I decided to get lipo after years of struggling with my mid section. Losing weight would cause me to lose the hourglass shape I had & I never seemed to lose the weight from my belly so I mainly focused on working out. So I decided on lipo. My normal weight is 132 pounds and I am 5 foot 2 or 3. Day of procedure I was 136.
Dr. Long is awesome. I decided on Dr. Long because I wanted to go with someone in Dallas and someone who ONLY does lipo and/or fat transfers. Although, I wasn’t interested in a fat transfer, I felt he knew the overall shape I was aiming for because that’s what he is used to creating with the BBL. He didn’t try to up sell me to the BBL/fat transfer, and agreed lipo only was best. (Which I respected.) Once you speak with Dr. Long and set up your appt, he is very hands on and is open to questions. I had lots.He is very generous with his time, which can make him late for another appointment but he always makes it up to you. He was also generous with what he gave me post op. I know some doctors charge for all the garments and waist trainers and it other accessories but he doesn’t. For someone considering doing this: 1. plan for extra time off. Ya, some people might be able to go back to work in a few days, but I wouldn’t plan on it. 2. Drink lots of water. Like way more than normal. He tells you that for day one. But keep that going or else it feels impossible to have a bowel. 3. Have a helper that is strong (if possible). The only thing I needed my helper for was helping me put on my garment because it’s so tight. (My weight is heavier than what the Faja says so maybe that is why.) 4. Keep your garment on even when you feel like you are going to explode. (Especially at night!) I went to a larger garment one night and it felt better for a few hours until my body just swelled up in that new extra room and then it felt the same as the first one. Note: I have found its better to wear my larger garment when trying to “exercise” going for walks, light arm weights. 5. ICE. For some reason, I never see this recommended anywhere, and dr long didn’t mention it but it has been a lifesaver for me day 4-6 for the swelling. 6. Dr. Longs after photos are taken the day after the procedure which I think is important to realize as you are really swollen after and most doctors do after photos when you are more healed. 7. Buy maxi pads. They help when you get swollen so your vagina lips don’t get swollen and protrude out the opening at the bottom of the garment.
Updated on 4 Jun 2020:
Apparently, the smaller you are the faster you recover from this? Might be true... but I haven’t been able to eat much at all and am up 10 pounds post op from swelling. It gets really bad at night, even if I sleep in an elevated position. I heard some PS say some can go back to work in 2 days or work out in 2-3 days. Well, I am here to say at 135, swelling does not discriminate! No way could I be working right now.
I did go for a walk though. Verrry slow pace and took some 3 pound dumbbells and did some arm stuff for 15 minutes so I’m not sitting around or anything. Actually, it hurts to sit from the swelling so I try to just keep busy. Ibuprofen has not helped the swelling. Tylenol seems pointless, as I am not in pain. Just uncomfortable to the point of insomnia.
I saw Dr. Long yesterday and he gave me some compression socks which cover the whole leg and seem to be helping with my legs.
Here are some photos of day 3.
Updated on 4 Jun 2020:
Bruises are going away. Still feel really swollen but I am only +1 pound from the day of surgery. My butt is looking super flabby since the swelling is kind of going down and I did NOT do the BBL, lipo only. Can’t wait to start lifting and building muscle in my butt again. Just feels too early with the incisions.
I walked 13,000 steps yesterday, not All at once though. Got really swollen after just 7,000 and had to ice up but it was also 90+ degrees. I woke up feeling and looking a lot better. I could not imagine sitting at a desk job all day though. If I had a regular 9-5 I would take 2 weeks off.
Here are some 1 week photos.
Updated on 4 Jun 2020:
For some reason these photos didn’t post when I added them with the update below.
My review has to be 200 characters to post this so I’ll just add how important i have found it is to drink water to go to the bathroom. I am now drinking over a gallon a day, (approx my weight in ounces 135oz) and maybe that’s helping speed up the recover
Updated on 8 Jun 2020:
I’m 11 days post op now. Sleeping is getting easier. Officially don’t have to switch between my med & large Faja and waist trainer. Wearing the medium in both with an ab board and sometimes a lumbar board. My incisions are looking better on left side than my right. One opened up a bit the other day but it more seemed like it was a scab bleeding. I included photos.
I am now 2 pounds below my weight on operation day. And swelling feels better in certain areas besides in the middle of the night when I wake up. But things feel lumpy and don’t look as flat and even as when I was more swollen on day 6.
I am getting nervous that my stomach won’t be flat because my back is looking great and smooth but not my front. I’ve been massaging which seems to be helping But I’m still anxious.
I feel like part of the problem is my measurements I’m currently a 38-27-40. I feel like I could use a tighter garment in my stomach area but I can’t downsize because my hips are so large and my sternum hurts. I tried a metal corset the other day for a few hours so I could customize where I was tighter but took it off eventually because I didn’t want to be going against my plan from my PS.
I guess I just need to be more patient. I just expected to be looking better for each day, not worse.
Updated on 16 Aug 2024:
Posting for a user who asked for an update. I weigh 135, same weight as when I had this done. My scars healed beautifully, back is still smooth, but stomach never got better. Sometimes it appears lumpy or saggy in the top portion, not smooth. Got a second opinion a year and half post and they said I should have used garments tailored to my frame because I don’t match up with standard sizing in order to have it be tight enough on the stomach. I don’t think a tighter garment would have changed the fat that wasn’t removed in my stomach… just maybe helped for a smoother result. Hope this helps!