Sorry to but can relate I had bilateral mastectomy with tram flap reconstruction doctor was no help with communication or rehab excercise plus pain!! I am a year out and down to 132 lbs in juniors clothes just getting buldge and more of core but still have pain somedays good and somedays like u said feels like strangling plus weight of boobs and back alot ... Now skin feels like alittle burning but hard to know due to this surgery abdomin totally NUMB except alittle feeling on sides would love to have feed back Doctor said with Tram flap will be another year till it reaches what it will be!! Frustrated changing and only you can feel insides tugging eat like a bird cause volume in stomach is problem go to gym etc but not physically what I feel I should be... No patience they say this surgery recovery is long OMG!!! PLEASE REPLY THANKS FEEL FOR U
Yes, there is a support group....head over to my FB group called TRAM/DIEP- Complications And Hope. Trams come with a 40% or greater risk of hernias. There is a fix for this and there is hope. I hope this reaches you. I had the Bilateral Tram Flap Flap in 2012. In May 2013 with an ever increasing abdomen girth and pain, I was diagnosed with 3 hernias. Repaired and holding well now.
I've created a FB page after enduring the Tram Flap in 2012 and developing 3 abdominal hernias. There is hope and there is a fix. TRAM/DIEP- Complications and Hope. Tram flaps come with a 40% or higher risk of abdominal hernias. Please help me spread the word on here to as many as possible. We have a wonderful, supportive FB group that is helping many women regain there lives.
See my post on this thread. FB group called TRAM/DIEP- Complications And Hope. There is support, hope and a fix for your abdomen.
I just joined this FB group - I do not normally do FB so am not real familiar on how to use it but will definitely try. Interesting that these Doctors are up in NY - I live in PA so only about 2 hrs drive. It would definitely be something to consider. I have been having pain for 7 years now and have tried just about everything I could think of to relieve it - went to a general surgeon about 3 years ago and asked if it may be a surgical herniation and was told "no". You're post and FB blog are certainly most welcomed.;
I do not feel all alone with pain and discomfort after reading the comments hereunder. in fact I thank you ladies for taking a weight of my mind sharing your pain and concern. in my case I feel a drag of my intestines I have the most caring doctor who explained to me that primarily tramflap is a no no specially for younger women since it acts like a corset placed by nature in our abdomen to hold everything together a muscle which heavyweight lifters use to lift heavy dumbbells. Lifting heavy parcels shopping has to be done by someone else this all contributes to the pain drag of the back muscle the rotator cuff Voila after you take it out there is a free roam for the rest of the organs in my case I have had a full hysterectomy so there are wide open spaces in and around my lower abdomen . We have excellent surgeons in Sri Lanka, my wounds healed very well even the cut right across the belly which is gross but at 74 well I can live with it. One advice I want to share with you is simple, you have to replace this human girdle with corset panties away with the small lacy dainty ones bring out the knickerbockers which hug your waist line adding a few inches to your waist ugg with extra support on the stomach and back supporting the intestines which are hooked to your back muscles and the cause of all your pain making getting out of bed painful and difficult....... slowly but surely you will get some relief. its not going to away there is the element of aging which comes into play and another villan in a quick recovery . melba dias Colombo sri lanka
You are my clone, for sure. Just like you, I was an independent, successful.woman with my own clinical research consultancy business. Shortly after my breast cancer and tram flap surgery, my marriage began to unravel. I was left with a 3 and 7 yr old to raise on my own.
Approximately 5 years after my trampflap I developed acute abdominal/rib pain on the non-surgical side. I went through a battery of tests, saw many specialists, and was finally given a default diagnosis of "fibromyalgia". I have never felt that this diagnosis was correct as fibro does not come on suddenly with acute, localized pain the way mine did. I became so disabled that I had to stop working, permanently. I tried unsuccessfully to obtain spousal support. I live on a small amount of child support and government disability payments. I had no private disability insurance because I was self-employed.
The word needs to get out about the devastating health consequences of this type of breast reconstruction. I wish I had never had it done. Other than breast cancer, I was a healthy, vivacious woman. I am a mere shadow of that now.
Approximately 5 years after my trampflap I developed acute abdominal/rib pain on the non-surgical side. I went through a battery of tests, saw many specialists, and was finally given a default diagnosis of "fibromyalgia". I have never felt that this diagnosis was correct as fibro does not come on suddenly with acute, localized pain the way mine did. I became so disabled that I had to stop working, permanently. I tried unsuccessfully to obtain spousal support. I live on a small amount of child support and government disability payments. I had no private disability insurance because I was self-employed.
