POSTED UNDER Breast Fat Transfer REVIEWS
Fat Transfer to Breast...Very Nervous but Mind is Made Up! - Florida
ORIGINAL POST
Hi everyone, First of all, I love this...
fattransfergirlAugust 3, 2012
$6,800
Hi everyone,
First of all, I love this website. I think plastic surgery gets a bad reputation, but I've never understood why anyone would criticize someone for making a personal decision to improve their self-image. I have uneven breasts. I have had them since age 14, when they grew in. It always bothered me, but it has really affected me recently. I'm a "late-bloomer" and my breasts grew from barely-As to small Cs at the end of high school. (Well, small C and small B, since they're asymmetrical). That's when the difference really began to stand out to me. I can't fit properly into bras and certain bathing suits are just embarrassing. My family never noticed, because I hide it well, but when I pointed it out they couldn't help but admit that yes, I did have uneven breasts.
I find I'm super self-conscious at the best of times, and other times I dread dating etc. because I don't want to have to take my top off. I just don't want to live like this! I'm 19, almost 20. I'm young and I like the rest of my body/my personality. I want to be confident and enjoy my youth!
After lots of research on my options, I began visiting surgeons. The first few said they wanted to do breast implants. Impulsively, I signed up for surgery with one of them. After really thinking it over, I decided breast implants were not for me and I was rushing into my decision. I didn't want potential harassment from other girls my age when they noticed my augmentation. Also, I was happy with my larger breast in relation to my frame. I canceled the surgery and kept on researching.
I kept reading about fat transfer, but it sounded really iffy and risky. And it is a new, somewhat unpredictable procedure. It sounded so perfect otherwise that I decided to make a consult. I met my doctor and I really liked him. He was very honest with me. He said it should work, but walked me through risks--lumps in the breast (which he can treat, and less than 20% of patients get them), irregularities from the lipo, and fat reabsorption.
I'm most worried about the reabsorption. This is a costly procedure that I will be paying my parents back for. If the fat completely reabsorbs, I will be devastated! I will eventually get breast implants if that happens, but I will have to live with the un-eveness again til I have the funds for that, and oh boy do I not want to.
Just to be clear, I have what I believe are reasonable expectations. I don't expect my breasts to match exactly. (What woman's do?) But I would be so happy if they were the same cup size, or even within a half a cup size of one another! I want to feel normal, fit into a bra and bikini properly, and feel better about myself overall.
I will not be using BRAVA. The doctor will use traditional lipo. The doctor uses the technique where they supercharge your fat with your own stem cells/plasma. He uses the micro-droplet technique and distributes the fat in layers to provide for better survival.
I will be having the surgery during Christmas break (I'm in college).
I would love to hear from anyone who went through this. I'd also be happy to talk to anyone considering it.
I will continue to update you, and I plan to give a detailed description of the surgery and post-surgery experience.
UPDATED FROM fattransfergirl
I have made the decision to cancel this procedure,...
fattransfergirlNovember 9, 2012
I have made the decision to cancel this procedure, and get implants instead. It is not a decision I have made lightly. My doc doesn't use the BRAVA system, which makes me nervous. I cannot afford Dr. Khouri, who seems to be the man for this kind of surgery. I am a thin girl, as you can see, and I am worried about irregularities from liposuction when there is so little fat to begin with. My surgeon was unable to reassure me on that front. Furthermore, I'm concerned about my doctor himself. I've been kind of "stalking" him online these past few months, and he seems like a pretty brusque, arrogant guy. And has a fair amount of negative reviews. I'm young, I can't afford multiple fat transfers at this price, and the fat could easily reabsorb.
Implants are a lot more reliable. I'm not thrilled with the idea of having "fake" boobs, but I have found a doctor who gives pretty natural results. Eventually, perhaps in my 30s or 40s when I hopefully have more disposable income and am married etc, I will surely have my implants removed and try fat transfer, which will probably be a standardized, accepted procedure by then.
I just wish I were born even! All this stress for something so ridiculous. Women who are even but just happen to have small breasts, unless you are flat, I wouldn't touch perfection! I love my small boobs. They just have minds of their own! I can't stand them being this lopsided my whole life, so I will change them. Just wish I were normal. :( Feel free to contact me if you have questions about my new procedure or about fat grafting, I've done hundreds of hours of research on both, and I also know a fair bit about congenital asymmetry. Here is a link to my new review, on breast implants:
http://www.realself.com/review/florida-breast-augmentation-improve-breast-asymmetry
All the best to everyone.
