Fat Grafting, pros and cons
Comments
-
MySunshine48-
I am feeling great with the implants. My PS placed Natrelle 410 FF 740ccs. They are firm but not like the rocks of my expanders. It's so nice to have foobs that are closer together. With my expanders, you could place a full hand in between and now I am at 2 fingers. They look like boobs and I LOVE it! The upper pole area, where he placed a lot of the fat graft is what is sore. My skin is sore. I think that is because with the DMX, the upper pole was very concave so I think my skin got us to that lack of firmness. Nowwith the fat, it is being stretched. I am 2 weeks post-exchange today.
I am happier and that is a very nice feeling. Progress...
0 -
I am at the hospital all hooked up and ready for fat grafting no. 4. He will be taking fat from torso and inner thighs this time. I am praying this will be the last one. Will update later.
Good luck to anyone else doing procedures today.
0 -
jbdayton - hope this is the last one for you too!
0 -
is it typical to have more than one fat grafting session? Can it be done with just one
0 -
Yes, mine was done in one procedure. I had a quart of fat grafted with only a tiny bit of discoloration on my chest & none on my abdomen.
0 -
Mommyathome, I am not the normal case. Most people have one maybe two sessions. I lost 50% of one of my flaps due to complications. We had to rebuild my right breast and it ended up almost a cup size larger because it spread wider and less projection than my radiated good flap. So this one was to add more bulk to the left flap so I can wear a bra without a prosthetic for symmetry. I will need to wear a bra with certain tops because my mammary fold got damaged in the complication and we have tried to raise it and tie it into my rib but it is still over an inch lower. So be it. I also had a hip used to make my second breast flap so today he removed my other hip to get symmetry. This was not a sgap from the butt but the actual hip a Ruben's flap. I did not have enough butt fat to do the easier flaps. I just could not make myself do implants I am a hardhead and I hated the way my pec muscle pulled on the TE's.
I have faith that yours will go marvelously.
0 -
I had my fat grafting done on Wednesday, and everything went really well. My PS took a half-liter of fat--he was worried he couldn't get enough (I'm 5'4 and around 120 lbs), but he said he had more than enough to work with. He was able to fill in the ripples, cover up the rib lump that shows in my cleavage and cover up the step-off at the top on each side. I'm trying really hard not to even look because I'm so afraid I won't get to keep these nice-looking new boobs! Please stay, fat! Please stay
0 -
Thank you specialK. I am tired of surgeries and I know you are too.
How are you healing? Are you going to get to try another implant or TE? You have been very patient. I hope the next try works.
Elizabethaw I hope you retain most of your fat and keep the look you are happy about.
I ended up with fat removed from my back in 6 spots and the left hip instead of the torso and inner thighs. I was worried about the thigh part. So relieved. Sore but at least not the legs. I hope I retain all this fat as well I am out of areas to harvest.
SJ so glad you are happy with your results.
0 -
jbdayton - I just had an appt with my new PS (I have had one very good surgery with her so far), and I am scheduled for a TE at the beginning of Dec. this makes surgery #15, and there will be more, so I have adjusted my mindset, lol! I had a fat graft in May and the donor site was hips and low back area - not too bad. Hope for the same for you
0 -
Any helpful suggestions on how to help the fat to stay? I am scheduled for 1st FG in 2 weeks.
0 -
I don't know of anything specific to do to control how much fat is retained other than prayer.
I have been very lucky and kept probably about 90% of what was transferred each time.
0 -
kingster - there has been some discussion regarding angiogenesis diets to help the fat, but I am not sure there is much you can do to make the fat stay - it either will or won't. I have had repeated fat grafts, but for different reasons. My single cosmetic fat graft all stayed, did very well. I have had two more to the now removed implant side to improve the skin health. I was told by my PS that I could do no exercise other than walking for 8 weeks following surgery, but I don't know whether that helped the fat stay or not.
0 -
My PS said to expect to keep about 80% of the fat that was grafted. What he put on my chest seems to have stayed. (Surgery was in Dec.) The fat on my side (under my arm - across from my breast) has not had quite that amount of success, but it's still a huge improvement. I lost muscle and all the soft tissue there from an infection so was left with scars over bone. Looks a lot more normal now.
I was told no exercise, no bras or anything that would press even lightly on my upper chest and side. He basically said to sit still and let the fat find a blood supply so it would live.
