Implant Removal with Fat Transfer - Huntington Beach, CA

Hi, I was not advised to use brava prior to my transfer, even though there are studies that show that using the brava device can result in 82% of the graft "taking" as opposed to the standard 50%. My dr did the transfer at the same time as the graft. I've been told by 3 experts in the field that they would not do this because to do so would (and did) compromise that fat graft. Dr A attempted to sell me PRP injections to "revitalize" the fat. I told him that he was nuts if he thought I was giving him another dime. When I told him I was going to get the injections for free or I was going to post pics of my results he gave them to me for free. The injections helped to tighten the skin, but they did not revitalize the fat as he claimed they would. If this dr offered a free transfer to me I would not take it. I would not let him put his hands on me again. 10 months later I have pencil eraser sized scars in ten places that are dark purple and indented (from the lipo). He did not sew the lipo site shut. He just left it open to scar. There are embarrassing contour irregularities on both thighs. I'm back at square one and looking for another dr to fix his mistakes.

Bella, I am very sorry this happened to you. I have experience horrific medical care from several docs (not for this procedure) but I know what you are feeling. I am scheduled for 4/11. I was so worried about doctors that I found a girl on line who went to this doc & asked to meet her to see the results in person & her scars, etc b/c I was so afraid. I also found a girl who created her own web page called project alice. You could google it. I considered going to her doctor in MN but so far & so I decided to stay here in MD. The girl here & the girl in MN as well as some ladies on here have had some good results at almost 1 year now so I am hopeful. This is definitely an emerging procedure but you are right that I think the most important piece is the quality of care of the doctor. Have you talked to Lauren Greenberg? I spoke to her on a phone interview & she is in CA where you are? She seemed like a real straight shooter, has training from Roger Khouri and knew alot about Brava but too far for me to go. Have you read Beagle Baby's post? She had implants and her doc had her wait 6 mths to heal after removing them before beginning Brava. I had read about your doc in my research & he has some really, really bad reviews. I am very sorry for this. I truly feel your anguish after experiencing more than one bad doctor in my life & having them alter my life against my will.

I am considering Dr. Greenberg and Dr. Placik at this point, but I will be looking into other drs as well. I would like to stay in California, but the most important thing to me is to get a good result, so I'm willing to travel. Thank you for the research pointers, I will definitely look into them. I hope you have a great outcome: fingers crossed for you!!

Thanks for saying that Bella! As I sit here in my Brava bra looking like Dolly Parton, I sure hope so! I hope you find a new doctor that is good. Let us know who you choose and I am feeling hopeful that you will have a better outcome this time. Maybe you could see if anyone posted reviews for the fat transfer, email them and see if you could ask them alot of questions & then meet them. That's what I did, crazy as it sounds, I drove an hour to meet the girl who posted a review for the only doc that does this in MD. We met at a Starbucks, talked for 2 hours & then she showed me everything, breasts, lipo scars, etc... My friends were all teasing me & saying if she says to go to her house, run as she may be a murderer! LOL I told her that and we were cracking up. But, she is like me, this is a newer procedure and women need to support each other and educate one another. I think we provide a better education than the doctors do. When I had my bad medical exp prior, I was in pain for 8 mths & had gone to 9 docs. Not one could help. Do you know how I got better? By researching what I had on forums. I found the answer on a FORUM!!! After 9 docs! It completely cured my pain. So, I am sending you TONS of luck for a better experience this time!!!!!!! :_)

I love the support we get here!!

I meant hear - sorry I am typing on my cell phone. Can I also ask if you're doctor is charging you to fix it? Did the fat just not survive or did he not put enough in do you think? Is he saying that a second procedure would help? I'm so sorry that it's a difficult process! I want to avoid implants so fat transfer just seems like such a natural solution but I guess the procedure is very new.

My doctor did not charge me for the PRP, and I'm starting to see improvements. More in my review.

It sounds like you have a very caring doctor. I hope you achieve the results that you desire! Please keep us updated! Best wishes!!

