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*Treatment results may vary
After struggling with a "pooch" (and I never had...
After struggling with a "pooch" (and I never had kids) and trying several other treatments (Lipolase body-slimming and Zeltiq), with no noticeable results, I decided it was time to go "all in." I did some research and decided that traditional lipo was too invasive for me, so I went with laser lipo and chose Sono Bello because they offer services close to home. Yes, I read good and bad reviews and yes, I had some misgivings, but I went anyway.
The consultation was with a pleasant woman who pressured me a little (by offering "today only discounts"), but since I had already decided to do it, it was ok. If you are really unsure, be cautious. I chose upper/lower abs and waist. Once paid, you are committed or lose your money.
Day -7: I returned for the pre-op with my doctor (Jay Johnson) and he recommended adding the hips to create a smoother transition since I have a prominent booty. He also recommended the pubic area. I added the hips but declined the pubic area. He was pleasant enough but not overly warm and did not exude a high level of confidence, but the assistants did.
Day 0: On the day of my procedure, I arrived and waited a short time before anyone showed up at the front desk. I was taken back about 15 minutes later and prepped for the procedure. Paula was my nurse and she was so incredibly sweet. She had me change into the paper panties and bra, dawn some compression stockings and a surgical gown, took a urine sample for a pregnancy test, and weighed me. then the doctor arrived to draw on my body to plan the procedure (picture). We spoke briefly, and again not much warmth, but it was ok. Paula then returned to insert theIV line. Although I have bad veins, she did well and I had no bruising at all! She gave me a few pills (antibiotic, xanax, and antinausea) and then gave me the shot of Demerol (wow!).
I walked down to the procedure room and laid on the bed. She applied monitors to my chest and then they began. I really don't remember much of it at all (thank you Demerol), but it wasn't unpleasant in the least. Maybe I felt a pinch or two, but no pain at all. I do remember them having me roll to one side or the other to get around my waist and hips. Then suddenly, it was over. They cleaned me off and applied bandages (maxi pads). The doctor disappeared and Paula showed me what they removed... 2.25 liters of fat and fluid! She helped me dawn the compression garment (I call it the "iron maiden") and binder (both of which I hate!), and wheelchaired me to the recovery room. There we chatted a bit until my boyfriend showed up. She went over the procedure and postop instructions. Then they wheeled me down to the car.
When we got home, I got in bed and slept about an hour and a half. Then he woke me, fed me, gave me my midday pills, and I slept for another 4 hours. My sweet boyfriend woke me so I wouldn't get too off cycle and we chatted, had a little dinner, and watched some tv. We noticed I leaked a little on one hip so we applied an additional pad on that area and then back to bed for me. I slept on a towel, but didn't notice any leakage in the morning. That day I took the Percocet midday and before bed and started taking the oral Arnica pills.
Day 1: I slept ok, but turning was difficult. I'm sure the codeine helped me sleep. The most difficult part was peeing because the iron maiden has hook-n-eyes that attach at the crotch where no one who just had this procedure could possibly reach. Luckily, my boyfriend was ready to help (bless him!). This became a routine of frustration until the next day when I asked about it on the follow-up call. The nurse said it was ok to keep it unlatched and wear panties outside of the compression devices, so that's what I've been doing. I got in the shower, removed the pads (wow!). So here's the deal... they use maxi pads to absorb the fluid that leaks out from the open (and small incisions) after the procedure. When you get in the shower to let the water help release the adhesive tape, the pads swell. I took a clean garbage bag into the shower and slowly, carefully removed them. The hips had by far the most fluid, which makes sense since they are the lowest area treated. I was told to express extra fluid while in the shower, but none came out. In fact, I could barely see the incisions at all! I was VERY bruised, especially in the pubic area. I applied the Arnica cream to the bruises, avoiding the incisions, and reapplied bandages. I used regular (and generic) incontinence pads. DON'T remove the tape because otherwise they stick to everything. Just open them and apply the cloth side to the incisions using medical tape to attach them. I continued to take my antibiotic (3x daily), Arnica pills (3x daily), and switched to 800 mg of Ibuprofen (3x daily) instead of Percocet (I don't like opiates). Then I went about having a decent day. I drank a ton of water, peed frequently (which was easier since not clasping the crotch of the iron maiden), and took a few walks around the block to keep my circulation flowing. Ate a light dinner with a little wine, watched a movie, and went to bed.
