Fat Transfer: Stories

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BRAVA and fat transfer to breast

  • posted 5 months ago
  • updated 3 months ago

I am a big fan of Breast Nexus and Real Self. I...

  • 13 Dec 2012
  • 20 days pre

I am a big fan of Breast Nexus and Real Self. I have been thinking about a "boob job" ever since I stopped breast feeding my third and last child (about 5 months ago). I am not worried about size (I was always an A/B cup before kids), but the appearance of my breasts just made me sad (saggy and wrinkly with a deflated feel them). I am not a fan of implants and was not willing to explore that option at all. I finally decided on an autologous fat transfer augmentation and have started the BRAVA about a week ago. Below I am going to go over the preliminary stuff I have already done.

PS: Dr. Hartog located in Orlando, Fl. Dr. Hartog has done the procedure for a bit now and was trained under Dr. Khouri from Miami. He is also participating in the AFT study.

Initial Consult: Because I have stable weight (120lbs) and am not looking for a large enhancement I am considered an ideal candidate. My breast tissue has already stretched out nicely (I was a 34D with all three kids) and I have enough fat. I was hoping for local anesthesia for the procedure, but because Dr. Hartog needs to harvest fat from multiple sites I will require general anesthesia.

Diagnostics: I had a breast MRI done in Orlando with a radiologist who is also participating in a study and also had a 3D ultrasound performed. Total cost $450. Results- normal.
Screening blood work will be performed at my preoperative checkup.

BRAVA: $850 through Dr. Hartog's office. It took over 2 weeks for it to arrive. In my mind the BRAVA is a bit intimidating, but it does become manageable over the course of 7 to 10 days. I had a consult with Darlene, my BRAVA coach, and begin wearing it last week.

Week 1: I use the BRAVA cleanser for my skin and Life Aloe Vera Gel from Whole Foods (recommended by Darlene). The first night was 6 hours. It was total torture and I was itchy and sore in my armpits and sternum. I was up every one or two hours. I was really anxious the second night (7 hours) but have found that each night is better than the last. You get better at repositioning and learn how to deal with the itching and discomfort. So the first week I basically added an hour each night until I reached 11 hours. I had absolutely zero skin issues and the BRAVA rarely looses suction at night. My breast are getting heavier (fuller… it is hard to describe) and are definitely bigger in the morning. I religiously apply coconut oil and Aveeno's baby moisturizer with colloidal oatmeal two or three times a day.

Week 2: I have started cycling and am slowly increasing the length of time I wear the BRAVA. My goal for the end of Week 2 is 12 hours, 2 cycles, and hand pump. I'll post in a few days with the results of Week 2.

Week 2: So I have finished 14 days of BRAVA and am...

  • 18 Dec 2012
  • 16 days pre
Week 2: So I have finished 14 days of BRAVA and am doing it full tilt. Whenever I talk to the BRAVA coach or the Surgery Staff they keep emphasizing that I should wear the BRAVA as much as possible. I am not sure how much "as much is possible" is, so I have been wearing the BRAVA 14 hours per day and cycling 3 times a day and also increasing pressure by hand pump while not cycling. Honestly, it is completely overwhelming and BRAVA is all I think about. There is no way to prepare yourself for the work needed to wear BRAVA. That being said, I am looking forward with positive mindset and take each day as it comes. I have had no problems with my skin beyond itching (which everyone experiences) and I really think it has to do with the Aloe Life Skin Gel I use instead of the skin wipes. I still use the BRAVA cleanser before wear and let the Aloe Life Kin Gel dry for at least 10 minutes. I have also started using Tegaderm between by breasts and the areas of the skin where the plastic edges dig in. I have also started taping my nipples with the Tegaderm, so they won't be sensitive when I take BRAVA off. It is important not to pull off the Tegaderm, as that will irritate your skin. I wash my skin with goat's milk soap and apply coconut oil and Aveeno Baby Moisturizer, by then the Tegaderm falls off. I do not wear underwire bras during my off hours and make sure to re-moisturize midday. By 4pm I am putting the BRAVA back on and attempting my life chores with 3 young kids climbing all over me and asking to be picked up.

