Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

POSTED UNDER Smart Lipo REVIEWS

SmartLipo Inner/Outer Thighs & Waist- Best Decision of my Life - Austin, TX

ORIGINAL POST

I remember first becoming aware of my weight in...

dcDandelion
WORTH IT$5,000
I remember first becoming aware of my weight in 5th grade P.E. class after weighing ourselves and realizing how much higher my number than any of my girl friends. I became self-conscious while changing in the locker room and from that day forward, there has not been one occasion of wearing a bikini, dressing in front of friends, or un-dressing in more intimate settings that I have been comfortable or confident.

My weight peaked at 185 in high school (on a small frame 5'4"). During my 20's it dropped and stayed between 130-140. After the initial loss, diet and exercise would produce some results- face, breasts, torso would slim down first but nothing noticeable in the areas of most concern.

I spent my 30th birthday abroad. The trip was very good for me and I finally felt like I was comfortable with myself. Except I still did not like some of the bulges and bumps on the packaging and decided it was time to do something about it. I am only one day post surgery but am so glad I made this decision. I will be sure and post more updates as the results progress.

dcDandelion's provider

Daniel P. Friedmann, MD

Daniel P. Friedmann, MD

Dermatologic Surgeon, Board Certified in Dermatology

dcDandelion rating for Dr. Friedmann:

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
Payment process
Wait times

Replies (11)

User Avatar
September 19, 2014
Hi and welcome to the community!  You looked beautiful before, but you really have slimmed down.  Your doctor did a great job.  Thighs are really difficult to get right.  Don't get discouraged if you start swelling over the next couple of weeks.  It's normal (and discouraging nonetheless--I'm going through it right now, so I'm thinking about it a lot.)  I hope you find support in the community!  We're a very active bunch :D.
September 20, 2014
Thanks for the warm welcome! The swelling has come in full force so it's good to know I am not alone. :) I have been drinking a ton of water, eliminated pretty much all sodium from my diet and am keeping my feet elevated while resting- hopefully this will help reduce swelling as soon as possible. I am debating scheduling a lymphatic massage. Do you have any experience with these?
September 20, 2014
You looking amazing, by the way! I will have to take some time to read through your journey fully!
User Avatar
September 21, 2014
I have no experience with lymphatic massages, unfortunately.  The doctors here on RealSelf seem to universally find it a positive adjunct to lipo though.  (Here's a link to one question, for example.)  I've never seen any complaints about it from others, other than the cost and the pain :).  I did see one doctor recommend waiting until 3 weeks post-op, though.  It's worth asking your doctor about it, since they may even offer it there.
User Avatar
September 20, 2014
Congrats! You look Amazing in just 1 day! WOW!
September 20, 2014
Hi Bella! I don't look quite as good now at Day 3 with the onset of swelling but I am excited to have had a glimpse at the new shape. I couldn't be more thrilled. Dr. Friedmann was so meticulous and thorough with the contouring.
User Avatar
September 20, 2014
Once the swelling subsides,you will look Fabulous! I am glad you are Happy with your results. :)
User Avatar
September 21, 2014
Wow great results. No bruising. :)
September 21, 2014
The bruising came today, day 4. :) Still not too bad, mainly on the outer thigh and very light inner thigh bruising. Virtually none on the waist area.
October 23, 2014
Your post sounds identical to my story. In fact everything you said is me. I have been thinking about smart lipo. I spent my 30th birthday abroad and I have seriously considered having it done since I got home. I am a little nervous about complications though, but I am going for a consultation tomorrow.
March 23, 2015
Wow makes me want to get this done
UPDATED FROM dcDandelion
4 days post

Day 1 through 4 Update

dcDandelion
Thought I would add a few more photos and provide an update of the first few days.

Day 1-2: Uneventful
I was surprised at how good I felt. A little restless sleeping each night with all of the garments but not too uncomfortable and I did not have a ton of drainage. I had my follow-up appointment in the morning of day 1 and spent the rest of the time working from home (I had taken the rest of the week off just in case). The pain was very minimal. The extra strength Tylenol was more than sufficient and I was able to avoid taking the prescribed pain meds.

