Triplets & Twins + One, Oh My!: August 2014

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction (also called lipo and lipoplasty) is the surgical process by which a plastic surgeon removes fat from a person’s body.

Liposuction can be performed on many parts of the body I am having fat removed from my chin, neck, arms, the abdomen, hips, My lower back, near shoulder blades, flanks, love handles, hips, waist, inner and outer thighs, upper arms and even knees, and ankles.

Liposuction (removal of fat) is also used frequently in conjunction with a tummy tuck operation (which I already did), and in some breast reduction procedures, possibly next year....

Certain stubborn pockets of fat may exist for many people in spite of their diligence in dieting and exercise. These fat pockets may be the result of genetics, physical injury, or other factors out of a person’s control. One of the great benefits of liposuction is that the plastic surgeon can target these particularly stubborn areas of fat. Using liposuction, a skilled plastic surgeon can improve your figure by removing fat from specific areas of your body.
With liposuction, the normal result is immediate weight loss. Better yet, the instant weight loss is targeted fat reduction in stubborn fat zones such as the hips, thighs, and stomach. Since the fat removal is targeted according to the patient’s desires, the cosmetic results from losing five pounds from liposuction in a specific area can be much better than the results from five pounds of body-wide weight loss.

What should you expect at your first liposuction consultation with your plastic surgeon?

Some doctors are better than others. Don’t just go to any doctor. Choose a surgeon who is board certified in plastic surgery. That way you will know you have a real expert. Ask friends and relatives for their recommendations. Check out what your state medical board has to say about the doctors you are considering. Be confident that your doctor is qualified.
At your initial consultation for liposuction, you’ll want to explain to the doctor what areas of fat you are particularly interested in eliminating. Liposuction is not a substitute for a reasonable diet and exercise, but it can help those very stubborn areas where even a good diet and exercise don’t seem to help. Write down your specific questions so you don’t forget anything during the consult.
Before and after pictures may give you a realistic idea of what changes are possible with liposuction. View Liposuction Photos.

Who is a good candidate for liposuction?

Liposuction is especially effective with people who are at or near their ideal body weight and have good skin elasticity, but still have localized fat pockets. A good candidate for liposuction normally has certain isolated areas of fat that seem especially difficult to eliminate. Finally, a candidate for lipo should have good overall health for his or her age, should be stable emotionally, and should have realistic expectations.

What are the basic procedures and techniques used in liposuction?

Essentially liposuction is the removal of the fat by aspiration (suction). The surgeon makes a very small incision in the skin, and inserts a tiny tube (cannula) through the skin into the fat layer. The tube is attached to a vacuum that sucks out (aspirates) the fat. There are a few variations on the techniques used to remove fat via liposuction. Talk to a board certified plastic surgeon to learn which may be best for you.
Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures. It may be performed using general anesthesia or local anesthesia, depending on the circumstances. Liposuction may be performed at a surgical center, a hospital or a doctor’s office. Lipo procedures typically lasts from one to four hours, depending on the amount of fat to be removed, and the location of the fat.
Some liposuction techniques, such as water assisted liposuction (WAL) and ultrasound assisted liposuction (UAL) involve loosening or partially liquefying the fat to make it easier to extract. Smartlipo™ utilizes heat energy from a laser to liquefy fat and coagulate blood vessels for reduced bleeding and bruising. I will be having Tumescent Liposuction done.

What is Tumescent Liposuction?

My doctor has performed liposuction on many parts of his patients’ bodies including arms, waist, buttocks, hips, face, neck, thighs and abdomen. One of the most popular liposuction techniques used in his office is called tumescent liposuction, which was invented by a California dermatologist. It’s a relatively new procedure that can reduce post-operative bruising, swelling and pain. Tumescent liposuction also reduces the chance that a blood transfusion will be necessary during or after the procedure.
Before 1985, the only kind of liposuction technique being used was called dry liposuction. It was fairly simple and involved removing fatty tissue through the use of a cannula – a narrow surgical instrument that breaks up fatty tissue and sucks it out of the body. Although the method worked, it took a very skilled cosmetic surgeon to target the fat correctly, the procedure could be painful and cause damage to surrounding tissue, and it often produced inconsistent results.

