Has anyone had micro fat grafting?

What is the prescribed strap? never heard of it. What does it do?

BTW, took the "new girls" out for a spin last night at a neighborhood party.  The first time I've worn anything low cut since the whole BC thing began.  The whole fat grafting gave me a new confidence and I actually felt really great.  It was hilarious, though, watching my friends try to subtly check out the improvements.  Boy would they be jealous if they realized that was they were seeing was the excess fat from too many treats!  LOL!  

MBJ and Mtks;  First the strap is a cusioned but very uncomfortable 3" velcro strap that I was told to wear 24 hours a day for 6 weeks.  I only wore it at night as I was pretty miserable in it.  I was told that it is to keep the implants from riding up too high.  From my experience I would have been so much better off without it as my implants dropped pretty badly when the Alloderm stretched.  I believe mine are 600 cc...maybe 650...it just slips my mind right now!  With the Alloderm procedure I also wore an underwire support bra, but I was never advised how long to wear that and I quit wearing it fairly soon during the night.  I am still wearing the underwire bra since my current procedure in November...pretty much 24/7...unless I am in a strapless top or swimsuit!  I am tempted by the FG, but I am really concerned about the risks associated with the lipo itself.  Believe me, I have some thighs that could use some ice cream cones removed! 

Melanie:  I had to wear mine for 6 weeks: 24/7 with a surgical bra for 3 weeks and then a sports bra during the day and the surgi/strap combo at night.  You're right--it was pure torture.  I even called it the torture torpedo bra for how it made them feel and look.  For 6 months I continued being in a bra all the time which is best for the "girls" and also prevented pain.  I wear sleep camis at nite or nothing at all but during the day I make sure I support them.  Are yours under the muscle?  My MX side did need help pushing down and is still more round shaped then my natural side but the area above my MX side had a huge step off that just looked weird.  This is where they filled it with fat.  Wish I could have what Kate & Lee have had done.  They can take all the fat they want off of me!

Hi MBJ!  Good to connect with you again!  Well, no, I am not going to have a mx, but I do have to fix a defect.  If I get implants, it is not covered by insurance.  If I get fat grafting, it would be covered, depending on the evaluation.  I would like to go see Dr K...will see.

Kate - WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL, FANTASTIC (that would be Dr. K's fav expression, right!?), AMAZING, GORGEOUS.......I'm so very happy for you!  Congratulations & big hug! 

Lee

Hi Ladies,

Have been following this thread intently for a while.  I waiver back and forth.  Would love to have this, but have some fear because I had invasive cancer.

 Just thought I'd share what my RO told me today when I asked her about stem cells and breast cancer.  She was not familiar with Dr. K's procedure and seemed quite skeptical that it could work (even though many of you ladies are living proof!) but, nonetheless, she didn't think there was really much risk involved; although she acknowledged that it's possible for stem cells to stimulate cancer growth, she told me that breast cancer grows in ducts and lobules, and when you have mastectomy, you have no ducts or lobules.  So I asked her about the small chance of recurrence due to breast tissue being left behind, and she said, "that's why you had radiation!."  She also acknowledged that this type of fat transplantation would be no riskier (in terms of stem cells) than moving fat and blood vessels during a flap surgery.  So, I am getting a little more comfortable with the idea. Even though she is a RO and not a MO or a PS, I respect her opinion as she tends to be pretty informed and not so wishy-washy with her answers like some Drs can be.  Emailed Dr K again too, so hopefully I will get further reassurance.

