Breast Fat Transfer - 28 Yr, No Kids, 5'6" 120 Lbs

I couldn't be more ecstatic I'm finally doing this! I have been 34A since puberty and have been waiting patiently for the day I grew into a full B cup. After all this time, it hasn't happened, so here we go! I thought about implants initially, but I didn't want to have fake looking breasts, nor the loss of sensation in my breasts. And since I'm really physically active, I never wanted large breasts.

What I wanted was to appear a bit more full and less flat chested, so when I first learned about this procedure three years ago, it seemed perfect for what I was looking for. When the doctor I consulted with at the time couldn't guarantee even a full cup increase, I figured it wouldn't be worth the money, pain, and loss of valuable fat for a minimal increase. After more research, I was really impressed with the consistent results Dr. Bednar has been achieving.

I am scheduled for surgery this Friday, so I can't review the procedure yet, but I have had nothing, but the best interactions with Dr. Bednar, patient coordinator Sylvia, and nurse Soumitra so far. I'll be flying out alone, so it was definitely a big help having Sylvia as a resources for answering my questions.

I have all my comfy surgery clothes and medications packed and looking forward to starting this journey!

I'm sitting on top of an ice pack with two more ice packs on my thighs at a desk as I write this. Maybe I should be resting in bed, but I'm listening to my body and I feel more comfortable being out of bed. Other than the day of surgery, I have not taken any of the painkillers on Day 2 and 3. Being alone, I didn't want to risk not being alert enough to eat and take my antibiotics. I think it is probably the steroid methylprednisolone that has me feeling incredibly alert, clear headed, and motivated. It doesn't hurt if I'm in a stationary position like sitting or standing. Even walking doesn't hurt. The liposuction sites start hurting when either I get up from the stationary position and the initial contact with my seat, but it doesn't hurt after. So just brace yourself and take deep breaths when you need to make any of these sort of movements!

Days before surgery
I made sure to take the vitamins and bromelain and quercetin supplements as prescribed by Dr. Bednar. I normal eat pretty healthy (lean means, veggies, and somewhat few carbs) and exercise regularly, but I made sure to drink plenty of water during the couple of weeks before surgery. I had been on an overnight flight from Los Angeles to Charlotte and I made sure to have a large water bottle with me, so I could continue drinking water on the flight. I don't measure how much I drink, but I'm sure it's over the recommended 8 glasses per day.

In Charlotte, I prepared my room and got my prescriptions. I had food already prepared in the fridge to be microwaved for my time there. In anticipation of leaking fluid from the liposuction sites, I lined my bed with medical grade bedliner pads and placed towels over it for extra protection. (I actually didn't leak from my liposuction sites, but my ice packs did, so I'm grateful I protected the mattress).

Day 1 Surgery
The process of Dr. Bednar and his team to prepare you for surgery is so streamlined and quick, yet everyone was so nice and compassionate that I never felt rushed. Before I knew it, I was on the operating table and the next thing I remember was being woken after surgery by nurse Kendall.

I later found out Dr. Bednar placed 525 CCs in each breast. He liposuctioned my outer thighs, flanks, lower back, and inner thighs. I had requested the inner thighs because I thought that's where I carried the most fat. He said I didn't have much there, but if he needed more fat after the first three locations, he would take some from there. Dr. B said that the fat cells from the flanks and outer thighs are most viable for fat transfer compared to some other parts of the body. He didn't take any fat from my abdomen which I'm glad because I've been using my ab strength to get me in and out of bed. I can't imagine how difficult it would be if that would have been liposuctioned too!

Because I am traveling alone, I am required to have an overnight nurse, Melissa. I don't remember much, but I do remember being able to walk without assistance when Melissa told me to get out of the car to enter the apartment. She helped me into bed with about three pillows propped behind my head and one pillow under my knees to reduce swelling. She gave me some crackers so I'd have something in my stomach as I took some Norco. I never felt nauseous, but I was pretty dizzy when propped up to take medicine. I slept for a good part of the afternoon. I'm grateful Melissa was there with me because I can't imagine how scary it would be to wake up alone in an altered mental state after surgery. She helped me replace icepacks on my legs and chest. I wasn't in pain because of the meds, but I just remember my legs and chest being incredibly warm. She answered all my big and little questions regarding the surgery, recovery, and medications. That helped prepare me for the few days of recovery on my own.

That night I had barbeque that Sylvia and the medical team gave to Melissa to take home with me. The day prior, I mentioned to Sylvia I was hoping to try some good southern bbq while in town. I still chuckle with how sweet and thoughtful she was to do that. I was surprised I had an appetite that night to eat a few pieces of the brisket and some collard greens. Remembering what Joel, the anesthetist told me, I ate a little every hour and waited to see if I was nauseous until I ate more again. I thought I had to throw up, but it was only gas because of how tight the garment is. It was probably restricting my digestive organs.


