32, Smart Lipo of Thighs, Hips, Inner Knees

I have been a pear my entire life. A few years ago I was very overweight and have lost almost 90lbs. I am still very unhappy with my shape. I have a terrible saddlebags that make it hard to find pants that fit me well. I am a medium on top and an XL on bottom. I would love to have a more balanced figure. Very nervous and excited about getting Smart Lipo of my outer and inner thighs, hips, and inner knees tomorrow. I am mostly nervous about the recovery. I hope I get the results I've been looking for. It would really be life-changing!!

OMG... I am not trying to frighten anyone, but oh my gosh it hurt. I opted to stay awake. I basically got lipo from my waist to my knees. The numbing needles were pretty terrible. The solution burns before it numbs. My doctor said we were close to maxing out how much lidocaine I could safely have. Anymore and I would have had to go under.
First he marked me, then he began on my flanks/hip area and started injecting little needles of numbing solution. Then he waited a minute and came back with a long fat needle that went under my skin and basically squirted unbelievable amounts of numbing solution under my skin. Then he used the laser to loosen my fat then the cannula to suck it out. I was never fully numb. The pain was subdued, but still there. I understood that this was the price of getting as much lipo as I could without going under so I tolerated it. It was neat to see big chunks of yellow fat go through the tube like risotto through a straw.

Afterward when I stood up fluid was literally squirting in streams out of a few incisions. They said this was normal and that I would have insane amounts of leaking in the next few days.

Now I am down in my bed, not planning on moving for a while. Lots of covering under me to protect my mattress. I also wrapped myself in cellophane to keep the leaking from going everywhere. I have to wear this garment for 48 hours and it is already pretty disgusting. If I am still, there is almost no pain, but if I move to turn over or get up or walk it is pretty bad... Update soon... I know that in the end this will be worth it.

It is kind of like childbirth... You go through lots of pain and suffering... Then you forget about it once you have that beautiful little baby!

After the first 48 hours I could take off all my bandages and blood-stained garment. My husband had to help me take off the bandages and they were disgusting and smelly. They were like menstrual pads that someone had been wearing for 2 days straight. We immediately put my garment in the washer. My nurse had suggested I buy 2 because I will have to put one right back on again after I shower. This was great advice, because the first one took two washes to get clean and had to air-dry.

I am one week out and my thighs measure 1 inch bigger than they were before the surgery. I am so swollen and still very sore. Bruises showed up after a few days and are still pretty bad. My thighs are swollen and firm and warm to the touch, especially where the darkest bruises are. I know with the amount of fat he took out, that there will be a difference eventually. It is just hard because I can't see it yet. Still taking all kinds of pills everyday to help with pain and swelling.

On day 4 I got my sutures out. He said I would come back in six weeks and to wear this garment for 4 weeks non stop except bathing for best results. Update again soon!