hi all
i am due to have a tram flap reconstruction on my left side i had bc 14 years ago when i was 29 i now have dcis so i have to have the boob removed i have been waiting 3 months and am a bit worried about the time wait although i did have to stop smoking which i did 8 weeks ago i am going to whiston under the care of mr audisio and mr iqbal anyone have any advice for me i would be gratefull for any one to share their story with me
thanks x
hi
i am still in need of some advice if anyone can help
thanks
Hi Joanie
Not sure what you are looking for.
I had a tram flap reconstruction in June 2005 - with reduction of the other breast at the same time.
The operation was a long one - c 12 hours. When I came round I felt as though I had been knocked over by a bus! I spent one whole day in the high dependency unit but managed to get back into a normal ward on day 2 post op - still with catheter in. That came out on day three and then I started very gingerly to be able to move around. I had no pain in either breast - the most difficult thing is standing upright - that takes a while to be able to do with ease. I was discharged on day 8 - still very sore and moving very slowly.
The important thing is to get moving slowly and build up a little more each day. The first week I used to walk round the garden. The second week I could walk to the shops. By the end of a month I was able to be slightly more energetic - first on a cross trainer machine and then running in the park which I still do.
it is really improtant to do your arm exercises. I don’t know whether you are having node clearance but my armpit became very stiff and it took a long while to get back nearly 100% movement.
That’s all the difficult bits. But I have to say that my recon is fantastic. I have never felt that I had a mastectomy. My new boob matches the other one perfectly. I have more shape than I did before the op! I have now had a nipple reconstruction and a tattoo so am as “normal” as possible.
You need to think about what to wear after the op. I got a lot of secret support vest tops from Matalan which I wore day and night for about the first month. They were great.
I hope thi8s is helpful. Please let me know if you ahve any questions
With very best wishes for a successful op
KMans
hi kmans
thanks for your reply i am very grateful i am having node clearance but my surgeon wont do the other side untill a later date about 4 to 6 months later he said my mastectomy will b settled down by then thanks for the advice on what to wear thats helpfull i am counting the days down now i think ive been left a bit long and ive had to much time on my hands to look on the net im was begining to scare myself i will have to keep positive i keep having these wobbles sorry for going on i just want it over with now thanks very much for your much appreciated advice
take care
joanie x
Hi Joanie,I had bilateral risk reducing mastectomies almost a year ago, and am really pleased with the results. The recovery takes some time, and the abdomen area (though flatter!) is weaker.
I have no regrets about the surgery though. I am going in next week to have the nipples done under Local, a day surgery.
So! good luck with your op.Hope all goes well for you.
Hi Joanie
I had a tram flap done in April by Mr Iqbal at Whiston. I was in hospital for 8 days and in surgery for 7 hours. When i first came round and for 2 days after there was quite a lot of pain but after that things started to get better. I am really pleased at the outcome as i had my mastectomy 16 months previously and it has given me back my confidence. I wish that I could have had it done immediately but was advised not to because i had to have radiotheraphy. I like you also had to give up smoking so this is probably why you have the delay as I did. The staff at Whiston are excellent and nothing is too much trouble especially Tina the breast care nurse.
Good luck with your op and hope it is sooner rather than later. If you have any questions please ask.
Julie
thanks julro
i will keep you posted on my progress.
hi julie
thanks for your comments im feeling really scared at the minute i go in on monday and av my op on tuesday i just hope everything goes to plan i have met tina the reconstruction nurse she is brilliant and nothing is to much for her so if the staff are all like that my stay should be ok, when i saw tina on wednesday i told her about all the lovely comments people have made about her on here and she was quite embaressed bless her, she does a wonderful job.i have also had radiotherapy 14 years ago for my first bc this is why i have to have the tram as my skin is very thin due to the rads and an implant wasnt an option for me.how long did it take you to feel normal with the abdominal scar, are you still not smoking i hope i dont start again ive heard so many have a cig after the op is done i really hope i dont especially as i need another opp 4 to 6 months down the line to reduce and recon the other boob anyway i will stop rambling now and i will keep you posted on my progress thanks again
take care
joanie xx
Hi Joanie
I went in on a monday at teatime (thought it would have been lunchtime) I was measured up for stockings etc and nothing more happened until early tuesday morning. Got up at 7am for a shower (you dont get another one) and at 8am i saw the aneathetist (Mr Gordon) he is a lovely man he took my husbands phone number and rang him halfway through the op to say everything was going well, after that the doctors came and marked me all up, I felt like a dot to dot puzzle. At 9 am they came to take me to theatre (I walked there). The next thing i remember was waking up back on the ward I had 2 drains in my tummy and 1 in my new boob, a catheta and a pair of inflating boots on. The next day they had me sat on a chair for a while and the day after that they had me doing short walks and everyday after that things got easier. The tummy is quite painful but well worth it, the new boob didnt hurt at all. Sleeping is quite difficult at first but you have a remote control for your bed which makes things a little easier.
My tummy healed really well the new boob took a little bit longer due to the rads but after 4 weeks I almost felt back to normal. Make sure you take nighties into hospital as pyjamas are uncomfortable round your tummy also you are not able to wear a bra for about 4 weeks. As for the smoking yes unfortunately I did go back to it for a short time but then i got a chest infection so i gave up again and this time i dont intend to start again. I was supposed to go back in for a reduction and a nipple but i dont need a reduction he managed to match the new one even though i am a dd cup (he was surprised himself that he matched it) I dont really want to go back in for a nipple only so i am leaving that for now but who knows in a few months i might decide to go in again and I am just happy at having 2 boobs again.
Good luck for Tuesday, keep us posted and ask any questions you like
Julie
hi julie
i really am glad and thankful for your advice and comments i was starting to get really scared and you have made me feel so much better oh thank you again i just want to go in and get it done now and i will keep you posted on my progress im going to sort all my bag out im feeling alot happier now thanks again and you take care
best wishes
joanie xx