Prioritize Rest and Recovery Your body requires time to heal and settle the grafted fat. At a minimum, plan on six to eight weeks of low impact activities—nothing vigorous or impactful for a while. For the first two weeks, do not sit on the treated area to avoid stressing the grafts.
Nutrition and Hydration
Nutrient-rich foods support the body's healing process and aid in the survival of the transferred fat cells. Hydration is equally important; ample water intake helps maintain skin elasticity and overall health, which is crucial for the newly contoured areas.
To keep shape after a fat transfer breast augmentation, you should wear your compression garment for six weeks. This may be even longer if your experienced plastic surgeon suggests so.
ACTIVITY AFTER FAT TRANSFER TREATMENT
Avoid bending, lifting, or straining for one to two weeks.
Here is a general sleeping position timeline for women who received breast augmentation surgery: Women who received implants or fat transfer breast augmentation typically need to sleep inclined on their back for about two weeks.
Recovery after fat transfer to the breasts is usually easy. Some swelling and bruising from the liposuction is common. Patients wear post-liposuction compression garments to help the skin recover quickly. It takes around 3 month for the fat transfer to settle.
To avoid impeding the recovery process and to guarantee proper implant settling, surgical specialists usually recommend abstaining from sleeping (one ones back) after breast augmentation for at least two to six weeks after augmentation.
EXERCISE - No exercise at all for 3 weeks. Low impact exercise such as walking and very light weight lifting is OK at THREE weeks. SLEEPING - Avoid pressure on breasts. GARMENT - The first garment will be worn for THREE weeks.
It can take up to six months to see the final results. During this time, the fat cells settle into their new places, where they remain for life.
The initial phase of recovery, characterized by swelling and bruises, usually occurs over 1-2 weeks, with most daily activities returning to normal after 2-3 weeks. Gentle massaging, elevation, cold compresses, and any pain medicine that may be prescribed are best to control swelling and discomfort in the first week.
Bruising, Swelling, and Discomfort
After breast fat grafting, you can expect to experience a degree of pain, bruising, and swelling. However, these symptoms should subside within a few weeks. You will need to wear a surgical bra for a few weeks to help reduce swelling and support your breasts.
Hard lumps are not common after fat transfer to the breasts, but they happen occasionally and may raise alarm. Lumps can form when some of the donor tissue doesn't get enough blood. The fat deposits that don't survive turn into hard scar tissue that may or may not go away with time.
Don't: Move or massage the treated area for a few days post-op to avoid disturbing the fat cells before they can “settle in”
(Please also be aware that anything else that can constrict blood supply – even caffeine – has the potential to affect the survival of the fat graft.)
It can take up to 6 months for a surgical fat transfer to fully take effect, as some of the injected fat may be reabsorbed by your body during the first few months after the procedure.
Recommended Sleeping Positions After BBL Surgery
While sleeping on your back might seem like a natural choice, it's generally not recommended after a BBL, especially when the fat has been transferred to the buttocks. Lying on your stomach is often the preferred position after BBL surgery.
Typically, after six to eight weeks, patients can start sitting without cushions for short periods, gradually increasing as comfort and healing permit. It's important to listen to your body and the advice of your BBL surgeon during this phase to avoid any setbacks.
Meaning doctors couldn't predict fat reabsorption rates, and it was common for patients to lose most of the fat transferred in the first year. With the unpredictable nature, many patients were left with the results of being overfilled, underfilled, or left with fat in areas where they didn't want it.
First 3 weeks after surgery, NO aerobic exercise/activities that raise your heart rate or blood pressure. NO heavy lifting, pushing or pulling of 10 lbs. or more for 6 weeks. Approximately 6-8 weeks post op strenuous activity will be allowed. NO HOT or WARM compresses.
After 3 Weeks
You might be ready to start sleeping on your side approximately three weeks after surgery. But the exact time depends on your comfort level and the surgeon's instructions. If you get a fat transfer instead of implants, you might be ready to sleep on your side sooner.
If you habitually sleep on your stomach or side, Dr. Orringer suggests that you consider practice sleeping on your back in the weeks leading up to your surgery. Typically, patients can safely resume their preferred sleeping style four to six weeks after surgery.
You may be in the hospital for 1 to 3 days; longer if you have spinal fusion. Rest is important. But doctors want you out of bed as soon as possible. Most people start physical therapy within 24 hours.
With fresh implants, you will not be allowed to lift your arms. Your surgeon will advise you to keep your arms below the shoulder for about 2 weeks. This allows the capsule to form around the implant to secure it in place. Lifting your arms above shoulder level can cause the implant to move out of the pocket.