Fat grafting reconstruction after a single mastectomy?
Hello everyone - new to the community and looking for some advice regarding reconstruction. I am leaning towards reconstruction with fat grafting instead of having an implant because I like the idea of not introducing a foreign object into my body permanently. I have so many questions though and am hoping to find someone else here who has gone through this to hear exactly what you did and what you would recommend!
Some background: After I was diagnosed with a triple negative cancer, the suggestion of bilateral mastectomy was presented to me. However, my surgeon helped me come to the conclusion that it might be best just to go with a single mastectomy for now to avoid introducing any complications from removal of the healthy breast that could delay chemotherapy. I opted for immediate reconstruction with tissue expanders, thinking at the time I would get an implant that would match the size of my right breast.
I only recently learned about fat grafting instead of using an implant. I think that's what I want to do.
I also don't know if matching my right breast in size is what I should go for, because if I have a choice in the matter, I'd prefer to go smaller. But then I'm going to be lopsided. I keep thinking that maybe I shouldn't think that way if I end up having the healthy breast removed down the road, but... I really don't think I'm going to do that. My mother had breast cancer in her 30's like me and she has been doing just fine all these years later. My grandmother also had breast cancer around the same time (she was in her 60's) and is still going strong at 90 years old, no other problems. I am hopeful I will have the same outcomes and am thinking I'd rather not go through another mastectomy if I can avoid it.
But of course I don't want to be.. asymmetrical... either. I'm wondering if I just have to be prepared to be unbalanced anyway with fat grafting, as I understand some of the fat gets reabsorbed after surgery and it could take multiple surgeries to get the right outcomes.
So if you've had a single mastectomy and had this done, what was your experience? Many thanks for any advice you can offer!
Comments
-
Hi BPXDomino, and welcome to Breastcancer.org,
We really appreciate your posting -- you're sure to find our incredible Community a wonderful space for information, advice and support!
While you wait for the ever-helpful responses from our awesome members, you may want to check out the main Breastcancer.org site's page from the extensive Breast Reconstruction section on Altering the Opposite Breast.
We hope this helps and we look forward to hearing more from you soon!
--The Mods
-
There are 2 options- autologous flap reconstruction where they take tissue from your tummy, butt, hips, etc and transplant the tissue to your chest and create breast mounds. Or actual fat grafting-lipoing one area and injecting it under your breast skin. If you opt for pure grafting know that reabsorption is a big issue and the only PS procedure I know if that’s had any decent success is the BRAVA device. Dr Khouri in Miami is who to consult with for that. Personally I wouldn’t try to graft a whole breast without it. The autologous tissue recon moves the fat to the chest and since it’s done surgically in 1 piece and blood supply is established at the same time it has a much higher success rate. I traveled to NOLA for mine (DIEP) and would do it again in a heartbeat.
https://www.miamibreastcenter.com/
-
bpxdomino - here is a thread to read where people reconstructed using fat grafting without a flap procedure, there are BRAVA users on this thread also:
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics/788885?page=1
You might want to PM the member dancetrancer - she has recon using fat only and has been generous with assistance and advice.
-
Ok thank you for pointing me in this direction!
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team