I had never intended to seek out liposuction as a procedure and never put any thought into it until very recently. My primary goal was always rhinoplasty until a friend mentioned her having liposuction years prior and how great it was. I've always had "problem spots" and just decided to see how much it would cost since I would already be under general anesthesia and in theoperating room. I figured if the price was right I would go for it.
The doctor I chose for my nose has a partner he works with for body procedures since he is a facial specialist. I was able to get into contact with Dr. Pollack very quickly after my rhinoplasty consult. Due to covid we sent pictures online and we did all consulting on the phone till surgery day.
He was very explanative, answered all my questions, talked me through everything and gave me a great price for multi procedure discount and since I'm an RN.
He assured me it would feel like a hard workout, I'd be sore a few days and it would be smooth. He explained the incisions would be no bigger than 1/4 inch and placed discreetly and we agreed on my hips, abdomen and inner thighs. He assured me of there were any irregularities or issues within 6 months any followup (minus anesthesia) would be covered, but the risks were low. I was told I have thick, elastic skin which helped me to be a good candidate.
I decided I'd go for it, as this opportunity was unlikely to ever arise again for the price point!!
Updated on 9 Jun 2020:
We marked and agreed upon my problem spots preop.
Postop the first thing I noticed when I woke up was how bad my elbows hurt from the postion they were in during the procedure. They put bandages on my incisions and foam pieces and a girdle with an opening to go pee and poo- all before I woke up. My whole abdomen was pretty numb from the lido, but otherwise a bit sore. The doc came in and said everything went great and he got 4 pounds out and tried to numb me as much as possible.
My friends helped me up to pee and they sent me on my way.
Right when I got home I took 2 norco, between the nose and body I was hurting. I was very very sore and stiff as the day progressed and the lidocaine wore off. The body started to bother me more and more as the nose bothered me less. My friend had to help me go to the bathroom I was so sore.
The doc said to expect drainage from the bandages for the first 2 days so I kept padding under me to catch it but I never saw any. Orders were to keep on the girdle till I saw him in office monday for him to remove all the bandages.
My ultimate low was at 5am the morning after- my meds wore off too early and I had to wait for my next dose and was so uncomfortable between my body and nose, it was a definite low point. I took my dose at 5am and fell back asleep the best i had since surgery.
Updated on 9 Jun 2020:
Things were starting to get more uncomfortable. I would say a hard workout is not totally accurate (lol) but quite a bit more sore. By afternoon though (24 hours) I was getting myself up to the bathroom and making myself soup and my friend was able to leave. It was slow moving but I knew the more I moved the better I'd feel- and I did.
I tried to use ice packs as much as possible but with all the bandages they couldn't quite get to the source- it definitely helped a little though.
I spent this whole day taking my norco every 4 still to get me through it and napping- i knew the next day would likely be the worst.
Updated on 9 Jun 2020:
As expected..like a hard workout- this day was the most sore. I left too big of a gap between my meds and had another mini breakdown at 9am when I got up.
It was also the day of my appt to get my foam and bandages removed under the girdle. My friend brought me- 0 chance i could drive. He removed the girdle, checked the incisions, took all the padding and said everything looked great just swollen. He said my bruising was very minimal. My skin still felt SO numb and weird and tingly and creeped me out a bit. This he said would last for up to 6 weeks..yikes.. I got the ok to shower from neck down and to wash the girdle.
I knew this was 0 percent happening this day. We set up a video appt for 2 weeks and he said tomorrow would be better. I went home again- took 2 norco and passed out.
When i woke up around 5pm I felt much better and had a feeling i had already reached my lowest. Now that the foam and bandages were gone ice packs felt like heaven on my tummy and thighs. I just rotated them around over the girdle and SO SOOTHING. With this I was able to start weaning my norco down to 1 tab with 1 tylenol tab (making sure to stay below 4g a day). I set myself up with my icepacks and went to bed.
Updated on 9 Jun 2020:
Today was a big improvement- as I suspected. I did take 2 norco in the middle of the night but knew today I would stick with 1 and a tylenol. I vowed to get up and shower- so I did.
It's hard because in the midst of all this I have a broken foot and wear a boot but I was able to manage to shower lightly from shoulders down. It still creeps me out to rub my skin alot so it was a quick shower. I put the girdle in the wash which was weird. The compression helps ALOT more than you realize, I couldn't wait to get it back on. Once I did I laid back down with my ice and rested- that was a busy morning. The afternoon I got up few times, snacked, moved around and moved well. This I would say is extremely on point with the discomfort of a bad workout now- and much more tolerable. I think the weird numb skin bothered me more than any actual significant pain. I stuck to 1 norco around 11 and will likely take 1 at bedtime but overall the ice is my best friend. Took a couple quick pics. Not sure what I'm looking for at this point or what is good/bad but it's something.
No more drainage noted
Updated on 9 Jun 2020:
Tried to post pix with my day 3 update- it didn't work- pretty swollen and weird looking but he says all normal
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Updated on 11 Jun 2020:
Pretty much same stuff..things are feeling more on par with a hard hard workout soreness these last few days. I'm moving around much better and tolerating more..basically just on advil and tylenol. The girdle feels wonderful and ice packs are my best friend.
I finally was able to shower full body today and got some more pix. And noticed LOTs more bruising. The hole in my perineum area is causing fluid to collect there and bruised as i was warned. I've tried putting underwear under the spanx now and icing my vagina to prevent that. My thighs also have huge sore bruises. My abdomen feels smaller for sure and less numb but still definitely numb. I've also been itchy more.
Updated on 15 Jun 2020:
Things have been pretty much the same. My pain is stagnant at a very sore workout with sharp pains with certain movements. Ice still feels great. I'm sticking with just advil and tylenol. My body in general is getting sore too with just lack of movement. I want to STRETCH.
Very minimal spotty bruising on my abdomen but stull very localized to my lower belly/ thighs from dependent/gravity. Definitely over the pain at this point. My skin gets a LITTLE less/numb tingly every day
Yes I am still wearing the spanx he gave me 24/7 besides washing. I understand compression is necessary and it actually feels better. During the day I put my tight leggings on over it to add to the compression. Definitely still some swelling as expected. Ill include pix I took of 2 of my incisionsz the rest you really can't see already.
I definitely hoped/expected to be less sore by now but...hopefully soon!
Updated on 12 Jul 2020:
It's been around 1 month and things are looking good. I'm finally not sore. I would say I definitely felt some sort of discomfort till at least a month which surprised me. Im still fairly numb in the areas but slowly that's improving. I can tell there is still a fair bit of swelling especially in my lower tummy. It's very firm under the skin still.
The skin is slowly tightening up. I was just approved for physical activity per my nose doctor, but i still have a broken foot so I'm doing as much as possible to get active and tighten everything up! I'm also watching my diet and doing meal orders to keep me on track.
I ordered a waist trainer that I wear a few hours a day (it's hot!). The office girl recommended it. Can't hurt to keep everything squeezed and tight.
I have my followup pictures end of july so i anticipate that is when i can expect a fair amount of normalcy/healing.
The scars are so tiny you can barely notice them. And I'm feeling ALOT better in my clothes but haven't gone down a size as he anticipated..maybe later?
Will update after checkup with him! But so far so good
Pictures definitely don't do it justice.