Fat Grafting, pros and cons
Comments
-
mjh1-yep every rolling pin session I get a chuckle and pain! Was thinking about changing the rolling pin to my lefsa (all you Norwegians will understand) rolling pin-it would give some really unusual skin markings! That would definitely make the PS wonder what was going on. Char0 -
Congratulations, Julie!
I sure wish there was a way to encourage the fat to stay where the PS puts it! Or a way to predict how likely it is that it will stay. Hmm, I suppose there are a lot of things I wish we could predict!!
0 -
Need alittle advice please-had FG from abdomen donor site on May 13, lots of bruising and discomfort but the last couple days there is a spot below rt rib that has increased in discomfort. No more bruising but ouch! Have been wearing binder or spanx every day, and lots of rest. There is some thickening in this area-not just tender now but painful. The rest of abdomen is pretty good, just tender. Any ideas? No redness or heat from the area. Cha0 -
Cha
Call your doctor s office and ask them. Maybe go see your PS.
Babs
0 -
I did tell the PS last Tues that there was an area under my ribs that was becoming quite sore - no advice from him. Nurse said I would probably find some lumps as was healing. Just that this area is getting worse rather than improving. I am wondering about possible seroma? Hematoma? Don't have appt for about 10 days. Guess will just continue to watch and wait it out.0 -
Char, have you tried some gentle massage with oil? That might help it dissipate faster if it is a fluid collection. Do you have a lymphedema physical therapist? I had PT when I had cording, and they were real life savers. My surgeons didn't offer any help with my painful cords, so I know how you feel.
0 -
so I had fat grafting done in March 2015. Just went to bs because I felt a lump. She took fluid and some tissue to send to pathology but she thinks it's fat necrosis. Have any of you had this? What do they do with it? For it
0 -
omg, this is freaky. I had my fat grafting done in April. I found a lump on Wednesday. Very tiny. I called my breast surgeon as well as my plastic surgeon. My breast surgeon said it is probably fat necrosis. She wants me to see my ps first. I am waiting to hear back from them for appt with another ps as mine is traveling on business. It's on the non cancerous side. I had a dbl. mastectomy
0 -
Lonnie,
Let me know what your dr says. I get my results on Thursday. I too had bmx, I was diagnosed w DCIS. They found DCIS, LCIs on left and LCIs on right. The lump I just found was on left.
0 -
Hi Mommyathome! I also felt multiple lumps on both sides while TE's were in and now after my exchange. Both my ps and bs said fat necrosis. I believe your body will absorb it over time. My ps recommended FG for me to correct the contour problems. I think as long as these lumps don't grow, and get smaller over time, then it should be OK. Fat necrosis must be very common after mastectomy surgery. My lumps initially a bit painful at first, but is improving with time. Did you retain most of the fat graft? How is your lump at your fat donor site doing? Take care😃
0 -
-
Regatta -Make sure you realize that fat grafting and Brava are NOT the same thing. Brava uses fat grafting WITH a device and much prep at home. Fat grafting is done strictly by PS. I have had fat grafting, two procedures, and have had magnificent results. There is no doubt in my mind that this is what has made my implant work on my rads side with such successs.
0 -
Thank you, great catch. I posted to the incorrect thread. Just removed. Good wishes!!
0 -
Mommyathome,I have an ultrasound scheduled for Tuesday. They still think its fat necrosis but want to be safe. I will keep you posted on my results. Please do the same.
Bayoubabe - All of the fat in my right breast is absorbed. My radiated side looks the same as it did prior to the FG. The skin is extremely tight and instead of the breast appearing round, its flat. My right side looks great because he did some patch work. Will the radiated side ever be loose and fluid? Mine is tight and motionless, it just sits there.
0 -
lonnie713,
Thanks. Yes I'll let you know what I find out, u do the same- good luck!!!
0 -
Lonnie - I did not notice much difference after the first fat graft, other than less visibility of the implant. It was after the second, that I began to notice improvement in my skin and movement. Please note, however, that my PS fat grafts large amounts each time compared to many other PS. This may be the difference for me. I had very little to none reabsorbed.
0 -
Had my first fat grafting last Wednesday. They took fat from my midriff, lower abdomen, and a bit from my sides. I'm not really sure why PS split it up, but I do doubt they would have been able to get it all off one. He may have been trying to not leave me with too much loose skin in one place because the Arimadex has totally taken away any elasticity.
I'm really sore and don't know when I'll be able to actually get jeans on to go back to work. At this point I can't imagine pulling up and zipping tight jeans.
Anyone else have this problem?
