TRAM reconstruction

sparky72156
sparky72156 Member Posts: 61
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Does anyone know how much fat is necessary to perform a TRAM reconstruction? I am looking into that procedure as an option after mastectomy for DCIS. Some have said that I may not have enough fat in my belly. How much do I have to be able to pinch to be a candidate for this procedure?

Comments

  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #2
    Hey Sparky
    I don't know Sparky as I had a lumpectomy. Have you met with your plastic surgeon yet?

    Good luck to you!

    Lex♥
  • sparky72156
    sparky72156 Member Posts: 61
    #3
    Alexis F said:

    Hey Sparky
    I don't know Sparky as I had a lumpectomy. Have you met with your plastic surgeon yet?

    Good luck to you!

    Lex♥

    No,not yet. But I don't
    No,not yet. But I don't want to get my hopes up if it isn't a possibility for me. I don't like the idea of implants at all.
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #4
    sparky72156 said:

    No,not yet. But I don't
    No,not yet. But I don't want to get my hopes up if it isn't a possibility for me. I don't like the idea of implants at all.

    your plastic surgeon
    who is going to perform your surgery will give your options.
    I had DIEP/Tram reconstruction. I am size 4, weight 120 lb. cup B.
    Do not worry until you see your plastic surgeon.
    Good luck
  • sparky72156
    sparky72156 Member Posts: 61
    #5
    New Flower said:

    your plastic surgeon
    who is going to perform your surgery will give your options.
    I had DIEP/Tram reconstruction. I am size 4, weight 120 lb. cup B.
    Do not worry until you see your plastic surgeon.
    Good luck

    Thank you! That is SO
    Thank you! That is SO encouraging. I'm 5'7" and 139 lbs, but I've worked out for some time now so a lot of muscle. I do hope the TRAM is possible. My appointment is Monday and I am so scared that I'd just like to sleep until then.
  • chickad52
    chickad52 Member Posts: 497
    #6
    SPARKY
    Don't be scared. I saw my plastic surgeon about 2 month ago . I'm 5'8 and weigh 160 and he said I didn't have enough stomach fat to use so I'll be having Latissimus Dorsi reconstuction after I have radiation treatments. Good Luck to you and have a great holiday. Hugs, Diane
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #7
    sparky72156 said:

    Thank you! That is SO
    Thank you! That is SO encouraging. I'm 5'7" and 139 lbs, but I've worked out for some time now so a lot of muscle. I do hope the TRAM is possible. My appointment is Monday and I am so scared that I'd just like to sleep until then.

    Good luck with your
    Good luck with your appointment on Monday Sparky. Let us know what you find out.

    HUGS
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #8
    I had tram done almost 2
    I had tram done almost 2 years ago. I had enough belly fat to get a c cup out of it even though I didn't have a big belly. Your plastic surgeon will be able to tell you best. Keep us posted. Hugs. Lili
  • sparky72156
    sparky72156 Member Posts: 61
    #9
    mmontero38 said:

    I had tram done almost 2
    I had tram done almost 2 years ago. I had enough belly fat to get a c cup out of it even though I didn't have a big belly. Your plastic surgeon will be able to tell you best. Keep us posted. Hugs. Lili

    Thank you SO much. With my
    Thank you SO much. With my appointment on Monday, I am beginning to get very afraid. I lost my husband 4 years ago to brain cancer and have been dating some, but after a surgery like this, I see myself alone for the rest of my life. I'm 53 years old and I'm almost as afraid as I was when he was diagnosed. I see the TRAM as a surgery that can put some sort of normalcy back into my life. Right now, I'm so afraid that I can hardly think straight.
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #10
    sparky72156 said:

    Thank you SO much. With my
    Thank you SO much. With my appointment on Monday, I am beginning to get very afraid. I lost my husband 4 years ago to brain cancer and have been dating some, but after a surgery like this, I see myself alone for the rest of my life. I'm 53 years old and I'm almost as afraid as I was when he was diagnosed. I see the TRAM as a surgery that can put some sort of normalcy back into my life. Right now, I'm so afraid that I can hardly think straight.

