First who started to do this is doctor from Maiami.It is the latest method, but he is doing this about 20 years.
miamibreastcenter.com/reconstruction/before-after-photos.html -Still wery expensive. I found a country in which it can be done for 3000 pounds.They are doing all breast. I would like to know is it possible to do this in England and is it for free like other reconstruction methods.
I have been offered this by my surgeon (cornwall?). I’ve a few bits of info. to add to this discussion but I think its still new.
He wants to do one fat transfer before doing the strattice and implant. But he also said theres an option of not doing the implant and just continuing to build the breast using fat. He said it would be 5 operations and there was a theoretical risk of the stem cells causing cancer to grow. But studies have not shown this. He said each procedure was an overnight stay with about 2 weeks off work. They say the strattice is about 6-12 weeks off work. I am considering it and I’m going back next week.
Let us know how you are all getting on.
Naomi
The USA version is rebuilding a completely new breast (no muscle/fat flaps/implants) after an MX entirely from body fat after wearing a cone to stretch the skin. It’s an entirely different method to the lipofill/graft procedure offered post reconstruction in the UK/NHS where the liposuction fat aspirated is centrifuged and the treated fat is injected into a reconstructed breast or post lumpectomy breast to correct dents or smaller size issues. I am due my third round of lipofill next week, previous attempts have re-absorbed, which is the downside but doesn’t happen to all patients. There are many different ways to treat the fat before reinjection, this time, mine will be sieved!
Tina46
There are many different ways to do this, but the basis for all is the same. Maiami doctor sed for my breast(I had mastectomy) need 3-4 injections ( this mean 3-4 surgeries.)In Germany and in Baltic States also they are growing up completely new breast. It is wery big diference between prices in Baltic States (Latvia), Germany and USA. Cheapest one is in Latvia, but this doctor just did 40 operations. Every one has been successful. But anyway it is not wery big expierence. Cone has the same function as tissue expanders. Tissue stretching only from the outside. There are cases when it makes after the fat injections, but more often before, and keep it the all time until procedure completion. It helps to keep the breast shape. Of course I am not very competent in this, but I just listened what is speaking my husband with his colleges. I would like to do this. Could be next year NHS also will cover full reconstruction with own fat. I will see. If no I will try to do this in Latvia.Many people are doing teeths in this country for less money and much beter then I did in the UK. Could be that with reconstruction is the same. Just need to keep opened ears and eyes.
Zibzab, good luck with your reconstruction. It’s probably worth pointing out the Brava (US) is not a fully approved FDA device and an external expander Bra System. The NiCE guidelines for lipomodelling in the NHS are in the process of being finalised but the recommendations are online on the Nice website, they recommend only fully trained onco plastic surgeons to carry out the procedure in cases of breast cancer reconstruction, I think most women would think very carefully about paying private for going abroad for unregulated procedures, who would be responsible in cases of post surgical complications and long term follow up?
More UK surgeons are training and more patients are being treated with lipomodelling I am sure it will become a widely available procedure in due course.
Tina46
I also prefer to do my reconstruction in England, but I did not find any surgeron who did at the least 50-60 the following operations.I am a bit afraid from NHS - they are so slow. I never saw so slow health sistem. If we compare with other similar sistems. For example - I had problems with my hand I could not anymore lift up. Seems limphodema pressed a nerve. Its happen on June. I got the letter just today. And they put the same day when I must to do gynecologcal surgery. Seems like this left hand does not know what is doing the right hand. What do you think about any responsibility? My friend who did reconstruction with own fat in Latvia got doctor’s mobile, she can to make conection in any time without secretaries and any intermediaries.I could not to catch secretary to be change my an appoitment. Before surgery she signed the paper about complications, doctors responsibilities, patients responsibilities and where she can to send any complains in case if hapen something wrong. In UK I always signed just paper about complications.This paper is not going to protect patients.This will protect only doctors. What do you think about? Our people used to do everything in same country moustly of them spend all the life in same place for this we sometimes dont know anything more.
Hi all. I have been reading this thread with great interest.
I had a left skin saving mastectomy on Nov 3rd with implant put in immediately. Well something seems to have gone wrong there. They either forgot the implant or it is too small or in the wrong place. Will find out next Wednesday when I go for check up.
As a result my boob is now hanging like a deflated balloon. Having read all I can about reconstruction with own fat of which I have to say I got plenty, does anyone know which London hospital is involved in the trials for this. My op was at St Georges Hospital, Tooting and all went really well. I had no pain issues to speak of and the anaesthetic had no after effect on me.
Would love to hear from anyone as I feel I would be the perfect candidate for the trials.
Angela2501
I am also looking for same thing in England. But I still did not find doctor who has enough knowledge and experience. Can anybody help?
Hi zibzab. St Georges is a large teaching hospital and I found that they are quite up to date on latest developments. It wouldn’t be surprised if they did this procedure. My surgeon was very cautious as I am disabled due to a spinal injury and I have very mild Type 2 Diabetes (hereditary). He has now seen for himself that I recover extremely quickly from operations and I already know that I will need no further treatment. No chemo, no radiotherapy. So he may now be more open to that fat cell recon on me. Will keep you posted.
According to a thread on “Lipofill in York” last year, and a reply I got from Jo51PPP, the stem cell enriched version of lipofill is undergoing trials at 4 NHS hospitals:
The Royal Free Hospital, London
Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Singleton Hospital, Swansea, and
North Tees & Hartlepool, Stockton
I believe NICE will be reviewing the outcome of this for suitability for wider availability in the NHS. The limiting factor at this stage is probably that it needs specialist equipment to do the stem cell extraction. I am pursuing this with my breast surgeon to see if I can get this done myself, but haven’t got an answer yet.
Thank you CheshireCheese for that info. At least I can point my surgeon in the right direction now.
Does anyone know if there are other hospitals now offering this stem cell type of lipofilling? I’m in the Manchester area and there don’t seem to be any around here that do it, either privately or NHS.
Any info would be gratefully received.
My hospital hasn’t got the equipment, the surgeon gets a company with the equipment in when he has a list of patients to do. Apparently there are a number of companies now offering different methods and equipment according which method is used. I was on my way to theatre yesterday when the equipment the surgeon had bought in this time failed and the op was cancelled. Your BC surgeon should be able to tell you who does the lipofill procedure or send me a PM and I can let you know the name of my onco plastic surgeon.
Great news. Had my first follow up appointment today and raised the subject with my surgeon. My hospital do the lipo-fill and as it appears the implant still leaves my boob a bit smaller they will have to do something to bring it up to the level of the other and that is the easiest solution. Alas I have to wait about 6 months for everything to heal and settle properly.
Hi All,
Found this thread really interesting. I am seeing my consultant next week and she has suggested that she refers me for lipo fill to even out the dent I have after wle.
Tina
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