Just Got SmartLipo Yesterday -Orlando, FL

Day 3 post-op. I removed my compression garment for the first time and could not believe how flat and firm my tummy is, and my "love" handles are gone! I have my tiny waist again! My thighs are visibly slimmer but still swollen in areas so at this point I know I'm not seeing the final result. So far I am THRILLED. Pain is still moderate, especially in the AM and PM. Pretty bruised up to but I'm sure to keep taking the arnica 3x per day to treat that. Hopefully soon I will be able to post before and after pics!

Well, last night and today have been a little rough. Some of my symptoms and their timeliness were described in the info Dr. Poole's office sent me home with, so it's a relief that it's not in my head. I am ready to cut off this compression garment and burn it. I'm getting itchy and little depressed and to top it all off, I got my period yesterday and have horrible cramps. I'm not allowed to take my usual motrin, so instead I've been instructed to take a Lortab + an Ativan, which actually works pretty well. There's puffiness on top of my pelvic bone and it looks so odd. Generally, I'm just not a happy camper today and tired of feeling constricted, sore, and uncomfortable. I won't lie, breast augmentation is a piece of cake compared to lipo.

Of the many, many stories and experiences I've read about here on RealSelf and elsewhere, I just blows my mind that women have had this procedure with only some local anesthesia, and then the expectation is that they should be up and around as usual in no time! And of those cases, many women complain of issues they're continuing to have - not a surprise!! I wish women would forego these "clinics" that are not overseen by multi-board certified physicians performing these procedures. It's not worth the "discount" to what potential permanent injury you risk to your body. Dr. Poole and his staff have been very realistic about the recovery process and what results I can expect. Dr. Poole said that women who choose to be awake during the procedure are those that should be very carefully selected, and that for most it is not a practical or wise choice. There was NO WAY I'd even think of being awake for all that.

I have my first follow-up appointment today. I expect that my healing process is timely and coming along normally.