I've always had larger hips and outer/inner thighs...
I've always had larger hips and outer/inner thighs. I'm only 5'2" so I've been very self conscious about carrying my weight in this area. I lost 100 pounds on my own through diet and exercise and have had 3 kids (one c-section). Through all this, my body has just lost its shape even though it's gotten smaller.
I made my lipo appt (abs, flanks, inner/outer thighs) for March 26th and I won't lie, I'm very nervous. Only procedure I've ever had was the emergency c-section and that recovery was horrific. I'm scared of the pain afterwards but know it will be worth it. Maybe I'm just trying to imagine the worst possible pain I could endure so that it will seem only a little painful compared to what I've imagined LOL. I'll try to post pre-op pictures soon.
2 weeks to go!! Before Pic (front)
Excited But Still Nervous About My Upcoming Surgery.
Pre op Appt. 1 week to go!
I'm Excited About My UpcominG Lipo In One Week From Tomorrow! Just Trying To Stay Realistic & Know This Is Not An End All Solution But A Big Stepping Stone To Achieving The Figure I've Always Wanted. I've Worked So Hard To Get To This PoinT & Lose The Weight, But My Body Has Lost It's Shape & I'm Ready To Get It Looking Good. I Had The Dr Draw On Me As You Can See Where He'll Be Removing Fat. These Pics Make Me Want To Cry, But It's A Starting Point To A New & Improved Me :)!
3 Days and Counting to Go!!
Three days until my Lipo procedure! Excited and nervous...but mostly excited. Today, I'm picking up my prescriptions and doing all my grocery shopping and getting the house all cleaned up. Trying to get as many things done as I can before Wednesday since I still have to work up until day of my procedure. Then, I'm taking off the 4 days after wards. I hope that will be enough :/. I have my post-op nutrition plan in place and ready to Rock this jump started body LOL!!
Today is the Day!!
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26 Mar 2014
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Day of treatment
I slept great last nigh!! Kinda surprised about that actually, but I'll take it seeing is starting today after the procedure, I'll probably be up all night every night going to the bathroom LOL. Anyways, I took my weight and measurements for later comparisons:
Weight: 144.5
Waist: 33.25 inches
Hips: 41 inches
Left Thigh: 24 inches
Right Thigh: 24 inches
Praying for a successful procedure and as little pain as possible afterwards! I'll keep you all updated!
1 Day Post Op
Everything went smoothly yesterday. Only negative thing I can say was that I got a call 5minutes from the facility saying my OR time had been pushed back an hour. No biggie. I had slept great the night before. When I finally went back the staff was so caring and put me at ease. I got my gown on, took some meds to keep my stomach acids neutral and got the iv started. Soon after the dr. came in and did his marking. I'm actually about to fall asleep writing this...I am SOOO tired LOL. When they came back to get me and take me to the OR they said I'd be out within five or ten seconds. I was. Next thing I remember was waking up in recovery with my CG on and the nurse asking if I was ready to get dressed. Funny, I just kinda got off the table and got dressed and she helped me to the car where my husband and she helped me in. I got home around 2pm and went immediately to sleep, couldn't stay awake...apparently, I'd slept all the way home too. I have to say about the pain on a scale of 1 to 10, I was maybe a 2!!! I ended up throwing up once later that night, I think it mustve been after effects of the anesthesia or something but felt fine right after. I was up all night long peeing. I've been too scared to sit on the potty so I've been using a plastic cup to stand and go in and then just pour it in the toilet. Maybe TMI, but I use a 12oz cup and have to pour it out twice every time I go. My incisions are still draining, which is creepy. It just looks like I'm oozing blood everywhere. So, I'm keeping the overnight large thick pads in my CG. I go back in the morning to the DR. and plan to ask if my CG is too loose. I don't feel the excruciatingly painful tightness everyone talks about. Dont get me wrong, its tight but not unbearable. My head has been hurting and when I woke up today I felt like I had a hard workout and was stiff. Pain level maybe a 3. I'm going to try to take a shower later tonight if my draining has subsided some. I almost don't want to look in the mirror because I can see how black and blue I am. Can anyone tell me how long this takes to go away? I'll keep you posted on everything else. Ready for another nap :)
1 day post op shower - seeing myself for the first time after lipo!
