Marianne's Liposuction Journal

Stats

Age: 32
Height: 5' 6"
Technique: Tumescent Liposculpture with 3mm cannulae
Areas treated: Everything! - from the base of my ribs to the tops of my knees, not too much inner thigh lipo though
Amount Removed: 3650cc
Pre-op Weight: 131 lb
Post-op Weight: 125 lb
Weight at the time of journal: 119 lb
Pre-op Measurements: stomach: 29"/waist: 26"/hips: 38"/buttocks: 39"/thighs: 22 1/4"
Post-op Measurements: stomach: 24 1/2"/waist: 24 1/2"/hips: 36"/buttocks: 37"/thighs: 21"
Total Inches Lost: 11 1/4"
Surgeon:John A. Rusca, M.D. - Atlanta, Georgia
State: I live in Las Vegas but traveled to Atlanta, Georgia for surgery.

Why I Wanted Liposuction

I have ALWAYS had a pear-shaped frame. My waist to hip ratio is a little too baby-got-back for me. About 4 years ago I was 36-24-36 and 118, lb I was fine with that, even with the larger hips. Then I started my own business which required sitting at a desk for 10 to 12 hours a day, eating when I had the chance. A string of bad events kept me out of the gym and I just didn't seem to find the time to exercise at home either. I expanded.

About 3 years ago on Christmas day, my boyfriend bought me some size 9's in juniors which I always wear that size and well--I couldn't zip them up!!!!!!!!! I stepped on the scale and I was 140, ONE FORTY! OH MY GOD. What have I done? I had gone from a 7 in juniors to a I-can't-fit-in-my-nine-juniors state of existence. In regular sizes that is a 4 to almost an 8 in about a year's time! Egads!!! So I immediately went on a low carb diet (Somersizing) and dropped like 10-12 lb in about 2 1/2 weeks. Thank goodness, but I couldn't shake the last 10 lb and sat depressingly at 130-ish Absolutely could not lose any more on diet alone. So I started working out again. Still couldn't drop it. I was eating really well, was on this stupid birth control pill that made me gain weight and then I became even more depressed about my "weight." Yes, I could have eaten only tunafish and lifted hardcore but I had a business to run and no one to inspire me.

Then I found out my thyroid was low. So, I took T3 and it got back on track. I lost a lb or two and still wouldn't budge. So I said, forget it, why try. I got busy again and stayed the same weight- around 128-130 lb for 2 years or so. I wasn't entirely happy with my body, I had saddle bags, a tummy, love handles and huge, untoned thighs, plus my butt was disappearing and sagging south. Stop the insanity!!!!!!

I had just moved to Vegas, it was getting hot and was wearing jeans all the time. I hadn't worn a pair of shorts since our Millennium cruise down the Mexican Riviera and hadn't worn a bathing suit since then either. And I thought I was out of shape then!! I look back on those pics and think, was I mad?? I looked pretty good back then!!! Now I look at myself and say, eeewww where's my rock so I can go crawl under it. I need lipo!!

Side Note: Discovery Channel Documentary

At the ending of March, we were contacted via email by a production company hired by Discovery for a plastic surgery documentary to be featured on their network. The documentary was to portray the rising trend in plastic surgery, the utter popularity and the socio-impact of cosmetic surgery in general. They requested that patients who are considering surgery within the next month and who wouldn't mind being filmed throughout the entire surgical process, contact them for more information. Well, I mentioned Marc and I were both planning on having extensive makeovers soon so they said they'd call us to discuss the details.

Soon after, an assistant producer for the production company contacted us for more info. They had asked what we were considering having done so I explained that I wanted a brow lift, fat grafting or Radiance to cheeks, an injectable filler for my lips, a Benelli (peri-areolar) breast lift with an upgrade to smaller, high profile breast implants, an areolae reduction and liposuction from my navel to my knees. I then described Marc's desires as buccal fat pad removal (lower cheek removal), sub-mental liposuction (fat removal from under the chin and neck), jaw line liposuction, and full torso lipo, with gynecomastia correction (male breast reduction). They were very pleased by the line up and asked which doctors were we considering.

