Lipo

As any momma knows, after childbirth, the body for some of us changes pretty drastically. While my body seemed to bounce back nicely after my first, the second left me with the typical mom pooch. And while strict diet and exercise improved things, my belly always still held on to the majority of the fat. I decided it was time to do something a bit more long lasting so that my confidence as a mother and wife could no longer be hindered by my insecurities.

Hiya, just figured I would write an update and share some of my story with you all in hopes for you to be able to best prepare yourself on your journey to a better you.

On February 3rd I had smart liposuction performed on my lower,and upper abdomen. Full waistline, bra roll and axilla under general anesthesia.

After waking from surgery I got to see a sneak peak of how I would look before all of the swelling came on and I know in due time im gonna look fab!

I did get sick from the anesthesia just simply from drinking water, but that wasn't really a big deal. I felt just very heavy in my limbs and super tired. I got home in the evening and went straight to bed.

We had placed down a shower curtain which I can highly recommend for the draining that will occur 24-48 hours after the procedure. I slept almost all the way through the evening I think only having to get up once for the bathroom. I would never recommend someone to have this done if you don't have someone to be there with you and help you. I'm extremely grateful for my husband as he really had to help me the first few days with getting up and out of bed due to being so tight and swollen. I didn't experience pain per say but more so this annoying feeling of my skin/muscles feeling as if they were ripping away. The first three days were easily the hardest as the moving about part was a nightmare.

Since then it's now the highly frustrating swelling that causes standing for great lengths to be a bit of a bother. Almost all of my swelling settles into my low back and front pubic region. There are days that I feel so tight/swollen that I'm sure I could snap in half.

I drink a massive amount of water so I do think that's helped flush my system, however due to the disruption of the lymphatic system from the trauma of the surgery things seem very stagnant and I think it'll just take time for the healing of all things.

I did receive one smooth shapes massage (something my PS office recommends in a series of 5 weekly after SX) and I will go in for another one next week- but I feel after that I'm better suited going to a MLD therapist (manual lympahtic drainage LMT practitioner) I believe the power of touch via human hand versus a machine doing the work is more beneficial and more up my alley.

Now 20 days out nearly 3 weeks out i would say this is the first week in which I have a little more energy and less annoyance discomfort walking about.

I would say that's a vast difference than some who have had this procedure done and I believe that may be in part because of going under general anesthesia and the amount of fat and work done at one time.

I do think it's a bit impractical for people to market a laser lipo as being any less invasive than any other... I couldn't imagine having to have gone back to work in the 3-5 day range that you see some people promise. It's a traumatic procedure on the body and it truly needs time to heal.

I've had good days and bad days since having this. I'm highly satisfied with the direction I am moving in, the shape my body is taking and the doctor and staff of Georgia plastic, but dealing with 'concrete' living inside your stomach and back each day can prove to be quite challenging for someone who is normally active and has small children. Learning patience here has been key and I'm so grateful for a husband and children who have supported and helped in so many ways...


My recommendations too would be to wear your compression garment and binder as it truly helps with alleviating some of the pulling feelings of the contraction on skin tightening etc. For me it provides better support so although sometimes it can feel bothersome I almost always feel better with it on. Also massage yourself daily. I even got an electric handheld to help with this. Drink loads and loads and loads of water. Eat whole foods. And then enjoy the process of regaining YOU.

Here are photos taken two days prior and at the 20 days post surgery mark. Only going to get better once I feel up to incorporating my work out regime once again. :)