Fat Transfer LIPO for corrections. Stomach vs. Thigh?

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shabby6485
shabby6485 Member Posts: 679
edited January 2016 in Breast Reconstruction

Hi Ladies,

Going in on Apr 2 for fat transfer for corrections.  I have two large divots and I need fat near cleavage to even things up.

Surgeon said he could transfer fat from tummy or thigh.  Would love to hear where your donor site was and how the recovery was.  He was leaning toward my outer thighs but I would love to get rid of my love handles Kiss  He winked and said he'd take out a bit more as a bonus!

I really hate the idea of another surgery and recovery but it has to be done.  Also, how long were you unable to exercise?

Thanks in advance!

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  • Plimsolls
    Plimsolls Member Posts: 15
    edited March 2013

    Hello

    I had coleman fat transfer on 20th Feb for first stage reconstruction, so probably they harvested more fat than you are going to need, but if you get a free lipo, bonus.  The only thing I will say is that whilst it is not "major" surgery, it is very painful, there is no two ways to say this... I was immobile for 5 days as stomach muscles bruised so I needed help to stand up from the sofa.

    I had two (tiny) incisions below my hip bones and five incisions on breast, all stitched up with one or two dissolvable stitches.  Fat was retrieved from my belly, love handles, lower back and waist in two arcs if that makes any sense, not thighs.  Immediately afterwards the skin/flesh felt smooth on my belly, but now it is healing, it feels a bit lumpy and I still cannot wear a belt or tight trousers after 9 days.  I mooched around in sweats for about 5 days (took 2 weeks off work), but as I say, I went from concave non-breast after mastectomy to a very decent teenage AA cup bump!!

    Skin and flesh still sore upon touch now, but couldn't walk/run in first week after unless maybe wearing compression garments would lessen the pain....

    I think what is more crucial is if the surgeon has experience of cosmetic lipo, as these guys are the experts in avoiding lumps, bumps and dents!!!   good luck (I had breast surgeon and lipo surgeons present during mine).

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  • shabby6485
    shabby6485 Member Posts: 679
    edited March 2013

    Hi Plimsolis, Thank you very much for your story.  Wow, does sound painful.  I am glad you are happy with results though.  I hope the rest of your recovery goes smoothly.  I probably will not need much fat for the work that I am having done but I could stand to have some extra taken from outer thighs. It was left up to me.  I just really don't look forward to yet another long recovery.  Thanks again!

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  • EileenKaye1
    EileenKaye1 Member Posts: 469
    edited March 2013

    Hi. Finished my third round of fat grafting on Feb. 20. Over the course of treatment, I have had fat removed from my outer thighs, knees, inner legs and waist. I did not have much pain, perhaps due to compression garment, arnica, and my extra fat.Donor site was my call. To date, legs, waist, etc. have healed looking great all with minimal discomfort. Breast is coming along. I need two more fat grafting surgeries. Surgery gives me fatigue. That is my biggest issue. Back to work on Monday, but I will gift myself a light day. Should take one more week for full energy. I think that if you have extra fat--it makes post-opt easier. Was really quite okay, except for heavy fatigue for two days. That is my experience to date. Eileen

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2013

    My PS did some fat grafting at my exchange, and I am 15 days post-op (15th of Feb).  She took some from each of my outer thighs to place along the top of each implant to help fill in the hollow-chest look as I have a very thin upper body...thigh area had some to spare though.  

    I woke up in compression shorts that go from just above my knees all the way up to just a little below my boobs.  I call them my "crotchless spanx"...nice right?! LOL :D  My discharge instructions said to wear them for 2 weeks but my PS nurse told me on Wednesday (at post-op visit) to wear them for six. :(  Bummer.  But she said it's really important so I will heal without lumps or bumps.  So I'll do it.

    My PS said she did not want me to doing anything for at least a month after my exchange.  I am dyingggg to run and work up a sweat but I suppose I'll listen and obey.  I really don't want to mess anything up that she did.  But I am missing my endorphins BIGTIME!

    Oh-and as far as soreness, my thighs were pretty sore with a good size bruise on each but it gets a little less every day.  And now at two weeks I'm only sore if I bump into something with my leg, and it's not horrible.  I would say that it's worth the recovery time, in my opinion.  

    Good luck!!