Choosing My Surgeon

The production company mentioned some top names in Beverly Hills who had agreed to participate in the documentary, and although they have great reputations and are highly skilled, we wanted our surgery performed by a doctor whom we knew personally, Dr. John Armitage Rusca of Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Rusca had helped me with the content for the less-commonly performed procedures, such as buttock, calf, pectoral and jaw augmentation, back when YTF was a little black and bright pink personal journal on AOL. He had been performing plastic surgery since before I was born (he started early and I would never consider him as "old"). He is board certified in plastic surgery (which the Discovery had wanted), performed lots of male surgery (a plus for Marc), and also performed liposculpture with very small cannulae instead of large ones (more time consuming, but better results).

Dr. Rusca also has a state of the art, beautifully decorated, 20,000 square foot facility of his own with an onsite hospitality suite and everything imaginable. We felt that the facility should definitely be documented, because it is incredible, plus it had the room, and aftercare facilities that we would need as well. Although we had decided on him to perform our surgeries without question, we hadn't asked him yet so we crossed our fingers and gave him a call. Well, Dr. Rusca said YES! YAY!!

Our Consultations

We flew to Atlanta a month before for our surgeries to get our physical examinations, paperwork out pf the way, discuss options, etc. We got in super early and got our rental car and hotel, then had some breakfast at Waffle House which was close. THEY HAVE GRITS HERE!!! I pigged on cheese grits, eggs, breakfast sausage and decaf coffee. I am elated!! I never get grits living on the West coast, and might I add that is probably a good thing. I figured what the heck, I am getting lipo in a month anyway, might as well have some grits while I can.

After breakfast, we went to the store to check out where we would shop for food when we came back for surgery, grabbed some property magazines out of curiosity, grabbed an Easter gift for Dr. Rusca's office and headed over for our consults.

We immediately recognized the building as it looks just like the artist's rendition I had always seen. We walked in and were mesmerized by the sheer size, decor and opulence. We walked in, a little early mind you, and spoke with Courtney, the front desk receptionist. We then saw Dr. Rusca and Cecilia and were greeted by them. Finally we meet! After all these yeas, I was immediately comfortable around them. We talked a little bit, I gave them the Easter gift and sat down and talked with one another some more.

We then were brought to the examination rooms to hang out all the fat and parts to be worked on. I discussed the desired procedures at length and had exactly the same ideas as Dr. Rusca.

He then prodded and poked all my fatty, dimpled areas and said he would do lipo from below the base of my ribs to right above my knees and we both agreed curves are nice and not to get rid of them. No square, manly butt for me! We discussed his using 3mm cannulae for meticulous removal, and he advised he would be using a tumescent technique. I would be going under General with Donald McLeod, M.D. and surgery would last about 7.5 hours as I was having a breast lift with implant upgrade, fat grafting to cheeks, Radiance to lips and a brow lift as well.

After our examinations we met with Michele, Dr. Rusca's patient coordinator (and a beauty!) to discuss all the odds and ends. We were given all of our pre-surgical instructions, which included no drinking alcohol, no vitamin E or other oil supplements, no aspirin, etc. and were instructed to start taking Vicon-C three times a day. We were also instructed to have preliminary lab work performed when we got back to Vegas and the results faxed to his office, which included HIV, Hepatitis B, a CBC (complete blood count), and urine analysis. We were also told to cease working out two weeks pre-operative because he said he felt it made it more difficult to get through the connective tissue. Which meant I was NOT wearing a bathing suit for Booba, not that it mattered since I couldn't get in too much shape in 4 weeks anyway, lol. I'd rather be publicly flogged than caught wearing a bikini in my present physical state.

We went back to our hotel, took a nap and met Dr Rusca and Cecilia for fantastic Italian dinner later on that night. Dr. Rusca and I both had veal ravioli. I rarely have veal but I was in the mood for ravioli in a tomato cream sauce and it was the only ravs they had. And it was gooooood. Cecilia had light fare, I think Marc had something really good and we talked and talked about everything. We had to call it a night pretty early because Dr. Rusca had surgery in the morning.

