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48, Fat graft breast & face - Denver, CO

UPDATED FROM odaspal
28 days post

4 week post-op update

odaspal
WORTH IT$11,500
I had my 4 week post-op today.
Wanted to update as promised and say thank you to the sisters who have made such kind comments and been so supportive.
My hope is that being brave and sharing my journey will provide others the courage to make decisions that will best suit their desired outcome.
I have an actual copy of my operative report so I will answer the numerous questions regarding "how much fat" ...
First - just a quick update on my recovery:
Still more sore and tender in breast and harvest lipo sites than I expected or imagined I would be. Still wearing vest bra and 'spankers" which remain comforting. Still mostly sleep on my back, but the quality of sleep has improved with the help of a Valium prior to bed.
Took 21 days for the shiner under my eye to hit the road.
Officially okay to take aleve now vs. tylenol, which has never really worked as a pain reliever for me.
2 week old breast tape was removed today and fresh tape replaced. I still have a bit of swelling in breast and lipo sites which I'm told can take up to 3 months ( and sometimes longer!) to finally settle.
My face grafts have diminished the most. I'm hoping I don't lose anymore as I like how they look right now. We will assess in 2 weeks when I go back for my 6 week post op. Perhaps using a touch of filler may be an option over additional facial fat grafts. That bridge has yet to be crossed.
My breasts look so much prettier than before, and I'm very pleased with the incision healing, shape, size, lift, the grafting and how everything is healing. Dr. Haung is my hero.
As many of you have asked- here are the answers to your questions regarding what my Surgeon did to achieve the results you see.
I'm writing them as 'cliff notes' because the operative report is 2 pages long and very detailed!
~~~~~~~~~~~
Breast: She harvested 180 cc and 200 cc of pure fat from my flanks using the tumescent technique and the Khouri harvesting system.
120 cc of pure fat harvested from each side of my anterior abdomen.
Using the Kouri reinjection system with a 1 cc syringe she injected a total of almost 200-300 cc if pure fat into the superior and superomedical aspects of my breasts. Of course, I had a breast lift, which is way too much detail to re-write, but she did a lollipop lift and honored my request and designed a smaller nipple for me- which was just a personal preference.
For my facial fat grafting :
She used a 1 mm Coleman and 1 cc syringe and injected 5 cc pure fat in each tear trough and malar eminence with an additional 4 cc in each cheek. 1 cc was placed in each nasolabial fold, 1 cc in the preauricular region and 2-3 cc in each temple.

I'm posting a couple facial glamor shots with this 4 week update. Since my breasts still have tape on them, Ill post another update at my 6 week post op- and hopefully tape free- breast pics !
I have never had botox, but think I'm going to join the club and try my first tickle of it in my frown lines and forehead.
Thank you again to the community here on Realself.
Ill update again in another 2 weeks for my 6 week post op post.
Ill hopefully be able to reveal tape free breast pics, with lower abdominal and face update pics as well.

odaspal's provider

Linda Huang, MD

Linda Huang, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

odaspal rating for Dr. Huang:

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
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Replies (5)

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April 29, 2015
Would like to see more cheek pics if you can. Following your posts!! Thanks for sharing.... Looking fabulous!
April 29, 2015
I don't mean to hijack this thread but I didn't know where else to write this since missmink does not have a review @missmink I saw your question to the doctors, and read how you dislike the size of your nose...I just wanted to say that I think your nose is stunning! I mean it, it's so full of character and strong and beautiful. I love it. I wouldn't change it.