Day 2
I woke up around 5:30 AM in the morning and I had not had any more pain killers since I first arrived to the apartment the day before. I started to feel more pain and acheyness in different parts of my body. I was painfully able to get out of bed on my own. Melissa affirmed that I was doing well and left.

Before she left, she suggested that I only take the antibiotics and steroid. And to take the meds for pain and nausea as needed. She didn't suggest taking the supplements right away because I should let my stomach adjust. My stomach felt fine, so I did anyway.

Approximately 24 hours after my surgery, I removed the ACE bandage. It was like the scene from Frankenstein where I kept unwinding what seemed to be an never ending ACE bandage to reveal... my Frankenboobs! I was afraid they wouldn't be that big when I came home from surgery, but they were just compressed by the ACE bandage. They were still flattened by the bandage upon unwrapping and there were several very small incision marks throughout the breast (not sure what those are so will have to ask Dr. B). They had very little blood on them and some of those incision marks were oozing a small portion of an oil like substance, maybe fat? All in all, I'm really impressed with how much Dr. Bednar fit onto my chest. I'm looking forward to seeing what their final shape and size will be.

So I don't know if anyone else had this problem, but I would have the hardest time urinating! I felt my bladder full, but it took me twenty minutes of sitting on the toilet to finally start going. Because I had been drinking plenty of fluids and a stool softener since the day before surgery, I had my first bowel movement. But this was hours after I felt I had to! I haven't read anyone else having a problem with this, but if this happens for you, unzip your garment until it reaches the top of the thighs. It won't come off because it is still held together by clasps, but unzipping it releases some of the compression. Once I did that, I didn't have problems in the restroom. I zipped the garment back up immediately after.

I tried to fall asleep at 11, and by 1 am, I was still wide awake, again probably because of the steroids. I probably could have spent the entire night awake, so I took half of the 10mg Valium and fell right asleep.

The swelling and discomfort from the liposuction does get better with time. I'm lucky that my job is quite flexible, so for two weeks after surgery, I was able to take it easier than usual and I hope that has let me have a more speedy recovery. By the third week, I was back to work as normal and the only problems I have now is the feeling of muscle tightness from getting up after sitting for a long period of time. And of course, the annoyance from that darn compression garment.

I was inspired by the thorough review of love2swimoceans and wanted to write about some things that might be helpful for others. This was helpful for me, but everyone is different.

Itchiness:
Oh lord! By Day 7, I started to feel some itchiness in my inner thigh and by Day 8, it was so unbearable I wanted to cry (and I have a high pain tolerance). I couldn't imagine leaving the house in that state. Out of desperation, I called Dr. Bednar because it was the weekend and he was so sweet and helpful. He told me to put 100% cotton material in between the garment and my skin and to take Benodryl and apply Calamine lotion. After that call, I took a shower and though the wash cloth on the areas of itchiness was a nice relief, it was only temporary relief and I still wanted to cry. I immediately cut up a soft cotton t-shirt and lined a single layer around my thigh. It was INSTANT RELIEF! Then I put my compression garment over it and I felt fine. I couldn't believe it. Granted, later in the day, I started feeling itchy again, so I removed the garment and massaged in the arnicare cream, covered with the cotton and wore the garment and felt fine again. I would do this every 8 hours to prevent another itch attack. By Day 10, I could go the entire day without feeling itchy. I think my skin was just having a reaction to the material of the compression garment.

Garment:
By day 14, I wanted to switch out of the Veronique compression garment into Flexees brand high-waist compression shorts, but I didn't feel enough compression. Mostly because I don't want to spend the time and money for another garment, I ended up wearing the Flexees underneath the Veronique compression garment and it was an easier alternative to wrapping cotton underneath the garment to prevent the itchiness. I wore the Flexees inside out to avoid the seamlines making marks on my skin. I'm still wearing both garments at this point.

Incision sites:

Day 5, nurse Sou clipped off the dissolveable stitches from my groin area and under buttocks, but left the rest in because they weren't ready yet. I noticed the incisions near the groin has been healing much faster than the rest. By Day 10, I clipped the rest of the stitches at the knot. I pulled out the ones that slid out easily and left the ones that wouldn't budge as is.

The one incision site above the butt looked much larger and pretty gross compared to all the other incision sites. According to doctor's orders, I washed it with a mild soap and warm water and dried with a clean towel. Not according to doctor's orders, I read that it is better to keep open wounds in a moist environment to speed healing time. I put a triple antibiotic ointment on them (looks like petroleum jelly) and covered with a band aid. The scabs fell off on their own and the left over dissolveable stitches pulled out easily at days 12 and 13 while I was in the shower. I continued to place the ointment and bandaid over them.

My first thought was to put fresh aloe vera on the incision sites, but DON'T do that, studies have shown that aloe vera SLOWS healing time of open wounds.

Diet:
I definitely splurge on restaurant meals and chips occasionally, but mostly I've been eating high protein meals with veggies and complex carbs. I've added aloe vera juice (increases collagen production) and homemade bone broth (for the collagen content) to my diet in hopes that my incision sites heal faster.