Rippling and Fat Grafting?

I had a double mastectomy and will be replacing my expanders with silicone implants under the muscle. I am 5'7, 138 lbs, have thin skin and was a 34C. I want to remain a 34C and was told that 350cc would be about the equivalent size. Several threads mention fat grafting for rippling but don't know whether it's necessary at this time and I can't tell whether it is effective for avoiding ripples. I need feedback on whether I should consider this procedure before I head to surgery.

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C cup rippling 5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 7 in silicone implant 130-149 lbs double mastectomy expander replacement

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by BaileyGirl

Doctor Answers (8)
Community Comments (1)

Rippling and Fat Grafting?

Fat grafting is a treatment for rippling when and if it occurs. I gather from your question that you do not have rippling at this time. In this setting, the fat grafting does have hazards and no real benefits. I would proceed with the expansion, and observe the size that is most appealing to you as the expansion proceeds. That will help you and your surgeon determine the best implant size, and this may not be the same as the pre-expansion choice.j Thanks for your... more

Fat grafting and the second stage breast reconstruction.

Fat grafting can be a very powerful contouring technique in breast reconstruction. The use of fat grafting in the second stage can improve skin flap thickness, depressed upper poles, and soften the transition of the medial and lateral breast. Rippling in breast reconstruction is due to thin flaps and/or an enlarged pocket. Decreasing the pocket size and thickening the flaps with fat works very well. This can be performed either at the second stage or in a tertiary procedure. more

David Bogue, MD

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Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Fat graft timing

Go ahead with the implant placement and allow your skin to heal around the implant. Once your tissues have settled into place, then you should be evaluated for any contour enhancement with fat grafting being one of those options that is suitable to address rippling if it indeed develops.

Fat Grafting after Implant Breast Reconstruction

When considering Autologous Fat Grafting, it is better to wait several months after placement of the permanent implants for breast reconstruction. Time will diminish any potential swelling and allow the expanded skin to contract around the new implants. Once you have fully recovered, and if rippling does develop later, your surgeon will be able to target the "problem areas" on the new breasts with fat grafts. If needed, sometimes fat grafting can be done at the same time as the nipple... more

Fat grafting during breast reconstruction

If you are having significant rippling during the tissue expander phase and your skin envelope is very thin and stretched out, then consider fat grafting before placement of permanent silicone gel implant. The amount of fat that can be grafted may be very limited but can and have shown to improve skin envelope quality and thickness which will diminish the rippling even after your implant is placed. Another option is use of acelluar dermal matrix such as Strattice or Alloderm to place in... more

Fat grafting and rippling

Over the past several years, many plastic surgeons are increasingly using fat grafting techniques. These techniques are great to help improve contour irregularities, including rippling, after breast reconstruction. Since you have not had your tissue expander removal and implant placement yet, I would suggest that you wait on the fat grafting. Have your tissue expander exchanged for the implant; after this procedure, you will better be able to assess your results and whether... more

Do not undergo fat grafting.

You should have determined final implant size at some intermediate stage during your expansion, at which time you could be pretty close to choosing implants at or near the volume you had in your expanders at that point. Now, hopefully, after over-expansion for several months to allow the myofibroblast activity to be reduced in your maturing scar capsule around your expanders, you are ready for the exchange to silicone gel implants. 350cc should add just under 1 1/2 cup sizes, so you will... more

Fat grafting after mastectomy

I am glad to hear that you are doing well. Fat grafting is the cutting edge of reconstructive breast sugery at this time. I do not do it at the same time as the implant exchange. That is a third stage procedure for me. The implants feel and look a lot different than the expanders. Allow healing after your second procedure before you make any more decisions.

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BaileyGirl 24 Oct 2012

Thanks to all for the responses. My surgeon had suggested fat grafting at the same time as the implants but I have decided to delay that procedure. I agree that I should let the implants settle and then see whether I will need additional surgery.

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