The Tumescent Process

Patients who would be good candidates for traditional liposuction are also good candidates for Tumescent lipo. Although the anesthesia requirements milder and blood loss is less with this approach, patients who have the procedure done still face the same risks and complications associated with traditional liposuction.

For this technique, a saline solution containing local anesthetic is injected in the areas to be sculpted. The amount of saline injected is generally equal to or larger than the amount of targeted fat in volume. When the solution is injected, the fatty tissue will rise up and swell until it becomes firm (the word Tumescent means swollen or firm). This allows him to see exactly what areas of fat need to be removed without disturbing the surrounding tissue, resulting in less bleeding and trauma to the patient and a much smoother surface area.
After the procedure, the long-acting effects of the anesthetic solution help provide relief from the pain and decrease the need for additional pain medication, usually. For the first day or two after surgery, most patients experience swelling in the treated areas and some fluid drainage from the incision sites.
You will be instructed regarding post-surgery activities, but light activity is usually resumed within the first few days following liposuction; normal activity is usually resumed within a few weeks.

What are some common changes made by liposuction?

Weight loss, and a slimmer, more contoured shape are the changes achieved through liposuction. Because liposuction is surgery, there will be swelling. As the swelling goes down during the first few weeks, the new shape and contours will become more visible. The final results of the patient’s new body may not be fully apparent until all the swelling has gone down. Complete swelling reduction may take a few months.

What will the liposuction recovery be like?

I will be sure to let you know....Most people are able to return to work within 10 days, with some pain and discomfort typically lasting a few weeks from surgery. Pain medication may be prescribed by the surgeon.

For patient-specific information on results and recovery, speak with your board certified plastic surgeon. Carefully follow your doctor’s advice to best assure proper healing and the lasting results you want from liposuction.

Pre-Op Info -

When you’re thinking about your liposuction procedure, you’re undoubtedly excited just imagining your post-surgery body. You might not be/ quite as excited thinking about the preparation you’ll need to go through for your surgery and recovery. Prepping for liposuction, however, is fairly simple if you just follow a few steps, and it can have a critical impact on the quality of your eventual results. Here are some other pre-surgery tips.

1. More important than anything else, listen to all of your doctor’s instructions before undergoing liposuction surgery, and if you’re not sure about something, ask! Following your surgeon’s instructions carefully reduces potential risks and side effects.

2. Be sure to stop taking blood-thinning medications at least two weeks before the surgery. Drugs containing aspirin, along with Vitamin E and anti-inflammatory, thin your blood. Tylenol is a safe substitute.

3. Stop smoking at least two weeks in advance of your liposuction and do not smoke for a month thereafter. Smoking increases potential risks associated with surgical procedures, as nicotine inhibits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the surgery site.

4. Be certain that you understand all instructions accompanying prescriptions from your surgeon. Additionally, you should fill all prescriptions before undergoing surgery, so that you will have them ready to go when you return home after surgery.

5. If you’re losing weight before the surgery, be realistic. If you drastically lose weight before liposuction, and then gain it back quickly post-surgery, you could negatively affect your results.

6. Stock up on foods that are easy on the stomach, as well as foods that keep you regular. Crackers, soup, applesauce, and jello will be easy on your stomach as you recover. Foods high in fiber, prune juice, and even mild laxatives should be on hand, as pain medications often cause constipation.

7. Create a comfy sleeping area before you leave for your procedure. Lots of pillows are a good idea. Additionally, you may want to be sure you have a phone close by your bed.

8. You may want to purchase scar-reducing lotions such as Mederma to use while you recover. Additionally, benadryl or oatmeal soap can be used to reduce post-op itching.

9. Be sure you have someone to take you to and from your surgery, and to stay with you during the first night after the liposuction. It’s a good idea to have someone around your home to help fix your food and retrieve anything you need for a few days after your surgery.

