Follow my Brava and Fat Grafting Day by Day
Comments
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Lily... Interesting. I'd love to hear how you feel about your results. I honestly don't know if I can take this BRAVA for another 8 weeks and then 8-10 weeks for the next surgery.
Fat grafting is my only option (and I agree-lipo for cosmetic reasons isn't worth it) My surgeon was originally planning on doing the fat grafting without BRAVA. Stupid me suggested it!
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I was sunken above breast area and now only have aTiny sunken look and there is a slight mound byt i was really damaged by rads and all flesh was welded together in a solid lump stuck to my ribs, i dont think i will get a good idea of how its going til after number two but there is more flexibility there, and as fat stem cells are transferred too i hope i grow some fat too
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Lily - I'm so happy you're having this done. I hope it goes great. I know this past year has been extremely tough for you, so I wanted to pop in and say "yay for you!"
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Oh thank you, its taking nearly all my savings...
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Surgery number 5 was on September 10. Breast is a little high--so it may have to be released--perhaps next year. Fat was taken from abdominal area. Looks awesome.
Question--was going to wear hue leggings-but the are too large around my waist. Is spanx better? if so, which style? Eileen0 -
The PA at my plastic surgeon said the tighter the better. I would go for the spanx or get smaller leggings. I've been collecting some good deals on Zully, Groupon and Living Social.
I also like the leggings (capri and long) better because I don;t have to first put pants over them.
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Design veronique are recommended by my PS
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Eileen the Design Veronique may not go high enough on the waist and may cause an indentation around waist. If no thigh lipo was done you can wear shorts length with high waist such as Sweet Nothings by Maidenform available at Wal-Mart and very affordable. Style 82433 Seamless Hi-Waist Thigh Slimmer. Works well for muffin top waist lower back lipo as well as ab area.
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I agree. In this case, you want quantity (the last thing you want to do after surgery is constant laundry). I have two compression garments given to me by surgeons and purchased high spandex (20% & up) under bust to just below knees. I have two pairs of this in leggings that I can wear with a big tee. I've gotten great deals on Zuilly, Groupon and at Amazon.com.
I stick with the heavy duty expense ones from the surgeons for the first four days, than switch off with the others.
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(Pass the link along and you'll get a credit too!)
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Surgery was on September 10. Went back to work last Monday--no issues--no discomfort or fatigue. Will be shopping for spanx today as per orders from my PS. Cannot wait to return to the gym. Cannot believe that my brava days are over.What a relief. Brava was quite a chore, but a necessity. Eileen
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Healing well from surgery number 5. Pain from mast.,implant is finally gone. Looking good.
Beast looks good, legs, abs, waist-awesome.
Back to job issues. Had 5 surgeries in 1.5 years, hit by sandy--and they are giving me a difficult time because my numbers are down. I think I did okay by managing to keep a job, and of course keep my medical insurance. Crazy. --must admit that this workplace attitude hindered my ability to get proper medical treatment at my original diagnosis. Crazy. Eileen0 -
Eileen,
So glad to hear your pain is gone! And that your new breasts and bod are looking good! That must be one hell of a relief to be done.
I hear you about workplace attitude. It's so stressful to be Dx with cancer and then to be held hostage to a job because of medical insurance. Hopefully things at work will easier now you are done.0 -
How much does it cost to use Brava?0 -
Eileen: Were you able to grow boobs from Brava alone, within a year? It sounds like you had the benefit of extra skin from before. I am thinking of doing Brava and want to get to an A cup. I am starting from a totally flat mastectomy.0 -
Oh I am so sorry that I have not written sooner. Sometimes when things are good you forget to let everyone know.
I have been through 5 fat grafts with the brava system and I am happy to say that I am now a 36C. My last procedure was in April 2013. I have two more procedures to do. Nipple reconstruction (which is scheduled for 12/30) with some clean up fat grafting (but no brava bra) and then tattooing.
