Pain after fat grafting

Carrie37

I am almost six weeks out from a surgery where I had fat grafting. my donor site ( tummy) is still very sore. Almost feels like I did too many sit ups and it also feels like a sunburn. It also feels lumpy and looks misshapen to me. I see my PS on Tuesday next week but I'm just wondering if anyone has had similar feelings after fat grafting

macb04

Hi, yes I had weeks of discomfort, initially pain that got better over time. I also had areas of weird painful numbness, that sounds like an impossible contradiction of terms, but happened none the less. The Spanx like garment was hot and annoying, but helped compress all the fat areas with the swiss cheese consistency enough that a few months later there were no noticable lumps. Wearing the spanx consistently in the beginning is really important.

Carrie37

Thanks for responding! I wore the garment the first three weeks. Then it got hot outside and I got a terrrash. PS said stop with the garment or wear it over a camisole. I just want to feel better!!

macb04

I know Carrie. You WILL feel better, it's just around the corner. I assume you are doing some of the following nutritional measures to optimize healing? Here is a nice little article with some good tips, especially like the Vitamin C, Zinc and Bromelain. Most people don't realize that without enough Vitamin C and Zinc, their skin will heal slower, and the connective tissue won't heal as strongly. So long as you have normal kidney and bowel function, you can not overdose on Vitamin C, which is a water soluble vitamin. My PS always recommended having 2,000 to 5,000mg of Vitamin C per day to help with healing. He told me that my body needed exponentially higher levels of Vitamin C when under stress( just healing from surgery) or when sick, as compared to when well. When your body is replete for Vitamin C, (your tank starting to overflow, so to speak), the only thing that happens is you will get some loose stools. He recommended that I take 500mg every couple of hours until I got to loose stools, and then for me to take 500mg, or a 1,000mg's less over the course of the next couple of days. My PS also said that as I healed and got back to normal I would get to diarrhea with less Vitamin C, so in effect I would be gradually tapering down off a higher initial dose. Let me know how things go. Feel better and here is that article:

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Promote Surgery Recovery With Supplements

Surgery can be a painful and hard process to go through. Luckily, there are certain supplements that can be taken before and after the procedure to prepare your body for the intricate process of repairing itself.

Some nutritional supplements help speed wound healing while others reduce bruising, swelling, and discomfort such as pain and itch. Others are recommended to prepare your body for the intense experience and increase resilience.

Optimizing your post-surgical diet by eating healthy foods and taking supplements also improves the immune response and prevents wound infections, sepsis (blood poisoning), and other possible complications.

The following vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and bioflavonoids are recommended to promote surgical healing:

Vitamin C

vitamin C

Vitamin C supplementation is highly recommended by experts. It helps promote healing and it is the key nutrient required for making collagen, which is what heals your tissue together.

It plays an essential role in collagen formation, a resilient immune function, and as a tissue antioxidant. Also, it is a free-radical scavenger.

Without proper amounts of vitamin C proper healing is not possible. Additional vitamin C intake before, during, and after the operation is especially recommended for those who smoke and others who may risk being deficient.

Read more about the role of vitamin C in wound healing.

"As a plastic surgeon, I put all my patients on post-operative vitamin C because you need vitamin C to heal. I also recommend it to boxers following a fight," "In fact, I'd recommend 3,000 milligrams of vitamin C to anyone with an open wound because there is evidence that it helps them heal faster." "But I do recommend it following an injury to the skin because it builds collagen, and I have long used it post-operatively in my surgical practice."

says Michael A. Fiorillo, MD, a New York City area plastic surgeon who serves as a spokesman for the AAPRP (American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians).

Zinc

zinc supplement

The next supplement and possibly one of the most important is zinc. Medical research has shown that zincsupplements can increase the speed of healing dramatically.

Zinc has reduced healing time after surgery by 43% in some cases. It plays a vital role in the immune system can reduce inflammation, bacterial growth, and scar tissue creation, whereas a deficiency can worsen the scar.

Zinc also helps to aid proper metabolism, balance blood sugar, and increase sensory perception.

Additional supplements that help you reduce post-surgery healing time

Vitamin B

Vitamin B has just recently been noticed for its benefits in the healing process. However, there is limited information on its exact benefits and function in the healing process.

Vitamin B complex is thought to speed up wound healing, increase protein synthesis and the amount of repair cells at the wound. It also prevents excessive inflammation. Vitamin B5 is particularly beneficial right after the wound occurs.

Opt for either a Vitamin B complex or a multi-nutrient that contains 25 to 50 mg of the B complex vitamins.

Vitamin A

Another important supplement is vitamin A. it is required in cell growth (especially epithelial and bone formation), which is very important in the healing process that takes place after surgery.

It is known to activate production of connective tissue, including collagen (promotes tissue synthesis), and helps new blood vessels grow , which is necessary in nourishing newly formed tissue. Vitamin A also enhances resistance to infection by stimulating the body's immune function.

Arnica

Arnica montana flowers

A very popular supplement is arnica montana. Arnica is a mountain extract that has been used for many years.

