Cellulaze Back and Side of Thighs, Dr. Tina West - Chevy Chase MD

Hi. I'm 40, very athletic, active and fit (work out every day). I'm 5'4" and about 110 pounds. I have some minimal yet stubborn cellulite (that seems to get worse each year) around the side of my outer thighs and back of my thighs (and a teenybit on my bum). It's made me feel self-conscious the last few summers, and I want to do something about it.

I consulted with Dr. Tina West and her staff and decided to go ahead with the procedure. I had to get some blood tests done beforehand. They prescribed me an anti-biotic to start using before the surgery. They did not suggest arnica to prevent bruising, although this is not a bad idea (too bad I thought of it just now; surgery is tomorrow.) I am quite nervous (about pain, bruising and being able to work out again asap), but hopeful for good results. I'm posting a few "before" pictures. Will post more later this week - hopefully I'll be up for that!

This morning was the procedure. To start, they took some "before" pictures and did the markings with the grid. The staff also gave me some instructions and information, and a Valium to relax me as I was nervous. The Valium definitely calmed me, and the staff is super nice and professional. They and Dr. West made me feel very comfortable and safe. The worst part was the numbing process, a whole bunch of tiny incisions with a stinging sensation as they put in the numbing fluid. (My recent HSG exam was worse that that!) So the numbing process was a bit uncomfortable but totally bearable; they gave me squishy stress balls to squeeze during that portion.

Then it was time for the actual procedure. I felt nothing. I was totally numb at this point. I felt a little pressure where they were working, and it actually felt like a little massage.

At the end of the procedure, the drained me, and helped me get into my compression garment, which they stuffed with padding. I am squeamish and made a point not to look at my legs, I don't want to see them right now. I came home feeling pretty relaxed and pain-free, and slept for a good 5 hours - probably due to the Valium. It's now evening, and I am thinking I must still be fairly numb because I feel ok. I've taken four Motrin over the last eight hours, that's it. Possibly I'll be sore tomorrow when the numbness wears off. I am wrapped in lots of padding and a hideous compression garment that I have to wear for one week -- that and the inability to do my workout so far has been the worst part.

I'm so glad the procedure is over. We will see how the recovery goes/progresses. More to come!

I woke up feeling quite good. So good that I felt like I could workout, but I'll hold off a bit longer. :) No major issues and no real pain. I have posted a few pics of be without the bandages (got to take them off to shower and put on fresh ones), but the lighting was terrible, my apologies.

Anyway, I have had virtually no pain, just a few random "electric-shock"-like shoots of quick pain here and there, which I'm hoping will pass. It did not seem like I had a lot of drainage, btw. Just a little bit of pinkish drainage on the right side, a bit less on the left. Post-shower, I stuffed my compression garment with new, clean padding in case any more comes out. I cleaned the incisions today with hibiclens in the shower, then acquaphor.

My bruising appears to be really minimal thus far. I mean, it looks like I took a nasty fall while pole-vaulting or something, but it's not that bad. I am, however, super-duper LUMPY (I guess from swelling?) I'm checking with the Dr. to see how long it will take for the swelling to go down, and whether I should be icing.

I was supposed to switch today from a size small to an extra-small compression garment today, however, the XS didn't have a side zip and I think pulling it over the backs of my puffy legs would have hurt. So for now I'm still in the size small, with two pairs of compression running tights on top. Will try the x-small later in the week.