Fat transfer after mastectomy reconstruction recovery
Hi fellow breast cancer warriors! Survivor of invasive ductal carcinoma, having fat transfer done mid May post bilateral mastectomy reconstruction. For my fellow warriors that have gone through this, I am looking for guidance. How was the recovery? Pain, swelling, compression garments? Worried about our heat and having to wear compression garments 24/7 for 6 weeks. I have the option to delay the surgery for our cooler months but tempted to just get it over with! Thanks in advance for recommendations and sharing of experiences. Marie
Hello! I had a DIEP flap procedure done at KU in September 2024. You’ll learn to love your compression, the heat won’t impact you too much. The first 12 days are hard and you’ll be inside anyway but after the 12 days you’ll appreciate the support they provide. If your big into swimming or beaches you might wait, they want you fully healed before you could get in the water.
any questions you have, I’m happy to help!
jenny
My kiddos were 12, 12, and 9. I waited until September so we could still pool during the summer. Didn’t want to lose that time with them. I was also preventative and could wait. ❤️
Back in the dark ages (1998) before micro vascular techniques, I had bilateral mastectomies with fat transfer from lower abdomen. (In those day you had to keep the fat's blood supply. So my lower tummy fat transferred via the transrectus muscle split into 2 breast cavities, all tunneled under the skin. I already had lower abdominal incision from 2 C-sections. The only new scars were the circles of where the nipples had been. So when new medical people look at me many are unaware until I tell them Dr William Jewell at KU was doing very new techniques and I was lucky to have him. I have worked with many women on reconstruction recovery. Would love to visit and give you tips for pre-surgery, surgery, and post op/recovery. You really need to be mindful of any weight lifting limitation until healed, and there are some great exercises that will help avoid tightening/scar tissue issues/etc down the road. Patience, faithfully doing correct exercises/therapy post op can help you return to near normal/or normal activities. Feel free to call me anytime... 913-206-4518 Julia Stegeman
Thank you for sharing your story and insight Julia. I had a tough time after my initial surgery sitting still and not lifting- more challenging on me mentally. As a mom we are used to doing it all! My mastectomy reconstruction was this past September. I was hoping to just get this next surgery over with but we are so active in the summer I am having reservations. I want to be a good patient and follow all my recovery guidelines. I appreciate you. I will absolutely reach out if I am needing more guidance. Marie
Hi - I had a bilateral mastectomy and had reconstruction 6 months later with implants and fat transfer from my stomach.
I really hated the compression garment, which I wore 24/7 for 6 weeks. Going to the bathroom while wearing a compression garment was challenging (and often gross), and sleeping in it was uncomfortable. I had 3 garments which I would launder regularly. I couldn’t wait for the six weeks to be over.
However, that was a year ago and everything looks really good!
For comfort, I can understand waiting until cooler weather for the fat grafting.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
@s2425 Thank you for sharing your experience. I have decided to post pone. The garments seem to be the most challenging recovery step. Our heat, small kids, summer, work... all need to be considered. Ill plan to get this done in fall. Thank you!! Marie