Smart Lipo Recovery: Day by Day Journal - Boulder, CO

Well, this past week has been fine (3 weeks post op). Most of the swelling seems to have disappeared, although there is still some. In it's place I can feel a lot of hardness and some lumps. Both of these were to be expected and I was given notice to expect them. At first I was a little worried - they are not "visible" but they feel like little fatty lipomas under the skin. Other areas are very hard. The nice thing is that neither of that is visible :-)

Both the lumps and hardness will begin to diminish in their own time. Everything is still very tender, although I can go back to all my other activities and I've eased back into a workout schedule. I do appear to have a seroma (a billowy, soft area about 2 inches by 2 inches) on my right flank. Doc said it should resolve within a week or two.

I don't have any restrictions and I have been told to wear the garment during the day only until week 3, which is today! I think I may continue it for just a few more days as it feels good. The area that was done definitely doesn't feel back to normal yet. It's still tender and a little numb, but no pain.

8 Days
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Soreness and stiffness is settling it, and has been for the past day or two. It's similar to when you have have a really hard workout and everything is stiff and sore, leaving you feeling very inflexible. My back is aching the worst (flanks) but doc said this was completely normal and to be expected.

Other than that, very uneventful with no problems at all. I like it that way :-)

Today I'm coming to realize that none of my pants will fit me anymore. It's quite shocking actually to realize that there will be no more muffin top. No more constantly pulling up jeans to try to cover it. No more self consciousness about that fat rim. It would be nice if Smart Lipo came with a clothing allowance...! :-)

I went on the scales today and it shows me 2lbs lighter. Considering all I've been doing is sitting around with no physical activity I was worried i'd put on a ton of weight. Most people report little to no weight loss after having lipo which seems odd (perhaps because of the water from the swelling? something to ask at my post-op).

The areas worked on are still sore/tender to the touch. I'm still very protective of them being jostled. The massage therapist said I had more water retention on my flanks than abdomen (because of sitting and sleeping on my back, that's where it's pooling) so I'm trying to vary sitting and sleeping positions. Not much else to report. I'm *really* wanting to get back to a workout schedule - I'm feeling lazy and unfit not having any real physical activity.