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Only a Few Days out but I Look So Small, I Feel I Look Like a Board. Help - California, CA

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I'm really concerned. I am a few days out from...

loveheartlove888
$10,000
I'm really concerned. I am a few days out from lipo to the upper lower ab, hips, thighs. I have bathed and took a look at myself in the mirror, I am really regretting the hip liposuction. I feel that I look straight up and down like a board. I am wondering since I am so soon out of surgery and already looking like this does this mean my feminine shape will never return? I feel so uncomfortable to sleep. I cannot sleep on my sides and when I sleep on my back I feel there is not enough fat left in my upper back of the hips to support and cushion me comfortable. I regret not having better communication with my surgeon. I am so worried about this. Someone please advise. Thanks.

Replies (8)

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September 1, 2013
The discomfort sleeping is normal and it may last another week or so. It will also take a while for your final shape to appear so hold off on worrying until you're at the 6 month mark. I'm surprised you don't have swelling! I had lipo on a lot of areas and my hips did feel different (not as curvy) but my waist is still a little swollen so I'm thinking once it stops swelling there will be more curve between my waist and hips. Posting a pic of yourself before and after would help us with our responses! Hang in there, it does get better!
September 3, 2013
Hi, I don't mean to get into an argument but I don't think sleep problems and the pain described in this thread are "normal". They *might* be. But we can't really know. And I also don't think that we can say: It will get better. Because it *might* but it *might not*. Each experience is different and I can say that initially *I* felt great but grew dissatisfied as time went on. I don't want to be pessimistic but just want to offer caution to what we say as far as it all getting better or not. Best wishes to you!
September 3, 2013
Thanks. I'm just really worried because if this is swollen then I really dread to think how much fat he removed and how unhealthily slim I will actually be at the end of 6 months. I am reading that fat is very important for tissue repair, it actually has a lot of functions. I'm really concerned that he removed too much. Thanks for the encouragement.
September 3, 2013
Thanks, I hope to God it gets better. This doesn't feel right, feels way too extreme. I've started taking the sleeping pills, they really helped me sleep but I do not like the idea of taking prescription drugs. I wish I could have all my fat back, I would accept the lesson it was trying to teach me to be healthier and love myself for me, I'd do that instead.
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September 1, 2013
I totally understand your concerns. I am 12 days post op from Lipo on my upper/lower abs, flanks & inner thighs. The board shape was a concern of mine right away as well. It turns out I was much more swollen than I had thought. As the swelling became better & better each day my feminine shape began to reveal itself. I continue to wear by 'binder' 24/7 with an hour off here & there for shower Etc. my dr recommended 24/7 wear for the first 3 weeks then 12 hour wear for week 4 & 5. I am so surprised with the amount of pain I am experiencing. I continue to take ibuprofen every 6 hours to help. Sleeping has been horrible because of pain & getting up to go to the bathroom since I am drinking so much water throughout the day. My husband tried to encourage me because Im beginning to get the blues with everything & the results are not appearing as quickly as Id like. Positive additude & patience is what I tell myself. But that is hard when it is 90 degrees & I'm stuck in this binder that comes to my knees! Good luck on your recovery & keep your head up.
September 3, 2013
Hi~ I am concerned about your pain! I am not saying it is more or less than should be expected. I just want to warn you against a compression garment that is too-tight. Many time a woman does not want to go back to the Dr. to find out these things. But I hope you do. And good luck!!
September 3, 2013
I never knew that. I don't think the compression garment is too tight. The most discomfort I'm having is in the side hip and back hip area. I think he removed way way too much fat. The swelling actually made me feel a little better because I wasn't dealing as much with the dents in my back hips. It's like a warm burning pain that doesn't go away and I have pain movied especially in the hips those areas are also completely numb. I really don't feel well, not really able to do regular activities. I hope things get better soon. I will ask my doctor about compression garment tomorrow. I am supposed to wear it all day everyday except showers for 4 weeks but to be honest I feel better when I take it off.
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September 1, 2013
Hi loveheartlove888. I'm so sorry for your concern. Did you get the Operative Report to see exactly how much was removed? How much did he tell you he'd remove? How fit were you before surgery, weight, height.... Keep us posted.
UPDATED FROM loveheartlove888
4 days post

po photos

loveheartlove888
I'm only a few days out but I am very worried. Feel way too much fat was taken out especially from side and back of my hips leaving my bottom very small and no shape. I am in so much discomfort and having emotional anxieties about this. I spoke to the doctor, he says he sucked a lot of fat and I'm going to love it and that nobody complains about having too much fat removed. I am very concerned and confused and wondering what healing with be like and if revision healing is as difficult? I feel my hips and the outer ones are hard, I think the muscle is very close the the skin and I see dents where my back hip was. My mom is trying to convince me to not stress and focus on the good. I'm trying.

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UPDATED FROM loveheartlove888
4 days post

po photos. really regretting this.

loveheartlove888
Painful, numb, shock to my system worried about recovery. I have no appetite. Haven't had a bowel movement since the 29th, doctor said to use fleet enema. I had a hard time with it, not working well. I took some stool softener, hopefully it will help. Didn't feel comfortable with the way the doctor spoke to me when I expressed my concerns. I wish I understood more about what this surgery entails, I would have had less areas liposuctioned or just focused on fitness since I only needed to lose about 15 pounds. I'm looking back on this and wish I had chosen a doctor with both credentials and good communication skills. I felt credentials was so important but thinking back there were serious problems with communication.

Replies (1)

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September 1, 2013
Hi loveheartlove888, I can't give any medical advice but it's my understanding from reading liposuction texts and journal articles that doctors have to record the amount of aspirated fluid removed their operative report. I'm not telling you to do so, but fyi, a patient can request the operative report and their records in writing. I find it absurd that he said that nobody complains about having 'too much' fat sucked out. Too much is too much, and if it's against consent that is really disturbing. Has he followed patients down through the years to see how they fared, or does just assume that if they seem okay a fee months later that means that they are okay? My experience with the board certified surgeon who did reconstructive surgery on me is that he only treated me defensively, not with concern that he ruined my body and health. Hopefully for you, your healing will get better every day. To find a community of people who have experienced clear problems with liposuction, you may want to look at the thread, 'Did you gain weight after liposuction?'