Has anyone had micro fat grafting?

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  • beacon800
    beacon800 Member Posts: 922
    edited August 2011

    wisconsinrandi - I have a question:  I looked at the site for naturally impressive.  Very good looking prosthetic.  But in their catalogue, the measurements totally confused me.  They noted the aureola at 37cm - that is just not possible, is it?  the nipple at 1.4 cm, that seemed funny too.  Can you explain how this item works?  I sent the company an email but am interested in your view.

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  • leeinfl
    leeinfl Member Posts: 317
    edited August 2011

    rk85 - So thrilled that you can have the DMX and fat grafting done at the same time.  Like Danctrancer suggested, come on over to fatgraftpatients.com for lots of helpful info!  Again, very happy for you!

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  • rk85
    rk85 Member Posts: 145
    edited August 2011

    Dancetrancer,

     Told my DH how lucky you were to have such a wonderful husband who was taking you to a beautiful oceanfront condo after surgery to recover.  He suggusted I see if you've got an extra room for me too.  Gotta love it! I did marry him for his wicked sense of humor (mostly).

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  • rk85
    rk85 Member Posts: 145
    edited August 2011

    Thanks for sharing your experience Lee, and all the brave women who have posted their experiences here.  I would never have discovered this option without your collective guidance. 

     My best plan before reading on this site was to run away and hope my boobs were distracted from killing me in a new location.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2011

    rk85- LOL!  Oh, if only that would work!

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  • leeinfl
    leeinfl Member Posts: 317
    edited August 2011

    rk85 - Like so many of us, you have a great sense of humor.  Trust me, that helps SOOOO much through all this.  Sometimes (heck, a LOTTA times!) you just have to laugh! 

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited August 2011

    LOL rk85, your hubby does have a great sense of humor!  And so do you!  BTW, believe it or not, I decided not to go for the oceanfront condo...what, what????  Am I crazy?  LOL   Just decided I'd rather spend the money on a fancy place when I feel up to enjoying it more.  So I've "banked" his offer for a future splendid getaway when I'm fully recovered!   Trust me, I WILL collect!!!!  

    I was concerned that I might have some kind of complication and end up staying in the hospital longer, etc., etc.   Or we may end up with a hurricane and modified surgery date or something.  Who knows.   Hotels are much more flexible about cancellations than condos! 

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  • mormor1
    mormor1 Member Posts: 136
    edited September 2011

    Beacon900 

    LOL...those would be high beam headlights! 

    Thank you so much for pointing this out!  My DH and I are actually "the company".  It grew out of my breast cancer experience.  It was Dr. Khouri's concept, but he was very supportive (and still is!) of us perfecting it.  I tend to leave the technical things like the measurements to my husband, so haven't proof read that very carefully.   It's changed now...should have been mm instead of cm.  It includes the diameter of the areola too.  Hope that makes more sense! 

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  • Mina1
    Mina1 Member Posts: 50
    edited September 2011

    Hello

     I am looking into the BRAVA system for reconstruction with Dr Khouri. I have had 2 partial masectomies 2007 with radiation and 2011. I would like to have a masectomy with reconstruction that is non invasive and want to speak to someone who has had the procedure done.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2011

    Mina- Send a PM to IrishLuck. She just had her MX/fat grafting last month.

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  • Mina1
    Mina1 Member Posts: 50
    edited September 2011

    Hello Kate

    Thanks for getting back to me.

    Not sure how to send PM to IrishLuck. I am new to site please help?

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  • Mina1
    Mina1 Member Posts: 50
    edited September 2011

    Hello Kate

    I was able to send a private message to IrishLuck. Thanks again for your help.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2011

    Mina- Glad you were able to get a message to Irish. Hope you hear from her soon. You might want to join fatgraftpatients.com, too. It's a separate site for those who have had, or are considering, fat grafting for recon. Lots of good info on there and a lot of threads from Dr Khouri's patients. Good luck!

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  • Mina1
    Mina1 Member Posts: 50
    edited September 2011

    Kate

    I did hear back from Irish and have been looking at the site. Thanks so much.

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  • lalisa
    lalisa Member Posts: 114
    edited September 2011

    I just made an appointment to see Dr Suzanne Trott in Beverly Hills for a consultation. Next week, I can't wait to see what she says. This is really the future of breast reconstruction. Maybe I will have boobs again one day! Don't like the look of implants and flaps are just too destructive to your back, or tummy or wheverer the tissue is taken. Foobs too uncomfortable.

