I am 34 and am booked in to have a free tram flap on 24th March on both sides having had bi lateral mastectomy in sep 2009.
Can anyone advise on recovery times as with two young kids we are wanting to book our summer hols during school holidays and unsure if im going to be fit enough to travel and sit on a plane??
Help!!
Also any advice about the op would really help as Im starting to get very nervous, silly really after all ive been through this bit really scares me.
xxxx
Hi Niki
I had a right side Free Tram Flap op on 14 Dec 2010. It was a very long op 10 hours in total. The first few days were rough, mainly due to the fact I dont tolerate aneasthetic very well. I cant say I was in too much pain, I took the pain killers that were offered but by day 5 I was only on paracetomol and Ibuprofen. My husband took 3 weeks off work to help out around the house but by the 3rd week I was glad to be doing things myself. I dont have young kids. I think its the lifting you have to watch and the heavy housework you need a hand with. The results are great and I am so glad I had the op. I am off to Portugal in March which will be 12 weeks after surgery with my consultants blessing. I feel ready for it and feel stronger every day. Hope all goes well for you. Dont hesitate to ask any questions that are worrying you.
Carolyn x
Hi Nicki 6
I had bilateral delayed TRAM / DIEP reconstruction(one each side, done in the same operation!) in July 2009.
I echo what Carolyn says - it’s a huge operation (mine took 11 1/2 hours with 2 surgeons working on me simultaneously) and recovery but for me, it’s been so worth it.
I was monitored intensely for the first 48 hours.
I had an intravenous infusion, central line,catheter and patient controlled analgesia pump, to self administer morphine - but I didn’t use it often and like Carolyn, was soon on oral painkillers. All the lines were gradually withdrawn over the first 4 days.
I had 4 wound drains - x1 in each “breast” and x1 in each side of my abdomen.These were removed as their drainage lessened and I was drain free on the day of my discharge from hospital, which was 5 days post op.
My main discomfort was from the abdomen, which felt extremely tight and prevented me from walking upright for a few weeks but which gradually diminished.
I was warned by the medics that I would feel exhausted for a while and they were right - I felt more tired than when I had chemo but I learnt to listen to my body and nap when I needed to.
As Carolyn says, you can’t do lifting and heavy housework, so take all the offers of help that you can.
I went on holiday to Majorca, with my doctors blessing, 9 weeks post op and was fine with the travelling etc.
Of course you’re nervous and it does seem very daunting but honestly, I am so glad I had it done and as with the pain of childbirth - you soon forget - and the resulta are so worth it!
Please don’t hesitate to ask anything at all, either here or by pm - I’m more than happy to answer any queries.
Lots of luck and very best wishes x
Ladies,
Thank you so much for the info it has certainly made me feel a bit easier!
What sort of clothes could you wear after, bit concerend about the tummy scar? and wearing trousers of some kind I havent got my pre op till the week before and feel i have a million things i need to ask.
Huge thanks again
Nicki x
Hi Nicki
Ask away!
I had to wear very attractive (not!) support pants for, I think 6 weeks post op and I lived in elasticated waist leggins which I found comfortable x
Hi
Tummy scar wasnt too bada, I am still wearing supportive (big) pants 8 weeks on, and they are actually very comfy. I bought a few pairs of black comfy trousers out of asda they have been great. Jeans are ok for a short period but they start to hurt after a while.
Hope everything goes well.
Carolyn x