Visible ripples in implants

sweetie2040

Kate-wow, it sounds like you had an amazing meeting with Dr. Khouri. He sounds like a wonderful Dr and like he really understands how we feel. It is a lot to think about, but at least you have a very viable option.  I really wish more Dr's will be doing his procedures soon. I did mention it to my Dr. and he said it is something they will be "following". It's just harder for us out of towners, but sometimes it's worth it all it if truly makes you happy and feel much more restored.

deekaay

Big wow, Kate. glad you made it there and that the important part was worth it for you.  Lots to think about, but you've taken the first step.

deekaay

Did Dr. K. say what would bring sensation back to nipples?  Is it the stretching or just the normal regeneration of nerves over time?

Anonymous

deekaay- I was so excited about the promise of sensation coming back that I didn't ask him how it was possible!  I'll add that to my list of questions!

deekaay

Hey Sistas, I posted a few new pix on the forum, one that shows my ripples.  I go tomorrow for round 2 fat grafting and maybe nip reduction.  Still feeling like one foot is "on the fence" but I am going through with it.  I hope this will be my LAST surgery.  Hope you are all well.  Hugs, deekaay

hopefulhealing

good luck deekaay. Kate so much to decide!!  I still have no clue what I am going to do.

sweetie2040

Deekay-good luck with the FG. I wish my Dr would do that option. I saw your pics and commented there, but I think you look really great.

Anonymous

deekaay- Just checked out your pics.  Your rippling is very similar to mine.  Other than that, though, girl you look amazing!  I think the fat grafting will only improve upon the wonderful job your PS did.  Your shape and proportions look perfect for you.  You look so natural!  Hope all goes well tomorrow.  I admire you for sliding off the fence.  Just know you are going to get amazing results and it will hopefully be the last step in a very long hike!  Let us know how you're doing!  (((HUGS)))

I think I have decided to go ahead with the surgery with Dr. Khouri.  If there is even a possibility that I can get rid of these implants in the future I just have to go for it.  I found out that he is in network for me so I'll pretty much meet my maximum out of pocket costs with the first surgery.  So any additional fat graftings should be covered 100%.  Just have to pay for the BRAVA if I decide I'm removing the implants.  (Which would be the 2nd surgery if I do.)  I'm going to call his office tomorrow and see if May 13th is still available.  It'll be my mother's day gift!   

hopefulhealing

kate I am excited for you! A decision is made that is the hardest part some times. I can't wait to hear how it goes. I am no closer than two weeks ago in knowing what to do. I love lee's outcome but I am chicken to go with a smaller implant. Oh well. I am so happy for you!

sweetie2040

Kate-congrats on making a decision! It sounds like a very good one and from our discussions it seems like something you need to do and will be happy with. I think after we all see you go through it we will want to be next. I know Lee and others have fabulous results and so will you. Your very brave to move foward and we will be here for you every step of the way!

Anonymous

Kate - I don't post here much, but since I have rippling concerns I do follow this thread to gain some insight... but what I really wanted to say today is I admire you moving forward and making the decision to follow your gut. To feel happy and content in your own skin is a priceless gift, and you are worth it!!! I wish you all the best for your upcoming surgery...this Dr K sounds pretty darn amazing!!!

leeinfl

Kate - Congratulations!  I know it was hard making this decision, but now you can move forward.  Today is Tuesday (AKA busy, crazy post-op & consult day, LOL!)....so I hope you can get through to his office and lock in your date.  I'm so excited for you! 

Anonymous

You guys are so sweet!  Now I feel even better about my decision knowing you are all behind me.  I put a call into Dr. K's assistant Cindy today to lock in the date but am having some communication/insurance issues with her.  Called my insurance company to get it straightened out, called her back and now they are closed for the day.  Kind of frustrating but I'll call back tomorrow.  Just hope I can still get the May 13th date since my DH has vacation that week to be with me in Miami the whole time.  Thanks, again, everyone!

deekaay

Kate, let us know you got that May appointment, I am rooting for you, my fellow fence sitter. 

