Fat Grafting....recovery & results

dancetrancer

PamelaKay - my thoughts on this process?  I am thankful I have it as an option.  Implants are out for me due to severe radiation damage.  I do not want the possible deformity or muscle dysfunction associated with flaps I qualified for (lat, SGAP, PAP - not enough stomach fat for DIEP).  

However it is a lengthy process with multiple surgeries and extensive commitment to Brava wear required.  So you must be aware of the commitment required (Brava wear does vary by surgeon).  If your personality fits that, I highly recommend this type of reconstruction.  The results are beautiful, especially if you have not had radiation.   I still don't have beautiful results on my radiated side, and am running out of fat...:(.   But I know several women who have had beautiful results, even with radiation. 

I do not want to downplay the challenges associated with this type of recon.  Many women jump into it without knowing what lays ahead of them, and then disparage this type of recon.  I would never disparage fat grafting.  It is an amazing option, but requires high commitment from the patient.  I am very happy I chose this option, especially given my limited options.  But I also knew what I was getting into from the get-go. I am glad you are doing your research! 

PamelaKay

Thanks, Lily. I have been in touch with Alexandria and straightened out the problem. I am now able to access the site.

Eileen and DanceTrancer, thank you for your responses. Clearly, I need to make sure this is right for me.

Eileen, I'm glad that you are no longer in pain. I never got past the tissue expander stage, but I hated it every minute it was in me. The permanent implant might have been better, but I think it still would have been uncomfortable. I'm now dealing with severe shoulder pain, due at least in part to muscle damage and scar tissue on the MX side.

EileenKaye1

Pamela--I had the same issues.  My PS was able to remove the scar tissue and do muscle repair at the same time as doing brava with aft.  Needed the muscle repair touched-up at subsequent surgeries.  This might work for you. Hope so.  Eileen

julieped

I am having lipo and fat grafting in May.  I hope most of the fat will come from my abdomen.  I will also have a bit of lipo under my arms.  From what I read it sounds a bit painful and the compression garment does not sound fun.  Do you know if the lumps from the lipo wil go away eventually? 

Also, do others think that four weeks will be enough time to heal?  My son is getting married four weeks after my surgery.

Any advice/experiences would be great!  I know my PS (who is really good) will say I will be better after a long weekend.

babs6287

Lipo isn't bad at all-  more discomfort than pain.  The garment is a little annoying but nothing more.  I've had lipo a few times- years ago for saddle bags and back fat and more recently for fat grafting.  In the past it was done under IV sedation so it was easy.  This last time the anesthesiologist would only do it under general.  What method are they using for you?  The general knocked me for a loop-i I wasn't expecting to get general!  

You should be ok in 4 weeks (but might still have some black and blue).  Take arnica before and after the procedure to help reduce the black and blue.

Let me know if you have any specific questions-you can always PM me,

Babs

Lily55

how far apart are your two sides? You can only have fat transfer every three to four months, and you may need two, then the nips, so I think it unlikely you will finish this year if you dont start til month 7, sorry to say it 

Lily55

oh BB i wish i was in a position to answer! I had two procedures last year, first one brilliant, second one would have been brilliant but i git a huge infection and lost everything, had two drains in and took well over a month to recover from including a week in hospital. So i have to start again now, but we are using the BRAVA this time as i am so tight after dars...........

Lily55

no had two fat grafts without BRAVA both went really well in terms of shape achieved but got infection with second one and it all became a huge abscess so,lost it all 

Lily55

you definitely need a surgeon experienced in creating breasts with fat transfer alone, mine has done it for eight years  without Brava and Ive seen photos after my secind one i had a good base fir whole surface area of breast and one inch protuding, with Brava it is easier and as my infection was so severe i need that now.  I paid 1100 euros for my Brava kit, normal price is 1600 ( it was n promotion) i would focus on the right surgeon, yours does not sound exoerienced enough for what you want to achieve.  Bear in mind i was the first transfer failure problem in eight years 

Marvavg

How did it go? How was your recovery? I am having mine next Wednesday, the 14th of July. I had a bilateral mastectomy in February with the flap surgery taking fat from my abdomen. I now also have these deep depressions in my chest. I have two. One on each side and they are not symmetrical. Very uncomfortable and ugly! I want these filled in before any is added to the the breasts. Which i would like. But I'm ok if there's not enough fat. I will also have a lift and a repair to my abdominal incision which has a dogear. I am hoping more surgeries will not be needed. I am not having nipples constructed. I will get a 3D tattoo.

Jumpship

Marv- how did it go? I have grafting on Friday. Nervous. I'm wondering what kind of Spanx people use. I know I'll leave the hospital with a binder but after that I was hoping for something different

Krma

Jumpship, how did it go? I'm considering fat grafting from my stomach for my breasts. I have some uneven areas that could look better if filled in. I would also love the added bonus of Liposuction on my stomach. Did you see a noticeable reduction in size from the fat graft area? I'm wondering if they will take enough fat to notice the difference in size of my stomach.

Was it worth the pain?

Thanks,

K

Jumpship

Krma-

It was 2.5 hours and I did not wake up in pain. I'm about 15 pounds overweight and the binder around the belly ( to make it all look pretty) feels tight. He only filled in one spot and I have to go braless for a month so I don't squish the new fat. So far it's okay