Has anyone had micro fat grafting?

geewhiz

Yep...this was coming down the pipeline MONTHS ago. I posted about it over on the fatgraftforum last fall and got blasted saying that I was posting misinformation amongst other nonsense. Didn't ever go back. Hopefully things right themselves. It's ridiculous to not keep up with advancements in treatments and procedures.

alexandra-aaa

Geewhiz, I did not address this the the last time you posted, accusing me of "lecturing" you on insurance, but if you are going to badmouth me or my forum, please do so with accuracy.

The "nonsense" that I "blasted" you with was in part this post -  (any registered members are free to read the complete exchange at that link):

Geewhiz: "...I went to lunch with Cindy the other day and she mentioned that a number of insurances are changing. She mentioned knowing there were some major changes with United Healthcare...one was that these patients would have to pay for their own implants...I think I remember that to mean the physical implant, not the surgery...."

Alexandra: "...With all due respect to Cindy, and perhaps even to Marguerite, please, please, please, check all insurance details with your own insurance company. No insurance company's benefits can fall below Federal and State mandates...."

My response to you was in regard to implant reconstruction. I have NEVER stated that fat grafting was covered, in fact elsewhere on the forum, I quoted my own policy (Aetna) which added a clause specifically denying fat grafting as experimental.

My reply was posted to HELP women receive the benefits that their insurance providers MUST cover as per federal and state laws.

I then linked to "1998 Federal Breast Reconstruction Law", as well as "State Laws on Breast Reconstruction"

I never was clear why you didn't come back, or asked to have your profile deleted (which as explained in the "Forum Rules and Guidelines", which all members agree to when registering, is not done). In fact, throughout your topic/story, you were treated with respect and given support, information and enouragement from myself and many other members. But I guess this post explains things.....

Alexandra

EileenKaye1

thanks kate--I will be using a 250cc  implant with fatgrafting for the first surgery--Reason--recon. for symmetry and pain.  I will inform everyone if I have any problem with my insurance. Years ago--I had a problem using alloderm--appealed and the decision was reversed.  Eileen

mormor1

lalisa- very interesting to hear about your consult with Dr. A.  Very exciting that you might get to go on TV as a case study!!  Will you be part of the clinical trial?  I seem to remember you had to be five years out from Dx.?  I see you are almost at that point!  Does he still take women if they don't meet the five year out and wouldn't be part of the clinical trial?  I'm just asking out of curiosity.  I'm a "done deal" and extremely happy with the FG I had done for recon.

All this inusrance "stuff" is concerning.  I agree with Alexandra that you absolutely must check with your own insurance.  Sorry to see the tension that has arisen...hope it can be laid to rest.  I love the postivie tone that usually characterizes this site and also fatgraftpatients.com. 

I believe Mina1 also reported something with Cigna denying it and calling it experimental.  Tha is SO sad.  I believe FGing offers an uncomparable outcome that I would hate to see denied to women.   I wonder if some of this relates to the stem cell approach and the Brava approach gets linked in.  Wonder if that could be clarified with insurnace companies?

dustylady

I found this policy guidance about the BCBS position on fat grafting:  http://www.bcbsms.com/com/bcbsms/apps/PolicySearch/views/ViewPolicy.php?&blank&action=viewPolicy&noprint=yes&path=%2Fpolicy%2Femed%2FAutologous+Fat+Grafting+to+the+Breast.html&keywords=%3C!123-321!%3E&source=emed&page=q=medical-policy-search-page.html&me=index.php

 If this link doesn't work, then you can find it by googling:  BCBS Autologous Fat Grafting to the Breast and Adipose-derived Stem Cells.  It is a policy that was issued 7/21/11. 

Denise2730

So is fat grafting what I would need to get rid of this "dent" I have above my left foob?

Anonymous

chiluvr1228- Fat grafting would probably help with that a lot.  It's probably rippling from the implants that you're seeing.  Fat grafting can be used to fill in divots after lumpectomy so I know they can use it just for specific spots.

amom438

I asked my PS about Fat Grafting since I have a big dent in my upper breast area. He said that he does not recommend doing it because then it is hard to see on a mamogram and that it increases the chances of reacurrance. Anyone else hear this?

mormor1

It is true that after fat grafting, there can be some calcifications that show up on a mammogram, but the two times I've had mammograms after fat grafting, two different radiologists reported that it was quite easy to differentiate the formation of the calcification from "trauma" or suspicious of cancer.  Research, so far, has shown no evidence that fat grafting increases risk of recurrence.

www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20110729/fat-injections-safe-for--breast-reconstruction-after-cancer?ecd=wnl_brc_080911  (hope I did that correctly, couldn't copy and paste)

 I would encourage you to research this yourself and not let one report (which I don't think is accurate) discourage you from an option that you might love.  Each person needs to weigh out the pros and cons in choosing what is best for them.

kriserts

I asked my BS about the recurrence issue. She said no, you're just filling in fat, it's not breast tissue. Last year, when I asked her about FG, she was more negative. Talked about the possiblity of developing necrosis, how it would look like a recurrence. This time, however, a year later, she was more positive. She said that if there's a lump at all, she'd have to remove it to test for recurrence, but otherwise she was fine with FG.

Anonymous

Alexandra...i recently created an account on that site and am having trouble with accessing anything. Also, is it mainly for the brava system paitents? Due to an infection, I had to have my first set of expanders removed. After restarting the process, the implants are great, but he had to use a smaller implant than he planned due to the thin skin inone area. He is going to fat graft around that area as well as add more to the upper pole to bring them to where he wanted them to be.



