41 Yo Mom of Two Smart Lipo...still Recovering - Oakland, CA

September 5, 2014

I think you look fantastic!!! I am 6 weeks now and still very bloated and swollen. I am down 8 pounds so what's the deal? Some mornings I wake up and look fantastic, but for the last 2 days really swollen - this is very discouraging. I see your pictures and I really wonder what happened to me. I just keep praying that I'll wake up one AM and I will be flat as a pancake with no swelling!!! I am leaving for Italy tomorrow and was hoping to look way better than I do. Are you wearing spanx or anything during the day? I am still in spanx and have been walking my butt off.

September 5, 2014

Hi - I still have puffy days and flat days. Today's pics are a "best case scenario" because I'm on day 4 of a 5 day Can-Can Power Cleanse, so my normal "food baby" pooch isn't there. I find that when I have white flour foods, wine, or coffee, the puffiness is worse - which is a bummer because I love all three and am only able to avoid one on a regular basis (breads). I did the cleanse as a kick start because I was afraid I would have to throw out a bunch of tight pants. I am not wearing spanx- I stopped compression at 4 weeks. Hope you have a wonderful trip to Italy! Enjoy.

September 6, 2014

Thanks BayAreaLatina41 for your comments. I have the same problem with bread - I have to have my coffee and my vino and they don't seem to bother me. I have IBS with constipation so I take a probiotic daily, but sometime bloat out on those days when I can't go. We will have a wonderful time while there - just can't wait till we get there - those long flights scare the crap out of me!!!

September 5, 2014

Your abs look AMAZING!! You can't see any dents. You gained 5 lbs in 2 months?? I didn't think that was possible.

September 5, 2014

I'm an overachiever...what can I say? Seriously though I probably gained 2-3 real pounds and 2 pounds of puffiness from wrong foods/ water retention.

September 5, 2014

Wait, my math is off. Was 114 on morning of surgery, went down to 112 three weeks post, crept back up to 115 as of last week and then started cleanse this week. My thinking is that if I was 114 the morning of surgery and got 1-2 lbs sucked out, then I would have to be 112 to have presurgery sized butt and hips, and really my happy weight pre surgery was 110. So I'm all messed up because my weight is similar to surgery day but it means my butt is bigger and pant size is bigger at this weight so I am thinking of it as a gain.

September 5, 2014

It is definitely swelling,no worries. You look Awesome!

September 5, 2014

TwoPlusOne

September 6, 2014

You looked great even pre-op, but your results are really fantastic. Congratulations! :)

UPDATED FROM BayAreaLatina41

27 days post

Cleared for Bikram!

BayAreaLatina41August 11, 2014

Still dealing with some swelling and in need of dropping a few lbs gained during the recovery month, but my doctor cleared me for all activities/ dropping my compression garment, and I feel mostly normal again. Tummy is still numb and a bit lumpy but looks okay in gentle lighting.

Replies (3)

August 11, 2014

Have fun at Yoga class and don't over do it. Walking is best for swelling. Happy Monday!

TwoPlusOne

August 11, 2014

Let us know how that Yoga class feels, the first one. I'm curious if you feel a difference, if you're more tired than usual or feel dehydrated. 3 weeks is so fast!

August 18, 2014

How is the healing coming along? Hope all is well.

August 18, 2014

You're about 1 week ahead of my, but I am not feeling as happy as you. I started powerwalking 5-6 times per week at day 7 - had my weight down 8 1/2 pounds until I made the mistake of eating Chinese this past weekend - way to much sodium - up 1 1/2 pounds. Back to the gym today. I have crease and a hard ridge on my right side above the belly button. I've ben told not to worry since I am almost only 4 weeks out. Will have velashape to help with lymphatic fluid and bumps tomorrow - we shall see. See the ps on Thursday, so I'm to see what he has to say. Will post pictures Thursday before I see him and update on his opinion then. Good luck and keep posting - I think you look great.

August 18, 2014

I think you look good BayAreaLatina41. I am 27 days post today and am not as happy. I've been assure by a physician on this site not t worry, but that is who I am. I see the velashape tech tomorrow so hopefully she can get rid of the lymphatic fluid and hard ridge on the right side above the belly button that has developed - my PS thinks this is just built up fluid. I am 54 and have been doing my powerwalking regime since day 7 - 50 minutes, 3 miles. I was down 8 1/2 pounds until I made the mistake of eating Chinese Friday - have gained 1 1/2 pounds of fluid - no more salt!!! I will update pictures Thursday before seeing my PS and his evaluation on Thursday - wish me luck!!!

August 18, 2014

I apologize you're not as happy. I hope your ps can see what is going on and deal wit your concern. I look forward to his/your update. Thank You and hang in there.

August 18, 2014

It just seems that this "shelf" id not going away and there is a hard ridge under the skin on the right side about 6" long. I will continue to pray for good results and see what happens Thursday. Thank you Bella Besso for your concern.

August 18, 2014

I have 5 women total including you and BayAreaLatina41 that have a ridge,lup or pouch above belly button or side of belly button or on he side. I am hopin' it's normal and subsides. This concerns me because i will soon be having my abs done. Please keep me posted all the best.

August 18, 2014

i have spoken to 5 Manic Monday sorry

August 18, 2014

I certainly will!!! Will update Thursday after PS appointment - I am going to voice my displeasure regarding that area.

August 18, 2014

Lump not lup the side not he side

August 18, 2014

thank you Ipierce4759

UPDATED FROM BayAreaLatina41

23 days post

Lumpy bumpy but flat...my pants still don't fit

BayAreaLatina41August 7, 2014

Well, my recovery is progressing and I hope to be cleared for yoga at my appointment tomorrow. Three weeks and two days later, things are improving, but in my harsh bathroom lightning I see a lot of bumps. Also, my pants size has gone from 2 to 4, and won't com back down. I wonder when the swelling will go away?

Replies (3)

TwoPlusOne

August 7, 2014

I know it's frustrating with the swelling. After my procedures, I swelled for a year! But it gets better--it may be a few more months or maybe just a couple. You may have slight swelling even longer.

Are you trying anything for the lumps, like massagers or ultrasound?

August 11, 2014

Nothing formal for lumps - just waiting/ time. :)

August 8, 2014

love the updated pics :) you are healing nicely.

August 9, 2014

You look great. I, too, am having the same doubts that you initially had. I am only 17 days out and still very swollen. I had velashape at day 10 and I think that might have been a little to soon - the technician worked really hard on the crease area and now it is extremely sore. Thank goodness I don't go in for another round of that for another 9 days!!! The doctor told me this would help with healing, so I did what I was told. Time will tell and until then I will continue eating right, drinking lots of fluids and walking at least 4 miles daily. You look great!!!