I had my upper abs, lower abs and waist done July 7th, 2018. I have my chin scheduled at the end of August. So far I am happy with the results. I am happy to have the muffin top gone. I will say the healing time is much longer. Still pretty sore. But I can tolerate it.
I’m a 57 year old women and my entire life I wanted a tummy tuck., when I was a small child I was thin however I always had a tummy hanging even at 5 years old. There after I gain a lot of weight then I lost it and had even more hanging skin. Finally I went to Sono Bello for my stomach. They said they could not do anything for me because my tummy was hanging skin not fat. All my life I thought it was fat. I workout forever and it never went a way. Now I know why because it was hanging skin, not fat. They referred me to Dr. Virender Singhai of Singhai Plastic Surgery in Liberty, MO. 816-429-7576 Who did my tummy in 2015, I was so shocked by the results that Dr Singhai did, I finally felt like I was normal person because of Dr. Singhai. He is one of the best doctors around, his skill level is beyond my expectations in a doctor I could not of found a better doctor then Dr Virender Singhal, He does so many kinds is surgery as well then other doctors and works with you to get the results you want, or he will let you know what may work better as well. His staff as well is so nice and make you feel so comfortable. I walk in there I’m scared and they just make me feel so safe. I trust Dr. Singhai and his staff fully with my life! Now recently I had a thigh lift by him, and again I’m amazed by the results it just makes me smile. So if anyone is looking for a good doctor, Dr. Virender Singhal and his staff are great! Just tell them Ann sent you! With out a doubt they will do there best to achieve the results you would like and love. I have also done some Botox and filler with them as well! They just keep me smiling! Thank you and Sincerely, Ann ???? Updated on 20 Oct 2017: Dr Virender Singhal Updated on 20 Oct 2017: I’m a 57 year old women and my entire life I wanted a tummy tuck., when I was a small child I was thin however I always had a tummy hanging even at 5 years old. There after I gain a lot of weight then I lost it and had even more hanging skin. Finally I went to Sono Bello for my stomach. They said they could not do anything for me because my tummy was hanging skin not fat. All my life I thought it was fat. I workout forever and it never went a way. Now I know why because it was hanging skin, not fat. They referred me to Dr. Virender Singhal of Singhal Plastic Surgery in Liberty, MO. 816-429-7576 Who did my tummy in 2015, I was so shocked by the results that Dr Singhal did, I finally felt like I was normal person because of Dr. Singhal. He is one of the best doctors around, his skill level is beyond my expectations in a doctor I could not of found a better doctor then Dr Virender Singhal, He does so many kinds is surgery as well then other doctors and works with you to get the results you want, or he will let you know what may work better as well. His staff as well is so nice and make you feel so comfortable. I walk in there I’m scared and they just make me feel so safe. I trust Dr. Singhal and his staff fully with my life! Now recently I had a thigh lift by him, and again I’m amazed by the results it just makes me smile. So if anyone is looking for a good doctor, Dr. Virender Singhal and his staff are great! Just tell them Ann sent you! With out a doubt they will do there best to achieve the results you would like and love. I have also done some Botox and filler with them as well! They just keep me smiling! Thank you and Sincerely, Ann ????
I originally went into the Sonobello in Kansas City Overland Park in May for a consult. Due the nature of my job I wasn't able to get it done at the time. I went back in February and was able to get on the schedule immediately. I arrived to my pre op appointment Feb 23rd and my surgery Feb 24th. Upon leaving I saw noticeable results! The staff was very helpful and showed genuine concern through the entire process. My doctor was Dr. Kreegeel and he was absolutely amazing! He called to check on me this morning which made me feel even better about choosing Sonobello. As of today I am a little sore but nothing major. I stopped taking the prescribed medications and switched to extra strength Tylenol. I haven't had any nausea and the bleeding has subsided except in one location. So far I am extremely happy with my results and Sonobello. I will post pics later about to get up and move around a little bit! Updated on 29 Feb 2016: I am at awe with my results and even ore amazed with the Sono Bella Kansas City staff! They have been very attentive and involved during my healing process and as I prepare to get my 2nd set of smart lipo (had too many areas for one session). I am still a little swollen but have been walking, eating healthy, and taking meds as prescribed. The process is a lot less painful than I imagined and I didn't swell up like a baby hippo. I have a few pics but I'm going to wait until after all surgery's to post. I'm so excited!