The word needs to get out about the devastating health consequences of this type of breast reconstruction. I wish I had never had it done. Other than breast cancer, I was a healthy, vivacious woman. I am a mere shadow of that now.
Hello, just read your story, First, I know saying your not alone may not mean much now, but eventually it will. I have a multitude of stories and pain associated with my tramflap procedure. Many doc's etc.... I have been 16yrs out and I think i have finally found a culprit to my dilemma which could be large amounts of scar tissue that has attached itself to my fascia in my entire abdominal area icluding my intestines. They want to do exploratory surgery first but everyone knows that scar tissue forms again. I'm afraid that I might end up worse, and at this point I almost rather live with the pain I know than the pain i don't know. I currently have some other issues to take care of and to heal from, so I can't imagine them cutting loose extensive scar tissue across my belly at this point. I also was a hardworking single mother of two with a career I thought might last some time, but it didn't work out that way. I too had to go on disability, and still to this day i have a hard time with that title. But i'm getting better about it. Too deny it would mean just continuing to deny the life I have, which still contains beautiful things, people and experiences. Be Strong, yet tender to yourself. I hear you and so do so many others. Much love and peace!
I agree with all of you. I am 20 years out and stomach issues have caught up to me. I’m not looking to sue anyone. I just want to know what cane be done so I can wear a bra, not get sick and constantly be in pain. I feel like I am sleeping on a basket ball
Five years out and until I read your comments I couldn’t figure it out. I have a swollen abdomen, tightness under the breast where I had radiation treatment and now that you mentioned hernia I have just in the last month felt a bulge under the right rib cage that hurts. i have had CT Scan/MRI and core biopsy and all was negative. After reading your and others, I am going back to my surgeon. Praying for total restoration without pain for everyone.
There are 2 doctors in Long Island NY who specialize in abdominal repair related to TRAM Flap and DIEP failures.
I had repair done in January and had suffered with pain and swollen abdomen for 8 yrs. CT scans need to be evaluated appropriately. I was also told mt scans were negative. Of course a hernia will not show up since it is done lying down!
The foctors are George DeNoto and Ron Israeli. You need to have evals by both. They have seen and helped women from all over the US.
Also an on line group of women with similar problems. Tram Flap Complications and Hope. Wonderful and helpful support. This group led me to the NY doctors.
I had repair done in January and had suffered with pain and swollen abdomen for 8 yrs. CT scans need to be evaluated appropriately. I was also told mt scans were negative. Of course a hernia will not show up since it is done lying down!
The foctors are George DeNoto and Ron Israeli. You need to have evals by both. They have seen and helped women from all over the US.
Also an on line group of women with similar problems. Tram Flap Complications and Hope. Wonderful and helpful support. This group led me to the NY doctors.
20 yrs later after my tram flap I am in constant pain. I have chronic low back pain that is 24/7 and has rendered me disable and taken away my quality of life. It just gets worse every year. However, I am greatful that I did not have all of the complications listed in the other posts. I have always felt since the day after this horrific surgery that the surgeons that do tram flaps either or ignorant of the consequences or they just don't care. My surgeon told me he would recommend a tram flap for his own wife. To that I say BS. I try to discourage anyone that I know that has breast cancer from even considering this as an option. I wish someone would have spoken the truth to me!!!
I guess after reading all the responses below that I am lucky. Just decided to look on-line today to see if other women were experiencing what I was. Compared to all of you below, I must be lucky. The only problems I have are I feel like there is a tuck of war going on between my abdomen and breasts. (My Tram Flap was 20 years ago)
My stomach does feel bloated most of the time and cannot eat a lot of food unless it is a plate of just vegetables. I also feel like there is a suitcase (small one) under my left arm (tram flap on left side only). My 'tummy tuck' result is pretty good compared to what I am reading. I hope all of you can resolve your problems.
My stomach does feel bloated most of the time and cannot eat a lot of food unless it is a plate of just vegetables. I also feel like there is a suitcase (small one) under my left arm (tram flap on left side only). My 'tummy tuck' result is pretty good compared to what I am reading. I hope all of you can resolve your problems.
I'm so sorry for all your pain; my niece has experienced similar side effects from this awful surgery. I suggest you try CBD oil for your pain; It will not make you "high" ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** posting of social network links, groups, invitations, or usernames is not allowed *** Please read our Terms of Use