Tumescent Lipo with Smart Lipo in Toronto, Outer/inner Thighs, and Inner Knees - Toronto, ON

Hello, am writing this because I read so many reviews on here when I was trying to figure out whether I was going to do this or not! So here's my story, hope it helps someone.

I'm 36, reasonably slim, but not as slim as I used to be! No kids. I was always skinny, but with pockets of fat on my inner knees, and saddlebags.

Last year, I went on a medication that put weight on me for the first time, and it was a horrible shock! Of course, I'm dieting, exercising too, but it finally spurred me on to do something about the areas I couldn't shift.

I researched lots of Dr's in Toronto, and found one clinic, SpaMedica, which was recommended, but the communication wasn't good, I found them hard to deal with and little dis-interested, so I moved on. I then went to the Plastic Surgery Clinic, which was really not a good experience. They kept me waiting 2 hours over my appointment time, and the Dr (Ahmed) was very dismissive, and told me I should do Coolsculpting. I didn't want Coolsculpting! Within 4 minutes he'd left the room, and conveniently had a rep from Coolsculpting in there to talk to me about doing it. She immediately told me that the inner knees weren't treatable. The Dr clearly has a vested interest in the company. Not good.

So, my search continued, and I found the Toronto Cosmetic Clinic, and Dr Mansour Bendago. His coordinator, Lori, was very helpful and chatty, and they had an appointment to see the Dr a couple of days later, and a space for the lipo after just a week! I was having traditional (Tumescent) lipo on 3 areas, with smartlipo afterwards to 'tighten the skin'.

I booked it, then regretted it, when I saw a few negative reviews on the internet. But, my experience (so far) with them was very good, Dr Bendago was friendly, chatty, realistic, and I felt good about him performing my surgery.

I had the lipo done 24 hours ago! Here's my experience of that:

Arrived at the clinic, as instructed, at 7.15am. Straight into the nurse consult, again, warm, friendly, and no issues. I was nervous about whether to have a general, or spinal with sedation, and eventually went for spinal with sedation, and I'm glad I did. The recovery was quicker, and the anesthetist was lovely, very professional. I actually don't remember anything about the procedure, it was like being under a general, but easier.

In recovery, I was very well looked after, and given ample pain medication. When the feeling returned in my legs, I went to the bathroom with the nurses, and then had tea and biscuits, they really were lovely. My PSW arrived to take me home, as I had no-one to accompany me. She was very sweet, and made sure I got back safe, and stayed with me until I went to bed.

So. Honestly? It's painful. I hobbled around last night, the bruising was starting to appear already, and the incisions are leaking a little. Nothing too terrible. I slept ok-ish, then this morning, peeled off the compression garment and had a shower. It hurt a lot, and the incisions on the inner knees leaked a lot, a mix of blood and fluid.

So far today, I've been up and around, I only took 1 painkiller, and have drank lots of fluids as recommended. I went out to the store briefly, and I have walked around my apartment, done some laundry, made food etc. It's all tolerable, but yes, it does hurt when you sit/stand.

I can see the difference already, especially in my saddle-bags! Inner knees too, and now have a little thigh-gap (that I used to have!!) but I only had a tiny bit done on the inner thigh. I am very swollen, and bruised, but the one before and after pic shows a difference already. Bear in mind it's barely 24 hours post surgery! I hope that the result is even better in a month or so.

I'm planning to go back to work on Wed, which will give me 4 days 'rest'.

Will update tomorrow.

Here's a before and after pic.

Just a quick update, it's Sunday, I had the lipo on Friday. I'm walking fairly normally now, up and down the stairs, it hurts, don't get me wrong, but I could go back to work tomorrow if I had an office job.

I give long presentations and am on my feet for hours, so Im glad I have a couple more days, but definitely if I was sitting at a desk for the day, I could go back tomorrow.

Have attached a pic of my inner knees, that was a real trouble-spot for me, the pockets of fat on the inner knee. Again, I'm hoping that the swelling goes and I get an even better result as time goes on.

Dr Bendago called me both yesterday and today, to check how I was progressing, and I have a post-op on Tuesday. I was impressed with that, he didn't have to ring me personally, and I think that's the sign of a very good Dr.

Have taken a couple of 'normal' painkillers today, don't need more than that at the moment. I am aware though, that a lot of people say they get worse before better, so we'll see! :-)