Fat Grafting, pros and cons
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My FG just got rescheduled! My poor PS has a serious family crisis, so it's totally understandable. However, it does still suck for me!
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rak - did your PS say that insurance would cover the Botox?? When I spoke about it with my PS she said they probably wouldn't cover it.
Elizabeth - sorry your FG had to be postponed. I know how much u were anticipating n agonizing over it. I hope your delay won't b too long.
Had post op today n finally got drains removed. Can finally shower tomorrow. I'll attempt to get the spanx on myself although I am comfortable in the binder. I'll let u know how that feat goes.
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Hi ladies. I had my BMX (nipple sparing) in May and my exchange to implants on August 24. I'm hoping this question might apply to this forum. My new foobs (Mentor 650 high profile) look OK (not nearly as big as I would have thought 650 should appear!) but they're pretty far apart--about the width of four (of my) fingers. It was the same when I had my TEs and my PS was planning to fix that. Turns out he wasn't able to do much. I feel like my implants are sitting too close to my armpits and can feel them if I put my arms at my side (maybe that's normal?). And of course I have no cleavage at all, which is disappointing. As i'm only a few weeks out, I know it's too soon to make any final judgements but I'm wondering if and how this can be corrected should the time come. Can fat grafting help or is that just for minor tweaks of rippling (PS said he can fix my ripples with FG)? In addition, he said he opened up one side to allow the implant to move more toward center and also said something about my anatomy being partially the issue (rib cage sits more forward on the right side versus the left---so one foob looks bigger than the other). He also made a comment about larger implants but felt that I shouldn't go larger (I'm 5'2 and about 138 pounds, 34" bra band) or that I can use a bra to push them together!! I think I can live with the slight asymmetry in regard to size but I'm really not happy having my breasts so far apart. Anyone have thoughts about how it can be resolved down the line? I also posted this question on the Exchange thread and I hope that's alright.
Thanks so much and best to all!
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marketing - my understanding is that most PS don't use fat grafting to create cleavage because you run the risk of symmastia - the uni-boob look. Since you can't always direct the fat - or guarantee whether it will stay - I don't think it is the best fix for your problem, but it could work to a degree. I would think as you drop and fluff, which can take several months, that you may see some improvement as the implants relax a bit into the pocket and come forward, but the best fix for too much cleavage space is more surgery to narrow the pockets from the side closest to the underarm. Your rib cage issue may prevent much improvement so you would need to weigh whether you want to try another surgery for a potentially similar outcome. This might be something to get a second opinion on.
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Thanks for such good advice SpecialK. Very helpful. Definitely concerned about trying to fix something that isn't terrible in the hopes of being more like I was before (had plenty of nice cleavage prior to BMX). Was hoping fat grafting might help somewhat (or even just cover my poor chest bone that is tender because there is nothing but skin covering it). I will need fat grafting regardless for ripples, though PS said it's possible my skin could tighten up over the implant with time.
Time will tell.
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Marketingma...What you're sharing when you say your foobs are far apart is called 'lateral'...I'll post a link about it below. It's common. It also has to do with how your native breasts were situated on your chest prior to the bmx.
My PS told me that after the first FG surgery it could look lumpy or bumpy and that's completely normal. I'm going to have another FG to 'smooth' that area. I did NOT have lumps and bumps but what looks like a very faint ripple wave there and again it's normal. PS's can use FG to smooth ripples and do smoothing for other issues. A lot of it has to do with your PS's experience doing FG. Obviously the more they've done, and the more experienced they are with the process...You get the idea.
I'm not clear what Botox is used for. Can you explain that?
Here's the link to lateral breasts...
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Trying this link...(lateral breasts)
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You can open this book...'Reoperative Plastic Surgery of the Breast' and it's amazing. Filled with photos and information. Discussion of lateral breasts after surgery and an explanation of how it can be repaired is on page 280. Great book!
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Thank you so much Ocean!! I am looking forward to getting educated!!
Also, my original breasts had great cleavage so I believe this is related to the pocket my PS created (though I should reserve judgement and read that book first!)
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I'm 9 days post op now n was finally able to take a shower today.... Which was glorious...cause drains were finally removed yesterday. No bruising n just mild soreness in abdomen. As I was taking binder off I noticed the imprint of the seams from the binder on my stomach. Will this go away when swelling starts to go down?? And how long does it take for swelling to go down??? I was told to wear the binder or spanx for 6 weeks but I'm just concerned I'm going to have permanent seam imprints.
Special K - how r u my FG master??
