Melanie Carreon, MD

I’ve wanted to have liposuction for about 30 years. After giving birth to my son, I just felt my body was so bad that diet and exercise would do nothing to help me. Trust me I’ve tried and would give up when I didn’t see results. My surgery was yesterday (3/23/23) and I can already tell the difference in my body. I’m wearing my garments and buying more so I can switch them out and use one for the gym. I’m so excited about this change. Pain level is between a 3-5 but nothing serious. 1 day down 182 days to go. I will update every month to show my journey.

I have done a lot of research about the procedure and also researched a lot of doctors in my area that performed this type of procedure. I've came across Dr. Melanie Carreons office and did the same thing that everybody does looked at before and after photos and read reviews and then I ultimately made a consultation with her. The first day I met her and had a consultation with her and Priscilla I was immediately comfortable I had a great experience with them the doctor was very knowledgeable and definitely made sure that since it was my first time I had all my questions answered and assured me that I would be able to see a difference and that I would be able to be comfortable in my skin as long as I follow the post treatment rules and continue wearing the Faja and binder for the exact amount of months. I was extremely scared the day of the procedure I was extremely nervous but going into the office I was comfortable with the people around me I don't remember much of the procedure because of the medication that was given but I definitely am so appreciative that I got that medication because I didn't feel a single thing. It was a smooth ride home I had my husband there to help me throughout the entire process. The next week was a little bit rough but with taking the pain medication it helped and I was back on my feet walking around right after that and the feeling I have after having the procedure is definitely a lot more confidence in myself and I am so so glad I did this procedure with this doctor. I obviously have not posted before and after photos because of my own personal reasons but if I feel secure enough I will circle back and post them but I definitely recommend this treatment if you are struggling with weight loss in stubborn fat areas like me I've tried almost everything from meal plans to strict work out with a trainer and for some reason nothing ever did the trick except this procedure. Hi did it right before Thanksgiving which I don't recommend because it was kind of hard to eat regular food after because of the swelling and you wanna stick to a strict diet but I've felt so good in my clothes and the inches I lost I felt amazing in my jeans I went from a size large in close to a small medium even with having to wear the Faja in the binder. I recently had my three month follow up in January and it went amazing I lost inches around my waist everything looks good and is still healing I'm still in the process of wearing the garments and I love that I can just try on clothes and not feel the anxiety and the shame I felt before in my skin. I highly highly highly recommend you making a consultation to speak to this doctor and Priscilla if you were thinking about this treatment I assure you you're in good hands I was promise that I was in good hands and I was well taken care of and I have nothing but good things to say about this office and this doctor say I'm thinking about going back for another area that I should've touched in November but haven't made a decision yet if you are wanting this procedure this is the doctor you wanna go through!!

Wow. I won’t say this process was painless. The first 2 weeks I was miserable. I was extremely swollen and wondered why I even did it. Week 2 I was extremely depressed.

All I can say is, thanks to a reviewer here and her guidance I stuck with my massages, eating well, working out when I felt up to it, and wearing my faja.

4 weeks in, wow. I can’t be more happier with my results. The pictures say everything.

I had had 2 kids and after kid 2, no matter how much I worked out, I couldn’t lose weight. I cycled constantly and ate well and nothing worked.

I decided to make this plunge because I knew I loved working out just hated how I looked.

4 weeks later, wow. Dr. Carreron is just amazing. I loved meeting her. I loved her bedside manner. I loved her nurses. I absolutely cannot wait for my 8 week after photos so she can see her amazing work.

I am 2 weeks in and seeing a transition of my before and after results! I am impressed! I am
Still a little swollen but that is to be expected. The spa was such a wonderful experience from the minute I arrived to the minute I left. The staff is very accommodating and the doctor is warm and welcoming. I had my upper and lower abs, waist, hips, pubic area and bra roll. I think the most unpleasant feeling after was my back, it was so sensitive. I only leaked for one day and just felt bruised after. It was so worth it!

Updated on 24 Jun 2021:
You can see the transition from the day of operation to day 14. I am still swollen but it’s starting to feel better when I get up
To do things. I’ve also started back at the gym just walking and doing the elliptical. Becareful of your sodium intake, you will feel bloated and it makes you stretch out. I will post more at the first month. Just went down a size in my faja.

Updated on 14 Jul 2021:
Couple of progress pictures from the one month mark. My stomach has its days that it fluctuates. Sometimes I feel like it’s flat and others I feel bloated. But I’ve been on the road traveling so I am sure the foods I’ve consumed are full of sodium. I’ve started back at the gym and can do full range of motion. After about 30 mins of running, my back is a little sore because that is where I had the most fat taken I think. Overall I feel great, I wear my faja 23 hours a day. It’s starting to get loose, but I don’t think I’m ready to go down another size yet. Overall I am still happy with the results

Updated on 23 Jul 2021:
Just wanted to continue updating as I am approaching my 2 month mark in the next couple of weeks. I have noticed the swelling is continuing to go down and I am starting to shape a little bit more. I have been working out to my full capacity but have noticed it is different trying to do sit-ups again. I am slowly building back into doing those. My back doesn’t hurt anymore when I run, just a little tender afterwards. I have been doing a lot of squats to help with some of the fluid retention in my legs. I think my legs got a little bigger since my operation but nothing too crazy. I still wear my fajas daily and while sleeping at night. I tried to go down a smaller size but my hips are so wide it’s just not happening. Lol.