10. Wear loose-fitting clothes to your surgery. I was told to bring a button down blouse and loose fitting warm up pants, I opted for a button up night gown, I did not want any waist bands to bother with.

11. I was also instructed to shave the pubic area, probably for the incisions in the creases for the cannula for the thigh and abdominal lipo.

These steps combined with your plastic surgeon’s advice should help you prepare for your liposuction procedure and transition smoothly through your recovery, so that you can reduce risk factors and show off that new body in no time!

Why do I want to do it?

You may be wondering why I decided to do Lipo to begin with. After having my oldest daughter, I had a bit of fat left and never really got rid of it. Well, you can imagine what having triplets and twins did to my body after that. I hated seeing pictures of myself, I hated passing naked in front of the mirror. Over the course of about the last 5 years, I have gained 112 pounds, lost 40, gained about 82 pounds, lost 80 pounds. I weigh almost 200 pounds, even after my tummy tuck! I asked my family doctor if I would be able to get rid of it through exercise, and she told me that my stomach muscles were very well developed underneath and intact, but that it was mostly just stubborn fat pockets that without surgery would never go away.
Maybe I am vain, maybe I just am selfish and maybe I just don't care. Maybe I just care too much?

Imagine how I felt – knowing that I’d worked so hard to lose the weight and this was the best I was going to look and I am only 39 years old. Don’t think I didn’t continue to try for years to do everything I could to lose what was left.

I decided I was going to get a tummy tuck. I went for a consultation and the doctor told me that even though I was going to lose the skin on my stomach, the $10,000 procedure would do nothing for the fat on my back or hips. So I did have a bit of contouring that day as well. I’d also have a very big scar from hip bone to hip bone. Oh, and my belly button would no longer be my own, but one created by the surgeon. (I kinda like my cute tiny belly button)Well, you can read my blog post on having the tummy tuck too.

Then one day I got a small magazine in the mail that promoted local businesses. There was an article in there about an office that did Mommy-Makeovers and Lipo. There were before and after pictures with women who had much more severe skin issues that looked amazing afterwards. I started looking into it and found that it actually helped with skin tightening. So – I made an appointment for my consultation. After I saw all of the before and after pictures in the office, I was convinced that this was the best option for me!

I decided to do my entire body, anywhere he can find fat, I wanted it gone. For the price of doing a tummy tuck, I was going to have my entire body liposuctioned as well. The results are permanent (provided I don't just let myself go...).

Makes sense, right?
So Follow me on this journey, I will be posting after my pre-op appointments and after surgery, I will update on the recovery!

So here we are a week away from my surgery....

Here is My Pre-Op Experience

The Pre-Op Appointment

One week before the procedure, I had my pre-op appointment. This is when my “before” pictures were taken. The nurse went over everything that I should expect. I signed all the paperwork and got measured for the compression garments (oh, I’ll have a whole separate entry about those things!!)
I was also given prescriptions. They give you a prescription for valium that you bring with you the day of the procedure. Plus, research has shown that lower anxiety levels allow the body to absorb the numbing solution better. I was also given a prescription for an antibiotic that I had to take for two weeks (due to the two procedures being done and the amount of time between them). Typically, if you have one procedure done, you only have to take the antibiotic for one week. They told me to start taking the antibiotic the day before the procedure. I was also given a prescription for pain meds, muscle relaxers and stool softeners, and nausea meds. Due to the anesthesia, it basically shuts your body down while you are sleeping, and it relaxes all your bodily functions. For a few days your body has to re-learn those functions, and you experience constipation.

When I saw how many I was given, I got scared that the healing part was going to be a little more painful than I had anticipated. What I read online said that regular Tylenol was usually enough to deal with the pain.

On a random side note, I was worried how much all the prescriptions would cost since I wasn’t sure if my insurance would cover it (the procedure certainly wasn’t covered) but I did manage to get all meds filled at Wal-Mart for approximately $13, which was a huge relief! They gave me generics, but the doctor said that was absolutely fine.

It was at this time that it started really sinking in – wow, I’m really going to do this?! I started to get scared. Really scared. I even started trying to come up with reasons to postpone it. I had so many fears running through my head!

