Fat Grafting along with Implants

Gratigirl, this is a breast cancer discussion. There is another forum called fatgraftpatients.com where both reconstruction and augmentation fat grafting is discussed.

Kareenie, from the 4 pages of results I read fat grafting & reconstruction are being discussed.  I had a double mastectomy 4 weeks ago along with reconstruction & was hoping for some insight on fat grafting from women who have experienced the same journey   I will try the sight you mentioned hoping to find a little more common courtesy.  

what type of reconstruction did you have? Will you need radiation treatment?

Fat grafting can help the numbness? That would be great.

I has not been my experience that plastic surgeons say you will recover any feeling with fat grafting - it is mostly used in breast reconstruction to correct defects.  I had fairly extensive fat grafting a year after exchange to increase upper pole fullness, as I had marked divots.  I did not have any fat placed on the breast itself.  It did accomplish this and greatly improved the aesthetic - I had zero increase in sensation.  I am currently having phased fat grafting to my left side, over the complete area of skin this time, where I lost my implant.  This is being done in preparation for the placement of another expander, and eventually an implant (hopefully) and have not noticed any increased sensation there either.

Hey maureenB,

Just wanted to tell you you are not alone in trying to find a nonrippling boobie.  I had a bilateral nipple-sparing mastectomy in February 2014.  Had a lot of skin healing issues but my TE's were finally exchanged for Mentor Memorygell smooth round 475 cc implants in September 2014.  Had severe rippling in one breast and mild rippling in the other plus wasn't too pleased with the size.  PS recommended exchanging for Mentor Memoryshap anatomical 525cc implants with Alloderm to cover rippling.  Had 1st revision surgery done December 2014.  Two weeks after surgery rippling started again but only in one boob.  That was quite devastating to see.  Just saw my PS and he is quite perplexed as to why I'm still having rippling because he doesn't see that in OR when he sits me up.  The rippling is not visible when I lie down or when I roll to my left side.  However when I stand the rippling in right breast is quite visible and even worse when I roll to right side.  Left side is perfect.  I am also thin so I don't know if fat grafting will be an option.  My PS said he will speak with other specialists to see what else could be done.  I see him this week so hopefully he will have more info for me.  I trusted him immensely and have been on this journey with him for a year but will also start seeking other consults with PS to get more opinions and pricing.  I don't know if insurance will cover a second revision and/or whether a new PS will even accept my insurance.  I am in the NY area and most of the PS that I've looked at don't even take insurance.  The price at this point is besides the point.  I just want to get a nonrippling boob that I don't have to be self conscious about.  It's amazing to think we can put a man on the moon yet no one can create a nonrippling implant.  I refuse to give up and/or settle and you shouldn't either.  If anyone knows of any PS's who specialize in rippling in the NY area, please advise ASAP!!!.  Fight on my breast cancer warriors!!!!

I was so happy to see this post on the boards, but very disappointed not to see any others with the PC issue! I have what I always believed to be a mild case of pectus carinatum, but I think it's actually a little worse than I thought. I had a unilateral mastectomy (skin sparing) and now have the TE in. The side of the mastectomy is the side where the PC is worse - my sternum was always higher on that side and that was the side it was so hard to get a mammogram on.

Right now I am a little more than half filled on my expansions and I look like I have a softball under my skin. Three of my ribs are very visible coming off my sternum and I have a depression above my breast. The rib issue is becoming more pronounced with the expansions, but I had asked my PS about the depression and he said "oh, we'll just do a little liposuction and fill that in", so I'm assuming that means fat grafting. I am hoping he can inject some fat in between my ribs as well to smooth things out. Has anyone else had this issue with the "intercostal spaces" between your ribs? I have to ask at my next expansion. I am fairly thin (5'1", 108 lbs), but not adverse to putting on a few pounds before surgery for fat grafting! At 46 it all goes right to my belly anyway, so whatever he needs I could certainly find more! I will be having a smaller implant put in the other side for "symmetry". I hope it all works out. The PC was always something that I was mildly self-conscious about... I certainly don't want to end up worse. The last time I mention my ribcage issue and asked if it would create a lot of issues cosmetically, I wasn't thrilled by his reaction. He said "I think it will look okay...." not really what I wanted to hear! He may be trying to manage my expectations. I have a pronounced sternum and my boobs have always sat widely apart and I was always trying to squish them together for cleavage, but I don't know that you can do that with implants.

Any shared experiences would really help me and I really appreciate it!

Thanks so any help!

Shannon

Hi, I just had lipographing done on Feb 27th, with a CC Dr. that does alot of these for breast cancer patients. I had an implant after my mastectomy, like many that was crinkled. Fairly thin and muscular, we took the fat from my lower belly and waist that I could never get rid of probably due to having babies. It was over 1-1/2 weeks and i'm still miserable! My stomach was inflamed, literally with burning sensations when I moved. I'm still blown up in my midsection and although the pain has started to subside, i'm moving very slowly! I'm trying to take it easy but now i'm nervous because the breast seems to be changing shape. It at first looked like it was better with the crinkle filled out and now it seems as if my nipple area is caving in a bit. Now, I'm sure i'm still swollen but when are you out of the danger zone? I know there is a risk for infection and the bruising is incredibly bad on the breast! I have bruising on my waist too but that's seems to be healing. I'm worried without good circulation in my breast im bruised for life!!