POSTED UNDER Liposuction Reviews
Photos of Liposuction - Lower Ab, Flanks, Arms, Inner Thighs-- NEVER AGAIN! Exercise is Way Healthier! - Boise
UPDATED FROM Exercise
2013 UPDATE!
$2,400
Hello everyone!!!! I can't believe it's been 3 years since I undergone liposuction surgery. My apologies to fellow realself members I had failed to respond to in the past year. So many things have happened (graduation, new job, new state, etc.), hopefully you guys will find my update helpful in regards to long term results.
Even though I couldn't maintain the flat stomach my surgeon had given me, I’m happy and not at all disappointed. My 24 inch waist lasted a little over a year, currently my waist measures 26 inches (that’s an inch away from my original measurement before surgery). Of course results vary from person to person, and I'm sure many ladies had results that lasted way longer. Here's the good news, all the bumps/ripples have gone away!
My thoughts in regards to liposuction and other invasive procedures remained the same. If it's not absolutely necessary and you're not 100% positive that it will make a huge difference in your life, then it should be avoided like you would want to avoid a car crash. Daily exercise made a huge difference in my journey to recovery. I feel great and vibrant even though I regained 2 inches! My advice is to consider all the possible outcomes before you opt for a surgical cosmetic procedure. Ask yourself.... is the reward worth all the risk? Is there any other way I could achieve my goal other than surgery? What's my back plan if something goes wrong? Be as informed and prepared as you could be before you make a decision that can change your life for the better or the worse. LOVE the people that love you. Regardless of what your decision was or will be, I wish everyone the very best. And I'm hopeful you're in pursuit of the things and people that make you happy. Thank you to all those who have supported and encouraged me over the years! Not to mention for having the patience to read my super long updates…. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
UPDATED FROM Exercise
Got a better camera! Posted a additional photo to...
Got a better camera! Posted a additional photo to show the color of the scars lipo had left me despite my constant use of silicon sheets and mederma gel. Couldn't really see them in the previous ones, so i decided to take a close up pic. Now that my tan had faded, its easier to see all the things i been talking about. I try to be as accurate as possible on my experience, because I really really hope my review could help someone make a more inform decision.
Replies (5)
September 21, 2011
Exercise- you are right. Love your body and confidence comes along with that mind set. Side note, I don't think my incision marks will fade...women of color please keep that in mind. Still love my results overall.
January 5, 2013
Thank you spycegrl93!!! You look awesome, and yes it's very true that us women of color are very prone to scarring. I got flesh color cosmetic tattoos to cover up my incision marks, it made it less noticeable, at least for me. Now i can wear my bikini without worry. Only bad thing is i can no longer tan, or the tattoo will show up in white dots and streaks. Anyways, keep up the positivity and love!
January 6, 2013
Hey lady! It's great to hear from you again!!!! I'm still healing even at 8 months. I had 6 velashape which helped with the lumps. It's a slow healing process that's for sure. Much longer than the docs initially lead us to believe.
September 21, 2011
Hey I saw your recently added pics and I have to say you look great. it took me a minute to find the scars, as they kind of look like large freckles or just some random skin discoloration...but I dont think its a big deal. I think you make a big deal of it because its your body and you know its there, but you really shouldn't. I think you have a great shape, and no ones gonna be looking at those small dots.
October 1, 2011
Exercise, thank you so much for your detailed review and your pictures! They were so helpful. It's hard to find such genuine, honest advice. I am sorry that you regret your liposuction and appreciate your effort to inform others, like me. I am 5'3'' and about 114lbs. I considered liposuction too and even had a consultation. I am slender but my stomach is not completely flat. I'm a perfectionist and at the time I wanted a flawless body. The surgeon was very willing to operate on me. I had planned to secretly have the procedure done without telling my mom, just like you! But something didn't feel right and I decided to hold off. I was afraid to have such an invasive procedure done on my body! Ultimately, I never went through with it, thank goodness. Reading your review assures me that I made the right decision.
By the way, I think your results look great. Your waist is tiny!
January 11, 2012
Thank you chilo! I'm very happy to hear that you made a confident decision. It's important that we are proud of the choices we make at the end of the day. I kept it as a secret from my mom because I wasn’t proud of my decision at all; it was a very unnecessary procedure for me. I wish you the best, and keep believing in your gut... it's the right way to go!
November 2, 2011
Im 5'2, 130 and very curvy, and no matter how many miles I walk, jog, run, lift weights or whatever, I do not get smaller and the fat under my triceps, back of my calves, a little on tummy and thighes does not slim down... im going on 28 and im really sick of working out with no results, when i start to lose weight, my body freaks out and doesnt let me continue, maybe in caveman days this was a good thing but its really pi$$ing me off in 2011- and lipo seems like the only weapon I have, and how does sucking fat not remove it from your body? how can it be redistributed when its sucked out? thanks very much for your story !
