Feeling Okay About Everything Now - Plainfield, IL.

Thanks! Yeah - it was kinda cool to wear a pair a jeans 2 sizes smaller today :) Pretty much liking the results I just wish my knees & thighs would catch up! Sounds like you're doin' great! I feel pretty good. I got my stage 2 compression garment today via UPS and I'm soooo happy it fits nice and 'fitted'. Finally some good compression again! I put it on as soon as I got it and tossed the flexies in a pile to wash ;) My measurements are looking great. I'm down like 6-8 pounds and as long as I maintain that, I know that I haven't 'gained' weight. My eating is very clean. She took about 5 lbs of 'fat'. She said 2500 CCs. So I want to make sure I keep my weight down. Anywho! thanks for checking in! I'm gonna post more pics at 6 weeks.

Wow! My doc took out 2000cc yet my results are not as dramatic as hours! Keep up the good work I'm sure you are helping the process being good with the food!! How does the compression garment for stage two feel compared to stage one? Did you also get a marena? I went for a walk without a garment just to see what happens and I might be able to pull it off. My spanx compresses but is not as tight as I would like it to be Glad to hear it's all going so well!

Hi! I am Day 11 from Lipo of the lower abdomen, flanks, inner and outer thighs. This is a great site for really good advice and support. I am 5'2" and 121 pounds. I just had some areas that just wouldn't go away no matter how hard I worked out or how good I ate. The doctor took out about 2,200cc from all the areas combined. I have also had a BA in 2002 so I know that process as well. For me, the lipo was a harder recovery. Definitely stock up on Arnica Pills/Pellets and Gel. Start taking the pills 3 days before the procedure and continue after. They really make a HUGE difference in the bruising and swelling. I had hardly any bruising. The Arnica Gel is good to start when you start taking showers or can remove the garment for a bit to put it on. For me, that was not until Day 5. I use it twice a day (morning after shower and night before bed) and it really helps ease discomfort and reduce swelling. Not gonna lie, I had rough first 4-5 days. But as soon as I got off the pain meds the recovery really sped up. I stopped the pain meds day 3 and stopped Tylenol day 5. It is hard to go from sitting/lying down to standing but once you are up it isn't' so bad to walk around. Make sure you have enough ice packs. I really like the ACE bandage ones that already have cloth covering. Icing 20 minutes at a time really helped with pain and swelling. Just make sure you time it because your skin will have lost sensation due to the surgery and you don't want to leave them on too long and get frost bite. Sleep with your legs elevated with a pillow under your knees/lower legs. This will help with bruising and swelling. It is also more comfortable since you have to sleep on your back. I am not a back sleeper so this was a hard part for me. Get some maxi dresses or skirts (cotton or soft material) to wear. You will be able to get around and go places but not abel to wear your regular clothes. I found maxi dresses to be the most comfortable, easiest to put on, and best over the garment. DRINK LOTS OF WATER!!! This is probably one of the most important. It will help flush out all the toxins form the meds and drain your lymphatic system to get the swelling down faster. Lemon is also a good lymphatic system stimulator so hot water with lemon and honey is good to drink and also soothes your tummy. Stay away from sodium as much as possible. Get some stool softener as you will be constipated from the meds. Even with the softener it took me 3 days after surgery to have a BM. The good news is you will see results and it will be worth it. I was a little down in the dumps for the first few days, but as soon as I got past Day 5 things got really good really fast. I am still really swollen but still have good results so far: lost 1 pound, lost .5" in waist, 2" in love handle area, 1" in thighs. Every day gets a little better and I can't wait to see the full results in the months to come. Good luck and hang in there! :)

Thanks so much for the advice. I'm making my grocery/drug store list now. What type of garments did u need to buy?

I got a Stage 2 Marena above knee garment and a couple spanx for later. (Slim Cognito® Shaping Mid-Thigh Bodysuit, In-Power; Line Super Higher Power) I am still wearing the garment from the doctor and will start wearing my stage 2 and spans in a couple of days. The doctor said I can wear spanx now, but I like the garment he gave me. It is starting to get loose so I will have to change garments soon. Also, the garment he put me in was too tight at the top of the band so I had my boyfriend make a couple of cuts to help loosen it. It was so tight I was having trouble breathing. If you have to cut it, just make sure you don't cut all the way through the elastic. Just the top.

Hi Andrea, Thank you for your post. I am feeling pretty miserable, day 4 post lipo in the flanks and abdomen. I have been surprised to see how difficult this recover is in comparison to my Caesarian sections. The most difficult part is having an almost 4 year old and not quite 2 year old to manage. My husband has been as helpful as he can but he also has a business he mu run, thankfully he works from home. I wanted to be private about my surgery so I didn't tell anyone else, but I broke down and told my mom because I need her help. I was in really good shape so I thought I would bounce back quicker. When did you start returning to normal activity, I.e. not hunched over? I have a physical job so I decided to take a week off. Thanks for our advice.

HI! I hear ya'! This was a lot harder than I expected. Day 4 I broke down crying to my boyfriend. BUT, after Day 5 things got a lot better real fast. It was at that time walking became easier and I could stand up straight. I too am in good shape and thought this would be easier, boy was I wrong. I am now Day 11 and it still gives me a little twinge to go from lying down/sitting to standing up. Is your job really physical? You should be ok after taking off one full week. I understand this would be hard for you with the kids, but if you can rest as much as possible until you have to go back I think you will be ok. I did no tell anyone except my boyfriend about this because they would have said I didn't need it. But I went to Easter dinner with the whole exam on Day 9 and was fine. I helped cook, played with the kids and no one had any idea under my maxi dress was a compression garment. :) Good luck!!! It gets better I promise!!!

whole fan, not exam...:)

ugh, fam

Also, are you still on pain meds? As soon as I stopped taking those I got better really fast.