I have to admit I was nervous to see myself without the garment on for the first time. But doc said I could shower. I washed the CG while in the shower. It's the weirdest thing seeing yourself with open incisions oozing! Oh my! Have my first post op appt tomorrow & will be asking if this is how the incision sites should look. I don't like that part...ready for draining to end & sites to clise up. Anyways, here's what I look like 1 day post op without the garment on. I can see a difference already, but I sure am bruised & swollen as to be expected!
1 day post op shower - seeing myself for the first time after lipo
I forgot to attach a pic of the front. You can still see the dr's surgical markings amongst the bruising and swelling...I was too afraid to scrub hard enough to get them off. Anyone have any tips for getting the pen marks off?
4 Days Post Op Update
In my most dramatic voice...this compression garment is ruining my life!!!!! LOL!! I hate it. It seems the worst part is at night when I'm trying to sleep. Doesn't seem to bother me during the day but it's probably because I'm distracted. The foam board on my abs isn't even that constricting. At night, I've been unhooking the top hook and zipper just so I can breathe. Not sure why but it feels itchy even though it's soft. Last night I even put panty liners down the side to soften it up a bit. I thought as the swelling went down, it would start feeling bigger, but I know it's probably too early yet. I'm sleeping with my feel elevated and sit with them up as often as possible. My pain level is basically non existent. Only feeling stiff and uncomfortable. Bruising is the main issue and it hurts to sit on the potty. I put towels around the edges to pad the seat because the majority of my bruising is at the back of my legs and down my sides. I guess the blood is draining down. I don't have the lumps like I've read about before. I even got some of the surgical markings off with a little soap and gentle scrubbing with a washcloth in the shower. The incisions have stopped draining and I'm heading back to work tomorrow for a few hours. My only real complaint other than the compression garment is my constant headache and light headedness. I thought it might be related to the anesthesia or an oncoming sinus infection, but I just wish it would go away. I'm trying to include as many details as possible for those reading like I did to try and prepare themselves or decide whether or not to have a procedure.
On a more positive note, I decided to measure myself last night when I saw the tape measure sitting out...
I've lost over an inch in my waist and TWO inches in my hips!!!! I can't wait for the swelling to go down so I can see what I measure then!!
Waist now 32inches
Hips now 39inches
WOOHOO!!!!
One Week Post Op Today!
Today is one week post op. I took pics for comparison, but they all turned out fuzzy so I'll try again tomorrow and even get measurements! I'm feeling good, no pain, even sleeping on my sides at night!! The stiffness is minimal, but my knees are aching a little due to being swollen from fluid. For some reason today, I am more swollen than I have been so far...it even worried me to the point where I called the PS's office. They said this was normal and I would continue changing on basically a daily basis for awhile. I go back on Friday for my one week follow up. I am VERY bruised and it's running down my legs. My knees are really swollen too I guess because the compression garment stops right under them so the fluid is pooling around my knees where I also have an incision on the inside of each one. They stopped draining several days ago and I believe are closing up. I honestly got a little disappointed when I saw myself today when I took my CG off to shower and didn't see much of a difference. The doc said I could also be retaining water from all the fluid and still swollen and bruised which I really am. I'm drinking tons of water and eating very healthy... no fried or processed foods or sugars and only minimal complex carbs like brown rice and also fruits. On Monday, I went back to work and the worst part was the stiffness after driving lol. Other than that, the compression garment I've been complaining so much about is like second skin now. Weird. I think the ab foam board pads it from me a little or maybe it's getting bigger because I'm getting smaller. Either way, I think I'll wash it again tomorrow to shrink it some more. My incisions stopped draining several days ago and the sites are beginning to close up. I was told to keep Polysporin and Hydrogen Peroxide on them for now. The Bio oil & Mederma or Aloe Vera and Vitamin E will come later the doc said. I read about the Bio Oil combination on here but my dr told me to use pure Aloe Vera (no Lidocaine) and Vitamin E capsules cut in half and rub the fluid on the sited. I'm asking about these again on Friday. I incision sites are on inside of each knee, one in my belly button, two on my lower abs, two in the creases of my pubic/leg area, two on the lower back/upper butt, and one under each butt cheek. Can anyone give any feedback if they experienced feeling/getting/looking bigger POST OP before shrinking down? I know it's still early, but could just really use some inspiration today :)
One Week Photos/ Measurements
I'm still very swollen and bruised but no pain, sleeping on sides & wearing CG 24/7 except to shower or go #2..can't bring myself to go with it on LOL! Here are some before & now pics and also some one day post op & now pics. I can see the most difference from behind but my hips have definitely gone down in size except some pockets of swelling on each side!
