POSTED UNDER Laser Liposuction REVIEWS
MN Sonobello - 54yo F - Midsection - Edina, MN
ORIGINAL POST
AWESOME! First, I'm glad I opted for lipo vs....
monicanmnJuly 23, 2014
WORTH IT$7,200
AWESOME! First, I'm glad I opted for lipo vs. tummytuck. I always had a poochy tummy; it bothered my since I was little (elementary school)...menopause & poor habits added to tummy and waist. Photos coming.
First, early July was spent on this site, others, and YouTube -- educating myself.
On 7/8 I went to Dr. David O. Smith for TT consult; opted out.
In the same building, Sonobella had consult availability the next day! On 7/9 the Sonobella consult went quickly. The price was within researched parameters, and they had a surgery opening the next day. I paid with my credit card, signed on the line, and returned a few hours later for my pre-op. Dr. Volk was going to do 5 areas - upper/lower abdomen, waist, flanks.
On 7/10 I met Dr. Volk. He marked me up and I was in and out in a few hours. Pain was essentially as expected - moderate (only painful first 5 minutes & near ribs & pubic area). The doctor got 8# of fat!
Post-op pain and drainage as expected (not pleasant, but tolerable - only used Rx'd meds for 1 day). I had a lazy weekend and was back on my motorcycle 5 days later (though taking it easy). (Since I'm a teacher, I don't have to go back to work for another month! YAY!)
I still have swelling (1.5 weeks), but it's less every day. Waist is already down 5", tummy bulge GONE! I'm 54 yrs old; I expect to have loose skin once the swelling subsides. My clothes already fit 100% better and it hasn't even been two weeks. I'M THRILLED!!
First, early July was spent on this site, others, and YouTube -- educating myself.
On 7/8 I went to Dr. David O. Smith for TT consult; opted out.
In the same building, Sonobella had consult availability the next day! On 7/9 the Sonobella consult went quickly. The price was within researched parameters, and they had a surgery opening the next day. I paid with my credit card, signed on the line, and returned a few hours later for my pre-op. Dr. Volk was going to do 5 areas - upper/lower abdomen, waist, flanks.
On 7/10 I met Dr. Volk. He marked me up and I was in and out in a few hours. Pain was essentially as expected - moderate (only painful first 5 minutes & near ribs & pubic area). The doctor got 8# of fat!
Post-op pain and drainage as expected (not pleasant, but tolerable - only used Rx'd meds for 1 day). I had a lazy weekend and was back on my motorcycle 5 days later (though taking it easy). (Since I'm a teacher, I don't have to go back to work for another month! YAY!)
I still have swelling (1.5 weeks), but it's less every day. Waist is already down 5", tummy bulge GONE! I'm 54 yrs old; I expect to have loose skin once the swelling subsides. My clothes already fit 100% better and it hasn't even been two weeks. I'M THRILLED!!
monicanmn's provider
Replies (3)
July 15, 2015
Looks very good and skin has done well! Can I ask did you use drainage tubes for the first few days?
January 26, 2016
That is awesome! You look great! And bikini picture looks awesome too, sister!
I just came back from free consultation. Considering the procedure done this February.
So what's diet like for you now? I love, love spicy and salty food!
I just came back from free consultation. Considering the procedure done this February.
So what's diet like for you now? I love, love spicy and salty food!
UPDATED FROM monicanmn
18 days post
2.5 wks - be kind with photos please
monicanmnJuly 28, 2014
Still shrinking!
I'm still pretty swollen (tummy & pubic area very firm w/ fluid). I'm wearing my CG all day & a seamless waist cincher about 1/2 the night (then I'm just too hot and take it off). My waist is down (started at 43", 1 wk post op was 37", now almost 35"). I'm kind of lumpy (as warned) and the evening itching is tough (massaging kind of hurts but it helps the itching & lumps).
I'm still avoiding carbs and losing the weight slowly, but one day pigged out with sodium and paid for it for 3 days (waaay swollen; live and learn).
Rx update - Of the 5 preop Xanax I was prescribed, I only took 2; I only took 1 of the 5 pills for nausea; and only 4 of the 30 Oxy's. I used Tylenol a few times for pain as well as hoping it would decrease the swelling. Mainly I wear the CG, add the elastic binder, and take it easy when it bothers me too much.
Preop shorts / jeans / slacks do NOT fit - they look ridiculous! YAY! I find myself most comfortable in tshirt dresses (loose on midsection & cooler). Yesterday I wore a pair of my old, smaller size slacks but used the old rubber band trick so they wouldn't pinch my waist when sitting.
Though I'm still 175#s (not slender), I'm very happy with my silhouette. My tummy is a whole lot flatter and I have a waist. My goal is to get down to 150#s over the next few months.
