Swelling vs. Regrowth

[Dadadaboom]

So, Dr. F says it takes a full year for all the swelling to go away. Is there a point where it SUDDENLY drains out very quickly, or does it go away steadily over the course of the year?

I'm 4.5 months post-op. I think I looked best about 3 months post-op. Now, the swelling seems to be coming back - at least I HOPE it's swelling. Is this normal? Or is it more likely to be re-growth of the breast tissue?

Brebguy had a similar concern - I thought he had regrown his tissue, but now I'm not so sure, it might just be swelling coming back.

I should note that the swelling in my flanks and abdomen (where I also had liposuction) is still mostly there. At this rate, I don't think it'll go away 1 year post-op, unless there's a sudden quantum leap where all the swelling magically drains away. 

Any thoughts?

[MRD]

If it got worse AFTER 3 months it sounds like it may have grown back? Have you checked your horemone levels?
Fielding told me results after 3 months are final, although ive been told that he has told other people 6 months to 1 year.

[brebguy]

well in my case, sure it looked better after 3 months but in my case, the only time it actually looked good was a week post op. from that moment till now, it only grew back until i got to the point where it looked exactly as it was before surgery. so in my case, i dont really have concerns anymore, i know its not swelling and that the whole thing is growing back.

from what i know, the healing process is not steady throughout the year. you should be close to the final results at 3 months and still getting a little better throughout the year. in your case, it started looking bad after 3 months only ? odd !?!?!
did you gain weight or change anything in your eating or exercising habits ?

how bad does it look now ?

[Dadadaboom]

I've gained about 3 pounds. But it ain't fat, I can tell. It doesn't look too bad - still a lot better than before the surgery. It seemed to get worse after I started rubbing vitamin E cream into it more often. I think I'll wait a few more months before I go back to Dr. F.

[brebguy]

ok, i would not panic at that point...
guys, havent we be told not to apply any cream or anything on the chest during recovery ? might just be me but for some reason, i feel like i remember something like that.

[Dadadaboom]

Dr. F told me to rub Vitamim E cream on the scars to help them heal. It's annoying as hell, and I'd rather do without it, but if it helps the scars heal better then so be it.

[brebguy]

ok cool!

why is it annoying ? are u feeling something ? or is it just the actual action of putting cream everyday ?

[Dadadaboom]

Nah, it's just the hassle of putting it on everyday (and I don't like the way it smells).

[brebguy]

haha you'll survive its for the good cause.