57, 2 Kids, Too Much Yo-yo Dieting, Lipo on my Hips

Tomorrow I will have this HD lipo with Dr. Debra Mitchell in Columbia SC. I was sold on trying it for two reasons 1. I need some help getting myself on track to reshape my body after years of gaining and losing the same 40 pounds and 2 - and this was a BIG one - I will not be put under general anesthesia. You are locally anesthetized and awake through the procedure. Dr. Mitchell said she may ask me to stand to make sure she is getting the best result - during the procedure! I will post before and after photos - the results sometimes take several weeks because of the fluid pumped into the site where the fat is being removed. Pray for me! I'm nervous!

About 8 hours ago I left Dr. Mitchell's office. She is such a wonderful warm person. I have exactly six holes draining and have changed my for the 2nd time since returning home. LOTS of fluid plus the paperwork tells you not to put ointments and that they will be left open to drain SOooo its a bit of a mess at first. It helps that hubby can help me re-bandage.

Some good news is that most of the constant draining has stopped - I washed a lot of loads of laundry yesterday! I am sore but nothing unbearable. Oddly my two sides are healing differently - my left side has bruising just around the openings (where the cannula was inserted). My right side looks like someone tried to beat me with a bat. I am told arnica gel could help with the bruising but want to get the ok from Dr. Mitchell. Her post operative instructions are clear that I should not use topical ointments (as you might for a scrape). The openings are not sutured closed to allow drainage. Also told to gently massage the area when in the shower to help reduce swelling. Right now I look bigger than when I started but you can tell its swelling because it is very firm. Gotta go walk - a mile walk is a daily requirement to avoid clotting.