it ok? Going on a trip over Christmas Break and wondered if it was ok to tan before I go? UNTIL next week...Bye Updated on 17 Nov 2011: I forgot to add that I did take measurments before but I am waiting until 1 month to measure. I don't like to feel discouraged so I am waiting. Updated on 3 Dec 2011: Today I'm at 1 month post surgery. Not much has changed. I'm swollen of course but the pain is much better. I am still a tiny bit tender to the touch but it is improving. I quit wearing my spanx a couple day ago and I can tell in my 2 week picture and 1 month picture that the spanx were helping with my swelling. I feel like my 1 month picture looks worse than my 2 week but I know it's temporary. I did go buy new jeans today and I cried because the big bulge I usually have on the side of my legs were GONE! Felt like I had skinny legs. YEAAAA!!! I started swimming and lifting again and it felt great. I can't run yet. It hurts the sides of my legs. If I hold them while I run they don't hurt but I sure look stupid..LOL. Think I will wait another week and try again. I go to the doctor next week for my follow up and I can't wait to see what my measurements are and to ask him about that stupid bulge on the side of my right thigh. I really hate that spot and want it gone. I will post a short blog next week after my apt. Updated on 5 Dec 2011: Had to share my new jean's picture! For the first time (since kids) I look GREAT in jeans!! No more pushing my saddlebag area in saying "these would look better if this wasnt here" AND actually getting a pair of jeans to fit right!! No more too tight in the legs to big in the waist or gap in the waist because I need to fit my thighs. YEAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Updated on 12 Dec 2011: I had my follow up check up Dec 8th. All went well. I asked about the weird squishy bulge on my right leg and the doctor said he was pretty sure it is just fluid accumulation. He told me to wear my spanx another 3 weeks and to put something in them on that bump as counter pressure. UGH. I dont mind the spanx on my legs where the pressure needs to be but I hate that they go up past my belly and push on my stomach. It gets uncomfortable. Im trying some other things first like an ace bangage and see if that will work and be more comfortable. Also the bright yellow stuff I mentioned the first week was FAT!!! EEWWWWWW. Anyway I am suppose to go back in another month. He also said that if the bulge for some reason didnt calm down after the 6 month mark we could touch it up but silly me I forgot to ask if that was included or if I will have to pay extra for that. I'm pretty hopefully it will eventually go down. I also started running again!! I have to wear BOTH spanx because I need that support or else it jiggles and hurts. I'm sure in a couple more weeks I won't have to do that. I ran 4 miles the first time out. Not to bad for being 6 weeks off. I am seeing alot of swelling going down and I am very very happy with my results!!! I bought a new dress this past weekend and LOVED how it fit!!! I won't post again until 2 months. :) Updated on 4 Jan 2012: 2 Months- Hope everyone had a fantastic holiday season. Everything is going great! The sensitivity is ALOT better and so is the weird numbness. My swelling is improving slowly although I still have the lump on my right thigh. I was suppose to keep wearing my spanx but I just couldnt do it. I didnt see the point of it. I also tried other attempts and putting ace bangages, sports wraps and some water proof tape over the bump but all ended up hurting my leg. The tape actually left burn marks and a scar. Soooo I'm just going to see what time does to it. Hopefully it will just go away on its own. I havent ran for a couple of weeks because of the holiday's and I went to Cancun the day after Christmas. Hopefully on my run tonight I dont have to wear the double up spanx. Also I was worried on my vaca about sun exposure on my surgery areas. I had read that it could cause hyperpigmentation. The first day I applied alot of sunscreen and by the 3 day I was forgetting to apply it and nothing happened to my area's. I tan easily and the area tanned normally. Maybe fair skin people need to worry about it more. I posted a new 2 month picture below. I was suprised to see more improvement..when you see yourself every day its hard to tell that the area is still changing but as you can see its getting better slowly. Probably wont post again until my next appointment which I havent scheduled yet. I do have to say that even if I stayed just like this (minus the lump) I am very happy with my results. I wasnt going for perfection just improvement. Updated on 8 Mar 2012: Hello!! Well its been 2 months since my last post so I just thought I would do a small update. I went for a "check up" last month on my 3 month post op. Everything went great and we talked about possibly doing my inner thighs this next winter. (I have to many races scheduled to do it now) He also said if I decide to do that then they would touch up that stupid pesky bump that WONT go away. At this point I am not sure if I will do my inner thighs or not. It will cost me another $2000 to do them. I just dont know if its work the money. If I don't do it I need to find out if he will at least fix the bump. As far as how I am feeling.....I feel FANTASTIC!!!! No weird numbness, or pain. The only time I feel any sort of weird feeling is after a run in the