What if I look worse after the procedure?

What if the skin shrinks so much that my stretch marks get all wrinkly?

If that does happen, what if my husband is repulsed by it and doesn’t want me anymore?

What if the skin doesn’t shrink like it should and I just have sagging skin?

What if I spend all this money and then I’m disappointed with the results?

What if my husband is disappointed?

What if? What if? What if?

Every possible “what if” question was going through my head. But, at this point, all I could do was wait - wait and see what would happen. I’d spent the last 4 years working my butt off at the gym, running, with no improvement. This was my chance to get rid of the one thing about my body I hated more than anything.

Fingers crossed, right?

The Day of the Procedure

My God, was I nervous. Thankfully, my husband was able to take me. They say that you can drive yourself and drive home but if you do, you can’t take any pain killers. I wanted to have the option if I needed it!
I was also STARVING! I was not allowed to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before. Thank goodness my surgery was scheduled for 7:40 AM. It's funny how any other day I will skip breakfast, but the one day I have to fast, I crave food!
Although my husband drove me, and family members are allowed to accompany you, they are obviously not allowed anywhere near the operation, and are asked to wait in the Surgery waiting room until the assessment and preparation process is completed. Children are not allowed in the waiting area, and they really only want 1-2 people per patient. Well, this was estimated to be a 5-6 hour long thing with an hour-long recovery. My husband dropped me off.

Because the nurse warned me that the procedure room was going to be freezing cold, I wore some nice fuzzy warm socks! You know if your feet are cold, your whole body is cold! Unfortunately, the only thing I could wear that day was socks. The doctor came in the prep room to do his “artwork” – basically I had lines all over me in permanent marker to guide him where to do the procedure at. I also took a valium to help my nerves start to calm down. Then we went into the procedure room. The nurse puts in the IV, you are completely out! The doctor numbed the areas where the incisions would be. Of course, you don’t feel anything. Then she started doing the next phase of the numbing process. Basically, it’s a long metal rod that injects a numbing agent into the fat cells so you can’t feel the cannula. It’s very bizarre feeling afterward. Feels like you have a sunburn under your skin. Getting the IV to be numb is definitely the worst part.

So the doctor Liposuctioned my turkey neck, flappy arms, shoulder blade fat, my hips, muffin top, inner and outer thighs, down to my knees, my abdomen, my armpits, flanks, lower back, everywhere.

When I was in recovery, my legs started shaking uncontrollably. The doctor said it was a result of the numbing fluid and not to try and fight it because I’d lose. It didn’t last the entire time and part of me thinks it actually helped distract from the pain at times.

After Surgery, I was taken to the recovery room until they release you to go home. While you’re in recovery, you are standing up periodically, and there is a lot of draining that’s going on. The nurse pretty much washed me head to toe. Helped me get all bandaged up and put on the compression garments.

By the end of it, you feel beat up! Your body is tired. All you want is to lay in your bed!

My procedure took approximately 6 hours.

Post-Op Instructions

You may shower the day after surgery

The dressings covering your liposuction and injection sites may be removed and replaced with Band-Aids. If your incisions are still oozing, you may apply a small gauze and tape.

The incisions will be closed with stitches. These will be removed in the office in 2-3 weeks following my surgery.

My compression garment of girdle must be worn at all times except in the shower. You may leave the garment off for an hour following your shower if you need a break. For best result you should continue to wear the garment for 6 weeks following surgery.

You will end up having a love-hate relationship with this garment. Its necessary so the skin and tighten back up, and you wont have any awkward lumpiness. Its necessary to wake-up those capillaries and nerves. Wear it as long as they tell you for best results. It helps shape your body while it learns how to go back to a thinner, sexier you!

Staying in bed following surgery may prolong your recovery time and increase the risk of blood clots, please reference the internet for signs and symptoms of blood clots. The sooner you move around, the quicker the soreness will subside and reduce the risks of developing blood clots.

Avoid strenuous exercise for four weeks after surgery. You should discuss with your Dr. before beginning any exercise program.

