I just read so other posts and I'm getting more and more upset. I can't believe that the doctors will not accept these problems as due to the Tram Flap. There are so many of us with the same ailments. In fact I just got finished eating and not much at that and of course my stomach looks like I'm pregant as usual. It's the waiting til it digest that is the worse for me. My back aches and my ribs ache so bad. I feel like I will explode. I don't know if anyone else is experiencing this but my pelvic floor is now dropping - I'm not sure if it's my uterus or vaginia that is falling out but I'm sure this has something to do with the rest of my Tram Flap problems. It feels like everything is being pushed down from the incision downward. I read where Dr. Oz had been written to but never answered. I think maybe that avenue should be visited again. Maybe I'll give it a try. As you I take one day at a time and hope I get one good day once and a while.
Cheryl
Hi again. I found this site last week and gave the condensed version of my story the other day. I also spent hours reading the previous posts over the past couple years. I have to share my thoughts on a couple things-- one is that I too feel that we need to start a movement. My suggestion is to do this on Facebook. Is anyone opposed to that? It's much more user friendly and we can message and post emails easier. I would be more than willing to help in making contact with media and/or
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Secondly, there was a lady last year who posted a very positive post about her situation. Her name is " sugar flake" you can read her post on page 1. Anyway the thistat hat stood out was this "corset" thing she mentioned called "Squeem". I found it on Amazon and have worn it 3 days now. I COULD NOT BELIEVE the improvement I saw immediately. I thought, hmmm maybe I should ustreet elastic band the Dr. gave me post-op while I do yoga. Again, I could not believe the improvement. My back does not hurt as much. I'm standing more upright. My breast shape is better, the deformations in the torso and under my arms dis so much better. I'm so happy! I think you should all order one! I got the vest one that has shoulder straps. It's awesome.
I can relate and empathize with pretty much everyone's experience on here. And I think we can help each other by sharing those things that have helped us cope--the positives amidst our trial. I think we can do a lot for each other by accentuating the GOOD that endures in our struggle. I have some myself-like YOGA. IT HAS HELPED ME SOOOO MUCH-
I also have used support wraps. Unfortunately my muscular wall is so distorted and much of my left abdominal wall is pulled/stretched/tightened with adhesions as well. I actually had to get creative with wrapping my ribcage a certain way, so my ribs would not protrude and cause spinal/muscular pain. I have had a lot of myofacial massaage therapy, when I had insurance coverage that paid for this. It was extremely helpful since the adhesions pull and distort with pounds and pounds of pressure from that alone. I also have done restorative yoga..years of slow very slow stretching..slow movements, warm water pool therapies, which also help with physical stress that our bodies deal with, with most movements of any kind. I also felt helpful that IF someone actually understood these issues, (one person I worked with that had much knowledge in neuromuscular balancing) was a terrific help! With myofacial work it released some of the knotted down connective tissue and enabled me to move slightly better. The balancing work has also taken years, but it has helped keep me more balanced, as often I sit, stand, and move favoring the right side of my body since that is where the strength is. Overcompensating is another HUGE issue, many doctors ignore. These are just a few ideas, that helped me manage all of this, not adding the stress of losing my health insurance when my husband filed for divorce... it's been a difficult road, yet we all know our strength is revealed as we encourage others facing this, even if ONE idea helps someone else...that's why we are here for one another!
Just my experience, many doctors will NOT get involved if they are actively practicing, because they often will open opinions, they wouldn't want to be liable for. This however, is unfortunate, because all of us, at least me, speaking for myself, just wanted help to sort through this chaos. I did at one point try to recover medical costs, but my case was dismissed because the attorney ran out the statue of limitations, pocketing money for his benefit. This is soo so wrong! It was so much to process, and many didn't want to deal with this kind of problem. Insurances often, denied my therapies, or would agree to keep me on high doses of pain meds, hoping I would just be quiet. Well, enough is enough. I would NOT settle for this way of life. It got to the point, where I would research until I couldn't no more, try something else, manage better and then insurance quit covering therapies. I know of another woman who has all of her years of trauma, very well documented, yet we've all had to "settle" for a way of life that is NOT our choice, rather trying to manage the best we can. Many of us lost our careers, marriages, relationships and more, because it is hard to manage each day, and many cannot comprehend the "internal" pain we suffer, even if we sit, stand, move. For me it became managing the pain, and attempt to continue to have a "somewhat" normal life. I've had to adjust nearly everything in my life, because often I do not sleep, and physically have to push myself to complete tasks and need to do things, in small increments, as my body deals with so much "physical" stress it's draining. That's where meditation, restorative yoga, movements in water, Tai Chi... hot water,,, for relaxation helps as well. Let's keep supporting one another...
