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POSTED UNDER Smart Lipo REVIEWS

Upper and Lower Abs, Upper Back, Flanks, Love Handles and Inner Thighs.....oh, My! - Columbus, OH

ORIGINAL POST

I am a little over a week out from my Smartlipo...

Aybrook
$10,300

I am a little over a week out from my Smartlipo procedure. So far, not feeling nervous, just excited to (hopefully!) see some dramatic results. I am 36 years old, 5'8", 165 lbs; currently wearing a snug size 10. I am not overly concerned with the actual weight loss associated with this procedure; my main goal is to have a significant reduction in inches and a more "smooth" appearance overall. I have started taking Arnica as well as a daily multivitamin, and drinking plenty of water.

I am planning on only taking 2 days off work (ambitious, I know.). For those of you who have had this many areas done, do you think this is realistic? I work at a corporate office (desk job) so I will not have to be on my feet much.

I will be posting my before photos later today.

Aybrook's provider

Robert Heck, MD, FACS

Robert Heck, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9 | 152 Reviews
PROFILE

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Replies (3)

March 15, 2013
Hi, I just recently had my left and right flanks, upper and lower abs, as well as small areas where my pelvic bone and thigh meets and my results are amazing. I too work sitting behind a desk for 8 hours. Its been 1 week for me and im still a little sore but I stop taking pain pills my 2nd post op day. I took Friday (day of procedure) and monday off and was bavk to work on Tuesday. But everyo e is different. No seriously weight loss but definitely a loss of inches. Good luck
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March 15, 2013
Hi, I had the same experience as you. No excess pains, and I only took one pain killer and was fine ever after, except for the normal soreness. I did my procedure on a Tuesday and was in school the next day! I have healed well too, no lumps or anything unsightly. You can check out my profile and see my results and give me a little feedback too. Good luck with your healing.
March 16, 2013
Hello! Good luck! Just 5 weeks ago I had my upper/lower and done and took off an entire week ahead of time. I work a desk job as well but knowing I had to wear compression all day the first week I just opted to enjoy the time off. I had the procedure on Thursday was sore over the weekend by playing with my kids by Monday. I was grateful for my yoga pants the first week with the swelling. My first week back to work I was tender but didn't notice anything while busy. Good luck next week! Can't wait to see after pics. If you look at my before and after I think you'll know you're in for fantastic results. My tummy was much larger than yours and I'm very happy!!
UPDATED FROM Aybrook
1 day post

Wow, what a day. I had my procedure yesterday at...

Aybrook
Wow, what a day. I had my procedure yesterday at 1p.m, so I am less than 24 hrs out. I have to be very honest and say I had a pretty bad experience :(. Not with my doctor (he was wonderful) but I did not tolerate the actual procedure well. I took one Xanex and one vicadin 1hr prior to surgery so I felt a little loopy when things go started. I found the numbing part more painful than most have described, but tolerable. It was certainly NOT pain free! The nurses re-dosed my meds (1 more Zanex + 1 Vicodin). Then my surgeon got started on the actual lipo (he started on my bra fat area). That's when things started to go down hill. I felt a tremendous amount of pain (even after being re-numbed). I started to feel very nauseated and asked for some meds to help. The nurses were extremely attentive and brought anti nausea meds quickly. Doctor resumed the procedure. Again, I felt pain, then broke out into a cold sweat and proceeded to vomit! It was terrible. I was so sick they had to give me a 20 minute break to try to recover. After sone crackers and a little water, I felt much better and the lipo started on my stomach. It was less painful than my back but I definitely still felt pain (again, after being re-numbed). The final area performed were my inner thighs, about the same as my stomach in terms of pain. Then, finally, we were finished. The nurses got me cleaned up, placed my binders on and had me sit down to rest. Immediately, the nausea returned and I started vomiting again. Nurses gave me Sprite and I stated feeling much better. My doc wanted to keep me for 30 mins to make sure I was truly okay before heading home. He was so nice about everything.

I am not posting this to frighten anyone, just wanted to be honest about MY experience. I think the pain meds on an empty stomach, along with the pain are what caused me to get sick. I typically have a tough time with pain meds and should have know this would not be any different.

As for my results, I have no clue! Have not looked at myself in the mirror once....just haven't had the energy. I want to focus on my healing first and foremost.

I will be posting my after pics ASAP, hopefully in 2-3 days!

Replies (0)

UPDATED FROM Aybrook
2 days post

Day 3 and thus far I am totally UNDERwhelmed by my...

Aybrook
Day 3 and thus far I am totally UNDERwhelmed by my results. Nothing looks different to me. I am aware that I am swollen, etc but I thought for sure I would be able to see some improvements. My lower abdomen is protruding more now than it was pre-surgery! I feel so sad right now.

Replies (11)

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March 22, 2013
You are kidding...you look great. I can see improvements. I used to think so too until people start commenting on my profile. We are our worst critics. :) It's really early still, in time it will get better.
March 23, 2013
Thank you! Your "worst critic" comment is dead on. I am relentless when it comes to judging all my, umm, let's just call them "imperfections"!
March 22, 2013
You can really tell with the side profile. It looks amazing even after 2 days. I'm still really nervous your post on how awful it was was just after the day that I paid the money so I can't back out now. Wish me luck ill put my photos on over the weekend. What about after the operation how long before you could move around ok? As I've booked into a hotel for 1 night not sure whether to book addition nights
March 23, 2013
Thank you :). I was able to move around fairly well by day 3, even more so by day 4. Today is day 5 and I am feeling pretty much back to normal, just a little soreness. As for your hotel, I think it is largely dependent on how many areas you are having done. If it is as many as me, I think 2 nights might be a little more realistic, but otherwise 1 might be okay. Please don't let my experience scare you.....I am pretty sure it NOT normal to get as sick as I did. I just want people to be prepared for the worst, just in case. As for the pain, I think that just comes with the territory. This procedure is not pain free, no matter what people might tell uou. Keep in mind I was being "worked on" for nearly 4 hours. Most people aren't having as many areas done and therefore dont have to endure as much discomfort. When is your procedure?
March 25, 2013
4th of April, I haven't told anyone I'm having it done either. How you feeling now?
March 23, 2013
I can see a difference and trust me when I say give it a week or two. Mine continues to improve and I am 6 weeks post!
March 23, 2013
Thank you! I needed to hear that :)
March 23, 2013
How come these doctors don't properly medicate prior to surgery! Did they give delaudid or something?!
March 23, 2013
Well, that's a good question. I was made to feel as if one Xanex and one Vicadin would be "sufficient"; it most certainly was not! They did try to re-dose me but I just couldn't keep it down. Who knows if things might have been different had I been able to.
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March 23, 2013
Whatever they gave you before your surgery started should have been strong enough to keep you through... they seem to be skimping on the medication. and that's sad because you guys pay enough money to get proper meds to b comfortable.
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March 25, 2013
I had such a similar expeirence to yours!!! They had me take 2 xanax before and i ended up asking for pain meds half way through because it hurt a lot! I am 2 weeks post op now. I swelled up and down alot the first 2 weeks but now im starting to firm up. It will continue to improve. Dont over due exercise etc or it will swell more. Good luck :)