Has anyone had micro fat grafting?

Hi Everyone:

This thread had gotten a bit quiet.  I've been waiting to report that, in lieu of repeated fat transfers, I had surgery yesterday to implant some FlexHD (a brand of allgraft) under the scar line where it had become "indented" or like a "valley" (for lack of a better description).  It was about two hours under general anesthesia, in the hospital, home same day.  I do not feel any pain or discomfort at all.  I can unwrap and shower tomorrow, and will most likely go back to work on Monday.  I've already had some fat transfers, and time will tell if I need any more, but this was the best choice for me at this time.  PS told me that he thinks I will be pleased with the outcome, trying to achieve symmetry.  From the top down view, peeking under the wrapping, it looks pretty good!

Be well,

Maria 

I agree - I sure wish I had known about this.  I'm now over 3 weeks post-op from having my 600 cc implants replaced with 300 cc and another 300 cc worth of fat grafting.  So far, my breasts continue to look much better than before.  They look normal instead of looking like implants.  Obviously, I'm still healing and I have to wait for the final results, but I'm pleased and happy with my decision. 

We need to be aware of all options for reconstruction and this is definately an important alternative.

Yes, Swimangel, that is what is being discussed here. It's a combination of lipo-suction and an external expander that allows for a complete reconstruction of the breast without a flap. 

 I for one would have liked to know about this option before my attempted diep-flap surgery.  No sense worrying about it now, except that I'd vote to put this thread in a more prominent location.

I don't think I've ever been so excited for an event that I'm not attending (ie. the training in Florida this weekend.) My doctor has cautioned me that he won't know if I'm a good candidate until after he goes through the training, but I can't help but have my hopes up. I think I remember someone on this thread saying they would be there? If so, my thoughts will be with you! I'd be curious to know how many doctors are in attendance, and any other newsworthy info. 

Okay, girls, QUESTION:

Did anyone have an initial fat graft done at the same time as your mastectomy?

or do you know of anyone who did this? If so, why was this done, and did the intial fat graft "take"?

My plastic surgeon has been trying to ask this question of Dr. Khouri for the last month, but obviously he's had a very busy travel schedule lately so he hasn't been able to get through to him.

I'm trying to confirm my mastectomy date but we need to know whether there's a legitimate/useful reason for an initial fat graft to be done before any Brava use has occurred.

Thanks!!

Thanks, Lee... actually I'm having a local plastic surgeon do mine, so I won't be having an appointment with him... but Cindy and Rosie have been so super-helpful so far, I will try asking them!

Trying to catch up with all the posts......I have been wearing my Brava for 2 weeks.  There are times when it is uncomfortable and times it isn't.  I will return to my plastic surgeon in 4 weeks to reevaluate the next step in my reconstruction......I have been reconstructed and deconstructed (my DIEP failed and was removed).  I have read all the concerns, yet those same concerns can be said about any procedure.  There is the chance that cancer cells are left behind or new one forms---that is life.  And yes the literature that comes with the Brava says women like me should not be using it, but than again I am not using it grow bigger boobs, I am trying to create a pocket for my own fat cells to be used to recreate what I lost to cancer.  The cost for the system was $750---a set of two and I only use one.  No insurance did not cover this.  I do already see a softening of the skin heavily damaged by radiation. 

 I wonder why there is such a fuss about mentioning a doctor's name.....the NOLA group sings the praises of the Center for Breast Reconstruction.  Someone has to throw the first pitch so the rest of the team can play.  

The surgeon I use just completed a seminar in NO on fat grafting with surgeons coming from all over the world to participate.  Just yesterday I saw the photos of the process I will be going through in my doctor's office.  The woman had a bilateral mastectomy with radiation.  She was not a candidate for DIEP.  The results are amazing...she will need tattoos.  I had a nipple/skin saving mastectomy.  

I never wanted to be on this journey and I never had breast envy until this summer when my flap was removed and I was left with a rather unusual chest.  As with anything in life whatever you choose make that choice armed with information.  But always be cautious of the information and keep searching.  Not everything works for all people...but don't criticize me for making the decision I did or tell me I need to look further for all the negatives.  If you look for negatives you will find them.  

http://www.fatgraftforum.com/

This is the link for the  forum that was held in NO....there are photos, almost all are for implant failure, but can give an idea of what the results can be.   