Day 3: Swelling!
The swelling came on full force and the previously comfortable garments were very tight. I felt like my entire body was swollen... even my knee caps.

Day 4: Lost the Compression Garments, Gained the Bruising
Thrilled to be done with the compression garments (mandatory for 24 hours a day until the 3rd full day after the procedure, then either the inner layer or Spanx are acceptable but not mandatory). I was surprised at how cumbersome they were as I have done some waist training with tight lacing corsets. I know some are recommended to wear the CGs for weeks or even months. I opted today to for these size-too-small capris as I wanted easier access for the first full day of wound care (appellation of Vasoline and fresh bandages on the invasion sites). I will probably wear the first layer garment under my work clothes starting tomorrow as I do not own any Spanx. I wish it was not so hot in Texas so that I may wear tights and hose instead. :)

Unrelated to the removal of the garments, the bruising began today. Pretty much only on the outer thighs. The bruising has darkened quite a bit from the attached photo taken at 9am this morning, I will take more photos tomorrow.


Still happy as can be with my decision. Despite the swelling, there are some subtle yet noticeable differences. Namely the smoothness of my outer thighs and the lack of bulge in the flank area. I only wish I had also gone ahead with my lower abdomen but plan to bring it up at my 1 week appointment Wednesday.

Question: Anyone have tips on how to get the marker off your skin?

Replies (2)

User Avatar
September 21, 2014
I was able to get the marker off of my skin after a couple of days, by just washing it with regular soap (Kiss My Face unscented) on a washcloth and scrubbing it kind of hard.  You may be too sore for that, but if not, give it a try.  I soaked for a good five minutes in the hot spray first, too.

You look great even with the swelling!  Perfect, really.  I can't imagine your results when you're done swelling!
User Avatar
September 21, 2014
Looking Great. I used Goo Gone it helps take off stickers,gummy mess,crayon marks,tape,grease,gum and markers. Hope this helps.
UPDATED FROM dcDandelion
8 days post

Day 8

dcDandelion
Well, still very swollen and am concerned with the inner thighs. I really hope to begin to see some improvement. Had a lymphatic massage yesterday and today has definitely been a drastic reduction in tenderness of the areas. Also had my 1 week post-op and went ahead and scheduled upper and lower abs next Wednesday.

Replies (3)

User Avatar
September 26, 2014
They told me not to exercise at all for a week at least!  And no real exercise for at least two.  I hope you're feeling okay.  Those bruises look crazy!  Mine didn't look as scary, probably because I'm dark-skinned, LOL!  About the inner thighs, though--I think it's unlikely you'll see any results this early.  You didn't have much there, which means the results could very easily be obscured by the swelling.  Once the swelling kicks in more, you may even end up bigger there than you were before for a while.  So please don't freak out.  You look amazing already, and everything is going to be fine :D.
September 26, 2014
I think that has been the most difficult part of this. The completely polar advice from one physician to the next! Pertaining to everything from excercise to compression garments to supplements. My post-op care instructions included walking for 30 minutes the evening of the procedure (I waddled through .85 mile in 25 minutes) and that excercise could be resumed based on comfort level after that. Although I will say I have always bruised very easily, sometimes I will wake up and find a bruise on a leg or arm (after sleeping alone on a memory foam bed). Ha.
User Avatar
September 26, 2014
You're totally right about the polar advice.  It really is night and day sometimes.  I always just say, follow the advice of your doctor.  He does his procedures a certain way and has had the results you paid him for by using the aftercare he uses.  I've seen other women in the community who swear that walking helps them lose extra water.  My doctor's not a super-compression type, from what I've seen.  It got to wear a medium compression garment instead of a small, thank goodness!  And I got to stop wearing it at two weeks, as I felt comfortable (ie. right away).  

Do your bruises also heal super-fast, if they come on so fast?  I get a lot of bruises but that's because I'm really clumsy and not at all careful :D.