POSTED UNDER Liposuction REVIEWS
Thigh Knee Liposuction Tips & Preparation & Aftercare & Great Result - San Francisco, CA
ORIGINAL POST
Hello! I want to share my experience with outer...
Hdb1234March 7, 2016
WORTH IT$5,900
Hello!
I want to share my experience with outer and inner thighs and inner knees liposuction and tips!
Consultation tips
Do extensive research before consultation with plastic surgeons. Make a list of questions and bring your ideal before and after pictures to show your expectations.
My questions were, for example,
Do you think my expectations are reasonable and can you achieve it? What kind of liposuction method will you choose for me? What size of cannula do you use for me? Show me before and after pictures of your past patients. How will you sculpt and contour my body? Local or general anesthesia? How many liposuction have you done? ( i would say minimum is 500 ) what is your Revision policy? What is the best way to contact you after procedure ?
I had consultations with 6 plastic surgeons. I have decided that power assisted liposuction with 3mm cannula is the best for me. Im 5'1 and 105 lb. Im thin except my thighs. I chose dr. who is very patient, willing to listen, respect my ideal body line, willing to do revision if necessary w/o fee and who I can contact by text and email.
Preparation for surgery
Do grocery shopping, get medication, cleaning, cooking before procedure.
I stopped my birth control 1 week before to decrease risk of clot.
Start iron and vitamin k supplements 1 week before ( consult with your doctor though!)
Start arnica and bromelain supplements 3 days before procedure.
I recommend probiotics to make sure you have bowel movements every day! Constipation ( pain med side effect ) is not fun!
Stool softer for constipation if necessary
Start fish oil and naproxen right after surgery ( some dr dont recommend these because of bleeding risk so do check with your dr. But, these meds have anti inflammatory effects and my dr recommended. He doesn't think these will increase bleeding risk if taken after procedure )
What to eat
Decrease salt intake 2 weeks before surgery and continue after surgery. Maybe 2 weeks to 3 months...
Increase protein intake. I got ensure plus. Eat egg, meat and fish!
Crackers and ginger ale if you are worried about nausea.
Jelly and yogurt are also good!
I had a liposuction with just local anesthesia, ativan and pain med injection. The procedure was painful. I was told i experienced more pain because Im thin. I kept saying aw. Aw. Aw :( during procedure. I had to squeez or hold onto something and kept biting the cloth because of sharp pain. If you have low pain tolerance, you might want to do general anesthesia.
However, after procedure i do not have pain or soreness at all. Just in case, i take 2 tabs of naproxen 220mg every 12 hours and tramadol 50 mg every 8 hours. It is hard to bend my knees because of padding and compression garments but I can sit on floor and stand up without pain. This was unexpected so I am very very happy. I use bed wedge pillow to elevate my legs and put blanket on my legs to keep them warm. Feel so good. I also use compression stocking on top of compression garments to increase circulation of my lower legs. It feels very good.
I am planning to take bath after incisions heal and start gentle self massage with arnica oil.
I hope my tips help you and let me know if you have questions. Im wearing pads for leakage and drainage now so I will start taking pictures in 2 days!!
I want to share my experience with outer and inner thighs and inner knees liposuction and tips!
Consultation tips
Do extensive research before consultation with plastic surgeons. Make a list of questions and bring your ideal before and after pictures to show your expectations.
My questions were, for example,
Do you think my expectations are reasonable and can you achieve it? What kind of liposuction method will you choose for me? What size of cannula do you use for me? Show me before and after pictures of your past patients. How will you sculpt and contour my body? Local or general anesthesia? How many liposuction have you done? ( i would say minimum is 500 ) what is your Revision policy? What is the best way to contact you after procedure ?
I had consultations with 6 plastic surgeons. I have decided that power assisted liposuction with 3mm cannula is the best for me. Im 5'1 and 105 lb. Im thin except my thighs. I chose dr. who is very patient, willing to listen, respect my ideal body line, willing to do revision if necessary w/o fee and who I can contact by text and email.
Preparation for surgery
Do grocery shopping, get medication, cleaning, cooking before procedure.
I stopped my birth control 1 week before to decrease risk of clot.
Start iron and vitamin k supplements 1 week before ( consult with your doctor though!)
Start arnica and bromelain supplements 3 days before procedure.
I recommend probiotics to make sure you have bowel movements every day! Constipation ( pain med side effect ) is not fun!