I have to say that the swelling I see in the morning after wearing BRAVA is really impressive, close to a large C at this point. I need to get the swelling up to a full D cup before surgery (if I want a chance at a small C). I heard that the 3rd week is where you really see enlargement. I have my preop appointment coming in 2 days. I'll let you know what pearls of wisdom I get from Dr. Hartog and staff.

Week 3 goals: 14-16 hours wear, 3-4 cycles, hand pump pressure above sports box

Week 3 was completed and I am now wearing the...

  • 25 Dec 2012
  • 9 days pre
Week 3 was completed and I am now wearing the BRAVA 14 hours a day. It was recommended to me by Dr. Hartog to try a negative pressure motorized pump to increase expansion of the breast material. Dr. Hartog said that "they" are finding that the expansion achieved before transfer to the breast was a major determinant of how much final volume you can get for a single transfer. The higher pressure is intense and acts to replace the cycling I had been doing with the black suction bulb. My skin was doing well, but my nipples are not so lucky. I am now taping my nipples to help keep the sensitivity under control. My surgery is about one week away and at this point I am just anxious for all this to be over. I am beyond sick of wearing BRAVA and look forward to a BRAVA free future in about 4 weeks. FYI, the automatic pump is made by Medala and cycles up to 70mmHg for 5 minutes and releases pressure for 1 minute. It makes my skin itch like nothing else, but that is probably due to the stretching.

Week 4 goals: BRAVA 14 to 16 hours per day, 4 to 6 hours of automatic pump at high pressure. Continue 1000-2000mg Vit. C supplement, B-complex and probiotics.

Surgery is 2 days away. I'll try to post a day...

  • 1 Jan 2013
  • 2 days pre
Surgery is 2 days away. I'll try to post a day after surgery.I have been wearing BRAVA 24 hrs for 3 consecutive days (this is day 2) and it really isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I had some serious pain on my sternum, probably because I was staying at high pressure for way to long. I have backed off on the high pressure (giving myself a break at sportbox pressure) and the pain has significantly reduced. I started taking protein supplements as well as continuing my high dose Vitamin C and B-complex. I thought about taking arnica preop, but decided against it because I don't know if it will affect the fat transfer. I plan on taking arnica when I wake up from surgery and continuing for 5 days post op. Beyond that I have arnica cream and I bought a Veronique compression garment as well as some Spanx (high wasted tights). I'll review the Stage 2 compression garments when I have worn them for a few weeks. I am not nervous about surgery, thanks to support from two ladies from this site who already had this procedure. I'll plan for the best and look forward to starting the recovery stage :)

Home from surgery. Tired but feel good. Pain is...

  • 3 Jan 2013
  • On day of treatment
Home from surgery. Tired but feel good. Pain is 2/10 with pain meds and 4/10 when it wears off. Recheck in one week. In my girdle and have no leakage yet. Liposuction incisions were closed with 5-0 catgut and 6-0 catgut. This is tiny and will dissolve quickly. Not sure how the boobs look yet, but they are not huge right now. Liposuction was everywhere. Abdomen, hips, inner and outer and back of thighs. I post pics in a month or two. So far no regrets.

I just got the BRAVA on. Was not fun washing a...

  • 4 Jan 2013
  • 1 day post
I just got the BRAVA on. Was not fun washing a prepping my skin, but I want all my fat cells to live and so I popped a pain pill and stuck my boobs on! I have to say my breasts look amazing and I can't believe how slim my waist is! Minimal bruising. I'll try to post a picture one week out.

Ok. Two weeks post op. My bruising and swelling...