The next day, we got up early and had some Waffle House again for breakfast and took off to the Phipps Plaza for a little Tiffany's fix. That afternoon, we took off to meet a few of the girls from the site...

Atlanta Boobapalooza Luncheon

atlantagroup.jpg (114466 bytes)

And of course since we're in Atlanta, we must have a little get together! We met with Marty of the breast reduction board and her hubby, David; Lisa from the TT.Lipo board, Kim from the BA board at Cheesecake Factory. We had a good lunch and compared scars and body parts. Had a few drinks, and got to know one another. Not everyone showed up due to traffic or other problems but we had a great time with our small group!

The Jumper On The Fair Street Bridge

After the luncheon we took off at about 5 PM to make our 8:30 PM flight back home. While driving down the connector we noticed that there was traffic, no biggie as it was commute time. Well, then I started noticing there were no cars coming from the opposite direction. I thought it must have been a really bad accident. As traffic came to a complete halt and people started getting out of their cars, we turned on the news on an AM station, it turned out a guy was on the Fair Street Bridge overpass threatening to jump because of a domestic dispute. We called Kim, who was in back of us about 1/2 a mile and Marty who was in front of us (but they let her through). So, an hour goes by, than another--we missed our flight--then another, and then 30 more minutes go by before they finally talked him down. But of course, not until after they decided to turn half the freeway in the opposite direction so now we had another problem! Here is a pic of me trying to check the boards from the freeway since I couldn't connect to the Internet because of so many people being on their phones. In fact, everyone and their grandma was on their phone so we kept getting disconnected from even our phones.

So we finally got to the airport, we missed the last flight (along with everyone else). So they sent us to Red Roof Inn and gave us $50. off thankfully. We slept well, and caught a flight back the next morning.

Boobapalooza Viva Las Vegas 2004

Our annual get together was scheduled for April 31 - May 2, 2004 and we had a great time! We actually had about 25 people the whole weekend but not everyone is in the pic to the left. The Las Vegas Review Journal photographed us on Saturday afternoon by the pool at Mirage, and Discovery interviewed and filmed us on Sunday. We had the most obnoxious, red SUV limo on the planet, called the High Roller, which whisked us off to our VIP party at the Whiskey Bar. Marc and I left on a red-eye right after Boobapalooza ended on Sunday night to have our surgeries!

Atlanta Again!

Monday: We got back to Atlanta on Monday early in the morning and had early check in, slept some and then after we woke up went shopping for our supplies, including gauze, alcohol, ice and warm packs, footie socks, Soup At Hand, Jell-O, instant grits, and other soft foods. We told the hotel to have a microwave, extra pillows and extra towels in our room by Friday when we would be returning.

Monday night, we met with a friend of ours we hadn't seen in 6 years. Danielle actually met Marc through their Christian youth group, Campus Life, when he was a Christian missionary (bet you didn't know that about him!). We hadn't seen her since we attended Billy Graham's grandson's wedding almost 6 years before. So it was GREAT seeing her! Incidentally, she had a rhinoplasty and breast reduction many years before so she is in fact a YTF girl, lol.

Filming Our Consultations

Tuesday: Discovery filmed our consultations, physical examinations and interviewed Dr. Rusca about the procedures, his practice, etc. We took pre-operative photos and got our prescriptions and all of our last minute details in order. I tried on different compression garments and couldn't get into a Design Veronique medium (order large, girls if you are my size) so Michele left word with the company to send a large 1st stage garment.

The Countdown Begins

We went to Eckerd's Pharmacy to pick up our prescriptions and any last minute items and hightailed it back to the hotel to film our pre-operative interview with Discovery. The interview went well and I hope we didn't look like bickering couple, LOL!