cold. Its soo strange. I will go run outside in the cold, and then come in and sit down and for a few seconds it hurts and feels like a pins and needles feeling and as quickly as I feel it, it goes away. I guess Im just still healing. Other than that I feel completely normal. I am loving the way my pants fit and I cant wait to loose a few more pounds that I have seem to put on over the winter. I am in full training mode now and have 6 half marathons lined up starting in 2 weeks. So that should help. Ive added a new collage today adding in 3 and 4 month post op pictures. I wont probably post again until 6 months :) BYE :) Updated on 3 May 2012: Ok well here I am 6 months post surgery. I am feeling GREAT!! No pain, no numbness, nothing weird at all in my surgery areas. So good news for those of you reading this and wondering how someone feels 6 months down the road. I have been running A LOT lately and got the best compliment of all 1 month ago during a half marathon. A lady who had been running behind me for awhile came up beside me and said to me " I have got to tell you, I've been running behind you for awhile and you have very nice legs" CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?? Then another lady heard her and said "I have been behind you too and I have to agree with her". THAT MADE ALL THE PAIN AND MONEY SPENT WORTH WHILE!!!!!! I looked at my friend I was running with who knew I had the surgery and she just smiled at me. AWWW What a moment! So I guess if you ask me was it worth it....I would say 100% YES!! BUT I do have a little bump on my right thigh that I would like to disappear and I would have liked more of my "banana roll" area smaller but my saddle bag area is great. I love that I can go into a store and buy pants and shorts and they fit. That was the main reason for the surgery. I am also contemplating getting my inner thighs done this winter but it's more of a money issue at this point. I will post again at 1 year and let everyone know how I am doing. To those of you who are thinking about it...as Nike says..."Just Do It"!!! Updated on 3 May 2012: OH and there is a NEW picture...the one at the bottom with the 4 pictures side by side. That is Before and 6 Months After :) Updated on 13 Nov 2012: It's been a year since my smart lipo and I am happy with my decision. That being said I am going in for a touch up in 2 weeks. I still have the tiny lump on my right hip that I can't stand and felt that my "banana roll" area would have looked a bit better. My banana roll isn't horrible and it IS better than what it was I just felt I would be happier if I have it touched up. I'm hoping the pain and drainage isn't what it was like before. I will post new pictures and an update once everything is done. Wish me luck!!!! Updated on 22 Sep 2015: HI everyone! It's been 4 years since my smartlipo on my saddlebag area & banana roll. I am still 100% happy with my results. Although I have put on about 20 pounds since my lipo because of other health reasons I have gained weight in other areas that I never use to gain weight. YES it is way more evenly distributed. My main issue that I have right now is my upper arms. This area has been a problem just like my saddle bag area. It's just a spot I've had issues with. My arms have always been a bit too big. I have a hard time finding shirts to fit my arms even when I weighed less. SO I am going in for a consultation September 24th with the same surgeon I used 4 years ago. He did a great job then so I am sure he will do a great job now. I'm also contemplating having smartlipo on my abdomen as well. My first priority are my arms but I also want to know what he thinks about my tummy & how much it will cost. At least that way I will be ahead of the game if I decide to do that area as well. I am still running, biking and lifting weights. It seems since I've gained this stubborn 20 pounds I can't get it to budge. I had a total hysterectomy almost 2 years ago & I'm taking Bio-Identical hormones & I think my body has just changed so much that this is going to be my "new" weight. I usually work out for about 5 to 9 hours a week, watch (most of the time) what I eat and I just can't loose the weight. Hence my reason to ask about my abdomen. We shall see what the good ol' doc says Thursday. I will post again after my consultation. Journaling this last time certainly helped me and hopefully it will help others as well.
After more than a year of thinking it over, I have decided to go through with smart lipo to remove the excess fat around my waist. I am 26 yo and 175 lbs. Over the past two years my weight has bounced around between 145 and 190. I have always stored my weight around my waist, regardless of my weight, and I am going through with the procedure now because I am going to be active duty in the Air Force in 2 years, and my waist is still 5.5 inches larger than the maximum allowed size for the physical fitness test.... and I just hate my stomach. I've read countless numbers of reviews on this website...the good, bad, and ugly. I wouldn't have been able to make the decision to go through with the procedure if it were not for the fact that others had blogged about their experience, so I will do the same. Updated on 29 Aug 2011: I forgot to mention that I am 5'7, of that helps put things in perspective. Updated on 1 Sep 2011: On my way home from the procedure. I look about 6 months prego and it feels like I got punched in the