Fat Grafting, pros and cons
Comments
-
Just the sort of affirmation I was hoping to hear! Thanks Sandra. Btw, I read all your posts. Wow you've been through a lot but it sounds like life with implants is so much better.
Amy
0 -
I just wanted to add a bit of info. I had fat grafting from my thighs to breasts (Natrelle 120 implants, round, high projection, 400ml). The fat grafting was highly recommend by my PS and other BC patients I spoke to. I am really thin on top, with a 28" ribcage but my thighs are pretty hefty. 120 lbs, 5'5". I am very active and used to work out like crazy. The thighs remained relatively untoned looking compared to the rest of my body. That is the sort of fat a PS is looking for. Fat that stays. Not the fat you gain when you go on a cruise and lose once you go back on a healthier diet (hopefully). He suctioned out 1.2 l of fat. That sounds like a lot but really isn't. After the treatment of the suctioned out fat the doctors end up with less than half to re-inject. I have four scars from the cannulas.
The exchange went well, however, the fat grafting is really uncomfortable. Tingling, bruised, numb feeling, and a lot of swelling in my legs. I was told to get Spanx like bike shorts and a zip front sports bra. The swelling got so bad I could see indentations mid thigh and switched to tight capri yoga pants (at 2 a.m., of course). Even my ankles were swollen. All of this is normal but combined with the breast surgery and drains it can be a bit stressful. Walking around makes a ton of difference. No pain while laying down but moving around is super important, even if you don't want to. 10 minutes of every hour or two. After a few days, brisk walking. I still feel better wearing tight yoga pants or the Spanx. The fat grafting donor sites can take up to a year to fully recover, I read. I don't see a difference but a few "dents". Not worried though. Doing regular no-impact cardio, no problems. I advise against too much too soon, the nerves really do need time to regenerate. It was quite the trauma for me.
I'm glad I had the fat grafting done in winter, even though the temps around here are very mild. After the swelling was better, I wore the bike short length Spanx day and night and that can get warm. Especially if you have hot flashes from Tamoxofin etc. I also had to wear and still wear an Anita Sports bra 24/7. Even though my breast are round and firm and look like they don't need support, they do and most likely will always do. I went to a professional bra fitter. Made all the difference. The bra is a 32F. I am not a F and don't look like an F, more like full C but the bra fits great. The breasts are still swollen but less so with every week and are getting softer. It took months for the my breast to get softer with the TE. I wore those for 6 months. The breast implants DO NOT move, they cannot be moved like a natural breast to get more cleavage. That's why I stayed away from tear drop shaped implants. Back to the sports bra: The way it was explained to me is that the bra will a) push the implant down b) keep the implants from going out the side (that is a common problem, the hamburger bun effect) and c) give support, so the implant can heal.
I am not sure how much fat will survive in the end but I am glad I did it, even though now 6 weeks out I am seeing ripples. When I raise my arms, I see them on one side (outside) and I can definitely feel ripples on the other side. Thin skin (skin and nipple sparing BMX) and a textured implant is most likely the reason. With clothes on, even bikini, this isn't visible (yet). So the rippling is not a PS problem (mine is a specialist for reconstruction + fat grafting and the only cosmetic - cancer unrelated - procedures he performs are breast enlargements via fat grafting). At 3 months the big evaluation is scheduled to see what worked and what didn't and what I want to fix. Additional fat grafting is an option but according to my PS I may not have enough fat left. I am totally for the fat grafting, even with the prolonged recovery. It is the latest tool, still relatively new, but really very few downsides. It is a safe procedure and provides extra fat that will also keep your chest warmer. It can fill out chemo ports and improve the implant look and prevent ripples. Just don't expect regular liposuction. Nobody cares about the donor parts. They only care and take endless pictures of your foobs. Before and after and in between.
0 -
Stillwater, that is very similar to what I experienced. I'm still trying to figure out if i see a difference in my thighs or not. I do think my saddlebags are less pointy but it's not a huge difference. Things are much smoother up top! I hope it stays.
0 -
Hello,
I am looking in using the BRAVA AFT system as a means for breast reconstruction as it is my ONLY hope as I've had problems with implants. From everything I've read (so far) it appears to be safe, minimally invasive, and much easier than previous reconstruction surgeries I've have that have failed. I first learned about this procedure from Dr. James Andersen at The City of Hope in Duarte, CA. However, I live in Irvine, CA and was wondering if anyone has any referrals to a PS in Orange County as it's about 1 1/2 hour to 2 hour drive (with traffic) to City of Hope. I also have severe fibromyalgia so I'm trying to find a PS who is just as good but closer for comfort reasons as well. Lastly, if anyone has done the BRAVA AFT system for reconstruction and would be willing to talk to me via the phone to answer questions, advice, offer support, etc. I'd greatly appreciate it. You can email me and we can exchange phone numbers.
Thank you all in advance for any advise, help, and support you can offer.
