Lipo to Upper and Lower Abdomen and Flanks. - Dallas, TX

Hi everyone,

I couldn't wait to update my profile because it's been awhile and I'm in the mood to talk.

How I feel: Pretty good. Most of my stomach has softened. The bottom part of my belly is still a bit tough but has softened a lot over time. Same with my sides. I am honestly a bit disappointed because I was secretly hoping to have NO love handles after the surgery. I think I still have residual fat left in my sides so it appears I still have love handles.I f only he had taken out a few hundered more CCs on each side! Also, I'm also disappointed how my upper belly still makes my belly button look like a sad face. I was hoping for my belly to have decreased in volume thus lifting my stomach up a bit more. Sounds unrealistic when I type it out, but I sure as heck did not want a tummy tuck. At least, not in this stage of my life. I'm hoping my stomach continues to morph and change in the next few months. Lastly, I now have noticed my mons pubis more than ever. Now that my tummy is flatter, my mons pubis sticks out a lot more. I didn’t think I’d want to get more lipo after this surgery due to the recovery time, but if I had the money, pfft…I think I would. I’d also do my bra rolls. (Probably not from the same place because I did not enjoy the doctor’s flip floppy bed side manner). I can see how surgery is a slippery slope. BUT, I can live with both of those issues. My stomach is what needed help and I received it. OH! How could I forget to mention that deep crease in my stomach! That’s still there. I think its extra skin that had nowhere to go so it indented. I’m hoping this smooth’s out over time. It’s one of my top complaints at this time.

Maintenance: I stopped getting lymphatic massages last week. I have my last ultrasound treatment this weekend. Adding both treatments together, I’ve done 10 sessions. I think that’s pretty good. I also bought this awesome massage roller at the 5 dollar spot. It’s manual, but it has rubber grippers on it that get in nice and deep into your tissues. That feels great to my stomach when I do it. I immediately notice hardened spots have softened. I continue to use Bio Oil. I also don’t know if that’s doing anything anymore. I’ll finish the bottle and try something else. Any ideas? Maybe Palmers Tummy Butter? I also weighed 198.2 this morning. That feels great. So down 10-14 lbs now? I went on vacation to the East Coast for 9 days and watched what I ate, though I did allow myself cheesecake, pizza, and a black and white cookie. I don’t deprive myself. Just portion control and stop eating once satisfied, not full. That’s been a big adjustment for me. But it feels good because I know I will do this the rest of my life. Given the way I’m talking, you would think I had gastric bypass or something!

Confidence: I’m feeling a lot better. Pants are loose, I had to buy belts! I think I’m at least one size down. I have more of an hour glass shape, which is what I really wanted. People have noticed, but because I eat clean, I can honestly attribute it to that and not exactly be telling a lie. I’ve gone shopping and tried on things I wouldn’t normally, and now feel many more options are available to me because I won’t be so hindered by my old protruding lower belly.

Told ya I write a lot. I will post pics from this morning when I go home. Feel free to leave a comment with your suggestions on any maintenance I could do to continue progressing in my healing. Thank you!

Ok, feeling pretty back to normal at this point. I don’t have much new to report besides for the first time yesterday, I noticed my waist band on pants is loose. Big girls can perhaps commiserate with me, it feels good knowing you see a difference and feel “sexier”, but it’s kind of scary for your clothes to get bigger. I like the clothes I have, and it’s weird to be in between sizes. I hate the feeling of loose pants around the waist and I’m constantly pulling them up because I don’t want co-workers seeing my undies. This isn’t a complaint, just a thought.

I am a bit disappointed this might the majority of my results now. Take a look at my recent pics, do you think my sides are still residual fat or is that swelling? It feels pretty soft to the touch. My under belly is still hardened but pretty soft in spots compared to a few weeks ago. I have developed this 4 inch deep crease in my lower stomach and I’m not sure what that’s about. I was wondering if it’s my underwear, pants, or the way I sit creating the fold. I have to admit I haven’t massaged myself in weeks. I get an ultrasound treatment and a lymphatic massage weekly, I figure that’s pretty good. I’ll start rolling pin myself again soon, I swear. I’m just kind of dreading the uncomfort I’ll feel in my lower stomach.