January 11, 2012
Sorry for the late reply. I was suprised too when fat started to distribute unevenly over my body after liposuction. My cousin explained it to me in a very scientific manner that made a lot of sense. I'm not a science person, but i will try my best to summarize what she told me. Liposuction removes stubborn fat cells that are most difficult to rid of. If you gain weight after the surgery, that weight will not goto the areas you had done. Instead it will first distribute to areas that still contain the fat cells. As you could see in my pics, most of my new fat went to my upper abdomen, upper and lower back, and other areas that i didn't lipo. As a result, my upper abdomen hangs over my lower abdomen-- creating a muffintop effect that I didn't have before. I'm sticking to exercise from now on. Hope this helps.
November 3, 2011
Go for it. Just be ready for 2 months of recovery if not more. I'm 9 weeks and skin tightening is starting at it looks great. My boyfriend is looking at me with a new set of eyes and a grin on his face :-) my confidence is thru the roof!! I'm considering having hips and thighs done next. A month ago I would not have said that but now I'm seeing the long term benefit. Good luck with your decision.
UPDATED FROM Exercise
Hi everyone, This is my 1 year post op. update....
Hi everyone,
This is my 1 year post op. update. The final results are less pleasing compare to the 41 days post op. That is because, as time goes by, new fat starts to grow in places that weren't liposuctioned-- causing uneven distribution. As you could see in the new pictures all my bruising and swelling are now gone but the scars remained. A reminder to myself that exercise is the best solution to a happier, healthier life for ME. To this day I still regret my decision and wished i never did it. The recovery period presented me with a challenge that I could've avoided if I chose differently. It changed the way I perceive life. Now i'm less impulsive and i always think twice lol. I been working out, and the daily cardio boosted my mood; I'm no longer sad/depressed. In the end, I realized your most beautiful when your happiest... the mirror is only a reflection, not the world. Thank you to all realself members who have inspired me to move on. THANK YOU!!!
This is my 1 year post op. update. The final results are less pleasing compare to the 41 days post op. That is because, as time goes by, new fat starts to grow in places that weren't liposuctioned-- causing uneven distribution. As you could see in the new pictures all my bruising and swelling are now gone but the scars remained. A reminder to myself that exercise is the best solution to a happier, healthier life for ME. To this day I still regret my decision and wished i never did it. The recovery period presented me with a challenge that I could've avoided if I chose differently. It changed the way I perceive life. Now i'm less impulsive and i always think twice lol. I been working out, and the daily cardio boosted my mood; I'm no longer sad/depressed. In the end, I realized your most beautiful when your happiest... the mirror is only a reflection, not the world. Thank you to all realself members who have inspired me to move on. THANK YOU!!!
Replies (5)
August 23, 2011
After my surgery I can only say I wish I had listened to you. I wrote a review expressing much of what you expressed. It is truly major surgery. And at 8 weeks I'm still experiencing numbness, hard areas, and itching. all I want is the feel of my natural body back. I have been getting massage 3x/week since week 2. I beleive it has helped tremendously with healing.
August 23, 2011
Yes Suzy i know what your going through, you are not alone. This is why i believe sharing our experiences is important, because they may allow others to make a more informed choice or comfort someone who is going through the trauma. For me, I will never try any cosmetic procedures again, not even botox when i'm older. That faithful day I went in as a healthy young women with confidence and came out bruised, sadden with low self esteem due to the horrific ripples. One year later I'm back to my old self; less optimistic but more wise, and no longer impulsive. You will recover too, with all my heart, i wish you the best!
August 23, 2011
Thanks! It has truly been a learning experience. I appreciate my body so much better. I feel better every day so know that this too will heal but hope that others will understand there are no easy quick fixes. My review is under Liposuction, would I do it again. And like you even feeling better each day the answer is a definite NO!
September 2, 2011
Hi I just want to say I'm going through the same thing right now I feel so much regret and am so sad I cry every night since I had lipo in my abdomen and the thing that gets me even more is that I was having doubts b4 surgery but was scared to cancel I wish I would have and will know have to live with it I really depressed I'm only a week and 2 days post op but I just wish I can go back in time.... I hope that one day I will get through this I know it took you a year do you have any advice.. I am also a college student I'm 25 and no one knows I had the surgery except for my 2 sisters..... I wish I would have cane across your post sooner and I would of not done the lipo :/
September 3, 2011
My reply is not to think about it. this too will pass. I experienced the same thing you are feeling. It is the pain of recovery that drives the regret. I am now 6 weeks out and if you were to read my review "Liposuction, would I do it again" you would know it is a resounding NO. However I can tell you that the pain does go away and while my body is still not the body it was before I have hope it will eventually get there.Each day I am 100% better than I was.I encourage you to wear the compression suit to increase your chances of getting the results you want. I also 1 week out began massage 3x/week. Extremely painful initially it, I believe has made all the difference. I am still getting 30 60 min massages per week. It has now become something I do for myself. Somewhat costly but worth it. What makes you continue to regret is the post op discomfort of numbness, itching, swelling, bruising, pain, swollen pubic area, not being able to shower properly, going to the bathroom frequently, feeling fatigued. If you are healthy your body will recover. It will take time but I assure you this will pass. If someone told me I would ever have the same energy or feel halfway decent at 1 week I would not have believed them. I truly thought that was it and envisioned the rest of my life with the initial discomfort forever. I can only assure you this will pass, might be about 4 weeks but it will pass.
