I’m trying to decide what kind of reconstruction to go with. I do fancy having a flat tummy but am a bit concerned about losing the muscle. Does it stay flat? What kind of problems have others had? Is it worth the longer op and the risk of failure?
Hi,
I had a Tram Flap reconstruction 3 years ago, and I am really pleased I had it, although just after the op I did think what on earth have I done this for!
Re your question about your tummy staying flat, it will stay flat if you watch your weight, something that I find very difficult to do post BC, I find that if I put on weight then my tummy starts to expand above the scare line, I always take this as a warning sign that I need to cut down on food and up the exercise! I think that I am right in saying that the Tram Flap only takes a little bit of the muscle and you still have a large part of the muscle left, I do yoga to keep the tummy muscle left strong, which seems to work.
It is a very big op, and it does take time to get back to normal, I was about 3 months, I don’t regret it at all, I have now had a nipple created as well. Sometimes when I take a quick glance in the mirror I forget that I ever had BC, which is something I thought I would never do 3 years ago.
Good luck with what you decide.
Tess x
Hi,
I had a diep flap recon which is just like the tram but without taking the muscle so risk of hernia reduced. Still a big op but end result is a tummy tuck and a new boob. Something to consider if your PS does this op.
Regards,
Marjay
Hi Lily, I had a tram flap in 1999 and did go on to have a hernia, not because of weight gain but because I was too impatient about lifting etc and got too busy too quickly. Otherwise it worked fantastically and I still really love the result - breast and tummy! I do believe that they use more fat than muscle nowadays. good luck with your decision and the operation
monica xxx
Hi
I had a Tram flap a year ago. The operation was going to be a diep but there was a problem with blood supply,so a tram flap was carried out.I took longer than the usual 3 months to recover as I had complications. The breast feels very natural and I use a prostectic nipple which is fab! My tuumy muscles are still weak but my plastic surgeon told me it can take up to 2 years to regain full strenth, so the exercise that suits me at the moment is gentle swimming. I am due to have more surgery soon to tidy up some areas. Would I do it again? - yes dispite all the problems. My adviced to you if you are going to go ahead with tram flap is to exercise tummy muscles so they are strong before operation.
Very best wishes
Chamomile
Thanks for your comment. The consultant says my tummy muscles are quite strong. I am also a bit worried about the flap failing as I had high blood pressure after my WLEs. I’ve got a while still to decide but not sure if that’s a good thing! Does it feel like your own breast?
Hi Lent Lily,
I wouldn’t worry about high blood pressure post op and the flap failing as I suffer with permanent high blood pressure controlled on medication and I haven’t had a problem with the flap failing. All I have suffered with was an area of fat necrosis - which I think quite a few people suffer with and am now 9 months post op.
The new boob does feel like my other one but without much sensation. I have just had my new nipple reconstructed and I didn’t feel a thing and am at present time waiting for the dressings to come off so I can see the result.
Is there a reason that your surgeon is going for the tram flap and not a diep?
Regards,
Marjay xxx
Hi Lent Lily
My breast does feel very simular and moves the same as the ‘good breast’. I do however have fat necrosis in one area fo the breast. I’m sure your P.S. has explained this as one of the posible problems that can occur with tram flap or Diep. I also have high blood presure that is controlled by medication and is not as I understand a reason for flap faliure.
Chamomile
Hi - good to read of your experiences - I’m 7 months post Tram flap and waiting for an Ultrasound for a very hard area to the side of my new boob - Consultant suggested tissue necrosis. As a couple of you have mentioned this do you know what the treatment is fo rit - do we just live with it or do they remove it?
Thanks
Brook
I would be interested to hear what happens. I’ve now had my op-4 weeks ago but my new breast is very hard and bruised at the moment. Blood pressure wasn’t a problem-it wasn’t high at the time.
I had my TRAM last Dec. I struggle if I do dedicated exercise (sit ups etc) but the majority of the things I do are the things that I did before. I do have problems that if I have overdone it then my abdomen along the scar goes into spasm ( a bit like cramp).
I have unfortunately put on weight in the last few months and so my tum isn’t as flat as it should be - but LOADS better than it was before.
It does take a while for the boob to get soft.I had one area that was sore and hard for ages but then resolved. I had my follow mammo the other week and they actually imaged the new one too - and found a small area of fat necrosis where it had been sore. I am sure that yours isn’t necrosis but just bruising -think what they have done! It is bound to be sore!!
I am due to now have a nipple graft in a few weeks followed by the areolar tattoo so I have nearly finished my long journey.
Take care of yourself, don’t push it and accept that it will take time (easier said than done!)
xx
Thanks to all who have posted on here. I’m hoping to have a TRAM flap some time when more treatemnt is complete. All your info is much appreciated.