April 29, 2015
Sure- What exactly are you looking for in cheek pics? Or-what are you curious about ,questioning or doubting? ;^) BTW- My surgeon made no guarantee how much of my fat would 'graft' . Results are different for each patient. My surgeon's analogy was: " its like planting corn kernels- you don't know how many will germinate- maybe a lot or maybe a few'. She was also clear that additional grafts may be needed to achieve the results that satisfy my desired appearance. That remains to be seen because its only been 4 weeks now. My understanding is it takes time for the grafts to actually 'take' and then ( as they describe it in my surgeons office ) FLUFF- meaning the fat grafts and then needs time to fluff and start to regenerate and grow. So the actual results and final appearance take time. Let me know what you want to see and Ill try to take pics. If, down the road I feel like I would still like some fill in- I can choose additional grafting ( done in her office- not the whole surgery thing again) or I may decide to just kiss in with a bit of filler. I am being patient and letting my body heal, letting my fat cells 'graft and fluff "and see where I am in 4-6 months. I'm pleased she was respectful and mindful of not overfilling me- better too little than too much... you can always add more, but harder to take it away. I just wanted to look youthfully refreshed and vital. I didn't want it to be obvious that I had had cosmetic work done. I wanted a more natural look, not over stuffed and puffy. Let me know what you specifically want to see regarding my cheeks... and thanks for your feedback!
April 29, 2015
I agree with twoshoes! I just looked at your pics Missmink and I think your nose is beautiful. If I may kindly and respectfully comment - I too was not happy with the dark deep circles under my eyes. Since I was little, Ive had dark circles and deep wells under my eyes. You can see them in my first pic the morning of my surgery. My surgeon filled in my tear troughs with ft grafts and I think this has really made significant difference in giving my face an overall refreshed and more youthful appearance.
April 29, 2015
I agree hat the fat under your eyes gives you a much more youthful and plump look. You look beautiful
April 29, 2015
Gosh, thank you so much. That's so kind of you to say. :)
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May 4, 2015
Thanks so much.... truly :-)
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April 29, 2015
Thanks for the update, my harvest site was really quite sore for about ten weeks, good to know as I thought it would hurt forever. I'm just over three months now, I've lost the majority just a little remained but what did should be stable, I'm not sure whether to do another round or just to stick to filler.
April 29, 2015
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April 30, 2015
Huh- I have not heard of that happening. I had ultherapy 4 weeks before my grafting and there is belief that ultherapy before grafting is a good thing and would encourage and help the fat grafts to 'seed'. I know it takes 3 months before you start to see results from ultherpay, because essentially it forces your body to produce large amounts of collagen which 'tighten' you skin and 'lift' it from it tightening. Kind of like mini lift. Not sure how long ago you had your ultherpay- Perhaps you just need to wait a bit longer for your body to start regenerating the collagen to see more satisfying results. Its been 2 months now for me and I'm starting to see the skin under my chin/neck lifting and tightening a bit- also my eyelids have lifted a bit too. Looking forward to seeing more improvement in the next 30 days - which will be month - #3-
April 30, 2015
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April 30, 2015
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April 30, 2015
I can hear how concerned and disappointed, you are. I'm so sorry you don't feel like yourself. :( I would recommend Dr Linda Huang, my plastic surgeon. She is in Denver, amazing and worth every penny. Her fee was $7,500. Breast lift with fat grafts to breast and my face grafts were her 'gift' to me. Seriously - she said that to me... You can read her web site and see her work- She personally wrote the site her self , and its intimate, and personal, just like she treats every patient. Plus- she is hilarious. She is highly respected and has the educational pedigree and experience chops. Perhaps just a quick flight Denver for a appointment to hear her recommendations for your desired outcome might be worth a plane ticket. She books a few months out because she is in high demand. I hope you find your smile again soon- be patient and find the right surgeon that will respect your request, body and takes real responsibility, care and pride in your outcome. Best wishes
April 30, 2015
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April 30, 2015
I don't see or feel any bumps or lumps in my face or breasts. My breast are still tender and sore, so I'm not really giving them a good 'feely' quite yet, but they do look cute, perky and firm- just what I wished for. I think one cheek is not exactly the same exact match as the other. I see this, but my fiance does not. Maybe I'm just being hyper sensitive. My surgeons PA ( who is also amazing) re-energized what I have been told all along: The grafts need time to 'take, grow & fluff'. Some cells will take and some cells wont- and then those cells need to 'fluff' -grow.... The swelling needs to still settle down and this can take on average 3-6 months. So her feedback to my cheeks not being exactly the same ( I think one is just slightly more apply than the other ) is we need to let time reveal my body's story, and then make adjustments ( if needed) or not-... I didnt want to look over filled and like the typical 'has had work done" chick. I appreciate that Dr. Hang's approach and goal is for women to age gently and not look ridiculously obvious 'plastic'. Have you seen Jane Fonda lately? Who ever does her work is amazing. She looks so gently and naturally aged- even though at 79? - she's had to have had work done. She just doesn't look like she has... so soft, natural and gentle... classy. I just wanted a natural refreshed and vital look for my age.
