Has anyone had micro fat grafting?

Ladies,

I have to say I'm always hesitant to post here, because I tend to get blasted by people who think I'm nuts for letting myself be a pioneer. But then I think about all the ladies looking for information that I wish I'd had a year ago and decide to go for it. 

With that said, I've finally gathered some new information to share. I've learned that the hospital my ps is affiliated with has a committee that puts together  proposals for the IRB committee, and the hospital committee has been "working" on my doctor's proposal for the last 3 months. They just sent it off to the IRB last week. I guess there was some mix up about MRI's. Dr. Khouri originally required them, but it was determined they weren't necessary or cost-effective, so they shouldn't be included now, and it's taken all this time to get that requirement off the papers. So Crunchy - maybe that info will help with questions to ask your doctor? 

 Also, I've mentioned this before, but as my ps explained to me, each of these doctors that submits papers to be part of the study will set up their own unique protocol with timing for wearing the device etc that may be different from other doctors. This is in part an effort to figure out the best method, but also the method that doctor believes will work best. Which would explain why Crunchy was told 4 weeks of wearing the device, and I was told 3 months. Once a doctor has a protocol approved, he's committed to following it, and there is no standard from doctor to doctor.  

I found another link that talks about the study, if I can get this to work? Yeah! That looks like a link. It's the BRAVA website, the third section, and says that its an on-going study. The story I was told is that the Brava is approved by the FDA for expansion, but not for reconstruction, and they were told by the FDA that they could continue to use it for reconstruction as long as they continued to call it a study. I guess they're hoping that with enough study it will eventually become official. That's my understanding anyway.

Now to the lady in Arizona - ooh, sorry I don't remember your name - my ps is in Utah, Dr. Robert Ferguson, and he's not big on advertising himself. He's obviously just getting started with the BRAVA, but he trained in fat-grafting under Dr. Sydney Coleman, who regularly presents with Dr. Khouri and is sometimes called the father of fat-grafting. He (Dr. Ferguson) is wonderful, very ethical, very experienced, and I've been told a true artist (though I won't be able to say for sure until I see his work live.) I can't tell you how many times professionals have recommended him to me, before I tell them that he's already my doctor. He was very skeptical about the BRAVA device before attending the training, but was sold while there. My onc just barely told me that if Dr. Ferguson is comfortable with it, then I can be too. 

And finally, the exciting news is that the ps is comfortable with me ordering the Brava device, now that the study papers are in order and submitted. So hopefully I'll get started on those in the next week or so and can finally be on my way. 

leeinfla:Thanks for letting me know about that,I am just so curious about this and wanting to know everything I can.How large a cup size is 500cc..if you don't mind my asking!! I was supposed to have gone to the doctor last Monday,but we had a bad snowstorm,so this Monday will be the day.I will post about what I find out.I can't wait to get this party started! Notmytime2go: have you started with the Brava yet?I know what you mean about being reluctant to post,I feel the same way especially since the doctor I am seeing does not use the Brava.But I guess someone has to be first with everything.Just think once some woman was the first to have implants ,then flap surgery,now they are accepted forms of recon.I am so glad we all have each other on this thread and really,really grateful that Mouse6 started it.

Sadly I'm still waiting. My ps was told as part of his training that this procedure is only for his "patient patience". (clever eh? (eyes rolling)). I sometimes think he's testing that principal. He was okay with having me order the domes now that the paperwork is with the IRB, since he feels confident that he'll get approval. But when he tried to get them ordered for me he found out that he has to be officially approved for the study in order to get the lower pricing. So I'm back to waiting. The IRB website says to expect a 2 to 3 week wait for approval, which is the timeframe my ps was expecting. (We're two weeks into it.) But my oncologist said he'd heard of waits that drag on for months. If I knew it was going to be months I'd consider paying the higher price, but if it's only going to be a few more days, it's not worth it. So I'm not holding my breath, though I do admit I anxiously check my caller ID when arriving home from work every day and am always disappointed to not see the doc's number. One of these days it'll be there.

Ladies,

Enjoying all these recent posts!  New things are happening everywhere and that is wonderful!  Pandazankar-your PS sounds really wonderful to work with. From what I know the only concen I might ask her about is the concept that the huge benefit of the BRAVA is the mattrix is forms, so each droplet of fat is immersed in a blood supply for survival.  The expanders just creaste space, not a blood supply.  If someone can find a way to do this successfully without the BRAVA, I'd be all for it!!  I don't think most people have much problem with actual skin breakdown (admit there do get to be some red, irrit5ated areas temporarily), but it is manageable and temporary.

 I think you didn'tt need to use the BRAVA much, Lee, and you had great retention, so maybe this is a viable new approach.  Will be interested in hearing about your results!  Does your MD have any links to check out?