Replies (70)
November 10, 2012
I think you are beautiful just the way you are! Seriously. I did not even notice your difference between your breasts until I read it. Your nipples line up. You really do look great just the way you are.
November 22, 2012
Thanks, that's kind of you. I really think it is quite noticeable, though.
November 14, 2012
I had the fat lipo/transfer procedure. the lipo did leave me with a lot of extra loose skin. I'm different than you in that i had 2 kids before embarking on the fat lipo/transfer procedure. i just got.a tummy tuck to help correct some of my skin issues. i have some still on my back from the flank lipo. That said, the fat transfer worked. i had one breast a full cup size larger than the other. now they are both the same. the other issue though, due to the fat transfer, i have some calcification in my breast tissue. i had to get a biopsy of it to confirm it was from the transfer... it was and its benign, but that is a side effect that can occur with the fat transfer...
November 14, 2012
fyi- i was in a study of this procedure through Georgetown University Hospital. the study was in part to see if the fat survived, but also to see what changes occurred in the breast due to the fat injections. what has been found is an increase in these "benign calcifications" which are indicative of damage done to tissue due to the needle as well as fat necrosis. nothing dangerous, just could lead to unnecessary biopsies after mammograms...
November 22, 2012
Thanks WildOrchids, I've read articles about similar studies. Nice to hear the grafting worked for you, even if you ended up with some extra skin from the lipo.
November 26, 2012
WildOrchids, did you have micro fat grafting or did you use the Brava system. I am having fat grafting done after the first of the year. I am planning on doing the Brava system. My ps said we could do just micro fat grafting but it would take a few sessions. I'm not sure how many cc of fat they can inject at one time without using brava. Any info you can pass along my way I would appreciate it.
November 27, 2012
Hello! My experience was good with the lipo & fat transfer. I think I did a micro transfer, I know I didn't do that crazy bravo system! It was kind of wierd the way it all happened for me, I was looking into any clinical trials for something else and I came across this fat transfer/breast aug clinical trial at Georgetown University. I thought this would be interesting, I had always wanted lipo to get rid of these love handles I could NEVER escape from and my breasts were a little saggy, one was a full cup size larger than the other. Anyway, it was a long procedure because fat harvesting for this takes a long time. Afterwards I was pretty swollen and sore. My breasts were huge! I loved them! They went down quickly though but I was left with breasts that were improved compared to before. They are fuller so stretch marks are less noticable. They are symetrical (for the most part) and look more perky because of the fat placement. In fact, while I was looking into the tummy tuck I was asking about a breast lift or implant at the same time and was told my breasts were beautiful and perfectly placed so I didn't need to do anything. So, all in all I am happy I did it. I did have that abnormal mammogram which resulted in an unnecessary biopsy and the lipo left me with some sagging skin that I'm still dealing with. However, I dropped several sizes and I more closely resemble my pre-baby body now!
Good luck!
November 16, 2012
Hey FatTransferGirl, please please please don't get breasts implants! I had breast implants in 2007, i was 20 at the time and i was very self conscious and insecure about my body. i took the procedure for granted. for a couple of years I loved the breasts and got compliments from everyone. they looked kinda natural. i was getting a lot more attention from men and i felt great about my body. but now i'm suffering from capsular contracture in my right breast. and its horrible. it looks deformed and the thing is my doctor didn't warn me from complications and i thought they were rare. but they happen to all women with breast implants! all women eventually suffer from a complication: leaking, capsular contracture, bottoming out..etc... now i don't make my boyfriend touch them because they feel like so disgusting. like a hard plastic bag with a hole in it. i'm afraid to feel them. thing is right now i'm considering removing my implants or replacing them, i can't stand the idea of opening up my chest with a knife again. and i'm so scared that i'll be left with sagging skin and won't be able to go back to my once beautiful small perky boobs. and i'm afraid to do the fat transfer because i don't want to end up with lumps in my breasts. i'm scared of replacing the implants because i don't want to ruin my breast tissue more than i already did. i noticed stretch marks on my breasts and i guess that means i lost elasticity and natural breast tissue. its such a glamorized surgery and plastic surgeons make it sound so easy. but its not. its a lifetime commitment! if i get a replacement that means that i will never be able to go natural again. and will have to go under the knife every 10 years or so for the rest of my life. Now i believe that only women with breast cancer should get breast implants. that's the reason they were made for in the first place. It feels horrible to have a deformed foreign body under your skin. Please wait until they make more research about fat grafting and it becomes a safe procedure. Until then i think you should try other non-surgical options because you are so young and your breasts and so perky and beautiful. and the difference between your 2 breasts is very very very minimal. maybe half a cup. I hear that the BRAVA is good for minimal breast enhancement. which is all you need. http://www.realself.com/question/is-brava-breast-enhancement-system-scam (read the doctors comments). maybe you can wear it on one breast or something when you go to sleep until you get that half a cup you need on your breast. I heard its successful in producing breast tissue. try it before you consider drastic life altering surgical options. I hope you make the right decision. and please don't worry about what men think. if a man truly loves you and appreciates you he will absolutely looooove the asymmetry :) and he will think that its a very unique and beautiful physical attribute. take care and good luck! :)
November 22, 2012
Thanks so much for your sweet comments and advice. I promise you, I have done lots and lots of research on breast implants. I am aware of all of the potential complications. BRAVA seems cumbersome and difficult, and results are usually minimal and temporary. To me, it is worth it to give implants a try, and if after 10 or 15 years I really hate them, fat transfer should be better developed and maybe I can have them removed and do the grafting instead. Thanks again for your concern...your thoughts have not fallen on deaf ears; but I have made my decision after thorough research and contemplation.