Stool softer for constipation if necessary
Start fish oil and naproxen right after surgery ( some dr dont recommend these because of bleeding risk so do check with your dr. But, these meds have anti inflammatory effects and my dr recommended. He doesn't think these will increase bleeding risk if taken after procedure )
What to eat
Decrease salt intake 2 weeks before surgery and continue after surgery. Maybe 2 weeks to 3 months...
Increase protein intake. I got ensure plus. Eat egg, meat and fish!
Crackers and ginger ale if you are worried about nausea.
Jelly and yogurt are also good!
I had a liposuction with just local anesthesia, ativan and pain med injection. The procedure was painful. I was told i experienced more pain because Im thin. I kept saying aw. Aw. Aw :( during procedure. I had to squeez or hold onto something and kept biting the cloth because of sharp pain. If you have low pain tolerance, you might want to do general anesthesia.
However, after procedure i do not have pain or soreness at all. Just in case, i take 2 tabs of naproxen 220mg every 12 hours and tramadol 50 mg every 8 hours. It is hard to bend my knees because of padding and compression garments but I can sit on floor and stand up without pain. This was unexpected so I am very very happy. I use bed wedge pillow to elevate my legs and put blanket on my legs to keep them warm. Feel so good. I also use compression stocking on top of compression garments to increase circulation of my lower legs. It feels very good.
I am planning to take bath after incisions heal and start gentle self massage with arnica oil.
I hope my tips help you and let me know if you have questions. Im wearing pads for leakage and drainage now so I will start taking pictures in 2 days!!
Hdb1234's provider
Replies (6)
April 25, 2016
What type of compression garment did you have to wear and how long did you have to wear it?
April 25, 2016
Contour MD. My dr provided and it was included in the surgery price. I wore it for 30 days. After that, I got too loose.
April 25, 2016
Thanks so much. I'm having my inner thighs & stomach done soon & im worrying about having to wear the garment for 6 weeks in the summer heat! But I will push through it. You look great!
April 25, 2016
Thank you!! Swelling was completely gone in 3, 4 weeks in my case. If you clearly have swelling, you should continue to wear it. But, I think 4 weeks is enough on average ;) good luck!!
April 25, 2016
Stool softer only was not enough to prevention constipation for me. I would add senna, bisacodyl, Metamucil next time.
UPDATED FROM Hdb1234
7 days post
1 week after surgery
Hdb1234March 13, 2016
I stopped taking tramadol around 4th day and I didnt feel much pain after 72 hours. I measured my thighs and it was - 0.75 to 1 inch on 3 or 4th day. On 7th day, it was - 1 to 1.25 inch. Hopefully, my thighs continue to get thinner. I have numbness on my thighs but not pain. I have been able to walk and lift my legs fine. I bruise easily and my inner thighs look very very bad. But, this was expected. I have been taking arnica and bromelain and some of my bruises are getting yellower but my inner thighs still look very bad. Very dark.
The worst problem I have is constipation. I chose tramadol over vicodin because I thought it would cause less constipation. However, my constipation was very severe. I didnt had bowel movements for 4 days. On 5th, 6th and 7th days, I had bowel movements but my stool was very hard and I had to stay in the bathroom for the longest time in my life :( I was taking stool softner but I guess it was not enough. I recommend drinking a lot of water and taking metamucil. You have to be careful not to take prescription drugs 2 hours before and after you take metamucil because meds may not get absorbed into your body.
I started wearing compression pantyhose under the compression garment because garment is too loose around my kneess and leaves marks on my skin. I strongly recommend keeping your legs warm and elevated with bed wedge pillow, sweat pants, thick socks and blankets etc for better circulation and healing. It feels good too!
I will attached photos. You cant really see the difference from lipo in pictures but I thought you might want to see how it looks like after surgery. When I saw the openings after 30 hours , it was shocking. I regret a little. You just have to hope your openings heal soon. So, you might want to wait 48 hours to take shower if you dont want to see raw openings. My openings are closing well on 7th day but a few openings is still draining/bleeding :(
If your doctor doesnt suture, you have a lot of pads, first aid tapes and bandaids at home.
The worst problem I have is constipation. I chose tramadol over vicodin because I thought it would cause less constipation. However, my constipation was very severe. I didnt had bowel movements for 4 days. On 5th, 6th and 7th days, I had bowel movements but my stool was very hard and I had to stay in the bathroom for the longest time in my life :( I was taking stool softner but I guess it was not enough. I recommend drinking a lot of water and taking metamucil. You have to be careful not to take prescription drugs 2 hours before and after you take metamucil because meds may not get absorbed into your body.