Wow - thanks for posting all the info you found.  It's just incredible!  The photos from the NO seminar are amazing and show just how natural the breasts look with this procedure.  It'll be 4 weeks tomorrow and I love the way mine look and feel.  Still slight soreness where most of the work was done to fix the pockets, but I'm very happy. 

yes, we never wanted to be on this journey but here we are and we all need to make the decisions that are right for us.  I agree - if you look for negatives, you WILL find them.  There are lots of risks and negatives with all the reconstruction options.  

From one reconstructed/deconstructed to another - best of luck.  Keep us posted.  

Kitchenwitch - sending hugs your way.

Since my DCIS was extensive, I went with a double MX.  I didn't know about micro fat grafting to restore breasts, so I went with implants and the immediate reconstruction.  My PS wanted me to have mastectomy first, and placing the TEs in another surgery.  I pushed to do it in one surgery, so I woke up with the TEs in place.

If you want to do the fat grafting you don't need the expanders.  That's the beauty of this procedure - no more incisions.  You need to research this further - you have options!

Good luck and look into all the web sites that tedwilliams posted above for more info and guidance. 

Okay, girls, things are finally moving forward! When I last updated, I was going to go with a plastic surgeon (Dr. N.) who had trained with Dr. Khouri. When I met with him, he was utterly discouraging about this procedure and finally admitted he's never done it without also doing an implant. He spent the whole appointment trying to talk me out of it, and started throwing out wild ideas that aren't remotely part of Dr. Khouri's protocol.

At the time, I figured I had no choice but to go to him since I can't travel to Miami for now.

BUT! I've been communicating with the awesome Dr. Hanna, a plastic surgeon I had already met with before I knew about Dr. Khouri's technique, and he is on board to do the December workshop and do my reconstruction early next year! WAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I'm so excited now that he's going to be doing my reconstruction. His work is absolutely beautiful, plus I connected with him better on a personal level (the "Dr. N." character is a fuh-REAK, if we're being perfectly honest here). So excited I'm jumping up and down like a kid!

Kitchenwitch, I was wondering the same thing about a TE at the time of the mx.... purely for easing my mind psychologically. Right now, I'm envisioning waking up with a shriveled, empty breast (I'm doing skin/nipple-sparing) and am NOT looking forward to that. But, I didn't know if having a TE in there would interfere with healing (especially with regards to the nipple). BTW, I'm doing the same as you... unilateral and I figure I can worry about symmetry later. I hope to have a baby and breast-feed from my healthy breast, so I expect to wait until post-breast-feeding to do a lift on the non-DCIS breast.

capqueen, I appreciate your sharing your perspective. I'm actually not familiar with TUG so will have to look that up. I am fortunate in that I work from home and only interact with customers a couple of times a week, so I plan to wear it throughout my waking hours. Did you find it hard to do computer work for long periods of time wearing it?

Hmmmm.... that is good to know... thank you!

Holy Canoli Batman! Now we're getting somewhere! Do you mind sharing the name of your ps? PM me if you'd rather. I want to refer my ps to him for details. Since I'm sitting here with the TE's in place, that seems like the perfect solution. 

Hey All -- I'm back with the same question I asked a couple days ago. I have an appt. with my ps tomorrow to (hopefully) get going on my fat-grafting procedure. Since I currently have expanders, and he mentioned taking them out and letting me heal before starting on the BRAVA, I'd really like to have the name of the doctor that klp1 mentioned who is going to attempt total reconstruction with just the internal expanders. (or any doctor who is in on that procedure). I haven't had any luck with google searches and I really want to have all options on the table tomorrow. Delays seem to be the name of the game with this whole reconstruction business, but I'm sooo ready to move forward. Any help would be appreciated!  

Notmytime:  Did you send a PM to klp1? She might not be reading this thread often...

Hey Ladies:

I went to Dr. K recently. My experience was traumatic overall. I'm only 4 weeks out so I'm still in shock. But the hospital he uses was the worst I have ever experienced. I hate to throw a damper on anyone's hopes...just be very cautious if Dr. K wants you to have your procedure at Palmetto Hospital in Hialeah, FL. Message me if you want more details...don't have the energy to post it here.

Just thought I should speak up so no one else goes through what I did.

sdstarfish -

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience at Palmetto.  I had my surgery there as well, and aside from the facility being older and in need of updating & maintenance, my experience was the total opposite.  Everyone I was in contact with couldn't do enough for me and my husband.  I was just commenting yesterday to my husband how sad that my local, much newer,"pretty", modern hospital gave me such bad service compared to what I experienced in Palmetto.  Aside from the language issues, I was very happy with everything.  Sure wish you could have had the good care I had...

So sorry and hope you feel better soon - hang in there!