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April 30, 2015
Thank you so much for the update! This is all great information that I can give to my surgeon this coming Monday to help with sizing for me. I am not wanting to go all that large just perky and fuller which looks like what you had done for you. This will be my 5th breast surgery and I am hoping this will be it. Thank you so much for sharing your journey and I look forward to hearing about your 6 week appointment! Also does your doctor expect you to lose much of the breast grafting? Does it seem like they have lost some? Thank you again, you look awesome!
April 30, 2015
Thank you for your comments, and kind words! My Surgeon was very upfront, honest and realistic about grafting with me. She explained grafting like this" Its like planting kernels of corn, some will grow and some wont, and you don't know how plentiful your crop will be. You have to wait and see what grows. There may be a lot or there may be a little.- Everyone responds differently. She was also honest before the surgery that I may need /want additional grafting- should I choose to. This would be 'touch up grafting' done in her office, not under surgery. I think this was more in reference to my facial grafts. I think my face grafts have diminished the most, and I hope they stop diminishing, because I like how I'm looking right now. The next several weeks will show how much of my fat grafted and then 'fluffed'- meaning my fat cells start to grow and get fluffy- that again is how my surgeon describes what happens with grafting. My breasts: the swelling has gone down, but size and grafts look very successful and to me . The grafts look happy and seem happy to be right where the are and don't seem like they want to leave :) I have not noticed much loss there- except for the swelling going down. As a reminder- my breast lift was the main surgery, and facial grafts were her 'gift' to me as part of the procedure , and yes she literally said she would do my facial grafts as a 'gift", she is that cool and clearly loves her craft. Regarding the breast lift- love the results and how they look- ill post picks in 2 weeks when hopefully the tape is off. But I will say that they are constantly sore and tender and get tired easily. I wasn't prepared for how long they would feel irritated and sore. Changing out and having a variety of different bra vests helps sooth them a bit.
May 1, 2015
Damn girl, you look great!
May 2, 2015
Gosh, thank you so much... Its really my surgeon who deserves the recognition and credit. She is very skilled.
UPDATED FROM odaspal
16 days post

Unsolicited advice

odaspal
I haven't spoken to this but its so important to really do your research and due diligence in searching for the best, most qualified and skilled surgeon you can find. Study their web-sites, and real work. Not all are equal.
When you start comparing you'll see a difference in the quality of each surgeons skill quality and precision.
I chose my surgeon because of her impressive driven pedigree- Yale, Stanford, Georgetown & Duke!) Plus- she took the time and effort to write most of the commentary on her site herself & was so very personal, charming and intimate. Many others I reviewed look a standard commissioned web page using clip art of 24 year old photo-shopped models with wind blown hair.
I think my surgeon may be considered a bit expensive, but I think she is truly gifted in her chosen art form - and you get what you pay for.
My 2 week post op visit, she was so excited to see the results of her effort that she hopped up and down and we high- fived each other. Was satisfying for me to see how much ( humble) pride she takes in her work and gave me confidence knowing I had chosen wisely.

Replies (5)

April 20, 2015
Lovely results - I am so happy for you!
April 20, 2015
Thank you for sharing your journey. It looks like you have gotten excellent results with more to come.
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June 28, 2016
Hi there, thank you for sharing your story. I plan on Dr. H be my surgeon. How did your scars heal up?
