Fat Grafting, pros and cons
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bbbbun,
I too have a fist size bulge- for lack of words in my abdomen after fG. It's tender to the touch. I have had 4 c sections; 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2010. I also had a total hysterectomy 2014. I am overweight. I admit I could use to lose about 60 pounds so much stomach is by no means flat, but now I have this bulge in the midst of my large bulge.
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for those of you that recently had FG, how does your breast feel? Everyone seems to talk about the lipo areas and not the breast. Is that because there is no pain
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My ps said that I could wear whatever bra that I wanted. Why no underwire? I usually alternate because different bras are comfortable in different ways. I also just bought a warner bra called "body heaven". No underwire and very comfy. I wear a 38 C now. I went up one cup size because of the width of the implants. Sometimes I think the underwire is more comfy because of the great support, but sometimes dig in the middle.
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Lonnie 713-
I had fat grafting on 4/2/15. No pain in the breasts except for some pain in the left inframammary incision from the implant exchange.
Most of the pain was in my inner and outer thighs and abdomen from the doner sites. That pain only lasted a few days.
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This video is VERY graphic and shows fat grafting being used for breast reconstruction after implants.
It also explains why many fat grafting surgeries on breasts can't be done in a single surgery.
Again, it is very graphic. Some people may not want to see this. This PD does a good job of explaining and showing the process.
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I saw this video a while back, good information.
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bbbun,
I woke up from my fat grafting in the abdominal binder. My hospital (Brooke Army Medical Center) does not make you supply your own. I got a Dale Abdominal Binder. You can Google that name and see all the places that sell them. Amazon has them in all sizes, depending on where your donor areas are. They are only about $17-$22.
Sorry about the huge lumps. Massaging them would be agony. Strong compression will make you feel better. I wore mine 24/7 for 8 weeks.
I don't wear bras anymore. My PS says it's up to me but if I do, no underwire. Some people feel better with one, some don't. He says it's not going to matter. If exercising, he recommends a sports bra though. He did have me in a soft surgical bra after each of my surgeries, but except for surgery #5 when my pockets were reconstructed and AlloDerm added, I was able to ditch the bra within a few days of coming home. After surgery #5, I had to wear the bra 24/7 for about 2 months while my tissue was growing into the AlloDerm matrix.
P.S. Viva Fiesta!
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The fat grafting video of Dr. Franco, really makes me NOT want that, lol! Kudos to all you brave ladies:)
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I haven't even seen it and I so don't want that. Just the thought of them pumping that canula in and out to get the fat sends shivers down my spine.
I know we all do what needs to be done to have beautiful "girls" but can someone tell me how you get over the fear??
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I know this sounds crazy but I'm going to ask my PS "Look, can't you make a C-Section incision, lift up the skin and scoup out as much as you need?"
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People are always shocked to see how brutal liposuction is. It's no wonder our donor sites are so damn sore afterwards. But remember, as long as you don't move around, there won't be pain. Yes, the first week or so is intense but it's only for 15 seconds when you first stand up. I suppose if you keep yourself doped up on percoset or some other kind of narcotic, those 15 seconds won't be such a big OUCH. I just don't think it's worth putting up with side effects like constipation when you only need it for such a short time every few hours, but to each his own. No judgement here. For me, I got up to go to the bathroom every 3 hours or so during the day, none at night.
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I just went through the fat grafting process. Yes it's sore in the abdomen area, but totally manageable with the meds and it's now a week after and I'm gradually weaning. The results are soooooo much better that what I was, no divots, and rounder, softer profile. I really recommend it if you are not pleased with the results of exchange alone. Please feels free to Pm me if you want more details , I also have pics in the picture forums if you want to see the before and after.
Best to you, N
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Curious for those of you who have done fat grafting. Is it insane to consider flying 1 week after your fat grafting and lipo? I'm scheduled to have my surgery on May 6, and just learned of a work event that would have me on a plane on 5/12 (2 flights of about 2.5 hrs each).
I will check with my PS, but wanted to get the opinions of those who have gone through this already.
Thanks.