0 -
I had fat grafting last June most stayed but I have lumps now. I have a few grape sized lumps and it panics me! Had one biopsied and bs said it was fin
0 -
For how long did you have to stay still? My ps only gave me one week off work, but I scheduled my vacation after...so I have 2 weeks off total. My job is very physical, and I am hoping that is enough time.
If lumps developed, can they be massaged out? He told me to massage the abdomen, but leave the chest alone.
0 -
I didn't have to sit still, but could not exercise beyond walking for 8 weeks. I have not had any lumps form at the graft site - and I have grafted three times, but I would follow your doc's advice and leave the craft area alone.
0 -
Special K, was there anything special you did to the breast area to not form lumps? Did you wear a soft bra after? Ps said to stay in the surgical bra and dressings until Monday (surgery is on a Friday). U did wear spanx type shareware right? Ps said I could, but not necessary. I've read that support feels much better.
0 -
I'd like to ask a practical-TMI-type question, if I may.
I'm wearing my compression garment for a minimum of 3 weeks--possibly as long as 7 or 8. It's quite a device--it extends from the bra line down to below my knees with a crotch area that is not discretely folded over like Spanx but instead rather obscenely wide open (which has been a million times easier to manage).
So what the heck do I do when I get my period? I can't imagine stuffing underwear under this thing--it is *tight*! When I go back to work I might wear some larger undies over it, but that would be rather...um...messy with period flow.
I talked the nice nurse in the hospital into giving me a second compression garment, but it is a different model and is not at all tight and has an even huger crotch opening!
Anyone have advice? I doubt my sweet, easily embarrassed PS can help with this one!
0 -
Elizabeth, I would wear the looser fitting one with undies underneath till your period is over;) I bet I will get my period just in time for my fat graft surgery! The joys of being a woman, lol. My ps said that he plans to take 700ml of fat, and that compression garment was not necessary. I bought a couple shapewear garments. One week should be ok to wear a little looser one. I get swollen pelvic area with my period, so I don't know how tight of a garment I could tolerate anyway. I think with regular Lipo for cosmetic, they take out about 2,000-2,500 ml. Did your ps say to massage your abdomen??
0 -
My PS was serious about the compression--which is interesting because he's pretty flexible about most stuff. He did not suggest massage, but I'll see him three weeks post-op, and I'll certainly ask him about it then. He took 400cc from a bunch of sites--I've got lots of little holes in me! No bruises at all on my abdomen, but really big ones on my hips/thighs where most of my fat was.
My PS said that in order to get enough fat to fix my rippling, he would take as much fat as he could and I'd end up with the same thing as a cosmetic lipo. I think he wanted me to understand that it was a significant procedure. Also, I think he's concerned it won't fix the rippling, so perhaps any positive lipo effects will make the surgery still seem worthwhile. He did seem quite optimistic post-surgery.
I bought some Spanx-things too--just in case I needed them. my compression thing is much firmer, and it has hook and eye closures and a zipper on each side. I'm so afraid of messing up the results that I'll try to follow instructions carefully!
I sure wish there was something we could do to maximize the chance of fat staying
0 -
Maybe call your ps office, and get the office staff to ask your question about your period. I'm sure he has heard stranger questions, lol. Sounds like you had a lot of Lipo. How many cc's?
0 -
kingster - no, nothing special, but I from what I have seen on these boards, lumps are the exception rather than the rule. There may be a connection also with the technique used to lay the fat in. My PS who did the aesthetic graft in my upper poles layered the fat. Ask your PS how often they encounter that complication - the problem with it is that it can prompt a biopsy if it persists.
Can't help with the compression garment and period question, had hyst/ooph nine years before diagnosis. I would ask your PS nurse or staff - surely they have dealt with that issue
0 -
Special K, my ps drew me a picture of how he was going to layer the fat. He said that he layers it in a crisis cross pattern, and leaves room on the sides of the fat cells so they can find a blood supply. Surgeons love to draw pictures;) 700 ml sounds like a lot to me, but I have many defects. Did you wear a bra after your fat grafts, or no bra? Sandra said no bra. My ps didn't specify. He was just adamant about the ice and massage to the abdomen donor site. Sandra says massage will be impossibly painful. I'm scared. I am more scared of fat grafting than anything else, because it is the least necessary out of all my prior surgeries. Just don't want lumps or complications in an attempt to make these foobs look like breasts. Has anyone heard of death resulting from fat grafting, or anyone have a fat embolism as a result of this surgery?