I too had a TF done in July of 2004, I have have had a lot of problems one of the worst is the serve back pain, there is not enough physical therapy to help. I have trouble sleeping and i have a ton of gastric problems including gas and bloating. My belly is a little rippled, I also am unable to work due to pain so bad, can not lift anything over 5-10 pounds and I can;t sit or stand for more then 20 minutes. I also then went in and had bi lateral implants in 2007 because when I lost wight I lost the fat in my breast so now I have one breast smaller then the other. Now my problem is my right breast which was the side effected by the cancer is starting to contract and cramp up, almost like being pregnant and having contractions. The muscles in the abdomin where they moved my muscles and along my right side of breast is extremly painful. Again can not sleep on my right side. I am 10 years cancer free and every time I look in the mirror I ask myself what did I do to myself, a constant reminder of the horrific disease. I can not see my original plastic surgeon due to personal reasons from complication and am now seeking a new Dr. from Pearl River NY. I have an appointment to hopefully have this tram flap and implants corrected. My right implant hurts bad and to touch the right side under my armpit is extremley painful, looks like the implant is slipping. I have had MRI's and ultra sounds and there is no leaking. My oncologist can only tell me to see a plastic surgeon, my primary Dr. can not help with this problem but to help me with anxiety and depression. I see a neurologist for neuropathy that has occured in my arms, fingers, legs, and feet due to this Tram Flap surgery. I feel for every one who has had this surgery and feels the effects years later.. The nice part is I have somewhat of a flat belly but the fat goes around my waist instead so I have trouble finding pants to fit and it hurts on my belly button area.....Good Luck to all......
I had tram flap surgery in Dec 2012 just over a year ago. So far I'm good and look great. No pain and no extra bulges. I am having issues with buying a bra on the reconstructed side it rides up and with very little feeling there I have to keep looking or feeling to see if the Bra is where it is suppose to be . I read I need to get bras with under wire that worked BUT I hurt after wearing them. Th bra stays down but now I hurt on the top of reconstructed breast like I'm wearing a push up bra!!! any answers
I wish I had looked at all of your comments about TR post-op surgeries a long time ago. I agree with all of you about having chose this procedure. I had the horrible surgery 6 yrs. ago. I was in great shape at the age of 53 - wearing size 6 and playing competitive tennis. Having fought cancer six times in the last six years is NOTHING compared to the pain I'm experiencing in, under and around my "new boob". I think the plastic surgeon here in Atlanta did a great job "building" my breast and actually making it close to the same size as my natural one. However, I have recently (in the last 6 mos) started having enormous and constant pain that will NOT go away. I had a CT scan 3 mos. ago to make sure it wasn't cancer - and thank God, it wasn't. I am currently off of chemo and I have an appt. with my original plastic surgeon this week. I am praying he will be able to FIX IT without major surgery. I will come back to this posting site and let you know how it goes. I have a lot of faith in my doctor - let's hope he doesn't let me down. I did have to have 2 hernia surgeries after the TR - but he must have stapled my gut real good because I haven't have any issues with that again. I wouldn't want anybody to see me naked tho - the lumpy belly is pretty scary. I also have the big roll (or lump) under my breast - right above my rib cage. It feels like I'm growing another boob! ugh I can't stand to take pain pills so he better have a good solution for all this c**p! I'm sick of being sick and tired of being in pain. Enough is Enough! Like I said.....I'll come back to this post and let you know what my plastic surgeon has to say. Maybe he can help you, too.
