51 Years, Menopause and Stress Weight Gain - Washington DC, DC

So today is 4 weeks since my Vaser procedure. I am still not pain free, the numb areas of my flanks (back and hip area) are uncomfortable and by the end of the day, I am tired and sore. I am exercising every day and it is getting easier, so I know things are healing! I have a checkup with my doctor in 2 weeks (at the 6 week mark).

Oh I forgot, I also wanted to share things I did to help with the bruising. I used Arnica gel and applied it twice daily as soon as I could take the garment off. Some days I did it more than once, it feels really soothing and also helped with discomfort. I also ate TONS of pineapple, and I also expose my legs to direct sun daily for about 15 min.

The pain I feel is still uncomfortable and I also feel a burning type sensation if I move too quickly. My lower back and flanks seem to be the most sensitive, but still hurts to sit down on anything hard. I went back to work at 5 days post, the same day I took my compression garment off. I wish I could have taken more time off, really 1-2 weeks would have been better. But in all honesty, even at 3 weeks, I am still very sore and by the end of the day, I struggle with the discomfort. I am taking motrin for pain now and it doesn't completely get rid of the pain, it just makes it a little better. I still have narcotics left, but they didn't do much more than the motrin (with less side affects!)

I have heard from others and read quite a few reviews that say the more areas you have done the more difficult Vaser is, and I completely agree!

I had Vaser done 3 weeks ago today. I don't have pictures, I didn't think to do them, but I wanted to share my experience and be candid about HOW DIFFICULT THIS RECOVERY WAS!!!

After 6 pregnancies (2 c-sections) and always getting back to my normal weight and flat tummy (no stretch marks either, don't hate me!), what finally got me was extreme stress (high cortisol weight gain) and menopause hormonal weight gain! I had fat in my mid-section that I never had before and it was really depressing. So I decided to treat myself and have Vaser.

Rewind to 18 months ago, I had previously had Vaser done on my upper/lower abs as part of a mini tummy tuck after 6 pregnancies. I just had a little loose skin hanging over the c-section scar and it was annoying. This procedure was a piece of cake, no pain, no bruising, I felt great and had full mobility within 2 days!

Fast forward to now. I had upper and lower abs, flanks, outer thighs and buttocks done! As I mentioned earlier, I've had two c-sections, so I know PAIN and I think I have a pretty high pain tolerance, those were tough recoveries! The actual Vaser procedure was done with a cocktail of sleeping meds, pain meds and a blood pressure med combo. I remember feeling sleepy and then lying on the table, but when they got started, OMG, I was able to feel pain and kept telling them I felt pain, so they finally gave me some kind of injection for more relief! I don't remember much after that, thank god!!

Recovery- When I got home right after the procedure, I rested and took my pain meds, then fell asleep! My doctor called around 8 pm to check on me and I was very disoriented and thought it was the morning. Those were some good meds! But the next morning when I did get up, OMG!!! I could barely walk! Pain, pain, pain! I had my compression garment on with the padding underneath and was told to wear it for 5 days without removing it. I had terrible swelling below the garment, my knees and ankles showed the most swelling. I lifted the garment up on my thighs the 3rd day and the BRUISING, OH MY GOD, I had never seen such horrific bruises! So far I could only see my thighs, but it was awful! The pain was awful, I was taking my pain meds every 4 hours! Fast forward to day 5, I removed the garment and finally got to take a shower! Yay! But again, OMG, my thighs were literally purple from my butt down to my knees! I had minor bruising on my flanks and upper abs, but not bad. The worst part after taking the garment off was feeling the pain and numbness of all the areas! It felt very strange to have the water from the shower beating on my numb body. I put the garment back on and then only took it off daily for a shower.

I saw my doctor at 2 weeks post procedure and he said, "WOW, YOU LOOK FABULOUS!" He said everything was going as it should, he said at 2 weeks I was about 30% recovered and to keep doing what I was doing.

Today is 3 weeks and here are my thoughts for anyone considering Vaser:

1) IT HURTS!!! Be prepared for pain, and if you think you have a low pain tolerance, ask for IV sedation!
2) IT HURTS! I am 3 weeks out and I still have pain! My thighs hurt, my back hurts, my abs hurt! My abs, flanks and upper back are hard and firm, and NUMB! It is the weirdest sensation, but be prepared for this, I had no idea!
3) IT HURTS, and you will have major bruising if you do thighs! For some reason they bruise more than other areas and it's UGLY!!! The bruises have slowly moved down from my thighs to my shins and feet!
4) IT HURTS, and you will wonder if it's worth it! But I am feeling better each day. I have started exercising again and it HURTS, my muscles are sore and it is tough to get through my workouts, but I am not giving up! My doctor said it's good to start exercising and tell your body to get back to normal.
5) IT HURTS, but so far I am very happy with my results and my body looks great! I am 5'4, normal weight is around 120 and I was approx 130 when he did the surgery 3 weeks ago. I haven't weighed myself yet because of the swelling, but he said he took about 4 lbs of fat total from all areas. I am smaller, my clothes are big on me and I fit into my skinny clothes again.

I know I'm still slightly swollen, but I have no lump or bumps, or uneven areas. My doctor did a great job of contouring and smoothing. I can't wait to see the final result in a few months!