Has anyone had micro fat grafting?

http://www.miamibreastcenter.com/

I saw Dr. Khouri on Tuesday for a consultation.  The procedure of BRAVA with fat grafting looks really promising, but it would be a long process (5-6 procedures) for me because of my radiation and my very thorough surgeon who removed ALL breast tissue.  I'm still thinking about it - no hurry (4 years since RB Mast). 

Hi Ladies

I scanned this topic for a little bit but I have not seen anyone on here post their opinions on the results long term.  I am intersted in potentionally having my implants replaced with smaller ones and making up the difference with fat grafting in hopes of making them softer.  I have researched and it seems like 50/50 that the fat will get absorbed by the body over a short period of time........anyone have a different experience?

Meek

Just to clarify -- the fatgraftpatients website is not sponsored by Dr. Khouri or any other doctor. It is a forum of patients of many different doctors.

Hi Meekone,

Kate33 gave a great response!  I agree with everything she said and just wanted to affirm that the breasts obtained from Brava enhanced microfat grafting with a qualified PS are "for keeps".  My fat grafting was completed Jan '09 and I have retained the same size for over 3 1/2 years now (36B/C).  I think the 15% approximate loss occurs within the first few months and after that everything seems to be stable.  Important question!

I nave implants but they had to be smaller due to an infection I had after bmx. I had fat grafting once, with extensive lipo to my abs ( out of pocket on my part). I did not absorb too much. I would say 20 percent maybe. I still felt they needed some more oomph in the upper pole area, so just had some redone ten days ago.



I hope it holds because they look great now! And they are very soft. I never noticed the cold thing that others have mentioned. Mine have always felt warm to me, even before fat grafting.



Sherry, unless something has changed in the last two years, the brava unit itself is not covered, as it isn't yet considered a tool for reconstruction, however, all the fat grafting procedures are as that is an accepted form of reconstruction.

It seems that it should be time for it to be covered, given the number of people utilizing it now. There wasnt anyone in Indianapolis doing it, and I talked to Dr. Khouri several times. I was my first choice, but I settled on the implants as I didn't want to have to travel for it.

I am hoping by the time I have to have these replaced, they can just put fat in instead of implants. Although, now that I have had my abs lipod twice, I am not sure where they will pull the fat from. LOL. Idon't have much in other places.

Hi, I had DMX with DIEP recon.  Previous chemo and rads.  My left (cancer/radiated side) did not take well to the DIEP and became red and shrunk.  It is 1/2 - 1 cup size smaller than right side.  Right side is small B probably.  Did Phase II, lipo and fat grafting and again left side shrunk, basically lost most of the fat.  Right side retained well.

Was thinking about Brava to maybe improve fat retention.  Am curious to see some of you post about wearing it for shorter periods of times.  I am concerned about the 10 hours for 10 weeks.  I would need to wear it at night, but am not always home for that many hours, sometimes need to work late -for those that wore it for shorter times, was this dictated by your doctor or just what you could manage? And how were results?

I also saw someone mention Ebay?  Can you buy BRAVA from there or other places? My PS is not trained in it, so I don't know if Brava would sell to him and I know they will not sell direct to me b/c of cancer history. 

I'm having some fat grafting to even my left DIEP flap. My doc said I have to purchase the Brava part. Is anyone done with theirs? I have no idea what it is or does but that's a lot of $ at Christmas time on my disability pay. :-/. My stage II surgery is Dec 27th.

kriserts - did I read that you wrote a letter to your insurance co. to get them to pay for fatgrafting?  Did you post that letter?  I would like to do the same thing, and want to be pretty thorough!  Any advice would be appreciated!

lane4:

I finished reconstruction after BMX. in July 2012, & went to my PS yesterday to let him take his pictures. He did a little fat grafting when he gave me the silicone implants. I asked him about having further fat grafting to provide more contour. In discussing the pros and cons, he pointed out that one of the risks of fat grafting is lumps. They do not result in any medical problems, but may interfere with perceived satisfaction with the outcome. The PA also advised to continue doing breast exam after the complete reconstruction, due to the possibility of reoccurrence. If there is a lump, to check for changes. It is unlikely that there would be a reoccurrence in the skin, but it could happen. It sounds like you're lump is the fat, which is what my plastic surgeon said could happen from the graft.

I've had two lump scares post fat grafting and both turned out to be fat necrosis.  They used mammo's and verified via ultrasound that they were benign.  So yes, these are scares that likely will happen - good to be aware and know so you are less freaked out if it happens.   

It feels the same to me, except when they are trying to get a magnified image - b/c I am a bit smaller than I was pre-surgery - so they really have to get in there which is not comfortable.    However, it is not anything I freak out about.  Just discomfort, and then it is done and over with.  The non-magnified mammo's don't hurt at all. 

eine, I noticed you were asking if there were any other doctors that do the brava.  It looks like you are in Illinois.  Is that right?  I am going to the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Zion Illinois and they have been FANTASTIC to my family and I.  The PS that did my mastectomy and is doing my fat grafting is Dr. Stephen Ray.  I have done a lot of research on him and he is one of the best at this procedure.  If your insurance covers the CTCA I would highly recomend checking them out.  I have only had my first fat grafted at the time of my mastectomy because I turned out to be HER2+ and now I have to wait until after the herceptin treatments before he will continue with more grafting.  I'm not sure why but I'm trying to be patient which is not easy because I just want to be normal again.  But I have been very happy with CTCA.  You will feel the genuine warmth and caring from the minute you walk into the place.  I feel safe and important when I go there and they have a whole team to work on your personal case and each doctor spends as much time with you and your questions as you feel necessary.  I will be happy to answer any questions you may have if you want.  Good luck in your search!

Hi Galsal:

You will be in the best hands with Dr. Khouri. To learn more about Brava + AFT (autologous fat transfer), be sure to visit: www.fatgraftpatients.com



Have you seen Dr. Khouri's recently released book?

http://www.amazon.com/Your-Natural-Breasts-Augment-Reconstruct/dp/0615695809/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352769519&sr=8-1&keywords=Khouri+breast

I had my consult with Dr. Khouri in July, am getting ready to order my BRAVA, and my first procedure is scheduled for January 24.  Dr. Khouri's office put me in touch with a woman who had a similar experience  (radiation, 4 micro fat-grafting procedures) to mine, and it was really helpful to talk with her, so I'd recommend that any of you thinking of going to Dr. Khouri use that resource.  4.5 yrs since RB mast...now I'm looking forward to bathing suit shopping in 2014!  I'll post my experience with the procedure and with insurance (BC/BS).  Any advice from those of you who've gone through the procedure is much appreciated!