1st question: anyone with TRAM done for a while?

[Guest guest]

Bibi

I had the free tram ( i believe that's what is it called) about 9 years ago. They moved the muscles and blood supply together, if that helps any. I haven't had any problems with my stomach from it. I can still to sit ups, do anything I used to do.

I think alot depends on the skill of the surgeon you use with this procedure. Only problem is that I weighed more when I had the surgery (so I would have enough stomach to do it with) and as I loose weight my reconstructed breast gets smaller. It is usually about a cup size smaller, I wear a light weight filler used by normal people to make their breast size a cup bigger. I just put it in upside down and it fills in perfectly, LOL.

Hope this helps some.

Blessings

Pam

[Guest guest]

Bibi

I had the free tram ( i believe that's what is it called) about 9 years ago. They moved the muscles and blood supply together, if that helps any. I haven't had any problems with my stomach from it. I can still to sit ups, do anything I used to do.

I think alot depends on the skill of the surgeon you use with this procedure. Only problem is that I weighed more when I had the surgery (so I would have enough stomach to do it with) and as I loose weight my reconstructed breast gets smaller. It is usually about a cup size smaller, I wear a light weight filler used by normal people to make their breast size a cup bigger. I just put it in upside down and it fills in perfectly, LOL.

Hope this helps some.

Blessings

Pam

[Guest guest]

Bibi

I had the free tram ( i believe that's what is it called) about 9 years ago. They moved the muscles and blood supply together, if that helps any. I haven't had any problems with my stomach from it. I can still to sit ups, do anything I used to do.

I think alot depends on the skill of the surgeon you use with this procedure. Only problem is that I weighed more when I had the surgery (so I would have enough stomach to do it with) and as I loose weight my reconstructed breast gets smaller. It is usually about a cup size smaller, I wear a light weight filler used by normal people to make their breast size a cup bigger. I just put it in upside down and it fills in perfectly, LOL.

Hope this helps some.

Blessings

Pam

[Guest guest]

I have been researching in the wild wild world of possible treatments. Like

a moving target.

I am 44, never had kid, 112 lb, active (into social dancing, can dance 6

hours a day). I feel that I am overkilling it by blasting my abdomen wall

just to fix a 2 inch diameter " pothole " from my 3rd stage I local cancer

reoccurrence, this time at my sternum.

Seen 2 ps, one said pedicled flap (turned out because he cannot do

microsurgery), another one said free flap as 1st choice pending on my

vascular condition at time of surgery-- with pedicled flap as backup.

Now with more research, I am more inclined with DIEP as it is less invasive,

although I have to consult with a 3rd ps who can do DIEP to see if I am

qualified. The reason I am fearful of TRAM is the potential lack of muscle

strength and hernia.

(I was gung hole when I had the 1st mastectomy 16 yrs ago, but after 2

repeated surgeries, I have to admit my faith in knifing has subsided

progressively)

My Oncologist advised me that based on my past reoccurrence pattern, I have

the " local and regional cancer disease " , which is characterized with high

chance of it returning elsewhere on my chest wall. If I have to worry about

finding a clean tissue to fill another pothole(s) down the road even I have

this (invasive) surgery now, I would rather have NO SURGERY and fight the

cell with hormone treatment (which controls the cell but cannot eliminate

it).

So for now, in order to give surgery another benefit of the doubt, I want to

touch base with ppl who has received either pediculed or free flap,

particularly those who had it done for a while. Am I over-worrying about the

health hazard?

Bibi

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