Dear all,
My surgery is approaching and I need to make decissions concerning immediate reconstruction after mastectomy. I hope that I could hear about your experiences of the LAP flap (the lumbar artery perforator flap) or TUG flap (transverse upper gracilis flap). Surgeries, recovery, satisfaction or not in the long term and so on. All the information would be helpful!
I had earlier an immediate DIEP reconstruction after mastectomy because of breast cancer. Now, I have a breast cancer in my other, “normal” breast and I need to go to the mastectomy. My surgery will be in two weeks. I could choose either to go flat or think of reconstruction with autologous flaps (implants were not recommended). I could choose either LAP flap or TUG flap. I love all kinds of sports and I feel uncomfortable with sacrifying a muscle for “a breast” instead of keeping the fully working body. Please correct me if I am wrong… My surgeon also told me that LAP flap surgery has more risks (because of this kind of flap surgery that requires microsurgery) compared to the DIEP flap surgery that I have had successully earlier. Also, I do not know, how the donor site in the unilateral LAP flap surgery will look afterwards. Does the waistline look odd or does it need another surgery to make the untouched site to look/ feel more even? Will there be tension in the operated site versus the non-touched site in the long-term? And what about TUG, do you feel weakness in the operated thigh even in the long-term and in what kind of sports/movements/trainings?
I find it hard to make a decission to one way or another. I would be so happy and thankful for it, if some of you could write your experiences about this topic.
I am looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Helen