Blessings to all of you,
Christie
Edited by Mods to remove personally identifable information
0 -
I've read about BRAVA but don't know anyone who has had it.
0 -
CLOGLO - I think this thread predominantly has posts by those who have used fat grafting for softening or smoothing existing recon, but not as much for recon itself. Here are some threads with ladies who have used fat for recon - they may be more helpful for you:
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/798428?page=3#post_4272323
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/788885?page=26#post_4306141
0 -
Hi Christie there is also a separate forum called fatgraftpatients.com that is not so public as bco. Lots of advice, support, tips for those doing brava & aft.
0 -
I've send you a PM about a PS in Newport Beach, CA.
0 -
Did any of you successful fat grafters find that you needed a different bra size or fit afterwards? I've been holding off on buying more fitted bras until after I do the FG, but perhaps that unnecessary. I'd like to add a bit more volume, but my PS says FG isn't going to do that.
0 -
Elizabeth - my bras fit differently after fat grafting. I did have rads, however, and the fat grafting softened up that side and helped the implant settle more easily in its pocket. Not sure what others experienced. I would wait. Thats what I did, and then I splurged on a few beautiful Wacoal bras;most beautiful bras I have ever owned!
0 -
Thanks, Bayou! I'm looking forward to buying some great bras.
0 -
No, no difference in size after fat grafting. None of it went over the implants...it was put in the chest above the implants and to fill in some deep spots on my side.
0 -
Hi ladies. So i went for my pre op yesterday for fat grafting. The pa told me I need to buy something for compression. When I asked what, she said I could get biker shirts and put them up high or spanx. What worked for you guys and where'd u get it? She told me to go to jc penny or Macy's... Need your help!!! I want to get something that wll work. Oh btw my principal told me yesterday due to budget and low enrollment my teaching job may be cut for next year!! Ugh!!!0
-
Mommyathome, I hope you don't get laid off! I bought spanx off of amazon and ebay...the ones that look like bike shorts. AThey are probably much cheaper. Assets are made by spanx and a are probably ok, too. If your ps is taking fat from the stomach, also, they have high waisted spanx.
0 -
My hospital gave me an abdominal binder plus an extra one so I could wash one/wear one. There are lots of them on Amazon for all the different donor sites. Will your donor site be in your thighs? Mine was in six places on my upper, mid, and lower abdomen so the Velcro binder was perfect.
Will you be able to find another job if yours is eliminated?
0 -
How tight should the compression garments be? Would tight yoga pants (or capris) work for thighs? I know Special K had recommended the Spanx (or similar) with the openings for using the bathroom without having to pull pants over sensitive areas. Julie, did you have problems pulling pants up and down?
0 -
And, Julie, have you decided whether or not you can see a difference in your thighs? I'm disappointed that everyone says it doesn't make much difference in the donor site. Oh well. Not important in the overall scheme of things. I'd really like to improve my deep ripples and step-off.
0 -
I bought compression at Macy's and Dillard's and bought it tight enough that it felt like a size too small. Yes, mine hurt to pull it up so the ones with the snap crotch seemed like a genius idea. It needs to be tight to do its job, which is to prevent the cannula tunnels from filling with fluid.
mommy - where is your donor site? If abdominal get the high waist panty, if thighs get the bike short type. I think you can get the Assets ones from Target, Spanx from Macy's, and places like Marshall's or TJMaxx have them at reduced prices.
0 -
Thanks ladies. So overwhelmed right now! Between not exactly knowing what to buy for compression, not sleeping well, getting migraines, and now unsure about my job in the fall. It's not definite but principal told me its not looking good. I need one more person to transfer or retire or I'll be cut is what it pretty much comes down to. I took today off. I'm just too overwhelmed to deal with it right now. I know, that's bad but yesterday I found I was short tempered with people at work and that's not ok. So I took today to kind of re set.
Anyway, yes the donor site will be my upper abdomen. Pa didn't go into too many details and I'll b honest I kind of spaced out at the pre op. I just had the conversation w my principal a few hours before and my mind was still there. She did say I would have to buy something that gave compression to upper abdomen. Guess I'll look around thanks for your ideas. If u go to amazon or in a store is it specific for surgery or it just so happens works for surgery but it is typically used for everyday?!
I keep thinking back at how when I was out of work from January to August with my BMx and issues after, my family was put into a financial mess! We are just starting to see the light. We still have back bills but it's getting better. Now I'm faced with uncertainty again! I can't help to think about how it's going to affect my family. I feel like I'm letting them down all over again. Damn it I just want off this emotional roller coaster already!!0 -
mommy - sorry about the job situation - that has to be an unwelcome distraction. My compression garments were not surgical - just regular. For upper abdomen I recommend either a compression camisole, or high waist panty. However, I would expect you to wake up from surgery in something they put on you. This has happened each time I have fat grafted, and this was at two different hospitals. Here are some photos, I seem to remember you had trouble with the links.