You may resume normal activities related to hygiene such as bathing, dressing, and normal paces walking as soon as you feel ready.

You may resume driving once you have stopped taking the pain medicine for at least 24 hours and you feel you are comfortable enough to do so.

Swelling and bruising are normal following liposuction. I purchased 2 bottles of Arnica Gel - For relief of muscle pain and stiffness due to minor injuries, overexertion and falls. Reduces pain and swelling, as well as discoloration from bruising. I swear by this stuff! It feels so good! I also bought Bromelain Chewable pineapple tables for faster recovery. Fast working. Almost immediate results if applied right after a skin bruise. Effective for all kinds of bumps and bruises. Also helps to strengthen veins against varicosity. The bruising and muscle pain and stiffness will subside over time, Notify your dr. if you have severe pain, redness, or excessive swelling.

And I was given 4 phone numbers for the office, after hours, my doctor's private cell phone and 911.

Post-Op Visits

I had a post-operative visit about 12 days after surgery, then again two weeks later. At these appointments, they change the dressings, examined my incisions and really make sure you dont have any concerns or questions. The nurse removed all the sutures, there were 18, not counting the 3-4 that were left open. The Dr. thinks I am healing well. They want to see me back the 7th week as well. They also want to take my "after" photos at 3 months from the surgery date.

Recovery after full-body lipo

For those who have surgery coming up and want to know about recovery. Here's the facts on full body lipo and what can be expected in recovery:

The Gross Part

Drainage

It’s not pleasant. It can be extremely frustrating. At times, I broke down crying. BUT – it’s better to get as much fluid out yourself than to have to wait and let the body break it down on its own. So, here’s what I recommend.

- Buy a plastic mattress cover. Wal-Mart has them for $5. I already had a cotton waterproof mattress cover, so I put the plastic one underneath the cotton one, otherwise, I would have sweat to death.

- Buy really cheap sheets (I got dark sheets so that I wouldn’t see minor spots of blood and the tumescent fluid, the water and special fluid they use to break down the fat, I did not want to get grossed out and need to change them every 30 minutes)

-         Request to have a couple of the absorption pads they have you laying on during the procedure so you can put it on your bed the first day to try and catch the worst of it. Another option is to buy puppy pee-pee training pads, or go into any pharmacy and buy the medical pads.
-     I also purchased some Depend's Women's Undergarments, just in case I could not make it to the bathroom fast enough, and it also helps cushion the injection/lipo insertion sites I have on my pubic area, thighs, lower back, etc.
-     I bought a hospital grade toilet riser with side grips. You are not allowed to sit completely down for 2 weeks.

The Abdomen

I had an incision in my belly button, which never drained. Two incisions on each hip, which didn’t leak at all while I was laying down but did drain a substantial amount when I was in the shower trying to get as much fluid out as possible. Then I also had an incision towards the lower part of the top of my vagina (right above the lips – yes, he even removed the excess fat on the top of the vagina, I was thrilled!). The nurse warned me that this incision would have a stream of fluid shooting out the first time I stood up to go to the bathroom so to be careful and make sure I was standing in the shower. Obviously, this grossed me out and made me not that inclined to have to go to the bathroom. So, I didn’t drink that much the first day. HUGE MISTAKE! One, you’ve lost a ton of fluid and you need to help your body by replacing it. Two, the body is going to do what it needs to do regardless of what you want and that fluid is going to drain somewhere. In my case, it went to my thighs, which were black and blue sticking out a good inch. Then when I did decide to try and go to the bathroom and let it drain, I couldn’t get it to drain very much. My vagina hurt so bad, I wanted to cry. After that, I had a 1.5 liter bottle of water next to my bed that I just kept drinking and filling up. Within a day, my thighs had significantly decreased in size due to me pushing the fluid towards the incision to help it drain.

The Arms & Back

To do the arms, there were two incisions on each arm - one at the back end of the armpit (almost on the back) and then one right above the elbow. There were two incisions on my back maybe 4-5 inches above each butt cheek.

