I've had it! And I'm having lipo!

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

That’s right, liposuction. I’m having it.

To start, let’s get something straight…I love my body. I truly do. I have big, natural breasts and a curvy figure. I’m 5’9" and have fluctuated between 135 and 145 lbs for the last 4 years (with the exception of my pregnancy). My weight is stable and I exercise regularly, though not compulsively. I eat whatever I want.

Here’s the rub. I am unhappy with certain parts of my body. I could stop eating whatever I want and lose weight but…

a) I would also lose weight in my breasts and naturally too skinny face . This means a severe-looking face and saggy breasts. I do not like this option at ALL!

b) After my divorce, I dropped down to 115lbs. (I spent a few weeks at 105 but I don’t want to talk about that) and I still had my little poochy belly. Losing weight isn’t going to get rid of that, methinks.

c) I’m built exactly like my mother (except 4 inches taller) and have the same weird fat deposits. I’m happy with my body except for TWO problem areas, my Mom’s same problem areas. I cannot spot reduce w/o lipo.

My two problem areas are my lower tummy (which really impedes my fashion choices these days, with all the low-rise pants) and my “flank” (my rear hip area, makes my butt look weird, sorta concave). My doctor said that I’m a perfect canidate for lipo (is that bad or good?) and said that only if I was really neurotic should I do my outer and inner thighs (I think that’s good). We’re talking 2000CCs maximum.

So. I’m doing it. I’m having lipo. And I’m happy with my decision.

Now, has anyone else had it done? I know what my doctor tells me to expect but she hasn’t had it herself…any anecdotal evidence would help. Most medical sites say to expect bruising (I’ve seen pictures) and that it feels like you did way too many crunches. Is this true or sort of like those “testamonials” that say that LASIX feels like a grain of sand in your eye?

BTW, if you want to give me crap, take it to the pit. I’ve made my decision and I’m happy…nay, looking forward to it.

2

Go for it! If it makes you feel better about yourself, and you are already healthy and active, I say go for it.

A friend of my mom’s stayed with us after having it on her thighs and there was a lot of bruising and swelling. After about 2 weeks, it had mostly cleared up and looked great.

3

Why would anyone take you to the Pit? It’s your body, you have to live in it. Anybody who has issues with your “renovation” probably should take a look at their library.

4

No suggestions from me. Just support from a fellow renovator, and the obvious - you always look great IMHO.

Good luck :slight_smile:

5

Make sure they don’t hoover out all your insides by accident…

:wink:

Seriously good luck, it sounds like you are making exactly the right decision for you. Please please post back with your experiences if you can so the rest of us can find out what it’s like. I can’t be the only person reading your OP who’s also considered lipo but just doesn’t know anyone who’s had it done.

6

Sue, I’ve met you in person, and I can state in all honesty that you don’t need liposuction.

Then again, who am I to judge? If it makes you feel better about yourself, go for it. Good luck!

7

But… but… but… those are the two best spots for a woman to have a little upholstery. <pout>

:wink:

All I know about lipo is what you know… lots of bruising/swelling. Swelling to the point where it looks like the lipo didn’t do a thing for you. My friend’s mom had her outer thighs done and I couldn’t tell the difference until about 3 weeks post surgery.

To any extent, Good Luck Sue Duhnym. :slight_smile:

8

Well, Sue, you’re beyond gorgeous and I can’t imagine that you could ever need liposuction.

But since you want it, it’s a whole different thing. It’s, of course, a very personal decision, and if you think you’ll be happier with it then it should definitely be a go. Especially if you’ve given it a lot of thought and you know all the risks, quack quack quack.

I have a good friend who worked for a cosmetic surgeon a few years ago and had lipo in her late 20’s (she, also, didn’t need it). I’d be happy to give you her email address if you’re interested in discussing specifics with her.

9

Sue, I’ve never met you, but I can say that if you’re 5’9" and weigh a max of 145 pounds, lipo seems way extreme. Plus, I agree with Simetra that those are the good places. :wink:

Then again I’ve always been kind of against cosmetic surgery in general, unless it’s for reasons of health/well-being.

To each his own, though. Good luck with whatever you choose in the end!