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I will need fat grafting in addition to the skin graft/nipple areola reconstruction on May 4th. The fat grafting is usually done in stages, but at my urging, my PS will combine the first fat grafting session into the same surgery (2-3 hour surgery). He's going to take fat from my thighs. I asked him if he was only going to do one leg and he said he will do both, he said I earned it and it will be fun (psycho, lol), so I said can't you do my tummy too? He said there will most likely be a need for another/future fat grafting session(s), as these grafts don't always take (and this step would come from tummy). I am taking 2 weeks off May 4-May 15 (he said it will be a 2-3 week recovery, but 2 weeks off should be ok).
Fat grafting surgery is a one week recovery, so in the future (don't even have a clue when that would be scheduled) I will need to schedule this.
No exercise/physical therapy and no picking up granddaughters for a few weeks. Just rest (it's going to be uncomfortable).
He told me to buy "shape wear", I found Jockey Skinnies brand that were pretty comfortable.
Glad I found this thread!
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I had FG done yesterday. I'm happy to say that I have no pain at the retrieval sites. I have small incisions on the left and right side of lower abdomen and one near naval. I had some fluid drainage last night and this morning. Pretty yucky. My pain is more in my breast. In addition to adding fat, He did a lot of pocket work, removed extra skin etc. I just heard from the nurse, she said I can bathe tonight. My f/u is on Monday. I have a script for Percocet and do not plan on getting it filled. I took some Tylenol and feel ok. I do have a headache but I'm sure that's from the anesthesia. The SE's from the Percocet are not worth it for the minor pain that I'm in. Im wrapped pretty tight up top, it's the same thing they used after I got the implants. I also have a waist band that has Velcro holding me in as well.
I was out of it from the anesthesia, couldn't stay awake. When I finally got up, I threw up. I don't do well regardless of how many anti vomiting drugs they give me....sux!!!!
I didn't get any instruction from my ps regarding the waist binder. I vaguely remember talking to him after the procedure, he did say that every thing went well. Per my hubby, he didn't say anything to him either. I will shower tonight and then put everything back on. The waist bandage is stained I'm grossed out by it. Really want to wash and dry it before putting it back on. Other than that I'm actually not feeling too bad.
I will continue to share my progress.
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oh, I took the rest of this week off. I will work remote next week and back in office on the 4th of May. My doc said that was fine
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I really appreciate hearing updates from those of you who have done FG! I'm scheduled for September--my PS suggested I not do it in the summer in case I want to wear a swimsuit or shorts. : )
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day 2 after FG- headache.
I know it's from the anesthesia. I can still taste and smell the oxygen too. I am one of the 20% of the population that has this problem, lucky me!
No major pain at FG sites. Just a little soreness. Tylenol helps.
My boobs look really good though. I hope the fat doesn't absorb too much. I am not doing another FG. I'm done! I can't wait to find out how much fat my ps retrieved. From the looks of my smooth flat stomach, I'd say more than the 350ccs. I did tell him prior to the surgery not be stingy...lol.
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Fralaliso, yes, you are crazy to think you can go on your trip so soon...unless they have only lipo'd a small amount. You will not be ready to be at work or fly to and from.
Kfinnigan, it's not a one week recovery in my experience...again, unless they have only lipo'd a small amount. Two weeks is more like it. It takes about 3 months to know if all the fat is going to live. I thought all of mine was staying put but recently noticed that some from under my left arm is gone. All of it on my chest is ok though. I'm four months post-op.
Lonnie, I too had some drainage at first. The PS said it was best not to stitch the incisions that were made for the lipo cannula. I also had the tumescent procedure so they had injected fluids that needed to drain. It only lasted a couple of days. You can get a second abdominal binder from Amazon within about 48 hours for about $17. The hospital gave me a second one and I was able to wash one/wear one, which was so nice since I was in it for 8 weeks. 350 cc's is not too much, especially if it's taken from several places so if you notice a difference in your abdomen, they no doubt took much more.
People never seem to give themselves enough time to recover from the anesthesia itself. I was told my an anesthesiologist that it can take one week for every hour that your are "out" to metabolize the drugs in your system.
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sandra, thank you for the "true" recover time!
Did those of you that had fat removed from your thighs get Spanx? PS said shapewear or biking shorts.