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Mijh, no the seams imprint will not last. No worries there. Swelling can take months to go away for some people. Certainly 6-8 weeks at least. Like Special K, I wore my binder 24/7 for over 6 weeks.
Marketing, fat grafting will definitely fix the tenderness on your chest. That was my main reason for having fat grafting. Even a year after my BMX, if a doctor placed a stethoscope on my chest, I winced in real discomfort. It felt bruised. I switched to gummy bear implants because they were so much taller than the original implants. That helped cover some of the skin on bone but I needed more. My fat grafting was done 15 months after the BMX. It totally fixed the painful chest.
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Sandra, that's really good to know. Thank you for sharing.
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Marketing, I woke up after exchange with two different size implants. I asked my PS why and he said that it looked better that way. (Actually, what he said was "I don't know," but that was kidding around!) I have scoliosis, so my rib cage is not even. (It's one of those things that's not noticeable unless you start really looking for it--I think/hope!) When I really look, I can tell that one is bigger than the other, but it looks pretty natural. I haven't of anyone else who has two different size implants because of a weird rib cage, but here I am.
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Glad to meet another crooked person. I don't have scoliosis but my daughter does, so maybe I have a slight curve that I never knew about. My PS tried different sized implants but the difference was too significant. Too bad they don't come in half sizes!!
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Crooked people unite! I'm looking forward to custom-made implants. Surely 3D printers can make implants that are the exact right size for each one of us. Maybe they'll be available by the time mine need to be replaced!
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Elizabethaw - I, too, have two different sized implants. (Boy, was I surprised that first time I looked at that card!) One is 650ccs and the other is 550ccs - and even I can barely tell which one is which. Just be thankful that your PS paid enough atttention to do whatever it took to attain symmetry for you. I am very grateful that mine made the effort to think 'outside of the box'.
I've also had some fat grafting done. Twice. The first time was during revisional surgery and even though it was a small amount, it made enough difference that I consented to go under again four months later just for fat grafting. (I have really thin skin and had rippling and some noticeable 'dents'.) I was lucky and retained almost all of the fat both times. I've seen some miraculous results due to fat grafting, especially as it pertains to irradiated skin. I for one, am a big fan.
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mjh - glad you are hanging in! How are you feeling today? I'm good - sitting in the airport in L.A. waiting for a connecting flight.
I also had two different size implants initially - 650cc on the right, 600cc left - troublemaker side. Perfect symmetry. A couple of years later after a allograft repair gone all kinds of wrong, I had a 500cc on the left and was surprised how little difference there was even though it was 150ccs smaller. I have no implant on that side currently but have discussed downsizing the right side when I can finally replace the left one. I also second the FG for improving skin health - I had an initial FG for aesthetics, but have had two more for skin issues and it has made a big improvement
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50 cc's is a small amount...only about 3 tablespoons...so it's no surprise it's not noticeable. Even 100 cc's (which is 6.7 tablespoons) spread out over an entire implant is not especially noticeable.
Women are not symmetrical, even before breast surgery. Most of us have one side larger than the other. (Check your pathology report after surgery..I was shocked at how much bigger my right was than the left.)
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I had exchange surgery with fat grafting on August 28th, my PS took fat from my inner thighs. He did not prescribe a binder, and when I asked him about it he said that he found that the results were not changed by wearing one so he stopped using them. He did say I could wear spanx if I thought it felt better (I tried it and no, it didn't!) He prescribed pretty heavy-duty pain killers and I used them the first few days but then quickly tapered off. I took a stronger pill at bedtime until about 4 days ago but ibuprofen during the day. I haven't needed anything for the last few days. The results of the surgery are great so far, we'll see how everything looks in a few months. I took one week off from work and that was plenty for me, but I work a desk job from home.
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sandra - thanks for the response. I'd hate to think I'd have permanent seams on both side of abdomen after I'm healed. I'm sure that would be the talk at the beach....lol
SpecailK - where are you off to now?? Is it California like you were planning?? All good so far but I know it's still early but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they'll stay the way they are now although I was forewarned that I may need another FG session at some point. Thanks for the help you have given me. I was actually able to pull up one of those snap-crotch spank you had recommended. It wasn't easy but I managed since now my PS said I can lift up to 5 lbs but still no bra. She said cami's would be fine bt nothing to constricting. I forget to ask her about the Coobie's or the Genie bras, but I can wait another two weeks until I see her since I can't work anyway yet due to all the pocket work on right. She specificall told me no jumping around because I told her I was taking my niece to see Madonna at the Barclay Center on the 19th. I have a been a huge Madonna fan since "Desperately Seeking Susan" so I don't know who I'm to contain myself.
