1. < Breast Cancer

Explanting: Looking for any fat grafting experience.

Posted by anjalima @anjalima, Dec 30, 2023

Unilateral mastectomy Feb 2022. Silicone implant and generally very pleased with cosmetic result. Worried about implant related complications so decided to explant. Not looking for flat aesthetic because I have one natural breast. Looking to hear about any experiences with fat grafting, post explant, to create something of a mound. Thank you.

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Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Jan 6 10:24am

Hello @anjalima I know you have been around connect for a while and always have great tips for others. I hate that this post has languished without comment.
I went and found a link for the one place I could think of you might find others that have this particular circumstance.
It is the discussion where many people talk about all the pros and cons of mastectomy and all kinds of reconstruction.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mastectomy-1/
I know there was another discussion where members were discussing explanting but I couldn’t find it.

REPLY
1 reply
anjalima | @anjalima | Jan 7 12:45am
In reply to @auntieoakley "Hello @anjalima I know you have been around connect for a while and always have great..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

Hello @anjalima I know you have been around connect for a while and always have great tips for others. I hate that this post has languished without comment.
I went and found a link for the one place I could think of you might find others that have this particular circumstance.
It is the discussion where many people talk about all the pros and cons of mastectomy and all kinds of reconstruction.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mastectomy-1/
I know there was another discussion where members were discussing explanting but I couldn’t find it.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your consideration. Much appreciated.

REPLY
cartersgirl2 | @cartersgirl2 | Jan 7 7:21am

Good morning. I had a bilateral mastectomy then I was trying to have implants but had infections that ultimately, after three months took surgery to get rid of. I then went to a natural breast reconstruction physician where I had a DIEP flap done. That surgeries a major surgery. About eight hours. When you have that done you still don’t have breast you have to have fat grafting done. They can only fat graft a little at a time so you still don’t feel or look like your self. I have had three sessions and still can’t find a bra that fit’s right or makes me look like I have breast, at least not to me. The challenge I find now is getting scheduled with the surgeon to get more done. They say you can go about every three months as that’s how long it takes to heal but the last time I tried it took from June to November Then my insurance company initially denied my surgery. I finally got that straightened out with the help of my Senator but I am still having trouble scheduling the fat grafting. I was told that their are women with active cancer who are priority which I totally understand but they do not do the cancer surgery they may do expanders etc. Keep in
mind the DIEP flap surgery is extremely expensive so the surgeon gets paid a lot. The fat grafting is only a small amount. I am not saying that’s what happens. I am just putting that out there. Good luck with whatever decision you make

REPLY
1 reply
anjalima | @anjalima | Jan 7 12:52pm
In reply to @cartersgirl2 "Good morning. I had a bilateral mastectomy then I was trying to have implants but had..." + (show)
@cartersgirl2

Good morning. I had a bilateral mastectomy then I was trying to have implants but had infections that ultimately, after three months took surgery to get rid of. I then went to a natural breast reconstruction physician where I had a DIEP flap done. That surgeries a major surgery. About eight hours. When you have that done you still don’t have breast you have to have fat grafting done. They can only fat graft a little at a time so you still don’t feel or look like your self. I have had three sessions and still can’t find a bra that fit’s right or makes me look like I have breast, at least not to me. The challenge I find now is getting scheduled with the surgeon to get more done. They say you can go about every three months as that’s how long it takes to heal but the last time I tried it took from June to November Then my insurance company initially denied my surgery. I finally got that straightened out with the help of my Senator but I am still having trouble scheduling the fat grafting. I was told that their are women with active cancer who are priority which I totally understand but they do not do the cancer surgery they may do expanders etc. Keep in
mind the DIEP flap surgery is extremely expensive so the surgeon gets paid a lot. The fat grafting is only a small amount. I am not saying that’s what happens. I am just putting that out there. Good luck with whatever decision you make

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Thank you. The DIEP flap is not an option for me … in my 70’s and aside from an ageism concept out there in The plastics world it’s just too much surgery for me at this juncture.