10

I’d have it done if I could afford it. I have the same problem area – this “cute” little bit of a belly. I’ve been literally near starving, 5’3" and 105 lbs and it <em>still</em> was there. I’ve kind of just given up on it.

11

huh huh… he said “end”…

Sue, dahlink, anyone who has seen a picture of you is very much aware of your stunning beauty, and anyone who has seen you in person knows that pictures don’t lie. But it would be hard to see the benefits of lipo on these particular spots from your vantage point. You should take nude photos, from many angles, before and after, and e-mail them to me - I mean Geobabe, and we - I mean she will give you a fair assessment.

But really, if you FEEL more sexy after this, lawdy hep me!

12

Watch “cosmetic surgery” stuff on cable. They actually show the surgery in action. It hurts a lot from what those people say. My friend’s sister had it, and I think it hurt a lot from her viewpoint. I know they wrap you in elastic bandages for weeks afterward.

So what if it hurts! So does having babies! That’s what drugs are for. I think you need some time off work for recovery, don’t you? It won’t hurt forever. I say go for it!

13

Sue, unfortunately, I never met you…:rolleyes:

But I have developed a trust in your taste so I guess if you have reached that kind of a decision, you must be right!

Good luck!!!

14

Congrats! I had it done about two years ago.

Do some internet research. There were three different types of treatment when I had mine done and the one that was supposed to be the best was actually the worst.

Do not use a doctor that has his or her own surgery - most of the health problems have come from these doctors. My doctor used an out-patient surgery center that was used by several doctors.

They replace the fat with liquid to reduce bruising (one of the reasons you don’t see results right away). This fluid will leak from the incisions for a couple of days, along with some blood. You will want to sleep with a pad on the bed for a couple of days - you can buy incontinent pads (you’ll want the largest you can get), or you can email me your address and I can send the ones that are left over from my surgery. You also urinate a lot of that fluid away. Kind of weird to piss like a racehorse when you haven’t drunk any water.

I had my back and stomache done. My stomache felt like someone had beat me. The pain was only bothersome for a couple of days, and tender for a week. I layed on the couch a lot - once my kitty jumped on my tummy. Ouch!

I actually saw results within a couple of days. I slept through much of the first day - that may have been the anesthesia, I have weird reactions to that stuff.

15

To tell you the truth I’ve been thinking about the same thing lately, but more along the lines of the extra skin hanging off my belly from the kids. Please keep us updated. How much does this kind of thing cost?

16

I’ve considered it to the point of contacting a surgeon’s office, but I just don’t have the kind of money for it. They were estimating approximately $3000 for abdominal lipo, which is what I wanted to have done.

I was like jinwicked once. Down to 105 (and 5’3") and still thought I had too much of a belly (I was just a teenager then, though). Well, now I actually do have one and it’s nearly impossible to get rid of since it’s the last place to go, fat-wise. I really, really want lipo.

What little I know is that you have to wear a girdle for about six weeks, and then you go in for a post-op checkup. The woman I talked to said that a lot of people are back at work the day after surgery, but I imagine I’d do it on a Friday and take the weekend off. I think you have to avoid exercise and strenuous activity for most of that six weeks.

[sub]::whine:: Anyone want to sponsor a gal for a bit of lipo?[/sub]

17

You go ahead and flail, baby.

18

I would go for it, in a New York minute! That “cute little pooch” on my belly has reached epic proportions since the birth of my second child, and all the crunches in the world will only build up the muscles underneath it!

I am so glad you are making this decision based on what you want and what makes you happy.

I still may take the plunge someday. My MIL had several areas done (outer and inner thighs, tummy, maybe more) but didn’t change anything else about her habits so she’s big again.

Good luck, and please keep us updated!

19

Thanks for your input Zyada. I’ll be having it done in Michigan at the surgical center where my mom works (she’s an RN), so I’m not worried about the capabilities of the staff in the slightest.

My Mom herself, had lipo and a tummy tuck back in October (she couldn’t drive for 10 days, so I went to help her with everything), so while I sort of know what to expect, her surgery was much more invasive and painful. She looks great now (besides the huge scar from the tuck) and she’s really been the incentive for me to take the plunge.

BTW, I react the same way to anesthesia. Then again, I’m perpetually tired, so maybe it’s a good thing. Thanks again!

20

Best of luck, Sue.