Up until I was pregnant with my son, I was always very slim and didn't need to kill myself working out to maintain my slender frame. Four months into my pregnancy I started having horrific sciatic nerve pain, could barely move, became really depressed and thus packed on MAJOR pounds. I am 5'7" and normally 120-130lbs and was 202lbs the day I gave birth :( Over the course of 2.5 years I lost 75 lbs but still had stubborn fat pockets around my lower abdomen and "love handle" area. I had heard about the Sono Bello Trisculpt procedure from a friend and went in for a consultation. The staff and consultant I spoke to were very friendly. I think I had my mind made up I was going to do this regardless of the risks. I just want to feel confident and happy with myself again! Updated on 11 Aug 2015: I realized I didn't even comment on how the actual procedure went! I was given Xanax, an antibiotic, and an anti nausea pill before the surgery. Waited about 30 minutes for the Xanax to kick in and was taken to the procedure room. I was given lidocaine shots in 5 areas around my abdomen and sides. The worst and most skin crawling part of this was having the cannula go up and down my stomach and sides to disperse the tumescent fluid!! It wasn't horrific pain but it was very very uncomfortable, and felt like someone was trying thread a fairly large needle in and out of my skin as if a corset was being sewn into my skin. Weird analogy but that's kind of how it felt! But after that I was completely numb. The actual liposuction of the fat felt like someone was massaging me with a vibrating device. Not painful at all! The entire procedure took around an hour and a half. Updated on 11 Aug 2015: I stopped draining from the incision sites a day after the surgery. But I feel like the swelling keeps going up and down through out the day, and like I am still very full of fluid possibly. My lower abdomen and upper pubic area is reallllyyy swollen. I have worn the compression garment basically 24/7 since surgery, maybe had it off each day for a total of 45 mins to an hour to shower and wash it. I am drinking lots of water, avoiding sodium as much as possible and popping Arnica Montana like it's candy. I hope by 1 week post op I will notice a difference. Starting to freak out and worry I have permanently disfigured myself!
Ever since my 2nd child, I have struggled with weight loss, especially in the abdominal area. That is wear I gained the majority of my weight with that pregnancy, and that’s where it stayed! Then, 2 years later, my MIL had a major stroke, which led to many a fast food meal, heightened stress, and no time for exercise for 4-6 weeks. I gained a grand total of 10 lbs with that. She recovered wonderfully, and I began the weight loss journey. I tried everything from low carb which had worked for me after my first pregnancy, to Nutrisystem, Weight watchers, and the DASH diet. I exercise regularly (5-7 days per week, 30-45 minutes of cardio). I would lose a few lbs, but my “problem area” wouldn’t budge. Finally in April, 2014, I decided to make a change. I went to Sonobello for a free consultation for TriSculpt (power-assisted lipo, followed by laser for smoothing), and then scheduled my procedure for 2 weeks later. (I could’ve had it done sooner, if I had wanted!) I didn’t want perfection. I just wanted to be ME again. Here are some of my experiences at the different stages: Day of Procedure (Friday): Mild discomfort during procedure (not more than I expected). Dr. De Souza was great about moving to a different area if I had too much discomfort. 3.5 L of fat was removed! It took about 1 ½ hours. Weekend after: Drainage for about 48 hrs. By Sunday morning, it was very little. The first 12 hours was quite messy. I removed the compression garment the night of the procedure before bed, to change the pads. I felt a bit lightheaded and dizzy, and later read in the paperwork that was expected (Clearly I had forgotten that part). Don’t touch me! Kids have a wonderous ability to ram their heads or hands or feet right where it hurts – and it hurt. Otherwise, I could get around fine. I got up and got my own food, drink, went to the bathroom, went up and down stairs – slowly, but without pain. I started to go for short walks on Sunday (2 days after). I would not want to walk a 5K or walk briskly. Back to work: On the 4th day (could’ve done it the 3rd day, but glad I didn’t). I didn’t tell anyone at work, and no one suspected anything was different. The swelling was minor (still smaller than when fat was there!) I did, however, have some nausea – the point of vomiting at the end of the work day. The next day I was fine. Swelling: I had evening swelling every day until about 2 weeks after. Salt intake definitely made a difference. After 2-3 weeks it was rare that I would have any noticeable swelling. Discomfort: For maybe 3-4 weeks, I’d have discomfort if the kids bonked into my treatment areas. Otherwise none. Clothes: By 2 weeks, I was a pants size smaller. I wore 10-12 before (squeezing into 10’s). Now I wear size 10 loosely. I could squeeze into 8’s but choose not to, so as not to cause indentations. I could wear more fitted shirts within 2-3 weeks. I wore my first swimsuit last week (5 weeks), and felt totally self confident! At about 3 weeks I had a mom from my son’s school tell me I looked great, that I had lost weight. At 6 weeks, I feel so self confident – just feel like ME again. I would still like to lose a few lbs, to fit more comfortably into my 8’s, and lose some weight in my thighs, arms, etc. But my proportions are normal again, so even if I didn’t lose another lb or inch, I am content and happy. I am 5 lbs lighter, 2 inches smaller in the waist, and and inch and a half smaller in the hips. AND I’ve been told my chest looks larger, since having the upper abs done. The whole experience was so easy, I’ve considered having my thighs done! For financial reasons, I will stick to good ol’ diet and exercise for now!
