Follow my Brava and Fat Grafting Day by Day
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I am going to have my second fat transfer done next week and adhesions cut (rads created adhesion to my ribs) and will hopefully be pain free after that. Once I am pain free we will look at whether BRAVA is an option for me, I kept well over half the fat done last time and this time will be more, both without BRAVA.......where the fat went in last time I am 200% more comfortable now...0 -
My radiated side is FINALLY starting to soften after fat grafting, but it didn't start happening until about 4 or 5 months post the graft. My doctor said that is how long it takes for fat to become fully "integrated" in radiated tissue.
On a side note, my RO also had me start taking Vitamin E and Pentoxifylline for the radiation fibrosis. She says it helps blood flow be created to the fibrotic areas, but it takes about 6 months for the effects to be seen. I've been on these meds oh maybe a month or so now and am seeing softening...is it the meds or is it the fat graft healing the tissue...or both? Either way, I am very happy to see progress. I had severe radiation fibrosis. Sharing for anyone else who has severe rads damage - an option to consider/discuss with your doctor.0 -
dancetrancer thanks for the info... It would be so awesome to go out there and get her opinion... Can you send me her info so I can get that going for next year I'm so excited!!!0 -
lifeissowonderful I just don't understand why I can't find a good ps in Miami to give me other options besides DIEP....
For the past 3 weeks been feeling numbness on my fingers were my lymph nodes been removed (9) anyone else0 -
patriciahurtado if you are in miami you reaaly should at least do a consult with khouri. even if out of network they will work with you to keep out of pocket costs down. at least ask them.
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Patricia this is her website: http://nycbreastreconstruction.com/0 -
Patricia - When my PS saw the capsular contracture from radiation, he offered me a latissimus dorsi flap (the back muscle) over the implant. He said the results would look much more natural. But, I just didn't want to do it. I insisted on implants and fat grafting, even though he warned that the results wouldn't look as "natural" due to radiation on one side. (On the bright side, I'll never have to worry about support again.) :-) Anyway, I would think a good PS would offer you the latissimus dorsi flap as an option.
I had some issues for a while with the one arm on the side where lymph nodes were removed. In addition to cording, there seemed to be scar tissue (?) all the way up to my wrist. At the time, one of my oncologists recommended physical therapy. I never did go to PT for those problems. I just kept massaging the arm. But, PT might help you. It's been two years since my chemo/rads ended, and I haven't had those problems with that arm for a long time now. Hopefully you will do just as well.
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I heard that modified citrus pectin was a good supplement to take to prevent fibrosis.0 -
thanks guys for the info!! Ohhh how I love you guys!!!!! Wish I had you guys near me !!! But when I go out to NY I want to see you guys!!!0 -
i posted on a separate thread about my last fat transfer failing spectacularly, whole thing became an abscess, was in hospital six days via emergency room, now in worse state than before i started recon........am I really the only one this has happened to?
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lily, I am so sorry to hear this news. I have not heard of someone getting this severe of an infection after fat grafting, although I think I recall someone who developed an infection on a smaller scale. I have heard of many cases of infection after implant exchange and also after flap surgeries, so I know that fat grafting could not be immune from this risk.
The risk of infection is much higher for those of us who have had radiation. My PS said I was at severely high risk for infection after my last fat graft due to severe radiation damage. She had me on TWO antibiotics for 14 days! I did not develop a breast infection...but I got c-diff! Ugggh! (c-diff can occur when you kill off all the good bacteria in the gut via antibiotics) So there are risks either way. I want to take fewer antibiotics after my next fat grafting...to reduce my risk of c-diff again...but then I fear infection like you had...you can't win! Honestly I am scared to have my next surgery...should I leave well enough alone? Always tough decisions with this disease.
Again, I am so sorry this happened to you. I know it would be devastating to me. hugs!
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Lily, Dancetrancer-so sorry for your difficulties with Fatgrafting
,I underwent 5 Fatgrafting surgeries with brava. Brava was quite a chore. At surgery number 4 graft area turned red and Dr. A upped my antibiotics to two strong dosages for 30 days. It was quite a bit to go thru--but all healed well. Will be having touch-ups for additional symmetry in March 2014. I posted on the fatgraft website.
Very pleased with my results to date. Happy to have found Fatgrafting with brava. Hoping all goes well with your final decision. Eileen
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THank you for your replies.....it really shocked me as I had no idea that kind of reaction could occur......but I cannot think I will go for any flap surgeries so its this or nothing....right now i cannot bear thought of anything as feel very damaged and still feel unwell
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So sorry Lilly, hope you feel better soon!
Unfortunately there is a risk of infection with any kind of breast surgery. The risk is higher for those who have had radiation, as the cells in that area are damaged - they cannot heal as quickly/repair as quickly nor fight off infection as easily (that is my basic understanding, but I'm not a doctor so I may not be 100% correct in my interpretation).
