I have been thinking about getting lipo in my stubborn fat areas for a long long time. I am 48 and have 2 children, 13 & 18. Even when I was much younger, and at my thinnest, I always had stubborn fat in my lower abdomen. It is genetic and runs in my family. I also gained weight on my inner thighs during my pregnancy with my daughter and no amount of exercise seems to move it. I work out, spin and or elliptical and use free weights 4 to 5 times a week. I finally decided to bite the bullet because I am not getting any younger and if I didn’t do it now, I would never do it. I’ve visited several plastic surgeons. Some recommended that I needed a tummy tuck, some said I could just do Lipo. I was blessed with no stretch marks through my pregnancies and my skin elasticity is still decent for my age. I realize that I might not be totally able to flatten out my lower abdomen without a mini tuck, but I’m hoping for a slimmer appearance. I have been a 34B cup as long as I can remember! I’m still a 34B, just now completely deflated in my upper pole area. I’m actually not hoping for an increase in bust size, but rather fullness regained in my upper pole area. I would love to be a full B cup again or even a small C! I had never even thought about fat transfer, but I figured why waste it?? The fat will be mostly distributed to my upper pole area. I ultimately chose Dr. Nasir at Lotus cosmetic surgery Center. I loved his staff there and Dr. Nasir answered all my questions completely. He did say I may want to consider a mini tuck if my results are not satisfactory to me, but I don’t think I am willing to put myself through that surgery and the downtime. I will be having the surgery at his office and I will be having a local in combination with some oral sedation. I will be doing my upper and lower abdomen, flanks, and waist with fat transfer to my breasts. The surgery is scheduled for this Friday January 11th. I have my Marena garment plus a spare so I can wash one. I have filled all my prescriptions, stocked up on maxipads for drainage (he leaves all the incisions open to drain except for the ones under my breasts which he will stitch), Band-Aids, bacitracin, and antiseptic wash. I also bought stool softeners! I have also purchased a surgical bra in a bigger size that zips in the front as I was told I will probably not be wanting to lift my arms for a few days and the ease of which you can put that type of bra on. The bra provides some light support but no compression. I think the hardest part for me will be not being able to sleep on my side for at least six weeks! I am a side sleeper, LOL. I have also arranged to have 10 lymphatic massages at a place about 20 minutes from me that does specific massages after lipo! I am excited because I have waited for this for so long yet I am so nervous and I’m praying everything turns out OK. Praying that it was worth it all in the end. I will try to update as often as I can as I know I have been a real stalker myself for years! No one knows about the surgery except my husband and my best friend.
Updated on 11 Jan 2019:
I arrived at the surgery center at about 8:45 AM. They gave me a lovely paper underwear to change into with a nice soft robe. I was in a waiting room with nice soothing music. They gave me some meds to make me drowsy. And they brought me to see the doctor. He marked me up all the areas where he was going to Lipo. I did ask him about labeling a little bit on my left outer thigh as it is slightly bigger if I needed more fat for breast transfer. But he wasn’t sure he would have enough tumescent fluid based on my weight. Then they took me into the surgery room. They had me comfortable and wiped me down betadine to clean my skin. I still felt somewhat more a awake so they ended up giving me a half or more Xanax. Overall I thought the procedure was not that bad. They gave me a local in the areas they were going to make incisions which just felt like a little pinch. Then they put the tumescent fluid in. It really didn’t hurt, just some areas around my belly button that were more sensitive was a little sharp and some read in my sides. Then they let me sit for about a half an hour to for the tumescent for it to take affect. The actual suctioning was really not that bad. I must note I do have a high threshold for pain and only once or twice felt a stabbing feeling. He was able to get 500 mL of that for me, which she was surprised because I was small boned. I wasn’t surprised because I knew the fat was there, LOL. I then had to just chill for about a half an hour while they process the fat through special bags to clean out the debris and the tumescent fluid. Then he grafted about 200 mL both in each breast. That part was not too bad, slightly uncomfortable at times because he went in through the bottom incision all the way up to the top and around.He said he could have done more but did not want to overfill. In his experience over filling led to more necrosis or dying of the fat cells. I also have a more discomfort right now In my abdomen area, especially around my belly button. Also the incision in my back where he took some fat. I don’t think there was a lot of fat there to begin with and that’s why it stung a bit more. Overall I’m very happy right now with how they look. They look like they looked in my youth! I’m going to try to stay on top of my pain meds. At least over the weekend. Overall I was there about six hours for the procedure. My breasts are feeling very sore right now as well and very firm. I will post updated pictures the next time I can shower which will be on Sunday. I feel very bloated all over my belly area, which the doctor said it was normal because I have a lot of fluid in there. I am also stuffed with draining pads under my government because I will have a lot of draining of the fluid. I will post pictures when I shower day after tomorrow.