  • 17 Jan 2013
  • 14 days post
Ok. Two weeks post op. My bruising and swelling has come down significantly and I now fit into by regular clothes (but no skinny jeans for me). The original Marena garment I had post op was starting to dig into my skin so I have started alternating with my stage 2 compression garment (Veronique). The Stage 2 is really tight but I find that my skin sensitivity is less annoying when I wear the tighter garment. I have also purchased 2 Spanx high waisted tights that hit at the knee. I wear them inside out to avoid seam imprints. I take Arnica (oral) twice a day and Arnica massage cream every night. I also apply Aquaphor to the liposuction punctures to keep the scabs soft and not itchy. Almost all the scabs have fallen off at this point. I did a small workout today and felt fine. When I move from sitting I do have a feeling of intense pulling under my skin and it takes me several hobbling steps to loosen up.

My breasts: The bruising is 100% resolved and the needle punctures have long been closed up and are healing. My breasts feel sensitive like when you get PMS and I am wearing no underwire nursing bras that are very comfortable and supportive. I can tell my cleavage is going to be amazing when I wear a real bra. My breasts are a solid C (I was originally a saggy A) and the shape of them is amazing. My husband thinks my boobs are "perfect" and combined with the liposuction says I am a "10". He is very pleased with the changes and my sisters and close friends have already noticed a change in my shape. I look totally different with clothes. I was always petite, but now I have some curves to go with by slim shape. I am 5'4" and weight 120lbs (size 2 bottom, size 0 top) so a C looks pretty good on my frame.

Ok- next update at 6 weeks. I hope this info is helpful.

8 weeks post op. FINALLY the misery is over! My...

  • 28 Feb 2013
  • 1 month post
8 weeks post op. FINALLY the misery is over! My liposuction has taken the full 8weeks to recover, and I still don't feel like I can run without discomfort and my lower back is still numb. I really can't complain, however, because I know this is all a part of the healing process. I wanted to walk you guys through my AFT. After I stopped wearing BRAVA 3 weeks post op 10hr/ day I didn't really notice a decrease is size. The swelling went down after like a day, but the fullness remained (if you wear BRAVA then you know what I am talking about). For about a week I was so anxious about losing size, but that has not happened. I never had any cysts or obvious loss of fat (thanks Dr. Hartog!) so I really can't comment on that. I can tell you that I obsessed on fat loss and was literally worried almost every day that the boobs would go away. At about 5 or 6 weeks I finally decided to "let it go" and be content with whatever happens. Stressing about your boobs for 2+ months is exhausting! My scars at 8 weeks look like big freckles and a few are slightly raised. It is still winter so at least I don't have to worry about sun exposure yet. After like 4 weeks I felt like I could wear an underwire bra and a low cut shirt and no one would know I had anything done (no bruising, no obvious scars, etc). One thing to mention is that my nipples went back to "normal" and at 8 weeks all the dark pigmentation from wearing the BRAVA has exfoliated off and my nipples are pink again (instead of a darker pink). I have zero sensitivity or pain. I started sleeping on my stomach at about 6 weeks. I was comfortable having "simple" sex at about 2 weeks. I didn't feel comfortable with any boob touching for about 6 weeks (PMS boobs do not want to be handled!). That is all I can think to tell you. Let me know if you have any postop questions. I'm gonna post pictures at the 3 month mark.

Great review?
Jeffrey Hartog, MD

My Doctor: Jeffrey Hartog, MD

My rating:

Doctor's Bedside Manner
Answered My Questions
After Care Follow-Up
Time Spent With Me
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Internet research. The only other Plastic Surgeon I would consider in Florida was Dr. Khouri, but he is over 4 hours away. Dr. Hartog trained under Dr. Khouri and is a part of his clinical trial.