P.S. How long do I have to keep on a high protein diet??
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The Botox will be injected into the pec muscles on my foobs that are so animated!
It is supposed to paralyze the muscles so I won't see and feel it as much!
To me the feeling of my foobs are like being griped! PS said it has helped other patients.
Robin
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hi Everyone- I have been reading the various discussion boards since my DMX on June 2, 2015. I had my exchange surgery this past Monday Setptember 14th with some fat graphing. My follow-up with my PS isn't until Wednesday but I have a lot of bruising to my upper pole which is where I believe the fat was placed. Any ideas or suggestions on how yo decrease the bruising?
Thanks for sharing as I am learning SSSSOOOOO much from all of you
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Shana, Warm moist heat might help.....use a warm washcloth several times a day. My exchange is this coming Friday. How was it compared to the DMX? I am getting nervous. We're you able to walk OK later that day? Pain? My follow up is going to be 2 days later! Are you pleased, other than the bruising?
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Thanks for the idea of warm moist cloths. I will try that this evening.
I was nervous going into the DMX. I was diagnosed on my 44 birthday and was scared. All I knew was that I wanted to live so I would do anything.
With my DMX, there was pain but I was so distracted by the trouble I had every week with my skin and incisions healing. Every week my PS was cutting away necrotic skin. It really messed with me mentally. I have diabetes so it was way "out of whack". Once I got that under control and controlled the food I was eating, everything began to heal quite nicely. That took the first 5 weeks after my BMX. Unfortunately those memories have clouded my pain levels memories.
I really was not nervous as I was with the DMX. I went into this surgery knowing I was Cancer free and it would all work out. I did have a very difficult time waking up, which has put me a little on edge. Never had that happen before. I have minimal pain from the exchange. Medicated the first day with Norco and then switched to Tylenol. I have been using Tylenol during the day and take 1 Norco for nighttime so that make sure to get some sleep. I did follow the directions and use my muscle relaxers. Today I am 5 days post-exchange. The fat graphing has been the most painful. It was taken from my abdomen so every time I walk or get up, I am using that area. But hey, best news is that there is less fat in my belly area!!!
I have foobs and they are NOT hard as a rock! Yay! Looking forward to this bruising going away and seeing what these sisters are going to look like in the future!
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Sjhovey1, just got done with my preoperative fat graft appt. My ps said never heat to breast or donor site. No ice this time to breast either. Only ice and firm massage to donor site starting on POD #1. Abdominal binder can be used for comfort as long as you don't make a crease in your abdomen with it, but said was not necessary.
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Firm massage of donor site day after surgery. Ha ha ha. (Sarcastic laughter) That will NEVER happen! Where do these doctors get this stuff? They've obviously never had lipo to harvest fat. If massage were necessary for healing or good outcome, don't you suppose this would be the standard? What are they...hiding the truth from other doctors? Of course not. Most doctors do not recommend massage. Somehow we all turned out fine. On post op day #1 I was shouting in pain whenever I had to stand up. Firm massage? No way.
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Just got some advice from my friend that is going through FG and has my same ps. She said that she wasn't able to massage as firmly as he wanted her to, but did her best according to her pain tolerance. She is doing well. So, just like in all aspects of life, I will do my best;) She said that it was worth having it done. Even with all of the pain. She was back to work in 1 week.
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I had some FG taken from my flanks (muffin tops) 7/6/15. Needed some fat above the implants, as there was some hollowness. I had an excellent PS, although I feel he gave me very little information regarding follow up care. I didn't even realize that I needed to wear compression garments for 4 weeks or so, until reading it on these message boards. I'm having nipples made, and some more FG done next month. I'm very fortunate that my surgeries have gone smoothly, but I'm surprised that mt PS hasn't given me much info. Most has come from other women's advice on these boards.
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I saw my PS last week. He said everything looks good. Mo massage, no heat, no cool...just leave it all alone. Funny thing was that during my conversation with him, I told him that I found the 2 small stitches used for the fat harvesting. He said, well there was one also at your belly button. That so explained why I had a hard time getting up and down.
I get my 2 buddies (drains) out Wednesday this week. Can not wait to see these things go! I don't remember them being to bad with the DMX but they are just irritating this time around!
. Stitches also come out and see the PS in 5 weeks. Now we are beginning nipple talk so this aught to be interesting. At this points, that is scheduled for the end of December. That is if I don't change my mind and go the 3D route.
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How are you feeling with the implants? I am 4 days since exchange - no fat grafting. I am very sore all around where the expanders were. And, of course incision area. We're you tired after surgery. I am.....taking two naps.
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