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POSTED UNDER Liposuction REVIEWS

Wish I Could Go Back. Lipo Made Me Look Worse! - Atlanta, GA

ORIGINAL POST

I am trying not to live my life in regret because...

melliecat84August 23, 2014
$5,000
I am trying not to live my life in regret because it's pointless... but I feel like I need to tell other people my story to consider before they get lipo. I am 30 years old, 5'4 and at the time of surgery was 108 pounds. You're probably thinking... 'wait why did you need lipo then?' Let's back up a little. By the age of 25 I had 3 children, aged 3 and under. Between all 3 of them I gained a combined total of 150 lbs. On my frame that is a lot of weight. So, in 2011 I had a tummy tuck and muscle tightening in my stomach to get rid of the excess fat that lingered from all the weight gain. Was very happy with those results. This year I decided I was happy with my front side, but my back side still needed some help. I always had a 'bubble butt' but naturally after having kids it is bigger and sags more. I have really bad cellulite and stretch marks and after months and months of squatting in the gym, nothing was helping. So I decided to have cosmetic surgery to help get rid of the excess lingering fat and hopefully improve my skin as well.

April 22, 2014 (4 months ago) I had liposuction on my outer thighs, inner thighs, under butt, and around my knees. Total was about $5000 that I really shouldn't have spent but I figured it would be worth it to make me feel better when I looked in the mirror and wore swimsuits. The recovery was rough. I have had 2 breast augmentations, a tummy tuck/muscle tightening and 3 c-sections in my life. I am a surgery warrior. But my goodness healing from the liposuction was probably the worst of all. I bruised and swelled horribly. I had bruises for a solid 6 weeks afterwards. It was painful for the first 7-10 days but then not too bad. I kept looking in the mirror thinking my legs were just swollen and that is why they were even bigger than before. My doctor told me the same and to be patient.

Here I sit 4 months later... my legs are bigger than they've ever been and the shape is no different than before. The lipo was a complete waste of time and money. I am mad at myself for spending money for nothing, missing out on important events of friends (such as a wedding) to heal in bed and strangely can't stop gaining weight ever since. I have never had a problem with weight gain and am very active daily and eat like a rabbit. But I have continued to gain more and more weight and I am just perplexed as to why?? I am now up to 116 - 8 pounds since my surgery and trust me it's not muscle I have gained. I always feel swollen and like I have water just sitting inside my body. I am very frustrated as none of my old pants or swimsuit bottoms are fitting me.

Maybe I am just a rare case but I am very unhappy with my decision to get lipo. I would never do it again. It bothers me so much that I feel like I am going to have to go back in and get yet another surgery to help sometime this year.

Good luck to everyone out there and hopefully you will be happy with you results unlike I am if you choose to go forward with it.

Replies (31)

J at RS
August 25, 2014
I'm sorry you aren't seeing the results you were expecting.  Isn't it still a little early?  I thought there could be swelling for a few months.  Do you have some before and after pics you are willing to share?

