Definitely not a lunchtime procedure!

Posted at June 14, 2008

Smart Lipo: Was worth it
Cost: $12,000
Pain: Uncomfortable
Satisfaction: Good

I have been reading the comments on this website and thought I should post my review. The more info out there the better to prepare people.
I live in Switzerland but they don’t do SmartLipo here yet, so I went to London, England in order to have it done. It is a bit more expensive there but my PS was very experienced, he has performed SmartLipo on over 600 patients in the past 2 years. Cosmetic Surgery and lasers have always been his specialty, so SmartLipo for him was a natural thing to specialize in. I felt that I was in good hands just a bit unprepared for the fact that it is a serious surgery and not quite as easy to have done as people would have you think.
I originally read about my Doctor and the SmartLipo procedure in a magazine article (it was a quality publication) and I have to say, the description was fairly accurate. The only thing I wasn’t prepared for was the pain during the procedure. I really thought it would be painless. I have been told I have a high pain threshold but maybe it has changed over the years.
I was given a valium and 2 Paracetemol (which is the UK equivalent of Tylenol) before the procedure. I nearly passed out when the local anesthesia was put in. I sort of got used to it, but it was not pleasant at all. Kind of a lot of tugging which I found psychologically a bit difficult to handle. It was especially sensitive in the lower abdominal area. I had four areas done: lower abs, upper abs, back of the hips/waist, and sides of back below the bra strap. I had no pain for the hip area but had a tough time with the abs and sides.
Once the local was done, I felt no pain for the actual laser part of the procedure, that part was a total breeze! But then I had suction which I found difficult and painful as well. I had four areas done in about 2.5 hours.
Despite the discomfort of the procedure I was really glad not to have had a general anesthetic, I hate trying to come out of those. I was glad to be able to walk out of the clinic feeling alert and glad it was over, but I was totally exhausted.
I had the procedure on June 10th and I flew back to Switzerland on the 13th. I am feeling OK now but I’m still pretty swollen and I have a fair bit of bruising on my hips. How come some people have bruising and some don’t? I’m wondering if I’m being too active too soon. And how long before the swelling is really gone?
I also hate the compression bandage. The doctor said I only have to wear it for 7 to 10 days but most people on this site say 2 weeks. Does it really help to wear it longer? My belly button is pretty sore and my skin is itchy which is hard to ignore. I think the itchyness is from the bandage.
I think the results will be good in the end but its hard to tell at the moment. After reading some of the bad results people have mentioned on this site, I’m more than a little nervous! But I’d like to thank everyone for posting their experiences. It’s really helpful and supportive.
NJ.
Updated on Jun 19, 2008:
It has been 9 days since I has the procedure and I’m not seeing much improvement yet. I’m not wearing the bandage anymore which is a huge relief and the little incision areas look like they have closed and healed nicely.
Bit I’m still pretty tender on the hips and belly button area. The bruising is going now but the swelling is still there, it”s kind of hard and lumpy, so I feel as big as I did before the procedure which is pretty depressing. I was hoping to wear a certain outfit to my son’s Grad but that’s not going to happen.