Updated on 11 Jan 2019:
Here are picture right before changing my dressings. I’m swollen but I like my flat stomach! Pain is mostly in my abs. Feels better when I get up and walk around a bit every couple of hours. Definitely using my pain pills!
Updated on 13 Jan 2019:
This is the 2nd day after my surgery and I took the dressings off under my breasts. The surgeon had put 2 small stitches under each breast. I know they are swollen and will go down, but they are sitting nice & high now! I like how he shaped my body as well. Pain more tolerable today, just using extra strength acetaminophen. Thank God I bought the Venus to Mars urinal. I feel like a Boy standing up peeing but it has been a godsend not to have to sit on the toilet the last few days. Highly recommend it! Now really only just pain getting out of bed or up and down out of a chair.
Updated on 13 Jan 2019:
Updated on 14 Jan 2019:
It was quite painful! I am signed up for 10 sessions. Apparently you were supposed to go every day but because I live 20 minutes away I’m going to go every other day. That’s a good thing because I don’t think I could do another session tomorrow! Hoping that the sessions help break up any scar tissue or fibrous tissue that may form lumps.
Updated on 14 Jan 2019:
I love how he filled in my upper pole area through a tiny incision under each breast
Updated on 15 Jan 2019:
No new pictures, just more vivid bruising now. Breasts are softening but still look nice. Less swollen. Have to pad the side zippers on my GC because they are digging into my sides. The problem is I can’t put the straps up because they go right over my breasts, so it indents when I sit down. Need to talk to my ps about it at my week follow up on Friday. I cancelled my massage for tomorrow and will go Friday instead. Monday’s massage was too aggressive.
Updated on 17 Jan 2019:
The pain seems to be getting better every day. My treated areas and my breasts are most sore in the morning after lying down all night on my back. Extensive bruising, but I’ve been massaging with bio oil and using Arnica cream and the sub lingual pellets. I feel like I am swollen in all of my lipo areas. Hoping to see more as the swelling goes down. Breasts have gotten softer but still have nice volume. I expect they will lose more volume in the coming weeks but I’m doing everything I can not to! I have my one week post op visit tomorrow with my surgeon. I have been going bra less as instructed, but I had bought a Marina surgical bra that zips up the front and does not apply compression. Hoping I can start using that for some support fo my girls!
Updated on 18 Jan 2019:
1 week follow up today. PS is pleased, took the 2 little stiches out beneath my breasts. I found out that he actually put 250cc in one breast and 225 in the other breast (due to my asymmetry). Next checkup will be in 3 weeks.
Updated on 25 Jan 2019:
It’s hard to believe it’s been two weeks! I am feeling so much better, and the bruising is disappearing. I still have some occasional soreness and numbness in my flanks and my abdomen. I have already switched to the stage 2 garment, Marena, in a size smaller with no zippers. I love the garments they make, but the zippers were killing me and digging into my sides because I couldn’t wear a garment with straps. I have been getting lymphatic massages and also I bought a handheld massager on Amazon. I have been massaging with that and bio oil two times a day. I also just started putting scar cream that I bought on Amazon as well on my incisions. They seem to be healed over. I have lost some volume in my breasts, as was expected. I really hope I don’t lose anymore volume at the top because it looks nice now! My PS does not want me to wear a bra if I can help it for two months. I can return to exercise at four weeks but everything I have read said the blood supply is established by 6 to 8 weeks for fat transfer so I’m gonna hold off on the heavy exercise until then. I’ve just been taking daily walks with my dog for exercise, but I am missing my gym! I definitely have developed some lumps and bumps in my abdomen area and I can feel almost like a “ropiness” in my sides. both my PS and the massage therapist say that’s normal and will resolve with massage in time. I’m really hoping that’s the case! I am also definitely seeing some loose skin above my belly button, but as I am approaching 49 and having two children, I guess that’s to be expected. I’ve been using firming cream on it twice a day. Hoping it will tighten up a bit . Overall happy so far.
