Has anyone had micro fat grafting?

Lee- I have a stupid question, but how do your breasts feel? Do they feel like your breasts felt before breast cancer. I mean do they move, are they soft,etc,etc. Do they move and can they be pushed up easily in a bra or are they very firm?  I know your breasts are now made from fat cells, but I was wondering how different that felt in your body then when we had breast tissue,nodes,etc.

Kate - That's fantastic news!  That's how it was for me too.  I had already paid my deductible so everything Dr. K did was covered.  My only expense was the (single) Brava dome.  October 1st was the first fat graft (and the implant exchange), second was December 16th and the last was March 5th.

Sweetie & Kate - My breasts now feel so much lighter, much more like my real ones.  I don't have to wear a bra if I don't want to and the past couple of days I have gone bra-less on occasion.  Feels mighty nice!  They feel like "real" breasts around the top and sides.  Soft just like normal ones. In the lower part of both breasts they are a lot firmer but that's also where the first PS put in the alloderm.  I don't think that will soften up as much as the rest but you never know.  It is a gradual softening as well as gradually regaining feeling.  I can move them and yes, I can push them up (or together) in a bra.  Gotta run - husband is waiting for us to go to dinner.  BTW - there aren't any stupid questions!  Ask away - anything at all.  I'm happy to share.  I just feel so blessed to feel normal again.  I don't think about my breasts anymore - only when I get dressed or take a shower.  And then I smile! 

I've got my surgery date locked in with Dr. Khouri's office- May 13th!  Very excited/nervous!  leeinfl has given me some great tips on what to pack/buy, and was going to ask for other suggestions on the other fat grafting site but it's down for maintenance right now, so just wondering for those who have had it done do you have any additional suggestions?  Especially from those of you who might have come in from out of town and stayed in a hotel.  Still waiting to get some hotel suggestions from Cindy in Dr. K's office but probably shouldn't hold my breath, though!  LOL!

Hi Ladies!

 I just got back from my first consult with Dr. Khouri on 4/26. He said he could get me to a C cup before the end of the year with 3 fat grafting sessions! I just ordered my BRAVA today and it should be here by 5/9. I'm sooooo excited!  I plan to send regular updates to our blog so that women can track progress from beginning to end. I noticed that you're also looking at hotel options. I was sent some info from Cindy, but they still were a bit pricey so if you find something that's affordable please let me know. You can PM me or share on the blog. Good luck with your procedures and let me know how it goes!

Take-two and Kate33 -- So excited for both of you!  I've had three surgeries, so far...my right side is complete and was finished in only two surgeries. We're waiting to see how my left side settles...not sure if it is completed yet or not. 

Hotels:  This may not be for everyone, but each time we went down to Fl for surgery, we stayed at a very nice timeshare in Fort Lauderdale...there is the drive, but basically, only had to make two trips - one for the surgery and one for the follow-up.  We flew in to the Ft. Lauderdale airport, too, which we liked, as it is so much less congested than Miami.  We did rent a car.  The timeshare we stayed at was Vacation Village in Weston...a one bedroom apartment with kitchen, nice balcony, worked perfectly for us and the rate was very reasonable - about $369 per week (we did not trade...bought the vacation through RCI). 

 Another place we had considered was the Key Biscayne Cottages..you can check these out online.  The rates vary, but I think during your timeframe, it's about $115/night.  We never stayed there, but others have and were very pleased with the accommodations. 

I'll be praying that all goes well for both of you...with the logistics, surgery, recovery! 

Alexandra stayed at the Mutiny and LOVED it.  PM her for more info or check out her comments on the fatgraftpatients site.

Lee- I keep reading totally mixed reviews on the Mutiny. They either say it's the best place ever or a total dump. Wondering if they're remodeling and haven't gotten to all the rooms, yet. Kind of afraid to book it but don't want to stay where we were before since we didn't have hot water both mornings! I'll PM Alexandra.

Ladies. I have just finished reading all 27 pages of posts on this thread and it has been truly enlightening. While I have already started down the TE path with implants (second fill scheduled for 5/16) you have given me some new ideas that I would like to discuss with my PS. Noone has ever brought fat grafting to me as an option. While not sure if I will alter the path I am currently on I really do appreciate the informtion that has been shared. I continually marvel at the honesty and openess each of you bring. None of us wanted to be here but the community clearly makes the journey more enjoyable. Wishing all of you much success regarding whatever reconstruction or non reconstruction option is right for you

Just got a call from Dr. K's office telling me that my insurance company will pay for the revision and fat grafting but supposedly won't pay for the new implants.  (Dr. K is swapping out my implants for smaller ones and then do the fat grafting over the top.)  WTH?  They want an additional $1500.  I can't get a straight answer from anyone and don't know what I am going to do.  I am so frustrated!  I have already paid for my surgery, 5 nights in a hotel, rental car not to mention the hotel/rental car for the consult last month.  Just don't think I can come up with that much more.

Just got an email from Cindy at Dr. K's office.  She just told me she hasn't even bothered to order my new implants since she wasn't sure I was going through with the surgery even though I told her I was.  And she reminded me my surgery was next Thursday but it's actually on Friday and I have her email confirming this.  Yikes!  For those of you dealing with his office- document, document, document everything.  

Kate I am so sorry you are dealing with all of this. I hope it goes well and can't wait to hear about your fabulous results!!!!!!

Hi kareenie!  It was nice meeting you, too.  I would probably be in decision mode now, too, but may have some changes soon in my insurance which would mean even less would be covered so I have a small window to get this done.  I would love to have no implants as well but not sure I'll be able to move beyond this first surgery.  (Not sure I could take more of Cindy, either!)  Maybe down the road I can find someone closer to home as more and more surgeons learn the technique.  I was considering a PS here in AZ, too, but my DH said if I wasn't going to do it, didn't I want to do it with the expert?  True, but it's quite an ordeal getting there, huh?  Still fighting with the insurance company.  Supposedly, Dr. K had written a letter to them saying it was necessary but still no luck.  Back to battle again today.

Thanks Sweetie. Finally got someone at my insurance company who had an ounce of compassion. He is supposedly going to contact the PS's office and try to get things straightened out. He's going to call me back tomorrow and gave me his direct phone number. We'll see what happens. According to him it couldn't have been denied because the PS's office never filed anything in the first place!

Kate good news.  I am a bit hesitant to work with these guys. Maybe you can share with Dr. K the added stress you have been put through. If shared in a constructive manner if he is as nice and caring as everyone says maybe new processes could be put in place so it doesn't happen again.

Determined- Both leeinfl and I have said that once done we are going to talk, or write to, Dr. K and tell him what a complete mess is office staff is and how their incompetence really adds to a patient's stress level.  He is such a great doctor and deserves better people working for him which is apparently hard to find in south Florida.