FAT GRAFTING post mastectomy radiation for scar tissue tightness

dpms

My mom had a modified radical mastectomy on her right breast on December 10, 2012. She had stage 3A breast cancer. 

She has now completed her Chemotherapy which consisted of the ACT regiment, and just last month finished her radiation. 

Since even before her radiation she had started to experience EXTREME tightness on her chestwall which of course only got much much worse during radiation. She said it feels like she is wearing an iron bra that is 3 sizes too small and just pulling at her chest. She also feels her ribs poking into her underarm (it seems the skin and tissue have thinned out significantly and the arm/shoulder is being pulled down by the scars onto her ribs)

One plastic surgeon at UCSF recently recommended FAT GRAFTING, as a noninvasive procedure that can be done before a full reconstruction. We are told this can break scar tissue with needles and inject fat from the abdomen into the chest wall to create a buffer so it feels like the skin/tissue is not stuck to the wall. The procedure is suppose to last one hour, no incisions or cuts - just the use of needles, in and out of the hospital on the same day, one week full recovery. 

Since a tissue transfer reconstruction cannot happen from 6months - 1 year post radiation, this is the first procedure we have heard that may provide some kind of relief - WE HOPE. 

Has anyone heard of FAT GRAFTING? Has anyone had it done? If so, what was your experience and the subsequent results of the procedure? Were there any side effects? 

Just trying to get all the information that we can! Hope you can help! 

BayouBabe

I had fat grafting as part of my reconstruction surgery three weeks ago. I will not lie, the procedure will feel like you got hit by a truck. My fat was taken from my thighs, inner and outer. I had bruising from my arm pits to my knees. I am still sore and tender today. There are cuts though; I have two one inch incisions, one on each inner hip.



On a good note, I do believe it has helped my radiated breast quite significantly. The skin looks better. The tenderness that always bothered my along my side feels much better. My arm pit is not as tight. I have what looks like new blood flow to a portion of my breast. Would I do it again? Absolutely! I think the one week recovery you have mentioned is off. I think two weeks is more accurate.

dpms

Hi Bayoubabe! 

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I'm glad it ended up giving you some relief. How long after radiation did you have the fat grafting done?

BayouBabe

I had my fat grafting approximately four months after radiation ended. Standard here is 4 - 6 months depending on condition of the skin and tissues.

sciencegal

Hi dpms, I am sorry this is happening to your mom. Fat grafting is happening all over the world and is a good option. I am not sue how soon after treatment most doctors are doing it. But the stem cells in the fat really do help heal the tissues.



Good luck to her!!!

dpms

Thank you!  Do you guys have any doctors/surgeons you would recommend for fat grafting?

Also @bayou - thanks for sharing the time info. We have been a bit confused, because so far the one surgeon we met at ucsf said my mom could even have the procedure done now - though its only been one month since radiation was completed (she had 28 sessions)

sundermom

I, too, experienced extreme tightness post radiation. My PS went in and released a "severe" capsular contracture because it was so painful and causing problems with the use of my dominant arm. Six weeks later my incision from that procedure opened overnight and I woke up to a gaping hole in my chest that I could see straight through to the implant. To make it ten times worse I was in DisneyWorld with my kids when this went down. Long story, short - I had to totally re-do reconstruction and we used fat grafting the second go around. The difference was amazing! My poor, radiated skin looks totally normal now. I highly recommend fat grafting!

BayouBabe

You could try private messaging "whippetmom" for suggestions for surgeons in your area. I believe she keeps a list of those that women have been satisfied with. Good luck!

dpms

@Sundermom - I am so sorry to hear about your capsular contracture, and that the incision opened up at disney world! I cant even imagine! But I am so happy to hear that fat grafting help your condition! Did they have to make incisions for you during the procedure or just used needles? We have currently been told it would be needles, and the fat would come from my mom's abodmen, as she has some excess there. 

@Bayou - Thank you for telling me about whippetmom! Just sent her a private message. This sharing of info has been so helpful, and is making life much easier.

MiniMacsMom

Dpms: i will say i havent had fat grafting yet. But i do have scar tightness. i see a really amazing theraputic massage therapist about 1/2months and she is amazing. its really helped my scar tigtness/range of motion. she spends an hour on my scar area and it feels so amazing. it might be something to consider until she can get the fat grafting done.

mgdsmc

I just had fat grafting last week 8/16 and post op last Friday.



I think this is the procedure the PS is recommending for your mom. I have no incisions, came home same day and full recovery before my post op appt. I wasn't happy with my results when I removed my dressings. My fat was removed from my lower back and under arms, no scars.



At my post op I learned that I will need 5 more surgeries, not all done at once like I thought. I think he told me that long time ago. It's like the BRAVA procedure women are having without the cones, think that's what they're called. It making my breast larger more round and after more of a real feel.



I don't have implants did tram flap, love it! Last radiation was 4/2/13. Will have surgery every 6-8 weeks until they are the way I want. Next surgery 10/18/13.



Was the easiest surgery I ever had. Was walking my dogs a mile the same day. No pain just a little sore. I'm not a fan of the number of surgeries, can get implant at anytime but don't want one. I had nipple/skin sparing double MX last October 28, 2012. Didn't have the tightness like your mom.



Hope this helps