0 -
kingster - I was not dressed in a bra post-surgically and I didn't wear one at home for any of the fat grafts I have done. My docs have not wanted any compression near the graft. I was not told to ice the donor site, my first PS did not have me massage the donor site but did require the exercise ban and eight week 24/7 compression. My second PS, who has only done a small graft under the skin to bulk it up so it can accept an expander, did encourage massage at the donor site, but did not require compression, or an exercise ban beyond two weeks. As with many aspects of reconstruction and revision surgery, there are a lot of variations in instructions. I had no problem massaging (hips and flanks) after about a week, with my most recent graft.Here is a realself link re: fat embolism, sounds pretty rare
http://www.realself.com/question/statistic-reports...
0 -
Kingster and Elizabethaw am now 3 days post op from my 4th fat grafting. I am still very sore in the donor areas this time. I did not remember this much pain with my prior grafts. I believe the issue is much more fat was removed this time and from a more sensitive area.
I also had one hip removed to compensate for my other hip being used to make my right breast. He called it a large shark bite. First he took all the fat from the area then excised the skin so it is tight.
I have not done anything special to retain my fat just followed the same instructions as specialK and sandra; no exercise and no compression. I did not notice hardly any fat disappearing. I kept about 90% per PS. Twice I was put in a fairly loose surgical bra coming out of surgery, the last time I had an extra large compression bandage wrapped loosely around my chest because the hospital was out of bras and this time nothing on me. Only one time did I come out of surgery with a compression garment and it was the kind that went from just below the breasts to the knees with the hook and eyes and zippers on the side and crutch less. I will ask if I should begin compression again this time after my post op appointment this Wednesday. I have a drain on my hip. My PS seems to do as he pleases each time.
I do have a small lumpy area on the inside area of my fat rebuilt failed flap. The PS said he would revisit it after I healed and laser it if necessary and my ropey area on my tummy incision as well.
I have a peanut sized lump in my other breast but it is radiated tissue and it can either be cut out or monitored annually. I decided to just have it monitored each year. The mammogram and ultrasound show the lump as clear tissue so it will be easy to see if anything changes in the future. I actually can barely feel it anymore now that he has injected fat over the area.
I wouldn't worry too much, it seems most people have had good luck with fat retention on this board. Just take it easy.
0 -
How long for no exercise? I am taking 2 weeks off of work. My job has long hours and constant running around.
0 -
Kingster, don't be so scared!! (Hug) it will be ok! I know what you mean about this being the least necessary. My family kept asking if I was sure I wanted to do this.
I did talk to both my PS and his PA about the dangers. PS and I agreed that dying over ripples seems foolish. 😀 His PA told me that my chance of dying from fat grafting is about the same as dying in a car wreck on the way there. My PS said he does a lot of fat grafting and has had two fat necrosis issues and one divot that needed a second surgery in the past 5 years. Obviously it's terrible to be that one--I'm so sorry that happened to you, mommyathome!
I decided to do fat grafting because the risks seem relatively small
Jbdayton, I hope this is the last one for you and that you're satisfied with the results. SpecialK, I hope this next round of expanding/replacing is smooth sailing for you--goodness knows you deserve it!
Kingster, try not to worry. (I know, I couldn't not worry either!)
0 -
As to exercise, I was told "no running, jumping, bouncing, etc., for three weeks." Before the surgery I had been told two weeks, but my PS has an ongoing family medical issue and he'll be out of town from my post-surgery one-week to two-week time--don't know if that's part of it. He also said no to any Pilates or yoga during that time. I was surprised when he said no lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds as well. Other than that I can use my arms normally.
After each surgery (this was #4), I've woken up in those weird little vest things. I've got a whole collection now, but the current one is super loose. The directions I received in print from the hospital are vague and contradictory, but they say to continue wearing the surgical bra. (Note that the instructions are for my "breast reduction," apparently they didn't have a fat grafting handout. I suppose I did have my breasts reduced--all the way to nothing! But that wasn't this surgery.) I will probably quit wearing the loose best-thing and just go bra-less. I think an ideal garment wouldn't allow bouncing or movement but would also not compress the area. it seems that no pressure on the site of the graft is most importan
0 -
kingster - clarification on the exercise thing - I could not go to the gym for 8 weeks, as in truly working out, but I could do normal life. I had the same lifting restriction as mentioned above. I agree on the pain level being associated with the amount of fat removed - more fat equals more pain.
elizabethaw - I am keeping my fingers crossed that this is the beginning of the end of recon for me, thanks!
0 -
Elizabethaw: I'm curious if you know why your PS was concerned that the fat grafting won't fix rippling? From what I've read on these boards FG is supposed to help it. What do you think so far?
0
