The Healing Cycle - How Soon Does It Feel Better?

Hello from Dr. Gilad Segev’s American Lipo Centers.  This week’s post is all about the healing cycle.  Besides “What areas should I get done?,” the next most popular question people ask is “What’s the recovery like?”  Well, the real answer is: “It’s different for every patient.”  However, there are some guidelines that I can give to all of you out there thinking about laser lipo or who have just had it done, here’s a little time line.  Through every phase, you should be drinking LOTS of water.

·         Days 1, 2 and 3
This means the day of your procedure and the 2 days after.  You’ll need plenty rest and relaxation where you don’t have to work or run significant errands. You will be VERY sore and tender.  However, you will be able to walk, shower, climb stairs, drive [no driving day of procedure], cook, dress yourself, take care of your little ones, etc.  You can return to work on the 3rd day after your procedure, example: procedure on Friday, back to work on Monday)

·         First Full Week

You’ll be tender and sore and moving a little slower, but able to take care of yourself.  You can return to the gym after 7 days, but you probably won’t do 100% of your normal workout.  Around this time, “nodularity” may set in.  This is where you can get nodules or hard spots in the area(s) you had laser liposuctioned.  These hard spots can range from a small knot to the entire area being stiff or very hard.  Nodularity is a normal and is simply fluid retention in the area liposuctioned.  Regardless of water retention, it is important to keep drinking your water.

·         By the end of Week 2

You’ll be in much better shape, but you’ll still have bloating and swelling. You’ll probably still have nodularity to deal with, but it should be less intense.  Some patients may feel they are very bloated and swollen at this phase, but this will go away soon!  Drink your water!!

·         Weeks 4 through 12

All of your swelling, bruising, nodularity and tenderness will go away (4 weeks for the average patient; 6 weeks – 12 weeks for us slower healing patients).  12 weeks is where you will see 100% of your results; however, most people see 90% of their results by weeks 4 – 6.  It is important to eat well and have a normal diet with only the occasional splurge to get the best results.  Exercise also helps!

[This is all written from my POV, Myia]

4 Weeks After Laser Lipo with PICTURES!

It has been 4 weeks since my Dr. Segev did my laser lipo procedure at American Lipo Centers.  After 4 weeks, I feel and look amazing!  I've still got a little swelling, but I'm a slow healer, so I expect that my 6 week pictures will look even better.

My lyphatic drainage massages have been working very well to break up the nodularity that sometimes comes from laser lipo.  Being a lumpy, bumpy, slow healer, I knew I'd have lots of nodules (large and small knots beneath the skin where fluid has built up).  My tummy feels good and I feel like I look good but you can judge for yourself.

Here's what everyone cares about the most - the pictures!  I tried to put together similar angles so you can see the differences.  Please note that zoom and picture size is a little different on each so you just have to look for the differences - but I think they are pretty clear!!!

And here I am all dressed-up with some place to go ;)

Write me!

What Area(s) of My Body Should I Have Laser Liposuctioned?

My job at American Lipo Centers is many fold, but one of the most important things that I do is counsel potential patients about what area or areas of their bodies they should get done.   When I ask: “What areas of your body are you interested in having laser liposuctioned?” – many people say “Everywhere.  Take ALL my fat!”  But there are myriad reasons why everywhere is not an option.

Many people cannot afford to have multiple areas done at one time, some people after being seen by the doctor realize that diet and exercise will take care of some problem areas while the laser lipo procedure will be better suited for others.  Whatever the reason for not being able to get “everywhere” laser liposuctioned, there is often a decision to be made as to whether to get these couple of areas done or these other areas done.

So how can you decide what to get done when “everywhere” is what you want laser liposuctioned?  First, you need to know what areas can and cannot be laser liposuctioned.