Ok, so I totally planned on starting my review before my procedure as reading them really helped me get ready. I'm now 4 days post-op so let me catch you up. I had my upper and lower abdomen, hips and waist done on Dec 20th at Sono Bello. Initially, the plan was to do abs on one visit and hips/waist on a second visit a week later. Luckily, with the max amount of solution allowed the doc was able to do all 4 in one visit. I was thrilled! One thing I wanted more of in reading on this site before my procedure was detail on how it went so I'm going to go into that first. Please remember this can vary by doctor and how you handle pain/discomfort. I started my Arnica pellets the night before sugery, had a total of 3 doses in me since my appointment was at 3pm. Arriving at the clinic with a full belly of food (had just left a Christmas lunch!) I was immediately taken back after signing some forms. I wore comfy clothes to the clinic and had my driver with me. Once in the back, took the pregnancy test, went over the procedure with the nurse and started taking pills. 1mg of Xanax and one Percocet plus anti-nausea meds I had filled and brought with me. I got into my surgery stuff (bra, panties, compression stockings and AWESOME socks they gave me). The doc came in, marked me up and took pictures. I was then left to relax. They started and IV, just in case they needed to use it. I took a little nap waiting to go in. I used the restroom several times because if you have to go once in there you have to use a bedpan! I did not want to do this and have colitis so I also took some Immodium before I went in (doc said this was ok). Once in the room, the nurse cleaned me with some wipes and had me lay down on a heated bed covered with "puppy pad" things. I was very relaxed and excited at this point. The doc began the part that everyone says sucks and yes it does. When he is inserting the needles with the tumescent fluid it feels WEIRD and hurts when he gets near bone (like my ribs). It feels like something is crawling under your skin. I would not say it's very painful but uncomfortable. If it hurts say so! He ended up having the nurse give me another pain pill and Xanax, even though I told him I was ok. He was always making sure I was as comfortable as possible. This process took a while, maybe 45 minutes since he got all 4 areas. They give you a little break to get numbed up. Then the lipo began! This part was not bad at all. You feel a little pressure from the cannula and sometimes it actually tickled. A little gross hearing the fat sometimes but I was THRILLED to hear/see it being sucked out. The nurse and doc chatted with me the whole time, all of us joking and laughing a lot. He said my fat came out very easily and was loose so he was able to get 100% out. After it was all done, the nurse cleaned me up and got the garment on. I was dreading that thing, but it was actually very comfortable. I was a dancer growing up and it felt like a very supportive leotard. Mine had a built in bra and went down to my knees with open crotch (thank God). Within a few minutes they had me dressed and wheeled out with my care package (instructions, extra pads, etc). They had given me some IV fluids because they had taken the max out so I was feeling alright when I left. Mom drove me home and the minute I walked in the door I was leaking on the floor! I rushed to the bathroom and it looked like a crime scene. I knew it wasn't blood so I didn't freak out, but it was rushing out of me. We took off the garment because it was soaked. I stood in the tub for a few minutes, lightly pushing some of the fluid out. I then put fresh pads on and a clean garment so I was good. I ate dinner and then decided to lay down for a bit. My mom woke me up a few hours later for my pain pill. When I woke up I had VERY sharp pain in my belly. So much worse then I thought it would be. I got up, ate some bread and took 2 pain pills. I stayed standing and walked a bit. Within 20 minutes I was 100% better! They drill it into your head and it's true, moving and standing makes the pain and swelling so much better. I was able to sleep for a few hours at a time, only waking up to take pain pill, pee (you will have to a lot from the fluid and drinking water) and change pads. By morning I was already feeling better. The drainage had slowed significantly. My mom helped me get my garment off and I sat there for a minute before getting in the shower as I knew I could get dizzy (but I wasn't). Shower was fine except the water hitting my incisions hurt