Measurements:
Waist 32inches (no difference since day 4 :/)
Hips 38 1/2 inches (another 1/2 inch down Woohoo)
Left thigh 22 1/2 inches (down 1 1/2 inches)
Right thigh 23 inches (down 1 inch)
I guess I expected to see a little more inch loss but it's still early so I won't give up hope :)
Two weeks Post Op!! Starting to see some changes!
today is exactly 2 weeks since I had my lipo procedure. I'm feeling good. A little bloated due to my monthly. I even worked out for 10 min nice and easy on the elliptical today! I can tell the swelling is starting to go down but I just wish it would go a little quicker. I want to see more of a difference in my hips although I'm saying a lot in my waist. I believe the arnica tablets & gel are helping. my bruising has gone away tremendously! I'm still in my CG 24 /7 and I can even sleep on both of my sides at night. only real complaint I have is I now have this swollen area on my lower back/upper butt. I'm going to have the Dr look at it tomorrow last week he said it was just typical swelling. I'm going back tomorrow for my weekly checkup and they're also giving me some type of ultrasound thing to help with a few lumps and the swelling. I'll let you know how that goes and what the results are from it. Only change in my measurements is that my waist has gone down a half an inch since last week!! I can definitely see the curvature start to take place there...I'm excited about that I just want to see it more in my hips because that was the main reason I had this done. So far, I can't complain and I'm very happy I had this done.
3 Weeks Post Op!!
feeling great. I'm back in the gym lifting weights doing cardio. Most of the bruising is gone. My waist is down to 31 inches wish my hips will go down a little bit more but most of the swelling is gone except for my hips!! Dr said this area would take the longest to recover because this is where he took the most fat out! my stomach looks awesome although I wasn't quite expecting that..I've got a nice little "one pack" going on LOL!! the ultrasound treatment (I had three) from the PS office seem to help with the bruising along with arnica. Next step I'm trying the lymphatic massages. still have the rippling in my hips but I'm praying that's related to swelling which I keep being told that is. We'll see. I'm down almost seven pounds now from 144.5 to 138.2!! I'll post some measurements later have a great day :)
Almost One Month and One Week Post Op
Thought I'd give an update for anyone following along LOL. I have some pros and cons to share. I'm now wearing a spanx basically just to bed at night. I wear tight fighting workout clothes during most of the day so I thought both might be redundant. I am keeping myself french taped as well underneath it all. The french tape is Hypafix and I love it because it is invisible underneath my tight fitting workout clothes and makes my dresses look smooth without having to wear the full spanx and always be uncomfortable. However, I'm trying to wear the Spanx as much as possible, but at this point I'm not seeing that many changes...although EVERYONE including the doctor says I'll see changes up to 9 months Post Op!! I really hope that happens. I'm getting a little discouraged. Don't get me wrong, I can see the visible results, but the hip areas and small pockets of fat/or swelling (not sure what it is) are still swollen. I started lymphatic massages last week and I'm getting one per week for the next 5 weeks. Just seems what medical technology hasn't already done, there's nothing I can do but let Mother Nature do her work. I'm still working out hard in the gym weight training 6x week and watching what I eat. Just feeling discouraged because I'm not as smooth in my hip area as I'd like to be. **SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME THE RESULTS WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE**...OR, that I need to just make myself be content with the results I have now because this is as good as it gets!!