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I think the recovery time is a personal thing - I had the first FG, in which I had 1.25L of fat removed, and drove within the week a short distance and walked around in the mall by myself purchasing Spanx - albeit with some pain. The second FG last Nov., with a much smaller amount removed - only 200ml, was definitely less than a week for recovery. Ten days after exchange surgery I also flew with my DH from Tampa to Washington D.C., was in the car for a two hour drive, attended a funeral (longtime military friend and fellow BC sister - no way I wasn't going), then spent a couple of days doing museums and visiting friends. I tend to recover quickly, and DH carried all the bags and did all the driving, etc. I am having a surgery next month that will involve stripping all remaining dermal matrix from my flat left side, closing the currently open skin, and fat grafting again - this time the donor site will be "love handle" area - yay!
fralaliso - do you know how much your PS plans to remove? That may be the key to whether you can fly, and most have a lifting and exercise restriction so you really should not handle your own bags or carry anything heavier than your purse.
Sandra - how is your husband doing? I think of you both all the time, and am hoping things are going well.
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K, thanks for asking. He has made it through 3 months of chemo now and it's working. It is temporarily decreasing the number of red blood cells that his body is killing off. He still makes misshapen ones that don't carry much oxygen, but he no longer kills more each day than he makes, which keeps his hemoglobin levels hovering just above the danger zone. After 6 transfusions in 6 weeks, he's managed to avoid a transfusion since starting chemo in February. His 50th high school reunion is in late July so that's the goal. The docs say chemo WILL fail...just don't know if that's next month or next week or in six more months. We're just grateful that we have 8 million of his sister's matching stem cells "on ice". When he starts to fail, they need only 7 days to prepare him for the transplant. He'll have massive chemo to destroy all his bone marrow and then receive the stem cell donation. Fingers crossed, he'll beat the odds of surviving the process - only about 50-50.
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sandra - glad he is hanging in, I am keeping my fingers crossed for you both and holding you in my heart - you all have been through so much. Thank goodness that his sister was a match for him and able to donate, that is excellent, an answered prayer.
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Sandra, - BE WELL wishes and hugs to you and your husband!
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I had a BMX in 2003 for DCIS and then a local recurrence of IDC in 2013, clean nodes and Pet/CT Scan Currently on Herceptin indefinitely and wanted to have my silicone implants removed and then either put in smaller implants with fat grafting over, or total fat grafting. Was doing some research and was very upset to read that fat grafting does not take while in treatment for Herceptin and that Plastic Surgeons wont even do the fat grafting while on Herceptin.
Did I understand that correctly? Any help would be appreciated.
Sue
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Thanks everyone for your feedback about recovery and whether it is realistic to fly 1 week post fat grafting. I decided to go the safe route and make my presentation via video conference. I would have been traveling alone, having to lug a laptop, etc. Not worth the risk.
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One week out from FG procedure. I had my f/u this morning. PS said to keep binder on and resume normal activities in one month...ugh!! The worst part of the procedure is this binder. It is so restrictive and difficult to eat with it on. That's a good thing tho. Hope I lose some weight! Other than that, the pain is very very minimal. Not much bruising.
Next up: Tattoos. I was going to have surgery so that my PS could make the nipple but I'm DONE with surgery. I want to enjoy my summer. We are headed to Aruba in August and I can't wait. I see my PS in August before my trip to schedule it.
Good luck and all the best to everyone with upcoming procedures.
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I am 8 weeks post exchange and not overly happy with results and size. Per ps I was limited due to tissue issues with one side. He thinks I will be happier with the results after fat grafting and nipple reconstruction....my question is can they do both at the same time? He additionally mentioned taking fat from abdomen or thighs...any opinions? I have heavy legs and small frame top...will there be any noticeable difference in my legs if I choose that? Looking for any experiences people have had.
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Jnc, everybody thinks that you will be able to see a difference in the area where the fat was taken, but you really don't in my experience. I had a lot taken out (ended up with 1,000 cc's of injectable fat) from all over my abdomen through 6 small incisions and I couldn't see a difference afterwards. In one of my earlier surgeries, however, I had lipo on a mud flap. You could definitely see the difference. I'm guessing about 150-200 cc's was removed but since it was from one concentrated area, you could tell.
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bummer, I was looking forward to less flabby thighs on Monday!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBrSCS1NatA