November 3, 2017
Yay! Good for you!
July 10, 2019
thank you so much for posting this very thorough review! I am considering fat grafting to my breasts and I really appreciate your candor!
UPDATED FROM odaspal
15 days post

So far at 2 weeks-

odaspal
Here is a pics of my shiner 3 days post the lazar treatment as well as the results of the lipo, breast lift and fat grafts to my face and breasts.
Ill post a final comment with some pics in a few weeks when Ill be closer to truly healed, swelling has passed and Im back to my normal energy level.

Replies (5)

April 16, 2015
Hi, you look great. I am also thinking about fat grafting to my breasts. I understand the breasts are the least pain and the places where they graft the fat is extremely sore. Please share your experience and I am looking forward to see more post op photos. How much cc did Dr add to your breasts. Please keep me updated. And a speedy recovery!
April 16, 2015
Yes, the lipo areas were surprisingly much more sensitive, uncomfortable and tender than my breasts or face. Sleeping at night without the narcotics has been challenging. I slept upright easily for 8-9 nights, but then around night 9 I found myself lateral which I think was my body feeling it was okay to no longer sleep elevated. I have tried a few cocktails with the tylenol, including Valium and ambien, and neither helped me. So I haven't been getting deep restful sleep for about 5 nights, waking with as sore back due to slepping on my back all night. Side sleeping makes me feel insecure so its still back sleeping... Some yoga cat/cow poses in bed as soon as I wake really help loosen and sooth my back quickly. Good question on what she added (cc) - I'm not sure but Ill ask in 2 weeks when I see her again. I'm also curious to know what amount/weight in lipo fat she removed. Ill keep posting, and update some pics in the next couple weeks. Today is day 16 post surgery. Still low energy and tire quickly for a person with an " A" personality.
April 16, 2015
BTW- the sexy compression bottoms are beneficial. They really help the swelling go down. And the self cut out 'opening' I mentioned earlier sounds not very feminine - but such a better alternative to pulling down and pulling up the comprression garment each time you use the bathroom- that is uncomfortable and a struggle.
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April 16, 2015
Fantastic! Boobs and cheeks look wonderful, will you do another round to your cheeks? I had mine done 11 weeks ago, I think I've retained about 25%.
April 16, 2015
I don't know yet- I feel rather 'apply' in my cheek area so we shall see how things settle down...I would consider it if I lost a lot of the fat and my surgeon agreed I had not retained as much as I should expect to have. BTW- I had Ultherapy on my face and neck 4 weeks prior to my fat grafting surgery. I have heard that is now being considered a 'benefit' to the grafts 'taking or adhearing' prior to facial fat grafting.
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April 18, 2015
Ah, that's interesting, I had a facelift so probably a bit more traumatic! I wish fat transfer to breast had been around when I was younger I had a BA, it's been fine, no problems but natural is best.
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April 17, 2015
Thanks for all the updates and pictures! It looks like your recovery is going extremely well! I will be having the same thing done at the end of May and this gave me a good idea of what it will look like. I have had a few other types of cosmetic surgery but I haven't had any fat grafting yet. Did the doctor tell you about how much fat you will retain? Did she tell you how much she injected into each breast? What was your bra size before and did the doctor project a certain size after? Sorry for all the questions, just trying to get an idea of sizing :-) Thanks!
