Nipple Reconstruction + fat grafting. How did it go?

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katiegrey
katiegrey Member Posts: 79
edited March 2015 in Breast Reconstruction

I had my TEs exchanged for low-profile implants in November. In two weeks I will have fat grafting and nipple reconstruction. My PS described the nipple reconstruction as "skin origami" and said they might look huge at first, but shrink a lot. The fat grafting is for around the implants - PS says the fat grafting will make them feel more real. The fat will come from my inner and outer thighs and stomach.

If you've had this, we're you happy with the results and how was the recovery, especially the lipo areas

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  • Juliecc
    Juliecc Member Posts: 4,868
    edited February 2015

    Katie, I didn't have nipple reconstruction but I did have fat grafting from my outer thighs on 1/22. It really did help the rippling I had and they seem softer. I seem to have better cleavage, too. I am happy I did it but I have to admit I was surprised with the amount of bruising and soreness I had on my thighs. I was told to wear spanx and it seemed ike such a project to pull them up and down to use the bathroom etc. After about 5 days, I was a lot less sore. My chest never hurt but I also had some bruising there. I used arnica gel and also took arnica orally (tablets from amazon). Here is a picture. The bruised areas included the backs of my thighs on each side. My PS took out 600cc, more than what she needed. I'm surprised your PS will take fat from 3 different areas.

    image


  • Ami1026
    Ami1026 Member Posts: 32
    edited February 2015

    Hi Katie -

    I had the same as you, an "origami" nipple recon and fat grafting to fill around the implant.  While I don't remember much pain or trouble at all from the nipple recon, mine flattened out to almost nothing - which does happen sometimes.  However, my PS injected Juvederm into the nipple (yes, the same material used for facial/wrinkle injections) and it looks and feels great.  It does eventually get re-absorbed by the body after a year or two, so there is some maintenance there.  Not saying this will happen to you, just another option that's out there if things don't quite turn out as expected.  I am really happy with it.

    As for the fat grafting, I have had 3 rounds (actually my latest was yesterday!)  I have very thin skin, so my implant was quite ripply, and my PS was afraid of doing too much grafting at one time because he didn't want to put too much pressure on my skin.  I have had fat taken from upper, lower abdomen, flanks, outer thighs, inner thighs and just below my butt (haha).  Its true what they say that the pain after surgery is from the donor sites, and the breast is only a bit sore for a few days (at least for me.)  In my experience, the pain at the donor sites was very manageable, really just felt like an overdone workout to me.  The worst part was the abdominal binder that I have to wear for a month.  It's a big, thick thing made out of material that reminds me of splints used for wrists or knees if that makes sense.  Its horribly uncomfortable, and bunches up.  I remember on my first surgery/recovery, it left me with a pretty nasty imprint that took a couple of months to disappear.  Now that I've been through it a few times, I am going to switch to a spanx garment after a week or so. I was able to start power-walking after a week, and was back to Crossfit after 3 weeks. 

    the results have been fantastic however, and very much worth it.  the ripples and divots are practically gone, it feels much more like a normal breast as the fat layer is warmer and squishy-er. 

    Good luck to you! hope it all goes very well.  Let us know how it turns out!!

  • Ami1026
    Ami1026 Member Posts: 32
    edited February 2015

    Oh, and hello to a fellow Minnesotan!!! :-)  Who is your PS if you don't mind me asking?

    Stay warm my friend!!

  • Miscraw
    Miscraw Member Posts: 45
    edited February 2015

    Such great information. Thanks ladies!

  • katiegrey
    katiegrey Member Posts: 79
    edited March 2015

    hi Ami1026 - how are you handling the cold? I live in Minneapolis and my PS is Migliori in Edina. Nice guy and seems to have a good rep. I had my nipple reconstruction and fat grafting about a week ago. I was supposed to wear the girdle for 2 weeks, but only lasted 3 days. It was so thick and tight, like the kind my mom used to wear!I have some monster bruises on the inner-back sides of my thighs. So far I still have the bandages on my nipples - I'm a chicken when it comes to seeing surgical results for the first time. Maybe tomorrow 😳. I can't tell much difference in my implants since the fat grafting, but that might be from the swelling.

  • katiegrey
    katiegrey Member Posts: 79
    edited March 2015

    imageJuliecc - the bruising is unbelievable!

  • Juliecc
    Juliecc Member Posts: 4,868
    edited March 2015

    Yes, Katie! Your bruising is as bad as mine was. I still see faint bruising on both thighs and I am more than 5 weeks out. I'm glad it's winter.

  • quiltrunner
    quiltrunner Member Posts: 101
    edited March 2015

    Ouch! I'd say get back into compression and grab some arnica ASAP!

  • butterflybailey
    butterflybailey Member Posts: 4
    edited March 2015

    Have my pre-op with my PS tomorrow. The nurse mentioned when I was scheduling the surgery that the Dr. would be doing the exchange surgery as well as the nipple reconstruction and fat grafting all at the same time. Has anyone else had this all done at the same time? I am getting really worried about this. Thank You

  • ailish085
    ailish085 Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2015

    i have really found everything ye have said very interesting as this is the way I would like to go rather then implants. I'm just wondering though have any of ye went on to have children afterwards. Thanks

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