Comments (45)

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jenna13 9 May 2013
Jakho when did you start cycling? how long before surgery. I am having a heck of a time getting answers/feedback from Dr. Hartog's office about extra cycling. I can't get a black bulb and the medela pump isn't available to me in Boston. I am going to rig something up and cycle myself but I am wondering if you could share the guidelines. I so appreciate your time
JaKho 9 May 2013
You should be cycling after 1 weeks of BRAVA wear (once your skin gets used to the domes). The black bulb should have come with your BRAVA domes and is not something extra the doctor provides. The extra equipment would have come with your BRAVA domes package. The guidelines I used are described in my posts and so there is no need for me to rewrite them at this time. It sounds to me like you may not be using the BRAVA under the guidelines of a doctor, as this stuff is very basic to the procedure and handouts are provided by the doctor when you get the domes. I don't mean to sound snippy, but this procedure is best used by individuals who are informed and overseen by their PS and staff. Your outcome may be poor if you do this without the proper guidance and compliance. Regimens for cycling may be different if you had implants, had a lump removed, are asymmetrical, or have other issues with the breast tissue. Good luck.
jenna13 9 May 2013
Thabks for your response i just wanted to make sure i didnt miss anyrhing thst you didnt post. Actually, I'm scheduled with your surgeon Dr. Hartog on may 29th. Brava has been a nightmare due to the recent recall and closure of the study. They stopped selling it through dr's offices and disallowed the bulb. The FDA is reconsidering and will be opening the study again shortly but I am in a bad window. I know you had a great experience with Hartog and his office but I am finding their lack of support frustrating. They have not made a bulb or the medela machine available to ma and seen annoyed at my attempts to find some on my own. That is why I am trying to figure out cycling on my own. Thank you very much for your time, and your response . Jen
JaKho 10 May 2013
That does sound super frustrating! My sympathies, I now look totally *itchy! I hope everything turns out ok. Good luck. J
amelia girl (RealFriend) 10 May 2013
Thank you for this kind response.
amelia girl (RealFriend) 20 Mar 2013
Hi. Did you only wait 1 day (24 hours) to put the Brava back on after your surgery? I noticed you wrote this but some docs are saying that Khouri's protocol is to wait 72 hours to put the Brava back on after surgery. How is everything now? You look great!
JaKho 9 May 2013
I wore BRAVA 24hrs after surgery and for 3 consecutive days (only removing to shower). I am 4+ months out and every day I am glad I had the procedure. I still have soreness on my upper butt when I run, but that is all. My scars continue to shrink and lighten. I'll update and post pictures at 6months.
amelia girl (RealFriend) 9 May 2013
Thanks Jakho!  Thats exactly what I did, waited 24 hours to put on and only wore Brava for 3 days straight after surgery as I got really sick after that & could not wear Brava any longer.  How come you only wore it for 3 days post surgery & not longer?  Or, did you wear it longer post surgery but at night only?  Yes, I am 1 month out today and I am so glad I did the surgery as well.  My results are awesome!  How many pants sizes did you go down?  I went from a size 4 to a size 0 in 1 month!  It is crazy good! LOL  Can't wait to see your results at 6 mths.  I tried to run a little today but my hips were sore so I stopped.  Is 1 month too soon to run?  When did you start running?
JaKho 9 May 2013
I did 3 consecutive days and the 10-12hrs a day for 3 more weeks. My size didn't change as much as the muffin top was gone and no more saddle bags. I was unable to run for several months. The elliptical and bike were fine for me after 1 month, but high impact running is still "uncomfortable". I have a mud run in August and Tough Mudder in November so I have to start running. My upper butt area is sore after I run but I am working through it. I hope this helps. I am holding steady at 34C and size 2/0. It only gets better!
amelia girl (RealFriend) 9 May 2013
Thanks JaKho.  Wow, I have to wait months before I can run comfortably..that is stinky!  I am mostly a walker but I love to put in little running sprints for the high/low combo.  Poo!  I am glad you are holding steady at 34C & size 2 or 0, that is what I want to hold steady at since I am that now.  Okay, so I missed those 3 weeks that you did after the 3 days but I seem to be okay.  I am thinking positive! LOL