Here's my Measurements
Pre Op Weight: 144.5 / Current 136 pounds
Pre Op Waist: 33.25 inches / Current 30.5 inches
Pre Op Hips: 41 inches / Current 38 inches
Pre Op Left Thigh: 24 inches / Current 22.5 inches
Pre Op Right Thigh: 24 inches / 22 inches
I'll try to get some pics posted this week. Just feeling a little down today. I am one month and almost a week post op and I just can't see that things can improve. Am I wrong??
Almost 4 months later...
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20 Jul 2014
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4 months post
Hi everyone! July 26th will be 4 months post op for me. I really like my new shape and the way clothes look on me. I especially love how my thighs dont rub together when i walk LOL! I'm feeling great & working out hard 6 times a week. my recovery was quick and easy and wonderful. the only negative thing I have to say is that I have these 2 areas (one on each side of my outer thigh) that looks like not enough was taken out of there...or more was taken out of my hip area then was in outer thigh area so it shows. Who knows. But I didn't notice this area before my lipo. also I don't think enough fat was taken out of my hips because there's a concave indention between my hips and outer thigh area. when I pointed this out to my dr in June he said we'd discuss it again in September because it will be six months post op then & we'll have the the best idea of how things will even out. All in all, it's been a great experience and I'd do it again & will have the revision if possible. I will keep you all posted :)
Possible revision area?
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27 Jul 2014
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4 months post
Here is a pic of an area I'd like to have revised. It didn't look like this before the Ab lipo and is only noticeable from the side not the front. Granted I can only see it when naked not when wearing a swim suit or underwear...but I know it's there and it wasn't like this before so it's starting to bother me more. the area is below my lower abs and right above my c-section scar. Can this be smoothed out with a revision?
Almost a Year Later!
Almost one year to the date, I'm going back for a revision of my hips & outer thighs on March 25th. I absolutely love the shape I have now and have worked for a year to keep off all the weight and keep my new figure. However, the "pockets of fat" I have on my hips and outer thighs just won't go away. I posted pics last June/July...the areas of fat are still there and even working out and eating right 6x a week hasn't helped so the doctor has agreed to do the revision. Hopefully, he'll even be able to get the area of lower abs right above my c-section scar. He did say (as several other PS have said) that I need a tummy tuck, but I truly don't want one. If I'm going to do that extensive of a surgery, it would be to have a breast lift. That's one thing losing over 100lbs didn't help LOL! Dr said I didn't even need to wear a CG this time, but I want to anyways to help keep the shape. I'll keep you all posted. I'm excited to finish my journey and work on maintenance. My appointment is March 25th and I'd appreciate any prayers/positive thoughts you could send my way for a successful and safe procedure. :)
Revision is Tomorrow!!
I'm ready for this lipo revision. Doing the Hips/flanks "fat pockets" I call them, small areas of outer thighs to contour & make smooth and the small area above c-section to see if it will help with smoothing. I do need a tummy tuck but really don't want one so I'm trying this instead. first lipo was almost one year ago and ever since I've been dieting & working out 6 days a week to get these areas gone and it didn't work. So back to the Dr I went. Thinking good thoughts and saying prayers for successful results.
Today's measurements:
Weight 137lbs
Hips 38 1/4inches
Left thigh 22 1/2inches
Right thigh 22 3/4inches
Before Pic!!
Pic didn't post so I'm trying again..
Revision Post Op Day 1
I had the revision to hips, outer thighs and smoothing out c-section area yesterday morning. Everything went well and I'm not in any pain. I haven't leaked much like last time but I have gone to the bathroom ALOT!!! I took the garment off quickly to wash and shower and took these pics. I see some improvement but lots of unevenness with swelling and bruising. Oh and wrinkling from the pads lol. But my stomach near c-section scar seems much smoother :)
