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!!!

Wednesday - 5 Days Since the Procedure

I took this last set of pics yesterday.  I won't take any more until I get to my 2 week mark.  I took these to show my bruising and swelling and the healing of my incision cites.  I couldn't be happier with this procedure.  I expected more pain after the fact and this is really more discomfort.  I've been taking Extra Strength Tylenol rather than the heavy stuff during the day but taking 1 Vicodeine at night.  It's been working fine - with addition on icing with a frozen towel (with a dry pillow case between the towel and my skin).




the garments leave lines on your body, that fade in a few minutes



bruising and swelling

incisions are shrinking daily

Dr. Segev says I'm healing so well.  Some people take more time to heal and some people are in more pain and have more bruising afterward.  This is totally MY STORY, but it is real and I'm happy.

I've been at work 2 days and day 1 was a bit uncomfortable because I had to sit all day, but Tuesday - I blue a FLAT and had to deal with that standing from 8a - 1p with minimal sitting in between and then sitting from 1 - 7pm.  That helped.  My legs are a little swollen because of gravity pulling some of the swelling from my abdomen down to my thighs, but it is minimal and totally ok to deal with.
I switched compression garments from the 1 piece super deal to a waist binder and support panties. 

Tomorrow, I will do a post on garments alone - there's lots to post about that.  I will pair this with tricks on staying comfortable.  If you have questions in the meantime, email me at work myia@americanlipocenters.com AND if you want to talk to me about other lipo stuff, it's PRIVATE and you can email me their as well.



the cellulite doesn't go away, but it's less fat - just bruised




tummy is swollen, but getting flat!





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!

The After Party: Pictures Post Surgery

Hi all!  Hope you're liking my journey.  I'm loving it!  So the surgery was yesterday and it was not bad at all.  First, I got marked up (pics on yesterday's entry).  Then I got filled with numbing medication (lidicane) and saline.  That part burned a little, but it was tolerable.  Then I was numb and it was time for Dr. Segev to melt the fat with a laser.  I felt nothing but pressure - light pressure.  Then it was suction time.  That was easy breezy for the most part but there were a couple areas that needed more lidocae and then it was on and popping.  The whole deal took about an hour and a half and when I was done, 3 liters of fat (see below) we out of my body.  Not everyone gets 3 liters, it just depends on how much subcutaneous fat you've got - well I had a lot.  My friends and family noticed the difference RIGHT AFTER SURGERY.  Dr. Segev and American Lipo Centers are amazing and I've already got friends and family lined up to get some done too.

I did drain last night and I've got some pictures of that below.  It's gross but worth it.  It's mostly saline, but it's got some blood mixed in too.  Today, I ran some errands this morning and I'm going to a concert tonight.  Yes, I'm feeling that good, and I'm at least a few inches smaller - even with the swelling.

Love you guys - thanks for the support and prayers.  Now hit me up for discounts on the procedure :O) myia@americanlipocenters.com FREE consultations and big discounts for mentioning my blog. 

Blog you tomorrow,

Myia

Carolina (our LPN) with my fat

my fat!

AFTER front

After Back

After Side

Drainage from sleeping

No drainage after I changed it once