Tuesday Night: We met with Lisa from the tummy tuck board and her hubby, Mike for dinner with the film crew in the hotel restaurant. It was good seeing Lisa again! She was kind enough to volunteer to help us during our recovery once we got back to the hotel. Lisa had full body lipo and a tummy tuck and breast lift with augmentation after losing 120 lb! Love ya, Lisa!! You go girl!!

I took a shower with Anti-bacterial liquid dial for my hair, and body to possibly lower my risk of infection. I was very excited that night so I took an Ativan, posted on the boards and finally got some sleep.

Surgery Day!!

WOO HOO!!! It's very early though, in fact it's dark out it's so early. I don't do early. But for surgery I make exceptions!! It's kind of like, "I break for Plastic Surgery" -- I think I will make a bumper sticker for that, lol.

Here I am walking in my lucky surgery PJ's (how bad is it that I even have lucky plastic surgery pj's??) looking nothing short of scary without make up and groggy! I am thrilled to finally be getting my lipo!! I am so excited I feel as though I am on a high. It will be so nice to finally not have saddlebags, thunder thighs and a tummy pudge. Plus, I have always wanted fake-looking, round boobies and here I am about to get me some, not to mention getting bigger cheeks! Plus my brows will be arched and I can finally get them tattooed on. How glorious will it be to wake up with brows? Girls, don't ever take your eyebrows for granted. And Lips! I love me some lips. All this is going to occur in the next 7.5 hours!

The drive to Dr. Rusca's was not very far away and for some reason, this time period is hazy to me. I remember being so excited and ready to jump in, but the details have faded. I remember getting there and meeting everyone again and talking to the film crew who was already there. I was then told to change into my robe! I got a cloth robe this time, YAY! Although my fat butt was hanging out for everyone to see. But alas, I will not have a fat butt any longer!!!

Anesthesia Preparation (IV) With Donald S. McLeod, MD

I met with Dr. McLeod, who is an anesthesiologist M.D. Dr. McLeod is board certified in anesthesiology and considered to be at the top of his game. We discussed the anesthesia and how I was and if I was nervous. I said yes, because I had never had General before. He told me I would have LMA (laryngeal mask airway) which is pretty new (1983) and less harsh on the throat. It had been determined that I had a big enough mouth the day before, lol!! BTW it looks like vagina, I swear! I know a few nurses who call it that when patients aren't listening. I am not being crass, just very honest.

So Dr. McCleod begins my IV and I tell him, "Don't hurt me" - he didn't comment so I am assuming he planned on it. Just kidding! It barely stung. He started my saline and all was good. He would be adding something to relax and pretty much fall asleep so they could intubate me without discomfort or feeling as though I was choking.They also placed adhesive contact pads on my body so they could get a base heart rate and be able to monitor my heart rate during surgery.

If you click the pic for a larger image you will see I am concentrating very hard on Dr. McLeod's face. I may have been loopy but I don't think he had given me anything yet. Sonya, Dr. Rusca's nurse, can be seen on the left. I was ready to go!!

Talking To Dr. Rusca Before Surgery

Dr. Rusca came in to talk a but more about the surgery, answer any last questions, and was filmed during all of this. He is such a fabulous surgeon, very professional, very skilled, yet fatherly at the same time so you feel really comfortable with him. I never felt nervous once about his ability or demeanor. The only nervous excitement I had was anticipation and concerns about going under General.

If you click on the pic to the left you will see the adoration and respect in my eyes :) I was so happy to finally be able to have the boobs of my dreams just at my fingertips!! I am absolutely at ease knowing Dr Rusca will be performing my surgeries.

Discovery filmed this part as well as the next.

Surgical Markings

I stood up for the surgical markings, I don't really remember this part so I have no idea if I was given meds. This part is very hazy. I may have been given something to relax me, I have no idea. I don't recall ever being nervous at this point, even when standing half-naked in front of a camera crew and having a Sharpie marking the areas where I would need tissue excised and where the fat needed to be removed.

So I got back in bed and then as the camera crew was talking to Marc and getting ready to film, Dr. McLeod started the liquid sedative so I would fall fast sleep. I started feeling groggy, FAST. Having felt this sensation before, I called out to Marc and the film crew all nonchalantly, "excuse me guys, I am being knocked out now so you'd better get over here." Marc came over and held my hand. He told me he loved me, and I him. I don't recall much else.