Also, I ordered a second stage garment. The one I currently wear is loose on sometimes and tight on some others. I still wear the same size when I got measured again =( My waist might have decreased by 5 inches or so, I’m not sure. I’ll have to clarify with what measurements they have for me in their system. Stupid big hips, I think that’s what’s skewing my garment size. Given I need an abdominal garment, it will have to go up my hips so it needs to fit the widest part first. I’m concerned it won’t be tight enough. Oh well.
I’ve gotten interested in waist training. I don’t want to shift my organs around, but I feel like now is a good time as any since my stomach is so moldable. I’ve done a little research but I’m not fully there yet. It seems like steel boning, orchard corset . com, and easing into it is the plan. I just don’t want to wear the corset on the wrong part of my body or anything. Any tips?

Lastly, I wished I posted under “lipo” or “laser lipo”. I feel not many people look up vaser lipo in comparison so I don’t have many comments or feedback to help propel me further. I might start updating every month from now on because I don’t see any more drastic changes coming. I continue to use Bio Oil and I really like it. I think it’s improved my stomach’s stretch marks and is making my stomach look more appealing, as least to me. Happy Healing everyone.

And…I think I’ve read every lipo related review on RS now? I want more! Link me to some goodies!

I thank God I made it to one month!! Well, I’m doing pretty great. Still swollen in spots, tender in spots, hard in spots, but overall I can move around great and I am not in pain. My stomach did start to chafe and turn a darker color along my sides which the nurse gave me cream for, it’s called Biafine. Apparently it’s made in France and will help decrease the irritation and correct the color. I also started using Bio Oil about a week ago after I shower. I bought Bio Oil a few months back but didn’t use it till now, I really like it. It smells great, I think I already see a difference in the tone and texture of my stomach, and it feels like I’m pampering myself. I will continue to use it till the bottle is gone and reevaluate. Sometime last week I ran out of the arnica gel. Everyone here seems to swear by the stuff, but I thought it was ok. I had a nice cooling effect at times but due to my numbness, I didn’t always feel it. I never really got bruising and I don’t think it decreased swelling at all. Now I do have some bruises-like looking spots on my lower belly. I feel like this is happening later in the game due to my swelling decrease and possibly blood flow back to those spots. Who knows, I could be horribly wrong.

By this time I’ve had 2 ultrasound treatments as well. I have 3 more to go. The second one didn’t hurt this time around. My belly still felt jelly-like afterwards and I was “aware” of it, if that makes any sense. But no more shooting electrical pains. I hope that continues. I did have my second lymphatic massage last night as well. I was nervous about that one since I had such a caustic reaction the first time. She decreased the massage time to 30 minutes but seemed more aggressive in her massage. That’s ok, because my swelling has gone down a lot and honestly since I got sick, I stopped massaging myself. The lymphatic system is nothing to play with! I did end up getting pretty tired and thirsty afterwards, and I feel much the same this morning. I have bought 3 bottles of water with me to work this morning and will replenish throughout the day. I’m not sore either like I was last time, hallelujah. I’m not sure what other update to give you.

Oh, don’t cut up your garment the way I did. I now rotate between three, because I don’t want the creases to set in and like the idea of changing up my garment. One pair of spanx, one flexee, and the medical grade garment I cut the legs entirely off of. Easier to pee and get on, but the side zippers dig into my hips and that is a pain. I’m thinking I might ask for my second stage garment. Oh, I should discuss my weight! Surgery day I was 210. Today I weighed 199.3. This could be due to a lot of things. Sure, they took out 8 lbs of fat. I’ve also been eating clean and been on an “anti-inflammatory” diet if you will. No red meat, nothing fried, nothing sweet in excess. Not a restrictive diet, just smaller portions and healthier. I don’t feel deprived. Sometimes I want a burger now and then, but then I remember everything I’ve gone through and how this was supposed to be a catalyst for a healthier life style.

In other news, I told my Mom about this surgery, something I was avoiding because I didn’t want a negative reaction. She wasn’t surprised. She thought I would have gone all the way with a lap band or something. She told me I was brave for doing this, and I guess we really are. It’s a pretty big deal to put your body through for the sake of wanting a better physique, so I’ll take the compliment! I see her in a few weeks and I’d like to see her reaction if she sees a difference, I know I do. My clothes fit a lot better, the volume in my stomach has gone down, and I’ve gotten more of an hour glass shape. I’ve attached some pics, let me know if you see a difference (the lighting doesn’t do my body justice, might I add). I continue to pray my sides go in more, my lower belly flattens up, and I am lump-free and continue healing well. Thanks to the people who comment and message me. Your support and check-ins with me fuel the fire to keep this going. Happy healing!!