Too fat for tram?

lizaboy
lizaboy Member Posts: 34
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I've just been contacted by a friend whose neighbour is facing a doudle mastectomy in two weeks time. She is very distressed as she has been told by her doctor that she is too fat for tram flap reconstruction and will need to have implants. Has anyone been or heard of someone in this position and what do you think she should do. I suggestd getting a second opinion before commiting herself.
Thanks Liza.

Comments

  • judy22
    judy22 Member Posts: 117 Member
    #2
    Sounds like she nneds a second opinion to I am alsoa big person and I had reconstruction. They took mine from my back I also had an implant and Mon I have to have it removed because it busted. So please tell her to think twice about it. Judy
  • lyn210
    lyn210 Member Posts: 10
    #3
    Hi Liza, A second opinion is always a good idea. But many factors are involved in choosing a reconstruction method. I must say I have heard this before. I had my mastectomy/tram done on February 15th and I remember my plastic surgeon saying that if I had still been overweigh (I lost a lot of weight about 4 years ago) I would not be a candidate for this proceedure. He also said that I I needed reconstruction on the other side in the future, the tram would not be an option for me next time due to the gall bladder surgery messing up the muscle on the other side. A friend from my support group could not have the tram because she is in a wheel chair and the circulation to her lower body is not ideal and healing the abdomen would be problematic. This is a VERY BIG SURGERY and being overweigh would be a tremendous risk. I wish your friend much luck in her journey! Tell her about this web site!
    Lyn
  • lizaboy
    lizaboy Member Posts: 34
    #4
    lyn210 said:

    Hi Liza, A second opinion is always a good idea. But many factors are involved in choosing a reconstruction method. I must say I have heard this before. I had my mastectomy/tram done on February 15th and I remember my plastic surgeon saying that if I had still been overweigh (I lost a lot of weight about 4 years ago) I would not be a candidate for this proceedure. He also said that I I needed reconstruction on the other side in the future, the tram would not be an option for me next time due to the gall bladder surgery messing up the muscle on the other side. A friend from my support group could not have the tram because she is in a wheel chair and the circulation to her lower body is not ideal and healing the abdomen would be problematic. This is a VERY BIG SURGERY and being overweigh would be a tremendous risk. I wish your friend much luck in her journey! Tell her about this web site!
    Lyn

    Hi Lyn thanks for info. I had tram flap on March this year . I spoke to my surgeons nurse about this case and she said much the same as you.Thanks again
    Liza

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