The nurse told me that the armpits hardly drain at all, so I didn’t really worry so much about them. I had a maxi pad inside the garment for any minor drainage. I should be good, right? Not so much! I had my laptop on a laptop stand to use in bed so my arms were elevated while I was typing and such. Common sense would tell you that if your elbows are higher than your armpits, the fluid is going out your arm pits. I had forgotten to put the absorbent pad down the nurse had given me. I had put two large bags of frozen peas under each arm to help with swelling, so when I felt wetness, I just assumed that’s what was causing it. I got up after maybe 30 minutes to get something and realized that my entire garment was soaked and all red from the fluid draining. (It’s not just blood, although there is some blood, but a lot of the fluid is just the fluid the doctor injected in you to numb the area and some of it is the melted fat cells but it is RED!) My bed was soaked. Mind you, this is only an hour or so after the procedure, so I have zero energy. My husband had to change the sheets and the pads. I was so exhausted that I didn’t bother taking the garment off to clean it. Yeah, it sounds gross, but trust me, when you’re there, you’ll understand. After sleeping for several hours, I decided to shower. I tried, unsuccessfully, to get the arm pits to drain. The elbows drained a little.

Random comment on the elbows – the doctor warned me that if fluid built up above the elbow and I didn’t get it out, I could end up with fatty looking elbows. So you KNOW I was trying to get as much fluid out as possible!

Trying to put the compression garment on by myself was extremely difficult. I’m not going to lie, I had a total break down and started crying because it was so tight and my arms were so sore. It hurt so bad trying to put that back on. Every time it moved it felt like it was pinching my skin. My husband was the best doctor and care-taker I could have asked for. I don’t know if it was from the anxiety or the amount of time standing up, but I started sweating (making it even harder to get the garment on because the skin was moist) and getting light headed. Finally, I was able to lie back down in bed. Not even an hour later, my bed was completely soaked all over again. Talk about feeling completely overwhelmed. I hadn’t even had a chance to wash my other sheets! I was so fed up that I took everything off the bed but the plastic cover and I just laid there on the flat sheet. It hurt so freaking bad.

I laid down in my bed and just started crying. I was in so much pain. I was so tired and physically exhausted. I wanted more than anything to turn the clock back and have never done this. I was miserable. I took two pain killers and a few Tylenol Simply Sleep. I wanted more than anything for the day to be over.

The second day was better and every day following got easier and easier. Just be prepared to be overwhelmed the first day. There’s a lot going on with your body that no matter how much you try to “control” it, it’s beyond your control – the pads shift when putting the garments on and not completely covering the incision any more. Things are going to happen. Just know – it will get better! You want to try to keep your incisions open as long as possible to drain. I had to continuously force open the incisions every day. By the fourth day, the fluid went from being red to what I'd describe as yellowish orange. It almost looked like pizza grease draining from your body. I know - that was a little graphic, but you'll understand when it happens.

Here we are 5 days post-op and my knees, my thighs, but upper abdomen, arms neck, everything is black and blue. The bruising is not like anything you have ever seen.

I'm 20 days post-op from full body lipo and still have pain, walk with some difficulty, have aches especially in mornings and evenings. Only now am I able to raise my arms more normal. I had less pain right after surgery and the week following surgery than these days; thank God for super-drugs!!! I felt completely exhausted for about 15 days after surgery after any minuscule activity.

I swell up like a balloon in late afternoons, and the areas are hard and tense and full of knots. I'm 39 so its not like I'm old and heal slower. Under normal circumstances I have a lot of energy, never get sick, and only need about 5 hours sleep a night. After 20 days post lipo my energy is coming back. The lipo areas are extremely tender and cannot be massaged as of yet, except for the back. Sitting in the backseat of a car can be quite uncomfortable and painful when the car shakes, or run over bumps. The following day, I had shooting pains running all over the body like electricity and had to get extra pain meds for two days. Seems to have done some good though, probably improving overall circulation.

Recommendation: purchase a handheld massager (about $75) from Brookstone or similar. I use mine on the different locations of the lymph nodes for now (other areas are too tender) to improve circulation. Other patients have had great suggestions of using a roller further on post-op, to smooth out hardened tissue.