November 26, 2012
Hi fattransfergirl,
I just wanted to jump in and say that if you do get implanted and god forbid, end up with CC- there is hope. But just remember the odds are fairly low that you will get it. I am one of the unlucky few and actually did get it in my left breast but instead of a straight capsulectomy to fix, some docs will also use strattice. My doc says his recurrence rate is less than 1 %. Of all the capsulectomies he's done with Strattice, he's had zero recurrences. I can totally imagine that you are dying to get evened out so I just wanted you to know about that as a potential solution for that complication. Most others are fixable. Just make sure you have a great doc with NO bad reviews. I am glad you are running from this one! Good move!
November 27, 2012
Oh and btw, not EVERYone gets issues from BA. I know quite a few people who have not and are quite happy they had the BA done.
November 27, 2012
scappy37 stop encouraging a teenager to stick plastic bags into her chest! she doesn't need it. she's gorgeous. i did when i was her age and it was the biggest mistake of my life. I wish i had someone to tell me i was going to face complications. there is a very high chance she will eventually have complications. and very rare cases people will not have complications. its a very glamorized surgery and they make it look simple. I live in the middle east, and i will have to travel to the States to be explanted by surgeon Edward Melmed who's very famous for explanting women. I will spend a fortune just to be able to go back to the way my breasts were before. that's all i wish for. Only women with breast cancer should have implants. they were made for them in the first place.
November 27, 2012
Perfectionist,
I am not encouraging her to "stick plastic bags in her chest" but I want her to be informed that not everyone hates them as you are wont to paint a picture of. It is her decision to make, and she is the one that needs to research all of the good, bad and the ugly. Your facts are not facts and do not apply to everyone. Some people never have any issues and are completely happy with them, some have issues and are still happy to have them. The opinion of "Only women who had breast cancer should have implants" is strictly that. Your opinion. I will tell people both sides, not just that they are "good." There is nothing wrong with my advice or suggestions to people and I will continue to make them. If you don't like what I have to say, then you can ignore my posts. Women on this site are smart enough to make their own decisions.
December 1, 2012
Scrappy, thank you for your advice. I think perfectionist467 is trying to help, but I find she is being rather condescending (and hostile). I may be young, but I am 100% confident that I am making the right decision for ME. I am very unhappy with uneven breasts, and I have done half a year of intensive research. I am aware of possible complications. I have picked a respected surgeon. I have consulted with my gynecologist, family doctor and parents.
I have researched BRAVA, fat transfer, and implants. Implants are the most practical and reliable choice for me right now, besides doing nothing. I wouldn't be happy doing nothing, so I am getting implants.
Throughout my research, I have discovered that yes, complications can and do occur with implants. I'm not naive. I don't expect implants to last a lifetime. I've also thoroughly perused the explant section of RealSelf. It seems to me that most of the women there have
a.) had implants for 20+ years, enjoyed them and are ready to have them out
b.) rushed into a decision, and were unaware of complications etc. Then they are alarmed when they experience issues. This could be avoided with proper planning.
c.) experienced complications and didn't want to deal with fixing them, decided to just have implants removed
c.) got implants to build confidence, when really they could have done with a good therapist.
Perhaps perfectionist467 falls into the latter category.
