Has anyone had micro fat grafting?

How did the reconstructions with Dr. Trott go?   I believe two on this thread had this done last year.

Hi everyone: In addition to being concerned about the effect of time over fat-transfer reconstruction, I am also concerned about the donor sites possibly being depleted in the event that one should want to do a flap surgery in the future.

Bayoubabe: Thanks for your input. From what I understand, people lose some of the fat grafted, but then whatever stays after 6 months or so will stay for a long time, although the jury's still out on whether it will stay forever...I have also read on the internet that it's good to fat graft in the radiated area before putting in implants. One of my local PS told me that flaps as well as fat grafting is good for radiated tissue. It seems like flaps would be really good, but we know how big an operation that is... I am thinking about doing an SGAP to cover the boniness in my "upper pole" and create an AA cup breast, but I don't think the vast majority of PS's have ever done such a small cup size. One PS told me it wasn't even possible and another one doesn't even think it's worth the trouble, when there is the option of fat grafting. She says she might do more fat grafts in someone with implants or flaps than what she thinks I would need. So she's suggesting I try it and cut my losses after 4 fat grafts if it doesn't work out. I think it will probably work out, but like I say, I wonder how long it will last. I wouldn't want to have to do, say, 4 fat grafts every 5 years. But we don't really know since it is new and un-researched, and un-guaranteed. At least with a flap, you don't have to worry about it possible shrinking. Take care.

Still looking for feedback from someone who has used Dr. Trott.

Liposuction is a dangerous procedure with a spectrum of negative long-term health and cosmetic consequences. The Health Technology Advisory Board stated "Death and disfigurement due to the cosmetic surgical procedure of
liposuction should be a matter for serious public concern." The consents forms (which are constantly being expanded) are in place to legally protect the doctor, not the patient. Fat grafting involves liposuction. 

Healthfirst, I have to say, I find it strange that this is your first post ever on bco.  Would you like to tell us a little bit about yourself and why liposuction is such a concern to you?  Did you have a bad experience?  Did you have liposuction as part of your reconstruction for breast cancer? 

I've had lipo 3 times for fat grafting, and (knock on wood), have done very well with it each time.  It's not painfree, by any stretch of the imagination, but I did recover quickly. 

Hi Mouse6,

I tried to have FG done and my insurance denied coverage - I believe if I had a mastectomy it would have been covered but they did not consider the two lumpectomies and rads sufficient.  I do not see where you have been diagnosed or if you have had any surgery for BC but make sure to confirm with your health insurance that it will be covered for you.  My PS appealed it as well and it was declined.  You don't want to have a surprise bill to pay!

Good luck!

I know several patients that have had fat grafting covered with lumpectomies, so it is possible. I guess it depends on your insurance policy. Your PS may not be using the best codes/language, too - I think it can be tricky. Has he ever had it covered for other patients? If so, then it must be your plan. That stinks.

I'm on my 4th grafting - I am a complete fat graft recon patient. That is very different from grafting over implants. But regarding lipo - get good compression garments (I love my Veronique - but expensive) and MOVE. It can be quite painful sometimes, but after moving around it eases markedly. The more stationary you are, the worse it is.

Regarding fat grafting, the pain is usually minimal, unless you have other work done (scar, fold work...uggh). Avoid compressing the fat - that leads to more fat loss. You want as much fat to survive as possible. I use Brava domes post but that does not apply for implants.

Hi JenS18-

Welcome to BCO! This is a bit of an inactive thread; however, we do have a thread on fat grafting that has been updated in the last week, so we would suggest reading through it and posting there: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics....

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