It’s officially been over three months since the procedure and here are the my breast fat transfer results – finally!
In February, I decided to have fat transferred to my breasts. You can read about that more in depth here, but basically after nursing two kids – my boobs were pretty wrecked. They just had no shape and very little tissue. I researched breast implants, but after doing a deep dive, I decided they were completely unsafe and just not for me. So I ended up getting a fat transfer!
How much was transferred and my cup size increase
I saw Dr. Bednar, THE preeminent breast fat transfer doctor in the country. Dr. Bednar is known for his ability to create shape, increase retention rates and harvest fat off of very thin women. At the time of my surgery, I was an athletic 5’6 and 122 pounds. And a very, very small A cup.
Dr. Bednar was able to transfer 500 cc’s to each breast. Most of the fat was harvested from my love handles. Immediately after surgery, I was a D cup. And to be quite honest, I would have retained a lot more had quarantine not happened.
Four weeks after my surgery, we were quarantined with zero help. My husband was still working full time from home and I was left chasing and entertaining two toddlers all. day. long. And I have boys. They’re not gentle.
My boobs really took a beating; they give giant hugs, “tickle tackles” (in which they tackle me to the ground and hug me), they hit and kick inadvertently. And I was running after them non-stop. If I had our regular nanny or at least my mother in law, I think my retention would’ve been greater. But what can ya do when a pandemic hits?
So I’m now a full C cup, which is still great!
The first three months
The first three months after surgery are the most crucial. Dr. Bednar has quite a strict protocol for a full three months after surgery and that’s one of the reasons his retention rates are so good.
The surgery itself was pretty painful because I didn’t take any painkillers and the majority of fat was harvested from my low back. I of course was laying on my low back quite a bit after surgery and just could not get comfortable. At one point my back had swollen up like a water balloon just waiting to pop.
But week by week, the pain decreased. There is a lot of odd nerve sensation where the doctor performed the liposuction, and these areas were quite tender for months.
Now, five months post surgery, I feel probably 95% back to normal in those areas. They are still tender sometimes, and I often have shooting nerve pain, though it passes quickly.
Dr. Bednar forbids rigorous exercise and alcohol consumptin in the first three months. By the second month, I was already one month into quarantine and quite stressed out.
Because of this, I did start to do some more exercise and drink small amount of wine. I didn’t go overboard, but from everything I know about the human body – there really was no valid reason to exclude a glass of wine every now and then 8+ weeks after surgery.
Post surgery diet
One thing I took almost daily that I know helped my retention was my collagen protein powder. While there is no research to support the idea that collagen promotes breast fat transfer retention, it’s supportive of the body as a whole.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and is absolutely crucial for tissue connection and the structural integrity of the skin. Because of this, I made daily smoothies with healthy fats like MCT oil, coconut oil and avocado.
I ate as I normally do – lower carb, great quality proteins, lots of veggies, grass-fed cheese and tons of healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, grass-fed butter, etc.). If you need ideas for healthy meals, check out my 21 Day Lifestyle Transformation.
Natural remedies
Dr. Bednar’s office is great in their approach to both supporting the body and healing. They sent me a pre-surgery package which included multivitamins, essential oils and homeopathic remedies.
What kind of conventional doctor sends you doTERRA’s frankincense roll on and homeopathic arnica gel? I was really impressed.
Believe it or not, I have totally forgotten to use my Scar + Wrinkle Serum on my incision sites, which are very small. Between quarantine and my youngest only allowing me 4-5 hours of sleep a night, I honestly just forgot.
I’ll be using my Scar + Wrinkle Serum morning and night moving forward. It works so well, I know it will help erase the small scars.
Post surgery, I also used a higher dose of the homeopathic arnica, 200ck instead of 30ck, which I also did after having my kiddos.
Would I do it again?
In terms of going back in time and deciding on whetehr or not to do this – yes, I would absolutely have this done. Will I go back for another round to get even bigger boobs?
I’m really not sure.
Before I did this, so many women told me about “boob greed.” Basically, no matter your size, you want bigger boobs. And honestly, that’s pretty accurate. I really like my new boobs and they look great in many tops, but I do kind of wish the were bigger.
Liposuction Sites
I was concerned about getting liposuction. I’d heard a lot of horror stories and that many lipo sites are left looking rippled and riddled with cellulite. Dr. Bednar recommends lymphatic massage post procedure.