like crazy (like lemon juice on paper cuts). I faced away from the water and did a light wash with antibacterial soap. Try to dry off completely before putting the garment on, it will help a lot. We struggled with the hooks and zippers and keeping the pads in place. It's frustrating but by day 4 I totally have the hang of it. You will ALWAYS feel much better, less pain once it's back on. You do notice that you swell without it and any movement of loose skin hurts a bit. I was back home that afternoon ( I live alone with a cat) and feeling pretty good. I took a pain pill, ate lunch and tried to stay moving. This is really really important. Sitting or laying down makes you very sore. But once you're up and moving you feel so much better! I had to keep my binder on for 3 days. I ending up ditching it after the 3rd night because I couldn't sleep. I wasn't able to roll on my side because of the pain and stiffness of the garment and my back was hurting from sleeping in one position. I was only able to sleep 2 hours at a time the first two nights. I would get up, pee, take some Ibuprofen, have a snack and walk around for a bit. Every day I went for a 10 minute walk. I always felt great afterwards. The walk was slow and a bit painful but it really helps. Do not stay sedentary! I'm 4 days out now and really pleased with how I'm doing. My incisions are healing nicely, not closed but barely oozing and not really any pain in the shower. I do recommend putting ointment like Neosporin on them before you reapply the pads, they tend to stick and it hurts when you take them off. Don't use band-aids, it can make your skin stretch and pull. I've noticed some bruising in my pubic area which I know is normal. My upper abdomen and hips are swollen but I'm already so pleased with the results. I'm down 4 inches in my hips. No change in my waist so far because of swelling, but I'm patient because I know it will get better. I'm able to sleep on my side now and I actually think this helps with the swelling. It forces more fluid to come out and I don't looks so lumpy and uneven anymore. I've also been doing light, fingertip massage which feels nice, to help with the hard lumps, fluid and swelling. Keeping a positive attitude and looking forward to improving every day has really helped. A healthy mood will help you heal! I know this was a novel but I'm hoping this will help anyone out there who might need it. I will post pictures soon, I don't have any but the ones the doc took but I'll try to take some tomorrow to show how I look on day 5. Updated on 6 Jan 2014: K, so I know I've been neglecting to update but I'm around to it now :) Let me back up to where I left off: Around day 6 I started getting really swollen. My abs felt like concrete. It wasn't painful, just uncomfortable. I couldn't button my pants or get my shoes on! When I went in for my 1 week post op my nurse said it's normal because your swelling peaks days 7-10. She said I was healing great and encouraged me to keep massaging and walking. We ordered my 2nd stage garment which I got a couple days ago. I really don't like it, it cuts at my legs and boobs. I'm going to try it after I get smaller. For now I'm staying in my stage 1. She said I only need to wear it 12 hrs a day for 2 months but the more you wear it the better. I've slept 2 nights without it, I wouldn't recommend it. Being uneven, lumpy and swollen without it does not make for a good night's sleep. Sometimes I take it off just to scratch my skin and take a break from it but I always feel better with it on. I haven't had to take anything for the pain since day 7. I occasionally take some ibuprofen to help with the swelling. Sometimes I wake up and I'm totally flat, other days (like today) I'm really swollen. Try not to be discouraged, it will fluctuate based on your activity level, salt intake, water intake and just how your body is healing. I'm flatter on my waist but they are still really hard. My abdomen is swollen out but softer. Every day is different. All around I'm feeling good! Pants are still a problem, since my stomach is so hard from the swelling it's hard to button things. I try to wear stretchy stuff or just zip but not button. Incisions have been closed since last week, you'll be able to see them in my pictures I'm going to put up. Keep in mind when looking at today's pics, I'm more swollen then I have been in over a week. This could be because I finished up my Arnica on Saturday. I'll put more up when I'm having a good tummy day :) Don't forget to massage! I cannot