TRAM - Any problems

dela
dela Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I've had both breasts removed and have been through chemo and all that and am interested in the TRAM reconstruction. Will go to the plastic surgeon on 1/9 but wanted to know if anyone can give me ideas on what the surgery/recovery was like. Thanks so much.

Comments

  • banker
    banker Member Posts: 317 Member
    #2
    Hi dela, I had a single Tram Flap, left breast, in May of 1999. The surgery and recovery went very well. I was 54 at the time and had finished chemo 3 month prior to the Flap surgery. I can honestly say there was not much pain at all, more uncomfortable I would say. The first 2 days after surgery I had to lay flat in bed, not allowed to get up til 3 rd day to make sure the Flap took. Once I was allowed up I walked around the hallways to get moving, a little bend over. I was in the hospital 5 days. Had the staples and stitches out 10 days after surgery. All healed well, I was not allowed to lift more then 3 lbs, no sit ups or strenious exercise, walking was good. I could not bend very well, wore a binder and then elastic panties, "medium hold", which I still wear, kinda got used to them. I went back to work after 7 weeks. I had NO complications and would do it again. I put a lot of trust into my plastic surgeon, he was great, explained every thing to me beforehand. I had also seen the surgery on TV 3 times before I decided to have it done.Did research and spoke to 2 plastic surgeons til I was comfortable with everything. I am very happy with the results. Everything takes a little time, first the surgery, then the reconstruction of the nipple, NO pain there either, then the tatoo to finish it all. Looking good.... If you have specific questions you can e-mail me at charmin@froggernet.com
    I hope this helps, go for it, I wish you the best. God bless you...Love Emmi
  • iris48
    iris48 Member Posts: 92
    #3
    Hi Dela,
    I have considered this Tram Flap surgery and the latissimus dorsi flap (which is your back muscle). I am very physical in my day, I and decided not to. The Tram flap requires TWO very skilled plastic surgeons that are great with doing micro vascular surgery (to reconnect all the blood supply and nerve endings properly). The procedure can take TEN hours on the operating table so you need to know up front how many of these procedures your Doc has performed. Is he/she willing to give you former patients to talk to? Willing to show you pre and post photos showing different stages of healing. If both breasts are being down, you will REQUIRE help to do EVERYTHING for 6 months. Getting in and out of bed, bathroom, cooking, cleaning, etc etc.
    I have just gone through my ninth surgery this 12/18 for a rectocele (bowel prolapse) and they did the abdominal incision (so it looks like a ceasarean cut). My bilateral reconstruction (done 10/17), but I can imagine if I was worked on in both areas and lost my abdominal rectus muscle which helps you sit up and helps support your back muscles how difficult it would be initially. You must put a support team in place that will be there for the duration. Ask yourself if you can deal with being out of commission for 7 months. The Back flap one is also complicated but easier on the body. You lose some range of motion, and can't do breast strokes swimming, and it will take time before you can do normal lifting. Both surgeries still need a saline implant to balance the total look. That inplant is not lifetime and must be replaced eventually. After much deliberation, I chose the two saline implants, took 1 hr 20 min. and went home. I am getting ultra-sound treatments to help the connective tissue stay soft and not encapsulate around these implants which has made the "Girls" feel very natural. In a couple of months, when they are move settled in, I will have nipples done with a fat flap and tattooing.
    This must be your decision, and I hope I have given you food for thought. Just know the ride you are in for and chose the best for you and your lifestyle. Good luck. Lots of Hugs. Iris
  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #4
    Hi! I had a tramflap on Sept.11,2000. I can't say I ever had pain. I was uncomfortable. I had a single mastectomy but because I'm small I didn't have much fat and tissue so they used all of my rectus abdominus muscle on one side and 2/3 of the other side. I was also in bed for 2 days then walked around the hospital for 1 more day. I was sent home after 4 full days in the hosp. I was up and around at home but obviously, didn't do any heavy work. I was back at work in 7 weeks. I'm a physical therapist in a nursing home so the worjk I do is heavy. I started off slowly but was back to normal pretty fast. I was also back on the tennis courts in 7 weeks. The best part of the tram flap is the tummy tuck! I'm nice and flat. My reconstructed breast is slightly smaller than my other one but with a padded bra, noone can tell! My breasts are all me, no implants! I've had several other procedures like the nipple and tatooing as well as some fine tuning. Would I do it the same way if it had to be done again? You bet! Good luck with whatever you decide to do. You have to make the final decision and be happy with it. HUGS!! Cathy
  • jonahrex98
    jonahrex98 Member Posts: 23 Member
    #5
    cruf said:

    Hi! I had a tramflap on Sept.11,2000. I can't say I ever had pain. I was uncomfortable. I had a single mastectomy but because I'm small I didn't have much fat and tissue so they used all of my rectus abdominus muscle on one side and 2/3 of the other side. I was also in bed for 2 days then walked around the hospital for 1 more day. I was sent home after 4 full days in the hosp. I was up and around at home but obviously, didn't do any heavy work. I was back at work in 7 weeks. I'm a physical therapist in a nursing home so the worjk I do is heavy. I started off slowly but was back to normal pretty fast. I was also back on the tennis courts in 7 weeks. The best part of the tram flap is the tummy tuck! I'm nice and flat. My reconstructed breast is slightly smaller than my other one but with a padded bra, noone can tell! My breasts are all me, no implants! I've had several other procedures like the nipple and tatooing as well as some fine tuning. Would I do it the same way if it had to be done again? You bet! Good luck with whatever you decide to do. You have to make the final decision and be happy with it. HUGS!! Cathy

    TRAM PROBLEM - HERNIA
    You're right, the best part is the tummy tuck. That's why I chose it. My tummy was flat for about two weeks. Then I herniated on that one side, and it is huge. I can tell where the muscle is fine on one side and gone on the other. I am probably among the few though. I was probably too fat to begin with. It doesn't hurt at all. I checked into possible fixes a few years ago and was told that the only thing they can do is insert mesh. I saw on the internet that it could get entangled in my guts and cause problems later, so I decided to do nothing. I might want to have it fixed one day though if there is a new way. Please post if anyone knows anything about this.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #6
    jonahrex98 said:

    TRAM PROBLEM - HERNIA
    You're right, the best part is the tummy tuck. That's why I chose it. My tummy was flat for about two weeks. Then I herniated on that one side, and it is huge. I can tell where the muscle is fine on one side and gone on the other. I am probably among the few though. I was probably too fat to begin with. It doesn't hurt at all. I checked into possible fixes a few years ago and was told that the only thing they can do is insert mesh. I saw on the internet that it could get entangled in my guts and cause problems later, so I decided to do nothing. I might want to have it fixed one day though if there is a new way. Please post if anyone knows anything about this.

    Old thread
    I see you are new - You will usually get more answers if you start a new thread asking questions rather than digging 9 yr old ones up.

    It is also bitter sweet to those of who have been around for a while when we see old threads brought up with the postings of Sisters/Brothers who are no longer with us except in Spirit.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan
  • jonahrex98
    jonahrex98 Member Posts: 23 Member
    #7
    Rague said:

    Old thread
    I see you are new - You will usually get more answers if you start a new thread asking questions rather than digging 9 yr old ones up.

    It is also bitter sweet to those of who have been around for a while when we see old threads brought up with the postings of Sisters/Brothers who are no longer with us except in Spirit.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan

    ADVICE
    Thanks for the advice.

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