Liposuction in neck, arms, upper back, and abdomen-before, during and one week post op

The past two months have gone by so quick! Some things that I have noticed.

Anytime I go outside I swell. It’s very hot here with a lot of humidity, even when I’m wearing my garments I will start to feel tight. I avoided going outside as much as possible the first month and even now, it’s just uncomfortable. With Covid happening, it gives me even more incentive to stay inside. I find drinking a lot of water helps. I try to drink at least 128 oz a day, sometimes I don’t but it’s a personal goal for me.

After 6 weeks, I started wearing smaller compression garments. It’s really just a body shaper you put under clothes. But I found that this has helped with the swelling even more than before when I was wearing just a compression (under armor) shirt. I feel more secure in the smaller compression. It’s not too tight or uncomfortable but fits snug like a bug. I bought a smaller arm and upper body compression since the one my doctor gave was too big-they gave my a 2xl and I am wearing a L arm compression garment. I wear the smaller compression during the day, and then I wear a compression shirt to bed. I went from wearing a large under armor shirt to a small over two months. I wear compression every day still unless I’m washing my garments or if it gets too unbearably hot at night.

I went to 6 lymphatic massage appointments which helped a lot! The masseuse never used any machines, or did deep massage-she just did manual and light movements with her hands. I am able to massage myself now.

For my diet, I have drastically cut calories. I am unable to work out at the moment due to back problems so I’m watching my calorie intake. I do have an elliptical so I will use that to get steps in but it’s not an intense work out. I also walk around when I can in the house. I eliminated red meat, cut back on carbs, eat more fruits and veggies, eliminated dairy and eat dairy substitutes instead, no fried foods, cut way back on alcohol (I’ve drank 2x since surgery both have been 2-3 seltzer drinks), and drinking a lot of water. For dinner I either cook salmon or chicken with veggies. Breakfast I have eggs or dairy free yogurt w fruit. I have always had an issue with bloating easily if I have a high intake of sodium so I have been cutting back on the sodium intake as well.

I haven’t weighed my self since I had a doctor appointment in June, 3 weeks after my surgery and I was 190 then. I find counting calories to help. It really is up to you after you get liposuction done to maintain results. It also requires patience and trust in the process of healing. There are some days I wake up more swollen then some days. I also have wicked pms, so 1-2 weeks before my period I blow up. I have told myself not to worry about how I may look in some places since I am still healing. I look forward to working out again so I can get a more toned look. The money I spent is a big part of the motivation! So far happy with the results!

I’ll update at the three month mark!

I am one week post op from getting liposuction and am feeling great over all. I am not a professional by any means just want to share what worked for me and what my experience was. I will post pics starting with my beforae, during and one week post op pics.

**One tip I learned was to ask your doctor if they can also lipo your pubis area (Fupa) to your abdomen. So you have a nice flat even surface. I asked my doctor and he said yes absolutely he would. I guess some doctors don't do that area or it's not included so make sure to ask! 

For my procedure I had a cocktail of some pain meds, anti nausea, anti anxiety and some other stuff before going into the OR. I also had an IV for local anesthesia. I remember waking up during the beginning part of the procedure and felt the numbing medicine being injected into my back which was painful so they gave me more IV meds and I was knocked out and don't remember anything after.  

For the first view days I made it a point to get out of bed and walk around the house. They stressed this would help the healing process-so I would get up every 1 -2 hours walk around for 10-15 minutes and lay back down. Then I continued to get up and stay up for a longer period of time by day 4, 5, 6 and so on. I would also move my arms up and down just to get blood moving. 

The numbing medicine wore off probably around day 2 or 3. I wasn't in a lot of pain just incredibly stiff and sore. I took a shower on day 2 which was nice and washed my garment. I swelled so much when I wasn't wearing the garment on the second day. It was hard to get it back on. After that day, the showers and garment process got easier. I showered every other day and was okay with it. I needed help going to bathroom till day 5 since my arms and upper back was done I couldn't wipe correctly with out feeling a lot of sharp pain.  

As of now I am still a little sore but off of pain meds and now taking Tylenol as needed. The feeling is like you worked out really hard at the gym. You feel stiff. Getting up out of bed is still a little challenging since my entire upper body was done so my partner helps out when necessary. Other then that I am walking around, sitting, standing, with no pain. I am in a under armor compression shirt and am wearing a work out band around my stomach for extra support. When I went in for my 7 day post op they said I didn't need to wear the garment they provided.  

Sometimes if I overextend my arm, like I am reaching for something I will get a sharp pain in my upper back which means I've over done it. The pain won't last long, it's like a little shock.  

I had a hard time the first three days eating solid foods due to swelling and the neck compression garment, so I had smoothies and chopped up fruit for the first three days. I went to the store and prepared all of my food before hand which was really helpful! After that the swelling went down, I was able to start eating solids like chopped chicken and brown rice. Stool softeners are your best friend if your taking pain meds! I drank a ton of water and also pine apple juice which helped with constipation. My first movement happened day 3.  

The areas I got done are still a little numb and feel hard which i was told is normal. I am also very swollen-I was instructed by my doctor to start giving my self lymphatic massages and in two weeks I'm going to see a professional masseuse (seeing a professional is not required).  

I had 1 drain in my lower abdomen which was honesty the worst part for me. The drain was in for 8 days total before I was able to get it removed. I started feeling the interior pain of it around day 4 or 5. I was prescribed norco for the pain which saved me. I tried taking Tylenol on day 3 since I wasn't in a whole lot of pain yet..don't be brave like me just take the pain meds lol. The norco helps mask the pain but once the norco wears off you will feel it! The pain felt like a stinging-burning sensation internally near my two insition areas, which is where the tube of the drain lays in your abdomen. I would have to lay, walk, stand, and go to the bath room in a certain way on day 6,7,8 to avoid pain from the drain. You are supposed to get a certain output of drainage a day before getting it removed.  

Once the drain was removed I felt like a brand new person. Getting it removed didn't hurt at all-I felt 100% better! You gotta just push through the pain of having it in and don't be afraid to ask for more pain medicine if you run out and need it! My doctor/nurses were awesome about this. They want to make sure you are comfortable because they understand how painful it can be.  

Overall my experience was good-the doctors and nurses were great! I only met with my surgeon twice but he was caring and answered any questions I had. The staff was awesome too. Due to covid, no one can come in the building with you, so it's a little nerve racking not having your support person with you, but the nurses and OR manager were awesome and made me feel really comfortable.

I posted a review before this one explaining my process and how everything went through out the procedure. For reference I am 29 years old, 5'2 and before the procedure I weighed 200 lbs. I will add my arm and back photos shortly.
Taking the first step of this journey was a little scary but it was totally worth it! I'm happy to have bettered myself and am excited for the future. Don't settle on the cheapest option-I highly recommend saving up and waiting a little longer for the right doctor to do your procedure! Loving the results and am very satisfied so far!