SAFELIPO THIGHS: 32 Yr Old Active Exercise Instructor Just Wanting Inner Thighs Not to Painfully Rub - Cleveland, OH

After about 15 years of dealing with my thighs painfully rubbing together when I walk and about a year of extensive research on fat reducing options (so grateful for this app), I have finally done it! At 6am this morning, I checked into the hospital to have SafeLipo on my thighs and inner knees. A little background...I am about to turn 33 in a little under a month. I have always been in shape, love to exercise, even teach classes at a local group exercise studio. I generally eat relatively well although since I've had to start watching my portions (until about 5 years ago, I could eat whatever I wanted and as much as I wanted without worrying about gaining weight), I sometimes go through phases where I have terrible cravings and give in. I love food more than anyone I know. Anyway! I would say my hatred and disgust for my legs began around 20 year old. I always liked them before that and had no issues with them; however, as I matured, my weight began being held in my legs. I've since stopped wearing shorts or short skirts or dresses because I don't like the way they look. My knees had (hopefully this is past tense now) fat surrounding them and my thighs touch even when my legs are spread apart (see before photos). Needless to say, when my feet are together, my inner thighs are so tightly pushed into each other it actually hurts. When I walk, they consistently rub against each other. Depending on the type of pants I'm wearing, this can range from annoying to downright painful. In the summer if I'm wearing a bathing suit, not only am I self conscious of my seemingly disproportionate legs (in comparison to the rest of my body), but walking is torturous. It's not long before I get (what I don't know how else to describe as) rugburn on my inner thighs - red, swollen, sometimes rashy rugburn. Ok, enough rationalizing this surgery. That's why I did it. When I first started doing my research, I was dead set on SmartLipo. After reading all the reviews, watching videos, and learning as much as I could on the procedure, it seemed like the best route for me. I scheduled a consultation with another (meaning not the one I ended up using) board certified plastic surgeon. I went into the consultation excited and prepared with a list of questions. During my consultation, the doctor quickly shot me down. He said that he would only be able to take a little fat out of my inner thighs but it would not make much difference. He also said he would never do the knees and that I would possible have saggier skin afterwards. I left the appointment in tears. I was so disappointed. I've seen so many amazing before and after photos of SmartLipo patients with similar issues as me and great results! What was wrong with me I thought. Why couldn't I get these same results? I decided to get a second opinion. I told myself that if I received a similarly disappointing assessment from another doctor that I would just forget about it completely and maybe try Cool Sculpting, although I really wanted something more dramatic. My second consultation was with a gentle, soft-spoken, and kind doctor named Dr. Totonchi in Westlake, Ohio. He seemed confident that he could help me; however, he did not perform SmartLipo. Initially, I thought to myself, "Oh crap." I at this point had been convinced that this was my only option. He then began describing to me the SafeLipo technique. It's not a special machine or anything, it's just a technique that was developed by a plastic surgeon several years ago to actually revise liposuction mistakes and deformities. SAFE is an acronym that stands for separation aspiration fat equalization. Quote from the SafeLipo website: "Unlike other forms of liposuction, SAFELipo first loosens, emulsifies and separates out the unwanted fat cells, gently removes them, then equalizes the remaining thin fat layer without generating heat, keeping valuable blood vessels, skin and other tissues from being damaged or destroyed." The doctor said that with this technique, he is able to improve the appearance of cellulite, which although not to apparent in my photos, I definitely have. I liked the idea of not damaging other tissues with heat too. I scheduled my surgery for December 23. I will describe my experience thus far in an update. Thank you for reading this short novel! I really wanted to do this after realizing there are hardly any SafeLipo reviews out there.

When I got to the hospital yesterday, at 6am, I checked in at the reception, showed my ID, signed a paper, and waited to be called back. They took me into a curtained-off area with a bed and asked me a bunch of standard questions. I was then told to provide a urine sample and take off everything to put on the gown, socks, and hair cap. I layed down on the bed and waited awhile. A nurse came in to give me an IV although I don't think anything was flowing at that point. Then the doctor came in to mark me. We agreed on removing fat from the inner thighs and around the knees but just using the smoothing technique on the outer thighs and backs of the thighs where I have some cellulite. The anesthesiologist came in to talk to me about the process. They then put something in the IV To relax me while they rolled me down the hall to the operating room. I remember feeling very relaxed but still coherent. They moved me from the bed to the metal table and that's the last thing I remember. I woke up in phase 1 of recovery feeling very cold and thirsty. I wasn't in too much pain. Just sore. I had a couple cuts on my lips inside my mouth which they said was from the tube probably. They got me some water, some more warm blankets, and removed my IV. After a short while, I was taken to phase 2 of recovery and moved to a chair. Getting off the bed to the chair was tough. I was a little surprised how sore I was. The nurse then helped me put my clothes on and the doctor came in to see how I was doing. He said he was a little surprised at how much fat he was able to remove - 900cc total...almost a liter!!! He said he was able to remove more from my knees than he anticipated. I am so anxious to see the final results but that won't be for months and months!! I have to be patient. Before I left, they gave me 2 percoset with some crackers. My mom then drove me home and picked up my percoset prescription. Something that I want to share with anyone considering this surgery or any surgery where you need to wear a compression garment: get a GoGirl!!!! The first time I tried to pee, it got on the garment. I was so upset because I have to wear it until Monday without taking it off...I can't even shower! I tried to wipe it and then dry it with my blow dryer but honestly, it is impossible to not get it all over you if you don't have a funnel thing. I wish I would've known this especially because after the surgery, I found I had to go to the bathroom so often. Anyway, the whole rest of the day I tried to rest but only got a couple hours of sleep total. For some reason, I am so wired. The percoset is supposed to make you groggy and drowsy but that is not happening with me at all. No nausea or vomiting though so that's good! I also think it's doing a pretty good job of managing the pain. I am taking one every 4 hours with a few pretzels. If I go a little over 4 hours, I can tell! I am also taking stool softeners but haven't gone to the bathroom yet. I also had some soup. I'm not that hungry yet. I'm starting to get a little tired now so I'll try to sleep. I'll keep you posted!

Feeling much more sore today than yesterday. I'm still taking my percoset every 4 hours. I've read that Day 3 is the worst so I'm trying to focus on the fact that this too shall pass :) I still haven't gone to the bathroom (besides peeing). I'll probably take some milk of magnesia tomorrow although I'm nervous about sitting on the toilet. I tried today and couldn't because it digs into the backs of my thighs and hurts too badly. Really can't wait until my follow up on Monday when they remove the garment and then I can shower afterwards!!! Starting to feel pretty gross. I think my mom is going to help me wash my hair in the sink tomorrow. Yea! Merry Christmas!!!