I hope you find support in the community.  I found this in the Doctor Q&A and thought it was a little helpful.  
Free4545
October 31, 2014
Hey I was just wondering if you could provide an update for us. I feel like I can somewhat relate and literally have anxiety over it. I had all around thighs,knees, abs below belly button done and I spent wayyyyyyy more than you to think point I make myself sick thinking about it. Please tells after 6 months you saw some change!
Juliet _S
November 10, 2014
Hi. You're not a rare case.
sspotten
January 26, 2015
curious - do you know of other cases or did you experience something similar. I thought i was the rate unicorn but is interesting to see others with similar outcomes -
Juliet _S
January 27, 2015
I know of many other cases. This is what liposuction does.
sspotten
January 27, 2015
Can you provide any details? This is not what lipo does in general, so having it occur in many cases as you suggest does not seem likely - can you provide any other insights or detail? I would be interested in your comments.
gem202
January 27, 2015
Just look around, you will see many ruined bodies.
Juliet _S
February 1, 2015
For starters, you can look up "The Belly Finds What the Thighs Lose." It would take a whole book to explain the damages caused by liposuction.
sspotten
February 2, 2015
I really don't have damage from lipo - had very little done around the knee and outer thigh for contour - I have done research and now have good reason to believe it is water weight. Smart lipo is a great tool for the right candidate, it did provide the contour and shape I was seeking - Also had an extremely talented PS who is well known in the Beverly Hills area so that helps as well.
gem202
February 3, 2015
Well.do tell who the talented in Beverly is?? I know there are lots there. I wish I had just gone there instead of having my eyes and back side ruined in Baltimore Maryland by Dr. Larry Lickstein more like Frankenstein
sspotten
February 3, 2015
Dr. Linda Li - she is super sweet, meticulous, patient, very experienced and has fantastic credentials! You should look her up if you are ever in LA
melliecat84
November 10, 2014
Update: 7 months post surgery - Still not damn bit of good difference from the lipo. Thighs are thicker than before, cellulite worse than ever and a general sense of unhappiness and anger towards myself for spending that kind of money and time on nothing. I know I can't live my life in regret so I am just trying to move on and not think too hard about it. But never again will I make the mistake to get lipo. Good luck to you all out there.
sspotten
January 22, 2015
I am also plagued confusion with similar issues. My weight had also been very low, ate well, worked out super regularly and hard. After the procedures which were identical to yours, my weight increased 5 pounds and even though my eating was more consistent then ever, I cannot shake this weight off. My pants are tighter in the areas of treatment and I do not see an improvement in shape. If you have seen any improvement since your last comment, I would love to hear about it.
Free4545
January 23, 2015
I'm right there with u. 6 months post op. My legs, hips and belly look different after surgery (that's where he supposedly removed 5 liters) and have expanded in places where lipo was done, but I also am expanding in places that I never had problems (like my waistline). I had it done in 4 places and spent &13,000. I am a single 31 year old with no kids and was at my wits end with working out my whole life and was even told by family to go for it because I deserved it after working so hard. It's clearly my genetics. I am beyond devastated and depressed. My eating habits are clean and I work out. Currently doing t25. My jeans that i wore pre op just 7 months ago haven't fit me the same since. I am at a loss for words and literally considering seeing a therapist. I am sick over this. The debt I am now in and I am still unhappy with body. Lesson learned I guess. U can't buy self acceptance.
sspotten
January 23, 2015
Have you determined whether the weight is water or even possibly muscle? You can tell by pinching the skin. Water or fat will feel differently then muscle. It seems like the procedure cannot add fat since that was obviously removed. That only leaves water as a possibility. I initially thought it was water retention in the traumatized tissue but could not lose it with diuretics. My weight work outs have gotten heavier so I am considering the possibility it is muscle since it does not feel like fat and I can not pinch any skin. I am at 9 months now and was hoping that whatever reaction teh tissue was having to the procedure would have corrected itself by now. My PS is great and is doing a complimentary touch up next week but this will not address the size of thighs - I luckily wear the same pants but they fit a bit tighter which is the opposite of what i expected. I totally understand your frustration and feeling sick - I hope things level off for you in the next few months.
Free4545
January 24, 2015
That's a good question. I'm Honestly not really sure if it's water or weight ? I see my PS late February and will take pictures. I will ask him what he thinks. I have a funny feeling he is not going to be as generous as yours but at meats he can tell me why he thinks this is happening. What's is your ps's explanation for not addressing size of thighs? (Just curious). Thanks for the tip!
Free4545
January 24, 2015
Oops meant to say water or muscle
sspotten
January 26, 2015
I would be interested in hearing your PS' theory on your results. Mine says it is muscle by the feel and shape. However, I don't know if that is 100% correct - not sure I eat enough to build muscle and have been the same size through all my workouts for 20 years - strange that right after this procedure my pants are tighter and my legs are larger though I have to say, they are very solid and hard and don't feel like fat. My knees are a big disappointment - I am hoping she can shape them and lean them out a bit tomorrow. They look fleshy and irregular.
Free4545
January 27, 2015
Same here. My knees literally look exactly the same. When I see him in late feb I will have tons of questions for him. At least u feel that ur legs are hard meaning it very well may be muscle ... But that muscle was always there under the fat pre surgery. I just don't get it :( I hope ur doctor offers some help. I have a good feeling mine won't. He's pretty arrogant about his work and if u say anything other than what he wants to hear u can sense that he gets offended. Plus he's very experienced so it's hard to tell him anything. That's why I chose him and paid extra. :( Ughhh this subject makes me nauseous.
sspotten
January 28, 2015
I just returned from seeing my doctor - she was extremely patient and acknowledged every single dent or lump I pointed out and believe me, I am very vigilant about working out and eating well so will not tolerate a messy resulst. The touch up was better than you would expect but certainly had moments of discomfort which I am sure were minimized by her technique. It is almost impossible to achieve a perfect result first time around, too much going to tell how it will all end up. She is still convinced my legs are muscular and there is not excess fat, water or scar tissue contributing to any weight or size increase. Hope your appt goes well next month - don't let his attitude get in your head - revisions are common and no big deal. Mine was at no charge but at the very least, it should be very discounted. He is responsible for the results.
Free4545
January 28, 2015
Thanks for the update! You have a great attitude about this. I hope I can get out if my funk. What exactly does a touch- up consist of anyways ? If u can- post a pic of ur legs. I am really curious as to if they look anything like mine.
sspotten
January 28, 2015
The most recent photo I have is 6 weeks out and they look alot better than they do in my head - the touch up went great - they only numb yo locally and use a microcanula to remove any fat that was not removed the first time and is causing an uneven appearance. Four areas were treated and it took just over a half hour. I am not sure how to post photos from here but am happy to send them diretly to your email.
Free4545
January 28, 2015
Wow I had no idea that a touch up was that simple. I don't know what I was expecting but I know a lot more than that! Well I'm glad hat u told me about it, at least I know it's possible and I can at least ask. Any bruising at all? After my initial surgery I was literally as purple as a plum for quite a few weeks.
Juliet _S
February 1, 2015
I'm sorry. They say that liposuction removes fat cells and then the remaining cells grow larger. This changes everything in the body. Why did a doctor do liposuction on you?
Free4545
February 3, 2015
Is that a serious question ?
sspotten
February 3, 2015
I did not post that question - I did reply to it though
UPDATED FROM melliecat84
4 years post

