Is Tram Flap that painful? Please give me any info

DEBY

Hi everyone. My story is the 10th message down on this board. I have to go for this and need some advice. I need the blood supply to the radiation side. How long will the recovery time be? Is it that bad? Can you take the time out and tell me some of your story. I really appreciate any info you can give me. Its been a nightmare for me. I plan to put my gloves on once again and beat this. Thanks Debbie

cruf

Hi DEBY! I had a Tram Flap 7 years ago and am very pleased with the results. I was never given the option. I was told this is what I was having and at that time, never questioned it. No, I can't say the flap was very painful, more uncomfortable. It's a strong pulling sensation. While in the hospital, they have you on morphine and a self initiating morphine drip. I never pushed the button. I won't say I wasn't uncomfortable at times but it wasn't as bad as I had expected. I did have spasms at times but very tolerable.As far as the results, the breast feels very soft and looks much like the other side. I don't have sensation from the nipple to the breast but you get used to it. Relax! Things will work out for you. Feel free to e-mail me here and I will try to answer your questions. HUGS!! Cathy

DEBY

Hi, Cathy you made my day!!!! Thanks I needed that, everyone was telling me this was so painful. Did they bring your mussel up to the chest? How long did you stay in hospital? Were you able to get around soon after surgery? See I had implants to start so this is all new to me. Thanks cathy for your time. I appreciate it.

cruf

DEBY said:

Hi, Cathy you made my day!!!! Thanks I needed that, everyone was telling me this was so painful. Did they bring your mussel up to the chest? How long did you stay in hospital? Were you able to get around soon after surgery? See I had implants to start so this is all new to me. Thanks cathy for your time. I appreciate it.

Hi again Debbie! Yes, the abdominal muscles were pulled up under the abdomen and come out in the area of the breast. It looks like a mound to start with but as swelling goes down, it takes more shape. Because at that point I had lost so much weight and was very thin, they had to use 2/3 of my abdominal muscles so I am totally unable to do situps but thats all. I was in the hospital for 4 nights(I had the surgery late Mon. PM ) and went home Fri. AM. They wanted me to go on Thurs. but my husband had to go to Fla. on a business trip that day so I stayed till Fri. I was up and around right away although, I walked bent over for a bit but everyday got better. I was out of work for 7 weeks but that's because I'm a Physical Therapist in a nursing home and do heavy lifting so I wasn't allowed to return for 7 weeks. I also started back to tennis at 7 weeks.Yes, it's difficult and uncomfortable but if I had to do it again(God forbid!), I would do it the same way. Good luck and keep in touch! HUGS!! Cathy

mmontero38

Deby:
Have you looked into the DIEP Flap? I was seriously considering the tram but and now more prone to having the diep since they do not move your muscle only the fat from the abdominal area. The web site diepsisters.com was very helpful and I actually set up an appointment with 2 of the doctors that are on the sight. Lili

DEBY

mmontero38 said:

Deby:
Have you looked into the DIEP Flap? I was seriously considering the tram but and now more prone to having the diep since they do not move your muscle only the fat from the abdominal area. The web site diepsisters.com was very helpful and I actually set up an appointment with 2 of the doctors that are on the sight. Lili

HI lILI,
oN THE WEB SITE THAT i GAVE YOU THERE IS A dR. Keller That comes highly recommended that I originally was going to use but he does not except Insurance this bothered me!! They planned to go through my insurance but i did not need the aggravation of getting the paper trail for them!! If I were you I would go for a diep, this is a lot less painful from what i understand. I have no chose in this I have to go for the old fashioned way the tram. Do you live in the NY area? And Lili as I told you in the other posts the implants aren't that bad as long as you have your life who cares. But if the Dr's tell you, you are a good candidate for the diep you should go for this, you would have less chance of things going wrong. let me know how you make out. I plan to keep my right implant this one is fine. Debbie

3cbrca

I decided against a TRAM because of the stories I've heard about loosing abdominal muscle strength. It doesn't happen to everybody to the same degree, but I don't want to risk it - I have arthritis in my back and strong abdominal muscles are what keeps it from getting out of control....

Best of luck with your decision.
She

mmontero38

DEBY said:

HI lILI,
oN THE WEB SITE THAT i GAVE YOU THERE IS A dR. Keller That comes highly recommended that I originally was going to use but he does not except Insurance this bothered me!! They planned to go through my insurance but i did not need the aggravation of getting the paper trail for them!! If I were you I would go for a diep, this is a lot less painful from what i understand. I have no chose in this I have to go for the old fashioned way the tram. Do you live in the NY area? And Lili as I told you in the other posts the implants aren't that bad as long as you have your life who cares. But if the Dr's tell you, you are a good candidate for the diep you should go for this, you would have less chance of things going wrong. let me know how you make out. I plan to keep my right implant this one is fine. Debbie

Hi Debbie:
Yes I did hear of Dr. Keller but I was also told the Dr. Gale or Dr. Disa @ Sloan are much better. I was told that Dr. Keller has lot of ego and to tell you the truth I've had it with doctor's egos. I would much rather go with someone that will work with me and the insurance. I've decided to do the tram flap because on the diep they actually separate and cut the muscle anyway and they then have to reattach it in the breast area which can cause a lot more complications than the tram. You are also in surgery for about 8 to 10 hours. Let me know how you make out. Lili

manna1qd

I had a very good experience with the tram flap. I had morphine too. I was amazed at how fast I got up and walked around. I don't remember it being more than uncomfortable even the first time up and walking. The results were excellent. I still remember getting out of the shower and not knowing who that beautiful body belonged to. Flat tummy and breasts without sag! I looked ten years younger. I think that is an ironic blessing in this whole cancer mess. I never would have thought of having that kind of surgery just for the heck of it. I certainly wouldn't have paid for it without some difficulty either. Good luck. Let us know what you do and how it goes.