The Departure of the Belly Journey!! Hopefully... - Austin, TX

Let me just say that lipo is something that I have wanted to do for the last many years; I have just been too chicken to do it. I have 3 kids and ever since the first child 16 years ago, I have always had either a medium or very large lower pouch, with the "done lapped over" belly. I have researched and read on this smart lipo procedure as far as google will take me. I have talked to everyone I can get my hands on whether they have had it or not. I am 40 and never had any kind of surgery...so to say the least I am scared to death! I have exercised a little and a lot, taken every diet pill over the counter or prescribed. My belly will get smaller, but not by much and with the additional children and age, I have now aquired a box butt!

A few weeks ago I decided to go in for a consultation with Dr. Venkata Erella (double board certified) with Sonobello Austin. He told me that I was not a candidate for a tummy tuck. Good, because I would not do that anyway! We decided to do the upper and lower abs, waist and hips. I have always been straight waisted so having a waist might be nice. He was very nice and professional, making sure that I understood the risks and real expectations. I know that I will not come out looking like Barbie. He said I will have loose skin because of the size of my stomach. And that I won't be completely flat because I have a lot of visceral fat that is making my stomach pouch outward. My BMI is 29. I am constantly asked, "So when are you due?" UGGG
Anyway, I am excited and scared at the same time. I am hoping that this will give the motivation I need to get the rest of my body in shape and keep the fat from developing in new areas. At this point, I see people complain about uneven lumpiness, cellulite, loose skin and scar wholes....I have most of that already, that is why I am thinking that things can only get better.

Yesterday morning I had my upper lower abs hips and waist done. I unfortunately did not do measurements. I was very nervous going in, but 20 min after taking the meds I was feeling good. The IV they did on me hurt more than the numbing meds. I don't remember much and slept threw most of it. I remember it hurting just a little bit when he was up near my ribs and breast area. They took out about 2500 cc of fat and fluid. The dr has warned me I will have some loose skin because of the amount of loose fat u had already. So I slept all day long yesterday with my friend waking me up every once in a while to take my meds. I have been really thirsty. Taking off the garment to change the pads out to control the leakage and getting out of bed, sitting and getting up are the worst part but not crying bad. Like u have strained a muscle. I would def do this again. Trying to go pee with this garment is a pain....but really this was much more of a breeze that I ever thought possible. 1 day post op and if I continured to look like this I would be happy but I know things are just going to get better

This is about 24 hours after surgery.