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This is an ongoing review as I just had my...
This is an ongoing review as I just had my procedure yesterday.
About me...
I am 33 years old and have never had kids (but am planning to in the future). I am in decent shape, but could never loose the fat around my abdomen. I'm 5'9" and around 165 pounds, so I was in a pretty healthy weight range, and exercise regularly (mostly functional weight training/heaving lifting/spinning and interval training) about four to five times a week. Two weeks prior to surgery I started working out in the morning and evening. I did this because I thought it might help with recovery.
I am off work most of the summer, with some work days booked here and there. I'm lucky that I have the flexibility to have so much time off. I cleared my calendar for 6 days after surgery and my job is not very active on most days.
I have never had any type of surgery elective or otherwise since I was a kid (tonsillitis). Needless to say I was terrified about having surgery I didn't need and the potential horrible outcomes. I'm trying to be as comprehensive as possible in this review in hopes of helping anyone else that might be in the same boat as me. If anyone has more detailed questions please feel free to PM me.
Pre-op consultation and before...
I saw several doctors and chose my doctor based on his certification and experience doing the procedure. He does think kind of lipo up to several times a day. He was no nonsense (which I like) and wasn't trying to sell me on anything I didn't want to do. His office staff is awesome and made me feel at ease. They were willing to answer all my questions, which I'm sure they hear a million times.
During my consultation the doctor was realistic with me regarding outcomes, recovery time, etc. He mentioned that individuals closer to goal weight and who regularly exercise usually recover faster. I had pretty much already made me decision to have it done, it was just down to choosing a doctor. I scheduled my appointment for exactly 7 days later. The doctor had told me that my skin elasticity was good, which I had a feeling he would. I've lost about 30 pounds over the last two years and haven't experienced any sagging. The only place I can't loose is in the gut!
The office manager and nurse when over pre-op stuff and what I would need to do. I started taking the Arnica and vitamins the Monday before surgery.
Day of surgery...
I was pretty nervous, but OK the day of surgery. My best friend drove me and she was a great calming force. The office staff was again great and assured me this was routine for the doctor and as long as I followed all the directions I would be fine. The nurse gave me two Ativan about 30 minutes before the surgery. It definitely kicked in and made me very relaxed (like being pretty buzzed). The doctor came in, reassured me again and took the before pictures. I was then prepped for surgery, which consisted of the nurse inserting the IV. That's when I really started to get loopy and fall in and out of consciousness. I had 'twilight' anesthesia so I was supposed to fall asleep. I apparently am resistant to anesthesia so I woke up several times and was seeing funny things, like a dog on the ceiling:) I did feel some of the procedures, but it wasn't really painful and as soon as I said anything the doctor inserted more anesthesia liquid to help. It felt like the whole thing only took 15 minutes, but I was actually in surgery for about an hour. I'm told I slept about an hour after the procedure and then the staff had let my friend know I was done. They wheeled me to the back door and I was on my way home. I got home and was starving (I hadn't eaten for over 24 hours). I was able to fix myself something (with supervision from my friend) - I wanted to see what I could do on my own.
As for pain - I wasn't in any pain immediately following surgery. My friend encouraged me to take a pain pill when I got home so I wouldn't be in pain once the pain killers from the doctor wore off. I was awake long enough to eat and babble some silly stuff to my friend, but then went out for about 3 hours. I had put an ice pack across my abdomen and between my legs. I got up and moved around a bit. No really pain, just some tightness. I took another pain pill at the four hour mark, just to make sure. I was knocked out again for about 3 hours. Changed my ice packs and iced the same areas. The first time I went to the bathroom I noticed how swollen my labia is/was. I know this is a normal thing to happen, but I was a little surprised.
I was given a compression garment that goes about halfway down my thigh. They told me that most people have multiple areas done so that's what they usually give people. I am looking for one that is a body suit only. I was also given compression stockings to prevent against blood clots/stroke. The doctor told me to wear the compression garment for two weeks and the stockings for one week. I was told to leave the compression garment on for two days before I take it off for a shower. I couldn't handle not taking a shower so I took one with the compression garment on - basically a sponge bath, but I thought the shower would be easier.
