Looking for opinions on fat tissue grafting after initial breast reconstruction.

[Sugarmag]

HI. I was going to have fat grafting done this Friday but when I went for my first mammo. after reconstruction the radiologist didn't paint the rosy picture that my plastic surgeon did and cautioned me to be informed prior to rushing into the fat grafting. Can anyone who has gone thru this after getting an implant please give me their thoughts on how it went for them? Is it another long recovery process? Are they glad they did it?, etc. Thanks!!

[VicReg Partner]

Hi, while I do not have implants, I did do fat grafting to smooth out the concaveness left after my mastectomy. The recovery was not horrible, but it wasn't great either.

Most of the pain was in the donor site not the injection site & it lasted about 2-3 weeks. I do wanted to point out I have a high pain tolerance and everyone heals at different rates.

I also want to suggest that you speak with plastics again and ask him to explain why he thinks you radiologist is giving you different information.

[Sugarmag in reply to VicReg]

Thank you so much ! I do have an appointment with the plastic surgeon Thursday and am still debating whether or not to do the grafting.

[aeatk]

I'm having fat grafting and a breast lift this coming Tuesday (11/5), my plastic surgeon says I will feel like I was attacked with a baseball bat and be very sore and bruised. I'm ready, I have one DD breast and a B cup breast....this is the only way to get them to be similar sizes.

[Sugarmag in reply to aeatk]

Good luck. I am six days out from doing the grafting. I can already say in my case it was worth it. My chest felt better from the moment I woke up from surgery than it has since radiation. The area looks better (except for bruising which will go away) but I did it to feel better so it is a win/win. I am bruised all over and have to agree with VicReg that in my case the donor sites are my areas of pain but Tylenol every 5-6 hrs. is all I need.