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  • Beckers
    Beckers Member Posts: 1,883
    edited March 2013

    I am 8 weeks out from fat grafting. I needed help for a few days after. There was pain but I had DIEP 6 months ago so relatively speaking, it was a piece of cake. I had the fat lipo'd from my hips for the grafting. I called the lipo holes my "bullet holes" because they were leaking. Put towel under you and be mindful what you wear. I bought 2 compression garments from Marena and have been faithful about wearing it as I didn't want fluid pockets to develop. Good luck to you!

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  • jill47
    jill47 Member Posts: 351
    edited March 2013

    Hi Shabby, Runnermom, Eileen, Plim:  Good thread, I'll be marking this one as a fav.  Phase 3 is coming up for me sometime in May.  I'm finally out of my exchange bandages and restrictions are removed, yes I can run Runnermom but it's a struggle, I'm tired of coming back from surgeries and to think one more Yell Eileen...oh my 3 rounds & 2 more to go?!?  How come I didn't get this memo about revisions after implants when deciding on bc surgery Cry

    To those who work, how much time off of work did you need?  I have a desk job and my husband can drive me to work.  What is the pain level? Most likely my fat will come from my belly. My phase 3 will be right nipple reduction and left breast fat grafting for rippling, lefty is a smaller implant than righty, consequently needs the work.

    Did you all go home the day of your surgery? 

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  • EileenKaye1
    EileenKaye1 Member Posts: 469
    edited March 2013

    Jill--all BR require revisions, not just for those of us with implants. My case is more complicated because of issues from past surgeries. Surgery was feb. 20-- will go back to work on Monday. But again, because I had my implant removed post-opt was more complicated. It goes by quickly and will make a difference for you. Anyway, it is amazing how quickly we forget the discomforts. The best. Eileen

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  • shabby6485
    shabby6485 Member Posts: 679
    edited March 2013

    Hi Jill and Eileen

    I am going home the same day.  I decided (since I have to go under anyway) to have my nose done too!! I figured what the hell?  So, I will hopefully have a smaller nose and thinner thighs as a bonus.  crazy huh?

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  • EileenKaye1
    EileenKaye1 Member Posts: 469
    edited March 2013

    Shabby--wishing you the best in your new self. I opted to stay overnite. I agree with a double procedure. My neck needs work. Might have it done at a future surgery. Would save on cost of anesthesia, and facility. Again, all the best. Eileen

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  • shabby6485
    shabby6485 Member Posts: 679
    edited March 2013

    Thanks, Eileen.  My neck too! Smile  Figure I could have everything hurt at once!  It does save on all those fees and only one recovery Kiss  Best of luck to you!

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  • sptmm62
    sptmm62 Member Posts: 665
    edited March 2013

    Shabby, I just had fat grafting a week ago last Wednesday in my Stage 2 DIEP surgery.  They used my inner thighs.  Pain isn't much, just sore.  I woke up with compression wraps around my legs, a little bulky so I was home for two days and then went back to work the following Monday wearing Spanx thigh slimmers.  I have to keep the compression wraps and baggy pants on however when I am home.  On Thursday at my follow up appointment my PS said I can go begin to get back into my normal routine next week, two weeks from my surgery date.  He said to take it easy the first week and then by week three I can go back to whatever I used to do (I run and take kickboxing and boot camp classes at the gym).  Recovery is really not that bad. 

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  • Plimsolls
    Plimsolls Member Posts: 15
    edited March 2013

    Hello, this is weird, I also had fat transfer Feb 20 and am returning to work on Monday...  I am also still sore if I bump into something.  My doctor asked me when he visited the ward after surgery if I wanted to stay in, and unfortunately the general anastethic made me really sick (or maybe the morphine), and am allergic to anti-emetics... I chose to stay in and spent 24 hours total in the hospital.  I did not have thighs done and nobody mentioned a compression garment, is it only for legs?

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  • Loroc
    Loroc Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2013

    Shabby,

    I PM'd you, we have the same PS.

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  • cledora
    cledora Member Posts: 24
    edited August 2013

    sptmm62,

                   Can you explain more about your surgery with inner thigh and fat transfer. I am suppose to have fat transfer surgery in sept 2013 and they asked if I wanted to use skin from my inner thigh along with fat transfer to cut down how many surgeries if I just did fat transfer alone.  I am weighing the two out and curious how much fat transfer will still be done, as I like the idea of lipo to areas needed.

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  • jeanherbert0821
    jeanherbert0821 Member Posts: 7
    edited January 2016

    I am revovering from minevright. Lipo from my belly to the breast after implants.  I had very little pain. A little soreness  was about it!!! Good luck

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