I was hoping to find some info on other women's experiences.

alexandra-aaa

Hi fluffqueen,

I checked your account - it was activated about an hour after you registered, so you should have access to most of the forum. But it looks like you haven't logged in after that. If you have and still don't have access, try logging out then back in.

While most of the ladies have used BRAVA at some point, there are also a number who have not - particularly ladies who had recon with implants. Many of those have had them swapped out for smaller implants with fat grafting to improve not just appearance, but radiated and/or thin skin.

Let me know if you have any more problems with the forum (there is a "Contact Board Administrator" link at the bottom of each page).

Alexandra

Anonymous

Thanks. I will go back and check it out. Can you give me the website again? Lol.



The recon with implants is what I want to read up on.

alexandra-aaa

LOL, sure! It's FatGraftPatients.com

(Quickest way to find members' stories that you're looking for would be in the "Patient Database" forum/topic - there's a list of all members who have posted their stories and a brief description of their situation.)

Alexandra

hopefulhealing

I just had fat grafting done on Monday.  Took fat from my buttocks and placed them on the upper area and medial for rippling.  I am tender but not oozing now at all.  I am wearing a soft sports bra.  Any problem with wearing a bra? 

I will probably go for a second round.  But I can see the improvement.  The key will be how much is reabsorbed.  He said he usually retains about 60% I think.  How soon until it can be done a second time?  Thanks for your help.

EileenKaye1

Thanks hopefulhealing for the input.  Will be having my first round of fatgrafting in May--using fat from my thigh area.  Sounds as though you are healing quite well. 

My PS wants the second round after 6 months. 

Eileen

hopefulhealing

eileen good luck.  I really hate to wait six months.  It has already been over two years since my mx!  But I am learning and not very willingly to be patient with this very long process

EileenKaye1

hopfulhealing--I respect your opinion--but I prefer to wait--as I think it will give my PS a better idea of how my retention is doing--and exactly where to place the additional fatgrafting.

that's my thought.  Eileen

hopefulhealing

eileen whatever works for you is what is important.  I don't even know how long he will want to wait as I see him for the first time after the grafting on Tuesday.  I had it done on the 13th.  Of course I will respect what he has to say.

truebff

I just met with my PS about this and he says I am a good candidate for this in about three months. I have only a mild distortion from lumpectomy on one side and have small breasts.

I'm kind of excited. Any advice?

Anonymous

truebff- I think fat grafting is such a wonderful option for lumpectomy divots.  My only advice would be make sure your PS has a lot of experience with it.  A lot of surgeons are jumping on the fat grafting band wagon.  With experience you'll not only get a good result with where the fat is placed you will also get the same for where the fat is taken.  If the lipo isn't done correctly it can end up lumpy and the same goes for where the fat is injected.  So really "vet" your doctor and make sure they've gotten the right training and have experience.  As far as advice for the actual procedure you can check out the site fatgraftpatients.com.  They've got a lot of tips and advice on there that was really helpful to me.

jenlee

Kate33, excellent point about making sure the surgeon has plenty of experience, and yes, that goes for the area from where the fat is taken.  I know two women who got poor results from lipo, one got lumps on one side of her knee and one ended up with thighs that were smaller, but really lumpy looking.  

truebff

Thanks for that advice!! How do -what questions??- do I ask this correctly? Thanks!

Also, my "correction is so small" I am wondering if the operation will be worth the risk? Another concern as I don't think going for *perfection* may be better or worse.

amom438

Ok I was thinking more about this and my PS recommendation that I not do it. I did a little research and then started thinking that the fat grafting couldnt possibly increase your chances of reoccurance because it is not Breast tissue. There are no milk ducts and stuff in it right? (ok maybe a more technical way to say this). Also if doing the fat grafting is dangerous then there would be an even higher risk of danger if you did the flap, which is even more tissue. Am I on the right track here. 

Also does anyone have any recommendations in the Kansas City area?

hopefulhealing

I do not think we are at higher risk.  They have used fat grafting for many other reconstructive types of surgeries.  However, in the grand scheme of things it is probably considered fairly new for breast recon.  I went ahead with it and have no concerns.  As they do it more often they will be able to gather data and be more definitive.

hrf

I agree. It is not breast tissue.

truebff

I appreciate all the comments. Thanks!! Still undecided if this is really worth it for another operation because my dimple is not that big, but then maybe they won't take so much fat that I have a problem there too.

Anonymous

truebff- Only you can decide if your issue is worth another procedure.  I think if it bothers you on a daily basis then it's worth it.  

amom- You could try googling fat grafting + breast reconstruction + Kansas City and see what comes up.  If you find some doctors make sure to "vet" them first.  Make sure they are a board certified PS, check online reviews, etc.  A lot of PS's now have their own website and there is usually a link where you can email them questions.  I would ask about their level of experience particularly.  If everything checks out go for a consult.   

amom438

What is the current recommendation on when to get it. Should you do this at the same time as your exchange? or after?

Also what does vet mean?

Anonymous

amom- I would wait until at least 6 months after exchange.  It can take several months for the implants to settle into place.  You may decide you don't need fat grafting at all or that you just need it in certain places.  When I say vetting I just mean checking them out making sure there aren't any serious complaints against them with the medical board, looking at online reviews from other patients, checking to make sure they are board certified, etc.  And, of course, finding out their level of experience.  There's a lot of surgeons jumping on the fat grafting band wagon and they may or may not tell their patients that they'll be one of their first patients with this procedure.