Brava/AFT concerns

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IntheATL2014
IntheATL2014 Member Posts: 47
edited October 2014 in Breast Reconstruction

Had a mastectomy in Feb.  Been using Brava and fat transfer.  Would like to know how others are doing with this.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited September 2014

    Hi IntheATL2014, and welcome to our community. Glad you joined the conversations, and hope you get some helpful responses. 

    Warmly, 

    The Mods

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  • IntheATL2014
    IntheATL2014 Member Posts: 47
    edited September 2014

    Thanks for the welcome.  Have been scanning and reading for hours about Brava and AFT on the discussion board and added myself to the mix.  Working my way through this BC stuff, ready to see an end in sight!   Feels like it has been going on forever, but only since Jan.  I am wanting to hear more about others' experiences with Brava/AFT, outside of Dr. Khouri and Miami.

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  • bobogirl
    bobogirl Member Posts: 2,777
    edited September 2014

    Hey Inthe ATL,

    Have you been following the thread called something like 'Follow my Brava and fat grafting day by day? '  That thread has lots of people on it talking about different doctors and their experiences.  It might be just what you're looking for!

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  • IntheATL2014
    IntheATL2014 Member Posts: 47
    edited September 2014

    Thanks bobogirl.  I did go back and read a lot of those from the last 2 years.  Considering what so many of them have been through, my problems (so far) are minor.  Just had a biopsy on the remaining breast 2 days ago.  Not happy about that.  Results Wed. or Thurs. I think.

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  • IntheATL2014
    IntheATL2014 Member Posts: 47
    edited September 2014

    Just heard from my surgeon. Cancer in the other breast. Another mastectomy (my choice).  Praying no rads or chemo after this one 

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  • IntheATL2014
    IntheATL2014 Member Posts: 47
    edited October 2014

    Had my second mastectomy (right side this time) Oct. 1.  Had TEs put in on both sides.  Brava/AFT abandoned.  After healing and fills, I will exchange for implants.  So ready to be done with all this.

    I received a clean path report - no chemo or rads!  Twice in 8 months.  I can live with that.

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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited October 2014

    Hi IntheATL2014,

    (Oops, edited to say I somehow missed your latest post, above. Given that you decided not to proceed with Brava, you obviously don't need to know about my experience, below. But perhaps it can inform someone else. I'm glad you're on the other side of the mastectomy and hope the implant reconstruction goes well.)

    Sorry to hear about your second diagnosis. I just wanted to chime in to say you're not alone. I was diagnosed with cancer in my left breast three years after a lumpectomy and rads for cancer on the right breast. I then had a bilateral mastectomy, but opted not to have reconstruction. 

    I used to joke with my husband that if they found a way to re-grow breasts, maybe I'd consider it, so when I heard about the Brava technique several years after my mastectomy, I decided to have a consult with Dr. Khouri (I live in the Miami area). He was very enthusiastic and thought I'd be a good candidate, but when he had me try the Brava in his office for a mere fifteen minutes, I found it very painful. It took several days for the tenderness to subside from just that very short trial. So, I decided that Brava wasn't for me.  

    I've been very happy without reconstruction and thankful that I have no pain or discomfort living breast-free (I wear lightweight breast forms, so no one can tell when I'm dressed that I don't have breasts), but I realize that many women prefer reconstruction. If you've read through the other thread here about Brava, you know that there have been mixed results. It might be worth a try, though, especially if you'd rather not have implants. Please keep us posted on what you decide.

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  • IntheATL2014
    IntheATL2014 Member Posts: 47
    edited October 2014

    Erica

    Sorry Brava did not work for you.  It was working for me until the last AFT failed after 2 weeks.  I was off it for a month, then back on the dome.  About a week after being back on it, I found out I had cancer in the other breast.  I subsequently decided to bail on the Brava, get the second mastectomy, have tissue expanders installed on both sides, and will exchange for implants in the not too distant future (I hope).  Mind you, I did consider, briefly, being done with everything and bailing on any reconstruction.  Here's hoping I do not regret that decision - haven't had my first fill yet.  Drains were revolting, as before, but they are out now.  Some tightness with the TEs, but onward and foreward.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited October 2014

    Hi all,

    Are you willing to share YOUR story of reconstruction? We'd like to feature it in our Acknowledging Our Community Members section on the website!

    If interested, please PM us
    with a few paragraphs about your experience with Reconstruction -- the
    type of reconstruction surgery you chose, how it went, advice you'd give
    to others about choosing (or not choosing) reconstruction, and any
    other information you could provide to help others in their choices.

    If you could also include a photo of yourself or something representative of you, we'll include that with the story too!

    Please
    send to us, the Mods, ASAP as we'd like to finalize this section in the
    next week or so. Thanks so much for contributing -- your story will
    help inspire others!!!

    --Your Mods

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