Abdominal Smart Lipo 7/23 - Muffin Top, Abs (Age 35) - Greenville, DE

So I have had my appointment booked for my smart lipo for almost 7 weeks and was really excited about getting it done.  I've been thinking about it for a while, and finally decided to go for a consult - and I'm so glad I did!  Most people, when I told them, said "Why?  You're not fat!"  But I keep trying to tell people, lipo is not about weight loss, it's about re-shaping.  And I certainly felt that I could do with some reshaping.  I'm sick of my muffin top!!  So I figured why not - I'm 35 years old, might as well do it now!

My appointment was yesterday at 1030am.  I had a light breakfast before hand, and then headed to the doctors office.  I was 10% nervous, 90% excited.  I thought the closer I got to the procedure the more nervous I would become, but the doctor was wonderful and my nervousness never did increase!

The procedure took about 2 hours - he took some pictures, then he explained everything that was going to happen.  I was a little surprised because I thought it was just one "lipo" canula, but it turned out it was a three step process.  After  numbing a few areas and making small incisions, the first canula inserted the numbing medication.  It didn't hurt, just felt weird, and you could hear a ripping noise as it broke through the fibers.  Then came the laser, which melts the fat.  Again, no pain at all.  One area it felt a little warm, but mostly I didn't feel anything but a tugging/pulling sensation.  Then the final canula was the suction, which again felt like a weird tugging feeling - and I guess the "worst" part was when he got to my sides and it really tickled!  Seriously, it tickled!!  I was not expecting that at all.

Overall, I have to say it was painless.  There were a couple of "shocks" - but not like you dropped a toaster into the bathtub shock, but like a static shock after you walk in socks across a rug and then touch something.  The doctor was very considerate and kept asking "Are you feeling anything?"  and once when I felt a few of the shocks I said "Only a little bit" and he stopped, put in more numbing medication and said "Only a little bit is too much".

I have to say I could not be happier with my doctor.  I had done my research, and asked around (I work at a hospital) and he has a great reputation.  If you're anywhere in driving distance to Delaware I recommend him highly.  He was very thorough and professional.  I got home and took 2 Tylenol around 2pm, because I felt like the numbing medication might just be starting to wear off - although again I can't say I had any pain.  I think I was more anticipating it.  Mostly I just rested yesterday.

Around 7pm or so I figured I should change the dressings because they were starting to leak, and I figured while I was doing that I'd take a couple pictures then maybe jump in for a quick shower.  Well, I got the pictures done, then realized just how much the compression garmet helped, so I just changed the dressings, put the compression garmet back on, and laid down.  I don't think I would have made it through the shower.  That was the most uncomfortable I felt, but again - I can't say it was "pain".

Around 10 I took a Vicodin because I figured it would help if I got pain in the night, and help me sleep - I normally sleep on my stomach and realized there was no way I would be able to do that.  I slept well until my bladder woke me up at 540am (I've been trying to drink a lot of water) - and I woke up in the same position I fell asleep in, and my first thought was "Why don't I have any pain or discomfort?"  Nothing at all.  I got up, and then I felt a little bit - it kinda feels like the top layer of your stomach would rip off and fall onto the floor if you didn't have the compression garmet on - but with it on it's not bad.

The doctor had told me that today would be the worst day and I'd have a lot of pain.  I've taken Tylenol throughout the day, and I range from no discomfort at all to a little sore sometimes when I change positions.  I've gone for 2 walks through the neighborhood today (slow walks) but mostly just rested.  I did try again to take a shower around 7 or so tonight, and that didn't go so well.  Almost as soon as I stepped into the shower everything started going black and I almost passed out - I had to lie down on the floor for a minute.  I felt a little better so figured I'd try again since I was already wet - about 10 minutes into it the same thing happened.  Luckily my fiance has been taking good care of me - he helped me up off of the floor both times, and helped me put on new dressings and put the compression garmet back on!  It really does help to have someone around to help - someone who you don't mind helping you up off of the floor when you almost pass out naked in the bathroom!!  :-)

Well, after the shower experience I didn't get pictures today, but I think I'm pretty much the same as yesterday's pix - still pretty swollen, and a little bruised.  But I can already see that there's a difference, and I'm so excited to see the final results. I know that final results won't be for 3 months or so, but I'm looking forward to watching the progress.

All in all I'm thrilled so far and am so happy I decided to do it!!  I'll add more pictures as the days/weeks go by!!

I am now 1 week post procedure.  I am still very happy.  Still swollen, but happy!  I've been a little sore, kind of felt bruised mostly - but I'm not really bruised, just a little "pink" in spots, which is where it is pretty tender.  Nothing horrible, I've been fine with just Tylenol or Advil.  The compression wrap is getting on my nerves a little bit - I've been itchy and it's a little uncomfortable, but when I do take it off it gets more sore pretty quickly - and it almost feels weird without it, like I still need it.  So I'll wear it all day/night for a few more days, then start to wean myself off of it!!  I'm posting my 1 week pictures - although so far day 5 was my best day - I woke  up that morning hardly swollen at all!  I was so excited - I could see great results!  Of course I didn't take any pictures, and by the end of that day I was swollen again, and woke up the next morning really swollen!!  Oh well, it's coming along, and I'm still thrilled!!!

Ok I am now a little over a month from the procedure.  Weeks 2 and 3, when I started weaning off of the compression garment, I started to get worried.  I was swelling up more and looked worse.  Not worse than before the procedure, but not as good as my 1 week.  But, right before I hit that one month mark I saw a definite improvement!  I do still have a little bump/ledge right below my bellybutton - I'm hoping that will go away and I won't need a touch up.  But even with that I'm thrilled!  I have been massaging the area twice a day, and I think that's helping.  For the first 2 or 3 weeks it was too sensitive to massage, now it just feels bruised a little.  Overall I'm very happy, and can't wait to see the progress as the months pass!