My Birthday Gift to Me! - Orlando, FL

It has been almost a week since my procedure and although I can definitely tell the difference in my abs and back I am just a bit concerned that I may need some touch ups. I have now formed the lumps at me belly button so it makes my belly look a little weird but it is okay. I have some minor brusing in areas but it not bad. I need to consistently take the arnica. I can't tell if its the swelling or that I need some more work, but my lower abs could be better. I can't stand the compressions garment because it cuts into my back and crotch area, and I am scared that it will cause a permanent indention in my back. I am suppose to see the doctor tomorrow morning for a check up so I will address all of my concerns then. I did look through my paper work and I do have a copy of the insurance policy that I will get a significant discount on additional work (70%) and any surgical deficiencies will be done at no cost to me within the 1st year. So I will wait the 6 months to be sure that all is well before making that kind of decision. i can't wait until I am able to work out but I am walking now to stay in shape and eating properly. I am making a lifestyle change so all this will be work it and the surgery at least gave me a great starting point.

I have attached pictures of my before and after. the picture of the front shows a big indention caused from the pads that I have removed. The indention is going away. Honestly the front picture does not give the actual look any justice. There is swelling but not much bruising at this time. I am sure that it will get much better as the swelling goes down. I am hating this compression garment and can't wait until I can take it off. I feel that it is causing a line in the back and I will address this after meeting with the doctor on Friday for my followup. Also I am not sure if there is more that can taken out of my back and lower abs or if that is just swelling. I am definitely happy though and saw the difference immediately. I can't lift my belly up anymore!!! yeah and I don't look pregnant!!!! lol

I had my TriScuplt/Smart Lipo yesterday and I believe it went great! So here is the step-by-step:
I made sure I had a pretty good breakfast (my appointment was at 9am)
I had to arrive an hour early at 8am so I could be pre-medicated.
They made sure I ate and offered me more snacks and something to drink. I signed some forms and then they gave me the surgical bra and panties along with several pills(anxiety, pain, antibiotic and nausea mediation)
The doctor marked me up and they I put on my gown waiting to begin my procedure.
About thirty minutes later the meds kicked in and they asked me to come in.
I laid on the table and then the "fun" began.

Surgery:
The doctor started by injecting me with the numbing meds. The stinging from the needel hurt the worst, and it wouldn't have been so bad but they had to numb a lot of areas. I was getting my upper and lower abs done, my waist and bra rolls. So they had to inject me several times. Each area that was injected he grabbed my skin and made small incisions. I did not feel the incisions, I just could tell that he was making them. After all of the incisions were made he went in with the laser cannula and said he was punching holes in the fat like swiss cheese. He did this in all the areas before he suctioned out the fat. This did not hurt but some areas were not numb all the way and at times I could feel the stinging. This hurt but it wasn't horrible. He started witht he back and asked that I curl up on my side in the fetal or "c" shape position. it was hard to stay like this when I started feeling the cannula. After my back he began doing my upper and lower abs. This was better because I think the numbing fluid had much more time to kick in so I felt a lot less of the procedure. During the procedure I had to get up 4 times to urinate because they requested that we drink so much water. After the laser he began the suctioning of the fat. This really tickled more than hurt, but I HATE being tickled so it was almost unbearable. It DID NOT HURT but the tickling sensation became very aggravating. However, I took it because I wanted good results. After about 2 hours he was done and I filled up a canister with fat. I will have to call to find out how much was taken out. They got me up, had me put on my clothes, gave me my meds to take home and I was on my way. I took the compression garments off to change the pads and noticed the difference right away. M y stomach was FLAT! EVERYTHING ELSE LOOKED REALLY GOOD TOO. I used maxi pads in place of the ones they gave me and went to bed.

The first day hurt the worst. it wasn't excruciating and the pain medication they prescribed helped take away the pain. I was so tired I just went to sleep. I woke up around 7pm and my girlfriends came ov er and we watched movies and ordered Chinese food. I ate a little and fell asleep during the movie. The next day I woke up early feeling great!! I took a shower and was ready to go out. I felt much better when we walked around rather than sit around all day. I was out all day shopping with my friends and only felt the pain when getting in and out the car. I have not taken any more medication since last night and I will not take them unless I am in serious pain. I think that yesterday will be the worst of it. I have been taking my arnica pills as prescribed and I have yet to see any serious bruising or swelling. There is just a small section on my lower ab and bra roll that my need additional work if ?I don't see it improved in 2 months. I will let them know on my 1st week follow-up on Friday. As soon as my friend forwards the after pictures will post them.