Trams flap vs ???
Comments
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decision
I am scheduled for a DIEP flap recon with a bi-lateral mastectomy on June 14th. I've had a left breast mastectomy, shemo & rad all within the last year. Mr. dr. said I am a candidate for the DIEP because I've had radiation to the chest wall and would get a better result. He did not consider implants for me. This is major surgery with a long recovery, but I have been feeling better about it since reading other women's posts about the tram. Keep asking question, I know I do!
Does this help?0 -
I had the DIEP 3 weeks agojphilpo said:decision
I am scheduled for a DIEP flap recon with a bi-lateral mastectomy on June 14th. I've had a left breast mastectomy, shemo & rad all within the last year. Mr. dr. said I am a candidate for the DIEP because I've had radiation to the chest wall and would get a better result. He did not consider implants for me. This is major surgery with a long recovery, but I have been feeling better about it since reading other women's posts about the tram. Keep asking question, I know I do!
Does this help?
I had the DIEP 3 weeks ago and really it was hell for a week but now I am doing great! Driving, shopping, getting out. I have to take a nap everyday but the recovery is NO WHERE near as bad as I thought!0 -
DIEPTulsaMomof3 said:I had the DIEP 3 weeks ago
I had the DIEP 3 weeks ago and really it was hell for a week but now I am doing great! Driving, shopping, getting out. I have to take a nap everyday but the recovery is NO WHERE near as bad as I thought!
I am SO GLAD to hear that!!!!! You can't imagine how much your positive reports have helped me!! I bought a pair of x-large pj's yesterday and am psyching myself up for June 14th.
PLEASE keep them coming!0 -
I had DIEP flap for a single
I had DIEP flap for a single mastectomy on Jan 5th this year. I am super happy with the results, I have a very nice looking breast. It is major abdominal surgery and you will need help after getting home from the hospital, can't drive for 2 - 3 weeks.
The difference between the Tram and DIEP is that DIEP does not use your stomach muscle like Tram, the remove some blood vessels and re-attach them under the colar bone. You do end up with a tummy tuck and nice scar across your stomach. I also like the idea of recycling my fat, okay using my own body and not having to have something foreign in it.
For me, now almost 6 months out, am very happy with the results, it was worth it.0 -
DIEP
I had the DIEP procedure bilaterally. I chose my own tissue because it does not have to be redone. I chose DIEP because it preserves the abdominal muscle. It is a longer procedure than the tram because they have to disconnect and reconnect blood vessels, but it is normally easier to recover from because less muscle tissue is involved. I did have some unusual complications with healing up, but my situation is rare, so I will not go into it. Now that it is all over, I am happy with it and glad to be done with surgeries. I did get a "tummy tuck" and my breasts look almost exactly like they used to except for the scars (which will fade over time). The ACS website has an online bookstore where you can buy a book called "the reconstruction guidebook" (or something similar). After I bought it, I located the surgeon I used and guess what book he recommended? The one I had just bought...so it is a good book. You can also go on Susan G. Komen website and others and see pictures of women who have had recon.
Where to find a surgeon? I am in Fort Worth, Texas, so I do not know in your area. I would suggest talking to your Oncologist or looking at cancer research hospitals or teaching hospitals in your area. They usually have the latest and best. The "name" in cancer research/treatment in Texas in M.D. Anderson in Houston. There is another in San Antonio, but I do not know the name of the facility. My Dr. is Dr. Michel St. Cyr at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
I hope this is useful. It is a big decision! seof0 -
I had a bilateral mastectomyseof said:DIEP
I had the DIEP procedure bilaterally. I chose my own tissue because it does not have to be redone. I chose DIEP because it preserves the abdominal muscle. It is a longer procedure than the tram because they have to disconnect and reconnect blood vessels, but it is normally easier to recover from because less muscle tissue is involved. I did have some unusual complications with healing up, but my situation is rare, so I will not go into it. Now that it is all over, I am happy with it and glad to be done with surgeries. I did get a "tummy tuck" and my breasts look almost exactly like they used to except for the scars (which will fade over time). The ACS website has an online bookstore where you can buy a book called "the reconstruction guidebook" (or something similar). After I bought it, I located the surgeon I used and guess what book he recommended? The one I had just bought...so it is a good book. You can also go on Susan G. Komen website and others and see pictures of women who have had recon.