Updated on 2 Feb 2019:
Here are some updated pictures at just over three weeks. I always feel like I’m losing volume but I think it’s just swelling going down.. Press haven’t changed that much. People say what you see at three weeks is mostly what the results will be so I’m hoping I don’t shrink anymore but time will tell. Left breast is slightly better than right. I’ve always been a symmetrical, I always feel like I’m losing volume but I think it’s just swelling going down.. Press haven’t changed that much. People say what you see at three weeks is mostly what the results will be so I’m hoping I don’t shrink anymore but time will tell. Left breast is slightly bigger than right. I’ve always been a symmetrical, which With the left breast being slightly bigger. You can see my preop pictures. He did add more fat to the right breast but I just feel like it doesn’t hold onto as much. The asymmetry it’s not very noticeable, I don’t think.
Updated on 8 Feb 2019:
I am exactly 4 weeks today! The time is going by fast yet slow! I have been getting Lymphatic/deep tissue massage twice a week since week two. I have two more sessions left next week. lipo spots have softened up but I’m still hard and lumpy. Still feeling a little bit of numbness in my flanks and can feel the Roby Corey it’s where the cannula went in on my side. My massage therapist told me that is not uncommon in thinner women and time and massage will eventually resolve it. My stomach still has some ripples and I have some loose skin above my bellybutton that I am praying tightens up a bit. I am putting firming cream on my abs and my inner thighs after massage. Hoping with continued massages twice a day with my deep tissue massage or will soften things up more. I think my breasts look the same since last week, No real change. Left breast is still slightly bigger than my right breast but it doesn’t bother me because I don’t think it would be noticeable in a bikini or bra. There is a little bit of that left on both of my flanks that may need to be addressed with a touch up. I see my PS on Monday for my one-month follow-up. Will keep updating because I know many of you, as I was, are curious about loss of fat transfer to the breast.
Updated on 8 Feb 2019:
Here are a few pictures of me before surgery and one month post surgery. Stomach is not flat, as you can see, but I am almost 49 and have had two children. I have some lumps and bumps and waves on my stomach area which I hope dissipate over time. They seem to have gotten better with massage in the last week or so. Hoping things tighten up because I really didn’t want to have a tummy tuck . The hardest part is not been able to exercise because of the breast fat transfer. I have lost 3 pounds since the surgery even though I am not exercising. I am just taking my dog twice a day for long walks. Itching to get back to the gym but I don’t want to risk it before 6 to 8 weeks for the fat transfer.
Updated on 15 Feb 2019:
Not much change at all from last weeks photos. Hoping that this is a more permanent results. Breasts are feeling normal, no lumps. Left breast continues to be slightly bigger than the right, but I believe that’s my natural asymmetry and will not likely change. I have not yet been measured for my breast size but will report when I do. I think my left breast is definitely a C cup now. I was deflated B cup before. I continue to go bra less and less I am going out to an event. I’ve been wearing a lot of baggy sweaters, LOL. Lipo sites are healing very nicely. I am a little worried about my left inner thigh. It seems like he took more out of left thigh and the skin is wrinkly there. I know that inner thighs can be tricky. I bought a handheld RF machine off Amazon for skin tightening and I just started using it on my belly and inner thighs. I do have some loose skin still on my upper belly with some lumps on my lower belly, But both seem to be improving. Hoping that the RF machine will help tighten up the skin. Have more of the ropiness feeling on my left side. From the cannilula. Right side is much better. Continue to massage twice a day with my electric massager.
Updated on 16 Feb 2019:
Stopped in at VS because they are having a bra sale. Holy crap! I am measuring at a 32 D!!!! I was a deflated 34B before. I know I might still lose more volume but I did buy 2 bras. I couldn’t help myself- they were on sale!!
Updated on 16 Feb 2019:
Another shot of 32D! Planing on leaving the tags on the bras for now in case I go down a cup (which is quite possible but hoping not). Have 90 days to exchange :) Have not started exercising so I hope when I do I don’t lose breast fat.
