Tram Flap Reconstructive Surgery

patc
patc Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I'm scheduled for Tram Flap reconstructive surgery next week and would like to hear from anyone that has had this surgery - what was your experience with the surgery and the recovery.

Comments

  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #2
    Hi! Welcome to this site. I had a Tram Flap on Sept.11,2000. I was absolutely terrified to have this surgery but everything worked out fine. I was uncomfortable but nothing like I expected it would be. The best part is the Tummy tuck! I actually lost 20 lbs.during this whole thing and dropped 2 sizes! The breast feels very soft and looks good. I've had several other procedures to make the breast look better. My major problem has been some abdominal discomfort from the mesh and titanium clips they put in the abdomen to reinforce the tramflap to prevent any herniation.The MD says the discomfort is because I'm so thin. The clips are right at the surface and rub on my skin but this doesn't happen often. Feel free to e-mail me here or at RPT1206@aol.com. If I had to do it again(God forbid!!!) I would do it the same way! Good luck with your surgery. Please keep us posted! HUGS!! Cathy
  • luchiz
    luchiz Member Posts: 1
    #3
    Hi patc -
    I had tram flap reconstrution at the same time that my breast was removed, Nov. of 2001. It was about a 4-5 hr. operation, no pain just very uncomfortable,& very swollen. Recovery takes awhile, you will be very very stiff. Now 6 mos. later it is still somewhat swollen but has gone down considerably. My doctor says that when I am done with chemo he will check new breast and see if he needs to go in and remove any excess fat to match with other breast. Best thing out of the whole ordeal is that you get a tummy tuck. At first I wasn't to happy with reconst. but each day I feel better about it. Good luck to you.
    Luchiz
  • kharding
    kharding Member Posts: 2
    #4
    Please, I just saw your post, please go to www.shareing-careing.com and www.diepflap.com before you go through with the Tram flap.
  • milly
    milly Member Posts: 1
    #5
    I had a Tram Flap on Dec 2000 and I am very satisfied with the results. I had bilateral cancer, so had a mastectomy on the left side (w/tram flap reconstruction) and lumpectomy on the right. The surgery was 9 hours long. I ended up with stitches in my tummy, my navel, and inverted T's on both breasts. My point: I had the most extreme surgery in terms of invasion and length, and I can tell you that it is the best decision I have made. I just had the nipple reconstructed a week ago (had to wait until done with chemo and radiation) and will go in about 5 weeks to have the aureola tatooed. I have soooo many things to share about this experience that it would be too long in one email. Please write to me at millyki@intercom.net if you want to ask me anything. I am 39 years old and live in Maryland.
  • lindacarlson
    lindacarlson Member Posts: 5
    #6
    I had the surgery Sept 25, 2002 at the same time as my mastectomy. I did it at Norris Cancer Hospital in LA (part of USC med) Dr Susan Downey did the reconstruction. She was wonderful..I had no pain to speak of. She used a new proceedure called the "on Que" sustem. It administers a constant dose of novican in the abdominal insicision. This allowed me to stand up the next day (which is not done very often). She also "glued" the opening together - no stitches or clamps. I still had to regain my strength but the whole proceedure was not bad. I don't know if you are close to the Los Angeles area, but if you are check Dr. Downey before you do anything. She is fantastic.
  • imani112
    imani112 Member Posts: 5
    #7
    milly said:

    I had a Tram Flap on Dec 2000 and I am very satisfied with the results. I had bilateral cancer, so had a mastectomy on the left side (w/tram flap reconstruction) and lumpectomy on the right. The surgery was 9 hours long. I ended up with stitches in my tummy, my navel, and inverted T's on both breasts. My point: I had the most extreme surgery in terms of invasion and length, and I can tell you that it is the best decision I have made. I just had the nipple reconstructed a week ago (had to wait until done with chemo and radiation) and will go in about 5 weeks to have the aureola tatooed. I have soooo many things to share about this experience that it would be too long in one email. Please write to me at millyki@intercom.net if you want to ask me anything. I am 39 years old and live in Maryland.

    HI MY NAME IS SUE AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ON THIS SITE, IWAS DIAGNOSE WITH BREAST CANCER IN 1997 I HAD A MASTECTOMY OF THE (L) BREAST I'M FABROCISTIC OF THE (R) BREAST,AND SOMETIME I HAVE PAIN,AND I FEEL SMALL LUMPS I WAS READING YOUR E-MAIL DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WANT TO HAVE A RECONSTRUCTION(FLAP,OR TRAM FLAP) I DON,D KNOW WICH ONE I,M 200 LBS AND HAVE A LOT OF FACT ON MY BELLY IT'S BEING ALMOST 5 YEARS AND I,M AFRAID TO GO AND DO THIS,I WANT TO BE POSITIVE OF WHAT I'M DOING I NEED SOME SUPPORT AND HELP IN MY DESICION I HAVE 4 KIDS AND THEY ARE NO HELP TO ME, I WENT THROUGH THIS PROBLEM ALONG BECAUSE AT THE TIME OF ALL THIS I DID NOT TOLD MY KIDS WHAT WAS GOIN ON THEY LIVE IN MARYLAND AND MY PARENTS AND SISTER LIVE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY, PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I SHOULD CONSIDER ABOUT THIS RECONSTRUCTION THE DOCTOR THAT I WORK FOR TOLD ME TO WAIT UNTIL I COMPLETE THE 5 YEARS AND THAT WILL BE IN NOV OF THIS YEAR I'M WILL BE 48 YEARS OLD IN MAY AND I FEEL GOOD I HAVE ARTRITIS OF THE NEED AND THATS ABOUT IT SO WHAT YOU THINK... MY E-MAIL IS SUSANA517@YAHOO.COM. THANK YOU...SUE

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