Where to find a surgeon? I am in Fort Worth, Texas, so I do not know in your area. I would suggest talking to your Oncologist or looking at cancer research hospitals or teaching hospitals in your area. They usually have the latest and best. The "name" in cancer research/treatment in Texas in M.D. Anderson in Houston. There is another in San Antonio, but I do not know the name of the facility. My Dr. is Dr. Michel St. Cyr at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
I hope this is useful. It is a big decision! seof
I had a bilateral mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction in May 2009. Like everyone else, I would highly recommend it. Your oncologist or breast surgeon would be a good resource for a surgeon recommendation: it is a specialty and there are limited doctors who have the necessary experience. I live in Syracuse, NY, and my plastic surgeon's office is a couple miles from my house, so I was very blessed to have a very well-respected doctor so close to home, in a relatively small city. He is not affiliated with a teaching hospital, but he is excellent.
Joyce0 -
BIG DECISIONjk1952 said:I had a bilateral mastectomy
I had a bilateral mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction in May 2009. Like everyone else, I would highly recommend it. Your oncologist or breast surgeon would be a good resource for a surgeon recommendation: it is a specialty and there are limited doctors who have the necessary experience. I live in Syracuse, NY, and my plastic surgeon's office is a couple miles from my house, so I was very blessed to have a very well-respected doctor so close to home, in a relatively small city. He is not affiliated with a teaching hospital, but he is excellent.
Joyce
Thanks ladies for you insight. I thought I knew what I was going to do but as you all know it is a big decision and like you I want to make the right decision for me. I do know if at all possible I want to use my own body. Thanks Again.0 -
waterpark!!!!!!!!!!!!!piseminger said:BIG DECISION
Thanks ladies for you insight. I thought I knew what I was going to do but as you all know it is a big decision and like you I want to make the right decision for me. I do know if at all possible I want to use my own body. Thanks Again.
Ok I am now 3 weeks and 5 days post OP from the DIEP, I am going to a waterpark with my family today! My breast look amazing I feel great! I will probably just be chillen on a floaty or a lounge chair but at least I am out and having a good time with the kids! I am 14 pounds lighter - I have smaller perkier boobs with great cleavage. Its going to be a great day! ( I will still take it wasy just glad to be back to normal summer fun:)0 -
waterpark!!!!!!!!!!!!!piseminger said:BIG DECISION
Thanks ladies for you insight. I thought I knew what I was going to do but as you all know it is a big decision and like you I want to make the right decision for me. I do know if at all possible I want to use my own body. Thanks Again.
Ok I am now 3 weeks and 5 days post OP from the DIEP, I am going to a waterpark with my family today! My breast look amazing I feel great! I will probably just be chillen on a floaty or a lounge chair but at least I am out and having a good time with the kids! I am 14 pounds lighter - I have smaller perkier boobs with great cleavage. Its going to be a great day! ( I will still take it wasy just glad to be back to normal summer fun:)0 -
WOW!TulsaMomof3 said:waterpark!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok I am now 3 weeks and 5 days post OP from the DIEP, I am going to a waterpark with my family today! My breast look amazing I feel great! I will probably just be chillen on a floaty or a lounge chair but at least I am out and having a good time with the kids! I am 14 pounds lighter - I have smaller perkier boobs with great cleavage. Its going to be a great day! ( I will still take it wasy just glad to be back to normal summer fun:)
How amazing for you!! Mine is coming up & you will be my inspiration!0 -
trans flap reconstruction
I had the transflap (left side only) reconstruction on March 10 and and am very happy with the results. I had the trans, a complete hysterectomy and mastectomy all in the same surgery. Mobility was pretty limited the first couple of weeks, but by about the 3rd week I was feeling better each day and more able to do what I wanted to do. My surgeon was Dr. Jason Leedy of the Cleveland, Ohio, Plastic Surgery Center(40 min from home.)
The only thing I wish I had done before the surgery was to have more pre-testing done. I had a lumpectomy in 2005, when the lump returned we elected to do the mastectomy this time. Last week, 10 weeks post-op, I had developed a cough. Being concerned it would cause post surgical damage, I went to my physican who failed to get breath sounds in my left lung. Just returned home Friday after a collapsed lung, 2 surgeries, a week in the Cleveland Clinic and a diagnosis of breast cancer now in lung, spot on spine...and another visit scheduled next week to get results of MRI, CT scans and our plan of attack to beat this. Chest x-rays are no longer routine before all surgeries - would it have caught this a couple months earlier, I don't know, but I know I will be more informed in the future. Ask what else should/could be done.0 -
I had a lumpectomy, but,TulsaMomof3 said:I had the DIEP 3 weeks ago
I had the DIEP 3 weeks ago and really it was hell for a week but now I am doing great! Driving, shopping, getting out. I have to take a nap everyday but the recovery is NO WHERE near as bad as I thought!