Updated on 22 Feb 2019:
Everything seems to be healing nicely. Finally got to start exercising today! I feel so out of shape! I did my elliptical for half an hour plus some ab work. Holding off doing any free weights or upper body work until 8 weeks due to transfer. Breasts don’t seems to have much change? Soft and no lumps! Sometimes they feel a bit sore, almost like right before I would get my period. Most of the time they feel completely normal. Stomach is still a little lumpy but getting much better. Still feeling some ropiness in my sides but that also seems to be resolving slowly. Still massaging twice a day with handheld massager. I really think it helps! I’ve also been using silicone scar cream as well as silicone tape on my scars. They seem to be healing and fading quite nicely. Still continue to have a little looseness in my inner thigh and stomach. But the areas seem to be slowly tightening. Have been using my Nivea skin tightening gel twice a day after massage. I have switched to stage 2 Marena garment without straps in xs. I have been wearing the one with straps at night but just ordered that in a 2XS to sleep in as the xs did not seem as compressive any longer. Bodystocking seems a bit tighter so I’m going to stay in a xsmall during the day. Planning on wearing my garments till at least 12 weeks when I see the doctor next. Overall I am happy except for the bit of fat on my flank area remaining. Will probably have to take care of that in the office. Next update at eight weeks!
Updated on 8 Mar 2019:
So far everything seems to be healing nicely.I not think there has been much change to my breasts since 4 weeks. I’m super psyched about that because I am hopeful this might be final result. I got measured again at a department store yesterday and I am still a 32D (from a deflated 34B). I ordered a bra online at Victoria Secrets- Body by Victoria wire-free. I ordered a 34 because reviewers thought it ran small. But here in my picture I have it on the tightest hook so I think I m a true 32 band. I continue to still go bra free for the most part and sleep on my back. I feel comfortable now wearing a wire free bra when needed but I will continue sleeping on my back until 12 weeks. Bumps and ripples continue to smooth out at two months from lipo sites. My stomach still has loose skin but it seems to be tightening up as time goes on. Will have to see how much it tightens up in the end. Have a little loose skin on my inner thigh as well so I am watching that. Still religiously massaging with my electric massager twice a day. I’m still feeling some hard, ropiness feeling on my sides, especially my left side. My right side seems almost resolved. I do sometimes have a burning, stretching feeling in the back right above my hips. I’m guessing that is fluid and scar tissue as I am only two months out. I know I am still retaining fluid because I weighed myself this morning and I was 120 pounds, up 2 pounds from my surgery date. But then when I weighed myself a couple hours later I was 117.9 pounds. For some reason I definitely have more swelling in the morning, opposed to in the evening. I think it’s because I am inactive laying on my back all night so the fluid accumulates. Lipo sites are continuing to heal. The ones on the back of my thighs and the left front thigh are virtually undetectable. The others are more of a purple/red color but I think are fading. I have been religiously using scar cream and silicone tape since about two weeks postop. I found great scar tape on Amazon and it is so much cheaper compared to scar away silicone sheets! And they are basically the same thing! I know because I bought the scar away and as soon as I realized it was the same thing I returned it. It’s called Mepitac tape and you can get two rolls of it on Amazon for like 20 bucks! You can cut it to the length or shape desired and you can reuse it a few times before having to replace it. Overall happy with my healing so far. I’m super happy how he sculpted my waist, it is tiny! Still have a little bit on my lower flanks that I think will have to be addressed at a later date but overall very happy so far.
Updated on 12 Apr 2019:
So now I m officially past 3 months! It has been a huge rollercoaster ride! Overall I am very happy with my results! Scar tissue seems to be slowly dissipating. I am still massaging at least 1x a day. My stomach is a bit wavy still. That is not due to lumps but rather I believe loose skin. I’m hoping it will tighten up a bit more. I have two areas on my lower back hips that will need to be retouched up in the fall. Just a bit of fat that was left over. I will decide what to do about my stomach area then if it is still wavy. My husband thinks it looks great, but I am a bit of a perfectionist and would not be comfortable wearing a low bikini at this point. However at almost 49, I wouldn’t most likely be wearing a low-cut bikini anyways! My lower pooch is definitely much reduced so I look better in fitted clothes. The funny thing is is that I am still up 2 pounds from my surgery date?? I’m not too worried as I feel I look trimmer and the waistband of my pants are larger. I do not , however, have to buy new clothes as my old clothes still fit. Just a bit looser. I did not go into this for weight loss, rather contour of the areas that were diet and exercise resistant. He really gave me a very nice waist! My inner thighs are definitely trimmer, although a bit wavy. But I am not sure anyone would notice it but me. I am thrilled with the breast fat transfer! I went from a deflated B cup to a32D or 34C cup. I am measuring at different department stores and Victoria secrets as a 32D. However, I find the 34 band more comfortable (hence 34C). most of it went onto my upper pole, which is exactly where I wanted it! So I officially gained one cup size, which was perfect for me! Scars are healing nicely. I will post some pictures of those later. Today I am just posting preop and 3 month post op pictures. Very happy with outcome!