Areas we laser liposuction at American Lipo Centers:

-          Chin/Jaw Line

-          Arms (biceps/triceps area)

-          Male Chest

-          Upper Abs (belly above the navel)

-          Lower Abs (belly below the navel)

-          Flanks (love handles/muffin top)

-          Rear Flanks (rear love handles above the buttocks)

-          Hips

-          Outer thighs (stand up and put your hands at your side – pat your thighs, that’s your outer thighs)

-          Inner Thigh Next to the Knee

-          Inner Thighs (Only after the doctor evaluates the amount of fat in the area and makes sure you have realistic expectations of results)

-          Back (Again, needs doctor’s evaluation)

Areass we do NOT laser liposuction at American Lipo Centers:

-          Buttocks (too many nerves and muscles for clinical procedure)

-          Back of the Legs (with rare exceptions and Dr. Segev’s evaluation at our clinic, we may do back of the legs)

-          Female Chest (this is major surgery – breast reduction)

-          Tummy Tuck/Abdominoplasty (this is major surgery and we do not perform this procedure)

Ok, so you’ve looked at the lists of what we do and what we don’t do.  You’ve come in for a FREE consultation at American Lipo Centers with Dr. Gilad Segev and we’ve determined that you are a good candidate for Laser Liposuction.  BUT…you still want to have multiple areas done but can’t decide on what to get done based on price, downtime, or some other reason.

I would suggest that you decide based on answers to list below:

-          I think about having smaller X body part(s) the most when I think about losing weight.

-          Diet and exercise have not made X body part(s) smaller.

-          If I had smaller X body part(s) I could buy the next size down in clothing.

-          I can only afford X budget, and when I turn it over in my mind again and again, I know that I definitely want smaller X body part(s).

It may not take away ALL of your fat or keep you from wanting MORE laser liposuction in the future, but trust your decision-making and honor your choice.  Don’t second guess yourself once you decide.  You’ll know that you made the right decision! 

And if this post STILL didn’t help you make up your mind – call me at work and let’s chew it over 1-877-860-7927 or email me myia@americanlipocenters.com

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

I've been getting amazing lymphatic drainage massages (3 over the past week).  They are supposed to promote my healing so that my tummy and love handles can reduce their swelling evenly and with better and swifter results than just healing alone.  Here's an article I found at http://www.massagetherapy101.com/: Take a read...

Lymphatic Massage

Lymphatic massage, also known as lymphatic drainage, is a gentle form of massage that stimulates the lymphatic system to improve metabolism, promote the removal of bodily toxins and waste, and encourages a healthy immune system.

The massage works by working with the body’s own lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is responsible for immune system regulation and fluid and waste removal. It is what helps rid the body of any toxins that may cause illness. When the lymphatic system slows down or becomes blocked, then fluids begin to build up, causing the whole body to feel tired and heavy, making us susceptible to catching sicknesses.

By stimulating the lymph nodes through massage, it helps to clear any blockages and gives the lymphatic system a boost keeping it running healthy and strong. This in turn keeps your body free of toxins and illness and while also creating a stronger immune system.

A lymphatic massage session begins with a consultation between the therapist and client to discuss the client’s specific needs and how many sessions will be needed. The actual massage consists of gentle pressured and pumping movements towards the direction of the lymph nodes throughout the body. The procedure uses the deep thumb pressure of shiatsu combined with the relaxing techniques of the Swedish massage. Depending on whether the therapist is focused on only one specific area or is working on the entire body, a session can last anywhere between half an hour to two hours in length.

Lymphatic massage is an excellent treatment on its own or when used in combination with other massage techniques such as deep tissue or Swedish massage. Since it consists of only soft, rhythmic motion, the technique can be used on even the gentlest of areas including areas of the body that are swollen. 

The massage is good for individuals who frequently suffer from illnesses, a faulty immune system, sports injuries, depression and emotional problems, stress, and low energy. It has been shown to have positive effects on the skin, to produce energy, and to help with respiratory problems. The treatment boosts the immune system making it easier to fight of disease and creates general feelings of vitality. It can also help the client deal with different types of pain because it evokes the body’s innate healing mechanisms. The main idea behind lymphatic massage is that when our immune system is healthy, we are also strong and healthy.

2 Weeks After in Clothes

Hey everyone, just thought I'd show pics of me dressed.  Here I am in everyday clothes 2 weeks after laser lipo.  These pants are now too big and so is the top - and I have weave in :)