Fat Transfer: Stories

I expanded for 6 weeks prior (just because of available surgery dates - most do for 3ish weeks), and wore them for 3 weeks post. 10ish hours on average. Yes, I used the hand pump, and many surgeons who are getting good results (1+ cup size increase) now recommend it (pre-expansion isn't sufficient otherwise, and adequate pre-expansion seems to be the key for fat retention). I don't have any lumps. I have never had a mammogram, though I'm confident in recent studies that have come out indicating that AFT does not impede proper interpretation of mammograms. Please see Dr. Greenberg's blog - she has a lot of fantastic information re: AFT. 400 cc's per breast is high, but there are surgeons who are transferring that much (Del Vecchio, etc.). The only way your surgeon is going to get that much in is if you have adequate expansion. Remember to use an experienced surgeon trained in AFT! This surgery is still in its early stages - getting it done the right way is essential to getting a good result.

Thank you! How soon after you had the fat transfer did you start wearing Brava again? Did you use an extra large dome after? Would you mind sharing if your breasts have changed since & posting an updated photo? The surgeon I am using did a friends who turned out very nice. This doc does not use Brava alot so I am kinda figuring that out on my own. I am getting the pump this week. How often did you cycle with the pump?

72 hours, but I think the protocol may have changed slightly since I had mine done. I used the same domes - though I wished for larger ones. I don't have any updated photos - the ones above were taken in Dr. Greenberg's office. If your surgeon "does not use Brava a lot," I'd honestly find another surgeon. It is so essential to find a trained surgeon for this procedure - there are stories all over RealSelf of people getting AFT done to their breasts w/out pre-expanding, and then having zero retention. ZERO. Do not do that to yourself. The surgery - like any other - is expensive, and painful, and you don't want all of that to be for naught. Nor do you want the calcifications and cysts that can come from 1) improper grafting technique or 2) not using Brava. Even if you try to manage the Brava process on your own, you may not expand enough - it takes a trained surgeon's eye & experience to know when you've reached the proper expansion point. Plus, to be frank, Brava is a total pain. If I hadn't had the knowledge & support of my surgeon (and the Brava support staff on Kouri's team), I wouldn't have made it through a week, let alone surgery. Apparently, some women whose breasts already have a high degree of skin laxity can retain some fat w/out pre-expanding. If you're one of these women, maybe you'll squeak by. Otherwise, and I cannot stress this enough, find someone who has proven results following Kouri's protocol.

Thanks so much! I wonder why you waited 72 hours (3 days) to put Brava on afterwards? I totally agree w/everything that you are saying. But, I am going w/this doc b/c I met a girl from this forum who had her do the fat transfer. We spent hours together & she let me see her results. She is one year post op & went from a B to a D. She looks awesome & has no cysts. She is guiding me on the Brava & then others I ask questions to. Since she had good results & the doc is in MD where I live, I decided to go for it. My surgery is 4/11 (which will be 6 wks of pre-expansion) and I already paid in full so we are going with it, LOL! I am feeling good that this will work out based on what I've seen. She started using Brava the night of surgery but another girl on here said her doc told her not to use for a few days as the suction can suction out the fat through the nipple so I am not sure what to believe. As, I think you know that this is such an emerging procedure, that there are alot of different thought processes from alot of docs. I am not sure that any of them know for sure. I appreciate all of your help. Feel free to check my updates after surgery on 4/11 as I plan to update often and through out the years to establish long term data for women interested in this. Bet your weather is nicer there!

The day after surgery is WAY too soon. If your doctor stitches the incisions then you won't need to worry about leakage, but most don't close them. Even after 72 hours, expect some mild fluid drainage (yellowish in color). If this happens, wear the domes upside down so the fluid doesn't ruin your Smartbox. After surgery, NEVER use increased pressure. No hand pump, Smartbox only. My doc currently recommends resuming Brava 72 hours post surgery (before that you'll be too swollen to fit them over your breasts, anyway), and continuing for 3 weeks. You can continue longer if you want, but few make it that far.

They're absolutely soft - exactly like a natural breast. I must say that the only difference I've noticed is in the weight. I was always fairly small-chested (I was an A cup before having children), so it has been interesting to adjust to the heaviness of fuller breasts.

Are they softer or the same as before though? My natural breasts are fairly firm. I'm wondering if they'll feel like *unusually* soft natural breasts.

Softer. I also had fairly firm pre-op breasts, and they definitely feel less firm than before. I don't have any comparisons between my "enhanced" breasts and other same-size natural breasts, though (haven't tested it out, LOL!), so I can't say if they're "unusually soft." My guess is that they feel very similar.

Hi there, Is everything still the same, size, etc? Can you submit an updated photo when you have time? Did you like your experience with Dr. Greenburg? I actually did a phone interview with her & thought she was very nice & honest/ straight forward. But, I just decided to go w/a doctor here in Maryland so I do not have to travel who also seems nice.

