Visible ripples in implants

Anonymous

mtks- I'm no expert but I did find this article regarding recurrence in patients with fat grafting to the breast.  I'll try to post a link-

http://www.cosmeticsurg.net/blog/2010/09/21/stem-cell-enhanced-fat-grafting-for-breast-reconstruction/ 

Anonymous

I am so frustrated!  Got a call from the PS's office in Miami today saying everything was all set.  An hour later got another call saying they were told by my insurance company that they would cover everything but the replacement implants and I would need to come up with an additional $1500 (which I don't have).  WTH?  And this was after I made my 5 day non-refundable hotel reservations in Miami.  I told my insurance company that I am having pain issues that the PS thought would be resolved by swapping out to a smaller implant.  They said the only thing I can do is to appeal it but by the time I do that it might be too late to do the May 13th surgery.  Aaaaaggghhhh!

leeinfl

mtks - If you are concerned, I'd ask your oncologist, but I would think if your margins came back clear, it should make no difference what type of cancer you had.  It's gone - with the MX and clear margins, they removed all cancerous tissue regardless if lump, mass, etc.  Like Kate, I had extensive DCIS in several areas and not one specific lump.  That's why I choose the double mastectomy route too - take it all rather than totally mutilate my breasts and me having to worry if they "got it all".  Again, if you are worried, I'd check with your oncologist but I don't see how the type of cancer would make a difference once a mastectomy is done to remove it.

mtks

Thanks Ladies- That makes sence. Ever since I was diagnosed, my mind just won't shut off!!

I am starting today looking at the glass half FULL!!!

mtks

Kate33- Thank-you for the link to fat grafting. It's just what I needed. I want fat grafting done so badly. I feel better!! 

Anonymous

mtks- You're welcome!  We are all just learning as we go along here.  It's frustrating trying to figure out our options and what is best for us and the doctors don't seem to make it any easier.  So glad we have this site to share information.  I've had my own "glass half empty" moments the past few weeks trying to decide if moving forward with my revision is the right thing to do.  Luckily, I have some amazing supportive women on here who have been guiding me along!

mtks

Kate33= I know you will make the right decision for you. If you are any thing like me, it would be so nice to have the writing on the wall. Pray about it, it will come to you.

Sometimes writing down on paper, the pros and cons, makes it very clear to me.

Anonymous

So finally found out my insurance company IS covering the replacement implants for my revision.  The PS's billing office was submitting things correctly.  So ticked that I went through all this stress for nothing but glad my insurance company is backing me.

I am flying out tomorrow morning to Miami.  My surgery is Friday at 1:30 p.m. and will last about 5 hours.  Afterwards we've booked a small suite with a kitchen for a few days and then I have my post-op appointment on Tuesday morning.  If I'm cleared we fly home.  I am not looking forward to another surgery but I think the fat grafting freaks me out more.  Probably because I don't know what to expect having not gone through it before.  I am really hoping swapping out my implants and doing the fat grafting will not only take care of the pain issues I'm having but will fix the rippling as well. 

deekaay

Kate, so glad to hear your good news.  Take a deep breath and believe this is best for you.  You have weighed all the options well and staying in pain is not a decent option.  This will be better. 

Now, that said, I don't know where they are taking your fat from, but they took mine from my sides around my waist and below.  Two weeks out I am still sore, but it doesn't require pain meds.  I just want you to know to pack clothes that are loose wherever you think they'll go for the donor site.  You will likley be bruised and sore for a while but it is very doable if you expect it and dress for it.  The good news is I have had very little discomfort where the fat was actually added.

Wishing you the very BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Big, giant hugs, deekaay 

soccermomofthree

Kate I have not been on here for awhile.  I am so happy your decision was made and you have a date! My goodness life goes by fast.  You will look so good for sure...Lee looks so great! Now if we can just get you feeling better that would be wonderful!!!  I hope the very best for you!

Anonymous

deekaay- Thanks for the info on the lipo.  It sounds like you had yours taken the same places he will on me.  Now I'm wondering if I packed the right clothes.  I'll be in compression garments so it probably doesn't matter.  Am too frazzled now to worry about it.  My DH just got DX with Parkinson's today and we are spinning.  Almost feel like canceling the surgery but my DH says no, that he's o.k.  The new meds sound promising for him so that was good news.

soccermom- Thank you so much.  It's been so nice to be so supported and encouraged in my decision to move forward with this.  Hope to have some good news to report. 

deekaay

Kate, thinking of you, today was your day!  I hope you are resting comfortably and starting your healing process. 

sweetie2040

Kate-your in our thoughts! I hope everything went well and you are resting and enjoying the sun. Hope to hear from you soon.