JaKho 9 May 2013
I think with this procedure you can only do your best and then let it go. I am glad that I don't think about my boobs anymore and can focus on other more important things than my body. It is draining to worry. I think after 3 months you can feel settled with the results and not worry. The swelling from the liposuction took 8 weeks to really go down.
BeagleBaby1 2 Mar 2013
Hi . . I have 6 more days untill my surgery date. Spoke to Darlene at brava yesterday. She said I can start my marathon wear now since I'm off work untill a few day after my surgery. So today I put them on about 4:30 and will leave them on untill about 8:00 on Monday. She also said to jump up the cycling. I have been doing like you and going to high pressure and letting it set awhile, it's hard to get thing done around the house with these things on. On a not so good note I need to call my ps on Monday morning and see if we might be able to reschedule my surgery for a few days later. My husband is stuck in Texas and can't see how he can make it home in time. So I will have to see what I can do. I really wanted him to be here. Besided he's my driver.
BeagleBaby1 27 Feb 2013
Just looked at your pics and noticed you have no deep red marks and blisters from the domes. Was it because you used the aloe life gel. My skin is horriable from the domes, after having them off all day it lookes like I just took them off. Spoke to Darlene today and she told me to stop using the skin cleanser and use J&J baby shampoo to wash with and then use the aloe life gel instead of the wipes. Looked for it after you mentioned it and wasn't able to find it. Finally broke down and ordered it off line today. It can't get here soon enough. Also wanted to ask how many CC did your ps put into each breast?
JaKho 28 Feb 2013
I think my skin had minimal reaction because I really took care of it. I'm in the medial field so I know what early signs of skin breakdown looks. In my opinion the skin wipes strip the skin very aggressively (your skin needs oil to protect itself) and so I only used the Aloe Life Skin Gel which is much gentler. I never had problems with seal. I made sure to wash my skin with the special wash before applying the domes and usually dried my skin and the domes with my hair dryer to make sure there was minimal moisture before trying to get a seal (I live in florida, very humid here). After removing the domes I would wash with all natural goats milk soap bar and then apply a generous amount of coconut oil and also an Aveeno's baby oatmeal based moisturizer. My skin would itch (oh the itching) and get a bit red. I only got small blister once (when I know I was tugging at the domes with pressure on) and I would apply a skin protectant tape that I would keep on until it fell off on its own. I think if you itch and tug al ot at the domes when the pressure is engaged you are likely to get skin breakdown. I got the Aloe Life Skin Gel from a natural food store. My P.S. put in 320ml RT/ 300ml LT. He removed 1000cc via liposuction. I am really pleased with the liposuction. The average implant is 300 to 400cc. Each cup size up is ~150cc. I had absolutely no rippling, dimples, hard patches, or any complications from the liposuction. I definitely recommend lymphatic massaged after liposuction. I also thought my garments were great and didn't make me crazy. I really think the effort is worth it. I am wearing old bras from a friend and they fit well, and my boobs look glorious! I am a size 2 and with my 34C boobs I look so much better in my clothes without being a boobie queen. I finally feel like I have my prebaby body back. Good luck and stay focused! YOu need to get up to a full D if you want to try and maintain a C.
BeagleBaby1 28 Feb 2013
Hi, I went and got Tegaderm tape and Aveeno's baby moisuturizer with oatmeal. Used the tape before I put my domes on tonight, what a difference it makes. The aloe life skin gel should be her tomorrow. When I take the domes off I was with Shea Butter soap that I make. I put Jajoba and sweet almond oil in it. I'm really trying to get my boobs as big as possiable. They looked smaller to me today than they have in past days. I have to wonder if I lost pressure at night and didn't hear the alarm, so I may have lose some very valuable expansion time. So tonight I am cycling with the bulb, high pressure for about 5 minutes and off for about 30 seconds or so and then I repeat. I think I'll do this till I go to be tonight. Surgery is only 8 days away now. I'm not sure if I can get my smaller breast up to a D (the larger breast will be no problem) I work tomorrow and saturday and then I'm off untill the12th. So the plan is to wear this as much as humanly possiable and cycle as much as possiable. My ps said he planned to put 400CC in each breast as long as there's room for it.
