I had tram flap surgery and am sore

dancingfan
dancingfan Member Posts: 19
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Does anyone out there know how long it takes for the abdomen to heal from tram flap surgery? I had the reconstruction surgery done at the same time as my mastectomy on March 2008. My stomach is very tight and I need some ideas as to how much longer I will feel this way. I walk and try to stretch out my abdomen everyday and sometimes twice a day but I don't seem to be making any progress. If I sit to long and then stand up it is very painful. My boss wants me to go back to work in three weeks and this scares me. I am also trying to get off of Adivan and having a hard time. Any ideas on that? I am looking for as much help as possible. Thanks for your replies.... dancingfan

Comments

  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #2
    I hate being on drugs too, but right now your pain meds are your friend. By reducing the pain you can sleep so you can recover and so you can stretch easier. My sister had abdominal reconstruction(a very similar surgery) and it took her at least 3 weeks before she could sit upright without grunting (much anyhow!). You didn't say what you do at work. You won't be up to any lifting for quite awhile. If you go grocery shopping, this is the time to use the handicapped lane and request assistance with all bags. Don't even try to lift them! Ask your doctor how long before you should go back to work. My office did not want to lose me by getting me back too early and causing a relapse. There may be some disability laws that cover you too, but you would have to contact your local legal assistance office to make sure before you take the route of demanding sufficient time to heal. Also, if you are mostly recovered in 3 weeks, maybe you could start by coming back half time and working up to full time. Good luck!
  • dancingfan
    dancingfan Member Posts: 19
    #3
    Dear cabbott....I had my surgery four months ago and felt that I should be feeling much better by now. When should I expect to feel better? My wounds are healing but I still feel all chopped up! When did your sister start feeling well?
  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #4
    Hi dancingfan! I'm sorry you're having a tough time. We all react so differently. I am an 8 year survivor. I,too, had a Tram Flap at time of mastectomy(I was 48Yr old). I have to say that I was never in so much pain that I had to take meds. I did have some spasms initially and took the pain meds but tyelonal helped me when I was uncomfortable. I missed 7 weeks of work but I am a Physical Therapist and couldn't do any heavy lifting for that period of time. I did go to PT and they helped me alot with stretching,and strengthening ex. I was also back on the tennis court in 7 weeks. I was careful but did well. As I said, we all react differently so don't be upset that you are not there yet. You're body will let you know when it's ready. Maybe trying a short period of PT could get you more comfortable. I must admit, at 8 years, I still feel tight and at times, uncomfortable. Hope things improve for you soon. HUGS!!! Cathy
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #5
    Hi Dancing: I also had the tram flap done on 2/4/08 and went back to work in April. I was sore for about 12 weeks and made sure I did not do any lifting for at least 4 months. I still get a muscle spasm every now and then on the side I still have muscle left and around the belly button area. The dr gave me muscle relaxers which helped a lot more than the pain killers. Everyone heals differently so you may still feel you need more time. Talk to your surgeon he may be able to suggest other meds and exercises that may help you. Keep us posted. Hugs,Lili
  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #6
    dancingfan said:

    Dear cabbott....I had my surgery four months ago and felt that I should be feeling much better by now. When should I expect to feel better? My wounds are healing but I still feel all chopped up! When did your sister start feeling well?

    Have you talked to your doctor about your recovery? If you are in pain, he needs to evaluate that. He may have a solution to the problem. Every surgery I've had has left numb patches from nerves getting cut, but I can't say that I'm in pain from that though sometimes sensations are strange or missing. Look for an email on my sister's operation. It was not a tram flap though it was abdominal surgery.

    C. Abbott

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