Patient Diary: Lipsuction
LIPOSUCTION OF THE THIGHS – A PERSONAL ACCOUNT
DAY 1
For the past decade, I have watched as deposits of fat have grown around my thighs. Despite my commitment to regular exercise, and a reasonable diet, I have been unable to shake those spreading thighs. So I have decided to have liposuction.
I have read all the literature on the procedure, and have had all my questions answered. Now it’s time to commit and get on with it.
I arrive early in the morning and Dr. Groot and his staff are ready for me with big smiles. I relax as I realize that they have done this many times before.
I undress and put on the underwear that I will wear into the OR suite. Dr. Groot comes in and begins to scrutinize my thighs. He carefully discusses with me the areas of fat that he is able to target, and he begins to draw his surgical plan on my skin. Once the plan is complete, pictures are taken and I am escorted into the surgical suite. The OR bed is covered with towels and pads, and I am helped onto it. I am then immediately covered, so that I don’t get cold.
The anesthetist inserts a needle into my hand and gives me some pain medication. I am told it will take the edge off the insertion of the needles and fluid. He also puts a clothespin-like clip on my finger, and a blood pressure cuff around my arm. These allow him to monitor my vital signs during the procedure.
We all chat comfortably about various topics, and I am relatively unaware of what is happening around my thighs where Dr. Groot and the nurses are busy working. I feel some pinpricks and a sensation that my thighs are enlarging as they put the tumescent solution in.
In what seems like a rather short amount of time I am told that the tumescent solution is in place and I can lie back for a while and rest, so that the medications in the solution can take effect. I am comfortably wrapped in blankets and the lights are dimmed – I drift in and out of sleep. There is a nurse with me at all times, and she is quick to anticipate and/or respond to my needs.
Before long, Dr. Groot and the anesthetist are back. Now the work begins. Dr. Groot begins to remove the fat from my thighs. I feel nothing except the pressure and vibrations of the suction cannulas being pushed and pulled under my skin. I would equate it to the same vibratory sensations I get when I grate cheese by hand. There is also the noise of the suction apparatus, which sounds somewhat like a squeegee. All in all it is not an unpleasant sensation, just an unusual one.
When the procedure is complete, I am helped to a standing position. I get the first glimpse of myself in the mirror. I am a mess – there is a pinkish solution running down my legs onto the pads that I have been asked to step on. However, this is not what holds my attention – it is my new shape that catches my eye – MY FAT PADS ARE GONE.
Dr. Groot is quick to explain that this is far from the end result, as there is a lot of swelling and much of the fluid has yet to drain or be absorbed. He also warns me that I will be bruised for a number of days. I nod my head in acceptance, but cannot take my eyes off the promise of my new figure. My goal has already been achieved, and Dr. Groot assures me that it will get even better. I cannot be happier.
I am quite bruised in spots. Dr. Groot explains that some people bruise more often than others and that the bruises will clear up in 10 days or so.
The nurses take pictures, clean up the fluid that has dripped down my legs, and wrap my thighs in oversized diaper-like pads. They are careful to cover the incision holes, which are left open so the remainder of the fluid can drain out. Then I am squeezed into a girdle-like garment, pads and all.
I dress into the oversized clothing they have asked me to bring from home, and I am then given some juice and a bite to eat.
Once I have assured everyone that I am feeling fine, I head home with my husband. Within the first couple of hours I have soaked through the pads and the garments. Now I know why they told me to wear old clothes – and I am glad that I wore black because it doesn’t show any of the leakage. I am careful to cover all the furniture that I sit on for the rest of the day, with plastic bags.
Dr. Groot gives me a call to see how I am doing, which I really appreciate.
It is evening and I am ready for a shower. I take off the girdle-like garment first. Then, leaving the pads in place, I wash the girdle in cold water on the delicate cycle and dry it on a warm setting. Once the girdle is clean and ready, I take some old towels from the cupboard and lay one on the floor and have the other one ready to dry with once I am out of the shower. I discard the pads.
The water stings the incision sites, even though I am careful not to get any soap near the areas, but it still feels good to rinse off. Once out of the shower I wrap some clean pads around my thighs and secure them with tape, making sure that the incision sites are well covered. Then I wipe the excess drips from my legs. I put the girdle back on and get into bed, which I have covered with several layers of old sheets in case I leak during the night.
I get up once during the night to use the toilet. I also take some Tylenol Extra Strength, because the anesthetic within the solution has started to wear off and my thighs are now aching.
