Liposuction...anyone?

jennyboog
jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

This might sound crazy but I'm just curious.  It is my understanding that fat is bad for BC, that it aids in the production of ER.  So, in theory if you are ER+ you want to watch your weight (or so my onc. says).  That being said, as anyone had lipo to get rid of the fat for BC reasons?  Would it help lower reoccurrence risk for ER+?  Has it been recommended by any of your dr's?  I tried to look for info online and found none.  Just wondering, thanks for reading. 

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  • weesa
    weesa Member Posts: 707
    edited August 2013

    jennyboog, funny you should be wondering this, so am I. In fact I have often wondered, since adipose fat is a good producer of estradiol, which is bad for er pr positive, why not get rid of it surgically? In fact, what about gastric bypass or lapband surgery if your bmi is high enough to make you eligible? It is difficult to lose adipose weight after bc treatment. Maybe somebody will come along who knows the answer to this. weesa

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited August 2013

    Hi Jenny,



    I had lipo after my recon (DIEP) as I had "dog ear" flaps. Believe it or not my insurance paid for it! They had told me ahead of the procedure that they couldn't ell me before if it would be approved, so it was an expensive gamble that paid off. Sadly I have let myself go and gained it back, so I have my work cut out for me!



    Sharon

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  • sugarplum
    sugarplum Member Posts: 318
    edited August 2013

    This is AMAZING....I just started wondering the very same thing a couple of weeks ago! I keep hearing these ads for laser lipo & am so tempted to get a "free consultation" but the procedures start at $2400 apiece! If it really does reduce recurrence risk though, I might be able to persuade myself to go for it. Will be watching this thread with much interest....

    Julie

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  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 3,534
    edited August 2013

    I have had this and transferred to chest area, i checked with Oncologist first and he said no risk to it, any fat will store oestrogen, only solution is to get rid of it...!



    As for lowering risk i think you need to be slightly under weight to normal for any benefit .....at leadt that is what i was told, i have a good 22lbs left to lose to get there.....stubborn ones

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited August 2013

    I had an appt last week and I asked my onc about it.  In a joking way...I said if you give me a referral and say it's for BC then maybe ins. will pay!  She thought that was funny and said, I'm good but not that good.  Hey, I tried :)  She also said, to lose it on my own by eating right and exercise.  Thanks everyone, crazy how we all think alike.  I know my AI is doing what it can but wonder if there is more I could do.  I've always had a bigger stomach (its my problem area) since the boobs are gone it looks even bigger....I would love to see it go.

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  • hopefour
    hopefour Member Posts: 459
    edited August 2013

    I was told by the integrative medicine doctor at MD Anderson that it is best to be within your BMI range. I have gotten there, but would love to have liposuction on my thighs and transfer it to my chest...my BS left enough skin that it can be filled with some fat to create "lil boobs"! But, I am with you about will this fat fuel BC!? It's my understanding that removing fat anyway we can ( diet, exercise and possible lipo(?) ) is lowering our BC fuel!! Sure would be fun if insurance covered lipo for BC patients!

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  • klanders
    klanders Member Posts: 244
    edited September 2013

    Hi, I had a BMX with immediate reconstruction in April using DIEP flaps. This past week was stage 2 for me. My doc liposuctioned my thighs (covered by insurance) and did some extra fat grafting in my breasts to round them out. Right now I look like I was hit by a truck! I've never seen such bad bruising - thighs and lower back. I was already happy with how I looked after stage 1 so I'm just praying I haven't messed things up. I'm very swollen but this too shall pass!

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  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 3,534
    edited September 2013

    I asked a leading Oncologist this question and he said there is no evidence it promotes BC as its the oestrogen in fat that makes the difference wherever it is, on the other hand there is evidence that putting healthy fat cells in helps to repair radiation damaged areas.

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  • clariceak
    clariceak Member Posts: 752
    edited September 2013

    I don't think you're crazy at all.  I posted something similar years ago.  Certainly, it would be best to lose the weight with diet and exercise, but we're also talking about the time it takes to get rid of an estrogren factory. 

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited September 2013

    Thanks everyone, I might try talking to my primary care dr and see what she thinks :)

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