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  • NSWTD
    NSWTD Member Posts: 210
    edited September 2011

    Good thread.   Thank you all for the good info.  I am having come micro fat grafting done in my PS's office in October.  They claim I will only need a 5 mg valium and a local.  Has anyone done this and it that true?  My first revision after SIEA flap - to refine the shape and clean up some scaring - involved some fat grafting, but since I was having more than that done, I was out under a general.  

     I am worried I will be able to feel it and will get all nervous.  Any words of wisdom? 

    Thank you 

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  • mormor1
    mormor1 Member Posts: 136
    edited September 2011

    Hi NSWTD,

    I did have a session of fat grafting done under local.  It was mostly a fold definition technique they were experimenting with, but there was also some fat grafting.  I didn't get any Valium, just local anesthesia in the office.  It wasn't too bad, but there was a lot of needle poking for the local which covered a pretty big area, some pulling and tugging sennsations (like when you have tooth work done).  It wasn't really painful, mostly some discomfort. Maybe my eyes teared a bit. Valium 5 mg should help. That is a good size dose.

     If I were you, I would ask to talk with a few other people who had it done in this MD's office with this approach. Ask how long they anticipate the procedure will be.  I think that is why Dr. Khouri oftens does it under general...as it gets pretty long and they can reach a threshhold of how much local they can give safely. If this is a small amount of grafting, this might be perfectly appropriate.

     Excited for you!!

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  • beacher4209
    beacher4209 Member Posts: 540
    edited September 2011

    ialisa,I have an  appt. with dr trott on the 29th ! very excited hope she is able to do what i want with fatgrafting ..How did it go for you?

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  • makingway
    makingway Member Posts: 799
    edited September 2011

    I sent lalisa a PM. Will you ladies that have a consult with her please ask her how many of these procedures she's done? She doesn't even mention it under reconstruction on her website...

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  • beacher4209
    beacher4209 Member Posts: 540
    edited September 2011

    Makingway yes i most surely will...that makes a big diffrence

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  • beacher4209
    beacher4209 Member Posts: 540
    edited September 2011

    Could all the ladies that have had Dr.K's procedure please address the costs,im assuming you were all covered by your insurance? But still the costs for flying back and forth 4 or 5 times plus accomadations is not something all b/c ladies have the ability to do...its very fustrating for alot of usand seems a bit unfair that this procedure is only possible for b/c patients that can afford it... Can someone please enlighten me if there ifs a magic trick to paying for all of this and now i hears his procedures EACH one is 10,000.00 and some need 5. I am not so impressed with him now. I do not get how he could charge so much and do that to a b/c women. After everything we go through he holds the key for a more painfree and normal life but withholds it for $$$$

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  • leeinfl
    leeinfl Member Posts: 317
    edited September 2011

    beacher4209 - I don't know where you are getting your information from, but it sounds like you are quoting augmentation prices.  Even in that regard, Dr. K's pricing is MUCH less than some of the other PS who offer this.  For breast cancer patients with insurance, as you know, by law your insurance must cover reconstruction - HOWEVER - everyone's insurance is different.  I can tell you that Dr. Khouri went above and beyond to work with my insurance and I know for a fact he has done the same for many BC patients.  I realize it is frustrating for everyone who must add travel expenses to possible deductibles or co-payments, however, that is the same for any patient who seeks treatment outside their immediate area. Remember that he keeps training surgeons every month - he's doing what he can to make this more accessible to the general public.  Have you checked with your insurance if he is in-network?  Have you emailed him to explain your specific situation (preferably with photos) to see what he recommends?  Yes, despite traveling all over the world, conducting training workshops, and doing surgeries he actually answers emails too!  While it's impossible for him to predict just based on photos, you may not need that many procedures.  If travel to Miami is too costly, possibly the surgeon in LA (TedWilliams' PS) is more feasible?  Have you tried to contact Dr. Greenberg?  She's in CA, not sure where, but at least within your own state.  

    Knowing Dr. Khouri and seeing firsthand how committed and compassionate he is, I have to set the record straight.  He is not in the least bit motivated by the almighty $ - he truly cares for his patients, especially breast cancer patients and it's quite unfair to make statements that imply different.  I understand your frustration, however, I believe it's being directed in the wrong direction.  It's the insurance companies that are making it difficult for us to get the treatment and procedures we seek, not the surgeons who develop and perform them.