I am not rushing into this. I do not have self-esteem issues. I love my body, I like myself, and my breasts are my only source of frustration and inhibition.
Honestly, anyone who says that I am "beautiful the way I am" needs to check out my photo again. Yes, I believe I am beautiful, but my breasts are very obviously uneven, and I don't like it. I shouldn't have to live with a marked physical flaw if I don't want to. I am blessed in that I am healthy and uneven breasts are my only issue. Luckily, I have the resources and desire to fix them, and I will do what makes me happy.
I would also note that I have spoken to dozens of women who love their implants, have had no issues, and would go through the whole process again in a heartbeat.
Sorry for my tangent. To conclude, thank you perfectionist467 for your concern. I assure you that I am making a rational, adult decision, and it is my final decision.
Thank you scrappy37 for your kind words and good luck with the CC issue.
December 1, 2012
fattransfergirl, I can relate to everything you just said. I am alot older than you and had the same issues with my breasts as you do. No one will understand how you feel with 2 different sized breasts unless they are that way themselves. Which I am. At the age of 26 I opted for implants to correct my breasts. I had a bad experience with my first set of implants. Within a year I formed hard capsules and both implants had to be replaced. Once they were replaced I couldn't have been happier. I loved my new EVEN breasts. They stayed soft and normal for alot of years, a good 20 years. They were just removed on 7/6/2012, 30 years to they day after they were put in. The last 8 - 10 years was when capsular contraction started again. I can't complain since I had them all those years. For me at this stage of my life I decided to have them removed. But naturally I have uneven breasts again, so as you know I am doing the Brava after the 1st of the year. Even at my age I want to feel comfortable with breast that are the same size. Check with your health insurance they may cover the cost of your implants. Insurance paid 100% of my implant surgery. It depends on how your ps sumitts it to the insurance (this has to been done before the ba) . I also would never tell anyone to get implants. But I've been in your shoes and I know exactly how you feel. Lots of luck with your surgery. Hope all goes will for you. Do you have a date scheduled yet.
December 1, 2012
wow fattransfergirl. thank you for saying that i need a therapist. that was very hurtful. I was only trying to spare someone else the physical and mental pain and suffering which i am experiencing now. condescending? no. maybe i care more than others do. A condescending person is someone who would judge u for being shallow for having breast implants and preach about beauty being from inside and all that. I am speaking out of my own personal experience and other friends who suffered different complications. I have the implants inside me now. they look great underneath clothes. but they are making me sick and miserable. i have CC too and some rippling and it hurts when i try to hug my friends and family. I hate implants and i always will do my best to help women avoid them and look for alternatives to achieve what they're looking for. I did my research too when i was your age thought i had it all figured out, when u experience the side effects yourself trust me its a whole different thing. i loved my body too before the implants, i thought i'll be more proportionate with one size bigger, because i'm very tall and very skinny, but i was so wrong. i love everything about myself expect my implants so no i don't have confidence issues. you don't know me to judge me. well good luck with it. I hope you will be happy with whatever decision you make.
December 2, 2012
@Fattransfergirl: I am glad to hear that you have been doing your research! And that you go into this knowing all about the good, the bad, and the ugly. I am just happy to hear that you are informed . Good luck and keep us posted =)
@BeagleBaby: So sorry to hear about your CC! But I am glad to hear that you at least got to enjoy them for some time. If it all doesnt work out, and you wish you could get implants again, check into implants with strattice. My doc (and others) endorse this practice in reducing the recurrence rate to less than 1%. My PS personally has not had ANY recurrences when he uses this technique. Sadly, it IS expensive. I just wanted you to know that it may be an option if you find yourself wanting them again. I have CC in my left breast and plan to get this technique done on it. I had also considered explant but will try this first as I only had them in 4 months before being diagnosed, boo! Lol. Right side is completely fine though, thank God! I will keep people posted on my review when I get that surgery done b/c if it really works, I think a lot of ladies would like to know that. Hopefully I will get it done within the year.
Anyways, Good luck ladies and I hope you are enjoying your holidays!
December 3, 2012
Dear Beaglebaby1, I totally agree that no one "gets" what is like to have uneven breasts unless they are also asymmetrical. It's no fun! I did talk to my PS about having insurance cover the surgery, but he said that while they would probably have covered it in years past, with the present economy it is highly unlikely unless one breast never developed at all or unless one is very large and causes back pain.
I really hope everything goes well with BRAVA etc. I would love to hear how your results turn out! I think that for now, implants are my best option, but I will certainly be happy to have them removed and do fat transfer in 10, 15 years if I feel like the procedure has come a long way.