I relate to your comment about being more excited than scared!!  There is an excitement in being a pioneer and helping develop better options for women facing these choices.  Looking back, I just feel so blessed by all the good things that have come out of this awful shocking diagnosis!

pandazankar- I wish I had known about your doctor since I went the TE route.  I'm like you in that I don't know how committed I would be with the BRAVA.  There were times I wanted to rip the TE's out of my chest if I could have but am not into self mutilation.  The TE's were very uncomfortable and are with you 24/7.  It's kind of like wearing a turtle shell on your chest for months but it was definitely tolerable.  

I've read through this whole thread but may have missed this.  Does anyone know of a PS in AZ, or somewhere somewhat nearby, that is going the fat grafting like Dr. Khouri does?  I currently have implants so don't know if I'd need to do the BRAVA.  I may just try to do what leeinfl did and have the implants swapped out for smaller ones and have fat grafting done over them.  Would love to go to Dr. Khouri but the logistics are overwhelming me.  Just trying to find someone closer.  Anyone have any suggestions or heard of any names?  Thanks! 

My plastic surgeon does this procedure also. I wasn't a candidate for it, but he's had good luck with it. Good luck to you!

I had the Bi-lateral Latissmus Dorsi Flap 2 weeks ago. Oh man am I still in pain. (back especially) I've read about some people who had no pain and went right on about their business! Yikes! Good for them but I sure haven't had that experience. And, I'm normally in good shape. I don't regret it, don't get me wrong. I just was hoping to feel better by now. My breasts look great, though!

Excited for you!  I did do it with a new job.  Sometimes, you can make it clear up front and work out a deal.  For some reason, I did well with only taking three days off for each step...most women would want a week off at least probably though.  It's not like most recon surgeries for recovery!!  PM me if you want to chat more.

tedwilliams-

so excited for you!  I didn't have radiation, but I've heard from several women that the irradiated skin improves after fat grafting.  From my experience, I can tell you that my skin feels much softer as time goes by.  It's a gradual process, just like the softening of the breast itself and the return of feeling, but SO exciting!

Best wishes!!!!!

MiamiBreastCenter

Does the fat grafting work well to resolve ripples?  Do you ever use implants and then fat graft around them?

If you use implants do you prefer smooth or textured?

thanks

Hi sweetie2040 ~

I've had fat grafting done around existing implants, as well as FlexHD added right under the scar line when it looked like I would need repeated fat transfers done.   The combination was successful enough to finally have my nipples done, just three weeks ago.  Now that's exciting!

Be well,

Maria

Mradf-happy to hear your results turned out so well. What is FlexHD? I'm sorry I'm new to the FG forum and I don't undertand a whole lot. I would love to resolve my ripple issues without removing my current implant, but I would be willing to do what I needed to make it right. Can I ask you who your Dr is? I live in CT so I'm not too far from NY. You can PM privately if you'd prefer.

Pandazankar- I have been emailing her back and forth. She is so wonderful. I don't think she is on my insurance plan so that may be a issue. I'm not sure how they get the out of network thing to work. If that can work I'd definately go see her. Wishing you all the best with your surgery tomorrow. It will go by quickly and you'll be on your way to recovery each day. I had my MX almost a year ago in April! Time flys and you get through it all quicker than you think. Keep up posted on you do. we'll be thinking of you.

mradf-I had alloderm placed at the time of BMX too. I had an opinion by Dr about a revision and he said he would use more alloderm with a larger implant to help with rippling. My own Dr however feels that a larger implant alone with somes skin revision would help. I got two other opinions from two other Dr's who both felt I needed skin tightening too. Today I just felt so overwelmed and discouraged. I just felt like I should be done with all this right now and not still researching options.

sweetie- ((((HUGS))))  I know just what you're feeling if that helps at all!

Kate33 - Hope this is helpful, this is a direct quote from Liposuction.com:

"Does the fat come back in other spots after liposuction?
If a patient does not gain weight after liposuction, then fat does not accumulate in other areas of the body. However, if a patient gains a significant amount of weight, say more than 10 pounds (5 kg), after liposuction, then the fat must go somewhere. In fact, the fat accumulates in every area of the body in proportion to the amount of fat cells in each area. Areas where fat cells have been removed by liposuction will accumulate relatively little fat, while areas not treated by liposuction will collect relatively more fat. For example, if a woman gains weight after liposuction of her hips, outer thighs, and abdomen, then most of the fat will be deposited elsewhere such as the woman's breasts, face, back and legs"

Obviously it's in all of our best interest not to gain weight, but it sounds like instead of the prior "trouble spots" our body will find new ones (oh joy! lol).  Just like the article suggests, if the hips have been lipo'd, then fat accumulation could go the the tummy, for instance.  I think our bodies have enough fertile ground to not have the fat settle into odd places like wrists or ankles.  Never heard of that...

With fat grafting, those fat cells have been moved so any weight gain could result in increases in the new location.  No, no, no....I don't want to gain weight just to try and grow bigger boobs!    I'm good!

Does anyone know of a PS doing this in the greater Kansas City area? 

Thanks,

Michelle