stomach. He only did my abs today, and next friday he will do my flanks. The nurse said that there was too much fat to remove all in one procedure!!! Nice huh? 3 hours later...I just got up to take some pain meds. I have some pain in my lower abs. It isn't that bad but I am not about to wait for it to get worse. I don't know why everyone speaks of this "oozing"...it's much more accurately described as gushing! Updated on 2 Sep 2011: I triple applied dressing last night so I wouldn't leak onto my bed, and my efforts were successful. A lot of the numbing has subsided so the tape holding the dressing on is what's bothering me the most right now. As or how I look...it's hard to tell how much is swollen and how much it will go down. There is quite a bit of bruising too. I probably could have made it to class this morning if I really wanted to, but I am just going to stay home and relax today. Updated on 3 Sep 2011: Day 2: finally done oozing! Yay. I did wake up with throbbing back pain though. Probably bc I usually don't sleep on my back, so it has taken quite a toll the last couple days. Either that or my kidneys are screaming "I hate you!" I just took some meds and I am going to try and sit up as much as possible today. My rash has gone down, and the tenderness and swelling is about the same as yesterday. Updated on 3 Sep 2011: Now that I have stopped oozing I decided to put up a few pictures. I know that there is more swelling to go down, and the rash looks horrible, but I am already pleased with the results. Updated on 5 Sep 2011: Day 4: I am feeling pretty puffy today. I weigh the same as I did the day of the surgery and my waist is actually an inch bigger :( Patience, patience. I know it will only get worse before it gets better. My rash and bruising hasn't changed much either. I've got a major case of cabin fever and I really wish I could go to the gym, or the pool, or even work! Maybe I will do a little shopping today... Updated on 6 Sep 2011: Day 5: I just spoke with the nurse regarding the disturbing rash on my tummy. She's having me come in later today to have the doc take a look at it. I am crossing my fingers that it is a betadine allergy and not a burn :( Updated on 6 Sep 2011: Update: The doctor was as confused as I am about this rash-like problem on my tummy. It doesn't really seem to be consistent with a betadine or tape allergy...and it isn't itchy or flaky....it's just weird. He gave me a steroid taper to start today and hopefully that clears it up. As for my surgery this Friday ....it's not going to happen. He wants to make sure this clears up before we reschedule it. So much for the overlap in recovery time :( I agree with his decision though... It's definitely a good idea to make sure this is an allergy, and nothing more serious before we go digging into the remainder of my waist. Updated on 7 Sep 2011: Day 7: I've been on the steroids for a little over a day and it hasn't made a difference yet. Another day or 2 and I will let the doc know if there is still no improvement. The steroids did however keep me up til 3am even though I took 2 vicodin and 2 diazepam at 11 pm. I took my dose real early today so I am looking forward to some good sleep tonight. Against medical advice I went for a 8-9 mile bike ride today. I was so sick of sitting at home, eating my depression away! It was actually easier than I thought it would be...I took my time on a really smooth bike path with no big hills and very few inclines. Updated on 10 Sep 2011: Day 10: Even though this weekend is supposed to be the peak in my swelling I actually felt much better this morning. I started feeling those lumps that everyone talks about under my skin, and I massaged them quite a bit this morning. They are not bothering me at all, and I am actually glad they are there because I know that things are progressing as they should. As for the rash, it's still there. I think it is going down, but that may just be wishful thinking..hahah. I will call the doc on Monday and see what he thinks about it, and see how he feels about getting me on the schedule to get these hideous flanks removed...lol. I took some pictures just now and I will post them. I am probably a little bit bigger than i was that first day after surgery. Updated on 13 Sep 2011: Day 13: I am so close to being able to exercise again! I am concerned that anything I try to do will hurt bc of all these lumps and bumps in my stomach...when you poke my tummy, it feels like I am flexing my abs...that's how many hard lumps are in there. I know I am supposed to be massaging these hard spots but it hurts so badly, and they don't seem to get smaller when I massage them anyways. The red discoloration on my tummy (which I no longer believe was ever a rash) is definitely fading. Hopefully by next week it will be so faded that I can show off some new pics, and also schedule my next surgery :) Updated on 14 Sep 2011: Day 14: I went to Zumba today! Never been more excited to work out :D. I don't weigh or tape myself anymore because it is just depressing. I am going to start dieting ASAP and get off my "I don't feel good/ I need comfort food" kick. Updated on 15 Sep 2011: Day 15: Discouraged :( Updated on 17 Sep 2011: Day 17: I took some pics this morning since the swelling was down. Updated on 19 Sep 2011: Day 19: feeling pretty lumpy, but excited for day 28 bc that's when I am scheduled to have my flanks one! Updated on 19 Sep 2011: *done Updated on 21 