stress this enough. My nurse said not only does it "tell" the blood to come in and take the lymphatic fluid away it also helps the nerve endings that have been damaged to learn what touch feels like. If you don't stimulate those nerve endings, even the lightest touch could feel like pain. So massage every day, as hard as you can without doing too much, you don't want to re-injure the area! Updated on 14 Jan 2014: So a lovely little lady actually reads my review and stuff and asked for an update. So in the past week (3 weeks post op roughly) I noticed some of the "rubber band snapping" feelings as the nerve endings were healing but all-in-all no pain. The swelling is gradually going down, and as it is I'm actually looking uneven (bear with me here). As you can see in my Day 17 post op pics I just looked bloated. Well now that a lot of the general swelling is going down it's more obvious the specific areas that are lumpy with fluid. I had a bulge about the size of a small baseball in my lower ab area for a few days that was crazy looking! I was a little bummed but kept telling myself to be patient. I blamed the fact that I took too much advantage of the "you only HAVE to wear your garment 12 hours a day" after my 1 week post op visit. So I've been alternating my stage 1 and stage 2 garments every other day (stage 2 is still pretty tight) and not wearing it at all when I sleep. Yesterday was pretty swollen at work, had the stage 2 on and was really uncomfortable. When I got home, I changed into my stage 1 and slept in it and today was SO much better. I'm really pleased with how I'm doing. Down about an inch in my waist and 3 inches in my hips. I will also say I've been slacking on my water intake and I'm making an effort to keep that up along with walking. I also checked out some self lymphatic massage videos on YouTube and have been doing that every few nights or so. I think it does help! Will post pics when I haven't just eaten dinner :P Also, I was finally able to shave my legs the other day (gross I know) but since my surgery it hurt to much to bend over in the shower. I was so darn happy, it's the little things ya know! Updated on 15 Jan 2014: Updated pictures!
I had a horrendous experience here. The nurse used the N word numerous times during pre surgery appt and my body looks worse than before. I have been emailing back and forth with a Stephanie Baker for a year as they didn’t stand by their guarantee and she stopped responding in March
My goal was to get rid of "the roll". I am happy with my weight, but having 3 children's had left some damages. I didn't realize I was getting results until I made this before and after picture collage of myself. I usually don't post comment on website, but today i felt the need to share my journey so far. Until today I was very unhappy with my results. I thought I had wasted my money on this surgery. I had concerns about a lump and a crease over my belly button and my lack of results, so called and asked to speak to my surgeon from Sonobello Overland Park KS, but he never called me back. I still haven't heard from him since the day he left the surgery room without a word to me. It's safe to say I felt pretty depressed. Personally, I would not recommend doing your surgery at that particular Sonobello location. They customer service sucks. Anyway, I spent hours browsing this website, weighing and measuring myself. I saw no weight reduction. Depending on if I used my garment that day, I saw a gain or lost of 1 to 2 inch on my abdomen area. I wasn't sure about my results. Then, I notice that my measurement will stay constant if I kept my garment on at almost all time, but I will look blotted by the end of the day if i went without it a day. Today, I took pictures of myself and compared them to my pre-op pictures, comparing both I can now see that there is an improvement. I am slowly getting there. The Doctors are right, it takes a lot of time to start seeing results. I think the trick is to keep on wearing the garment until the swelling goes down completely. My trick for knowing if I am still swelling is to go without my garment for half a day. If I look all swelled up by the end of the day. Then, I still need my garment. I do remove my garment to sleep a couple of nights a week, just because I think my skin needs to breathe. I think my real results are the one that I see as soon as remove my garment to measure myself. I don't know what my final results will be like, but I will try to keep you updated every other month. Thanks for reading.
