Has anyone had micro fat grafting?

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  • hopefulhealing
    hopefulhealing Member Posts: 722
    edited January 2012

    Kate, thanks,  I totally forgot about a compression garment.  That is for the legs right?  What about a bra? Could I wear a strapless?  I didn't even think about this event when I scheduled the time.  But don't want to reschedule as he wouldn't be available then until April.  I go in to talk to him again on Jan 23rd so I have a whole list of questions.  Did you have to get your compression garments ahead of time or did they have them?  I wonder if I will need as much since I am not having smaller implants put in just filling in around current?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2012

    Hope- The compression garment should cover whatever area they took the fat from.  I had to wear from that covered from just below the breasts all the way down to mid thigh.  They sent me home in a surgical compression garment but it gets pretty soaked with drainage.  After 48 hours I was able to put one of my own on.  I got a few Spanx from Kohl's that I had bought ahead of time.  Make sure you get them really snug.  It ensures the areas that get the lipo heal smoothly with no lumps or bumps.  Not sure what your PS recommends but Dr. K makes you wear it about 3-4 weeks.  As far as a bra I'm not sure since I had the implant swap I wore a really supportive sports bra.  Depending on where they inject the fat you may have bruises.  I didn't bruise too much on the breast but if you look at dancetrancer's photos that she just posted she did have quite a bit.  So another thing to think about with the dress.  You could try taking Arnica before and after surgery to heal with the bruises.  I swear that stuff really works!

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited January 2012

    Yeah, I was thinking no way would I have been able to wear a strapless dress 5 days post op...way too much bruising would show...but as Kate said - depends on the procedure and where you get injected, etc.  Mine was entire breast fat grafting, so you likely won't have as much bruising, but who knows?  I personally would not go strapless just to be safe.  Probably another question for the doc! 

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  • hopefulhealing
    hopefulhealing Member Posts: 722
    edited January 2012

    Thanks ladies, I think I am going to have to go dress shopping!!!!

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  • makingway
    makingway Member Posts: 799
    edited January 2012

    Thanks dancetrancer. I was approved on both sites, but it's been a long time since I've visited either one. I can't recall if I posted my pics...I must have...They weren't of any fatgrafting-still hoping for that. They must have been from my exchange surgery. I no longer have the pics. They were on my hard drive that crashed. Just as well, I get depressed looking at the before and after.

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  • EileenKaye1
    EileenKaye1 Member Posts: 469
    edited January 2012

    Hi.  Haven't posted for a while.

    Finally had my consult with Dr. Ahn---very impressive.  She prefers the Diep--promised not a difficult healing process.  Anyway--she was quite open to my preferences--and  my plan includes changing from a 410 implant  to a 250 with 300cc of fatgrafting.  Second surgery--go to a 120 implant with fatgrafting.  Third surgery--total fatgrafting.  I am a uni--she will be placing alloderm on my natural side--to prevent gravity from playing its downward course.

    As stated--I found her amazingly compassionate, caring--thorough--right there on every problem I have encountered along the BR process.  I have very high hopes--and I know that I will have a great improvement.  Yes--I definitely feel good about the future regarding my reconstruction.  Eileen

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited January 2012

    That's wonderful news Eileen - happy for you to have a great consult and to be feeling excited about your future recon! :-)  

    makingway, I understand those feelings.  No matter how good we may or may not look after recon, I think we always grieve our pre-cancer breasts. :-(   I know I still do.  Well, if you remember your picture forum log in, you can see pics there without having to post your own.   

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  • kriserts
    kriserts Member Posts: 224
    edited January 2012

    Eileen, I'm seeing Dr. Ahn in 2 weeks. Can you clarify something ... do you mean you'll NEVER need to wear the Brava during this process? Because if so, I'd like to discuss the same course of action with her. I can't do a DIEP and was not looking forward to wearing the Brava. (I'm not good with compliance.)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2012

    Eileen- So glad you had such a great consult, that Dr. Ahn listened to you and was so open.  It's everything we all hope to have in a PS!  Your plan is very similar to what I did (I went from 375 to 225) with fat grafting.  I think you'll see a lot of improvement with just that one surgery and it will just continue to get better.  

    kriserts- "I'm not good with compliance"-  LOL! Laughing  I probably wouldn't be, either! 

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  • EileenKaye1
    EileenKaye1 Member Posts: 469
    edited January 2012

    Thanks Kate--Yes I am expecting a great change with the First Surgery.  She is also willing to do the additional surgeries--at my convenience.  She was extemely concerned about my issues--and also picked up on some of my problems  without my mentioning them. 