Sep 2011: Day 21: Officially 3 weeks out with less than one inch off my waist (and that's on a good day)...bummer :( Updated on 26 Sep 2011: Day 26: I feel like I've been in a recovery plateau since about day 15...nothing good nor bad has happened. That's all about to change. Doctor versus My Tummy part II is less than 2an days away! Updated on 29 Sep 2011: Day 2: Yesterday I had the procedure for my flanks. It was similar to my abs but there are a total of 8 incisions opposed to 4. The numbing part was so so painful and then I was fine from then on out. I am draining quite a bit. Bandaging up 6 leaking incisions is quite a challenge. I should only need to do that a couple more times though. I must have lost much more blood this time around because I am pretty pale and I get dizzy easily...so much for making it to class today. As for the pain post-op I am doing good. My lower back was throbbing yesterday but I took some motrin and it went away. On a more positive note, I was checking myself out in the mirror this morning and I look pretty dang good :D I will post pics as soon as I am done leaking. Updated on 29 Sep 2011: Day 2: New pics! I am basking in this glory of my new hourglass figure before it swells up! Updated on 30 Sep 2011: The official diagnosis on this horrible skin discoloration is inflammatory hyperpigmentation. They used a lower setting on the laser for my flanks and as you can see from my pics, it didn't work. Eventually it should fade on it's own. Good thing bathing suit season is so far away. They said that if it does not fade, then they can do IPL treatments and give me skin bleaching cream. Blah! Updated on 2 Oct 2011: Day4: miserable :( The incisions he made time around were right below my waist of my pants and right where the compression garment ends. I believe my garment and pants rubbed on them all day yesterday because they were oozing throbbing and very inflammed. I took off the compression garment and slept on my tummy last night around 3 am to allow the spots to scab over again. Updated on 4 Oct 2011: Day 7: Why am I still oozing? :( Grrr... I wish it would just scab up like last time. Still in a considerable amount of pain relative to my first procedure .....but life (work/school) doesn't revolve around my comfort level. Swelling isn't so bad but the area is bright red with inflammation despite steroids. Updated on 4 Oct 2011: So I told my hippie psychiatrist about my lipo today...she wasn't thrilled :/ (as was to be expected). She wanted me to adopt sustainable weight loss habits...I told her that there is not more sustainable way to lose the weight then to get it sucked out permanently...she didn't think that was funny (as to be expected). Anyways, I am still oozing, still in pain, not wearing my compression garment because it creases along my sides causes bluish purple indentions (and of course it still rubs on my incisions). I just decided to wrap myself up in one of those exercise waist band things that are made to make you sweat, for support, and I think it might just be the trick I needed. I either need that to work and/or the percocet to set in. Anyways, there's my daily rambling speil. Updated on 5 Oct 2011: Day 8: swollen, check, oozing, check, inflammation, check, drugged, check, frustrated, CHECK! Updated on 7 Oct 2011: Day 10: I went back to the doctor yesterday and he injected lidocaine around my infected incisions than did some compression and cleaned them out. He also gave me another antibiotic to start, and wants to see me again next Tuesday. I will start the new antibiotic today and hopefully things start to look and feel better this weekend. Updated on 9 Oct 2011: Day 12: Out of nowhere today, it was like a friggin water balloon inside of me sprung a leak! One of my incisions just started pouring out fluid. Somehow it must have gotten trapped in there, which explains the inflammation and infection. I can't wait to call the doc and tell him! So, it was really gross, but really good. I might just be on the road to recovery :D Updated on 13 Oct 2011: Day 15: I am posting a picture of my back view today that I am not too pleased with. I am at the peak of my swelling (and I took this pic in the late afternoon), and you can notice that on the left side is much more swolled and very red and bruised...that's the side with the infection. It feels like a giant lump under the skin on that side...it seems that all the massaging in the world couldn't put a dent in it at this point. As for my tummy, it is pretty unremarkable. I think it's a little swollen due to the trauma around it and when all the swelling goes down I will put more pics up of everything. Updated on 14 Oct 2011: Day 16: I emailed the nurse today with that pic of my swollen left side to see what she thought. She says there may still be fluid inside, and that they want to see me Monday again, and i should apply warm compress and massage the area until then. Not only is the lump in a really inconvenient place to massage but it hurts too! O'well, whatever it takes. Updated on 17 Oct 2011: Day 19: The doctor just drew 80 cc of fluid out of my hip and said that it should start feeling much better. He's going to attempt to do it again on Thursday. It wasn't a bad experience at all. I must be pretty numb still because I didn't even feel the needle stick. Hopefully Wednesday I will be able to post some 3 week pics. Updated on 20 Oct 2011: Day 22: The doctor aspirated my side