Pulled the trigger after fighting stubborn fat and face droop that is likely due to genetics and years of high-stress job. About me: 46yo soon, 6ft tall, weighed 193lbs prior to surgery, considered myself in okay shape (more of an outdoor person than a gym person). Main body issue was large stomach and thighs. I am currently on Day 5 and in 'Recovery.' Prior to making this decision, I ruled out Cool Sculpt for several reasons: the amount of belly fat I wanted to remove; I met a doctor that could address both the body fat and aging face; CS cost was almost the same and lipo seems more permanent. Also, I caught a break in that my husband's employment moved us to Paris for a year and gave me a break from my job so I could take more downtime. My Fench is bad, so I was a little nervous about getting the surgery abroad. However, my doctor speaks English and between my French and their English, I was able to navigate the clinic. Pain: Let's not kid each other - it hurts. The worst was my third night. The anesthesia really messed my by digestive track and the gas was very painful. Gas X didn't help. I finally used some Vitamin C with Quecertin that I had on hand - a natural anti-inflammatory - and it helped. So night 3 was a combo of gas pain and sitting on the toilet trying to relieve that pain ..... On thighs that had been liposuctioned. My husband has had to help me several times get off the bed, toilet and out of car - you feel like a mule kicked you in the abs. However, the pain medicine helped. And sleeping pills. It wasn't intolerable....I would say an 8 on a scale of 1-10 at its worst. Today, Day 5, I would say it is a 4-5. My Fat: I am still swollen in the torso and thighs and wearing the garment .... so it's hard to tell. I haven't weighted myself and won't until later (other reviews I read said don't weigh yourself right after- the weight is artificial due to swelling and fluctuation). My goal wasn't to lose weight but to reduce by spare tire so clothes fit better. My belly bulge is definitely smoothed out and thighs look smaller. Watch for updates. My face: I had liposuction on my neck and fat transferred to my cheeks, chin, lips and nose. I know - my nose! I didn't expect that but, so far, that is my favorite part. My doctor smoothed out my bumpy bridge and somehow lifted the tip slightly. It looks cute! The rest: I have black eyes, my face is swollen, I look like I've been in a good fist fight. However, I expected this, am not going to freak out and will wait before judging results. Watch this space for updates.
Updated on 19 Feb 2016:
Before photos taken day of surgery.
Updated on 19 Feb 2016:
Day of surgery. Face wrapped up after lipo of neck and fat transfer to cheeks, chin, nose and temples. No body pics yet - basically am sucked into the sexy post-lipo garment.
Updated on 19 Feb 2016:
A pretty awesome black eye developed the day after surgery. Headed to my 48 hour post op visit incognito. At post op, permanent face bandage was removed and was give a removable chin strap.
Updated on 19 Feb 2016:
On Day 6 of Recovery, here are my tips for surviving liposuction and facial fat transfer. Am sure there is more.....
1) A Go Girl or similar type funnel that may allow you to pee standing or, if you sit, helps prevent dribbling in your garment (which will happen despite best efforts). ((Standing to pee takes control - practice in shower before surgery.))
2) Wet Ones - see previous. Also, your face will be numb and you may dribble on your chin.
3) if you can afford it, an extra compression garment because, again, dribbles happen.
4) Padded toilet seat for your lipo'd butt & thighs.
5) a tall straight back chair put by toilet to help you get up and down (or a rented walker).
6) a tall table by the side of your bed - if too short, you engage your abs- ouch.
7) Bendy straws.
8) Something to distract or ward off pets that won't understand why they can't lay on your lap when you are in bed. You don't need a cat using your belly as a trampoline while you are napping.
9) A tall stiff shopping bag that you can reach laying in bed that can hold all the creams, medicines, etc that you want near by.
10) A body pillow. I have a big one and a smaller one to out behind my back.
11) A big box of really good chocolate. My doctor told me to eat a little bit of sugar/ good chocolate ever 4 hours to help feed the fat transfer. May as well make it good. My personal favorite is Lindt.
Updated on 20 Feb 2016:
Feeling frustrated with recovery. Swelling goes up and down. Had my garments off to wash them (wish I would have bought 2nd pair) and I swelled up. I was already convinced they were not cut well for tall/ long torso people (am 6' and it just reaches the bottom of my ribs). Garments have been really uncomfortable since putting them back on. Lips are really swollen (my husband called them Bart Simpson lips), chin and cheeks are unevenly swollen and things are just generally bruised and tender. Logically, I know this is all to be expected but it can get to you after a few days of laying in bed and relying on others. Am posting Day 6 photos - they aren't pretty but they are the reality. I am including a view of my neck that I didn't post pre-op. I had a thyroid cyst removed at age 11 (35 years ago) that left me with a long scar and indentation from bone removal - causing me to have an Adam's apple look. The doctor injected fat into the indentation and at points along the scar hoping to smooth it out. She wasn't able to smooth it as much as she wanted, she said post surgery, but it is better.
Now going to binge watch The Unbreakabke Kimmy Schmidt to cheer myself up.....
Updated on 24 Feb 2016:
Day 7 and I hadn't had a bowel movement since surgery! Prob TMI, but make sure you have laxatives on hand if your doctor doesn't give you anything. My POST surgery research indicates this is a common side effect. I was SOOOO miserable in my garments! My doctor got me in and a couple laxatives and diuretics later, I got over it. I finally feel like I've turn the corner and things are downhill from here. I still have black eyes and bruising on thighs but it is less. I can see results in my face - subtle, but that this what I wanted. Body is less noticeable, but some, but getting better. Fingers cross! Thanks for encouragement! Am posting Day 7 face pics. Including my neck showing chin lipo and healing around fat transfer to my old scar. No body pics - pretty much same as last time just less bloated.
Updated on 29 Feb 2016:
2 weeks and, if I had to vote today, I would say NOT worth it.
Weeks #1's main problem = extreme constipation. Extreme.
Week #2's = bloating and the garments - so uncomfortable and tight that I can't sleep without a sleeping pill.
Body: I can't tell much difference in my body - it just looks like I've been wearing compression garments and eating reasonably healthy for a couple of weeks. I still have bruises (less) and bloating. I am not posting body pics - just like last ones but bruising is somewhat less.
Face: I was initially happy with my face - it looked Ike I was going to have great cheeks and lips once the swelling went down but when it did, it went down so much that I can't really tell I had the transfer.
However, I DID ask for very subtle changes - just as if I had gotten a good rest (that's how you know you are getting old - you always look tired no matter what, right?). And I asked for modest lipo - just to smooth out the bumps. I know changes may be subtle or slow....that this may be part of the whole psychological process (what did I just do to my body? Why did I spend this money? I don't think it worked!) ...so I am reserving judgment until later.