Breast Reconstruction Testimonial: Lilli

In early 2011 at age 62, I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) of the breast following a routine mammogram. My treatment included a lumpectomy followed by MammoSite radiation. The lumpectomy and radiation reduced the size of that breast by approximately 200 cc—close to onethird. That along with sagging of the other breast resulted in a noticeable asymmetry.

I was very unhappy with the way I looked and quite self-conscious about the way I appeared in clothes. But aesthetics was the lesser of my problems. The weight difference in my breasts caused chronic neck and shoulder pain. Furthermore, the sentinel node biopsy (SNB) I had undergone as part of my lumpectomy surgery left me with underarm pain and tightness.

I started researching my options and came across online discussion forums where patients were describing their experiences with autologous fat grafting (AFT). I found Dr. Khouri's website for the Miami Breast Center and became fascinated with the process of BRAVA + AFT reconstruction. I spent hours reading articles and studies on the subject and became convinced this was a safe, noninvasive procedure that would restore beauty and symmetry to my breasts. It also offered that ray of hope I was longing for.

Over the course of two surgeries in early 2012, Dr. Khouri transferred fat to fill in my lumpectomy defect. He also performed a revolutionary, incisionless, and scarless mastopexy (breast lift) to the contralateral side to restore symmetry.

During my initial surgery, Dr. Khouri liposuctioned fat from my back and for the first time, my backside had a pretty little shape. During the second procedure, he liposuctioned my belly fat, leaving me with a completely flat tummy. Clothes shopping has never been so much fun. Needless to say, I am delighted with my results. The underarm pain and tightness I developed following my SNB disappeared and has never returned. And my chronic neck and shoulder pain resolved completely.

Here's how I described that experience to my online patient forum:

Traveling home from my first surgery, I requested the wheelchair service at the Miami Airport. On the way to my gate, we passed Starbucks. Since it wasn't that far, I decided to walk back for a latte. This was the farthest I'd walked at one time since the reconstruction procedure with Dr. Khouri. Prior to that surgery, I'd become accustomed to a feeling of heaviness and unbalance in my shoulders and a sense of constriction in my neck. It was an effort to maintain good posture and over time, my posture was becoming more stooped.

But as I walked to Starbucks, I noticed something distinctly different in the way I moved, and how it felt as I moved. My shoulders felt light and balanced, and my neck felt free. My posture was upright, and for the first time in a long time, walking felt effortless. Then it dawned on me. This was the "Khouri Magic" I'd heard mentioned so many times on the forums. And I realized this magic was about far more than "cosmetics". In achieving symmetry Dr. Khouri had, in effect, "reengineered" my body, returning it to a place of balance and grace of movement I'd forgotten.

Perhaps the greatest gift of this surgery is that I've been able to put the experience of having breast cancer behind me. In fact, when thinking about it, I often can't readily recall where the cancer had been. This gift alone is priceless!

5 / 5 stars