JaKho 1 Mar 2013
Good luck! I am so excited for you! Make sure you don't peel the tegaderm tape off, let it come off naturally! You are SO close to the beginning of the end. Feel free to ask me ANY questions. Best wishes.
jenna13 27 Feb 2013
Thank you so much for sharing your insightful review of the procedure. I really appreciate it. There is not a whole lot out there yet re: AFT. I have been researching ps's (I live in Boston but am willing to travel) forever and am wondering how you chose yours. I am very impressed with what I read about Hartog and am DELIGHTED to hear how positive your experience has been! Does anybody out there have any experience with the following? Dr. Khouri, FL. Dr. Placik, Chicago, Dr. Sattler, Seattle. Dr Diana, TX. Dr. Del Vechio, Boston. Dr. Tanillo, Boston. Dr. Coleman, NY (Very $$$$). Thank you so muych for any and all comments I feel I am floundering a bit here and woukld welcome any and all comments, concerns or suggestions.
JaKho 28 Feb 2013
When it came to choosing my PS I knew I had to stay somewhat local (I have three very you children under the age of 4yrs) and I also knew I wouldn't be spending more than about $10000 on a procedure that may or may not work. AFT is NOT implants and the surgeon you use is really going to affect outcome. In the end your commitment to the BRAVA is what will get you to the size you want once you find a good PS. Do not expect 10hrs/day BRAVA wear to get this done… that is MINIMUM. If you want to be a C then you need to get your boobs engorged up to a full D before the fat transfer. Also, make sure you think about liposuction. There is no point in better boobs if you now have ugly rippling or dimples from the liposuction. I picked my PS after I went for a consultation. He had a very straight forward manner and actually did a full reconstruction for his wife who had a double mastectomy. His pictures showed conservative liposuction and AFT. In my mind I wanted someone conservative who would leave my body slightly better than it was, without the risk of cysts or lumps or infection. I was looking for someone committed to making the science better. My PS trained under Dr. Khouri and so I knew he used that same technique. I am part of an NIH study on the procedure and also am enrolled in a imaging study to look at ultrasound breast imaging vs MRI. I really feel like the doctors in both those studies are committed to my safety and long term positive outcomes. Also, my PS talked about shaping the breast. How they place the fat will really affect how they look. My PS placed a good amount of fat at the cleavage area, and so my shape is really amazing (even from before kids) in a natural way. Out of a bra by breast look fine (34C with asymmetry), but in a bra they look perfect and with minimal support like in nighties or dresses I have excellent cleavage. Your boobs WILL NOT LOOK LIKE IMPLANTS. If, in your head, you are looking for perky round boobs, this is not for you! My breasts look 100% natural, slightly asymmetrical with stretch marks from my 3 kids (but I would not have it any other way). As a joke it was said that "this is a procedure for smart women." That means that you are not a passive subject in the process, but a thinking participant that has a role in the outcome. For better or worse it is YOU who is responsible for wearing the BRAVA, keeping your skin healthy, maintaining your weight and also post op care. No one really mentions that you need to wear BRAVA a minimum of 3 weeks after to fat transfer to protect the fat. Just some thoughts. I hope this helps and doesn't scare you. :) Good luck! J
jenna13 2 Mar 2013
Thank you again for your time and thoughtful response. I too am a mother of three little ones (and a teenager, yikes!) So would very much prefer not to travel but am willing because the procedure is so difficult to do correctly. It is my understanding that there are only a handful of ps's who do this successfully and CAREFULLY. There are two in my area (Boston) Del Vechio, who has received mixed reviews and Dr. Tantillo who has not received many rvw's. Both of them have worked with Khouri and follow his protocol (which is a must for me). I am not at all interested in implants or that "look." My mom had her first implants done in the sixties and believe me that is not a bus I want to catch (but that's another