No, I haven't. The fat did not stay. The Dr's claim that the PRP would "revitalize" the fat did not hold water. He initially tried to charge me for the PRP, and when I refused to pay and demanded that he correct the problem or I was going to post a review of my experience he then offered it for free. I have horrible scars from the lipo. They are the size of pencil erasers. I'm not even sure I would return to this Dr. again, even for another free fat transfer. Why? So I can have additional scars and no results? No thanks.

Oh my goodness - I'm SO sorry!!! I think a lot of doctors are doing this procedure without proper training. I'm so so sorry for your bad experience. I hope this doctor isn't advertising his services as a fat transfer expert. Thank you for saving others (hopefully) from his bad practices. Good luck with everything!

Oh, he is advertising himself as an expert alright. He made all kinds of claims to get me on the operating table. He told me that at least 200ccs of the 250ccs that he transferred would stay. LOL!

I'm so sorry! You wouldn't believe what I've heard from the doctors I've met with while I've been researching this procedure. It's scary. Most positive online reviews have come from people with only one post...fishy. I really hope you get what you're looking for. I know it's common sense to just be happy with what God gave us but...my thighs aren't cooperating with that thought process. lol.

The skin has eventually tightened up quite a bit more from the pics, so they look much better now. I don't look 60...I would say my breasts look like a 40 year old. I'm only 27, so that's depressing. Thank goodness I have good elasticity. I'll post new pics soon to show that they have indeed tightened up. I can't wait to see your final results!! Thanks so much for keeping us all updated!

Bella, I am glad to hear they look somewhat better. I really am hopeful because sometimes it takes more than one transfer (although I do think you need a new doc). I am 46 so I hear ya about being 27 and not wanting to look 40. I wish I looked 27! LOL Aging is NOT a lovely process so you don't want to do it any sooner than necessary. If you get a chance, look at my docs website and go to the last girl on fat transfer/breasts. There are also pics on real self under my docs name. The last girl is the girl I met in person. She is 28 (close to your age). Her caption says she had 2 transfers and used Brava in between. What do you think of her results at one year out? Interestingly, she looks even better in person. Like I told her that I was so glad I met her because in the one photo, the breasts look long from the side, in person, not at all. The photos look good but do not do the real results justice. When you get time, post the new tightened 40 year old boobs, LOL!

It has been difficult. I've stopped even considering dating. They look better but the nodules and fat cysts are embarrassing to me and I'd not want anyone to see them. I'll take some pics this afternoon!

Oh, this makes me sad. I am sure a guy is not going to not want to be with you because of that. But, I understand what you are saying. It is understandable that you feel self conscious. Hopefully you will get it fixed soon and with more fat the nodules & cysts will not be noticeable.

I hope so! New pics are up :)

My Dr. said that I could retain anywhere from 40% If I did regular fat grafting and that it's better to come back for another graft than to get the BRAVA, because in my country BRAVA would cost as much as the surgery itself if not more! anesthesiologist included , so if I did go twice I would actually save money time and energy, he also said I might not even need the second time and that it depends on each person.

Hi Rockstar!!  Welcome to the forum & I LOVE your forum log in name, LOL!! Yes, 40-50% is about right for a transfer without Brava.  My friend who used my doc did her first transfer without Brava and kept about 50%.  If it is easier and cheaper just to do 2 transfers, go for it!!  Please post a blog with pics so we can support you & follow your journey.  Join us in documenting long term research on real self by posting updates over the years since there is such little long term research on FT to breasts.  Think of your fellow younger women who will want to know, does this last in 20 years?  ( I think of my 4 & 6 year old nieces who I want to have options other than implants).  I am their long term research project!!  Who knows maybe they'll both have perfect C cups! LOL

That is very interesting. Where are you from? It would be great for you to share your story. In my case, I don't feel that even 40% was retained, so this is a very technique dependent technology.