It helps reduce and clear bruising and it also speeds the healing process after surgery. Available as a cream and in capsules. One of the most popular brands of capsules is SinEcch.

Bromelain

Another well-known and popular substance is Bromelain. It is used to reduce bruising, swelling (edema), pain, and healing time. Certain claims are disputed because studies show mixed results.

Various studies however indicate that Bromelain reduces swelling, bruising, pain after surgery and physical injuries, and healing time. Bromelain is often used in conjunction with Quercetin. Quality brands that offer both in one are NOW Foods and VitaMedica.

Quercetin

Quercetin, a plant pigment naturally found in foods such as onions, is a so called bioflavonoid. It promotes histamine release in the body and thus acts like an anti-inflammatory. Usually after surgery inflammation is a common response by the body.

While it is totally normal, it can be quite uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Luckily Quercetin is known for its anti-inflammatory traits. On top of that, it is also know in speeding up the healing process. More about bromelain and quercetin.

Protein

eggs, a great protein source

Don't underestimate the benefits of protein. Protein, boosts the immune system. In the human body it breaks down into amino acids.

Adequate dietary protein is absolutely essential for proper wound healing. Especially L-Arginine and Glutamine are very important and commonly used to shorten post-surgery recovery time.

They can increase the amount of reparative collagen, help white blood cells and fight of bacterial infections. Glucosamine appears to be the rate-limiting substrate for hyaluronic acid production in the wound. (hyaluronic acid is naturally present in the human body and plays a role in injury recovery)

Probiotics

Probiotics are not only known for their specific healing benefits regarding certain surgeries but they are known to have beneficial effects in general.

Surgeryl patients often receive antibiotic treatment. This disrupts the gut flora and may create fungal disorders (including yeast infections), digestive problems, and diarrhea.

Probiotics can help neutralize these unwanted effects.After surgery, it's recommended to use a strain that contains acidophilus and bifida bacteria.

Clinical evidence demonstrates that Coenzyme Q10 is especially useful when undergoing heart surgery. Mayoclinic speaks of "promising evidence to support the use of CoQ10 before heart surgery."

A study compared patients undergoing cardiac surgery. One group was given CoQ10 supplements while the other group got a placebo during 2 weeks before the operation. The CoQ10 group showed improved healing and strengthened heart function.

Another study demonstrated that oral coenzyme Q10 therapy for 7 to 10 days preoperatively could improve clinical outcome.

NotVeryBrave

It's hard to know what to think these days. My surgeons wanted me to STOP all supplements a week before surgery. My MO doesn't seem to understand why I even take a multivitamin!

macb04

Hi, NotVeryBrave, because of the risks of bleeding, or interference with the anesthetic, it is a good idea to follow that recommendation to stop all supplements before surgery. I am only talking about taking additional nutritional supplements AFTER, a few days to a week afterwards. Here is what I said regarding this from another post about the same subject:

The only contraindications I know of regarding herbs/supplements after surgery is the increased risk of bleeding that can occur in the early PostOp period, usually the first 3 to 7 days. Blood clots are a very small risk in the PostOp period (for nonorthopedic procedures), but one that is not much affected by use of herbs/supplements, except a few that interfere with the effectiveness of Warfarin/Coumadin anticlotting medications, like CoQ10, Goldenseal, or St John's Wort. .

Certain herbs are known to increase the risk of blood thinning,

Herbal Medicines

• Garlic: inhibits platelet aggregation (organosulfur), discontinue for seven days
• Ginkgo: inhibits platelet activating factor (terpenoids, flavonoids), discontinue for thirty six hours
• Ginseng: inhibits platelet aggregation and lowers blood glucose(ginsensosides [mimic steroids]). Check PT/PTT/glucose, d/c for 24 hours (preferably seven days)
• Saw Palmetto: associated with excessive intraoperative bleeding(mechanism unknown, likely multiple), in the absence of pharmacokinetic data, no recommendations re: preoperative continuation can be made

Herbal medicines that increase the risk of bleeding:

• Black Cohosh: Claims to be useful for menopausal symptoms. Contains small amounts of anti-inflammatory compounds, including salicylic acid. Theoretically could have intrinsic/additive antiplatelet activity.
• Chamomile: Claims to reduce inflammation and fever, to be a mild sedative, relieve stomach cramps. Increases risk of bleeding because it contains phytocoumarins, which have additive effects with warfarin.
• Feverfew: Claims to prevent migraines. Increases the risk of bleeding because it individually inhibits platelet aggregation, has additive effects with other antiplatelet drugs. Also additive effects with warfarin.
• Fish Oil: Claims to prevent/treat atherosclerotic CV disease (800-1500mg/day). Also used to decrease triglycerides (>4g/day). Dose dependent bleeding risk increases with dose >3g/day.
• Garlic, Ginger, Ginko, Ginseng: Increases bleeding risk by interacting with antiplatelet drugs to inhibit platelet aggregation and inhibit fibrinolysis. Also augments warfarin.