25 Yo, After Liposuction 3 Years Ago and Losing 20lbs, I'm Ready to Get Rid of the Leftover Bulges in my Abdomen - Honolulu, HI

I underwent traditional liposuction to my flanks and outer thighs 3 years ago. At the time, I had asked about my lower abdominal area because it has always bulged out more than the rest of my body no matter what my bodyweight or fitness level at the time. I was told by my surgeon that it may not be a good area for traditional lipo suction due to how little would need to be removed and the risk for rippling and lumps. I had planned to do Coolsculpting after healing from my liposuction procedure, but we moved away from my surgeon before I had the funds to do it. The lipo left ME with one uneven area of fat on my outer thigh that I want to get smoothed out as well. At the time of my surgery 3 years ago, I was 143 pounds. I am now 129lbs (from diet and exercise, not the lipo).

I had my first consultation today with Honolulu MedSpa which is under Dr. Yeo. Only 2 places on the entire island offer Coolsculpting and this location is offering $100 off for each area booked in May. I am waiting to hear back to schedule my consultation with Dr. Shim Ching, the other facility that offers it here.

I had originally considered doing my lower abdominal area, upper back/bra roll on both sides, and the right lipo bulge on my outer thigh. After chatting with the Coolsculpting specialist (not the doctor himself, which is apparently common at medspas), I was told that the back bra roll area may be mostly loose skin and might not benefit much from the procedure. That bummed me out, but was also nice to see that she was being honest with me instead of just happily taking my money when I might not get the results I want.

She recommended two small applicators for my lower abdominal area on a diagonal (it's the same price for one large applicator) to better fit the area. She also recommended a small applicator for my upper abdominal to fully smooth everything out. Since I am not doing the back bra roll area, this may be a better place to spend the money. I was worried that the lipo area may not be a fitting area for Coolsculpting, but when I showed her the area, she held up the thigh pad and it was a perfect fit for the leftover fat pad from lipo.

Even with the deal, the total came out to a bit more than I had planned on. I'm still mulling over if I really need to get the upper abdominal area as well. Each small applicator is $550 (normally $650) and the large applicator for my thigh is $650 (normally $750). I also plan to do endermologie after the procedure to help eliminate the fat through my lymphatic system. There is only one location on the island I have found that offers this too *sigh* So that adds up.

My husband is deployed and will be home in a little over a month, so I'm hoping to get this done within the next week and be done with the swelling and bruising before he gets home. I'm nervous about the pain as it comes un-numb from what I've read. I have a friend flying in to visit in 2 weeks and would hate to be distracted by pain or itching the entire time. I was in a ton of pain with the traditional lipo and from some reviews on here, the nerve pain when the area wakes back up can be worse than the lipo pain at times. Hoping to get a consultation with the other doctor this week so I can choose my location and get started.

Eager to hear what he says about the areas and pricing.

After some thought, I've decided to wait on the abdominal area for now. I heard about Coolsculpting over 3 years ago and at that time, this site had a 79% worth it rating for the procedure and aside from some reviews saying it didn't work, I read nothing bad or dangerous about it... then I sat up most of last night reading the "not worth it" reviews and researching the actual risks (which includes something called hyperplasia that apparently no doctor or facility will admit). I can't bring myself to risk it right now. I've lost almost 15lbs while my husband has been deployed and since he returns soon, I would be devastated if I went through with the procedure and was still swollen/bloated or ended up with hyperplasia and looked *worse* for his return. If it truly was risk free (aside from the possibility of it just not working) and it really had no downtime (not 6-8 weeks of swelling and 2 weeks of intense pain) I'd be going through with it, but I don't have the time to risk it right now.

I may go through with the thigh bulge pad though since it's a no-suction pad. I feel like the swelling might be more manageable with that sort of applicator.

My consultation with doctor #2 isn't until Tuesday which is *after* the sale is over at doctor #1's office... I may have to purchase anyways because the savings is great. Doctor #2's office wouldn't discuss pricing over the phone sooo I am not sure what to do.

Purchase 3 applicators to use at a later date, 2 for my lower abs and one for my right outer thigh lipo bulge. They are on sale for a limited time ($100 off), and I know I won't find it any cheaper on the island so I just went for it. I'm waiting until after my husband comes home from deployment to get them done though so he doesn't return to a bloated, sore wife that can't bare to be touched in my treatment areas ;) Will update once I schedule my sessions!