I still can't stand fully straight as it feels like my skin is being pulled down real hard. The cannula holes are very sensitive and aching. The most painful area is the upper abdomen, upper arms, and the belly button (the cannula was pierced through the belly button). The bodysuit helps and is better (more comfortable) than without bodysuit. One odd thing after lipo is that I can't feel whether I am stuffed after eating a full meal. I just dont feel really anything.

I simply CANNOT imagine anyone being back to work within two weeks or less as some people have... Its simply completely unrealistic. I have difficulty just getting in and out of the car! And I've done cosmetic procedures before and not even taken a day off or even bothered with pain pills. With lipo, I cannot function without pain pills and sleeping pills... God bless the inventors of these pills!

Its been getting slightly better the last two days which is fantastic but by no means back to normal activity. I usually heal almost twice as fast than what is normal - but recovery from this procedure is extremely slow. The doc said complete recovery takes ONE YEAR(!) with functional recovery being about two months. Taking a shower is the most exhausting thing (removing the bodysuit, and so on) and I end up feeling very thirsty and exhausted and have to rest for 30 minutes.

I must say its astonishing how little bruising I have considering how pierced I am all over and how much has been taken. And the skin of my abdomen has been revived and tightened perfectly, which is great since I gained weight after the tummy tuck in 2011.
Whoever claims full body lipo is a breeze and not much at all, is conning people... The only one who posted the truth was the one who said multi-area lipo was like recovering from a car accident! The nurse who attended to me after surgery was one of the few who was real honest about the recovery, and difficulties after recovery.
Single areas are probably much easier and quicker to recover from than multi-area lipo.

Suggestion: If you are going in for full body lipo, allow yourself sufficient time off from work for recovery. I feel truly sorry for anyone who would be forced to work too prematurely after this. Would be a nightmare.

The Days Following

Pain

The day of the procedure, the pain isn’t that bad. Mostly because all the numbing hasn’t left your body yet. The second day, it got worse. In order to sleep, I had to take a pain killer and two sleeping pills. It does get better after 3-4 days. I think my pain may have been a little worse having so many areas liposuction procedures done. Having the abdomen done and the back done, made it a little difficult to sleep since both sides of your body are in pain. It’s just something to consider.

The Rollercoaster of Emotions

They told me that most people have these moments where they feel like the look worse after the procedure than before it. I thought this was ridiculous. Well … Here it is, three weeks since I had my abdomen done and I want to cry. I’m so upset. I’m trying to remind myself that the lymphatic tissue massage woman told me that my stomach still has a lot of fluid in it and the last place it leaves is around the belly button, but it’s very little comfort right now!

I’m pretty sure that my father, my husband, my family and my best friends are all over my emotional rollercoaster of insecurities. I wasn’t prepared for how insecure I’d become or how focused I would be on every little imperfection.

At my five week follow up appointment, the doctor was optimistic that once I got back into working out, the imperfections would get better. I still have a lot of fluid around my hips and bellybutton. Time will tell .. I’ll keep you posted :)

Love-Hate Relationship with my compression garments & bandages

Compression garments are important after any liposuction procedure. Wearing compression garments after liposuction is one of the most important things you can do to ensure proper recovery. Doctors have found that patients who comply with recommendations to wear compression garments following lipo have better results and are happier with the outcome over patients who do not wear them.

Why Do Compression Garments Help?

Liposuction removes subcutaneous fat, which is located in between the skin and muscle. When it is removed, the layer of skin does not immediately adhere to the muscle underneath; rather, fluid accumulates in the space previously filled with fat. A compression garment applies pressure to these areas so this fluid disperses rather than builds up.
Wearing compression garments is not just beneficial for your aesthetic results; they also lessen certain post-procedural risks associated with liposuction. Complying with doctor recommendations of wearing your garments after liposuction can:

reduce fluid build up and swelling.

increase circulation.

aid in skin healing.

keep stitches and dressings in place.

What Do I Look For?

