36, 4 Pregnancies - Vaser Lipo - abdomen, flanks, bra line

I have had one consultation with Dr. Marvin Shienbaum on February 18th. I felt that his staff was great. One of the ladies had a mommy makeover and shared her results and talked to me at length. This was wonderful. However, I was there to get a liposuction consultation. Instead of talking about lipo, Dr. Shienbaum was extremely pushy about his mommy makeover- full TT and liposculpting. This is apparently his specialty, which is fine, but I told them three times that the down time and cost were more than I was willing to do right now (double in fact). I was also told that if I got lipo on my belly, it would "hang down to my knees", purely hyperbolic. I understand there can be some hang if the skin elasticity is not great, but I don't have that much pre-hang and I think my skin elasticity is pretty good. I get visible results from body wraps.

I have been poring over lipo photographs and finding body types that are like mine. There are a ton out there with excellent results, including people in their 50s. The ones I've found with hang after have all been much larger with more pre-hang than I have now. I just have a pooch. I'm in between sizes 12 and 14, 12 being slightly too tight with muffin top and 14 hanging off me and showing crack in the back if I don't constantly hitch my pants. I'd like to be solidly in 12, or if the stars align, down to a 10. I don't feel that is an unrealistic expectation.

I go to the gym 3-4 times a week most of the time (unless kids are sick or multiple appointments that week). I keep my calories under 1400- though my goal is about 1300 and I'm just not seeing any visible results anymore. I went from 196lbs down to 178 and I just sit fluctuating between 178 and 180, it's very frustrating. My ideal goal is 150, so I'm hoping that it will help my energy and motivation to see some quick visible results to work with. Especially if I get rid of the pooch in my belly and bra strap fat so I look better in my corsets and waist-cinchers that I currently use.

I have another consult with Dr. Stan Castor on the 17th of March. He has two Vaser Lipo before/afters that appear to be similar to me, body-wise, so I am hopeful for a more positive consult.

I felt that my second consult on 3/17 was slightly more productive. While Dr. Castor did warn me about some hang depending on skin elasticity, he did say I could possibly get down to a size 10- which is my ideal size. I was also told that Vaser tends to have a tightening effect on the skin so I may not have too much hang. I have done body wraps before and they are very effective at nearly flattening my pooch, so this is promising. My back rolls are most bothersome anyway, and I'm pretty sure those will be nearly wiped out.

I have already started taking more vit. C, as I know it helps with skin elasticity, and I rarely drink anything but water all day. Then it's usually a little wine with dinner. I already use lotion with D, E, and B vitamins on my skin. He also told me I could wear my corsets over my compression garment, I'd have to ask how long after surgery as I forgot that part. My guess is after a week or so?

I'm still contemplating the cost to benefit ratio. I really want the surgery, I want the after-effects. I'm still kind of scared as I will be under general for my procedure. It is a lot of money but I have been working at the gym for over a year with no results. Will I regret not doing it, or not doing it sooner? There are surgery days available in April and May, so I would be done and healed by mid-June and able to swim with the kids (6wks).

Looks like my day is May 11th. My pre-op is May 2nd and I am a little bit terrified. I wish it was already over, I'm extremely nervous but really want the results. I will be put under for the procedure. This is good because I'm afraid of needles. It's supposed to be a 2 hour procedure with an hour of recovery. My husband will go with me. I won't know what time I go in until my pre-op appointment. Not much else to update. I might do better pictures before then.

I'm keeping up my increased vitamin C and water intake. I'm also still going to the gym and keeping my 1300 calorie diet. No changes I can see. I think I might just be where I sit now.