So let me start off by saying I'm 5'6" and at the time of my procedure, weighed 203 lbs. I consulted with Dr Carreon and decided to get upper abs, lower abs, love handles, pubis, waist and bra line.The day of the procedure, I barely remember a thing. I was well sedated and remember very little of the procedure. I remember my abdomen and back feeling very heavy. Dr Carreon and staff were amazing and I left feeling as if I was well educated on exactly what to expect.It took some time but I'm very pleased with my results. The swelling was worse than I had imagined for the first 3 weeks. I'm not going to lie, there were times when I wondered why I spent the money. But sometimes around week 4, things really changed. The pics I am posting are from the night before vs. Week 4.The difference is amazing and my waist is to die for! All I wanted was to look good in jeans and I do. I still have some pockets of swelling on my lower abdomen so I wouldn't be surprised if my body continues to become more shapely. Thanks Dr Carreon

So I’m three weeks post Smart Lipo and I couldn’t be happier with the results.
The doctor mentions that you should go in with the menatlity/idea that you should expect at least 50% resulys but it definitely feels/looks closer to 70-80%. If you can be happy with that type if results then definitely DO IT.

Initially I was skeptical as to how much the doctor could do with a males body but she definitely targeted those areas that were of high concern for me and she did them SO WELL.

A would without a doubt do it again.

Initial meeting :
My fiancé did a lot of research on Lipo and new minimal invasive treatments similar to Lipo and he landed on Dr. Carreon for his procedure ( which is still a couple weeks away). He convinced me to also get a consultation and was very confident Dr. Carreon could deliver the results we were looking for. As soon as I met Dr. Carreon she made me few comforted and confident in this journey. Her staff is amazing especially priscilla , she has answered every question and is so nice !
Procedure:
A Key to prepping for the procedure , knowing the procedure process and how to take care of yourself post op - read all the paperwork ! My fiancé read it to me so many times that when I went in the day of my procedure I knew which boxes we were checking off .
I slept through 95% of my procedure. I just remember being cold at times and flipping over . It was easy - I would do it again.
Post op :
I am writing this on day 10 and I feel great, might workout today! The first three days I had more bruising and then just tender areas after that. The worst part is wearing both garments day and night. Sleeping has been difficult because it's so uncomfortable and I wake up a lot to just walk a bit and adjust myself .
My advice :
This journey is about you which requires a lot of self love. Dr Carreon does her job the day of the procedure but it's your job to eat well, follow her advice , do additional research, take your vitamins , create a plan that will help you reach your body goals because it's not going to happen over night.
My current concern:
I do have a hard lumpy area around my tummy. I've been massaging it but I'm hoping Dr. C can provide more direction and feedback this week when I meet with her for my first post op appointment.

Updated on 21 Jul 2020:

I have to say Dr. Carreon and her staff are amazing. They did all the procedural safeguards and made me feel comfortable. I’m only a few days post op but I already see fantastic results. She was honest about what to expect. I’m still swollen with some pain. I'm following all her recommendations far as keeping my garment on . I can’t wait until most swelling go down because I’m already ecstatic.

She is amazing! I got smart lipo in my lower/upper abs pubic sides and my bra roll. My results do far have been amazing it's do crazy how small my stomach is. I'm 10 days post op and went for my first lymphatic massage (wish I went sooner) as I was starting to get fibrosis in some areas. I highly recommend them as they will make you feel so much better.I should have went 24-48 hours after my surgery. The swelling is there especially in my pubic area at times it was really scary but completely normal. But so far so good I cannot believe my results. The doctors assistance are amazing as well and always available for any questions I have. There bedside manner is so nice and they walk you thru every step of the process. If I could do it again I would with the same doctor no questions asked.

Updated on 1 Mar 2020:
My results are getting better and better. This is my 5th massage so far from being post op they really are helping me so much. My stomach gets softer each time and the fluids are less and less. My swelling has gone down alot and you can see my figure.

Updated on 26 Mar 2020:
Just about 7 weeks post op. Still have minor swelling but nothing too bad. Continuing to wear my faja daily for the best results. Continue to workout as well with cardio and I'm definitely feeling back to myself.

Updated on 5 May 2020:
3 months post op already. I love that my curves stayed with me I was worried about looking too thin. Not that I thought at the beginning I would look this good. But ladies be patient it's coming along great.

Updated on 24 Jul 2020:
Just wanted it update my progress. Really glad to hear it helping alot of people decide to go forward with Dr. Carreon. You won't be disappointed. Feel free to reach out to me if you have questions or concerns

So far on day 4 post op (surgery done 02/05/20) but I can already see my figure coming in! It's been uncomfortable, but worth it so far! I got my upper/lower abdomen, waist, pubic, and bra rolls done for round one. I go back 03/04/2020 for my arms and upset back.

Updated on 9 Feb 2020:
Definitely more uncomfortable than painful. The garments really are a blessing. I took 1/2 off to wash it, and could feel the difference immediately. The binder is awkward, but it definitely helps. My public area has been the worst in terms of swelling, but that was expected. So far it’s been tolerable.