A quality compression garment will provide consistent and constant pressure from all angles and provide support to the entire surgical region without compromising patient comfort. When you are getting yours, make sure you keep certain things in mind.

Fit

The fit is extremely important. This is a medical garment with a specific function - compression. The fit needs to be just right in order to facilitate proper healing. A garment with an inconsistent fit increases the possibility of fluid retention under the dermal layer.

The garment worn immediately following lipo will be tighter out of necessity. It should feel snug but not constricting and fit tighter than regular athletic wear. The overall fit of the garment should provide constant compression tailored to the specific surgical area, and it is normal for the garment to stress when worn.

Excessive compression may cut off circulation to the surgical site. If your extremities go numb or tingle, or if you have trouble breathing, then the compression garment is too tight.

A poorly fitting garment may cause an increased risk of:

seromas
lyphedema
lumpy or uneven skin composition
exaggerated or red scars
necrosis (tissue death)

Shape

A compression garment should be shaped to facilitate an ideal figure. Most patients undergo liposuction to create the hourglass or V-shaped figure, in which case, the garment should be structured to promote this shape.

Comfort

The compression garment will be worn for up to 23 hours a day (being removed only for bathing and washing), which means it need to be comfortable. No compression garment will feel like wearing sweats, but it should be reasonably comfortable while still applying enough pressure to encourage fluid dispersement. Try on the compression garment before the surgery - it is much better to try out multiple sizes and styles before the liposuction procedure.

Accurate Pressure

A quality compression garment will apply constant and consistent pressure specific to the physiology of the surgical region. Panels within the garment help regulate the pressure. Companies specializing in post surgical garments use computer aided patten development that calculates the force exerted on the body. It is important, therefore, to get a garment from a company that specializes in post surgical liposuction garments. Shape wear or a normal undergarment isn’t sufficient for healing after liposuction.

Quality Fabric

Post-surgical compression garments should be made from fabric that is breathable, durable and anti-microbial. The fabric needs to apply pressure to the body in all directions and maintain it’s shape. Spandex and nylon are ideal fabrics. Natural fibers like cotton should be avoided along with fabrics that illicit allergic reactions like latex and rubber.

The fabric should keep moisture away from the skin to prevent irritation. And any lace trim should be lined with silicone to hold it in place.

Straps

Garments used following abdominal liposuction or other upper body lipo should have adjustable, removable shoulder straps. The treated areas will fluctuate in size as fluids are dispersed, so the ability to adjust the fit is important. This ensures the correct amount of pressure is delivered throughout the healing process.

Waist

Garments used after lipo on the lower portion of the body (i.e. thighs, hips, butt, etc.) must have a good waistband. Ideally, the waistband should be at least two inches wide to stabilize the garment position. A properly constructed waistband will prevent rolling and sliding up or down when putting clothes on over the garment.

Seams

The seam needs to stand up to high stress, otherwise the function of the garment will be compromised. A flat-lock stitch seam is ideal for compression garments because it provides a durable bond. Additionally, a flat-lock seam eliminates skin tissue marking, irritation and itching. The seams should never sit on an incision site where it could irritate the incision causing an infection. A flat-lock seam sits flat, thus making the seams undetectable under clothing.

Closures

All zippers and closures on the garment should be easy to reach and maneuver. Zippers should lie flat against the skin to eliminate the potential for irritation. Zippers reinforced with hook and eye closure make it easier to put the garment on and help the patient avoid catching their skin in the zipper. Garments that have a soft fabric (cotton is acceptable in this part of the garment) between the closures and the skin offer an added level of comfort. The garment will be tight and worn constantly, so the closures need to be designed to keep contact with the skin to a minimum.

Style

Compression garments come in a variety of styles to fit the various body types. Visit a manufactures website to browse the different styles available. Also, consider what will offer the most comfort. Browse manufacturers' online catalogs or product finders, to view a variety of styles tailored to the specific area of the body treated with liposuction.

Compression garments aid in the recovery after liposuction. Diet, exercise and lifestyle changes also increase your chances of getting the best results. Get tips for your diet after liposuction.