Day 2: Much easier to get up and move around, but still tender in the midsection and hips. Took my meds, showered, and decided I didn't need any more bandages because there was very minimal leakage at the incisions. Still lots of bruises (pictures attached). We went to the store, took a few walks, and I made dinner! Took my pills and drank lots of water. This is supposed to be the worst day of discomfort.
Day 3: Woke up early. I washed the iron maiden, showered, had breakfast, took meds, got dressed and bound, and went to work by 9am. I'm now taking the antibiotic (3x daily and 800 mg ibuprofen 2x daily) but forgot the arnica pills. So far so good. Can't wait to get to my 10day postop (1 week would be Christmas day so I have to wait a few extra days). The hardest part is the stupid garments. They are always getting bunched up around my midsection and I don't want funny wrinkles in my new tummy so I'm constantly rearranging them.
So far, I very pleased because I see the result I was looking for. Now I just have to remain patient with these awful garments. I can't wait to get back into the gym and yoga studio and really see the results take form with additional strength training. Doc says I have to wait a whole month. Grrr...
Things to consider:
1) read all you can before you go to the consultation so you don't feel pressured by a great deal
2) be prepared for discomfort/inconvenience from the garments
3) have your loyal partner or a trusted friend with you to help maneuver while you learn how to manage bandages/garments
4) try to get as fit as you can before the procedure since you'll not be able to workout except walking for about a month
5) for me, the discomfort has only been about like a really hard workout, but this could vary by person of course
6) drink lots of water pre and postop, and walk several times a day -- I really think this helped me
7) teach your photographer how to take pre/post shots beforehand :-) (they probably haven't looked at as many as you have)
I hope this summary helps those of you considering this procedure. Honestly, it hasn't been as bad as I expected and I'm thrilled. Sure, it's not cheap. But diet and exercise alone were not going to get me the body I want. I'm now very motivated to get this into really good shape and maintain what I've achieved.
The consultation was with a pleasant woman who pressured me a little (by offering "today only discounts"), but since I had already decided to do it, it was ok. If you are really unsure, be cautious. I chose upper/lower abs and waist. Once paid, you are committed or lose your money.
Day -7: I returned for the pre-op with my doctor (Jay Johnson) and he recommended adding the hips to create a smoother transition since I have a prominent booty. He also recommended the pubic area. I added the hips but declined the pubic area. He was pleasant enough but not overly warm and did not exude a high level of confidence, but the assistants did.
Day 0: On the day of my procedure, I arrived and waited a short time before anyone showed up at the front desk. I was taken back about 15 minutes later and prepped for the procedure. Paula was my nurse and she was so incredibly sweet. She had me change into the paper panties and bra, dawn some compression stockings and a surgical gown, took a urine sample for a pregnancy test, and weighed me. then the doctor arrived to draw on my body to plan the procedure (picture). We spoke briefly, and again not much warmth, but it was ok. Paula then returned to insert theIV line. Although I have bad veins, she did well and I had no bruising at all! She gave me a few pills (antibiotic, xanax, and antinausea) and then gave me the shot of Demerol (wow!).
I walked down to the procedure room and laid on the bed. She applied monitors to my chest and then they began. I really don't remember much of it at all (thank you Demerol), but it wasn't unpleasant in the least. Maybe I felt a pinch or two, but no pain at all. I do remember them having me roll to one side or the other to get around my waist and hips. Then suddenly, it was over. They cleaned me off and applied bandages (maxi pads). The doctor disappeared and Paula showed me what they removed... 2.25 liters of fat and fluid! She helped me dawn the compression garment (I call it the "iron maiden") and binder (both of which I hate!), and wheelchaired me to the recovery room. There we chatted a bit until my boyfriend showed up. She went over the procedure and postop instructions. Then they wheeled me down to the car.