Anonymous

Kate



Also thinking of you hope everything went well yesterday. Cyber hugs



Liz

Anonymous

Thanks everyone! Surgery went well and the PS told my DH that he thinks I'll be happy



Have to admit I'm in a lot of pain. More than I expected. Not sure if it's because Dr Khouri uses a different method of fat grafting, my fibro is going crazy or I'm just a big old baby. Don't think I'd want to go through this again. I've been bleeding a lot at the lipo sites so our maids going to think we murdered someone in here! I tried to take a peek but they've got me bandaged up. Don't get them off until my post op appointment on Tuesday. I thought he would use my old incisions but he assault to just make a small cut in each arm pit. I will post photos when I'm up to it.

Anonymous

Kate - glad to hear all went well...get some rest and I hope the pain gets under more managable for you soon!

soccermomofthree

Kate thinking of you and I am so happy to hear you are done and PS is happy.  Hope your pain gets better very fast! Take care! 

deekaay

Kate, happy to hear from you.  Hope your pain lessens each day. Rest, rest, rest!!!!   Hugs, deekaay

Anonymous

Day 3 and it does seem like the pain is subsiding.  Slept really good last night.  Now I'm trying to convince the PS to let me take off the bandages and take a shower.  I was allowed to shower 24-48 hours after all of my other surgeries.  Not sure why Dr. K says not to.  

I took a peek and it seems like everything is looking good.  Won't know for sure, though, until the swelling goes down. 

bindola3

hi Kate,

happy for your lipo! be patient, my surgeon didn't allow me to have a shower for one week after lipofilling... it was terrible but I suppose  it can't do without..... I'm waiting for my third lipo, I told the surgeon to reserve in september, when it's cooler than  now !

Anonymous

Kate



Great mews. Glad you are doing well. Continued best wishes coming your way. I know it must be hard but try to be patient with the shower. You have been through so much a few more days yup can live with. Cyber hugs

deekaay

Faulkh, "great mews"!!!  Is that your kitty sending well wishes to Kate??  I'll have to pass that along to my two lady cats.  lol

Anonymous

I emailed the PS and he wrote back and said it was o.k. to take a shower.  Good thing, too, since whatever tape they used was giving me a really bad rash.  Some of the skin is raw in places.  Better have my DH get some antibiotic ointment. There's a lot of swelling but once that goes away I think the size will be perfect.  I know it's early but I think they are softer and feel more natural now that there is fat over the top.  I'll post photos when I'm able.

Anonymous

I forgot to mention that I thought the PS was going to use the same incisions but he only had to make a tiny incision in each armpit to get the old implants out and the new ones in.  I think recovery is going to be so much easier.

Anonymous

Deekaay



No kitty cats just bad typing on the iPad



Kate. Do take care so glad that things are looking good

sweetie2040

Kate-so good to hear from you! Glad things are coming along well. It's a pain to have to go through another surgery but it sounds like this is going to be the right one! I hope you got to enjoy a nice long hot shower. I know it must be hard not to be able to look, but I'm sure your going to look really good based on the the pics I've seen of his other patients. Keep us posted. We are all so proud of you! Your motivating us all over here!

hopefulhealing

Great news Kate. Can't wait to hear how it goes on Tuesday. 

leeinfl

Kate - will post more later since I have to run, but wanted to send you a quick hello!  Happy you got the all-clear to shower.  Like I texted you, he had me wait until after the post-op as well, my skin doesn't like tape and bandages much either, so I'm glad he let you take it off earlier.  Bet that shower felt SOOO good.   Gotta run - but, so thrilled that it is over and that it looks good so far.  Hugs!!!!

Anonymous

Lee- I had a weird reaction to the tape this time. My skin was almost raw underneath. Glad I didn't have to wait until tomorrow to remove it. Just curious, were you swollen afterwards and how long did it take to go away?

leeinfl

Kate - I usually got a rash-type reaction to tapes and bandages - nothing too severe though.  It's funny to think that we go through so much MAJOR crap - and then a little bandage gives us trouble.  I used to get so annoyed about that.  Oh well - maybe our body saying "enough already!"  LOL

Yes, I was swollen every time, but mainly after the first surgery where the most work was done.  Implants exchanged, pockets fixed, adhesions released - all that and the fat grafting so it's normal to have swelling.  I'm thinking it was about 2 weeks.  I tried looking back at my photos, but I didn't take any until a month after and of course, they looked great by then.  No swelling no bruising.  So I'm hoping memory serves me correctly by saying 2 weeks.

I'm just so excited for you!  I know it will take a while for you to heal completely but every day will be better than the one before!  Just remember to take it easy - even if you feel ready to conquer the world!  Your body still needs to recuperate. 

Hugs & broad smiles!