0 -
Mommyathome, I'm sorry you have to worry about your job on top of everything else.
Elizabeth, I do believe my thighs are narrower and they have a better contour than before. It took about a month to realize this since it took awhile for the swelling to go down. My pants are looser in the thigh area despite the scale not moving. My thighs used to be "pointy" and they really aren't anymore. She took out 600cc (20oz) total. My FG was 1/22. I still have slight bruising but I stopped wearing the spanx this week. My PS had said "the tighter the better" so I don't know if yoga pants would work or not.
0 -
Mommy, I'm so sorry about your job stress! How awful to be hit with that right now. I hope the FG grafting brings an end to the whole reconstruction journey and your job stays put!
Julie, thanks for the response. I'm meeting with my PS next week to plan my FG.
0 -
Ladies thanks for your well wishes about my job. Yeah it sucks! This is the last thing I want to worry about. I've been having trouble with staying positive- ill be honest w u, even though I can't seem to bring myself to tell anyone else, but I think I'm starting to fall into a depression. I just feel like I'm drowning. Between my migraines, no sleep, new medication to help with the migraines and lack of sleep, worrying about the fat grafting and what to wear to get the best results, the osteopenia of my spine, etc etc etc I just can't deal with my everyday responsibilities of dealing with 18 kindergarteners and bad behavior all day then coming home to my 4 kids yelling at each other, laundry, dinner, cleaning etc. I feel completely overwhelmed and just want to run away from all of it! I took yesterday off because I found myself being short w the kids. That's not me! I'm usually very low key. I needed to re set myself. Today was a little better but man it's just so much. I can't seem to get to the point that everybody keeps telling me to get to- take it one day at a time, you beat the cancer move on, be happy with the way u look. I got this when I told my family I was doing the fat grafting. People just don't get it. Maybe I am suffering from depression, maybe I just need a flipping break!0
-
The abdominal binder I wore went from just under my bra band down to my hip bones. A wide strip of Velcro on one side kept the strong elastic fabric closed. There was a definite pop when I released the Velcro since it was quite tight. Yoga pants wouldn't work. It's not like a snug ace bandage...think that times 10. You can buy all different widths and can wear them lower, almost like a very short skirt (like in the photo) if your donor site is lower. The ones I have were provided by the hospital. They are made by Dale. You can see them on Amazon and they are around $20-$28 depending on width.
0 -
Had a BMX in October and the foobs looked great for months. Then a divot developed where the largest tumor was, at 11: o'clock. I have to dress carefully so it won't show. My PS does breast recon only and said it will take at least 2 different fat grafting surgeries to fix and as many as four fat grafting surgeries. That surprised me.
Did anyone else have multiple fat grafting surgeries to fix a divot?
0 -
It shouldn't take more than one. I had some major defects fixed with one surgery and so did many, many others of us who've had fat grafting.
0 -
Wasn't sure if I should start a new thread or just ask here. Those of you who have had FG only, how long were you out of work? I had soem FG w/ my exchange, but my PS said he would probably do at least one more FG session. I plan on aksing him when I see him next week for my 2-month followup, but I was hoping I could get some answers now. I'm trying to keep up on how much FMLA I will need between now and the end of July when my year is up and I can start over. TIA!
0 -
Straitlover,
Sorry to say but there is no good answer to your question. There isn't just one way of doing fat grafting - I had tumescent lipo and had no bruising but some women have really bad bruising at the donor sites. Those donor sites are already really painful when you move and it doesn't go away very fast so it depends on how you tolerate it and what kind of job you have. If you have a job where you don't have to get up much, you'll be fine. It doesn't hurt as long as you don't move. But if you have to get up and down often, you'll be miserable for the first post-op week at least. I could have gone back to a desk job at about 9-10 days post op. It also depends on how much fat grafting you have. My doc grafted 1,000 cc's, which is a large amount. If you're only getting 100-200 cc's, it's a different story. Also depends on where the donor sites are. Mine were all over my abdominal area.
0 -
Mommy--I'm so sorry!! I suspect you just need a break! Dealing with your own kids and a kindergarten class is enough to stress anyone out. (I remember my son's K teacher saying how hard it was to be a single mom when her son was the same age as the kids she taught.) Then add all of the stress of migraines and new medications, plus worrying about another upcoming surgery.... No wonder you feel like you're drowning!! Do you have spring break coming up at school soon? Do you have family that your kids could visit over break? I wish you a time of rest!!
0 -
Elizabethaw,
Thanks! I am having far grafting march 23. My break from it all ( work and my kids) will be march 23-27. I am hoping to go back to work march 30 and then our April break begins April 3. Hoping I'm giving myself enough time... If I need more time I guess I'll have to take it. I only have 9 or 10 days left so I'm hoping to be ok to go in on march 30... Only time will tell. My parents help out with the kids a lot but I have 4 kids ages 12, 10, 8 and 5 so they can't take all 4. My parents can't deal with the noise and bickering....0
