POSTED UNDER Smart Lipo REVIEWS
Tall and Thin With Cankles - Hanover, MD
ORIGINAL POST
I've always been skinny, and am now (at 31) pretty...
WORTH IT$4,499
I've always been skinny, and am now (at 31) pretty thin. Although I could use to tighten up and lose maybe 10 lbs, I've always had a "problem area" on my ankles. Being physically active and bean-pole skinny most of my life meant nothing; I still had cankles. I eventually found out that targeted fat loss was a myth, and no amount of calf exercises would have any impact on my fluffy ankles.
I don't know exactly when I started thinking about lipo, but I got my first consultation in 2010. I didn't really have money to do it then, but this was when I found out about Smart Lipo... which meant that they could melt the fat and tighten the skin instead of the skin remaining loose and lumpy after.
Towards the end of the 30th year, I decided it was time. I'd wasted enough my on student loans, which I had nothing to show-for, so I figured I might as well spend my money on something I really, really wanted and would make me immensely happy... for a long time! I consulted with a doctor (Nov 2013) in Chevy Chase, MD who was nice enough, but I just wasn't sold on him. Then, at the end of January (2014), I found Dr. Ashruf... who sold me immediately. I set up an appointment then an there.
I don't know exactly when I started thinking about lipo, but I got my first consultation in 2010. I didn't really have money to do it then, but this was when I found out about Smart Lipo... which meant that they could melt the fat and tighten the skin instead of the skin remaining loose and lumpy after.
Towards the end of the 30th year, I decided it was time. I'd wasted enough my on student loans, which I had nothing to show-for, so I figured I might as well spend my money on something I really, really wanted and would make me immensely happy... for a long time! I consulted with a doctor (Nov 2013) in Chevy Chase, MD who was nice enough, but I just wasn't sold on him. Then, at the end of January (2014), I found Dr. Ashruf... who sold me immediately. I set up an appointment then an there.
CaCoA83's provider
UPDATED FROM CaCoA83
5 days post
Five Days Post Op
Things are really moving right along and I'm very happy so far.
I was scheduled Feb 26 at 10am. After changing and getting marked up, the procedure probably got started around 10:30 or 10:45am. The room was nice and warm and the operating bed was heated, which was fantastic. They made sure I was totally comfortable before they got started. The first step was injecting the tumescence which helped numb everything. It wasn't a lot of fun, but just like a series of shots... not bad. Once I was numbed, the doctor got started with the laser, which melted the fat and tightened the skin. Then, the actual liposuction began. That probably took the longest (I could be wrong).
They estimated it would take about two hours, but it ended up taking almost four hours... and I wasn't at all surprised. I had a lot more fat in there than most people realized. They removed 1500 CCs and had to replace the "fat canister" once!
Once they were done, and squished out some remaining tumescence (yuck lol), they sat me up, put some gauze on, and helped me into the compression garment. This was probably the least fun part. I got really dizzy and hot, but that was to be expected. They let me drink an orange juice and sit back until I felt okay again.
When I arrived home, it wasn't long after that I had to replace the gauze again. I am not great with body fluids, but I pushed through my light-headedness since I didn't trust anyone else to NOT inflict pain on me. The first gauze change was the worst, but I managed it. The following days have gotten easier and easier. I cut myself out of my underwear and showered in the garment on the first or second day (which rinsed out a lot of the gross-looking drainage stains) and actually put on my bikini bottoms because they had string ties. That was super convenient (since the doctor recommended not taking off the compression garment for three days) as I was able to soak and wash them in Oxiclean when I showered the following days.
Yesterday, I was finally able to take the garment off completely and have it washed. Today, I only have one gauze patch on because there's one spot that keeps leaking... but the doctor isn't worried, and I'm not (now) since it leaks less and less by the day.
I actually felt good enough to take some "after" pics!! I'm hoping the doctor will provide me with the real "before" pics since I didn't take the time to snap very good ones. Everything is looking really good... and I'm still swollen!!! I'm really happy with the results so far, and I'm relieved to be past the worst of the process.
I was scheduled Feb 26 at 10am. After changing and getting marked up, the procedure probably got started around 10:30 or 10:45am. The room was nice and warm and the operating bed was heated, which was fantastic. They made sure I was totally comfortable before they got started. The first step was injecting the tumescence which helped numb everything. It wasn't a lot of fun, but just like a series of shots... not bad. Once I was numbed, the doctor got started with the laser, which melted the fat and tightened the skin. Then, the actual liposuction began. That probably took the longest (I could be wrong).
They estimated it would take about two hours, but it ended up taking almost four hours... and I wasn't at all surprised. I had a lot more fat in there than most people realized. They removed 1500 CCs and had to replace the "fat canister" once!
