Delayed reconstruction using thigh flap (TUG) - has anyone had this done?

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Hello!

 

I had a mastectomy when pregnant in November 2015 and now about to have reconstruction using thigh flap - does anyone have any experience of this?

 

It seems like quite a rare operation and so I am just wondering how others have found it. My local hospitals don’t do it so I am travelling 2 hours to Hull to have it done.

 

I’d love to know how people found recovery, finished results and so on. I have a 14 month old baby so would like to know how out of action I’ll be afterwards!

 

Thanks in advance

 

:slight_smile:

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Hi Hemingford16,

Thanks for your post and I am sure some of our users will be along to share their experiences with this surgery and show their support soon.

 

Do also feel free to ask questions about this type of reconstruction by posting on our Ask the Nurse board or calling our helpline on 0808 800 6000, who will be able to talk you through any questions you have. The opening hours are below:

 

Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
Late opening Wednesday, 9am-7pm
Saturday, 9am-1pm

 

Best wishes, 

Bonita 

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Hi Hemingford16.

I had a delayed TUG flap reconstruction in October 2016 which was 2 years after my mastectomy.  I am absolutely thrilled with my new breast which is pert, warm and squidgy.  It is a much harder operation to recover from than the mastectomy and I had to have 6 weeks off work but that being said I had problems with my leg scar healing.  I had my operation at East Grinstead which was an hours drive away and needed to go back at least 6 times over 4 weeks due to leg not healing. I only needed 2 nights in hospital as I recovered so well.  Once at home I was unable to bend to remove and put on my surgical stockings that had to be worn for 3 weeks but other than this I was able to dress myself without help.  For the first week I was unable to bend to pick anything off the floor so could have done with a litter picker to pick things up.  I am not sure I would have been able to pick a child up for a couple of weeks so you will need help with your child for at least 3 weeks.

if you would like to chat more PM me and I’ll give you my email and phone number.  Happy to send you pictures of my new breast and scars. X

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Hello. Am about to have mastectomy and PS suggested TUG reconstruction. The pictures of scars she showed me were frightening. I’m also worried about nerve pain/damage of loss of feeling or strength. I would so appreciate pictures of your thigh scars & hearing about your experience.