The Surgery

I don't recall anything during surgery obviously but here are the pics... BTW the last two procedure pics below I was getting fat out for my fat grafting to cheeks and he was demonstrating the lack of fat after removal in the last pic.

lipotools.jpg (218246 bytes)

My First Thoughts After Surgery

I can't breathe!  I can't breathe!  I can't breathe!  I can't breathe! Apparently the garment was really tight and the Lidocaine made my torso pretty numb so I couldn't feel myself breathing even though I was.  I told them I couldn't get any oxygen so the recovery nurse pointed to the oximeter and said yes you are, see?  So, I shut up and stopped panicking. LOL!

Here I am with ice from here to China, support garments from head to toe and groggy. Oh so fun.  Then it happened...

I'm going to be sick!  Dr. McLeod thought fast adn threw a towel on my boobs and I vomited i not it, then they got me a little tub to vomit into. I did again and that's all she wrote I was fine.  I had forgotten to take my Zofran anti-nausea medication.  Ooops.  Won't make that mistake again. Also after watching the Discovery show, I heard myself say, "this sucks" in this picture.

My Recovery

I was tires, sore, sick of the ice on my forehead and thankfully didn't have to get up because I had a catheter still in - good! because I was urinating a lot with all the fluid they gave me.  Here I am in the recovery suite where I was monitored for 48 hours before being sent home. The recovery nurses were lovely lovely lovely!  These women took care of everything and were so sweet and kind :) I ate Jell-O and Soup at Hand nonstop and also cranberry juice.

Okay, so I don't even look like me!  Look how swollen  am! Geeez!  Apparently normal. It was gone after about 2 days. This is Dr Rusca checking on me after I ate, right before Marc's surgery was to take place.  He would be having surgery in less than an hour after this pic was taken so he was going to be in the room next door, going through his own recovery pretty soon.  This would be his first surgery...amateur.

Shower Time!

Here I am taking my first shower 2 days post-op, right before going back to the hotel.  I am sore!!  Bruised too, but skinny!  The boobs are high up ther too! YAY!! 

Compression Garments

Here are shots of me in my Design Veronique compression garments.  The garments were a life saver to me, I wore the

How I Feel Now - 9 Months Post-op

I feel totally normal, although I have a little bit of numbness on my butt and obliques.  Who cares, that fat is gone.  I have gained a little but of far back though - I need to work out still but I have been eating perfectly.  I weight 119.4 lb right now.  5 lb lighter than right after lipo and trust me it was earned, Advant Edge shakes for breakfast and nothing but salmon and veggies for lunch/dinner--that's it.  I am deprived. lol  Now, if I worked out I could eat whatever I wanted but right now I have no time at all. We are building a house and I am working more than ever and don't even take breaks to leave my desk at all.  But in our new house we have a gym so it will be right there and since everything will be slowing down about then I will have time and can go right into the next room and work out.  Anyway, I posted some pics below of me right before, 2 weeks after and just yesterday at 9 months post.

My Advice To Pre-ops

GET ENDERMOLOGIE AFTER!!!  Or at least massage your treatment areas twice a day, scar tissue will be much less and your results much smoother.  I didn't because I didn't want to pay for it, it is expensive out here, and I really regret it.  Also, start working out as soon as you can so you don't ruin your results, I almost did and I noticed I was gaining fat in places I had never gained it; my ribs for instance, my calves and my arms, oh and my back. Gross.  NO slacking, get your butt on the treadmill and keep your cardio up or you will ruin it.  I still have lots of toning up to do and some cellulite to deal with, also some scar tissue.  I should have listened to my doc and had the Endermologie and listened to myself and got on that darn treadclimber.  I look better but I still am not near where I want to be.

p.s. I may get more upper, inner lipo one day.

 Marianne

Before & After Photos
Click on the image for the larger view

 

 
Area is Locked