    Don't be afraid. I do want
    Don't be afraid. I do want to tell you that the recovery time on this type of surgery is longer than having an implant. Also, because they tunnel the flap through the inside, your stomach area and rib cage area become sort of numb because nerve endings are damaged. It isn't an easy surgery and you will be in the OR anywhere from 4 to 5 hours if everything goes smooth. I was in the hospital for 5 days before being discharged. Then, you are not allowed to lift anything heavy since you do loose the muscle in the abdomen since it is moved up into your chest area. Make sure you make a list of questions for the surgeon and you can always send me a message here. Hugs, Lili
  • Calleen
    Calleen Member Posts: 411
    #11
    sparky72156 said:

    Thank you SO much. With my
    Thank you SO much. With my appointment on Monday, I am beginning to get very afraid. I lost my husband 4 years ago to brain cancer and have been dating some, but after a surgery like this, I see myself alone for the rest of my life. I'm 53 years old and I'm almost as afraid as I was when he was diagnosed. I see the TRAM as a surgery that can put some sort of normalcy back into my life. Right now, I'm so afraid that I can hardly think straight.

    Of
    Course your afraid!! facing a major surgery like that is scary.. I did it!!! I'm 5'7 143 and had the tram.. my belly is soooo flat now and I had both breasts done. Before surgery I could pinch some of my belly.. I can now see my abs so it's looks like I have a six pack.. I'm single too and 49 yrs old. I do have a boyfriend now but during some of my struggle when I was without a guy I did date and some guys were really great when I brought up that I was a survivor..I did it on purpose to weed out guys who would not be there for me... I feel very normal and have also decided not to have my nipples put back on.. I think I might just put a fun tattoo there or ones that look realistic like a nipple... My boyfriend is fine with me just like I am...
  • helen e
    helen e Member Posts: 223
    #12
    I don't know but...
    I too wasn't sure that I would have enough fat either I am pretty thin. When I went to the plastic surgeon he did all these measurements and I had 3 for my stomach (I can't remember if that was in cm or in.) and about 1.8 for my shoulder. Everyone told me that I was too skinny But I thought that having had two babies that I had enough "baby fat" to make a go of it. Two weeks ago I had that Mast/TRAM flap surgery and all went well. I hope this helps. Good luck in your surgery. Let us know what you decide to do.
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #13
    mmontero38 said:

    Don't be afraid. I do want
    Don't be afraid. I do want to tell you that the recovery time on this type of surgery is longer than having an implant. Also, because they tunnel the flap through the inside, your stomach area and rib cage area become sort of numb because nerve endings are damaged. It isn't an easy surgery and you will be in the OR anywhere from 4 to 5 hours if everything goes smooth. I was in the hospital for 5 days before being discharged. Then, you are not allowed to lift anything heavy since you do loose the muscle in the abdomen since it is moved up into your chest area. Make sure you make a list of questions for the surgeon and you can always send me a message here. Hugs, Lili

    Just want to wish you good
    Just want to wish you good luck with your surgery.

    Megan
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #14
    mmontero38 said:

    I had tram done almost 2
    I had tram done almost 2 years ago. I had enough belly fat to get a c cup out of it even though I didn't have a big belly. Your plastic surgeon will be able to tell you best. Keep us posted. Hugs. Lili

    Good luck
    Hi! I want to wish you the best of luck with your surgery!

    Hugs, Diane ♥
  • boppel
    boppel Member Posts: 26
    #15
    Tram Flap
    Hi Sparky, I have not been here for quite some time so everyone is new to me. I am a 2 x BC survivor, 10 years out from the first and 5 years from the second. I had the tram flap reconstruction done, seems so long ago (9years). I was scared too, but found the more I knew about it the less fear I had. My plastic surgeon explained everything very clearly, I had also checked the internet for info, and I saw the surgery on TV, some medical program. I knew what to expect. My bellyfat was enough to create a C . At that time I weight 150 lbs, I am 5'3 and I was 55 years old. I am glad I had the tram flap, do not like implants. Recovery takes a while, I found wearing a binder for a while after the surgery helped a lot. I wish you the best and if you have any questions just come here and we will help you out.

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