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THanks I have a lot of radiation necrosis but the first fat transfer helped a lot with rads damage and area was soft pre op.........
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I had fat grafting last month to the irradiated side. But the surgeon told me there would be a high risk of infection if he did fat grafting too close to the implant. So, he only did fat grafting around the edges. I'm glad he warned me before the surgery, though I wish the irradiated side could be made to feel like the other side. I'm not open to a flap procedure. Maybe surgeons will come up with another type of "softening" procedure in the years to come (hopefully safe and soon!).
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i dont have an implant as no room, my surgeon said i was his first problem /failure in 8 years
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Lily - Have you gone to another surgeon for a second opinion?
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No i consulted a few before but fat transfer is new here, i trust my surgeon who still texts me to see hiw i am, i think its my bidy i no longer trust, i am known as THEone who will get any oroblems going, depresses me, makes life extra difficult.
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Lily - I have had problems with the irradiated side. The surgeon pumped out the TE as far as possible, but the skin is very thin on that side, thanks to radiation. And the irradiated side is not soft like the other side.
But I do have a permanent, silicone implant there. Your surgeon sounds very caring, but do you think another surgeon would be able to give you an implant? Unless you don't want one... I wish I'd known about Brava and fat grafting at the beginning; I would've considered trying it, instead of having implants.
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i dont want an implant as i am hyper sensitive to so many substances and drugs, but i am thinking now about a lat dorsi first (although the skin is so tight i could have same problem) then fat to neaten it up but i dont know, still feeling rough. Right now i just want to crawl away and hide.
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Lily - I have had problems with the irradiated side, and the PS offered a lat dorsi flap. So, yes, that type of procedure might help you. (I just was not willing to go through it, which is why I had only an implant and fat grafting.)
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thanks am feeling really down at moment, it was meant to be a new start but instead i am in the pits again
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I have questions about fat grafting. Is Brava the only system for fat grafting? I had BMX in Oct. Was planning on no reconstruction and probably will stay with this decision. But am so unhappy about my chest. I don't look at it at all. I am going to consider getting my seromas removed and my BS said I could have revisions done. We were talking about filling in the craters.
But I wonder if I can they make new tiny breasts with fat without an implant? I don't think there are any Brava surgeons where I live. But my BS said one of her patients is getting fat injections, so I will try to call. Any suggestions??? I don't want an implant and DIEP seems way too invasive.
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you use Brava at home so its available anywhere....
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You can fat graft without Brava to create an entire breast - but less fat will be retained so you would most likely need more surgeries overall to accomplish the same volume.
Georgie - more and more surgeons are starting to do fat grafting to create an entire breast. If you browse fatgraftpatients.com you may find a surgeon close to your area, possibly.
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Dancetrancer- I checked the fat graft.com website. There are only 8 listed BRAVA surgeons. None anywhere near me. When I joined that site last year, I asked about surgeons and never got an answer.
Is there anywhere I can see the results of a breast created by fat injections? I know it is used to smooth out implants but want to see what is possible. The website says you have to post photos of yourself before you can view others. I do t feel comfortable doing that. My chest is very awful looking.
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You have to really follow all the stories to see that more surgeons are starting to do this. Even I can't keep track of it, and I'm an active participant. So I do understand. PM me if you want more info on pics.
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brava Is probably the biggest regret if my life! If you have a radiated breast, it may be your only option, but if you don't, please consider the many other options out there.
I have spent the last 8 months tied to this expensive, painful machine only to be told by the doctor that I'm not using it enough. I've undergone 3 fat transfers to get this "little mound" and just went through a major reduction on the other perfect Diep flap breast because I realize brava will never come close to matching it.
I had a week's break after this latest surgery before sticking the machine on again. My next surgery will be in 6-8 weeks and I'm stocking up on pain killers and totally eliminating my social life in an attempt to "stretch" enough.
In the meantime, my body is filled with fat grafting scars, I'm having lung problems from so many surgeries and my friends and family have had enough at being helpful (i went through this last surgery alone).
There are many, many options out there for those who haven't been radiated and they are being improved everyday. I have a friend who just went through a mastectomy and TEs and -- after only 4 months, she's almost done with natural looking and feeling (yes, she has feeling) gummy bear implants.
I have heard great things about dr. Ahn for those who have radiated breasts. If not, please consider other options.
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Fatgrafting with brava has done wonders for me. After enduring years of asymmetry, extensive scar tissue,iron bra syndrome and muscle damage--I am finally pain free , with good looking breasts and lipo in all the right places. Brava was a chore-but the post-opt was minimal. It did not interfere with my job, I just barely took a Tylenol during recovery. Was a good candidate for Diep-but the post-opt was just too much for me to consider. So happy to have been able to have Fatgrafting with brava. I finally feel normal again.
You can read my story, view photo's on the fatgraftpatients.com website. The best, Eileen
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