Breast reconstrution options

Wabbitt
Wabbitt Member Posts: 18
in Breast Cancer #1

In 4 months I will be ready to have my expanders removed and final reconstruction.  Who has had success with the Tarm Flap/Free Muscle sugery?

Comments

  • KathyLQ
    KathyLQ Member Posts: 100
    #2
    How do you define "success"?

    How do you define "success"?   Your prospective surgeon isn't going to aim for anything less than successful!

    Have you heard of the D.I.E.P. flap transfer?     I had one.

    You might review this wiki article on the differences:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIEP_flap   "The DIEP flap reconstruction procedure is similar to the muscle-sparing free TRAM flap procedure, but it only requires the removal of skin and fat. Unlike in the TRAM procedure, however, no muscle is sacrificed. The DIEP flap—like the TRAM flap—requires an incision into the abdominal (rectus) muscle, as the blood vessels, or perforators, required to keep the tissue alive lie just beneath or within this muscle. Therefore, a small incision is made in the abdominal muscle in order to access the vessels."

    D.I.E.P. flap is the newer method.   One can not be very thin in body type and have the D.I.E.P. surgery.   You get a full tummy tuck with the D.I.E.P. surgery.    I liked that part.  

    I'd suggest finding plastic surgeons knowledgable in both of these proceeders and have one or more interviews.   

    I met a woman (at the time I was having my mastectomy and getting my expanders put in), in her 60's, who had a double mascectomy, the D.I.E.P. transfer for both breasts... all done in one long operation (multiple plastic surgeons working together).   I spoke again to her after I left the hospital, about 3 weeks later, and she reported she went through surgery well and was doing well then.    Myself, they couldn't block out a surgery room long enough, so I ended up needing to have the expanders and different scheduled surgeries.   I would have wished to have them all done together.

     

  • Wabbitt
    Wabbitt Member Posts: 18
    #3
    KathyLQ said:

    How do you define "success"?

    How do you define "success"?   Your prospective surgeon isn't going to aim for anything less than successful!

    Have you heard of the D.I.E.P. flap transfer?     I had one.

    You might review this wiki article on the differences:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIEP_flap   "The DIEP flap reconstruction procedure is similar to the muscle-sparing free TRAM flap procedure, but it only requires the removal of skin and fat. Unlike in the TRAM procedure, however, no muscle is sacrificed. The DIEP flap—like the TRAM flap—requires an incision into the abdominal (rectus) muscle, as the blood vessels, or perforators, required to keep the tissue alive lie just beneath or within this muscle. Therefore, a small incision is made in the abdominal muscle in order to access the vessels."

    D.I.E.P. flap is the newer method.   One can not be very thin in body type and have the D.I.E.P. surgery.   You get a full tummy tuck with the D.I.E.P. surgery.    I liked that part.  

    I'd suggest finding plastic surgeons knowledgable in both of these proceeders and have one or more interviews.   

    I met a woman (at the time I was having my mastectomy and getting my expanders put in), in her 60's, who had a double mascectomy, the D.I.E.P. transfer for both breasts... all done in one long operation (multiple plastic surgeons working together).   I spoke again to her after I left the hospital, about 3 weeks later, and she reported she went through surgery well and was doing well then.    Myself, they couldn't block out a surgery room long enough, so I ended up needing to have the expanders and different scheduled surgeries.   I would have wished to have them all done together.

     

    I am learning the correct

    I am learning the correct termology.  I do have the little extra in the tummy so that is what my surgeon has suggested we do.  How long did it take you to recover?  Were you able to function on your own within a week?  My bil mast went very well and I am feeling very strong.  Even though it will be 4 months until the final phase I am trying to get myself educated.

     

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