September 4, 2011
Hi Suzy thanks it nice to hear this and though I know it's different for everyone I hope I do start feeling better in 4 weeks it's just difficult but I'm trying my hardest to be optimistic.... What kind of massages are you getting?
September 6, 2011
It was supposed to be lymph drainage massage and initially started out that way. But it was not long before she was doing gentle swedish on the areas. Very uncomfortable but necessary to break up the scar tissue. Easch session was what made me make it thru the most difficult recovery days.
September 12, 2011
Hi Cali11! Sorry to hear that you're feeling very sad & regretful about your lipo'd abdomen. You're still in the early healing stage & will not really see your final contour of your body at least 2 months post op. Get well soon! By the way, what's the name of your doctor who did this lipo?
September 12, 2011
Hi enjoyself thanks I'm taking one day at a time... I live in CA my Doctors name is Dr Yamini and he is great his office is in Beverly hills and has great reviews and of course is board certified I did a lot of research I just didnt do enough on lipo and did more on bbl and my depression and regret really have nothing to do w/ the results it's the pain, discomfort, me not feeling like myself not being able to do much having classes start less than 2 weeks after my surgery and not being able to be comfortable or even feel present when it's my last semester and I was so exciting now I just have to try to keep up this has really taken a toll on me and it was not worth it no matter the results an like I said had a great plastic surgeon and my results are good and getting better but it has just been over shadowed by my emotional and physical discomfort so that is my main concern and every day I get better.
September 13, 2011
Believe me, many of us have abeen there. I did mine during a much planned for, 3 1/2week visit to Peru,the longest time I've had off in 23 years. I spent the whole time in pain, depressed because of what I had done to my body. It was not until almost 3 weeks later I even had a glimpse of being my old self. Hang in there, I promise this will pass and you will get to enjoy some of your last semester.
September 21, 2011
Aww cali11, stay strong! For me it took 6 months due to my extra sensitivity. I kept it as a secret and pretend to be happy because I don't want my mom to know. I didn't appreciate the body she gave me as much as i should have. Felt so ashamed, I only talked to her twice a month when I was still bruised. My cousin and boyfriend are the only ones that know about this surgery and they helped me get through the depression. I worried about the final results way too much. With that said, my advice to you is to relax and let time do its job. Stay optimistic, stop crying so much (bad for your eyes), and NEVER scratch the areas you lipoed when it itches..... lol one time i scratched so hard it bled; left a unsightly line in the end. Also if you're prone to scaring like me, then i suggest some form of scar reducer like silicon sheets or scar creams. Mederma didn't work too well for me as you could see in the pics i posted. The scars are pretty obvious in real life, so i'm planning to get permanent flesh color tattoos to cover them up. Enough about me, Cali11 you will feel better and we're all here for you. I find this forum to be comforting at times. I wish you the very best results! GO AWAY PAIN! GO CALI11 :D
September 21, 2011
You will get better cali11! I know your a bit sad cuz it hurts alot right now. The depression will go away once the discomfort goes away. Massages and supplements will help ease the bruising. Remember to stay positive.
September 2, 2011
Hey I am so sorry you had a bad experience. I was thinking of getting lipo, and I'm just doing some research before committing to it. While I realize that it was very painful for you, your after pictures (both sets) look great. Your stomach is completely flat even a year later. For me, I think it would be worth the pain. I was very overweight most of my life, and have come down to my last 20lbs, but I keep loosing a little and gaiuning it back. Its been a year battling that last 20 lbs, and it seems like its never gonna happen. the only way I ever lost a lot of weight was by completely starving myself and working out for hours a day. Right now I work out 1-2 hrs every day plus weight lifting, and eat between 1000-1200 calories and still am stuck at this weight. Im considering lipo, because I see it as a last resort. Any imput?