Seven years ago I started a series of very challenging losses with the death of my spouse, a stroke from a chiropractic adjustment- and breast cancer. Thankfully I've come out on the other side -I'm still here and I know that I want to live the best life possible. Throughout all of my challenges my activity level really decreased and I've seen my body changing due to that lack of exercise and age too I suppose. I try and eat cleanly but when I'm bored or depressed I hit the sugar! Wow did all that catch up with me! I've tried wraps, I have tried T-25 and for the last 5 months I've been seeing a personal trainer twice a week. The trainer has helped me with my strength (a lot!) and I'm so happy about that but it has done absolutely nothing for my midsection. Seeing a picture of myself from just the right angle with just the wrong shirt on recently really prompted me to say enough is enough! I am getting liposuction! After doing some research I figured out that I wanted smart lipo. Yesterday I had a consultation at SonoBello, today I pulled the trigger and made an appointment for the procedure! I'm attaching some before pictures because as hard as it was to even take them I know that this will help me see my progress through this process as well as hopefully help someone out there. Thank you! Updated on 22 Mar 2015: I've always been small, I am 5'2" and 129. I don't gain weight in my arms or legs so people tend to not take me serious when I complain about my midsection. Plus I have a wardrobe to disguise it- I was truly horrified to post the before pics- it made me look hard at what I knew but rarely look at. Also it made me feel totally justified in my decision. I am not letting anyone know with the exception of my closest friend and daughter. So I am really banking on it not being too difficult of a recovery that I can't conceal it. How many of you hid it from the people you live with? I feel embarrassed to share this with my circle of friends, it's a very personal thing for me. Updated on 27 Mar 2015: I had my pre-op appt yesterday, it was scheduled for 10:30 and I waited for about 30 minutes to be called back and then for about 30 minutes in the exam room waiting to be seen by the doctor. The staff is all very nice and I really like Dr Hendrix so I will overlook the delay. Sometimes that happens. I asked the questions I had, and he told me about the procedure in detail. Then the nurse took pictures and gave me my prescriptions. I walked out feeling very positive about the whole thing. Especially because he said that I was an excellent candidate and that I should see great results. Updated on 2 Apr 2015: Like I said in the title of this review, I've always had the image of a'skinny' person, most of the time I have even believed it myself (except for my jeans cutting into my waist!) But when the TRUTH is captured in photos- well there is no more hiding behind my wardrobe of midsection hiding tops or good angles from cameras - the belly is there!! ugh After working hard with a personal trainer several times a week for six months... I still have this middle that hasn't improved. I am at a point in my life where I can honestly say- everything I do to improve my appearance is for me. I don't think that I could have said that 15 or 20 years ago, not about the smart lipo or the rhinoplasty I did in '13. I want to feel pretty, fit and healthy- and I want to SEE that when I look in the mirror. So here are a couple more of honest shots of me, just as I really am...well, for another 8 days! Updated on 7 Apr 2015: 4 years ago this month I had a double mastectomy. of course this was devastating for my self esteem, watching my body be deconstructed through the surgery and losing my hair and nails from the chemotherapy and finally the burns from the radiation. I was spent emotionally, but had a peace about it because I was alive. It has taken years to gain my health back. Fast forward to now, I decided that I won't stand by and watch my body dilapidate from age, hormonal changes etc- I hit a brick wall when I realized that the horrible pictures of me were actually the way that I looked and that my dedicated effort on changing my health was not going to restore my body to something that I could be comfortable with. I used to be a 36 full D and now I am a small B. thats the best they could do with what they had to work with after the removal of my cancer. This has made my middle look bigger quicker, i used to be able to offset a little extra but with a smaller chest, my belly cannot be disguised. Thats my backstory... my procedure is in 39 hours. Excited to take control of my body and reclaim a positive self image. thank you to all of you who read this and who share your stories with this community- You really help in doing that! Updated on 9 Apr 2015: Doc H had to get to Ku next door and get betadine since I'm allergic to closes prep. Suspense is killing me. Plus I'm getting loopy! ???????? Updated on 9 Apr 2015: I've been to dopey to post earlier! But I've made it to the other side and I'm excited to see results! The procedure it self was more uncomfortable that I wanted. I was never in agonizing pain but it was uncomfortable and they gave me a shot of Demerol because I was so miserable. After that it really just tickled and not in pleasant way but