Fat Grafting, pros and cons

BB - you should turn a corner on the abdominal discomfort at about the 1-2 week point. Bloating and swelling can last a while. I would wear compression as many hours a day as you can. My first PS instructed 24/7 for 8 weeks on the compression, my current PS is more casual. I found that compression actually made me feel better, and it does work to minimize firm spots and lumpiness at the donor sites. Glad your surgery is behind you, it is tough to do multiple procedures simultaneously

BB, my ps also said compression was not necessary because the Lipo wasn't considered "high volume". I felt much more supported and less jiggling and pain with the abdominal binder or spanx on. Ps also stressed massage and ice to the abdomen. I took 2 weeks off work, although could have made it back a little sooner. Ice massage helped so much. My ps said that it is virtually impossible to hurt the abdomen, so massage to keep everything soft. (But leave the breast area alone, no ice, no massage). Just let the little fat cells find a home;)

BB, I started massage the next day. I got a little ice pack that you would put in a lunch, and ran that over my stomach (over a thin tank top...as per md orders). The ice really helped with swelling, and the massage prevented unwanted hard lumpy spots from scar tissue. It hurt and felt good at the same time. I kept ice on my abdomen when I was sitting watching tv or whatever. At my post op appt the next week he told me to not baby it:/ I was miserable for a good week, then it got better. I felt hard ropes under the abdomen for months, but kept massaging as much as I could. It looks good now though;)

BB - yay! Sounds like progress. One thing I like to assist with massage is the massage bar by Lush - it is like a bar of soap but with body temp leaves a soft film and allows massage of skin with less friction. I first became aware of it at physical therapy when my PT used it for myofascial release massage after my hip issue. I would advise getting the little tin to hold them in - otherwise they can get messy! I have the Percup and Pearl ones - love them! Here is a link:

http://www.lushusa.com/Massage-Bars/massage-bars,en_US,sc.html

BB - the massage bars are like a solid oil bar, which is why I recommended the little metal case for them. I like the Percup because it is coffee scented and the Pearl because it is mildly rose scented. They last a long time also because you don't need much to massage effectively with. When you touch your skin with the bar your body temp allows the bar to glide across leaving a film of oil and then you stop with the bar and just use your fingers/hands. My PS advocates digging into the skin as aggressively as possible and firmly rubbing in areas that have any firmness or lumps at the donor site - the massage bar makes that easier.

BethL, hang in there. I turned the corner at the first week mark and from then on every day was much better. You're almost there.

BB - I also hope it is nothing, but glad you are being seen. What looks like fat absorption can also be reduction in surgical swelling - it does take a bit to see what the end result looks like - that is why most PS will wait about six months between FG. Keep us posted.

BB - glad your GYN thinks it is not a serious problem!

BB - if you use the topical and see improvement that should be an indicator - and I imagine you will see that improvement fairly quickly. If it was an infection it would be unchanged. You are not alone in the panic department - happens to all of us at one point or another!

I'm having fat grafting to my radiated breast on Aug. 4. I hope to fill the lumpectomy divot and heal the hard, tight breast tissue and the muscle damage that developed after radiation therapy. My scars are very tight as well. My PS is going to place about 200 cc into the breast and muscle. I'm small breasted, 34 B. I keep wonderIng if this will be too much at one time and I'll lose most of it. I'm also worried that if I need a second fat transfer I won't have enough to give. My thighs are the only donor sight I have left really. I had a tummy tuck 2 years ago with liposuction to my back and flanks.

Do you ladies have any suggestions for care after surgery to help maintain the grafts? My PS said that he didn't want me wearing a bra for 6 weeks. This will be a challenge since I'm a full time professional. I usually wear really shape revealing clothes. I keep hoping I can find a way to cover the girls without having to invest in a lot of new clothing. Any suggestions are welcome.

suz - not too much on how to maintain the grafted fat - it either stays or doesn't. Most PS counsel not to wear anything restrictive or tight on top - but I whink you could wear a camisole as long as it isn't too snug. You may also be able to use the modesty panels from inside a bra and attach them to your clothes or camisole if you are worried about nips showing. Some people have tried eating an angiogenic diet - with the thought to eat foods that help form new blood vessels and may assist the fat in doing so and thus "take" and not reabsorb. I have never seen a PS advise this though, seems to be something that some patients have decided to try. The advice I would give is not to be too active - I have had fat grafted 4 times, one a year after initial exchange to add fat above the implants to soften the look, twice for improving skin integrity after a tear during a repair surgery and eventual loss of that implant, and just recently after new exchange to fill out some scarred areas - and this was the advice each time. Since the fat is new, too much calorie burn may endanger it.

izzy - ask your PS what garments they recommend - if any, for both the donor site and the location where the graft is put. Ask if you will have restrictions on activity, for how long, and what kind. I was advised to wear compression at the donor site 24/7 for 8 weeks, no lifting over 5 lbs. and no gym for 8 weeks - only walking. I would ask what has been the PS experience with how many times grafts need to be done - the usual answer is often more than one. Ask if there are any supplements they would like you to take, or not take.

suz - the modesty panels are those thin foam disks that come in bathing suits and bras like the Genie or Coobie. Here is what I mean:

https://www.amazon.com/LAOO-SA-Womens-Insert-Triangle/dp/B013U1DQ1A/ref=pd_sim_193_9?ie=UTF8&dpID=41dnavy15ZL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL200_SR160%2C200_&refRID=BFFB619FMQGWSB5XVZN1

Wishing you the best on your upcoming surgery!

suz - I always do, and usually do the week before/week after. This last time I stayed off longer as I had developed a trigger thumb and switched manufacturers so wanted a complete washout before I switched. My PS wants me off all supplements for that same time period so I just stop taking everything.

Thanks Ladies, Right now I'm rather nervous about surgery tomorrow! I know everything will go well, but still I'm anxious

Hello! I am scheduled for implant exchange next Friday, August 12 with fat grafting liposuction. Can someone tell me what the best type of Spanx are to get? What style?

Thanks!