6 Weeks Later with PICTURES

Below are the 6 week comparison photos from my tummy laser lipo at American Lipo Centers by Dr. Gilad Segev.  I'm feeling really good about the procedure and most of my side effects are gone.  I have a few spots that are still a little swollen, but that's just me - I'm a sweller so that's what I do after a procedure or after I get a bump or bruise, I SWELL.

For those that don't know me, I decided to get the procedure because I was just tired of my belly being in my way.  I wanted a jumpstart to getting my fitness groove on.  So now that my tummy is only a tiny bit swollen, and I'm not sore, it's time for me to get back to my fitness quest.

Dr. Gilad Segev is also very pleased with my results, not just because I work for him - but because I went down a full "dress" size or pant size from a full 14 to a regular 12.  I can't wear any of my old bottoms without a belt now and if it weren't for my boobs, I could move down a size in my tops.

Today I'm posting comparison photos of before and now 6 weeks after.  In a few days, I will post a couple pictures from my vacation in Vegas.

Before and 6 Weeks After Frontal

Before and 6 Weeks After Side View

Before and 6 Weeks After Rear View

6 Weeks After Close Up

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!

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.

The Swelling Has Settled In

So followers, all is going well with me.  Just been busy with work and having a life.  It is now 2 weeks in and I feel and see the swelling in my lower abs.  My flanks (love handles) look great.  My upper abs look great too.  Now my lower abs are swollen and they have some of the nodularity we warn about.  Basically, there's a lot of fluid retention in that area.  The area feels hard to the touch but rubbing it feels great.  SO, tomorrow I'm getting a post-lipo massage.  It's a massage that focuses on the areas I had laser liposuctioned and the rubbing technique will promote drainage (urination).  Gotta get rid of this extra fluid so I can post more pics.  I will post pictures this weekend, bloated or not.  But it would be great to "show off" (wink).  For now, I'll leave you all wanting more...pics this weekend!!!  I'll also let you know about the massage and it's merits.

A week after surgery, with PICTURES!

So it's been a week since Dr. Segev (Virginia) did my laser lipo surgery on my upper abs, lower abs and flanks (above the navel, below the navel and the love handles) at American Lipo Centers.

Dr. Segev says I'm looking good.  My wounds are all either scabbed (and pealing) OR healed.  I’m happy about that.  My bruising is almost done too – at least it’s much better.  I still have the swelling and that’s expected to last for 4 weeks after the procedure.  Some days there is more swelling than others – and with the heat, the swelling has not been fun.  I’m also getting my “time of the month” in the next few days and I can see and feel my normal monthly bloating.  The good news is, when that time passes, the monthly water will pass and I will see even more improvement.

In terms of my soreness, it feels like I’ve been working out.  It doesn’t hurt unless I bend deeply.  It’s more of an annoying kind of “ok workout over” kind of feeling than anything else.

I’ve been going to work every day and doing little things after like shopping and planning a party for my little foster sister and dealing with a flat tire – so by no means is this procedure a downer for a considerably healthy person. (I’m 32 and I DO have a degenerative disc disease in my spine and some other junk like low thyroid and high blood pressure and I have been doing aces over kings since my procedure.)

Progress – last night I went to do Karaoke (a double date) and I wore stretch pants and a fitted tank and all my sister and everyone could do was admire Dr. Segev’s work because I didn’t wear my compression garment, it was just me in revealing clothing.  My girlfriend says I have amazing curves now!  That was all I needed to hear.

I’m posting pics but remember I’m bloated from my “lady visitor” but it’s still good for week one!  Enjoy the pics and I’ll be back on Monday with “Dr. Segev Says” a new feature where the Doctor himself will address issues around laser lipo. 

Myia

Mug Shot 1

Mug Shot 2

sorry it's upside down (laying down)

scabs and bruises fading

Hip and rear scar.  Some swelling, but a shape!!!

3 Days After Surgery (well 2.5)

It's time to go back to work.  I feel like I worked out this weekend, but that's about it.  Everytime it hurt pretty badly, I took a Vicodine or Extra Stregth Tylenol.  I went shopping, I went to a concert and I spent time with family.  It was a typical weekend for me.  The draining finally ended Saturday after 1 and that was that.  Here are some pictures of my bruising and swelling from this morning and I am both a heavy bruiser and a terrible sweller (and speller) :)

Incision Site and Bruising (1)

Front Swelling

Left Incision Side

You can see the marks from my compression garment



Side view and marks from compression garment



Compression garment with a little drainage - men have had these "privacy openings" for years. They are the best!

Compression garment rear

2 Days After The Procedure

I'm feeling great - my draining is 100% done.  I went to a concert last night and I'm going to Home Depot and Lowe's today.  Sounds like a normal weekend on this side of town.  I am sore.  I feel like I worked out my abs at the gym really hard, but the more I move, the more it calms down.  I'm also icing my tummy, so that helps a lot.  Later I'll post pics of my incision sites!!! And my bruising.  That's the stuff people really want to see, right?

Dr. Segev (Virginia) called me yesterday.  He does that with all the weekend patients.  He wants to make sure the healing process has started and that the draining has stopped.  He's happy at how quickly I'm healing and how soon I've been able to get around. Driving is the only thing I won't do - I'm taking Vicodine - may be best to let someone else do the driving til that's over.

More pictures later...and love to all!