Microfat grafting or BRAVA doctor recommendations
Comments
-
Kate 33and Lee You need to keep your posts on,whenever a newbie is searching they need to know both sides!!! Kate and Lee can agree to disagree but its important stuff! I for one i am not considring Miami at all because of what Kate shared! its not negative its the truth and God only knows we do NOT need to be led into Pollyanna land as we were with out 1st dx and ps! I am so happy Lee did so well and others will learn that from her,but we all know having nodes taken out will always be an issue for us. If u do not know u should! ( that is for everyone) Like i said before we need to know "THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY" how could we ever make a proper decision if we did not! Geez i might have been flying to Miami right now only to find out i was going to get my armpit cut open ,which would be a very bad thing fo "ME" (get it ME we are all diffrent) i have major scar tissue , aws, and rad skin going on underthere i could not imagine how bad that would have been! so all im saying is Pleae evetone respect eachothers views! They are all needed!!
Mandalynn you are flying to Miami? I wish uou could have founf a Fg out here,but i pray that ypo finanlly get what you need. I thank you for you pm on your research , oh boy us west coast ladies got alot of decisions and to make.....
0 -
Hey Kate, don't leave the thread we need your viewpoint too.
0 -
Mandalynn,
Great idea about the grass roots consciousness-raising approach w/ Dr. K. Dr.'s need to know what is important to their patients. If enough patients raise a particular issue, perhaps they will come up with another solution.
Please let us know what happens if you do discuss the issue with him.
0 -
dancetrancer, thanks for that information. I didn't know what SS was going to talk about. I think that process is similar to the one being tested in Australia. I'm not necessarily a SS fan but I appreciate that she is going to get some air time to talk about these new procedures. It will be this kind of exposure that makes women more aware of their options.
0 -
hrf, I agree. It certainly will increase awareness, and thus demand, and hopefully more surgeons will become trained in this so that many more patients have access to another reconstruction option.
I really appreciate the fact that she didn't just fly to Japan to have it done. She took her time, encouraged this doctor to get trained, and then waited for his clinical trial to be approved here in the USA, so that attention and hopefully access to this procedure could occur in the USA.
0 -
HI Ladies,
I have not been on here for a while but have read through some of your recent posts and want to pipe in here about the incision sites. I was considering fat grafting for a second revision but I have other issues like excess skin and fg alone will not solve all my issues. I saw one PS who wanted to do a lollipop lift which would mean a new incision from the nipple downward. When I went back to my orginal PS and asked him about this he said when you have a NSM they really remove everything and leave very little left to work with. He would not want to make any new incisions to compromise the blood flow or risk infection. He would use the same incision he used for the first 3 surgeries. I also saw my BS recently and asked her about this and she agreed that is is better to use the same incision. I'm not sure I totally understand why but that is what both of them said on separate occasions. Personally I do not want any "new" incisions if I can help it. A lift may help me with my issues but it means another huge scar in the opposite direction. For me that's a deal breaker on that. I'm holding off any fat grafting because my issues require much more than FG and I am holding off any surgery until next year. Right now I'm just feeling sick of dealing with all of this.
As for sharing, please do share all points of view. In the end analysis we must make the decision that feels right to us. However, I cannot begin to express how much it has helped to ask questions, read comments and hear the experiences of other women on here. When I saw my BS she commented that I knew so much it was like talking to another Dr! I laughed to myself because everything I learned I learned on here.
0 -
yup thank God for this thread! and all the ladies that give there stories....Merry Christmas to all of you!
0 -
Just watched Suzanne Somers on Dr. Oz. Her doctor is Dr. Joel Aronowitz. It sounds similar to Dr. Khouri's procedure but I don't know if it's exactly the same. But this doctor is doing it under an official clincal trial which will move things along much faster for all of us.
Anyone else watch?
0 -
hrf, it is not the same. Dr. Khouri does not use stem cell enhanced fat grafting. He does regular fat grafting with the Brava system. The Brava is what creates the blood supply and matrix, allowing the fat cells to survive.
From my understanding, Dr. A's procedure uses concentrated stem cells to bring blood flow to the area. It is exciting, but they need more studies done to provide more evidence that the extra stem cells do not enhance cancer growth. So it is great that it is being done in a clinical trial to prove the efficacy and safety. I'm not a Suzanne Somers fan, but I am really impressed that she went about this the right way. It may well bring exciting advancements to the science of fat grafting!
0 -
Hi Dance -- I'm with you in terms of Suzanne Somers but I have to give her credit for making this known to the general public. Her appearance on Dr. Oz will definitely get people talking and women demanding. They also had a Dr. Rubin on who asked the questions you ask about new cancer growth. He was optimistic that it wouldn't but he did say it has to be studied more.
The one thing they didn't talk about was what happens if a woman has already has had a mastectomy and doesn't have a "pocket" to inject the fat. How does that happen except with the Brava system?