Regarding the photos, no, I am NOT going out to the beach in a bikini, but it was fun to see what it would look like (I had some from younger, fitter days and they cover the pannus / lumps / loose skin).
I'm still pretty swollen (tummy & pubic area very firm w/ fluid). I'm wearing my CG all day & a seamless waist cincher about 1/2 the night (then I'm just too hot and take it off). My waist is down (started at 43", 1 wk post op was 37", now almost 35"). I'm kind of lumpy (as warned) and the evening itching is tough (massaging kind of hurts but it helps the itching & lumps).
I'm still avoiding carbs and losing the weight slowly, but one day pigged out with sodium and paid for it for 3 days (waaay swollen; live and learn).
Rx update - Of the 5 preop Xanax I was prescribed, I only took 2; I only took 1 of the 5 pills for nausea; and only 4 of the 30 Oxy's. I used Tylenol a few times for pain as well as hoping it would decrease the swelling. Mainly I wear the CG, add the elastic binder, and take it easy when it bothers me too much.
Preop shorts / jeans / slacks do NOT fit - they look ridiculous! YAY! I find myself most comfortable in tshirt dresses (loose on midsection & cooler). Yesterday I wore a pair of my old, smaller size slacks but used the old rubber band trick so they wouldn't pinch my waist when sitting.
Though I'm still 175#s (not slender), I'm very happy with my silhouette. My tummy is a whole lot flatter and I have a waist. My goal is to get down to 150#s over the next few months.
Regarding the photos, no, I am NOT going out to the beach in a bikini, but it was fun to see what it would look like (I had some from younger, fitter days and they cover the pannus / lumps / loose skin).
Replies (7)
July 29, 2014
I can definitely see a difference already, I can't wait to see your final results! Sounds like you are having a pretty good recovery experience so far :)
July 31, 2014
OMG you look amazing!!! They did a great job - I bet you are so thrilled!!! Time to go shopping for some new clothing! One question - has anyone noticed that you've lost a lot of weight? Any comments from people that don't know you had lipo? Thanks for posting the pictures.. since I'm less than 24 hours post-surgery, seeing them is really inspirational!
July 31, 2014
Thank you! You are so sweet.
No new clothing...but I've unpacked one of the three boxes of old favorite smaller clothes, things I haven't worn in 2 yrs (the other boxes aren't very far off). Yay!
Anyone noticed? Not really, which is fine (I'd rather not tell the world). Since it's summer vacation, and I'm not working, my circle is rather small (mainly family and my closest friends that I'm okay with telling). They all think I look amazing! Since they know, they look and are impressed. Those that don't know just said I looked great (but didn't mention weight loss).
I did this for ME...and every time I walk down my hallway and see my reflection I smile. I'm not only back to being "okay" with my reflection, I LIKE IT! I'll find myself petting my flat(ter) tummy and smiling.
This weekend I'm going to a waterpark with my daughter and grandkids - CONFIDENTLY (in a one-piece; at 54 I really don't care if I wear a 2-pc or not).
**The most fun was seeing an ex-boyfriend (still friends) who does NOT know about the lipo. It was only one week post op and I was still really swollen; he didn't say anything, but sure did a lot of looking! :)
July 31, 2014
Nice!!! Nothing better than running into an ex when you're looking great. He can eat his heart out! :)
August 10, 2014
Thank you. You're really sweet and encouraging. At 54 one can hope to look better WITH clothes on! Can't wait to see your updates!
January 28, 2016
Good for you!!! Was it smartlipo/laser?
I'm considering this for my legs...mostly for cellulite.
I'm considering this for my legs...mostly for cellulite.
UPDATED FROM monicanmn
30 days post
4 Wks 2 days (30 days post op)
monicanmnAugust 10, 2014
I'm continuing to wear either the CG they provided or firm / extra firm shapewear I've found elsewhere (I like the variety). I'm still a little swollen, mainly in my lower abdomen and pubic area. I massage the bumps and lumps a couple of times a day. But, IN CLOTHING, I feel really confident. I have a waist!! I have a flat tummy (something I've never had). I'm down to 173# (-20# from my max weight; but only -10# from my preop photos). I only lost 2# since last week...but who is complaining. Two pounds is two pounds! My goal is 150...loose skin will be a reality, but it's definitely something I can either live with or decide to have removed in the future. Not on the agenda for now...it's about looking okay in clothing.
Replies (1)
August 19, 2014
LOVE!!!!!!!! you look amazing!!! keep it up I hope my tummy looks like your pics, I go for lipo on the 28th YAY!!!!
That is nice that you don't have to worry about going back to work for a while. I'm sure a classroom full of kiddos would not be fun as part of the post-op experience :)