I started wearing compression pantyhose under the compression garment because garment is too loose around my kneess and leaves marks on my skin. I strongly recommend keeping your legs warm and elevated with bed wedge pillow, sweat pants, thick socks and blankets etc for better circulation and healing. It feels good too!
I will attached photos. You cant really see the difference from lipo in pictures but I thought you might want to see how it looks like after surgery. When I saw the openings after 30 hours , it was shocking. I regret a little. You just have to hope your openings heal soon. So, you might want to wait 48 hours to take shower if you dont want to see raw openings. My openings are closing well on 7th day but a few openings is still draining/bleeding :(
If your doctor doesnt suture, you have a lot of pads, first aid tapes and bandaids at home.
Replies (9)
March 23, 2016
I know this won't help you now, but it might help others who are reading your post. I have had 2 elective surgeries now and consider myself a veteran ;-)
As to constipation caused by pain medication...I recommend taking 3 PeriColace as soon as you get home from the surgery, then 3 more that night, and then the next morning. Keep taking the 3 Pericolace twice a day while you are on pain meds. If you have diarrhea, cut back to 2 Pericolace. Don't stop taking them as long as you are on the pain meds. I also try to eat as much dried fruit (prunes, apricots, peaches, etc.) as I can every day. I usually have comfortable bowel movements starting 2 days after the surgery. (Milk of Magnesia was a nightmare for me. The gas made me feel like I was in labor.) I hope this helps someone. You look great! Good luck with your continuing recovery!
As to constipation caused by pain medication...I recommend taking 3 PeriColace as soon as you get home from the surgery, then 3 more that night, and then the next morning. Keep taking the 3 Pericolace twice a day while you are on pain meds. If you have diarrhea, cut back to 2 Pericolace. Don't stop taking them as long as you are on the pain meds. I also try to eat as much dried fruit (prunes, apricots, peaches, etc.) as I can every day. I usually have comfortable bowel movements starting 2 days after the surgery. (Milk of Magnesia was a nightmare for me. The gas made me feel like I was in labor.) I hope this helps someone. You look great! Good luck with your continuing recovery!
March 24, 2016
Thank you for sharing your experience and input! I work in the pharmacy industry and I didnt know what pericolace is. I know colace but not pericolace. Some people might not know what it is, Pericolace is senna plus colace (stool softner). I heard from some patients that senna works. I will try senna/senokot next time! Good thing about metamucil is that if you drink before your fatty meal, the fat from food might not get absorbed well. ( its excreted from body with fiber) So, it might help you not gain weight.
March 24, 2016
Thank you for that information. PeriColace is a brand that is a stool softener plus laxative. For me, it works better than the Senokot, but that should work also.
March 25, 2016
Thank you for the input! Stool softer didnt work for me. So, I said senokot but I will take both next time when I take pain med in the future. Have you tried metamucil? That works for me.
March 30, 2016
CONTIPATION PROBLEMS
I had Hemorrhoid Surgery 2 years ago. After a Rectocil Repair years ago, I was told to never allow myself to become constipated because I do not have the necessary muscles to push the bowel out of my body.
As prescribed by my Hemorrhoid Surgeon, I now have a nightly ritual to keep my body moving. Here it is & I hope it will help others:
#1. 2 Tbs Mineral Oil
#2. 1 capful of MiraLax mixed with Sugar Free Jello. I use Snack Pack Juicy Gels (5 calories each). Pour Jello into microwave bowl. Heat until melted into a liquid, usually 1 minute. Mix MiraLax with Jello. MiraLax disolves as it is stirred into Jello and becomes a tasty evening treat.
#3. DucoLax Laxitive Pills. With all my current medications, I take 7 Dulcolax Pills/night. The number can be adjusted according to the amount of daily medication going into my system.
This proceedure has worked well for me for several years.
Another tip:
BelVita Crackers also works as a laxative. I have found that BelVita moves through my system in about 10 hours.
As per surgeon's instructions, in preparation for a tummy tuck/mommy makeover scheduled for April 13, I added suggested Herbs to my diet today: BROMELAIN, ARNICA MONTANA, & VITAMIN C (ROSE HIPS). I will be increasing my Dulcolax Laxitive to aid my system in elimination.
Hope this helps someone !
I had Hemorrhoid Surgery 2 years ago. After a Rectocil Repair years ago, I was told to never allow myself to become constipated because I do not have the necessary muscles to push the bowel out of my body.