Unfortunately, due to Covid this wasn’t really an option for me. I used a Tiger Tail massage stick over my thighs – admittedly not as much as I should have.
The cost
This is one of the questions I get asked most often. It was quite expensive but they do offer financing options. It was $11,395 – it could have changed since I had the procedure done.
And honestly, that is so much less than many of the women have spent on breast procedures. I am in the Bednar Facebook group and so many women got implants, had revisions, gotten sick, had them removed, etc. They have spent upward of $20,000 just dealing with the repercussions from implants alone.
Please consider a procedure like this over implants. There are so many complications with breast implants and a surgery like this is much safer.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
20 Comments
Thanks so much for the info. Just wanted to know how long did it take for you to bounce back to regular activities after surgery
Hi Dani;
So happy that you are satisfied with the surgery, recovery and wellness. Have you ever done a deep dive study on fat itself? I know the fat in my breast fluctuate depending on the foods I eat. Also, because my strength is mostly in my upper body, there’s much fat retention. Whereas my lower body has little strength and little fat so I don’t retain it.
Hi! After resuming vigorous exercise then is retention still good? What’s the projected retention at 5 years? Thank you 🙂
I highly recommend you go to Dr Bednar’s FB page if you are considering. There are women on there 10 years out that look absolutely fabulous!
Thank you for sharing. I recently had round 2 not for size but for shape and so far I’m pleased. Good luck with the rest of your recover =)
Hi Dani! Thank you so much for your post! Can I please ask you what your current cup size now? Would you say it’s a C cup?
Also, you mentioned that your doctor had very strict regimen to make sure you retain as much of the fat as possible. If you don’t mind sharing, what did you have to do in detail?
Thank you ! It would help me so so much.
This is the blog I’ve been looking for for years! Thank you for being so real! I read that post surgery you went from an A to a D (due to initial swelling) but what would you say is your cup size now, quite a few months after recovery?
I am considering this procedure. Can you please tell me if the breast feel the same to touch and if there is any sensation loss. Thank you
Yes they do and no loss
Hey! I am currently considering this treatment, I have a very familiar story, post pregnancy and a similar build to you. Can you comment any further if you have experienced the rippled and riddled with cellulite comment you made in your post, have you suffered at all? And at this stage how have you found the size decrease, have they deceased further? Are you still happy with them? Best wishes, sadie
Hi! The result looks fantastic and so natural. I’m also afraid of complications with breast implants too. Where did you transfer fat from?
Hi, I’m on my second week of fat transfer to my breast! I am curious if the doctor told you your breast will shrink at around the 3 month mark and then regrow? Did you experience that at around 3 months? Did they go back down and look like they did before you got ypur fat transfer??? I had mine done at Elite and this is what they tell me now after my first week follow up!! I am extremely nervous and prating everyday this does not happen and if so do they really going to grow back to what they look like at the 3-4week post op…?
Hi,
I’m wondering if you could share the specifics of what to use on breasts to retain the fat transfer. Essential oils on them? Other creams or oils? Any light massage or just leave them completely alone for months? Thanks
I think I use a small amount of frankincense and lavender mixed with argan VERY gently. Not to retain even but to keep everything healthy. And only after the doctor said I could apply.
I think your result is fantastic! Thanks for being honest about your post op period. I had to go back to er as a nurse 4 days post, and my toddler has grabbed my boobs a lot. I’m at 3 weeks right now. I would be happy if it could just stay like this but I know that’s not realistic. I am mad at myself for not being able to be more strict post op. :/
It’s tough, don’t beat yourself up about it!
I have same build as you,5 2, 132 ib but the plastic sergeant I saw said he can only harvest 200cc total !! That means after body absorbs some of the fat I will end up with 60cc each breast which is only two table spoons on each side , I am disappointed at his answer and not sure will go through , my question is , did you gain extra weight before the surgery to ensure you have enough fat ?
How are you looking and feeling 2 years later?
Hi Dani,
I was curious how you went about finding Dr. Bednar? I’ve been looking for something who does Fat Transfer, but don’t know the first thing about finding someone that is good. I would be opposed to traveling to see someone good, but live on the West Coast. Thanks for you help!
Dani
Hi Dani, do you mind to share the protocol for a full three months after surgery? For the best retention rate, per your doctor’s recommendation and also your experience. Thanks in advance ??