My experience w/Greenberg has been excellent. I'm roughly the same size, though my size fluctuates some with weight gain, etc (like any natural breast would). Just make sure your Maryland doctor has been properly trained, and that you can interview some of their patients to verify results. Also, absolutely follow the protocols set out by Kouri & team. Greenberg has a number of patients under her belt at this point, and seems to have fine-tuned her technique to maximize retention (any good surgeon would) - it takes a while for surgeons to get this technique down. There are some doctors near you who are also getting excellent results (Del Vecchio, for one), if you find your current surgeon doesn't meet your needs. Best of luck!

Only other question***how long after surgery should I begin Brava again? The same day?

You'll need your doctor to check current protocol. Definitely no sooner than 72 hours out (you'll be too swollen to get them on, otherwise).

I had over 300 cc's put in each breast (I don't have the exact numbers). Pre-op cup size was 36B (barely), I'm now wearing a 34C. I don't think I gained a full size - probably more like 3/4's of one - but I'm definitely fuller, and my shape is improved.

Your result on your lipo sites will be determined by 1) skin tone and 2) how skilled your surgeon is. None of us want to sacrifice our thighs for larger breasts, so I would suggest carefully reviewing your chosen surgeon's lipo-only results on other patents before making the final decision.

With regard to my result: I'm generally happy. I had a twin pregnancy that left me w/stretch marks and some mild skin sagging, so I knew going in that there was a chance my lipo wouldn't end up "perfect". My surgeon had to be pretty conservative with how much fat she took out. My thighs look pretty good (though I'm going in for a small revision in another few weeks just to even one section out on one side); the lower half of my stomach is a bit lumpy, but it also bore the brunt of my pregnancy scars, so it's not really any worse than what I started with.

In terms of the "hollow" look, I don't think they look "hollow" per se, but they do feel a bit "flappy," like everything isn't quite is tight as it was (which makes sense, given the amount of fat that was removed). I don't know how this sensation compares to thighs liposuctioned using a different technique. No noticeable sagging or bumpiness.

Hope this helps. For what it's worth, I hadn't heard other patients complain about their own lipo results until you brought it up, so my guess is it's largely a function of surgical skill (and skin tone!).

OK - I posted pics. Things to note: the 2nd pic was taken at only 5 weeks out, so there was additional loss beyond what you see. I actually didn't end up with a full cup size increase (more like 3/4" than 1"), but I'm satisfied with the improved shape and fullness of my breasts. The "after" pic also shows some residual skin discoloration from the Brava, which has mostly faded by now.

The procedure is fantastic for people who, like me, are not comfortable with implants, but want a subtle enhancement. I am especially pleased that the upper pole fullness has been restored.

Hope the photos help! Happy to answer any additional questions.

Hi wannabeme4me I am having fat tranfer 23rd jan ,implants removed first, have a look at my profile , I will be posting pics, and keeping it up dated, have u had it done yet

BeagleBaby1 - All the best with your explantation and future AFG. Yes, Brava requires serious fortitude...but if you're committed, it's worth it!

According to my doc, Khouri says that what you have at 3 months is what you're going to have. I'm nearly there (over 10 weeks post surgery), though my informal research (via a forum for AFG w/Brava patients) seems to indicate that most people have settled to their final size by 6-8 weeks. I can honestly say I haven't noticed much (if any) change for a while now, so I think I'm at my final result.

I'm still holding at a 36C (my original size was 36B), though I've lost a bit more fullness from where I was at my previous post (1 month out). Perhaps 1/4" projection. I'm reasonably happy - yes, I miss my larger boobs (both pre-surgery, Brava-enhanced size and post-surgery swelling), but my goal was a cup size and I got a cup size. If you have reasonable goals, it's a great alternative to implants.

I unfortunately don't know the type of lipo specifically (my brain is a muddle of information at this point), though my surgeon trained in the procedure w/Kouri in Miami (developer of Brava and pioneer of fat transfer to breasts), so she uses his same protocols. I had my arms done at the same time, and I know she used a different type of lipo for my arms - as arm fat can't be transferred because it's too fibrous, we didn't need to worry about using the more "gentle" technique on that area (the quotes are there because my arms didn't hurt at all, no bruising...as I mentioned, thighs were brutal).

I wore the Brava for 6 weeks before surgery (this is just how it worked out w/my surgery date, protocol is 4 weeks), and 3 post. You get about an 18-24 hour break post surgery, then wear it continuously for 72 hours, then finish out the 3 weeks at 10 hours/day, worn at night. As I understand, Kouri has been fiddling with his post-surgery recommendations a bit, so the actual requirements may vary slightly at this point from what I had to do.

Happy to answer any more questions you might have.