Hi Girls,
Im having an unusual recon procedure and wondered if any one else has had this too.Or knows of someone who has.
Its a procedure using muscle and tissue from inner thigh to reconstruct.No implant or expansion procedure involed, I hear its similar to the ‘buttock’ recon.
I would love to hear from anyone who has some knowledge of this,Ive looked on the web, havent found any pictures,a little info, apparently its used a fair bit in the USA.
thanks,
Julie xx
Hi Julie
You are welcome to contact our helpline and talk to one of our nurses if you feel it would help you. The helpline is on 0808 800 6000 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-2pm.
Best wishes
Katie
Moderator
Breast Cancer Care
Hi Julie
I’ve been looking on the web too and found some interesting info under www.diepflap.com/br_treatmentoptions.html.
Look at the Center for micrsosurgical breast reconstruction, which is an american site. It gives info and pictures of all the surgical procedures including the I-gap flap, which borrows excess skin and fat from the inferior buttock, with a scar that’s completely hidden in the crease under the bum and a bum lift thrown in! They say it’s their newest development, but looks really good and the scar is very discreet, also doesn’t interfere with any of the muscle as it is only tsaking skin and fat. I haven’t seen anyone on this site referring to it, but will definitely ask my surgeon about it. There’s no reference to the inner thigh procedure on this site, but you may be interested to have a look at it anyway. Where are you having your surgery done? I would be very interested to hear more about it and how you get on.
good luck
lotty
Hi,
I think my surgeon does this operation. She is Elaine Sasson in Norwich. I’m sure if you contacted her, via her website you could get information.
Regards
Kelley
hey kelley, I notice you say your surgeon is from norwich. Where are you then?I am in suffolk. debbi x
Hi Thanks for all your coments,
I had a TMG flap done , using the grasalis muscle from my inner left thigh to transplant into right breast area. I had it done at St thomas’ Hosp in london, all went very well. apart from prolonged post op bed rest due to leg wound. Im very please with my recon, nipple area naturally to sort later, and a small dent, which may look better when the swelling has all gone and i can see the real picture.
If you want any more info just call! Im 13 days post op now, sruggling a little bit with stairs and no where near driving yet, but doing well otherwise.
lots of love Julie xxxxx
Hi Debbi,
I live about 6 miles east of Norwich. How about you?
Kelley
Hi Julie - wish I’d spotted this earlier but I don’t come here so often since all the inter site fighting started.
I had SGAP - very successful too.
Glad to hear your TMG has been good as well.
Would love the chance to chat more privately - compare note etc because I feel unique in having a rare recon and I suspect you do too. This is exactly the sort of subject one would want to discuss personally and not publicly.
Seems I’ll have to settle for sending you lots of hugs and encouragement to take the time to recover properly.
Keep posting your updates - it’s very important that the rarer recons are well documented so others can get information and reassurance before taking the plunge.
xxx
Hi Morgaine,
My op was only 6 and a half hours long, at the moment my buttock incision, my bottom, the underside of my thighand the back of my calf but less so is numb and tingly, i get muscle twinges in my inner thigh, my top left inner thigh is straighter than my right but with little difference as im a size 8-10 anyway.my bottom looks ok, as most of what was removed was from my grasalis muscle in my left inner thigh, skin was taken from my buttock for my nipple area.i cant walk up and down stairs properly yet, can only do 1 at a time, i can get in and out of the bath, cant bend down yet, to put socks and shoes on my left foot! The buttock incision is thick and ugly , it may need some revision later. I cant drive yet. I will have a look on the internet and see if i can find your account. Its a shame we cant get in touch some way.
keep writing, how are you and your recovery generally. take care
Julie xx
Hi,
Im about to try the 'other 'site, I can navigate most things pc!
julie xx
Hi M,
For some reason I couldnt find the site.Can you re confirm the full address.
cheers,
J xxx
hi im in there(bcp) post me, happy christmas, too!
j xx
Hi M,
I cant reply to you privately elsewhere, they wont let me! I tried today, hope you are doing ok, my leg is still giving a bit of jip, and my new boob is dropping into place and now a bit ‘denty’, its slightly bigger than my natural side on the left. Im hoping to return back to work soon before 6x FEC starts next week. oh the joy!
hope to catch up with you soon,
j xxx
JulsRis,
Were you happy with your surgeon? Would you recomend him to anyone? My local NHS hospital doesn’t do any reconstructions except implants or LD flap. They are happy to refer me to different one if I want more choice. Not shure where to go.
Hi Foxy chick,
I was seen by the plastics team at st thomass hospital waterloo london. they had only ever performed my procedure 3 times, but because im small size 8-10,34a and i didnt want implants or expanders and wanted minimum surgical intervention with minimum follow up and as natural as possible i opted for this procedure. I had TMG with IGAP and free flap.Im very happy so far, my op was on Nov 30th, I would recommend researching other options if your situation is similar, though the options for you may be the same elsewhere. if I can help in any other way please ask away. I will still need my nipple remade and tattooed and my dents filled at a later date, this i gather is standard after a recon and is done after treatment has finished months down the line.
good luck with your decision making, its hard enough with everything else going on isnt it?
happy new year to you
J xx
Hi Julie,
Hope you are recovering well! Sorry for replying just now, I keep forgetting where I post my messages and don’t know how to find them later. I have seen plastic surgeon in St Thomas’ hospital although he wasn’t a Japanese one, but seemed quite nice. He’s convinced that LD + implant is the better option in my particular case, I guess I should listen the “wise man”
It is hard to make a decision, but at least it takes ones mind off more morbid thoughts.
Please keep us updated on your recovery progress! Morgaine is rights, surgery like this make you unique!
Hi Foxy chick,
Glad you have come to a decision, and good luck with your surgery, are you on another site?? What was your diagnosis, and your story, have you family, how young are you, wher in london are you, im in se23 . Ive just started FEC , having 6, feeling ok, and returned to work shortened days, feels great to be out in the world again!
keep me posted too!
Julie xx
Julie,
I am in my mid-thirties, no kids yet, diagnosed recently with DCIS and still waiting for the surgery. I am living in SE London but far enough to be in Kent really.
And yes I am on the “other” site, that is much better for making friends and support, but is a bit more lively here even that navigation is s**t.
I must admit that I was tempted at first to go for something different as wasn’t keen on having implants either. But saw one woman with the implants (without LD) and she was doing so well and was not afraid of future replacement ops that she inspired me. Plus I felt that I was lacking bravery to opt for rare recon ( I’m not well suited for DIEP or TRAM).
You must be a very brave woman!!!
Hi Foxychick,
Glad you have come to a decision, choosing is all very individual isnt it, I will look out for you elsewhere, tho I dont visit often, I find it more difficult to use.
Good luck hon, post me xxxx
Hi girls.
Sorry to have been missing for a while - I’m too used to the other style of forum.
Foxy - I have an implant on my non cancer side and it’s fine. I recently met someone with cosmetic implants she was having removed after 12 years - not because they were a problem, because she had decided she was too old for her enormous boobs - lol.
Julie - you need to make a number of posts before you can use private messages - keep plugging away and I’m sure you’ll get the hang of things. I don’t advocate one site in favour of another but I do think the personal element can be supportive of people as wonderfully unique as we are !!