it tickled. The pills they gave me off the bat when I got there; Percocet, Xanax and one for nausea. Ultimately, he removed 1500 cc. He had told me that I was a good weight and I didn't need debulking I needed lipo sculpture and he loves to do that. Right now I'm sore. Which tells me the next few days will be quite horrible. But I can get through it and I can't wait to see my new middle Updated on 10 Apr 2015: Last night was not too pleasant. I had set up for 'after' on my bed, but getting in and out of it was waaaaay too hard. So I move to a recliner in the family room. The recliner was better but when I dropped the remote control I just couldn't bend... So I was stuck with"worlds best pressure cooker" and "shark vacuum cleaners " until it finally turned off when my dog stepped on it. All joking aside- the pain is for real. The good news is it's not constant, you feel it when you move from sitting to standing or trying to adjust yourself and back up again. I took a shower this morning, unfortunately I forgot to take pics, I will take some in tomorrow For now I took a picture of my back side in my garment (keep in mind I have pads underneath it.) today I'm wearing a pair of jeans -my softest and loosest around the wast- and with pads, compression garment, AND binder they are still loose and comfy. I take this as an awesome sign!! Updated on 10 Apr 2015: Updated on 10 Apr 2015: One of my incisions burns a little so I too everything off to put a bit of neosporin on it. Took advantage of the photo op. Updated on 12 Apr 2015: I did entirely too much yesterday and I could feel the swelling kick in. So I got off my feet and I felt the tightness subside. Getting in and out of bed has also improved although it's not pain free. I was up by 4:00 am because my neck and shoulders are stiff from sleeping propped up on pillows. This morning I am itchy at my insicion sites so that means healing! When I was getting in the shower I took my 2 days post op pictures. Here they are! Updated on 14 Apr 2015: I'm Feeling better, no doubt, but I still have pain when I move and when I'm jostled while driving. When I got in the shower this morning I noticed my abdomen is tight from swelling. My postop directions said that I coul forego the velco binder after day 3 - I think I swelled more without it yesterday and movement was more uncomfortable- so I'm putting it back on today. I can feel some spots that are maybe hard lumps? I give them the slightest massage while showering. That's it for today, happy healing! I do realize that it super early on, so I'm not concerned. I don't know why I hav been struggling with eating right- I certainly did NOT lose my appetite! lol Updated on 16 Apr 2015: Its been a really sllllooooow week! I have had very little bruising, but I felt like a sausage in a casing the first few days with my swelling in my compression garment. I purposefully did not look and evaluate my every change all week, I do better just waiting until there might be a substantial difference. Less obsessive thinking for me. I have my one week follow-up this afternoon, where I hope I to order a stage 2 garment- these zippers down the side make it convenient to put on and take off but for anyone with work on the waist and hips they dig in right at that spot. So, after my shower this morning - I pulled out a swimsuit that I have not been able to wear for 4 or 5 years... I carefully put it on, not expecting to be able to pull it off- I didn't want to dissapoint myself.... AND IT FITS!!! doing a gentle happy dance since I am still quite sore. but dancing anyways. Yes, I have already identified an area that I think is bigger but right now I'm just going to enjoy this moment of success. (my right hip is the area) That hip is the most sore, so maybe some of it is swelling. I really wish I had a before pic in this thing- actually I would not have posted a before in it because it was absolutely ridiculous looking!! (big man in a little coat-lol) Updated on 24 Apr 2015: my belly is feeling better every day- the few areas that feel tight or lumpy are improving although i feel pain when I do the massaging. What I am thoroughly enjoying is my clothes! Yikes, I must have been busting at the seems before. Now it all feels terrific! Updated on 26 Apr 2015: I commented about being so happy with my clothes now. It can be seen in this old pair of khakis. They are several years old- and even when I bought them they never fit like THIS! I had stopped being able to wear them at all about 8 months ago... But they are back in the lineup Updated on 27 Apr 2015: I was asked about my CG. The compression garment I have is one from my doctors office. I did buy a foundation garment at Dillards when I got frustrated with my stage 1 and my stage 2 had not arrived yet. I will tell you that the ones that are not medical grade, even though they're excellent foundation garments are just simply not made for 24 hour wear even if they do provide strong enough support. You may notice that when you try to wear them for that long. I believe it's in the material and seams-the ones for 24 hr wear are smoother and softer without compromising compression. this of course is just my opinion- but anyways this is the information on the one I have. The brand is ISAVELA. they do have a website. Hope that helps.