Yesteray, I had my fat grafting, nip reduction surgery so I am officially off the fence-lol.  I was ambivalent until the end, but I am ok with things now.  My chest looks good, but of course the swelling and initial FG enhances the poofy look we all like.  I hope I get some residual benefit once I'm a month or so out from it.  I am sore, headachy and dopey today, but I have nothing I have to do so I am just taking it easy.  Everyone at the hospital was wonderful as usual.  I'll post a picture once my brain kicks back into gear.  deekaay

leeinfl

deekaay - great news!  Congrats and take it easy.  Hope everything turns out perfect!

Anonymous

deekaay- So glad everything went well!  Really hoping, wishing, praying that this will be your last and final step.  Can't wait to be there myself.  (((hugs)))

I got an email from Cindy at Dr. K's office that they are holding the May 13th surgery date for me.  We've got a few insurance issues to work out.  She was claiming that my insurance wouldn't cover the new implants.  I fired off a copy of my insurance benefits, as well as quoted her the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 which states that group health plans have to cover implants (god, I can be such a b**** sometimes) and she said she'd "look into it".  Absolutely LOVE Dr. K but can't understand how someone working for a PS who specializes in breast recon wouldn't at least know that much!  My DH said I need to get a job like hers!  LOL!  Anyway, May 13th is going to be here before I know it.  I think I'm more nervous about the fat grafting than the surgery itself.  Maybe it's the unknown? 

MBJ

Kate:  I saw your post here and I am so very excited for you!!!  I know they will be able to work things out so you can move forward.  I remember reading about this procedure over a year ago when it was still in trials.  Big happy hugs to you!!  What an amazing Mother's Day gift to yourself.

Deekay:  Can't wait to see your after pictures!!!

leeinfl

"god, I can be such a b**** sometimes"

I KNEW there was a reason I liked you right from the start! heehee....you get em!  It'll all get sorted out, don't worry.  

No need to be nervous about the fat grafting.  Remember, lipo will feel like the soreness after an intense workout.  It just takes longer to go away!  That's the annoying part, but just think....body sculpting!  Yahoo!  The fat grafting itself (the injections) wasn't painful at all - my pain (as yours will probably be as well) was in the pocket work he had to do.  If it wouldn't have been for that, I would have been fine with OTC Tylenol.  

Hugs!

So thrilled for you!  Yes, May 13th will be here very soon! 

Anonymous

leeinfl- I'm not worried about the pain so much as the ickiness you described after lipo.  I'd be o.k. if I was going home to my own bed but am stressing about the 5 days in a hotel dealing with all of it.  Don't know why this is wigging me out so much.  Thinks it's just because so many other stressers are going on right now.  (Just DX with hypothyroidism, thyroid nodules and uterine fibroids and am trying to figure out who to see, how to treat, etc.)  I feel like a big old mess right now!  

sweetie2040

Deekay-glad to hear things went well for you. I'm hoping it does the trick. Get lots of rest and feel better!

Kate-You remind me so much of me. I think about things and analyze things so much. Then when I actually get to the point of doing the thing I worried about, I'm like that was nothing. It's just the way we are, we like to have everything sorted out in our mind and feel very prepared. There's nothing wrong with that. Just take one day at a time and you'll get through each thing and each step you must take for the different issues. I have a thyroid issue too. I had a large nodule and they put me on meds and it shrunk, so I remember dealing with all those issues too. I also had a big cyst on my ovary too that had to be removed surgically. Us women are always dealing with so many things, but we are strong and brave and we have each other! It's all going to work out, hang in there.

leeinfl

Kate33 - Yeah, ickiness would be the correct term, I agree!  It's ok though.  Really.  I don't do "icky" very well but after the initial "OMG" - it was ok.

So sorry you are having to deal with other stuff too!  Hang in there!

deekaay

OMG, we are the fence sitters AND the over analyzers!!  What an esteemed crew!!