again this morning and got 20 mls of fluid out. He wants to do it again in 4 days. It seems like my body should be able to reabsorb that amount of fluid, and whatever he happens to pull out next week...so I am guessing that my body has sectioned it off like an abcess, and that's why he wants to continually drain it. On a happier note, I finally got a scab over the incision. Updated on 7 Nov 2011: Day 40: Not a whole lot of changes have been going on. I've had fluid drained from my left side 5 or 6 times now, and finally the doctor told me today that I don't need to return for a month. Yay! I weigh exactly what I did the day of my first procedure (68 days ago). Getting back in the swing of exercising after taking more than a month off (due to the complications) has made it rough. I have not gone shopping since my surgery but there is a big difference in the way my clothes that I already had fit me. I wore a form fitting sweater dress this weekend with horizontal stripes, it was great :D. I would post more pics but I really don't look a whole lot different other than the swelling has gone down on my left side. Updated on 28 Nov 2011: It's been 3 months since my upper/lower abs were done and 2 months since I had my flanks done. I have been using a bleaching cream for a few weeks on my abdomen to correct hyperpigmentation, and it is finally fading. The bump below my belly button has not budged or shrunk despite daily vigorous massaging. My flanks are progressing right along. I still have some pretty massive bumps under the skin on the side that was holding fluid, and it's still very numb on that side... but the good side only has one small bump. I am not sure about the swelling. I can't tell if I am swollen, bloated or just a little chubby some days. At this point, if the lumps and skin discoloration were guaranteed to resolve completely, I would say that I am very satisfied w my results. I do like my new shape but I am bummed that I haven't lost more inches around my waist, since that's what matters for work. Thus far, the pics from the day after my flank surgery (in the gray) are my favorite. New pics will be posted soon. Updated on 28 Nov 2011: For some reason my pics are not posting. Will try again soon. Updated on 5 Dec 2011: I had a follow up with the doctor today. It lasted all of a few minutes where he felt my side and then said that he thinks I should get the feeling back soon and that the lumps should soften up and I have a lot of healing to do. He wants me to continue with the compression garments. Are you kidding me!? Blah... I suppose I can use them at night, but I just don't see them making a difference at this point. Anywho, he wants to see me back in 3 months. I am putting up some pics i took a couple weeks ago. Updated on 5 Jan 2012: It's been 4 months since my abdominal surgery and 3 months since my flanks were done. I am not feeling great about my results right now. I am not feeling great about any part of my body right now actually. Blah! Time to crack down and diet I suppose. The numbness and lumpiness has not improved in quite some time. Sometimes when I bend down quickly to pick something up I feel a sharp pain in my side where the lumps are...just like a knot being pulled on. Massaging does seem to help soften it up. Updated on 24 Mar 2012: 6 months! It's finally been about 6 months from my surgery dates. I am still lumpy in places, numb, and i still have some skin discoloration. The lumps are only noticeable to me, and it takes a lot of pressure in just the right spots to feel pain from them. The final verdict: I am pleased with my sides, but not with my abdomen. I no longer bulge over the sides of my pants, just the front. (I can't have it all right?). I've not been able to shake the 10 lbs I've put on since surgery so I haven't taken photos recently. I just don't think one can really compare my before and after pics when I weigh so much more. Heck, maybe once I lose the weight even I will be satisfied with my front side (and my face, and arms...etc). I need to make a follow up appointment with the doctor and I will give an update on that in a few weeks. Updated on 16 Jan 2013: Wow, it's been just about 18 months since my surgeries. After the complications from the second surgery I found it hard to get back into a workout routine again, and then over the past winter I basically let myself go. I always used to judge my weight by how hard it was to button my pants...and now, if I wait until my pants don't button, I am fat all over! My arms, face and legs too! I ended up gaining 20 lbs or more (before I stopped weighing myself). I am now proud to say that I'm only 2 lbs above my pre-surgery weight and the scale is still trending in the right direction. I plan to post pics soon. I don't think nearly enough people on this site post long term follow up pics. As for my progress...the bumps are nearly nonexistent. If they are there, they are not bothering me. I am still very pleased with my flanks, not so excited about my front. There is still some numbness where I had the fluid retention, and the skin is slightly indented in that area. On the other side there is a little bit of unevenness as well in one spot, but I'm probably the only one who will ever notice it. As for the skin discoloration, it's nearly gone as well. I will likely be the only one to ever notice what's left of it. I can't wait to post pics! It gives me motivation to lose more weight!