When we got home, I got in bed and slept about an hour and a half. Then he woke me, fed me, gave me my midday pills, and I slept for another 4 hours. My sweet boyfriend woke me so I wouldn't get too off cycle and we chatted, had a little dinner, and watched some tv. We noticed I leaked a little on one hip so we applied an additional pad on that area and then back to bed for me. I slept on a towel, but didn't notice any leakage in the morning. That day I took the Percocet midday and before bed and started taking the oral Arnica pills.
Day 1: I slept ok, but turning was difficult. I'm sure the codeine helped me sleep. The most difficult part was peeing because the iron maiden has hook-n-eyes that attach at the crotch where no one who just had this procedure could possibly reach. Luckily, my boyfriend was ready to help (bless him!). This became a routine of frustration until the next day when I asked about it on the follow-up call. The nurse said it was ok to keep it unlatched and wear panties outside of the compression devices, so that's what I've been doing. I got in the shower, removed the pads (wow!). So here's the deal... they use maxi pads to absorb the fluid that leaks out from the open (and small incisions) after the procedure. When you get in the shower to let the water help release the adhesive tape, the pads swell. I took a clean garbage bag into the shower and slowly, carefully removed them. The hips had by far the most fluid, which makes sense since they are the lowest area treated. I was told to express extra fluid while in the shower, but none came out. In fact, I could barely see the incisions at all! I was VERY bruised, especially in the pubic area. I applied the Arnica cream to the bruises, avoiding the incisions, and reapplied bandages. I used regular (and generic) incontinence pads. DON'T remove the tape because otherwise they stick to everything. Just open them and apply the cloth side to the incisions using medical tape to attach them. I continued to take my antibiotic (3x daily), Arnica pills (3x daily), and switched to 800 mg of Ibuprofen (3x daily) instead of Percocet (I don't like opiates). Then I went about having a decent day. I drank a ton of water, peed frequently (which was easier since not clasping the crotch of the iron maiden), and took a few walks around the block to keep my circulation flowing. Ate a light dinner with a little wine, watched a movie, and went to bed.
Day 2: Much easier to get up and move around, but still tender in the midsection and hips. Took my meds, showered, and decided I didn't need any more bandages because there was very minimal leakage at the incisions. Still lots of bruises (pictures attached). We went to the store, took a few walks, and I made dinner! Took my pills and drank lots of water. This is supposed to be the worst day of discomfort.
Day 3: Woke up early. I washed the iron maiden, showered, had breakfast, took meds, got dressed and bound, and went to work by 9am. I'm now taking the antibiotic (3x daily and 800 mg ibuprofen 2x daily) but forgot the arnica pills. So far so good. Can't wait to get to my 10day postop (1 week would be Christmas day so I have to wait a few extra days). The hardest part is the stupid garments. They are always getting bunched up around my midsection and I don't want funny wrinkles in my new tummy so I'm constantly rearranging them.
So far, I very pleased because I see the result I was looking for. Now I just have to remain patient with these awful garments. I can't wait to get back into the gym and yoga studio and really see the results take form with additional strength training. Doc says I have to wait a whole month. Grrr...
Things to consider:
1) read all you can before you go to the consultation so you don't feel pressured by a great deal
2) be prepared for discomfort/inconvenience from the garments
3) have your loyal partner or a trusted friend with you to help maneuver while you learn how to manage bandages/garments
4) try to get as fit as you can before the procedure since you'll not be able to workout except walking for about a month
5) for me, the discomfort has only been about like a really hard workout, but this could vary by person of course
6) drink lots of water pre and postop, and walk several times a day -- I really think this helped me
7) teach your photographer how to take pre/post shots beforehand :-) (they probably haven't looked at as many as you have)
I hope this summary helps those of you considering this procedure. Honestly, it hasn't been as bad as I expected and I'm thrilled. Sure, it's not cheap. But diet and exercise alone were not going to get me the body I want. I'm now very motivated to get this into really good shape and maintain what I've achieved.
Provider Review
Dr Jackson is pleasant, but not warm and he didn't instill the level of confidence in my outcome that I would expect from a plastic surgeon. He was somewhat aloof and not very reassuring.