Beware side effects: scars, lumps, discoloration

I don’t like to say “hate” about myself, but I HATE my cellulite. Overall I have high self-esteem, but my cellulite has always made me self-conscious, to the point that I haven’t worn a “normal” bathing suit since I was 18. Always shorts and skirts to cover-up. I avoid going to the beach and pool parties and only wear “Mom shorts” like Bermudas. I have “Mom guilt” too because I won’t go to kid/family parties that require a bathing suit, so then my kids miss out too (they are too young to understand though). This has happened multiple times because we live in Florida. Maybe my cellulite wouldn’t be as big a deal to me if bathing suits weren’t worn so often. But my battle with cellulite is too major a part of my life and holds me back too much.

I wish I could get over it! I actually like my body overall. I don’t think I’m fat, but my cellulite makes me look and feel fat. Cellulite is a frustrating problem because it’s hard to treat, and there’s no 100% cure yet. I still have it when I lose weight. I think it was caused by a combo of genetics and stationary lifestyle in college. I sat on my butt too much in class and studying! I was happy with my grades but not my behind! I don’t think cellulite discriminates based on size. I’ve seen lots of skinny and fit ladies on realself still with cellulite.

I’ve tried working out, lotions, and the Fasciablaster so far. I tried the Fasciablaster every night for 1-2 months without seeing results. I know it can take longer for results, but it was too much of a time commitment and is messy with the oil. I’m excited to try Cellfina with Dr. Castor. It is the only treatment I’ve seen that has reliable results. Unfortunately, it realistically only gives an improvement and not a cure. I’m hoping for noticeable improvement. I’m hoping to get the point where I’m not so embarrassed in a bathing suit.

This is the beginning of my Cellfina story, and I will post soon about my experience in three consultations and about why I chose Dr. Castor. I’m scheduled for Cellfina in less than 3 weeks! I feel like my cellulite is severe since I have a combo of dimples and wavy lines. I have attached pictures from a previous procedure, but the lighting is much too forgiving. I hope to post pictures later that show the true extent of my cellulite, even though it’s hard for me to look at. I want to help others in their battles with cellulite too because other realself reviews have been so valuable to me.

For some reason, my before pictures didn’t attach to my first post. Here are those pictures attached now (hopefully). Again, they are from a previous procedure, and the lighting is too forgiving because you cannot see the extent of my cellulite. I have dimples on my butt and thighs and also wavy cellulite on my thighs. When I have my real before and after pictures from Dr. Castor, I plan to post them.

After I decided to try Cellfina, I used realself to research local doctors and reviews. I also looked at google, healthgrades and other doctor websites for reviews. For this treatment, I only considered doctors who were Board Certified Plastic Surgeons with impressive education, experience, and reviews. I selected three doctors for consultations: one in Sarasota, one in St. Pete, and Dr. Castor in Tampa. The Sarasota doctor said he could only improve my obvious dimples and could not give any improvement of wavy cellulite through Cellfina. He was sorry that he wasn’t able to help more. I did appreciate his honesty, sympathy, and him offering realistic expectations, but I was looking for a better solution. His price was $3000 but then went down to $2500 on special. He recommended a “mini-lipo” sculpting for my banana roll area that “may” help my wavy cellulite, but that would have been another $2500 at a later time. Then at my second consultation in St. Pete, the doctor seemed more experienced but wasn’t confident that she could improve most of my cellulite. She recommended mini-lipo to only one of my banana roll areas that has a larger indent line. Her price was $5000 for the Cellfina and lipo part.

Finally, I met with Dr. Castor in Tampa. First, his office is beautiful! It feels more spa-like than medical. He thoroughly explained the Cellfina procedure and his experience. He emphasized that Cellfina results are so much better than any other cellulite treatment that he’s seen. He was not intimidated by my wavy cellulite. He was confident that he could give me a significant improvement of all my cellulite with one Cellfina procedure. His reasonable price is $3000 for the cellulite on my butt, back of thighs, and outer thighs. I do have a concern that he is too confident in delivering good results, but he did have some before and after pictures showing that he improved wavy cellulite. Like I said before, Cellfina is not a cure-all but should offer improvement.

Dr. Castor took the time to answer all of my many questions. I told him that other doctors had recommended mini-lipo to my banana roll, and I agreed with him saying the banana roll area is usually dangerous to lipo. It can cause butt droop I believe. I’m hoping I made the right decision to go with Dr. Castor for my Cellfina. I’m planning to post another update about my plans for the day of Cellfina and afterward.

It’s hard to believe my Cellfina will be done in 4 days! I’ve been really excited, but this is the first time that I’m starting to get really nervous about the pain and potential side effects. Of course, I’m praying that the pain is tolerable and I avoid side effects. I’m looking forward to Cellfina but not to experiencing the treatment itself, especially all the numbing shots. Ouch!
I have been prepping for Cellfina by getting together my compression garments, gauze, medicines, and my Arnica and Bromelain. I will take those natural supplements (in order to reduce swelling and bruising) for a few days before and a week or so after the treatment.
The plan for the Big Day is to eat a normal breakfast in the morning and drive to Dr. Castor’s office. Upon arrival, I will have to sign consent forms and then take some medications: a Zanax to relax, two Vicidins for pain, and an antibiotic. I may also receive a shot of Versed? which is a sedative. Usually I’m anti-drug except when absolutely needed, but hopefully these medications will be worth it to make my procedure more bearable.
Next, Dr. Castor will mark my cellulite, and I plan to request that he use various lighting and pictures to best see my Cellulite. There will be many numbing shots at the beginning of the procedure, and then the micro blade should cut the bands causing my dimples! It should take 1-1.5 hours. Please work!
I will be given gauze/dressings to cover the punctures and catch the leaking of fluids. I’m expecting it to be messy for a couple days. My compression garment should hold the dressings in place and help with healing. I will put towels on my car seat for the drive home (my mom will be driving). I cannot drive with all those drugs in my system.
Afterward, I expect to be very sore for two days and then have some soreness for another couple weeks. I hope bruising resolves by 3-4 weeks. I can’t wait to see my final results! It could take some months. We will see how close “the plan” comes to reality. I will update how it actually went after it’s done!
The only hiccup so far is that I woke up with a sore throat today. My kids have had colds for the past couple weeks, so unfortunately it’s my turn. Hopefully I’m well enough by Monday. I’ll be resting and taking Vitamin C!