I would totally recommend this procedure. I have my cells and my boobs actually jiggle....Is this an easy procedure? The bra was the hardest part for me and I did get some scaring which I am still treating with coconut oil, however I would do this procedure again in a minute. I have my own cells and I will never need any more implants. It is all my own body.
To all of you out there....Nothing is easy and this does take dedication but at least for me, this is the way to go.
I promise I will read these blogs more in the future. Again I am truly sorry for not showing up earlier.
Stay well.0 -
RDC my cost was for the brava bra which was 800 and then for each fat transfer you will need a new bra which runs 300. My surgery was paid for by my insurance. Hope this helps0 -
I am trying to decide whether to do Brava or do a SGAP procedure. I'm not a candidate for implants because I had radiation on my mastectomy. Did you have radiation? One thing about the Brava I am weary about is that it might not work and I don't want to deplete my fat (I'm thin) through liposuction. On the other hand, we know how complicated an SGAP is, and there's no promise that would work either, however, it is covered by insurance.
I am impressed that you are a 36C! That is great! You were able to do this with a lot of skin left over from your implants? My skin on my chest is tight to the chest, but as I said, I only want an A cup. How long did it take for you? When you say you had 5 procedures, you mean 5 liposuctions along with 5 fat transfers? Thanks for your help.0 -
rdgc -
1) You cannot grow foobs with Brava alone. Must have fat grafting done with it.
2) with radiation it takes more fat graftings to achieve the same volume. The first 1 to 3 grafts generally do not provide much volume, rather the fat works to soften the radiation damage and build a base for future grafts. To get an AA or A after radiation with Brava assisted fat grafting, my guess would be 3 to 5 surgeries. Well maybe 2 for an AA. Tough to say.
3) SGAP is indeed a major surgery. You know when they do fat grafting they can save the top of the buttock (they usually don't harvest from the buttock for lipo, anyways). So, if you weren't sure but are too scared to do the SGAP, you could start with fat grafting and if it is too much for you, switch back to SGAP.
4) Not everyone needs new domes each surgery. Some are able to make their domes last through 3 or 4 surgeries.0 -
rdgc-recently completed surgery number 5. Brava was a chore. I am a uni. Used one set of domes for 1.5 years--5 surgeries pre and post opt. Post-opt was minimal, returning to work after 4days.
I am thrilled with my results. Started with a 410cc implant, extensive scarring and extensive muscle damage. Had pain from implants and surgical damage for the past 16 years. I am finally pain free, and looking great. Breast looks great. Lipo areas look amazing. Great legs, waist, and tummy. Fatgrafting was definitely right for me. E0 -
I know of a Dr. in my area who helps people with Brava, but he claims to have been doing it for only 2 years. Would it be unwise to go to a Brava Dr. with so little experience?0 -
Thanks E. May I ask what cup size that would be (I don't understand how big implant sizes are).0 -
5 surgeries-I am a 36C. Small C.Quite pleased with the size. This is fairly new venture. Of course, Dr. Khouri has the most experience. I recommend the fatgraftpatients.com website for the most extensive information and list of qualified Dr's. Many prior patients discuss their experiences. There is a wealth of information. E0 -
I think it all comes down to how much you are willing to go through. I had a DIEP flap on one breast and am now doing the BRAVA on the other so I'm one of those rare people that can compare. The DIEP was painful and difficult, but I had a beautiful, full-feeling breast (and a tummy tuck) within three months. All my pain was also gone by three months.
BRAVA is much less invasive, but I'm on month five, have been in pain (minor to severe) nearly every day, and still have at least two surgeries to go.
I would take the flap any day, but that's me. Each person is individual. For example, if I had a significant other with me, maybe I wouldn't feel so awful and isolated all the time I have to stay home with BRAVA. On the other hand, I can't understand anyone who had a choice taking a year for a breast when you can get one in a few months.
