Post Fat transference experiences welcomed

Hello Ladies

I had an LD recon without implant last October and in April I will be having the first procedure to transfer fat from thighs to recon breast.
I had been led to believe that I would only be in hospital at most one night and the rehab would be very fast.
I met a lady at a support group this week who gave me a different version as she is 4 weeks post fat transference procedure.
She experienced pain from where fat was taken from, had to restrict movement to a minimum and is wearing control pants 4 weeks later and still off work.
If anybody out there has been through this can you give me your take on it?
Much appreciated.

Jude

I had a small amount transferred to even out the contour around the implant in my LD recon. I had it done on the Friday, together with a nipple recon, I had expected to be back at work on the Monday but was very sick on the Sunday - delayed reaction to the anaesthetic - so had Monday off and was back at work on Tuesday

I’m due for fat transfer from my stomach to my breasts in a couple of weeks time, so can’t report back yet on what it’s really like, but I’ve been warned that I shouldn’t drive for two weeks, and will be bruised and sore for up to six weeks where the fat was removed. So I’m expecting to be off work at least 2 weeks, and maybe working from home for a few weeks after that since I doubt I’ll be able to wear normal clothes. I’ve also been told that I’ll have to wear “big knickers” and support bras for at least six weeks.

Hi, I’m due to have this process for a WLE “dent” in May - postponed from Feb but that’s another story. I have been told also that the “big pants” help to get the skin to settle down after lipo and that there will be bruising where it is taken out and a possibility of infection where it is put in. Good luck with the procedure, I will be behind you so afraid can’t tell you how long it takes to settle down but I was wondering about possibly taking arnica to help with the bruising. Has anyone any experience with arnica before lipofill? xx

Glad you asked that question Mary Grace! I too would like to know how effective arnica is with the bruising after fat trasnfer.

I took arnica before my BC op and was delighted how little bruising I got, but with the 2nd op to match the other side up I had major bruising - but they had to operate twice within a few hours due to a haematoma, so perhaps that’s not surprising.

I guess the extent of the soreness and bruising will be related to how much fat is being transferred. Some people seem to have only 50ml or 100ml done, but I’m having 1200ml transferred so fearing the worst.

I am very much a novice at lipofill. I am due a consultation now on 2nd April to talk about it so I will ask all of these questions then.

I don’t even know how much we are talking about transferring from me. I guess taking more out may mean more bruising but I really don’t know if that is the case, maybe it is just a “when they do lipofill at all there is a certain amount of bruising?”

Will ask about arnica although they were quite scathing about it when I had my WLEs. On the other hand I know several people who have had recon who swear by it, so I wonder if that is just a “conventional medicine” standpoint like I had during rads with using aloe vera (was told that they could only advise aqueous although some other countries recommended aloe vera). Struck me as a very cautious view and maybe the “official” line on arnica is the same.

Just wouldn’t want to do anything that has a bad effect on the healing process…

Good luck with the process CC and all others who are scheduled this before me xx

I should have been more accurate with my earlier comment - the surgeon said she’s going to remove 1200ml of fat from my stomach, but only about half of that is going to be injected into my breasts. They wash it, centrifuge it and do all sorts of things to it, so the volume that goes in is less than they extract.

I hadn’t realised that if they’re extracting fat for lipofill purposes then they only take what is needed, not like the liposuction process you see on makeover programmes where they remove as much as possible.

If you look on page 2 there are 2 threads about this.
I was posting when I had mine done about 6 weeks ago. The op was slightly more than I thought. I was
resting on the sofa for a couple of days then gently out and about. I was tired for a good 2 weeks. The site was bruised and a bit sore but not too bad really. The worst thing was probably the control knickers. GET SOME COMFY ONES NOW. Not ones that ride up your bum like mine.
I insisted my fat was taken from my hips as I’ve always hated the fatty pad I’ve got there. The surgeon was fine with that and also fine when I kept saying- Take lots!

Also- I just had a thought about bruising. I had fat taken from both hips equally. One side was really spectacularly bruised the other side had nothing at all. Both sides hurt the same amount and took the same time to recover.
good luck!

Hi nem
I couldn’t find where you referred to - which page 2?

just bumped for you Cheshire.

thanks ladies for all the posts, really helpful.
My surgeon has always said he’s take the fat from my thighs - but alot of you here are saying the fat came from your hips?
Has anyone had fat from thighs or is it usually hips where it comes from?
My appoint to see PS was for begining of April and I’ve been so geared up for it and got a letter yesterday saying it’s been delayed for a further 2 weeks. I am so impatient, I had hoped I’d wrap all the recon ops up by the end of 2012 but not sure now it that will happen.
Those of you who have had this, was it normally 2 fat transference procedures? I have been told I’ll need that and then a reduction on the good side.

Jude

Hi Jude, I had three lipofill ops, each with a different preparation method but always harvested from my flanks, the bruising wasn’t too bad at all and sore more than painful. For me, most of the fat has reabsorbed and the difference to my recon side (ld flap no implant) between before and after is minimal. I also had a reduction and uplift on the good side, despite this there is still a size difference but with a padded bra it is not very noticeable under clothing! Good Luck with your op. x

Hi,

I’ve had two fat transfers from my thigh so far and been told I will need a third and if that doesn’t do it I may need a small implant as well. I had the reconstruction (igap) in May 2010 & here we are in March 2012 and I’m still not “finished”. I don’t want to sound negative but I just wanted to warn you that it may not be as quick as you would hope for. There has to be at least a three month gap between each op and in my experience it has always been longer (mainly due to waiting lists & admin errors). I really do hope you get sorted quickly as all this waiting just prolongs the quest to feel “normal” again.

Love lbx157

Thank you so much for all your experiences, I feel I have a much more realistic picture now. I would rather know in advance than be disappointed.
I think I’m just too impatient, it was almost 2 years since my mx and I really thought I’d have the whole process sewn up by now but it’s such a complex type of surgery so that will explain the lengthy completion time.
It might have easier just have had an implant from the begining!!!
Good luck to those still awaiting their procedure.

Jude

xx