I flew to Ft. Lauderdale to have my LipoContour procedure by my colleague, Dr. Lanalee Araba Sam of Elite Obstetrics & Gynecology. We had agreed to do the procedure on each other to better understand what our patients were experiencing. (Of course, it wasn’t all in the name of science, we both had a little post baby re-contouring we wanted, too.)

The procedure itself I found to be very comfortable. I took 1 pain pill and 1 extra strength Tylenol before the procedure. I had my upper and lower abdomen and flanks contoured.

After the procedure, I sat on the side of the table a minute, and then stood up to assess the immediate outcome. There was absolutely no pain or discomfort at this point, just excitement over the absence of my muffin top and love handles. It was great to see those canisters full of ugly fat on the other side of the room as I left. I walked down the hall in a gown, we took post-op pictures, and I dressed myself in the tight compression garment and overlying baggy street clothes I had brought with me. I gathered up my belongings, gave my farewell hugs of appreciation (Dr. Sam and her Staff were great) and I was on my way. My husband, also a physician, was amazed to see me walking to the car by myself. I was tired and very thirsty but had no pain or discomfort as my tummy was very numb with the tumescent anesthesia from the procedure. I did not experience any nausea, dizziness, or headache. I did rest lying down in the backseat of the car as we drove about 2 hours to our destination for the night. We ate about 2 ½ hr later, I walked into the restaurant feeling fine and enjoyed a wonderful salmon dinner. I took a second pain pill after the meal to prevent any discomfort as the numbing was starting to lighten. I felt my lower abdomen and pelvic area were getting tighter. I went to bed in my compression garment after I had gently pushed the fluid out of my incision sites onto a pad (maybe 1-2 teaspoons of dark red weepy fluid per site). I took 2 Tylenol about 10 pm and fell asleep. I awoke on my back about 2 am and started to sit up to go to the restroom when my body reminded me that I had undergone a procedure and it would like some modifications in movement made. I was stiff and sore so I log rolled to my side like my previous “giant-belly” pregnant days and pushed myself up with my arms. I waddled to the bathroom, noting my belly was swollen even with the garment on. (Make sure your compression garment has a snapped or hook and eye crotch, Ladies, as this makes life much easier!} I could see some bruising over the pubic area but I had very little drainage from my sites. I went back to bed and slept 2 more hours before having to get up to go to the airport.

DAY 2: The airport was busy and I was carrying suitcases, etc. I noticed I felt like I had worked out too aggressively the day before but I was able to do everything I chose to do. Sitting straight up was a little uncomfortable because squeezing my tummy pushed against the swollen skin and left over fluid from the procedure. After running down the concourse (that didn’t feel too good) we made the plane. I really felt better getting up and walking. Sitting for any prolonged amount of time I felt stiff and sore until I was up for awhile. My lower abdomen and pubic area were pretty swollen. My incisions didn’t leak much at all the 2nd day, nor did they bother me. When we finally got home to Missouri I was well over the 24 hr mark. I carefully peeled out of the compression garment to assess my status. I had a little bruising around my belly button. My lower ribs felt bruised but never showed it. My lower abdomen was swollen but the bruising was in the pubic area where gravity had pulled it. I took a shower which was heavenly and put a compression garment right back on. That evening I started 600 mg of Ibuprofen, and took 1 pain pill at bedtime and slept well.

DAY 3: I woke up amazed how much better I felt. Knowing that walking really loosened me up the day before, I donned some stretchy shorts over the compression garment and headed down to my treadmill. I walked at mod speed for about 25 minutes. Occasionally I would have a little sticking type sensation and I would rub over my tummy feeling the tightness and numbness from the nerves being stretched with the fluid. I dressed in a tight sweater and stretchy waist pants and headed for the clinic. It was fun getting compliments like “you look great today” and “did you get a boob job done this weekend?” I guess my upper roll had de-emphasized my top shelf.

DAY 4: Noticed some itching started today. It feels a little tender but yet good to gently knead and massage the treated areas. I am still careful not to scrunch my tummy but instead squat to pick up things but I am back full force as mom and physician. I find the compression garment feels good to support my abdomen as does pulling the muscles inward. Still uncomfortable to sit up straight after lying down but I am getting better.

DAY 5: I am taking 600 mg ibuprofen am and pm with meals and not really even that aware of my abdomen now unless I bend or turn real sharp squeezing it, then I feel a little twinge of discomfort. I still have quite a bit of lower abdomen swelling and the bruising is going through the usual bruise color scheme blue to purple to green to brown...beautiful…

DAY 6: I have been alternating 2 different compression garments; I think one actually causes my ribs to be sore. I am still wearing my garment unless I am in the shower. I think it feels good, although some of my clients disagree and can’t wait for 3 days to be over. I just remind myself that it is also helping me to contour those curves I want. It is easier to eat right and exercise after the procedure knowing I have 3 months of increased fat burning and I want to make the most of it. I have to remind myself to stay light with the exercise for 2 weeks as this is a good sized wound over that area and I want to continue improving every day.

DAY 7: The swelling in my lower abdomen is starting to go down. I can knead and massage a little firmer in the shower now. Standing in front of the mirror I notice some areas with more fluid that appear like a little lump. I know continuing to wear my compression garment will help these areas to flatten out. I am really surprised how easy this whole procedure and recovery has been.(Very different from patients I have known who had liposuction.) I am going to try sleeping without my garment on tonight. Tomorrow I will start my stretching exercises again. It keeps getting better and better! I am so excited about this procedure I want to share it with everyone!