Smart Lipo on Upper & Lower Abs and Waist

My smart lipo procedure is scheduled for next Friday, October 29 with Dr. Ivor Kaplan at the Norfolk, VA Sono Bello.

Here are my stats:
26 y/o
No children
168lbs
5'3"

So nervous but also very excited to feel like myself again! My pre-op is scheduled for Tuesday, so I'll share info about that and before pictures afterward.

Due to covid, my procedure got pushed back a month but I finally had it done yesterday (11/29/2021).

To prepare for my surgery I had the following:
- Puppy pads
- Poise pads
- 8x11 foams
- Ab board
- Massage gun
- Roller Massage Stick
- Band-Aids
- Arnicare Gel
- Women's Multivitamins
- Tylenol
- Benadryl
- Shower Liner
- Female Urination Device
- Dove Antibacterial Soap
- Powerade
- Lymphatic Drainage Drops
- Tightening and Firming Cream
- Cranberry Juice
- Pineapple Juice
- Arnicare Tabs (given to me at my pre-op)

The morning of my procedure, I taped puppy pads onto my bed and put the shower liner under my comforter to catch any excess drainage (pictured). I also taped puppy pads to the seat of my car and a pillow for the car ride home.

When I went into Sono Bello (I had to be there 1.5 hours before my procedure was scheduled), I was asked to change into the paper bra and panties, take a pregnancy test, I got my blood pressure and heart rate taken, and got my IV. After that, I waited for my doctor.

At 12pm (my appointment time), Dr. Kaplan and his nurse, Lisa, came in. He marked me up and answered any last questions I had. Lisa took more pictures then gave me my cocktail. After a few more minutes, Lisa took me back to the operating room.

I laid on the table and my memory of everything was pretty in and out from that point. I remember music playing and occasionally Dr. Kaplan asking me to roll over from one side to the other. It wasn't really painful but I could feel the cannula and at certain points, there was a bit of pain here and there. I'm pretty sure I fell asleep because the procedure took about 3 hours but it felt like I was on the table for 30 minutes.

I don't remember getting dressed or being wheeled out to the car, but my wife said Lisa rolled me out in a wheelchair. I don't remember much of the car ride either as I'm sure I was sleeping during that too. I slept through most of the night, getting up once to walk around a little bit, to change out my pads, and a few trips to go to the bathroom (the urination device definitely helps!! It will hurt to stand up and sit down).

When I'm lying in bed, I'm perfectly fine! There's a mild pain when walking, but getting up and sitting/laying down is the absolute worse! I'm not sure where exactly my incisions are (I haven't seen them yet but my wife says they're pretty small), but it feels like the incisions themselves are likely to be the source of the pain, not my entire torso in general.

I have yet to see myself without the pads and compression garment but really excited to!

Yesterday morning I weighed in at 165.8, this morning I weighed in at 163.4. At my pre-op (11/26/2021) my measurements were the following:
Underbust: 35.5
Waist: 34
Hips: 37.7

I'll keep you updated as I continue my journey.

Day 1 Post-op Update:

I’m honestly impressed already! Dr. Kaplan called me today and said I could take my first shower. There’s so much of a difference already.

My love handles are pretty much gone (there’s still a bit on my right side but I’m hoping it goes down with the swelling. My upper and lower abs are also visibly smaller but still pretty swollen.

I was in too much discomfort to take a picture but hoping I’ll feel up to taking some this week.