Published poetess, songwriter, and mystery novelist, Kathyne Jackson, author of "Dear Diary: What My Doctor Never Told Me about Liposuction says," says, "Once I had invested the time, money and pain in myself, I couldn't go back to the habits that brought me to a size 22 in the first place."



After the emotional distress of a divorce, Jackson found herself as a single mom with two children. She was emotionally distraught and depressed. Her depression led to overeating and a huge weight gain.

She researched liposuction and decided it was a way to start making positive, proactive choices in her life. Through her experience, she learned valuable tips and information she now shares with others who are thinking about liposuction. She also has powerful advice about taking charge of your life, changing both inside and outside.

If you are contemplating liposuction, the first thing you need to do is research the three types of surgical procedures: Tumescent Liposuction, Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction, and Powered Liposuction. Find out all you can about them, so you can make educated choices when your doctor recommends which type is right for you.

Choosing a doctor is the next important step in preparing for any type of surgical procedure. Make a proactive search for a doctor you can trust and feel comfortable with. Take into consideration the doctor's location and accessibility.

Make phone calls to multiple medical practices requesting information. Study the information carefully; narrowing the choices down to two physicians who fit the profile you are looking for.

Make appointments with each doctor, ask questions about what to expect from the surgery, and get a feel for the doctor's commitment to patients. A physician who is in a hurry to get on with other things, or seems indifferent to your fears is not the one you want to put your trust in. You want a physician who takes the time to make you feel comfortable, and has your health as a top priority.

Once you have chosen your doctor, ask him or her to be honest about the risks involved with liposuction. This is more than just a cosmetic procedure; this is surgery. Be aware of all the risks and complications, in particular: allergic reactions, excessive pain, infections, swelling, bruising, and even death. After you have weighed all the risks involved, decide if liposuction is something you want to do.

Whether you decide to proceed with liposuction, or decide diet and exercise would be the better alternative, both are positive ways of taking control of your body. Be sure to start slowly, with reasonable expectations when beginning a diet and exercise plan. You don't want to sabotage your new, healthy lifestyle by overdoing it. Your muscles will end up sore, making it harder to get moving the next day.

Begin exercising with slow walking. In the beginning, all that is important is to get moving. Each day, your muscles will get stronger and you can increase the length of the walks or add other activities.

Develop a diet plan you can follow, gradually decreasing the amounts of food you eat. This will keep you satisfied and less likely to cheat. When preparing a meal, instead of cutting down on all the portions, decrease only one. As your body adapts to the diet, decrease a little more. It will be much easier to follow this type of diet plan.

Getting your family involved is another great way to staying on track with a healthier lifestyle, plus it provides a positive role model for your children. They will see you feeling positive about your body, and they will feel better about themselves also. Get them involved by walking together, dancing, or riding bikes.

They will follow your example, eating healthier foods and developing positive self-esteem. Children have enough to deal with, without feeling self-conscious about how much they are eating or what they look like in the latest styles. Together, your family will build a proactive, positive attitude, taking control of your bodies and your life.