Kate, here's what my icky feels like although you may have more fat harvested so that could add to the icky level.  Today at two days post op, I feel really good mostly because I stopped pain meds yesterday at noon.  I just felt more icky from the post anethesia this time and the pain meds, it was better to see how my pain level really was.  It is quite manageable with nothing as of today.  If I am sitting, I feel no pain at all!  Walking I feel slight discomfort if I stride.  I went to the grocery store today and had to watch my gait to not overdue.  Also, twisting is a no no. Now, here's what hurts...touching even the skin where the fat was harvested which for me is my sides and front right under boobs.  It's just really, really tender even at the skin level.  I Might have to wear loose waisted skirts next week when I go back to work.  Now I have below waist leggings on and they work fine.  I think boredom will be you biggest complaint with five days in a hotel, not pain.  Although I am only dealing w/ this.  You have compounding issues that you have to consider.  Giant hugs to you, deekaay.

asr51

Deekaay, i had my fat grafting a week ago. I also have lat flap reconstruction. Can you tell a difference in your sides since the grafting? I had a large bulge under my right arm which was supposed to be gone after the lipo, but as far as I can tell, it's still there. I know I'm swollen, but it seems to me to be just as large as before if not larger.

Anonymous

 Yep, over analyzer and over planner.  Whenever I travel I take everything I can "just in case" because I've come up with every possible scenario that might come up.  My DH told me to just take each thing as it occurs but I'm just not wired that way!  LOL!  He thinks I'm a pessimist.  I tell him the great thing about being a pessimist is you're either right or pleasantly surprised! 

deekaay- Lee was describing the lipo spots as oozing (sorry if it's TMI) and messy and not bandaged.  I'm picturing me oozing all over the hotel sheets.  Gross!  I'm trying to figure out some comfy outfits, too, since my lipo will be on my stomach and hips.  Do you not have to wear compression garments?  I think Dr. K has us to do that. 

deekaay

asr51, I didn't have the underarm bulge that some have after Lat D, so I can't compare for you.  My outcome looks really good to me, I wanted ripples on both breasts addressed and they have been. However, I know I have swelling that adds to the upper pole fullness and that fat grafts reduce by at least 50%, so I know I have to wait a few months to see if this really helped.

Kate, I am only sore in the donor areas.  I have virtually no swelling in the donor areas, no oozing, just bruising that is pretty intense, but only if I touch.  I only have a few little steri-strips here and there where the needle went in for withdrawl or filling of fat.  I feel great today three days out, washed my hair this morning, girlfriends coming over later for HH, life is good.  I feel done, I so want to be.

BUT, if Dr. K is taking a lot more fat out, your situation could be different.  Plus, I don't think my PS uses the tubing you see on TV for lipo.  I think he uses a small needle to withdraw and insert fat.  Maybe because it's a small amount? Maybe that's why I don't have leaking?  Another plus is there is no scar from the needle.

Side note, also happy with the nip reduction.  Now my two little friends match, I had one that just didn't feek like me. 

Anonymous

deekaay- I do know Dr. K uses a different method for the fat grafting so maybe that's it.  leeinfl said the oozing is because he uses epinephrine and lidocaine which later has to drain back out.  (He did say I would have little to no scarring.  The scarring I have seen just looks like a little freckle.)   I think he said with his method you retain about 85% of the fat but some women have retained even more.  

Glad you're doing so well and are happy with the nip reduction.  Have a great weekend! 

leeinfl

Dr. K injects the fat droplets at a time which is why the fat survives much better than traditional fat grafting.  It's explained really well on his website.

deekaay - Enjoy HH!  You deserve it!  

mtks

I would like to jump in here. I don't want to bust a bubble but my ps said he could do fat grafting a the time of my 3rd stage-nipple& areola. I had Invasive lobular carcinoma which invades tissue, it's not found with a lump. Are any of you ILC and having Fat grafting? I am a little apprehensive.

I've had a bi-lateral mastectomy,

ILC was found on my left side.

Anonymous

mtks- I had several areas of just DCIS in one breast.  Not sure what your apprehensions are.  What specifically are you worried about?

mtks

My thoughts are even though I've had a bilateral mx, putting fat back into this area-would there be a greater chance for reoccurance? ILC is different then DCIS. ILC is found in the tissue not a lump. This is my concern. Maybe I am being to paranoid?.....