43, Mom of 3, Helping out my Hard Work with Some Lower Body Lipo. - Pasadena, CA

I am a very active mother of 3. Needles to say those pregnancies had an impact in my body with significant weight gain and separation of my abdominal muscles. I lost significant weight, > 70 lbs with diet and lots of exercise. I felt great and felt I could take on the world. There was just one problem. My body did not exactly how hard I was working. I had a lot of lose skim around the abdomen, my doctor and I decided I would best served with a tummy tuck. I made sure that my weight was really stable and that I was truly in charge of my body, the we did a tummy tuck and breast lift in 2012, this was life changing. I am beyond over the moon with my results. This had changed my life and allow me to wear bikini as an adult for the first time ever and feel confident. Now it is time to focus on the lower body. I am planning liposuction of the inner thighs outer thighs, my hips, anterior thighs and lower back. I am going for much smoother hips, in line with the rest of my body as well as much thinner thighs and shapely rear end without fat injection, I chose a different surgeon this time, because what I needed was a genius sculptor. Someone who is known as the kin go liposuction (especially for women of color wanting to maximize their natural curves. He is located in Pasadena so this is very close to my house. We had several consultation visits and his team will spend all the time you need so that everyone had the same goals. Once I had decided on this surgeon I paid my deposit and had my lab work done and my preop clearance with my regular doctor. My date was then set for April 24 and I was very excited. I also continued to read the real self website nonstop, trying to get every piece of information I could in order to prepare for surgery. This site has been invaluable to me and that's why decided to put up a profile and share my experience. I took the advice of all the other posters who have gone before me and I feel I was very ready for the surgery once my surgery date came. Even the surgeon and his staff were impressed with how much preparation I had done.

Well, so so happy to be on this side of the procedure. The procedure itself was just wonderful. My doctor uses tumescent liposuction. I arrived early and was happy to be the first case. Everyone was so so wonderful. pre-op pics done in the office. Not sure if I want to see those. They were the full Monty. Then the doctor came in and started my IV. I was surprised that he did this himself, but he stated that he had perfected a painless way to do this and he was right. I did not feel I thing. I have had a few IV's in the past all started by very experienced people and this was the best. The two OR techs brought me into the OR to get me ready. One used gloves to coat me in a warm Hibiclens solution (antiseptic). Then I laid down on the OR table and was covered with a sterile sheet and a blanket. My PS always works with an anesthesiologist and I am grateful for that. He does not do the procedure under general anesthesia but having an anesthesiologist in the room has many advantages. 1) the anesthesiologist was able to give me good iv sedation so that I did not feel or remember anything. This was especially good for the installment of the tumescent fluid, which I have heard from several ladies on this site can be painful. 2) the anesthesiologist is in the room and is wholly responsible for your vital signs, making sure your blood pressure is stable, that your heart rate is normal and that your breathing and oxygenation are all normal (I would say this is an important job) many PS will stay that they do not need this additional person and that the can do all of this themselves or keep you kind of awake so that they know your vitals are okay. Yes this is true, but again I am truly thankful to have someone focused on my important vitals. 3) if there is an emergency you have a well trained set of hands that can help to stabilize your vitals and make sure you stay safe. 4) having this person there lets my PS devote all of his attention to his art and getting me the results we agreed upon.
So, having said all of that. I remember lying down and saying hello to everyone again and then I woke up all cozy in the recovery room.
No significant pain.
The Highlights: they did not have to give me any narcotics (only propofol and toradol) so I did not have any nausea at all to deal with
They also were able to lighten the propofol enough to stand me up and turn me over several times, this allows for the best results. (again I do not remember this)
I had inner thighs, outer thighs, hips, lower back and anterior thighs and they were able to take of 3000 ML (3 liters) they said they were surprised they could get so much, but I was not. I know what I have been grabbing a hold of and wishing was gone all these years.
At home I have been resting, up a lot to go potty #1. This was good because it kept me moving all night. I had one on those devices that let women go standing up. Mine is called GO GIRL and I bought it on Amazon. I can not recommend this enough. It will save you. I had started fiber therapy and stool softeners a few days before surgery with each dinner so #2 was no big deal and came today as well .
I continue to have leaking but have set up enough pads and chucks and shower curtain liners to protect everything. I was able to pick up the Target brand of shower curtain liners at Target, for under 3 dollars each. That is a great buy. Good to have.
Pre op I also bought several dark color maxi dresses and that is what I wore to surgery and have been rotating them ever since. This has worked out well.
No pictures today. Just me in my garment. I am allowed to shower in my garment on Sunday and take it off for a shower on Tuesday. My first pre-op appt is on Tuesday.
Feeling okay today. Just get stiff and very soar when sitting or lying in once place too long. Trying to avoid narcotics (just slow you down so much) but have done okay with tylenol. I continue to take my antibiotics and arnica. My husband is making me pineapple protein smoothies each day. Not too hungry but I have a weak stomach so I have to eat something when I take meds. Okay, that is all for now. Wishing all the ladies who shared my week to have a speedy and complication free recovery.

It is 1:00 am and can't get back to sleep so I took these pics and added them. I know how important the garment is, but it is a love hate relationship tonight.