Took a pain pill around 1:30 in the morning, more for prevention than actually being in pain, and went to bed. I took three pain pills over the course of the first day and was never in any real pain. Slept like a baby and had no problem sleeping, even with all the garments.
The doctor did four incisions - two in my pubic area, belly button and one on my upper left side under my breast.
Day after surgery...
Woke up at my regular time and only felt a little tightness, no pain. I was able to get out of bed no problem, and have actually felt more sore after a really hard work out. I was able to do laundry, cook breakfast and all of the other things I would do in the morning. I took a pain pill and all my other meds, and am far less tired today than I was yesterday. It's over two hours since my pain pill and I'm not loopy or tired. I have been icing most of the mooring and the swelling in my labia has gone down a bit. That's the only place I can really see. When I touch my belly I can tell it's a bit swollen/numb. When I weighed myself this morning, I am just a few pounds heavier than I was yesterday. I am wearing normal clothes and don't feel that I'm really that swollen. The doctor and staff had told me that I wasn't having that much taken out and that my swelling and recovery should be good.
I'm going to wait until the pain meds wear off and go run some errands. I am planning on taking a long walk (it's four miles around my block) later on this afternoon. Walking doesn't hurt and the moving around is actually helpful.
I will continue to post pictures and talk about my recovery, but so far so good. I was pretty terrified reading some of the reviews on here, but I must say my recovery has been relatively painless.
About me...
I am 33 years old and have never had kids (but am planning to in the future). I am in decent shape, but could never loose the fat around my abdomen. I'm 5'9" and around 165 pounds, so I was in a pretty healthy weight range, and exercise regularly (mostly functional weight training/heaving lifting/spinning and interval training) about four to five times a week. Two weeks prior to surgery I started working out in the morning and evening. I did this because I thought it might help with recovery.
I am off work most of the summer, with some work days booked here and there. I'm lucky that I have the flexibility to have so much time off. I cleared my calendar for 6 days after surgery and my job is not very active on most days.
I have never had any type of surgery elective or otherwise since I was a kid (tonsillitis). Needless to say I was terrified about having surgery I didn't need and the potential horrible outcomes. I'm trying to be as comprehensive as possible in this review in hopes of helping anyone else that might be in the same boat as me. If anyone has more detailed questions please feel free to PM me.
Pre-op consultation and before...
I saw several doctors and chose my doctor based on his certification and experience doing the procedure. He does think kind of lipo up to several times a day. He was no nonsense (which I like) and wasn't trying to sell me on anything I didn't want to do. His office staff is awesome and made me feel at ease. They were willing to answer all my questions, which I'm sure they hear a million times.
During my consultation the doctor was realistic with me regarding outcomes, recovery time, etc. He mentioned that individuals closer to goal weight and who regularly exercise usually recover faster. I had pretty much already made me decision to have it done, it was just down to choosing a doctor. I scheduled my appointment for exactly 7 days later. The doctor had told me that my skin elasticity was good, which I had a feeling he would. I've lost about 30 pounds over the last two years and haven't experienced any sagging. The only place I can't loose is in the gut!
The office manager and nurse when over pre-op stuff and what I would need to do. I started taking the Arnica and vitamins the Monday before surgery.
Day of surgery...
I was pretty nervous, but OK the day of surgery. My best friend drove me and she was a great calming force. The office staff was again great and assured me this was routine for the doctor and as long as I followed all the directions I would be fine. The nurse gave me two Ativan about 30 minutes before the surgery. It definitely kicked in and made me very relaxed (like being pretty buzzed). The doctor came in, reassured me again and took the before pictures. I was then prepped for surgery, which consisted of the nurse inserting the IV. That's when I really started to get loopy and fall in and out of consciousness. I had 'twilight' anesthesia so I was supposed to fall asleep. I apparently am resistant to anesthesia so I woke up several times and was seeing funny things, like a dog on the ceiling:) I did feel some of the procedures, but it wasn't really painful and as soon as I said anything the doctor inserted more anesthesia liquid to help. It felt like the whole thing only took 15 minutes, but I was actually in surgery for about an hour. I'm told I slept about an hour after the procedure and then the staff had let my friend know I was done. They wheeled me to the back door and I was on my way home. I got home and was starving (I hadn't eaten for over 24 hours). I was able to fix myself something (with supervision from my friend) - I wanted to see what I could do on my own.
