Here I Go: Off to Change my Body for the Better. 27/F/5'7 - Dallas, TX
Today I finally went through with something that I...
Today I finally went through with something that I have been contemplating for 2 years now, moving forward with getting Smart Lipo.
Update to now: Last year I went to a consult for smart lipo on my upper and lower abs, flanks, and bra bulge (something I have been thinking about for years) but decided to wait and search around for another doctor after researching the doctor and finding out not only did they want $4700, but the doctor was a gynecologist, and not a board certified surgeon. Sigh.
It took me a year to work myself up to it, but I have finally found a doctor who is board certified as a surgeon, female (personal preference), and has a history of doing all types of surgery (reconstructive, plastic, and other). So I feel totally comfortable after meeting her that she is the right doctor for me.
Thus far, so far so good. Last week, At the consult I met with the nurse who assists with the surgeries and she was very nice and didn't pressure me. I was disappointed that I will only be able to have three areas done instead of four due to the size of the areas. BUT I felt reassured that the place wasn't just trying to suck money from me, and actually were consulting from a medical standpoint.
Today, I went into the pre-op appointment and met the surgeon, she was very friendly and asks me a lot of questions about if was a drinker, smoker, drug user, had any previous surgeries, tattoos, broken my bones before, and anything of the sort along with a detailed medical history.
She didn't rush so I felt she actually cared, and she also shared a little about herself and her family which made me feel comfortable and knock off the nerves.
The doctor agreed that I should only do my upper/lower abs (focus on these) and bra bulge. She also indicated that after this procedure, if I exercise and diet, and still want the flanks, I can come back at a later point and talk with her.
The pre-op took about 30 minutes, and during she checked to make sure I didn't have any hernias, had a good heart, and that my iron was up ( I am border line anemic). She also laid me on the table and felt and pinched my belly and then again standing up.
As of current, the doctor says I have good skin tone and elasticity, so everything should go fine.
I am extremely nervous about the actual procedure, but excited to do this and move forward and stop sitting around depressed about something I can't fix on my own after trying a gazillion diets and exercising to no end.
Thus far, my directive is no medications including no naproxen sodium (sucks b/c these are miracle workers for headaches), no crazy food binging, and lots and lots of water. Also, I have to fill a prescription for Loritab (pain), valium (anxiety), and an antibiotic before my surgery next Wed. No multivitamin either FYI.
I typically take Claritin for allergies as needed, but am going to try to not use this week.
I am going to post pre-pictures soon, wish me luck :)
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One more day until my surgery date. I am nervous,...
I have posted three before pictures and will post my before from the doctor's office as well.
I have been drinking lots of water and eating relatively healthy to make sure I follow my pre-guidelines.
Only one slip-up, I did have 1 alchoholic drink over the weekend, (whoops) but drinking lots of water to flush my system so I am constantly having to pee.
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Night Before Surgery: Tuesday night, the day...
Tuesday night, the day before surgery, I made sure all my laundry was clean and my house was clean. I also made some hot and sour soup and went to the store to get recovery foods ( english muffins, strawberry cream cheese, ritz, fruit). I call these recovery foods because I knew I wouldn't want anything heavy on my stomach the first couple of days or weeks, and I was glad I bought these items because they have been easy on my stomach thus far. I also have been drinking a ton of water.
Day of Surgery: (As of Wednesday, didn't have time to post so I wrote it in journal).
My procedure was at 8:00 am and surprisingly I woke up on time, enough to shower with Dove sensitive skin ( I knew it would be my last shower for a few days) and to eat a sandwich ( a piece of bologna on two pieces of bread). My doctor told me to eat something starchy and light 1.5 prior to surgery because I am anemic, and it would reduce the chance of me fainting during or after the procedure.
Not sure if the sandwich was helpful because as soon as I go to the doctor's office, I had to use the bathroom, and it all came right out. I think because my stomach is always unsettled when I am nervous, "eliminating" my bowels as the doctor insisted was not hard.
While waiting, the nurse gave me a valium and a loritab to knock off the anxiety and for pain. I insisted tot he doctor that I wasn't scared, so I didn't need more valium, but to please make sure my procedure was as pain free as possible.
When it was time to go in and get ready, the first step was giving me the local anesthesia for numbing. This did not hurt, it just felt like when you go get a flu shot, where it stings a little at first. The whole time the doctor and nurse talked to me and played music I choose on Pandora so it was very relaxing.
2nd step was to fill me up with the tumescent fluid. This was not painful for me, just felt a little uncomfortable at first,and my stomach started to get hard and fill like someone was filling a waterbed in my tummy. The doctor used around 4 liters total of fluid to reduce as much pain as possible, and it worked.
I literally did not have any pain during the procedure expect for two spots in the middle of my tummy, it felt like someone was poking my with a pen really hard. When I told her I felt this sensation, the doctor moved to a different angle which relieved this.
The whole procedure for my abs and bra line lasted 3 hours, I was awake and comfortable the whole time, and I was able to move in different positions to make sure the doctor could get all the fat. She also gave me another Loritab about half way through to make sure I didn't start feeling pain.
After the procedure, I drained a lot when I stood up, and they put my compression garment on. It is super tight but actually feels good because 2 days out my abs and back are sore.
No pain on day or surgery until hours later at home, I felt my entire abs were sunburned. I took two pain pills and this knocked out the pain. Since I have been taking pain meds every 5-6 hours to stay on top of the pain.
Day 1
Nothing to report but soreness. I feel sore all over but standing and walking helps. Laying flat feels terrible, but laying or sitting at a angle feels better. Still taking pain meds and even though the doctor said wait 24 hours and then remove garment to wash and take a shower, I decided not to remove garment and shower just yet because I am still draining everywhere so there's no point, and I'm swollen and tender and don't have the energy to remove this garment and put it back on. I just use baby wipes, a bathcloth, and soap to wash my self, and go in and out of sleep.
I am also using an abdominal support wrap over my garment to make sure my garment stays smooth and doesn't create wrinkles when i sleep.
Got up to measure my self today and I have lost 2 1/2 inches off my natural waist line and 2 1/2 inches off my lower abs, belly button area. Yipee! I am still swollen so I'm pleased so far.
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Hi there, welcome and thanks for sharing your journey with us. Good luck with your upcoming procedure, I hope all goes well for you! You must be getting excited.
Please do keep us updated with your progress.