    She seems to know what she is doing, is quite experienced, and is concerned about her patients.

    Will keep you informed.  Eileen

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  • cynsaw84
    cynsaw84 Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2012
    http://www.doctoroz.com/videos?tid=32&tid_1=153&date=All&page=4 suzanne somers had this done and the doctor oz website has the interview on its website
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  • EileenKaye1
    EileenKaye1 Member Posts: 469
    edited January 2012

    Hi kriserts--Dr. Ahn was wililing to work with me, and definitely developed a plan with my needs in mind. 

    Usually-you do not wear the Brava with an implant.  She is considering the situation(I trust her judgement).  The Brava increases circulation and therefore increases percent of fat retention.I tried the Brava on--it can be done.  I prefer to do what is best for my outcome. Any additional question, just let me know.  Eileen

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  • EileenKaye1
    EileenKaye1 Member Posts: 469
    edited January 2012

    Robo47

    Dr. Ahn will be using part of the old incision--absolutely no new incisions. She preferred I go to smaller silicone implants(not saline).  My scars were reduced by Dr. Carlin Vickery--not bad at all.

    Should be improved by Dr. Ahn--fatgrafting should help scars plus waves.  She is definitely prepared to do a lot of extra's for a better outcome.  Alloderm worked for me in the past--should work on the natural breast as well.

    She showed me photo's of other patients--scars, outcome looked great. I am definitely looking forward to a better result.  Eileen

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2012

    Eileen- I'm just curious how your scars were reduced by Dr. Vickery?  I'm still very unhappy with the scars Dr. Khouri left next to my armpits when he swapped my implants out.  I was wondering what can be done about them.

    Do you mind me asking where your old incisions are?  Another member on here just had a consult with Dr. K this week and he is still insisting on the armpit incision.  He says you can't do the fat grafting over a fresh incision yet other PS's seem to think it's o.k.  

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  • EileenKaye1
    EileenKaye1 Member Posts: 469
    edited January 2012

    Kate33--My scar was too wide--basically she just cut off the width of the scar tissue-leaving me with a very fine line.  Mast. was done many years ago.  Certainly would have done better with a NSM--but I do not believe it was available at that time.  The thin line does not extend under the armpit.  Scar in the middle was covered with the tissue graft, which was used for areola and nipple.  This hid the entire middle breast scars. 

    She will be using a small incision line from side of areola toward the armpit--will only be enough room to remove the silicon implant if stretched.  I saw the scars on photo's from her old cases.They certainly were not "ugly" scars to me--barely visible.

    Perhaps your underarm scars could be reduced.  I have a fine line on my normal breast inside the armpit--from a saline implant placement.  Definitely should be able make the scar less visible.

    She never mentioned any problem with fatgrafting near the incision line--but she will be adding 300cc--hoping to keep about 150cc.  Perhaps she will over fill this area.

    Eileen

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  • hopefulhealing
    hopefulhealing Member Posts: 722
    edited January 2012

    Hi ladies, any suggestions for lightening the scars?  Mine seem to stay pink/red for a long time.  They are not fading to a fine white line.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2012

    hope- There is a scar thread on here somewhere.  I'll try to find it for you and post a link.  I used something called TropolActive-S that another member on here had recommended.  You can only get it online but it really seemed to work.  My GP (who also had DCIS/MX) even commented during my last exam on how my MX scars are barely visible.  You can find the cream at tropolactive.com.  It's free shipping and there used to be a 10% discount if you put in the code "face 10".  Not sure if it's still active or not.  Also, last time I ordered they sent me free trial sizes of their skin care line.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2012

    hope- Found it!  The thread is called "Skin S.O.S.- Scar Remedies".  I'll try to post a link-

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/756050?page=1 

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  • hopefulhealing
    hopefulhealing Member Posts: 722
    edited January 2012

    Kate you are awesome!!!!!!  Thanks so much

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  • takeadeepbreath
    takeadeepbreath Member Posts: 105
    edited January 2012

    Hey all-Posted a new pic on picture site-had NSM Dec '10 with TEs. In April '11 had exchange to 350/375 --right side was a bit lower, eventually had ripples and a flattened part at top (ripples didn't show if I stood straight so pix don't show them well). My wonderful PS was of the mindset, might as well be happy at the end of this journey...Dec '11 (a year to the day) he swapped out for bigger implants on both sides (400/450) , tightened the pocket on the ripply one and did a bit of fat grafting from my waist to fill in on that side.  I'm 5'1 112 lbs. Wearing a 34C (was a lopsided small A). So far so good, time will tell!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2012

    takeadeepbreath- Congratulations on your revison.  Hope it all works out for you!