Thank u for ur sweet warm welcome, and yes its definitely easier and cheaper to do two in my country I Live in Egypt, 1 dollar equals 7.6 of my currency BRAVA without taxes is 7500 of my currency with taxes its around 9000 the whole procedure here costs 8000 :) so i would save 2000 pounds. Also I cant post pictures due to religious and cultural reasons , but I can post my previous cup size and recovery and etc when I do decide to go for it, am still saving money for it :) I am a full 34B Would like to go up to a full C My Dr. said its possible to do that in one go, if my breast retains 50% of that fat , he also said since I am 5'11 broad shouldered big built etc that a D or DD would compliment my figure better, and he said it's possible with two grafts, he also said that if I do wear the BRAVA device that I could go up to a small 34D in one go but never to a DD.

Gotcha.  Well even if you do something distant like your photo near your name it will get you to the top of the forum better so we can see you or with clothes, etc..Just something to consider. Best of luck, keep us posted!

I think I can put a pic wearing tightly fitted garments and no bra i guess! and I will keep u posted and stay posted to ur posts :)

I haven't decided to go with anyone just yet. I'll be very interested to see the outcome of some of the ladies on here. I am very interested in Dr. Del Vecchio in Boston. His before and afters are impressive. I was leaning towards Dr. Placik for a little while, but I got an email back from him that it would be $250 just to talk to him for a consultation. I want to consult with several doctors before I make a final call, and if they all charged that much it would be ridiculous, so I'm not going to bother consulting with him. How ridiculous is that? I don't understand why a consult wouldn't be free. I may well have gone with him if I'd liked him after an initial consult, but now I'll never know. It's arrogant, if you ask me.

That makes perfect sense, don't blame you one bit. Although, I know people say Del Vechhio is good ( & I have no idea), he has BAD reviews on line. I take bad reviews seriously if there are alot and if they are about technique. I say this because the malpractice that was commited to me in the past was with a doctor who later had terrible reviews and lost his medical license after multiple charges. Just something to consider. I know it is hard to find any docs with perfect reviews but just consider. My doc had a couple reviews for being "rude", etc back in 2011 but those I did not consider as serious as reviews about technique. So, read exactly what they say.

Thank you! I will definitely check him out more thoroughly.

I just did some research into Dr. D. You're right!! I would not go near that man. Hmmm...back to the drawing board I guess. I think I may just end up saving up for Dr. Khouri. Then I know I will at least be in good hands.

Stay far, far away from Del Vecchio. His pictures are magnificent but many of his positive reviews are written by the same person (rumour has it a member of his staff). He was dishonest with me, and never returned my calls. He has also been removed from the fat grafting study being run by Dr. Khouri so there is some kind of story there for sure. Feel free to IM me or check out my page for a great experience I had woth Hartog.

Here Here Amelia, I am so glad I was unable to go through with his office (I should have LISTENED to your salient advice from the get go). He was strange from the beginning but I just blames that on snotty attitude and too much Ive League action. I have now come to believe that he is "squirrelly" for other much less savory reasons.

Hartog! Hartog! Hartog!

I will not be able to comment on my final results for some months. But from a cost perspective. Dr. Hartog is well respected and works with Khouri and cahreges ( on average $4,000 least) It depends on what you need. Khouri's fee is 13,500 as his base point and increases per your specific needs.

Who was your surgeon, please? And price? thx

I disagree. I never used the device and have fat necrosis and lumps. Painful ones and hard ones etc.

There are ten total lipo scars on my upper thighs. I don't know why there are so many-- I just came out of surgery with them there. In time I know they will fade but it's such a pain in the meanwhile. Thank you for your thoughts! It does make me feel better

Yeh, that is just not right. When I saw my friend's legs, shw only has 1 mark on each leg. Your doc was not a nice guy. Are you using a scar gel? My dermatologist said Scarguard is the best.

I am so sorry that your wife had such a bad experience with the fat transfer. All surgical procedures have their pros and cons, and in "capiable experienced hands" i think fat transfer can be a wonderful alternative to implants. I will keep her in my prayers.

I'm so sorry you've gone through this. Who was your dr if you don't mind me asking?

I'm so glad you found this review. I can't go back in time and change my decision to allow him to leave me scarred and with lumpy breast, but at least I can prevent others from doing the same. He needs to go back to gynecology. That man is NOT a plastic surgeon and has no business performing this procedure.