 Unfortunately I found some swelling under my arm this morning and am PETRIFIED!  She doesn't think it's anything but ordered an ultrasound to "R/O mets."  Oh, how I hate that word!!  So, I'll have to worry until I get it checked out, and think about reconstruction later, when I can think.

pinkbutterfly- Sorry about the swelling!  I've had a few scares since DX and I know stressful it can be.  Every time I have an ache or pain anymore my brain goes to the "dark place".  I ask my Mom, who has had cervical cancer, if it's always this way.  She said it gets better but it's always in the back of your mind.  I guess it's part of our new normal.  Really hope everything is fine.  Please keep us posted!

climbergirl- I haven't posted my posted yet on the fatgraftpatients.com.  I tried to this morning but haven't learned how to navigate it yet.  Mine are on a separate site that was started by a member here on BCO.  To get access you have to PM one of the "gatekeepers" who will tell you where to go and how to log on.  You can PM MBJ, whippetmom, LIlah, Estepp or Timtam and ask for entrance.  I have the same screen name on there so you should be able to find it.  Good luck with your appointment next week.  I heard that he's only had to turn down 2 or 3 women who were too thin for the procedure so hopefully he can help you.  (Never thought being skinny would be a bad thing but it is here!  LOL!)  Let us know how it went!   

pink- Where are you in the process?  I thought I was sailing through everything and then as soon as I was done with my exchange I just hit a wall.  Don't think I really processed everything until then.  Too busy with dr. appointments, surgeries, etc.  Then reality hit that I was done and that this was my new normal.  I really struggled for months.  Reading about Dr. K gave me hope that I didn't have to accept what my other PS had done.  It sounds kind of over dramatic but Dr. K and his procedure has made such a huge difference in accepting my MX and being able to move on.  I really feel now that I can live with what I have and move on.  That is huge for me.  I know how hard it is, though, to decide to do this.  I agonized over my decision for a long time.  I said all the things are you are saying- I should be thankful, I am thankful, why isn't this enough?  I worried that I might screw it up worse than it was.  I kept telling myself I should just be happy with what I had.  It was better than the MX my Grandma had, right?  But I knew if I didn't do something I would never really be happy with how I felt and looked.  But it's such a hard decision because it's elective in a way.  I felt kind of selfish and guilty for wanting it but I know now that it's the best thing I could have done for my relationship, my marriage.  The good thing is there's no rush to do it.  When or if you're ready Dr. K will be there and all the other surgeons he is training.  This procedure will just continue to become more popular and more available.  

The only thing that didn't make sense in all that was Cindy saying Dr. K couldn't email you information.  The man does that all the time!  He's even had patients email photos ahead of time.  I've emailed him several times and he always gets back to me.  Sometimes it takes a few days because he's so busy but he always responds.  Keep your appointment but I would still try to email him with your questions if you want to.  If Cindy says anything you could always say you misunderstood her.  (She's certainly misunderstood enough things for all of us!)  I'm not sure what Dr. K's plan will be for you but I will tell you that I honestly believe that if anyone can make things right for you it is him.

Hi PInkbutterfly,  glad to hear that you got an answer about the stem cells and the riks of them stimulating cancer growth.   I'm sorry to hear about your arm swelling.  I know how every little thing can be so frightening after getting the big C diagnosis.  I too worry about every little thing now.  I hope you will get good news tomorrow. 

MsBliss:  I am so glad you don't need an MX.  I am very excited about Dr. K's new approach!  I need to PM my dr. and see if he has heard of it.  They are very much on the cutting edge with new surgical techniques at USC Norris, so I am hoping they will start offering it so I can have this done!

Kate, you look exactly like I know you wanted to look and to know that you are pain free and that they are warm and that they are so soft--icing on the cake!!!   Congratulations!!!

IrishLuck,

I actually have to wait until Monday, but, truthfully, I don't see the swelling today, so feeling a little better.

pinkbutterfly- Glad to hear the swelling is going down.  Hopefully, it will turn out to be something minor that will resolve on its own.  Good luck with your appointment on Monday.

Just curious what those who have a consult with Dr. K were quoted as far as a consult fee.  Cindy had told me $150 but they just charged my insurance company $300.  I'm trying to find her original email but no luck so far.  If you're just starting out on your Dr. K journey- DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT!