Following 6 cycles of chemo, I had a skin sparing right mx April 2011 with a temporary expander implant to allow for delayed reconstruction as I needed radiotherapy. My surgeon is an ‘expert’ in the back flap option but as I suffer with back problems I am concerned that this may increase stiffness in my back & as I am right handed make this side much weaker.
As I was a 36FF, this option would include an implant but I am not too keen on this as I find the temporary one so stiff & solid which is no doubt due to the radiotherapy.
I have also been referred to a PS (not yet seen him) to consider the TRAM option without an implant but understand that there is a slightly higher failure rate for this.
My BCN has talked through the options but I am still not any clearer on which one to choose & see my consultant 21/10/11 when I had hoped to have made a decision.
Can anyone give me any advice on your experience of either procedure?
I had ld flap in march and as I write,lie in a hospital bed after tidy up proceedure yesterday. My friend had tram flap 2weeks before me Back in late feb. We have been comparing notes and boobs right through process. Hers was initially a more major job… And mine was pretty eye watering. Both were doable and def worth it. I’m a 14-16, she’s a 10-12. She didn’t have a lot of fat on her back but did have alittle tummy, she was-fit and well for the long surgery with good blood supply to area. She had small implant,looks fab shape and symmetry to other.she went on to have niiple con and looked better again. I had a wle and rads. My boob went on to shrink big time over next three yrs and because the blood supply was not great a tram flap wasn’t an option as the flap has to be plumbed in, ld brings it’s blood supply with it. I know there is a higher risk of fail withtram, but I think with both very small. My ps said he had lost 1ld flap in his career, due to blood supply. Not only do I look better my chest is warmer I don’t get cramps in area any more as he used the graft to enhance blood supply to surrounding area. I’m also asthmatic which influenced pathway as I was on the table a long time, but my friend longer. Not great for asthmatics. K was off work for a good few weeks, I got back quicker in 5. I think I’m getting at you need to explore around the proceedure re. You. Rads destroyed my blood suppy in the area and this was thedriving factor for me, couldn’t take risk with tram. Hope I’ve helped you explore it a bit more. Let Kronos how u get on. Love and empathy, blessing
Blessing thank you for taking the time to reply when you are in hospital. I will take your comments on board when considering my optons. Hope you are soon better