0 -
I watched...there certainly are many similarities. I enjoyed that. I think it will bring attention to other alternatives.
...maybe Dr. Khouri will start using some of these principles (when approved). It wouldn't be that much change from what he is doing. I would love to hear what he thinks about it! I was part of the government clinical trial for autogolous fat grafting that was completed a little less than four years ago, so Dr. K.'s method is farther along. I think there is going to be demand, but not availability for this for some time.
Some of my questions are: what is the retention rate? what about total breast reconstruction maybe with skin sparing, but with a woman who had traditional mastectomy, like I did, it would require something like the BRAVA. I was surprised she could have that good a response with radiated tissue??
Anyone else?
0 -
hrf, I suspect they are just doing it with lumpectomies right now...but post a MX, if you only needed space made, (and not the enhanced blood flow since the concentrated stem cells would bring that)...I suppose you could use a TE (not that that would be my choice, but I'm just saying, I guess it could fulfill the expansion only requirement). I don't know...pure conjecture on my part...I still would be more inclined to the Brava, since no extra incisions would be required and no explant of the TE would be needed when the fat is grafted, and also you wouldn't be cutting the pec muscle. Again, this is all just rambling in my head...I didn't read this anywhere, LOL! Oh and I totally agree with you about this getting women talking and demanding more reconstruction options. That is so great!
randi, I bet they will be recording retention rate in the clinical study. It will be interesting to follow. I wouldn't be surprised she had a good response with the radiated tissue, due to the stem cell enhancement.
0 -
I'm glad to find this thread. I have a left-side implant that's been driving me CRAZY for about 3 years. I read about fat grafting and saw a PS about it, but he said it'd involve an implant, and since I'm having issues already, it may not be for me. But now I'm encouraged to go see Dr. Ahn and try to figure something out. PS are not eager to do a DIEP on me because I have a genetic clotting disorder (and pulmonary embolisms during first surgery). I just want to chuck the implant, have a small mound, get dressed in the morning w/o a prothesis, and move on. It's great reading the info here.
0 -
I just watched the Dr. Oz show with Suzanne Somers. I'm excited this is getting some air time but a few things bothered me. First, the show kind of implied her doctor was the only one doing fat grafting to the breast, rather than the only doctor doing this particular kind of fat grafting. I wish Dr. Oz would have let it be known that there are many doctors offering fat grafting in some form or another now. Second, the doctor implied that a woman should wait 5+ years before attempting this kind of reconstruction. I just wonder how many women will wait thinking it's not available, or they need to wait 5 years, when they could have this done now. I kind of think Dr. Oz dropped the ball on this one. I wish, instead of hearing about a celebrities different BC treatment theories he would devote a show to showing the different options of fat grafting to the breast that are available now.
0 -
Kate, while I don't disagree with you, at least SS got the dialogue going and from there will come more as women will be demanding new procedures now. And while other doctors are doing different forms of fat grafting, the only way to get mainstream is through a clinical trial and her doctor is doing a clinical trial. This was the push that was needed. Now I hope the rest will happen. As far as Dr. Oz, doesn't seem that he knew much about it until SS contacted him.
0 -
Hey Ladies ...chiming in..I think that the procedure Dr. Oz's show highlighted was more amazing because of the stem cells inserted with the fat to keep the fat alive and create additional blood vessels in the breast. I guess that would eliminate the ice cold dead feeling from implants. Sounds amazing but I was surprised at the 5 year wait from diagnosis to surgery. Kate I was watching it and emailing my PS at the same time. I talked to my PS about fat grafting but we both decided to wait until summer. I am intrigued by this method and clinical trial.
First time I ever found his show so interesting.
Diane
0 -
hrf- I, and several other members, actually wrote his show almost 6 months ago with a show suggestion about breast recon using fat grafting. It could be his staff didn't think it worthy enough without a big name.
DiDel- Even though Dr. Khouri (who did my fat grafting) doesn't use the stem cell approach it did eliminate that "cold dead feeling" (good description, BTW, lol!) from my implants. That was a bonus because it wasn't something I was expecting. Now the skin is warm again.
0 -
My understanding is they are waiting five years from diagnosis as they do not know if the stem cells will stimulate growth of any lingering cancer cells.
0 -
Kate, I'm sure your letter helped. Having a big name there also helped but you showed that there is an interest. Thank you.
