fat transfer
unknown
Member Posts: 45 ✭
Hi there, has anyone tried fat transfer for breast reconstruction ? is it a possible alternative ?
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Yep, i have had fat filling, was done in January, they liposuctioned it from where i didnt want it & put it where i did .... my boobs!!!! I am having more in April then I reckon Im done....2
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hi unknown!
i have only read about this incidentally, because I just had fat graft as part of an implant reconstruction. From what I gather it is not a very common practice. You also need fairly significant fat stores because the body reabsorbs fat. It is very common to have fat graft with recon though.
sorry I don't know anything more!
jen0 -
thanks Jen, interesting that you can have fat transfer / graft with a reconstruction. I didn't realisethat the body reasbsorbs the fat. I hope all went well. Marion0
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Hi Cate.... thanks for your reply. did you have only fat transfer for your reconstruction or was it a part of your reconstruction? were you happy with it? my first reconstruction was using tissue from my stomach, so I can't use my stomach. and fat transfer would mean less surgery and of course less recovery time.... Marion0
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@unknown if you want more specific answers you could join the Breast Reconstruction group ... http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/1-choosing-breast-reconstruction they have lots of information in there.
@mum2jj might also know some ladies who can answer this question.
Alice0 -
thanks Alice I check out the breast reconstruction group and yes, if you know any ladies who may know, the more I know the better decisions I can make, Marion0
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@unknown Im 3 weeks post left Mastectomy and Diep Flap reconstruction, Im confused as isnt this a fat transfer?? they took my nipple and about 2 inch diameter around that again due to radiation damage and lumpectomy scarring, took the breast tissue out and filled my breast with stomach fat and the disc is stomach skin. Its actually quite amazing, cant wait for it to continue to settle and my revision where I get it tweaked and my right breast lift to match, then the bonus was a tummy tuck, I now have a flat stomach LOL. Hugs Melinda xo0
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Hi thank for your replies. I understand that there is reconstruction using tissue which I have had eg stomach tissue for reconstruction but fat transfer is where they inject fat from eg thighs / hips & re-inject into the breast or anywhere you want an area filled. Its big in america. Marion0
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@unknown, yes, that is what I had, the Northern Hospital has adopted this practice with their new Plastics Breast Surgeon Richard Zen...
Let me tell you,I think its great, in January they lipo'd my hips & inner thighs to fill my right one up a bit, I will have to have another go, which at this stage is set for April. but I reckon after this one, I will finally be able to say, yes, they are as close to the same size as you will get them.
It has been quite a journey thats so far been going on 9 years but now, since this new fat filling way it will be, fingers crossed, all good within 3 months of meeting the new surgeon.0 -
We have had one member @Krooz who is undergoing this type of reconstruction. Hopefully she will see this post and let you know how she got on. She has actually commented on this old post I found on fat grafting. The post may be one in choosing breast Reconstuction group so you can only read it if you are a member. If you aren't a member here is the link. Also the link to info from reclaim your curves website on fat grafting
all the best.
Paula
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Hi @unknown and everyone posting on the fat grafting topic. There are different tissue transfer options being discussed above: 1) tissue flap reconstruction which involves surgical transferring of tissue from one area of the body to another (eg stomach, thighs, back or buttock as most common). In this procedure there will be micro-surgery to connect a blood supply to the new tissue to keep it alive. Sometimes muscle is transferred in addition to the fat tissue. 2) Lipo-filling for women who've had some form of reconstruction who then subsequently also have a small amount of fat grafting to fill up dents or to even out the breasts. Lipo-filling and can be used alongside all types of reconstruction. 3) Full reconstruction with a fat grafting through a liposuction technique (not surgical). This is quite rare in Australia but common in the US and France.
@unknown I think you are asking about the third option. I am currently undergoing this procedure - a full reconstruction with fat grafting only. There are risks to it, just as there are with all the other reconstruction options - that the fat will die or be re-absorbed or infection etc. Large amounts of fat stores are not necessarily required. Part of the reason I am doing this procedure is because I do not have enough tummy fat for a straight DIEP flap procedure, I would have to have a stacked DIEP and that is a longer more complicated procedure.
If you have had a flap reconstruction which has not taken, there should be an option for a fat graft procedure if you have fat in your buttock, thighs, love handles etc. I have found only 4 plastic surgeons who are doing this procedure for a full reconstruction, one in Sydney, the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Melbourne. If you are interested I can pass on the details.
But please be aware that this is not covered by Medicare - because there is not a lot of long-term research Medicare has not accepted it as a viable reconstruction option. Parts of it can be claimed but the overall fat-grafting may not be claimed. This is part of the reason not many PS do the procedure. The other reason is because as someone mentioned above, the some of the fat will be reabsorbed, and the risk is that all is reabsorbed. However, I see this risk similar to a flap procedure not 'taking'.
I am early in the reconstruction. They do this by grafting small amounts over a series of 3-5 procedures. I have had one procedure and will have the second in May. Happy to answer other questions. K0 -
Hi Krooz, thank you for your response and yes it is the 3rd option - fat transfer or fat grafting for a full reconstruction, there is a surgeon in Melbourne who does fat grafting I will be seeing him in May, Yes, I would like the name of the plastic surgeon you know in Melbourne, might be better to see someone who is recommended. Krooz, is this your first reconstruction? I had a reconstruction using my stomach tissue which was ok, but for a second reconstruction they would use the tissue from my back which I'm not so keen on. I have no idea of the cost of fat transfer, I'm assuming the surgeon will give me a quote at my initial consultation. I was out of pocket (even with private health insurance) for my first reconstruction. Getting sick is so expensive... I assume recovery time, pain etc would be a lot less with fat transfer / grafting. You mentioned you've had one procedure, can you see the difference in either your breast or the area where they took the fat? Did it take? Are you happy with result so far? Did you stay overnight or was it a day procedure? Did you have the procedure in a public hospital, private hospital or boutique hospital? Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. cheers, Marion0
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HI Cate, 9 years is a long time - wonderful news that with the your new surgeon its now working out for you, well done. Marion
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Can you tell me which state the Northern Hospital is in eg Melbourne, Sydney?
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