I had a lumpectomy, but, wishing you good luck with your surgery!0 -
?????seof said:DIEP
I had the DIEP procedure bilaterally. I chose my own tissue because it does not have to be redone. I chose DIEP because it preserves the abdominal muscle. It is a longer procedure than the tram because they have to disconnect and reconnect blood vessels, but it is normally easier to recover from because less muscle tissue is involved. I did have some unusual complications with healing up, but my situation is rare, so I will not go into it. Now that it is all over, I am happy with it and glad to be done with surgeries. I did get a "tummy tuck" and my breasts look almost exactly like they used to except for the scars (which will fade over time). The ACS website has an online bookstore where you can buy a book called "the reconstruction guidebook" (or something similar). After I bought it, I located the surgeon I used and guess what book he recommended? The one I had just bought...so it is a good book. You can also go on Susan G. Komen website and others and see pictures of women who have had recon.
Where to find a surgeon? I am in Fort Worth, Texas, so I do not know in your area. I would suggest talking to your Oncologist or looking at cancer research hospitals or teaching hospitals in your area. They usually have the latest and best. The "name" in cancer research/treatment in Texas in M.D. Anderson in Houston. There is another in San Antonio, but I do not know the name of the facility. My Dr. is Dr. Michel St. Cyr at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
I hope this is useful. It is a big decision! seof
did your doctor say anything about the DIEP making it impossible or difficult to discover if cancer was to reoccur in the same location.0 -
I am so glad to read yourTulsaMomof3 said:waterpark!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok I am now 3 weeks and 5 days post OP from the DIEP, I am going to a waterpark with my family today! My breast look amazing I feel great! I will probably just be chillen on a floaty or a lounge chair but at least I am out and having a good time with the kids! I am 14 pounds lighter - I have smaller perkier boobs with great cleavage. Its going to be a great day! ( I will still take it wasy just glad to be back to normal summer fun:)
I am so glad to read your post. I am new to the site. I am having my surgery next week and am very concerned about how the recovery will go. It is comforting to hear how quickly you are getting back to normal. Also good to hear about the good look.0 -
bi-lat. mastectomy w/ trams flap reconstruction.
I had trams flap for my reconstruction on 4/30/2010. There were no complications. I came home with 6 drains that were easy to use. There was more discomfort with them than anything. They were removed 10 days after my surg. I slept in a electric recliner for the first few weeks, which was easier to get in and out of than a bed for me. I did do the suggested exercises for the mastectomy after I got the OK from my plastic surg. I found the abdominal area to be a bit of a challange. Recently, I found a book that looks at the challanges of each surg. and reconstruction. They then give you a series of exercises that start with stretches, then goes to ballance and strengthening depending on what type of surg. you had. It has been a wonderfull thing for me to use this book. I am VERY happy with the results of my trams flap. I still have some swelling and will have my third follow-up with the dr. the end of July. He did tell me that at that point we may decide to wait another 4 months to do the follow-up procedure for reconstruction, as to be sure that all the swelling is gone. I am in NJ. My dr. has had people from FL. come up for their reconstruction with him. He does have a web site if you want to see his work as well as contact him with any questions. I had reconstruction done the same day as my bi-lat. mastectomy.0 -
tram flap
I had my tram flap (left side only) in Dec. 09. I am happy with it and would do it again if I had to. I had 4 drains and had them removed a week after I came home. I have to see the plastic surgeon again for the follow up surgery this month. It does take time but to me, in the end having my own body is really important.
Helen0 -
Love mine!
I had a bi-lateral reconstruction using my abdominal fat back in 2007. My boobs looks great! And, I have a flat stomach
I entrusted a team of well renouned plastic surgeons that did a fantastic job. Do your research on plastic surgeons that have had a lot of experience doing this type of surgery.
I ditto the feeling that I liked the idea of using my own body for reconstruction. I started feeling good after about 2 weeks after the surgery.
Blessings to you!!
sea600 -
DIEP surgerysea60 said:Love mine!
I had a bi-lateral reconstruction using my abdominal fat back in 2007. My boobs looks great! And, I have a flat stomach I entrusted a team of well renouned plastic surgeons that did a fantastic job. Do your research on plastic surgeons that have had a lot of experience doing this type of surgery.
I ditto the feeling that I liked the idea of using my own body for reconstruction. I started feeling good after about 2 weeks after the surgery.
Blessings to you!!
sea60
I'm scheduled for bilateral mastectomy with full breast reconstruction using the DIEP method on July 19. I've been reading posts from people that have had this surgery but I'm most concerned with how I will feel immediately after I wake up from the surgery. Are you so drugged up that you don't feel anything? Do you need to have a loved one there with you or did the nurses attend to your needs? Were you able to eat/drink right away or did you have to wait? I'd also like to know how long the hospital stay was? I'm 44 years old - had a lumpectomy with full lymph node dissection on my right side in 2008 - finished chemo and radiation in December 2008 and now find that I'm BRCA-2 positive.0
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