muscle flap procedures

bunnie · March 2003

Hi iam 34 and just had a mastecomy.Iam thinking of reconstructive surgery but not sure what kind.Has anyone had the muslcle flap done?and if so what do you think of it.would appreciate any comments.thanks

banker · March 2003

Hi, welcome to this group.I assume you are talking about the Tram Flap?? If so, I had that done 1999. I wanted that type of reconstruction because its my own tissue. I am very happy with the results. If you would like to know details and want to talk you can reach me at
charmin@froggernet.com
Best wishes...emmi

rascal · March 2003

Hello I just had a new cancer turn up in my left breast and I had a leftradical modified mastectomy on the 28th of February of this year I had one 13 yrs ago in November 1989 and I have a very good friend that lives in the albuquerque area she also has had a mastectomy and had been to Washington D.C..Over the reconstruction you do not reconstruction because if they put implants in you then you have problems and I do not want you to have problems . I do not plan on reconstruction at all . If people don't like what they see it is there problem . It is what is on the inside of your heart that counts and not what is on the out side.

newbeginning · March 2003

Hi..I had my mastectomy and transflap in Sept. Am still recovering. Breast looks wonderful because it is my own tissue from back. Contact me at lindaastengo@cox.net if you would like more info!!!!

bc2miraclebaby · March 2003

I do not know if the stomach type surgery would behave differently than what I had. I had the lasstissimus dorsi muscle brought forward to enclose my silicone implant. I am glad I was able to use my own muscle but have noticed a marked decrease in my ability to stress the back muscles too much. I am not as strong as I was before.My upper body strenght has never returned(mostly because I get nerve ending pains if I push it too far.) Now that is relative to what kind of stress is put on the muscle. I could not help hold drywall above my head during our remodel like I could before the surgery. I am hesitant to hang from the monkey bars with my kids at the park now. When I do overexert I feel a burning pain in my scapular area. But, I think I am more of a Tom-Boy than most women, as I am a busy helpmate to my husband in his work.It might just be that I have not reconditioned the muscles? I just take it easier than I used to now... I am entitled. If you are extremely active as I was, just take it easy on the workload... LOL.

JanaH · March 2003

Hi, Bunnie; I had the bilateral Tram Flap reconstruction immediately after my bilateral mastectomy in Nov. 2002. I was 33 years old then and a little overweight which turned out to be a good thing, because I had just the right amount of fat on my lower abdomen to do the reconstruction. I am happy with my reconstructed breasts, to the hand they feel natural and move naturally, and the skin sensation is returning. I can also feel pressure, but of course they are not the same as before. My tummy is much flatter now which is nice. The surgery recovery was very painful. Sorry, but the truth is the truth. At least they give you good drugs for the pain. It took 6 weeks, almost on the nose, to feel really good again. I am so much better now and I am back to school and work (I am a nurse). The only problem I have with my abdominal muscles is that sometimes if I lose my balance backwards, I get a little bit of a start because I feel like I can't catch myself. I haven't fallen, of course, it is just kind of strange. I can't do a situp, yet anyway, and I rock up from lying flat by grabbing the back of my thigh. Now that I have recovered I am very happy with my choice. I decided to have the TRAM because of my young age. I didn't want to have to replace the implants several times before I die (assuming I will get old, which I am)Send me an e-mail if you want to talk. nursejana@centurytel.net

eym929 · March 2003

Hi bunnie. I am a 39 year old woman who just had the procedure that you are inquiring about. I had my surgery on feb 17th. The procedure took 12 hours of surgery. Needless to say it is extremely painful. But I think that if you are young it is most definitely worth it. It has only been 3 weeks and 5 days since my surgery. I am just starting to feel alittle better, but I still walk around like a 60 year old. I suggest that if you are going to have it, that you have someone come and stay with you for at least the first 2 weeks, someone who will help you in everything because you will not be able to do much at all. I also decided to go this way because I did not want to put anything in my body that was not my own tissue. If I had to do all over again, I would do it, pain and all. I think with time it will be ok, the scar unfortunately opened up, and it does not look so great, but my surgeon told me that after chemo and before radiation they will do an adjustment that will fix the scar. If you want to further chat send me an email, eym929@hotmail.com . Whatever you decide good luck. It might help you to talk to others, call information in your area and find the chapter of Why Me ?, They are very informative and will set you up to speak to others in your situation so you can have an idea. God bless, take care.

lizzy · March 2003

Hi Bunnie, I had this procedure done last summer and all is well. They had so many problems with the radiated tissue that this was the best alternative. I have no problems and am very happy. I have a new job that is very physical and I haven't had any problems performing my duties! Good luck, I think it is a wonderful procedure.

Sandis · March 2003

I had a bilateral mastectomy with tran flap Feb 5th this year. I started physical therapy 4 weeks after surgery and will continue for some time. I highly recommend getting physical therapy. I was back to work part time in three weeks and can stand and move fine. I am 54. I started chemotherapy a week ago and have 7 treatments to go. I am glad I had the tran flap but it doesn't feel like me and my stomach is tight and not very comfortable but I like that I don't have any implants and that I don't have to deal with prostheses. But, everyone has to make their own decisions. Good luck. Sandi

fordss55 · March 2003

I had bilateral mastectomies in January and opted for implants. My plastic surgeon told me that she can only go into the abdoman once for flap surgery so if you would need to have a mastectomy on the other breast at a later date, the abdominal flap would not be possible. Just something to ask about before you do it. Good luck with whatever you choose.

muscle flap procedures

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