Thank you for your description of the lengthy prospect of fat grafting and results . Much appreciated.

I hope you get the result you are looking for. This journey is not for the faint of heart nor mind!

REPLY
vicsmit | @vicsmit | Jan 8 1:30pm

My daughter recently had an explant so I asked for her input to your question. It is as follows: I would recommend a doctor that does a lot of fat grafts and uses a safe and small removal needle so that the fat is harvested well and replaced in a healthy manner otherwise I have heard of cases where the fat will necrosis and cause hard deposits in the breast. I had a fat graft after my explant and have been very happy with the results. I can not tell you how much fat stayed as I had my implants for almost 20 years and don't remember the look I had before but some fat may dissolve after which is another reason to invest in a good doctor. This is a straightforward and easy procedure to recover from. You will be more sore in the areas the fat was harvested/removed from then your breast after. I went to Dr. Whitfield in Austin, TX.

REPLY
2 replies
anjalima | @anjalima | Jan 8 5:13pm
In reply to @vicsmit "My daughter recently had an explant so I asked for her input to your question. It..." + (show)
@vicsmit

My daughter recently had an explant so I asked for her input to your question. It is as follows: I would recommend a doctor that does a lot of fat grafts and uses a safe and small removal needle so that the fat is harvested well and replaced in a healthy manner otherwise I have heard of cases where the fat will necrosis and cause hard deposits in the breast. I had a fat graft after my explant and have been very happy with the results. I can not tell you how much fat stayed as I had my implants for almost 20 years and don't remember the look I had before but some fat may dissolve after which is another reason to invest in a good doctor. This is a straightforward and easy procedure to recover from. You will be more sore in the areas the fat was harvested/removed from then your breast after. I went to Dr. Whitfield in Austin, TX.

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for this information. So appreciated.

REPLY
anjalima | @anjalima | Jan 8 6:33pm
In reply to @vicsmit "My daughter recently had an explant so I asked for her input to your question. It..." + (show)
@vicsmit

My daughter recently had an explant so I asked for her input to your question. It is as follows: I would recommend a doctor that does a lot of fat grafts and uses a safe and small removal needle so that the fat is harvested well and replaced in a healthy manner otherwise I have heard of cases where the fat will necrosis and cause hard deposits in the breast. I had a fat graft after my explant and have been very happy with the results. I can not tell you how much fat stayed as I had my implants for almost 20 years and don't remember the look I had before but some fat may dissolve after which is another reason to invest in a good doctor. This is a straightforward and easy procedure to recover from. You will be more sore in the areas the fat was harvested/removed from then your breast after. I went to Dr. Whitfield in Austin, TX.

Jump to this post

May I ask what cup size did you realize after explant and how many fat grafts were required? I’m unilateral C cup and not looking to match but to have some mound ( that I can enhance with padding when needed).

I looked up your doc and very impressed with reviews. I’m NY metro area but willing to travel for the right medical/surgical care.

Thank you

REPLY
1 reply
vicsmit | @vicsmit | Jan 9 12:18pm
In reply to @anjalima "May I ask what cup size did you realize after explant and how many fat grafts..." + (show)
@anjalima

May I ask what cup size did you realize after explant and how many fat grafts were required? I’m unilateral C cup and not looking to match but to have some mound ( that I can enhance with padding when needed).

I looked up your doc and very impressed with reviews. I’m NY metro area but willing to travel for the right medical/surgical care.

Thank you

Jump to this post

Here is my daughters reply, wishing you much success: Before explant I was a c/d after I am a b/c depending on the brand. I only had 1 graft and am very pleased with it. I would highly recommend my doctor. He used to work with cancer patients and I trust his expertise.

REPLY
anjalima | @anjalima | Jan 9 12:30pm

Thank you! I’m so happy you are happy with your results. I’m definitely looking into your doc if my plastic surgeon is not able to do this.

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