September 2, 2011
Hey Zenite, it takes so much exercising and dieting to lose that weight because your body wants to keep that amount of fat around in case their is a famine in the future. (Our bodies haven't evolved as much as agriculture.) So if you use liposuction to try to lose weight, the best you can hope for is that your body will redistribute the fat somewhere else. For me, having liposuction on my chin and having my body redistribute that fat to the rest of my body was a good trade off. But if you're trying to lose weight with liposuction, it isn't going to work as the doctors on this site have said. Even when the best doctors, liposuction isn't a magic wand and the results always have incision marks and sometimes leave uneven skin. In some areas, like under the chin, it would be hard to notice, while on your abdomen or waist it could be obvious.
September 2, 2011
Thanks for your input, and I don't mind that redistribution so much if that is the case. I'm mostly unhappy with the way my fat only gathers in my stomach, and on the rolls on my back. I have small everything else. I guess weight loss Isn't the right way to put it, but from what Ive seen in before and after pictures, I want that. redistribution, or whatever it may be. I haven't been able to achieve that with diet and exercise. Like this for example: http://www.realself.com/photo/232470?offset=29&topic_id=276 Better after the fat went somewhere else. I'm mostly concerned with the pain and downtime associated with recovery. That's the main reason I'm posting.
September 3, 2011
Do NOT underestimate the discomfort. This is MAJOR surgery. The description of the post op experience is such you will not be able to understand it until you have had it. This review is truly the most accurate to what to expect. I read it and still proceeded with surgery not really being able to conceptualize her experience. she was right on the money. People say I went thru child birth I can take anything.It is different from childbirth which is natural in that the body is prepared and designed for it. This surgery was like an assault on healthy tissue. You truly have to be motivated to be able to deal with the discomfort afterwards. I encourage you to think about other bouts of illness you have had. How did yu tolerate those?And if you decide to move forward just know that it could be up to 4-6 weeks later, not the 3-5 days they tell you that you feel ok. Best wishes in your decision.
September 3, 2011
Hi Suzy, I understand what you're saying. Surgery is always gonna be tough. The thing is people told me the same thing about having my breast reconstruction (various lifts and augmentation) A woman I know had breast surgery and lipo on the stomach at the same time and she said that her chest hurt so bad she didn't even care about the lipo pain, it was menial to her. So I wonder how it is in comparison. If she is just exaggerating...or the experience is really just individual? I am currently 4 days post op of my second breast reconstruction surgery and it was not bad at all. I was all worked up cause of what my friend had said about how painful it was (and she only had implants), but I found it to be really quite tolerable. I guess what I'm saying is that, as someone who has undergone previous surgeries, should I expect to recover similarly as with my other procedures?...since people do have different experiences and tolerance for pain. I mean, I have read plenty of reviews on here about people who had lipo and felt little pain afterwards. So I wonder if I should compare to my previous surgical recovery discomfort or if it is much worse?
September 6, 2011
You would think your previous experience would be a better indicator of how you will do as opposed to using someone else's experience.n I would think there are more nerves in the lipo areas so it could be more painful. You sound like a trooper and your body responds very well to surgery so I would think you would be able to tolerate the lipo ok. WebMd might do a good job of explaining both breast reconstruction and lipo surgery so you can get an idea of what is involved with both. I suggest you visit the site to get a better idea of lipo vs breast reconstruction.
September 21, 2011
Thank you zenite, i hope my lengthy (naggy) review gave you some factors to consider. I recommend you consider it long and hard. I wished i did. Sweety don't starve yourself, no beauty standards is EVER worth risking your health, our most valuable asset. To me i learned to surround myself with positive people, and that made all the difference. Now i'm 21, happy that I stopped drinking, something i been doing daily since freshmen year in college, kinda ironic. Liposuction should be a LAST resort, so be very certain to what you want. I just wanted to feel my best and be happy. Lipo didn't do that for me, it did the opposite. Be very very certain.
September 21, 2011
Totally agree suzyq. Underestimating the discomfort of liposuction is a big no-no. It's like Godzilla snuck up on me and took a bite. Afterwards, I will forever maintain my distance from that creature lol. But seriously, liposuction is traumatic (especially when its done on multiple areas at once) and it will cause a lot of discomfort.
July 16, 2015
Bravo with your response. Redistribution is a true fact. Happened to me! Went from pear shaped to inverted V shaped :'( 1500 calorie intake pre-op, no choice but a 1200 calorie post-op. I can't imagine what someone would have to eat post-op if they were on a mere 1200 calorie diet pre-op! Anyway Erik, you couldn't have explained it better. Good job!
September 4, 2011
http://www.realself.com/files/226260-231155.JPG
you look really good here. i should say it is a very good result. so the operation worth it
September 21, 2011
Thank you alexds, but i still think i should have went with exercise instead. Some days i get very bloated for no reason at all, even though its been a year. Don't know why. Have never experienced it before liposuction.
Replies (5)