Once they were done, and squished out some remaining tumescence (yuck lol), they sat me up, put some gauze on, and helped me into the compression garment. This was probably the least fun part. I got really dizzy and hot, but that was to be expected. They let me drink an orange juice and sit back until I felt okay again.
When I arrived home, it wasn't long after that I had to replace the gauze again. I am not great with body fluids, but I pushed through my light-headedness since I didn't trust anyone else to NOT inflict pain on me. The first gauze change was the worst, but I managed it. The following days have gotten easier and easier. I cut myself out of my underwear and showered in the garment on the first or second day (which rinsed out a lot of the gross-looking drainage stains) and actually put on my bikini bottoms because they had string ties. That was super convenient (since the doctor recommended not taking off the compression garment for three days) as I was able to soak and wash them in Oxiclean when I showered the following days.
Yesterday, I was finally able to take the garment off completely and have it washed. Today, I only have one gauze patch on because there's one spot that keeps leaking... but the doctor isn't worried, and I'm not (now) since it leaks less and less by the day.
I actually felt good enough to take some "after" pics!! I'm hoping the doctor will provide me with the real "before" pics since I didn't take the time to snap very good ones. Everything is looking really good... and I'm still swollen!!! I'm really happy with the results so far, and I'm relieved to be past the worst of the process.
Replies (5)
March 5, 2014
Looks good, can see a real difference already! How does smart lipo differ from normal lipo? I'm presuming it still hurts?
March 6, 2014
Thanks! The difference is the laser (or lasers... there's three). The laser melts/liquifies the fat and tightens the skin. Normally, for regular lipo, you're put all the way under, and it's only local anesthesia for Smart Lipo (much safer). Lipo just suctions out the fat but it's more invasive, less precise, and can leave loose skin and fat lumpies... not to mention going all the way under puts you at more risk for blood clots.
Honestly, there hasn't been a lot of pain. At the beginning of the procedure, I had to get several shots to numb the area... but that's the worst of it. Even after the numbing agent wore off, it was never super painful... it has just felt bruised when I touch it. The hardest part, for me, was seeing the drainage. YUCK!!! I get so lightheaded haha. I also hate having swollen feet, but it's a small price to pay!
March 10, 2014
Oh right, thanks for explaining that, definitely sounds preferable over normal lipo. Is the drainage the liquified fat still oozing out it is it your bodies healing juices?
March 10, 2014
They inject you with something they call tumescence fluid (definition: http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Tumescent+Fluid). They suction most of it out with the fat, but the rest still has to leak out. It looks bloody, but it's mainly the fluid they inject. It's hard to convince your brain it's not all your own goo haha!
The biggest annoyance has really been the swelling. I probably have not been drinking enough fluids... apparently keeping hydrated keeps the swelling at bay. Nothing has been really painful I'm just annoyed with the puffiness lol.
March 10, 2014
Ah yep that makes sense. I know what you mean about the swelling! And keeping your fluids up definitely helps with that, or it does for me. Glad it's all been ok for you. I can see an improvement for you already so it's bound to get better from here :-)
UPDATED FROM CaCoA83
8 days post
Stitches Out
Today I finally got my stitches out. That was pretty painless and quick.
I'm still swollen and thought maybe I'd overdone it (walking around too much) because, last night, the swelling seemed to be going down, but today seems like my feet are swollen more than ever. Apparently, that's both normal and okay. It actually helps the healing process to walk around a bit. But, as I expected, the doctor just said it's now a waiting game... waiting for things to heal, and waiting for the swelling to go down.
I could take a pic, but I don't feel like it... there's not much to see but fat feet and yellow legs!! I scheduled my Venus Freeze (VF) session two weeks from now. I have a feeling that's when I'll really start seeing the difference. I was actually pleased to find out Dr. Ashruf had even removed a bit of fat from my feet around my ankle bones. SCORE!! In two more weeks, I bet the swelling will have gone down significantly, and the VF will sculpt what's left. I'm still pleased, still excited, and am now totally past the worst of everything. YAY for ANKLES and NOT CANKLES!!! :D
I'm still swollen and thought maybe I'd overdone it (walking around too much) because, last night, the swelling seemed to be going down, but today seems like my feet are swollen more than ever. Apparently, that's both normal and okay. It actually helps the healing process to walk around a bit. But, as I expected, the doctor just said it's now a waiting game... waiting for things to heal, and waiting for the swelling to go down.
I could take a pic, but I don't feel like it... there's not much to see but fat feet and yellow legs!! I scheduled my Venus Freeze (VF) session two weeks from now. I have a feeling that's when I'll really start seeing the difference. I was actually pleased to find out Dr. Ashruf had even removed a bit of fat from my feet around my ankle bones. SCORE!! In two more weeks, I bet the swelling will have gone down significantly, and the VF will sculpt what's left. I'm still pleased, still excited, and am now totally past the worst of everything. YAY for ANKLES and NOT CANKLES!!! :D
Replies (1)