Goodbye Back Rolls and Linebacker Arms!

I have always hated by big, chunky arms and back rolls. No matter how much I worked out, I am just built wide as a billboard. I wanted the arm flab and the bra rolls to go! I decided to look in to surgery in June, and then I did my research. I'm from Kentucky and not too many doctors in my area do high volume liposuction, so I looked elsewhere. I love the results from my lipo and BBL three years ago in Miami, but I didn't have the time to fly to Miami and get all that arranged. I found Atlanta Liposuction Specialty Clinic in Norcross, GA (just north of Atlanta) and I was so impressed by Dr. Cole's work and reviews. I sent in my pictures for consultation and called to inquire about a quote. I was told that Dr. Cole had no appointments open until September, but Dr. Ball had some openings at the end of July. I was assured Dr. Ball's work was good, and I needed to go ahead and get the surgery done so I wouldn't have to take off a bunch or have to deal with recovery when I returned back to work in person. I went ahead and scheduled with Dr. Ball to have liposuction of my arms, waist, and back bra roll.

My original surgery date was scheduled for 07/29/2021. I had a virtual pre op with Dr. Ball, and during the pre op, I asked if I was a good candidate for liposuction to my back rolls and what my expectations should be, and Dr. Ball told me he hadn't seen the pictures I sent in for my consultation because he wasn't provided with them. Needless to say, I was concerned. I had already paid my $500; however, so I proceeded.

At the day of the pre-op, they expect you to pay the full amount. No problem. I had the funds available. After I paid my money, the surgery center called me and told me that they would have to reschedule my surgery because Dr. Ball had an emergency out of town and needed to leave for a month. Pushing the surgery back later didn't work for my schedule, so I insisted on transferring me to Dr. Cole or refunding my $8,500 I had already paid. I was understandably furious, and Victoria, the receptionist was incredibly patient with my frustration. She was super professional and listened to my concerns. Somehow Dr. Ball figured out how to reschedule his trip, and he moved all his surgery dates up so he could leave right after. My surgery was rescheduled for two weeks sooner, which ended up being 07/17/2021. I was excited about this because it would give me more time to recover before returning to work.

On the day of surgery, I was scheduled to arrive by 7 a.m. I was told that at Atlanta Liposuction, the doctor's only see one patient per day, which I like that. I appreciate the individual attention and care. When I got there, the office was very nicely decorated and clean. The lady who works at the front desk was very sweet, as well.

I'd was given meds for blood pressure and anti nausea. My pictures were taken and Dr. Ball came in to answer and last minute questions I had and to mark me up. After that I entered the room and got on the table. The nurse hooked up to an IV, and put on some music of my choice. Dr. Ball came in and put a shot in each of my thighs. One shot for pain and one shot for sedation. The shots had a little sting, but shortly after I started to fall asleep. Dr. Ball started to work on my back and on my arms, and I'm not going to lie, it hurt at times. I was laying in the most uncomfortable position on my arms for an hour per arm, which completely cut off the circulation in my arms. Dr. Ball scolded me every time I shifted, but I was so painfully uncomfortable, there was nothing else I could do. There was also three times during the surgery that I told Dr. Ball I was in severe pain (and I have high pain tolerance), but I feel like my request was ignored. By the time the procedure was coming to an end, the pain was unbearable. I was laying on the table, crying quiet tears, and it was only then that I feel like Dr. Ball put more numbing injections in to my back. The nurse, Lauren, was the absolute best. She would gently tap me and reassure me and remind me that it was almost over. I feel like she was actually empathetic and if it weren't for her being in the room, I wouldn't have made it through. When Dr. Ball was finished, he didn't say another word to me. He just left the room. Lauren helped me to the restroom and also helped me to get in to my compression garment. She walked me out to my car and gave my bf some instructions for after care.

Dr. Ball called me a few days later, and his personality was a better. Sometimes his personality is fine, but during surgery his bedside manner is not very warm or friendly. His scolding of me to lay still and ignoring my request for more numbing made my discomfort and pain worse.

I find that it helps me to look back later if I get another surgery how my recovery was. The day of surgery was hell. I slept most of the time and I drained so much. I put puppy pads on the bed, an old comforter, and some towels. I still leaked through all of those items and through the sheets. I could not lift my arms and I barely fit in to my compression garment due to the swelling and fullness from the fluids inside of me.
By day 2, I wasn't draining nearly as much. I felt disgusting, so I had to take a shower by the end of the day and wash my compression garment. It was painful to move and I couldn't lift my arms up. It also was painful to get water on my back because the incisions were still open. I moved around and fixed myself easy meals, but I still slept a lot due to still being on pain meds. Day 3 and up, the pain, swelling and tenderness got better with time. No more pain meds were taken after day 3. I returned to work by day 7.
Today is day 12 of being post op. I'm still wearing the compression garment 24 hours a day aside from when I'm taking a shower. The swelling is still unreal, and I'm ready for it to all go down so I can see the results. I know the swelling is bad because some of the shirts I could fit before in the arms no longer fit. Hopefully when swelling goes down, they'll be loose. My skin is still very tender as well, and I feel like under my arms there is hardness where I was lipo'd. My compression garment is uncomfortable as hell, but it's much looser now than it was when I first put it on after surgery.
I'm a bit disappointed as of right now because I'm not seeing the results that I was hoping for. I wanted the back rolls gone, but they are still there for the most part. Also, I can't tell at this point that my arms are that much slimmer. I'm hoping when all the swelling subsides, there is a more dramatic improvement. I have started back on tracking my calories and when my work schedule allows, I'm going to incorporate working out back in to my schedule. Lightly, of course, to begin with.