April 17, 2015
You know, my first post op 6 days after was the drain removal by her PA and my surgeon was actually out that week. My second post op, I was still doped up- so most of my hazy questions were about recovery and that shiner, so I didn't ask about the amount of fat she removed for the harvesting, how much she added to my breasts and what I can expect to retain. My third post op is on the 28th. Ill be sure to find all that out! Check back then as many otters have asked me the same question.... Before I was about a 36 (non perky) B. I requested her for a slight reduction with the lift. They do appear a bit smaller, but also- geeze- so perky! Plumper than when I was I was 18-20! I cant say for sure what I am today because I'm still loyal to the vest bras- . Today, 17 days post surgery my breasts still appear a bit swollen , but are so darn perky and plump! To me they look like I had implants and not fat grafts. I don't think I have lost much of the fat grafts, but I also LIVE in those Post breast surgery bras. Get yourself a few. One of my favorites remains the most unattractive- which is the one they sent me home in. It has good compression & makes me feel secure- and its not that uncomfortable. Maybe the consistent compression has helped my grafts "marry and adhere"... My surgeon directed me to the web site 'lipostructure.com" This has a lot of information and appears to be the plastic surgeon whom is credited with this procedure- or at least refining it. There's great info and pics. I recall one breast fat graft pic was from 11years prior and there was barely a change in loss or shape. Our fat cells are super rich in Stem cells which is why the fat grafting has lasting results. I'm happy my surgeon suggested this route. I don't have to worry about: a foreign body in my breasts; rupture or replacement in 8-10 years, or the implants themselves becoming 'funky or misshapen."- Its all just me, revised, moved around a bit andnd adjusted. One surgery gave me 3 results- Lipo removal and shaping of stubborn fatty areas that seem so hard for us to embrace, Breast lift reversing 25 years of gravity, and some replenishing of fat padding to the face which we also lose and is one of the main contributors of why we 'wrinkle". Lipostructure .com- Good stuff. Best wishes... and check back for my third post op follow up feedback - Ill add new pics again then....
April 17, 2015
Hi- My first post op drain removal was with one of her PA's, as my surgeon was in surgery that day. Second visit post op a week later I was still doped up, so most of my hazy questions were about recovery and my shiner. My third post op on the 24th Ill find those questions out as I want to know as well! Check back then... I have been wearing faithfully the post op bra vest thing-ys,. I haven't noticed any significant shrinkage or loss of volume. Perhaps wearing the compression consistently has helped with the fat grafts staying put , marrying and 'incubating". I think I'm still swollen, but my breasts look more perky than when I was 18-20. I noticed with lollipop lifts a ski slope shape to the breast. I mentioned this to her as she was drawing her road map all over my body the morning of surgery & that I didn't want that ski-jump look. She commented that the natural breast has that intrinsic shape, and although I agree, I asked her to fill in a little more to avoid so much of that ski jump look. She honored my request very nicely with a natural look, yet not a fake breast implant look. With fat grafting, I think the size you want depends on the size you start out as and what you want the end result to be. My understanding is that with all lifts you also receive a reduction. Not necessarily of breast tissue mass but of skin. My preference was for a smaller breast- not larger. I was a 34/36 B. I don't know what I am now as I'm living in the bra vest thing and I'm still swollen. Ill post updates after my 4 week post op visit and answer all these questions and post new pics. My guess: I might end up being about the same 34/36 B, but because of the lift and the perkier volume they already look a bit smaller to me. If that makes sense. BTW- My amazing surgeon recommended Lipostructure.com. I think this Surgeon's ( site) is considered the guy who refined the fat grafting procedure. Its a good site with lots of through info. I recall a breast graft photo showing a breast graft from 11 years ago, and the patients breasts looked almost exactly the same as they did 11 years ago. Hadn't moved. Our fat cells are super rich in stem cells which is why fat grafting has lasting results. I'm happy I went this route. I don't have foreign bladders in my chest, no worry of rupture, wonky, wrinkled breasts, or replacing them in 8-10 years. Its all just me, re-adjusted and revised. In one surgery I had my muffin top /waist line/ pouch-y slimmed and smoothed out, a perky, youthful breast lift, and fat pads replaced to my face that deplete as we age- resulting in me looking tired, gaunt, and not as vital as I feel inside. I'm happy with the results. I'm expecting the swelling and fat will still settle some, but overall, I think I look rested, refreshed and more vital. Yay to that! Check back in a couple weeks for my update on your questions and pics-
April 27, 2015
You look GREAT.....the breasts look far better than implants and best of all ...alll natural-no plastic!!!
April 28, 2015
You look so much younger, good for you! !!
May 4, 2015
Thank you :)