As prescribed by my Hemorrhoid Surgeon, I now have a nightly ritual to keep my body moving. Here it is & I hope it will help others:
#1. 2 Tbs Mineral Oil
#2. 1 capful of MiraLax mixed with Sugar Free Jello. I use Snack Pack Juicy Gels (5 calories each). Pour Jello into microwave bowl. Heat until melted into a liquid, usually 1 minute. Mix MiraLax with Jello. MiraLax disolves as it is stirred into Jello and becomes a tasty evening treat.
#3. DucoLax Laxitive Pills. With all my current medications, I take 7 Dulcolax Pills/night. The number can be adjusted according to the amount of daily medication going into my system.
This proceedure has worked well for me for several years.
Another tip:
BelVita Crackers also works as a laxative. I have found that BelVita moves through my system in about 10 hours.
As per surgeon's instructions, in preparation for a tummy tuck/mommy makeover scheduled for April 13, I added suggested Herbs to my diet today: BROMELAIN, ARNICA MONTANA, & VITAMIN C (ROSE HIPS). I will be increasing my Dulcolax Laxitive to aid my system in elimination.
Hope this helps someone !
March 31, 2016
Thank you for sharing! Generic name forDulcolax is bisacodyl. Some dulcolax products come as stool softner, which is docusate. It can be confusing. I will try bisacodyl in the future! My concern is that your body will be dependent on laxtive if taking laxative on a daily basis. So, I dont recommend taking laxative unless it is necessary. ( I am a health care provider. ) It is the best to just take probiotics every day in my opinion unless you want to take laxative evey single day in your life.
March 31, 2016
Thank you for your concern about daily laxitives. After having a rectocil repair at Emory Hospital, my surgeon recommended a daily laxitive. He explained that I do not have the necessary muscles to push the bowel out of my body. My surgeon told me to always keep my stool soft and not get constipated.
In addition, I have Fibromyalgia and know exactly what pain meds can do to my body's ability to have a BM.
My hemorrhoid surgeon also agreed with the earlier advice of the surgeon who performed my rectocil repair. He is the doctor who suggested adding Mineral Oil & MiraLax to the Dulcolax daily.
In addition to Fibromyalgia, I have a long list of food intolerances and am highly allergic to Molds. I cannot eat dried fruit of any kind without a reaction to mold. I do however, eat fresh Fruit daily.
Trial and error has helped me determine what works for my body.
In addition, I have Fibromyalgia and know exactly what pain meds can do to my body's ability to have a BM.
My hemorrhoid surgeon also agreed with the earlier advice of the surgeon who performed my rectocil repair. He is the doctor who suggested adding Mineral Oil & MiraLax to the Dulcolax daily.
In addition to Fibromyalgia, I have a long list of food intolerances and am highly allergic to Molds. I cannot eat dried fruit of any kind without a reaction to mold. I do however, eat fresh Fruit daily.
Trial and error has helped me determine what works for my body.
March 31, 2016
Ok. That is good! I had a feeling you have some conditions that requires daily laxatives. I was writing for people/anyone who read this post in general :)
UPDATED FROM Hdb1234
9 days post
9 days after procedure
Hdb1234March 15, 2016
I started seeing a result more clearly. I have thigh gaps! I measured my thighs and its -1.25 to 1.5 now. Happy! Hopefully, my thighs gets thinner!
Replies (4)
April 1, 2016
That's great that you're down so much so quickly! I had my inner and outer thighs done the end of January and I am still continuing to get smaller. Good luck and keep us posted with your progress!
April 1, 2016
Thank you!! That is great that you are still getting thinner. Giving me hope! Do you know how much was taken out from your thighs during lipo? Mine was 1250ml. It is not much. That was one of the reasons my recovery was fast?
April 1, 2016
The Dr told me he took out 1.4 liters so a pretty large amount. It definitely took a month before I saw a significant difference. I was so discouraged and then once I hit the one month mark the swelling started to go down so fast! My skin is tightening up more so now than I saw at first but 3 of my incisions are still healing which was a lot longer than I thought it would be. Your results look great!!
April 1, 2016
Thanks!! My dr said final results is at 6 months so you still have 4 months to get thinner! Please keep posting your updated pictures. I will definitely looking forward to seeing them! For scar, my dr recommend silicone sheets. You have to use a month or longer to see a change but Im going to try it.
Thanks for sharing all your tips! Definitely keep us posted on your healing, looking forward to your pics :)