story). I have wanted breasts my entire adult life, I am an asymmetrical A, (a cup size increase would be miraculous which is all one can expect with AFT) and feel that as I approach 40 and fat grafting is improving dramatically (thank you Dr. Khouri and friends) the time has come. I would love to look better with liposuction but, I agree, dimpling is a frightening prospect. In some ways the Brava scares me more than the surgery and I love your comment about it being the "smart woman's" procedure. I apologize for going on but I am too embarrassed to talk with friends about doing this (they would very much disapprove) and am really struggling with how to find the right surgeon. Thank you again for your generosity in sharing your own story and responding to my question. Be well and keep healing beautifully! Jenna
JaKho 3 Mar 2013
This forum is a great place to find support. When I started wearing BRAVA I was fortunate to find a RealSelf member who had the procedure done by my PS. She was supportive and informative and made a huge difference in my anxiety about everything. Just think, women who are having reconstruction have to have the procedure done 3+ times and wear the BRAVA for months on end. I went up 2 sizes, and that should be possible for you too! Good luck in your journey! Best Wishes J
BeagleBaby1 25 Feb 2013
Thank you, you have been a wealth of information for me. I was wondering if you lost tackieness on you domes. I have having a heck of a time getting my domes to suction. There are only a few spots on them that are tacky the rest is prefectly smooth. Any thoughts would be helpful. Haven't been able to get ahold of brava .
JaKho 26 Feb 2013
I never lost tackiness on the domes. My only thought is that there is oil residue on the gel or that you kept the cleaner on to long and changed the structure of the gel. If I were you I would clean the domes really well (run the rims with your hand) and dry them with a blow dryer. Make sure you use low heat setting and keep moving it around to prevent burning. See if that helps. You may also want to switch the the skin wipes provided in the kit. The no sting wipes are gonna help strip oil from your skin. Hope this helps! Totally worth it. Holding at 34C 8 weeks out!
BeagleBaby1 26 Feb 2013
They gave me the no sting wipes with my kit so i'm already using them. I usually keep the cleaner on for 5 minutes then rinse them off. I will try cleaning them the way you suggested and see if that helps. Glad to hear you are still holding at a 34C. I have 11 days to go till surgery and am up to a fuller C on left side and a smaller C on the right. Hopeing my results will be as good as yours.
BeagleBaby1 17 Feb 2013
You said you started cycling in week 2 of wear. Not sure what you mean???? I have tried to call a Brava coach numerious times to ask how how to cycle and how to use the black bulb. Maybe you can help to answer my questions. I have been wearing the domes for 2 weeks now. Surgery is scheduled for March 8th.
JaKho 17 Feb 2013
So the point of cycling is to stretch out the skin and encourage more expansion without damaging your skin. Basically a session is 60 to 90 minutes and involves pumping up the black ball until is collapses completely (basically going to maximum pressure) and letting it sit for two minutes at that high pressure. Then you release the pressure by disconnecting the black ball and letting the domes site at 0 pressure for 15 to 30 seconds. After that small break you reattach the black ball and pump until the black ball collapses and hold for 2 minutes. Eventually you can keep the pressure up for longer than two minutes. This is a time consuming and annoying, so maybe do it watching a show. You want to cycle 3 times per wear session, with one cycle when you put it on and the last cycle right before you take it off. I would wake up an hour early and cycle in bed (which is annoying). Honestly, by a week or so I would just keep the black ball pumped to maximum (where it is collapsed) and stay at that pressure for as long as I could tolerate while doing my chores. The whole point of releasing the pressure is to give your skin a break. Your nipples will probably really get itchy and irritated (they will go back to normal). Make you sure don't rush it, skin break down is a major problem and you want to avoid that as much as possible. I hope this helps. The last week before surgery I used the automatic pump that went to 70mmHg for 5 minutes and rested for 1 minutes. When you are wear 24hr for 3 consecutive days you should try to cycle 4 times per day.

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