Pedicled Tram flap surgery

Hi, this is my first post n the forum. I am having a meeting on Friday with a plastic surgeon to discuss my options for reconstruction, I had Chemeotherapy, right mastectomy and Radiotherapy in 2012.

Has anyone had pedicled tram flap surgery?
I would be grateful to hear pros & cons.
Regards Vanessa

Hiya - I had chemotherapy and radical left mastectomy - finished Radiotherapy in February 2012.

I had pedicled tram flap surgery on March 22nd of this year - unfortunately for me, part of it when necrotic and had to be removed in theatre on April 5th. 3 months on and I still have an open wound but it is nearly closed now. I had no problems with my “tummy tuck” although it is very hard. My reconstructed boob is small and I am now thinking of having a reduction and uplift to the good side so that they match.

My story is probably one of the worst but I don’t regret having it done. My surgeon said that mine failed because of the damage to my skin and underlying blood supply due to radiotherapy.

I am sure that yours will be fine! Just be prepared to rest and recover.

Hi Supertrouper
Sorry to hear that it did not work out for you. I will go armed with a list of questions to ask the PS on Friday. Is there anything specific I should ask?
Vanessa

Hi,
I know this is too late for your meeting with your surgeon, but I had the pedicled tram flap done in April this year. It went well & I had no major problems after surgery. I did find I was very uncomfortable for longer than I expected & also my reconstructed boob seems smaller than the other one although I’ve been told that it takes up to 12 months to settle down & should end up being about the same size. I keep asking that question about size & may believe the answer eventually. One part of the scar around the flap took 2-3 weeks longer than the rest to heal but its fine now. My tummy scar is fine. I do find that I have no touch sensation on the flap and on part of my tummy below the repositioned belly button. My main discomfort comes from the swelling below the flap which is where the muscle has been twisted. I’m hoping that will eventually ease altogether although its much better than a few weeks ago.
I was also told that the funding had been stopped for me to have uplift on the other breast, but I am waiting till everything has settled down and completed right through to nipple construction & tattoo & if they still seem unbalanced I may have to have the uplift done privately (depending on the cost of course).
Hope this has been helpful for you xx

Hi
My meeting went well last Friday, I have decided to go ahead with the procedure, I am seeing the plastic surgeon mid September then hopefull the operation will take place mid to end of October. I know it is going to be quite a long recovery but all being well it will be worth it.
Thanks

Hi
Glad to hear you are pleased with your surgery, I have decided to go ahead with the operation, I am seeing the surgeon mid September and the operation will be mid to end October, at least no I have a rough time scale I can prepare myself both mentally & physically.
Thanks

Hi
Glad to hear you are happy with your choice of surgery, my meeting went well and have decided to go ahead with the surgery, it should take place mid - end of October, now I have a rough idea when it will be I can prepare myself both mentally & physically.
Thanks

Hi

Can I be cheeky and ask you update when you’ve had your surgery as I plan to have this type of reconstruction, but surgeon wants my calcium levels under control first. I’m particularly interested in recovery time, and how successful the tummy tuck, and new boob of course are.

Hope you operation goes well, and that you’re happy with the result.

Love Donna

hi hun im due to have this surgery on 15th aug, im so nervous but excited at the same time xx

I had a TRAM flap done last Tuesday July 30th. I had my hair cut (as did the other girl having a DIEP!) as we both expected ‘the hot house’ to be hotter than it was-yes radiators in addition to the really hot weather last week but manageable. We had a nurse in our ‘greenhouse’ with us all night checking us every hour- breast temp, colour, doplar to hear the sound of blood moving in the new breast (&reassuring every time it happened). I was washed down regularly and turned side to side just to move me around though I must sleep on my back(& in a high impact sports bra- and Matalan big knickers!!) for 8-12 weeks. Showering is fun- you need to support the breast all the time. Between catheter and drains I felt like a beetle stuck on my back! However all out as the week went on so I came home on Sat -white stockings for 6 weeks-and a rolled up towel for your abdomen for when the little anaesthetic cough hits you. Swelling gone down; bruising changing colour; towel no longer needed. I am managing to extend my exercise eg walking down the Close a little further each day. Been driven to see a relative. I feel fine. Not sure about the new breast- havent really looked at it yet! The hollow above my mastectomy looks as tho it has been rather too well plumped up but early days yet. Breast size coming down- my husband says of what he can see it is reducing and not far off size of myleft breast.

Background-Lobular breast cancer diagnosed
I had a mastectomy Oct 25?th 2011 and I chose to have chemo (6 FEC) Dec 14-March 30th 2012; no radiotherapy needed as surgeon said not in lymph nodes or bloodstream.
I just put my self in the hands of the (NHS) experts- so far so good.
Will I feel so chirpy this afternoon when I am due to have my first dressings changed!!!

Hi all
I am back - dressings changed; back next week for another check of wounds- which are apparently healing nicely. Physio came to check I was being a good girl & I had to demonstrate my exercises.
So far so good…

Hi All
Thank you for the info about the operation, I will update once I have my date and after surgery, my main concern is the recovery time, but I am sure it will all be worth it.
Thanks
Vanessa

Hi Northumbrian1
Can I ask, how long were you in hospital for? did the hospital tell you what you needed to take in with you?
Thanks

Hi Vanessa
others will have more experience than me over recovery time as I will only be 2 weeks tomorrow since my op (on my right side). I confess last week I was happily getting a pudding bowl down from shelves above my head with my left hand when family said ‘should you be doing that?’- Oh come on! so I rang Breast recon nurse who said -‘depends on the weight!’ Oops! I hadn’t expected that reply. A week on physio said as well as my exercises already given I could lift affected arm above my head- no weight tho. I have let someone else change my bed /fight the duvet etc as i do not intend to (even if you could, which you can’t) go thro this again- or have part of it die- or lose it tho that is rare at this stage. They said it must be supported (it is a good size flap!! I heard the consultant say a kilo +). I was told do not lift a kettle for at least 6-8weeks. & after 6-8 weeks you may start light exercise. also acc to my advice sheets from recon nurse straining of abdomen should be avoided for 12 weeks. You should not return to work until after 6 weeks & that depends on job. So far no seroma- fingers crossed.

Does that help?
Maybe others will come in and give you their advice.
Amanda
Did you want to do a private message- not sure how this works!!

I went in on Mon July 29th (wedding anniversary!) and had op on Tuesday 30th July. Came out of hospital on Sat 3rd. Girl who’d had DIEP didnt as still had too much in drains.

I can’t work out after the first private message how to send any more!

Hi northumbrian1

If you click on the name of the person you want to pm this should bring up their profile. Just under the picture you should see a box “Send message”.

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Very best wishes

Janet

BCC Moderator

Thank you Janet for the I.T. help!