As for pain - I wasn't in any pain immediately following surgery. My friend encouraged me to take a pain pill when I got home so I wouldn't be in pain once the pain killers from the doctor wore off. I was awake long enough to eat and babble some silly stuff to my friend, but then went out for about 3 hours. I had put an ice pack across my abdomen and between my legs. I got up and moved around a bit. No really pain, just some tightness. I took another pain pill at the four hour mark, just to make sure. I was knocked out again for about 3 hours. Changed my ice packs and iced the same areas. The first time I went to the bathroom I noticed how swollen my labia is/was. I know this is a normal thing to happen, but I was a little surprised.
I was given a compression garment that goes about halfway down my thigh. They told me that most people have multiple areas done so that's what they usually give people. I am looking for one that is a body suit only. I was also given compression stockings to prevent against blood clots/stroke. The doctor told me to wear the compression garment for two weeks and the stockings for one week. I was told to leave the compression garment on for two days before I take it off for a shower. I couldn't handle not taking a shower so I took one with the compression garment on - basically a sponge bath, but I thought the shower would be easier.
Took a pain pill around 1:30 in the morning, more for prevention than actually being in pain, and went to bed. I took three pain pills over the course of the first day and was never in any real pain. Slept like a baby and had no problem sleeping, even with all the garments.
The doctor did four incisions - two in my pubic area, belly button and one on my upper left side under my breast.
Day after surgery...
Woke up at my regular time and only felt a little tightness, no pain. I was able to get out of bed no problem, and have actually felt more sore after a really hard work out. I was able to do laundry, cook breakfast and all of the other things I would do in the morning. I took a pain pill and all my other meds, and am far less tired today than I was yesterday. It's over two hours since my pain pill and I'm not loopy or tired. I have been icing most of the mooring and the swelling in my labia has gone down a bit. That's the only place I can really see. When I touch my belly I can tell it's a bit swollen/numb. When I weighed myself this morning, I am just a few pounds heavier than I was yesterday. I am wearing normal clothes and don't feel that I'm really that swollen. The doctor and staff had told me that I wasn't having that much taken out and that my swelling and recovery should be good.
I'm going to wait until the pain meds wear off and go run some errands. I am planning on taking a long walk (it's four miles around my block) later on this afternoon. Walking doesn't hurt and the moving around is actually helpful.
I will continue to post pictures and talk about my recovery, but so far so good. I was pretty terrified reading some of the reviews on here, but I must say my recovery has been relatively painless.
Day 3 update... I woke up this morning with a...
Day 3 update...
I woke up this morning with a bit more discomfort/feeling than I'd had the day before, but once I was out of bed and moving around I felt fine. My stomach was tingling a bit, which I believe means I'm starting to heal and that's the nerves healing. I took a four mile walk and did not feel any discomfort or pain. I was able to take a shower today and was pretty amazed by how well I'm already starting to heal. I have some bruising and I'm still numb and swollen, but overall I'm happy with the results. The majority of my swelling is in my labia, which was not something I had expected. It's not really painful, just an odd feeling. I did not have any dizziness or nausea when I removed the compression garment or during my shower.
I woke up this morning with a bit more discomfort/feeling than I'd had the day before, but once I was out of bed and moving around I felt fine. My stomach was tingling a bit, which I believe means I'm starting to heal and that's the nerves healing. I took a four mile walk and did not feel any discomfort or pain. I was able to take a shower today and was pretty amazed by how well I'm already starting to heal. I have some bruising and I'm still numb and swollen, but overall I'm happy with the results. The majority of my swelling is in my labia, which was not something I had expected. It's not really painful, just an odd feeling. I did not have any dizziness or nausea when I removed the compression garment or during my shower.
One more thing...I am also thankful that my...
One more thing...I am also thankful that my doctor/nurse removed the black sharpie marks before sending me home. I also did not have any drainage, etc. when I removed the compression garment for the first time, but I could see in the padding that the nurse put inside the compression garment that there had been a bit over the first two days.
Provider Review
Kelly O'Neil
I did a google search for doctors in the area and then interviewed several. After hearing how often Dr. O'Neil performs the surgery and talking with his staff I felt confident. I also made sure that no formal complaints had been filed against him.