0 -
mommyathome,
I had my ultra sound and as predicted, it is fat necrosis. Thank God. Hope that you get the same wonderful news
0 -
scubalady,
Yep. You will be sore. I would stick to maxi dress or skirt. Something lose fitting. Definitely NOT jeans. I'd say by week 3 you will feel like your old self. I stayed out of work for two weeks. My ps said that was fine
0 -
yes Lonnie it was fat necrosis. No need to do anything.... You
0 -
I couldn't wear anything tight for 3 or 4 weeks. Did thighs as well. Uncomfortable sitting. I rotated through three maxi skirts. Was back to work in a week, but was careful.
0 -
Did anyone discuss using alloderm instead of or combined with fat grafting with their PS? I'm worried that the amount of rippling I have won't be fixed by fat grafting alone.
0 -
I am also trying to decide whether to have another round of fat grafting, I was surprised at the amount of bruising and associated pain at the donor sites last time, though I think I would know better at how to deal with it. My reconstructed foob doesn't look too bad from the front (though different from the other boob) it is when I lift my arm that I can see the area that looks 'empty'. My PS is more than willing , but after six surgeries do I really want to go through one more. Sigh
0 -
Suzy, did you have good results from your 1st fat graft? I am scheduled in the fall for my first FG. My exchange was 4 months ago. How long was your recovery time? Thanks.
0 -
I have completed four fat transfers and I still think I need one more or a reduction of one. I have been very lucky and only lost about 15% of the fat each time. I think you need to stop when you are happy with your results. I am not trying for perfection; just would like each breast to be of close volume. I currently have at least a cup size difference. I do not want to have to wear a prosthesis to be even after doing all these surgeries.
I only had small amounts of fat transferred each time so my donor sites were not very painful. I felt good at about day 4 after each fat grafting surgeries. The worse part for me was clearing the anesthesia out of my system.
Good luck with your journey.
0 -
elizabeththaw - I had alloderm placed on top of implant in 1st revision for rippling. At that time I also had a larger implant placed to help fill the pocket more. While the rippling is gone in one, I will be having another revision end of august to tighten up the other pocket since it is sitting too much in my cleavage area now which will entail more alloderm but just along the cleavage area and also FG to fill in some spots. If you have any doubt, I would seek a second opinion to see what your options are. I went on 6 PS consults before I decided on my new PS.
0 -
Hi Kingster, I guess I must have lost some of the fat from the first graft as the empty area is in the same vicinity. My PS had warned me that it might take more than one go at it, but it was a lot more full on than I anticipated it would be. I was like a cat on a hot tin roof for the first 48 hours and pretty sore for a couple of weeks. I wasn't given the advice about wearing some form of compression garment and I'm sure that would help next time - if I'm brave enough to go through it again lol
0 -
Suzyblue, was your donor site your abdomen? My ps said compression garment not needed, as the Lipo involved isn't like Lipo done for body contouring. It's done on a smaller scale with small cannula. But, I also think surgeons downplay pain as to not frighten patients. So...did you have improvement that "stayed"? Was the FG surgery worth it for you? So recovery would be about 2 weeks? I have a physically demanding job.
0 -
Kingster, the fat was taken from my hips. It seems from reading this thread that most women are advised to use compression garments of varying kinds and for varying lengths of time. I know that when I wore tight leggings my hips felt less painful. I would definitely give spanx or something similar a go next time. I don't know if my experience of pain for two weeks is the norm or not, it seems to vary quite a bit , maybe depending on the donor site and the amount taken
0 -
Hi everyone, I am glad I was referred to this thread. I had fat grafting Nov 2014 to fill in the dent that was left in my upper breast after a lumpectomy- I went back to see PS in April it looked great- filled in wonderful he sad no need for additional surgery- I thought wonderful it was worth it!! He said it was well worth it..
Later that day I had a mammogram- and it hurt. Like skin got pinched, all was good but my breast keep feeling sore so I did a self exam and found a big marble size lump where the cancer had been- so back to PS who became EGO Man- told me I didn't need an additional ultrasound and that it was dead fat cells. He would not even discuss why suddenly they would show up after a painful Mammo. He basically ran out the door said that was his last day and to make an appointment in 3 months to see a diff plastic surgeon and that he felt that lump would disappear.
Fast forward 3 months and that lump is so not leaving it is actually getting larger so this week I saw the new PS and he told me he didn't like it and that I could chose to watch it every 3 months with ultrasound or he could remove it and have it tested and then fix it later as I would have a dent. UMMMMM isn't that what was supposed to be fixed to start with? Sigh... So now I have an appointment to remove it- He gave me the option of numbing it up and he remove it or me being put to sleep- I chose to just let him remove it without me being asleep. More needles in the boob- ISH!!
Funny how doctors have such differences of opinion. One telling me I didn't need an ultrasound to the other saying I would need them every 3 months if I didn't remove it. UFFFF!!
Thanks for all the advice I have been reading on here- it has been quite reassuring to read that others have found lumps and they have been just dead fat cells and not a new cancer.
0