Talk to lots of doctors, read lots of info, and make your choice. Even though I started the BRAVA because I was told six months ago I couldn't have another flap, I am revisiting doctors again to see if there's something quicker I can do to finish this up. Changes and updates are happening everyday!0 -
IMO, the risks of donor site issues may be higher with an SGAP vs a DIEP. I have never had an SGAP, so I can't say that with definity. However, from reading stories it was the conclusion I came to. It is something to consider. Not all flaps have the same risks and recovery times.0 -
Yes, but fat grafting is without risks and multiple surgeries mean more chance for complications.
So far, I had a nerve pinched during one surgery (sciatica like pain down my leg for 3 weeks) and my spine bruised during another (swelling on spine still painful and visible after 3 weeks, local doc is having it x-rayed tomorrow to make sure there isn't a bone chip. I also had an infection in one of the lipo holes. Luckily that was cleared up quickly with neosporin for a week, but it was painful and gross.
There are complications with everything. IMO, one long, complicated surgery is definitely not more risky than 4-8 medium (mine have been 6 hours & 5 hours) surgery. And, you are still dealing with "donor sites."0 -
I appreciate everyone chiming in with their own opinions!! I have some more questions:
What does "upper pole" mean? Would that be the chest area right above your nipple area, as opposed to the cleavage which is more toward the center?
Has any former mastectomy site shrunk after, say, 1-2 years of having done Brava?
Thanks again.0 -
I am considering an SGAP, which is probably more complicated than a DIEP, since it's a "free flap." But if I did that, I would want to go to Dr. Kline, who everyone seems to rave about. I don't know of any good plastic surgeons in California, though I'm sure there are some (anyone out there know of any?).
hopeful24: I am so glad that you are sharing your less than great experiences. Apparently, it goes with the territory that there is going to be some bruising and pain in order to get to the gain, but I'm so sorry to hear about your sciatica and spine pain. I hope you tell your surgeon to be more careful, or perhaps get another surgeon?
Can you share the problem/s you've had with "donor sites;" I am curious if the donor sites leave "holes" or depressions, as I heard about while looking at the internet. Thanks.
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Pro's and cons with everything. Be an educated consumer of healthcare and make the best decision you can for your individual situation. What is right for one person is not right for another.
Upper pole = yes, area above the nipple.
I lost volume but I believe it was due to losing about 10# after my 2nd graft. Your breasts will change in size with weight gain/loss. I assume flaps do the same since they are your own tissue, too.
I've been fortunate so far to not have any complications in my lipo donor sites. Sore for a few weeks and numb in some places for several months - but no sharp, lasting pain or sciatica.
But the Brava does suck, and yes the risks of multiple surgeries adds up, too. No easy answer here! For me, I dance, so I was really afraid of any issues with my legs with an SGAP. Honestly, I also like my butt the way it is, and didn't want large scars and "shark butt" indentation that would have to be corrected by a stage II lipo transfer of fat back in.
I will say it again...everyone is different as to what they are willing to trade/give up/risk for their procedure of choice. The key is knowing all the risks, pro's, con's of each procedure and deciding which risks you are more comfortable taking.0 -
I'm not sure whether your are referring to donor sites from flaps or Liposuction. I did have a problem with my stomach healing after deip. I was on a would vac and it took two months to heal (hence, the three month total from mastectomy to perfect breast). From the lipo for grafting, it's too early to know for sure, but you can definitely see the bumping in my legs where the lipo starts and stops. They did my hips this time and now I'm going to have to have my inner thighs done again to even it out.
I did not lose any fat in my DIEP breast. In fact, I'm now having to have it reduced because I was told it couldn't be matched with BRAVA.
Dancetracer and I totally agree on one thing -- get all the information and decide what's best for you. I'm not saying flaps are wonderful or BRAVA is horrible, I'm saying what's right for me and -- had I known everything involved in BRAVA -- I would have definitely looked harder for another option.0