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  • bher
    bher Member Posts: 86
    edited September 2011

    I agree with Lee, Dr. Khouri definitely cares about his patients.  He is an amazing doctor.  He is more accessible than my 1st PS who always passed me off to the PA or a nurse. I have not had to pay anything additional for my surgery other than my deductible and co-pay.  Beacher, I sent you a pm.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2011

    Beacher- I was charged $3650 for the first procedure with Dr K- not $10,000. He said to completely get rid of the implants would probably be 3 procedures. I had to fly out for 1 consult which involved spending 1 night. For the surgery itself I stayed 4 nights. All together I probably spent $1,000 in hotel costs but it was a suite with a kitchen so no room service or dining out costs. My DH cooked for us. I agree with Lee. Dr K is definitely not in this for the money. He has an extremely modest office. If he was all about keeping the profits for himself he wouldn't bother training other doctors at all.

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  • lalisa
    lalisa Member Posts: 114
    edited September 2011

    I will let you guys know how it goes with Dr Trott in Bev Hills- appointment on Thursday. But I am really in the "gathering information" stage and will not commit easily. It is such a new procedure for most of these Drs and I can wait until they really understand it and get good at it.

    I would have confidence in Dr Khouri though. But Miami is too far to go. Also, I have heard that Dr K's aesthetic is large breasts, which is fine, but I want to stay very small, so I am not sure he is a match for me. 

    Dr Trotts office told me they do not use Brava, which concerns me.

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  • beacher4209
    beacher4209 Member Posts: 540
    edited September 2011

    alright, i know all you ladies love him and that was unfair of me to say he is in it for the money. SO darn fustrated and maybe a bit jealous im embarressed to admit :(

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  • beacher4209
    beacher4209 Member Posts: 540
    edited September 2011

    LaLisa, I do not understand that it she advertises it right on her website.has a whole page about it as one of her procedures .... this just keeps getting worse as u know my appt. is next week with her

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  • lalisa
    lalisa Member Posts: 114
    edited September 2011

    beacher, you mean about the Brava? It was an office person that I asked about the Brava, she said they do not usually need to use it, Dr Trott may have something different to say- I'll post after I see her when I know more :)

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  • makingway
    makingway Member Posts: 799
    edited September 2011

    Just to set the record straight-Dr. Khouri charges $10,000. per procedure. This does NOT include the Brava device, which, when considering the cost of surgery is minimal. Most patients need to have at least 2 procedures, some more. These are the costs quoted to me by Cindy at his office. Initially I was quoted $5,000-7,500. That was over a year ago, prices have went up since then.

    This statement is so misleading it angers me everytime I see it.

    For breast cancer patients with insurance, as you know, by law your insurance must cover reconstruction - HOWEVER - everyone's insurance is different. 

    With the insurance I have I had no choices. There was one PS contracted by the state.The PS I wanted to have do the surgery refused to accept my insurance, along with the others I consulted with. My choice by law was either no reconstruction, or have the sub-par PS put in implants or do an invasive flap surgery.

    I have emailed, faxed and sent letters to Dr. Khouri at his office explaining my situation. He didn't respond, but his assistant Cindy did. The quote above is what I was given by her. When I asked about the price increase her response was, "Well it's a real commitment". WTF is that suppose to mean? I don't want to discount the compassion Dr. Khouri has with his patients. I'm sure he wonderful. It's just a crime 'by law' that all us BC patients can't share it.

    lalisa-If Dr. Trott is NOT using the Brava device it is NOT the same procedure that Dr. Khouri is doing.

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  • beacher4209
    beacher4209 Member Posts: 540
    edited September 2011

     i just spoke with Cindy myself also 5 minutes ago. I had sent a e-mail address to Dr Khouri, but she explained to me he does not have time to read his e-mails anylonger and not to bother sending a photo (which i was in the middle of downloading) she went onto explain in a kind of rushed way that PATIENTS out of state need out of network benefits and must have ppo.(just from my own research ive learned dr.'s get paid alot more from ppo vs hmo) just saying. She also said even with this type of insurance i will have alot of out the pocket costs that insurance does not cover.She seemd to be discouraging me? But anyways will probably wait till i get my new insurance packet in oct and see what i get to pick from. I also asked he if they/her/theoffice would be able to help me with my insurance questions like who the heck they did take ,i explained that alot of the ladies on bco said that the center was helpful with that  with that, i got a flat out "NO" so kinda what "making my way" said "wtheck"????

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