I do have a surgery date...Dec. 27th, I created a review under another account. I did a lot of research and found an excellent surgeon...he has no negative reviews online, and I just felt really comfortable with him.
I know CC is a common and unsettling complication...I'm sorry you had to go through it twice!! I am lucky in that I am young enough that my parents will be able to pay for any revision surgeries if they are necessary in the next couple of years. After that, I am on my own, but I plan to create a fund once I start working so that I have money saved up for inevitable future surgeries.
Again, thanks for your sweet comments and best of luck!! It is almost January!!
December 3, 2012
Good luck, scrappy37! I've read your review in the past and I sympathize with you. I hope the strattice works out. I have read good things about it.
November 27, 2012
FatTransferGirl - just wanted to mention that the fat grafting I had done did correct my asymmetry! Also, while I was being evaluated for my TT, I asked the doc what he thought about my breasts, if I should maybe do some kind of lift or something. He measured everything and told me they were perfectly proportioned. Nothing at all had to be done. I would say though, I don't see where you have any fat to do a fat aug!
December 4, 2012
That's great, who was your doctor for fat grafting? I think for now implants are my best option. They are cheaper and more tested. Yes, I don't seem to have much fat for grafting. That's why I'm worried about sagging skin/dimpling. I don't have great skin elasticity, I think, because I have a lot of stretch marks on my thighs from puberty and even some on my larger breast (they've faded to silver so hard to see in my pic). I've read that young women like me, with dense, fibrous breasts that have never been stretched out for breastfeeding, etc, and then to add insult to injury with poor skin elasticity, are unlikely to have good results with grafting. Honestly if I thought I would have good results at this time with grafting I would for sure do it!! No question. Who wouldn't want to be all natural? I am hoping that eventually, when I need to replace my implants, fat grafting will be a better option for me. Thanks for your helpful comments!
December 3, 2012
Hi sweet girl, please don't get implants, I just had mine removed, now a week later I have to go back because my muscle are damaged, and that in just 2 years. I am thinking to get fat graft, but its costly and I just had wasted so much money on the implants. If there is any way of not getting them, then don't!
December 4, 2012
Hi Lia, unfortunately, I think implants are the best option to correct my asymmetry for now. My plan is to keep them in for as long as they last (which of course is not forever!), and then to try fat grafting when it is time to replace them. Right now, fat grafting is not a tried and true method and is a lot more risky than getting implants. Lots of women have reported lumps and cysts in their breasts from calcified, dead fat. Most of the fat tends to reabsorb. It is also very costly. Another issue is that I am very slender so aggressive liposuction could leave dimples and sagging skin (as a result of removing too much fat). I would recommend you do a lot of research on fat grafting if you do decide to do it, especially because I wouldn't want you to go through another bad surgical experience! My guess is that in 5-10 years fat grafting will be a lot more reliable. Doctors like Dr. Khouri in Miami are making great strides. What is the doc doing about the muscle damage? I am sorry you have to go through that, best wishes to you and stay strong!
December 4, 2012
Good info to know on the fat transfer! I didnt know about the dead fat calcifying. Eww.
December 4, 2012
Thank you for your reply, sound like an very open, honest and smart girl :)
I only wrote that to you because, one day I was working ( I am a seamstress) and woman was in, I fitted her clothing, and what she said to me, we talked about implants she had had removed, she said to "...don't get them, please don't do that..." and today I wish I would have listened to her. Implants feel bad in the body, every move you can feel them, going to bed, they are present, and uncomfortable, I felt fat and fake....but I, from all my heart, wish you all the best. I am going to have my muscle cut apart, so the lower part will be not attached to the upper part of my muscles anymore, I was very strong before, now I lost a lot of it, and probably going to loose even more. My PS said its the only way to fix it. Thank you for your good wishes, I am staying happy, because i am me again, and that is to me most important. Good luck to you, and if you like keep me updated.
December 8, 2012
Yes, it's gross. I saw a review on here and a girl said she got peach sized, permanent lumps in her breast. This from a highly regarded surgeon in Boston. I figured that with implants, any issues were at least fixable, or in a worst case scenario I could have the implants removed. Fat transfer is somehow more permanent, which would be devastating in case of an issue. Also, I hear that even if for the first year or two you have no problem, these lumps from calcifications can still randomly form. Yikes.
December 18, 2012
Hi, I am having my imlants removed and replaced with fat transfer in a few weeks , I will let you know how it goes
Replies (37)