Updated on 12 Apr 2019:
Updated on 13 Apr 2019:
Updated on 13 Apr 2019:
Updated on 6 May 2019:
I am just over four months and things are going well. So far I am still holding at a 32D or 34C cup (from a very deflated B cup). I was just re-measured two days ago. I prefer the 34C for comfort. I have lost a few pounds and am now down to 116. The good news is that my breast size did not change! I can still wear my old tops, I just fill them out much better now! I am experiencing no pain or burning or any effects left over from the tumescent liposuction. My scars are healing well and are very faint. I’ve been using scar cream on them daily and silicone tape. My stomach is still a bit rippley. So I am still massaging every day with my electric handheld massager. Not sure if that is going to get any better or if it is loose skin. I may still have some tiny pockets of fat deposits. Will revisit this with my PS in July. Overall I am very happy with the results!
Updated on 14 May 2019:
These are just a few shots of my recent trip to the Caribbean. Very happy with the results, may just need a few tweaks, So happy I did this!
Updated on 22 Jul 2019:
Hello real self ladies! I am just passed 6 months since I had the surgery and I am thrilled! I definitely feel more confident in clothes and in a bikini. I saw my surgeon a few days ago and I was able to get the six-month photo ops. I created a picture collage of prior to surgery until now so you can see the difference. I also included a Pic Collage of my inner thighs since the photo apps that the surgeon took didn’t show that. I also took some close-up of my breasts in my bathroom mirror. I got exactly what I was looking for in the surgery, a one size cup increase. I went from a deflated 34B to a 32D or 34C. Many places have measured me at a 32D, but I find a 34C cup more comfortable so that is what I usually wear. I have absolutely zero lumps or bumps. I am planning on doing a slight lipo touchup in January. I have a few pockets of fat on either side of my back hips that need a little more thinning. He also is going to lipo a little bit on my upper abdomen and my outer left thigh, which we thought about doing and marked up for surgery but didn’t have enough tumescent fluid. My stomach is not totally flat, but I would have to have a tummy tuck in order to do that I am not sure I’m want to put myself through that. I figured I’ll do the touch up this in January so I can wear my garments while it is cold. Very happy overall with the procedure!
Updated on 22 Jul 2019:
Updated on 6 Aug 2019:
I will have a revision on the lipo in January. It will be jut a touchup on my upper ab which I feel did not change much and a bit around my belly. The other are of concern was either side of my lower hips, towards the back. I knew early on that that would need to touched up. Also, a little lipo on my outer left thigh that he was not able to get to because of not having enough tumescent fluid he cold use based on my weight. Will update again in January! I love my breast fat transfer! Holding steady at a 34C!
Updated on 5 Sep 2019:
Hi all. I have just gone for my first mammogram since I had the transfer last January. The technician did find multiple small cysts in my upper pole region of my breasts, but I cannot feel them. She suspects they are most likely oily cyst from the fat that was transferred. But they do want me to come back in six months for a follow up to make sure they have not changed size or shape. I continue to love the results of the transfer! I definitely retained a full cup size increase.
Updated on 28 Jul 2020:
Just popping in to say I am satisfied with the BFT. I maintained a full cup increase. I was a 34B and now am a 34C. I did not want implants, just fuller breasts. I am also fairly happy with the lipo. You can see my pictures there in my Lipo Revision review..
Updated on 17 Sep 2020:
Hi guys. Just popping in to say I had my annual mammogram. I was supposed to have one back in February/March for a six month follow up because they had seen some irregularities in my breasts after the transfer. Of course Covid hit so I was never able to go. I just went for my annual and whatever they had seen on the mammogram was either getting smaller and dissolving or were gone altogether. It was probably fat necrosis that they had seen.. so I don't need to go back for another year. Still happy with my transfer, I had updated that just a month or two ago.
Updated on 27 Nov 2021:
It's been almost 3 years since my breast fat transfer and I am still incredibly happy with the one cup increase. I went through them a 34B to a 34C (or a 32D as Victoria secrets would measure me but I'm not so sure about their measurements)! It was totally worth it in my opinion. Now I'm off to get a tummy tuck next month! I will be document that journey as well on RealSelf.
Updated on 27 Nov 2021:
So I couldn't add these to my last post but I just did a PicCollage of before and after. I was only looking for upper pole fullness. Very satisfied with the results.