I got off pain meds day 3 and now only took Tylenol when I woke up and when I go to bed. Also am taking arnica. I am a massage therapist and this who,e experience has made me much more sympathetic for my clients in chronic pain. Did you start going for short walks by day 5 or just around the house. I wish I would have had more vivid instructions by my doc on day to day activity. The literature says don't sit for for longer than a meal so I was up way too much my 1st day. Now I am trying to lay down more. I have a family function Thursday night, day 6, so I hope I can pull that off with no one noticing.

Day 5 I walked around the house a lot and I went to the mall and walked around for a little bit. Now I am taking short walks but I don't want to overdue it. I definitely try not to sit in an upright position for too long. Mostly reclined or lying down. I planned to not really do anything physical for the first two weeks just because I am a runner and avid yoga practicer and I wanted my body to be 100% before I started putting strain on it again. I run half marathons and train year round. I did not want to push myself too soon and have to start at square one. A lot of people do too much too soon and end up super swollen again. I think for your job if you had a full work week + weekend off before you start you should be okay. If you can though, try to sit and elevate your legs in between clients. Definitely go home, ice, heat and elevate after work. I agree, it would shave been nice to have more day-to-day details but at least we have this site. :)

Arnica! Arnica! Arnica ;) It has been really helpful. My doc started me on it before and I have continued taking it after. Health food stores have it. I also use the gel/lotions for self massage. Done differently? Hmmmmm - I don't know. I worked out every day preeeding the surgery - I ate really well... Hard to say. I way EXPECTING the WORST and hoped for the best. The best kinda happened. Hardley any drainage, just really sore. The garment was included with the price. I have the Marena Girdle 1st stage with side zippers - mid-calf. My breasts, I would have probably made sure she evened them out a bit more and went a little bigger - but everyone says that. I suppose when I'm out participating in my sports this summer, I'll appreciate the 'smaller' fills on the saline. Good luck to you! One day at a time and know it is uncomfortable, but NOT unbearable! :)

agree! Drink LOTS of water! And this is the one I have ....... http://marenagroup.com/garmentstore/product/tabid/199/p-86-1st-stage-girdle-with-medium-legs.aspx .... It is too big now (you'll have to copy and paste the link). It took me almost 5 days to BM :( I just kept adding more fiber to my green smoothies in the AM. I use Arbonne's Fiber powder. Very helpful! Really!

Yeah - My doc said spanx/flexies are Okay but they don't fit as comfortably as the Marena. I want to get another Marena but I only have to wear it for 3 more weeks. Is it worth the invenstment of another 100.00? Eh.

My husband was great toooooo Thank God! Yes?

I think my breakdown was around day 7. I'd have to look through my notes. My cat got scared by my dog and jumped right on my knee (my sorest area after Lipo!) I sobbed and sobbed. But I have gotten through the worst of it. 3 weeks today. Doin' Okay!

LOL

I quit pain meds on day 5. I still take a little valium at night to help with sleep. about 1/4 of a pill. I can probably cut that out tonight? Hmmmmm... Maybe I'll try that.

Arnica does help. And thank God for Massage Therapists! YAY!

Do you get the lymphatic massage? I am day 11 and thinking of trying it.

If you still need something to help with sleep, try melatonin from a health food or GNC store. It's natural so better for you. I have a hard time sleeping normally, so after the surgery this really helped. :)

Ugh! That would be awful! Glad you are feeling better. :)

Thank you. I'm doing Okay now. My doc wanted me talking the valium as it has a muscle relaxer in it. My back was killing me but I am now doing better! YAY! Finally sleeping except for getting up once to drink more water and potty! :)

Yes!!! My bf was so good. :)

I have had lymph massage - 2 of them already. I see my regular therapist this Saturday. Lymph is very light but it is advised so you don't break down more tissue that needs to be healed. It is a good excuse for me to massage every week vs. just twice a month as I usually do! LOL!

Hi Andrea, You were right, day 5 is so much better. I drove my son to school, albeit painfully, and can actually stand fairly straight up. When does that intense pain in the back flanks get better?

I did have steri strips on my wounds that fell off at about 10 days. I think my knees were more swollen after that also. I think there is just a longer healing process because of all the nerves and joint connections there? What do you think? Let me know how your apt. goes! My tape fell off today for my breast lift! I'm soooo happy with how they look. If interested, please check my profile and my breasts review for my pic I just uploaded with no tape :)

My band aids were 4" wide so they were huge and covered most of my legs Now that those are gone I can observe the following: I have NO bruises where the band aids were!! It's so funny it's like the bruise suddenly stops there and all I have is clear skin underneath Also, it helped with the swelling for sure. I have yet to see what happens tomorrow without the help of them My knees seem to be back to normal meaning prior to surgery but I am definitely skinnier as my clothes fit better even with my spanx tights which are only tight on the flank area and half of the upper leg I just looked at your pictures and the result is amazing I hope to lose inches on my waist as well!!

Have you taken "after" measurements yet? My clothes fit really weird right now. Between the boobs and the lipo I have NO clue what to wear! LOL!

I have not taken before or after measurements but I definitely see a change in shape :)

I am doing massage already - two so far with my PS therapist, and I go to my regular therapist this weekend. It does help! Still lumpy though! LOL!

I wake up skinny and by the end of the day feel like a bloated whale. There is just a lot of puffyness in my knees. And my thigh, very disappointed. I can only hope they get better. Thank you! And I tooo am glad I didn't do a TT. I can deal with a little buldge to not have that difficult recover.