So Glad I Went Through With It - Grand Rapids

I've wanted this done for a long time and although I was very nervous, I'm so glad I went through with it, and am equally glad it was Dr. R who did the procedure. Regarding my procedure:Smartlipo of the neck:I had this done in May, 2010. I worked closely with Dr.R's assistant Rebecca. She is amazing. She worked with me (put up with me) regarding available date inquires, financials, and procedure information in general. I met with Dr. R and we discussed what my hopes were, regarding my neck. I am 37 years old, a bit over weight, and had a double chin going on. It wasn't even exactly a double chin (well, it was that too) but I felt it was a bit like a turkey neck where I didn't have much of a jaw-line definition and rather my neck was full from the tip (bottom) of my chin to my lower neck. Dr. R agreed that Smartlipo would be a good procedure to help remedy this and bring me some good results. He was right. The procedure went great. I met Dr. R at the South West Surgical Center (Byron Center/M6 area) and he came in to see me just before they were to bring me back to the operating type room. I was very nervous (almost cancelled) but seeing him prior really helped me relax and to remember how much I wanted this done and how much I trusted him and his skills. One of the things I loved about all of this is that I was given local (I THINK that's the right word) numbing medication. I was awake the entire time, but with the series of shots of pain medicine I received in the neck area, I felt nothing. The shots were uncomfortable, but extremely worth it. A) to be awake (costs less) and B) to feel nothing. Both were very important to me. The procedure took about and hour and 1/2, the best I can remember. I kept my eyes closed most of the time and just let Dr. R do his thing. They kept me very warm and made sure I was comfortable during the entire process. Music was playing and the staff was very comfortable, relaxed and competent. I was aware of Dr. R's movements and use of his laser tool(s), but again I felt nothing and was so happy, and in disbelief, that I was actually having it done. When Dr. R was done, he explained to me what all he had completed, and gave me a few inspiring words on how well it went. I then went back to the room I had first been in to recover for a bit. I was dressed and discharged within 1/2hr. I had a compression bandage around my chin, neck, cheeks and it went over the top of my head. It felt good having it on as I felt it would really help hold my neck in tight, as it is supposed to do. Over the next few days I did well. I swelled just a bit, but nothing even anyone else noticed. I bruised a bit on my lower neck, but again I was able to cover it with a little foundation and no one noticed. I had the procedure done on a Thursday and wore the compression head piece Thursday thru Monday morning until I had to go to work. I don't think it was necessary to wear it that long but again, it just "feels good" to have your neck held tight. Over the next couple of weeks I saw a great amount of improvement in my neck. I kept thinking "well, this is probably where my results will stop", and I was happy. But then it would progress even more. Through that next two week time frame, as the swelling went down, my neck did look a bit "bumpy". The best I can describe it is it looked like it had a faint "8-pack". This only lasted a week or so, and was not noticeable to anyone else. If you are anything like me, you want to know how long it will be, if you get the procedure done, until you can tell you had it done/love the results/not be bruised, nor swelled, etc. I would say it took 1 month to have most bruising (very faint) and swelling (faint) done. And the effects of the procedure progressed over 2 - 3 months. The end results is my neck looking like what I look like when Im 30lbs lighter. I absolutely love what Dr. R did for me. He is so kind and genuine and TALENTED. He is extremely skilled and I trust him completely. It was a simple choice to choose him to do my body-jet abdominal liposuction. I will review that shortly.