34 Doing This for Me

I started thinking about Smart Lipo and bbl around November. After much online research and a few consultations, I decided to go with Dr. Lipo aka Cesar Velilla in Miramar. I’m 5’5 and 171 lbs and am really hoping for a slimmer and more contoured shape. I’m currently two weeks pre op, and I’m so excited. I’ve completed my pre op blood work, ekg (I’m having general anesthesia) and I’ve been cleared for surgery. Everyone at the office has been very nice. There is usually a bit of a wait anytime I go there, but that’s a sign that business is good. Ive already had one meeting with Dr. Velilla and he answered all of my questions which was nice. He said that many people opt for local anesthesia but since I have no kids and haven’t had any prior surgeries, it may be better for me to do general. One thing I will say is that there are a lot of things that you need to buy ahead of time. So far I bought my bbl pillow, a U shaped body pillow, a female urinal, arnicare tablets as gel, mederma, gauze, bandaids, anti bacterial body wash, foams, abdomen board, Tylenol, baby wipes, dulcolax suppositories, chamomile tea, alcohol pads, dermoplast, nexcare tape, bromelain, and epsom salt, and I took a week off of work. I still need to buy anti embolism stockings, and baby aspirin. The days are going so fast.. will update soon, #almostsnatched

Most important things for day 1
- have your prescriptions ready, do not wait
- Chux are most essential
- Compression stockings/moo moo
- Arnica tablets
- If you get a drain, just know you will have to empty every couple hours
- U shaped body pillow is helpful to cocoon myself on my side with a little support just under my hip

The procedure :
Arrived at 9
Pre op was quick from 9:30-10. I did my drug test, got my IV, took pictures, showed the doctor wish pics and got marked up, took more pictures, got sprayed with freezing cold sterile spray
By 10 I was in OR talking to anesthesiologist, after that I was waking up

Side notes
- hand iv was extremely painful before and after
- My lip was swollen and my throat was very sore from breathing tube ( feels like strep, very hard to swallow) because of this, I’ve only had water and some food but no pineapple juice as originally planned
- I didn’t bring my own compression garments with me. That was a fail
- I put my ushaped pillow in the backseat the night before and a chux pad. This was a good idea, by the time I was home, the pad was soaked but car was protected
- Having someone there with you the first day is essential. I needed help getting to the bathroom, getting food and water, and keeping track of meds.