Worst Decision of my Life

melliecat84August 21, 2018

Worst decision of my life. Had lipo done about 5 years ago on my legs, flanks, and back. I would give anything to go back and never have done this to my body! Right after the surgery I was very bruised with so much swelling for about 6 weeks. It was way worse than expected. I tried to tell myself it would look great anytime by 6 months post op and I needed to have patience. Never has one day gone by that this looked good. My cellulite on my legs/butt got 10x worse and my legs are twice the size they used to be. I can’t even wear shorts at all and no skirts above my knee or it’s downright embarrassing. Forget wearing swimsuits and looking cute from behind, I have to stay in a skirt to cover up. I am only 115 lbs but my legs look like I should be 315 lbs with all the cellulite and craters. I work out every day religiously and eat very healthy too. My back fat also doubled and I lost my nice hourglass shape. This is by far the worst decision financially and physically I ever made! Not one good thing happened from this, my imperfections in my body just got way worse. I guess this is where I learned I should have just been happy with my little imperfections and not to mess with Gods work. I am too embarrassed to even upload before and after pics.

Replies (0)

UPDATED FROM melliecat84
6 years post

Liposuction Ruined my Body Forever :(

melliecat84May 20, 2020

I have 4 children, and am 36 years old. I’ve always been petite, 5’5 and between 100-118 lbs for my entire adult life. (But not during a pregnancy) I was a big gainer during my pregnancies but never had a problem losing the weight after. Since I gained big and lost big, I always had extra skin sagging and fatty areas on my legs/butt/lower back no matter how much weight I lost. I got lipo back in 2014 on my entire upper leg and butt area. I was 112 lbs then but hated the stubborn fat areas so went ahead with the procedure. What a nightmare... I swelled up like a balloon in those areas and bruised terribly. 6 weeks later I cried at how the lipo did nothing and was a huge waste of money and pain. 6 months later I did the same and so forth. That procedure ended up being a complete waste of money and do nothing to my fat. Fast forward... I noticed that those areas plus more were looking way more dimpled, cellulite way worse and the fat got twice as bad on those spots. No matter how much I exercised or ate well, it never got better. I now can’t wear skirt, short dresses and definitely not shorts. I am mortified in a bathing suit bottom. 6 years later I had an unexpected pregnancy 10 years after I had my other 3 children. Yes I am older now (36) and yes it’s harder to lose weight as you age anyway. I gained about 40 lbs in the pregnancy which was with really eating right and working out. I had a tummy tuck 4 months after she was born and lipo on my lower back so that it would all match up. Here I am a year later, devastated. Yet again - lipo ruined my back now. I didn’t used to have love handles but the lipo caused it. My body is ruined on my legs, Butt and lower back now all due to lipo. I have dimples, cellulite and fatty places now. My legs are huge and shouldn’t be with my size and weight. Lipo was the biggest mistake of my life and it is not reversible. Please do your research and learn that lipo is only temporary. The fat WILL COME BACK in the same area and usually more too. You may have severe dimpling etc. Don’t make the same mistake I did!

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