    I just heard from a member on here who had a consult with Dr. Joel Aronowitz in L.A. (Suzanne Somer's PS).  He is also doing fat grafting.  He will do total breast recon with fat or, if you want less procedures, will do fat grafting over implants.  The exciting thing she said is he will put the implants over the pec muscles (so none of the weird flexing or pulling) and unlike Dr. Khouri he will use your original incisions.  It's so exciting to see more and more options for this procedure. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2012

    robo- Maybe because he's just using a small implant, and mostly fat, the pec support isn't necessary.  Also, it seems to me like the implants weigh more than fat or breast tissue would so they would need more support the bigger they are.  Not sure, though.  It would be a good question to ask him.  I guess if we think about it, though, our breast tissue was never supported by our pecs, right?  I always thought they put the implants under the pecs more as a covering so the edges of the implant aren't seen under the skin.  My original PS explained to me that implants were never designed for recon, just augmentation.  And that's why a lot of women have issues with feeling the implant, cold skin, rippling, etc.  So maybe the reason for the pecs is more aesthetic than support since we don't have breast tissue to cover it all up?

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited January 2012

    Hey Kate and Robo, you guys made me curious about the placement of implants.  Check out these links - I think you'll find it quite educational!  

    How Breast Implants Work

    What is the difference between implants in-front-of vs behind the pectoral muscle? 

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  • luvmy3cuties
    luvmy3cuties Member Posts: 13
    edited January 2012

    Hello ladies, I know this thread is about P.S.... but wondering how long of a recovery is the fat transfer.  Since this will be a multi-step procedure, I'm trying to figure out the best time to start. We are going out of country towards end of Feb.  Should I try to schedule first fat grafting now... and hope to be healed enough to enjoy vacaction (will be about a month before we leave), or better to wait until after we return?  Hubby says to wait, but some suggest might be better to have it done now and be able to 'relax' at the resort.  Thoughts??  I'm not planning on wearing a bikini, but would like to be comfortable to wear a swimsuit/cover-up.

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited January 2012

    Rose, I have not had the implant exchange with fat graft - but from my experience with full fat grafting, I wouldn't have wanted to go anywhere on vacation for 3 to 4 weeks after surgery.  I would want to feel my best for vacation with lots of energy, so I guess it depends on if you are going to lay real low for vacation or want to be out and about.  I am now 3.5 weeks post surgery:  my legs feel great (past all the lipo pain), but my arms are still a bit tight, and I don't quite feel 100% of my energy level yet.  I feel well enough to work, but not my heavy lifting job (doing my teaching job right now).  

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2012

    Rose- I'm with dancetrancer- it depends on how active you want your vacation to be.  I think the hardest part would be to be on an airplane for a long time and not sure if that's the best idea right after surgery anyway.  For some reason, the implant swap with fat grafting was the hardest recovery out of the 5 surgeries I had as far as energy levels afterwards.  

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  • luvmy3cuties
    luvmy3cuties Member Posts: 13
    edited January 2012

    Now that I'm really looking at the calender, I really should wait.  I hope to lay low and relax, but with 3 kids coming along, might not work out that way :)

    As a side note, a nurse-friend of mine (not in field of onc) recommended Dr. Vinod Pathy (offices in Westbrook and Norwich, CT).  Has anyone heard of him?  Supposedly he does breast reconstruction w/fat grafting.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2012

    luvmy3- I haven't heard of him but I would try googling him and see what pops up.  It's great to hear of more and more doctors doing this procedure.  Hope you have a great time on your vacation!  Where are you headed?

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited January 2012

    Luvmy3, I'm sorry if we've covered this before (all the threads mush in my head), but are you very far from Dr. Ahn in NYC?  I've been hearing good things about her work over on the FG board.   One recent poster had her implants removed and has done I think 4 fat graftings (she had rads on one side) and made great progress with Dr. Ahn so far.  

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  • EileenKaye1
    EileenKaye1 Member Posts: 469
    edited January 2012

    Had a consult with Dr. Ahn for fatgrafting.  She plans on removing my 410 implant--go to 250 with fatgrafting, next 120 with fatgrafting.  Third surgery complete fatgrafting.  She will be lifing my natural side.  Will be having the surgery--in late May. This way--I can do the Sx when it is convenient for my work schedule

    She is quite impressive--showed loads of photo's to me--and immediately understood all of my concerns.  Eileen

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