0 -
Kate33,
The other procedure do not include stem cells. Dr. Oz show was about THIS procedure.0 -
Thatgirl- There are other PS's out there that are doing fat grafting using the stem cell approach just as her PS is. This is not a new thing. But Suzanne's PS I believe is the first participating in a clinical trial using it. Here's a PS's office in Plano, TX, describing the procedure they offer which sounds exactly like what was described on the Dr. Oz show-
Reconstruction of breasts with fat grafts is a new option Dr. Meade can offer for reconstruction after lumpectomy and irradiation.This innovative treatment is based on the discovery that the layer of fat just beneath the skin is a rich source of stem cells – cells that have not yet developed into specialized cell types. One of the goals of this approach is to stimulate them to develop into new fat cells.Fat is suctioned, usually from the abdomen or hips, and the stem cells it contains are then isolated by using a centrifuge. The extracted stem cells are then mixed in with the remaining fat and injected into the site of the breast lumpectomy defect. Ideally, the stem cells will either help keep the transplanted fat alive, or become fat cells themselves, or both.Either way, the injected material remains and becomes living tissue.0 -
I just wanted to say a fellow co-worker just had the micro fat cell grafting injected in her knee instead of having knee surgery. She is doing fine. No cuts, no healing up and going after 1 week. I think this is amazing SS had this procedure.
0 -
geez,what happened to this thread!! is fatgrafting not of interest anymore. I have decided to go with the Diep myself just cause i could not find a ps with alot of experience in cali. but i still think it sounds like a great procedure.I will continue to research for the women in the futere (MY daughter and grandaughter) and all those to come. Hopefully in those years to come it will be available all over the country and been done frequently, like the diep. When ever its starts to bloom all over this thread that its across the country that will be so helpfull for others....Im glad that you ladies that were able to travel and get it done have shared this with us,at least we know its out there and maybe soon will be available to everyone without travel
0 -
Personally I would prefer a micro fatgrafting surgery over an invasive DIEP surgery-even with a surgeon new to the technique. I think the reason the PS promote these invasive surgeries is because they make more money, and they don't want to take the time to learn something new. What would their motivation be if their offices are already filled?
0 -
Makingway,Thats good that you have made your own decision,considering your own set of circumstances,research and feelings. I too had to take that all into consideration for myself,and this has what it has led me to for me. I hope someday Fg is evrywhere cause i too think itsounds like a wonderful alternative,but not for me at this time not willing to travel need my family close always have always will tkae care and good luck with your fg .
0 -
makingway--you're incorrect about PSs doing flap surgeries because they're making money on them. They're actually *losing* a lot of money on them. In fact, that's why there are so few surgeons doing those surgeries: they know they won't get reimbursed well by insurance companies. Well, that and they are technically demanding surgeries and it's difficult to become experienced with them.
As far as those surgeries being invasive, or fat grafting being less invasive... while lipo doesn't involve a large incision, it does end up using/removing/damaging a large area of your body. I think it's up to the individual to decide what constitutes "invasive". Personally, having enough lipo to rebuild a breast sounds too "invasive" to me.
0 -
Thanks you for saying exactly what I was going to say, jeskachi!!
0 -
Although I haven't had any of the flap surgeries, I have had TE's/implants and I've had fat grafting, and fat grafting is definitely the least invasive. The "damage" is temporary (some bruising and swelling) and some lipo scars the size of a tiny freckle. As far as removing a large area of your body it doesn't take as much fat as you would think to create a breast. I am 5'4" and weighed 118 at the time of my first round of fat grafting. My PS was able to decrease my implant size by half and use fat for the other half. Yet there is very little noticeable change to my body itself. Maybe a slightly flatter stomach (something I had struggled to attain through exercise) which I don't see as a bad thing.
I've seen some flap surgery scars that run from hip to hip or across a woman's entire back. I've heard from numerous women about permanent muscle weakness. I think these are the things that makingway was referring to. I have none of these things. Had I known about fat grafting before going the TE/implant route it definitely would have been my first choice. But that's just me. This is an exciting time for breast recon and how wonderful that we have all these choices and can pick the one that is right for us.
0 -
Im sure the patients with muscle weakness is from the tram flap or maybe the lat flap where they acyually use the muscle. The diep only uses tissue hmmmpretty sure its fat. Also the sflap and gflap use tissue . Just so everyones knows about muscles used. Maybe they had muscle weakness from not using their muscles for a while ,recovery is kinda long but im hoping worth it without antmore surgeries yay no exhanging implants with time ,no going back and forth across the country, im tough i can do this if i have lived with this piece of uncomfortable rubber in me and expanders i can do this.I know alot of woman that have had c sections and say recovery is bad but its worth it thats how i have to look at this
0 -
@jeshaki-I don't see how you could possibly believe that lipo would be a more invasive surgery than a flap surgery...that's like comparing a mosquito bite to a shark bite... True there are those who welcome removing large portions of their bodies, mostly because they are overweight and think this will be an easy fix. The scars from these surgeries are huge. Not only are you left with scars, you are also left with the repercussions of removal of an integral function of that part of your body.
@beacher- With a C Section you are not 'removing' a part of your body.
I had considered a LatFlap myself until I saw a video on youtube of an actual surgery and what it entailed. The S Gap was next on my list of possibilities. After discovering what Dr. Khouri is doing I've decided this is the 'best', as well as the least invasive surgery currently being performed.
0