I am possibly the oldest woman in the world to have TF procedure. I was 72 in 2010 when I underwent bilateral TF. The 1st year was difficult. I fought 24/7 to stand straight!!! Water yoga helped with that. Plus I try to walk at least one mile every day. That's the good news. The bad news is i am not able to find a bra that works & end up wearing camis every day. This is quite uncomfotrtable in the summer. Too darn hot. I was first dignosed with breast cancer in 1994. I had lumpectomy & radiation & was home free for 16 years until a new cancer showed up in my right breast again. I elected to have both breasts removed to prevent having to have another occurence of cancer as i aged. I have a section of necrosis in my left "breast" but have chosen to live with that rather than undergo another surgery. I am now experiencing extreme soreness under my right "breast" & am fearful there is breast tissue there & is malignant. Does anyone else have soreness under the TF breast?
I was beginning to think I was crazy till I found this blog. I had my TF surgery in April of 2011 and unfortunately it was to correc the first reconstruction surgery. I have tried to understand why the pain gets worse on a daily basis but no one seems to want to listen. My family does not understand why I have back pains that make it unbearable some days and my new breast has changed it's shape and looks deformed. My new belly buttonlooks like a deformed half dollar and the belly scare is huge and ugly. I have developed a large soft swollen area just under the scar on my abdomin and my stomach always feels so tight and uncomfortable. I still have no feeling in my right breast and for the most part along my abdomin. I tried to seek legal advice but no one wants to take on doctors under the Scott and White umbrella. I have not been able to work a full time job or enjoy my grandchidrensince my surgery. The doctor always told me you look great and this is normal! So what do we do? How can I get this fixed? I look like Frankenstiens bride and am ashamed of my own body. I too did not need a tummy tuck for I was a size 3 now because of fear of gas and pain, I am a size 1-2. I am affraid to eat, I can not go on extended excursions because the pain becomes so intense. Even carrying a purse is painful at times. I just moved to New Mexico and need to find some form of help. Can anyone shed some light on this?
Please I need help I had my double tram flap 12/2011 and after the 15 hour sx , months later I was dx with RA and fibro. Any one herad of this??
I had the trans-flap surgery 2 years ago at Vanderbilt in TN. This was supposed to be the best option for reconstruction, and I admit, the breast looks good. The stomach is flat, but I have felt a tight rope like sensation around my stomach ever since. It's hard to breath sometimes, and I feel like a concrete block is on my stomach. If I eat a reasonably sized meal, I'm miserable. I just lost 30 lbs. and now notice a hard bump under the top part of my stomach beneath the right rib cage and the middle of my body. I also hurt all the way down under the lowest part of my right rib cage and towards my back. I was never told of these kind of side effects. If I had it to do over again, I would never let anyone touch my stomach. I would have taken the implant and been done with it. I feel dooped. Shouldn't the plastic surgeon have warned me of side effects. Some of you have been dealing with this for years, so I know that they knew the possibility was good that I would also have side effects. I thought I was so lucky being close enough to go to Vandy and have such great surgeons. I'm only 46. I shouldn't have to deal with this after breast cancer, surgery, and chemo. Why do we not have some kind of class action law suite about this procedure?
I had my TF in 2009 with reconstruction, my "belly boobs"! I have found the Ahh bra or Genie Bras are very comfortable. I can't wear any underwire, my surgeon suggested staying away from them.
Find a good alternative med. dr. I have an NA that put me on a strict diet with no sugar, no grain products except rice, no fried foods.....mostly fresh veggies, fruit, rice and beans, and only grain feed organic meat. My ankles immediately quit swelling and my feet quit hurting. Didn't cure everything, but I've lost 30 lbs and feel much better. She has also advised me to get all of the mercury fillings out of my mouth and detox from mercury poisoning. I'm in the process of doing that now. She thinks that it will stop or help most of my other symptoms. Good luck!
There is help. You need to check other websites. There is a ps and a gastroenteritis that work together to correct the bulge
i WAS JUST DIAGNOSED WITH FIBRO AND THAT JUST ADDS TO THE PAIN - i AM WONDERING IF IT HAS BEEN CAUSED BY ALL MY POOR BODY HAS BEEN THROUGH. bEFORE THIS SURGERY i LOOKED GOOD AND A FELT GREAT AND THERE HASNT BEEN A DAY SINCE jULY 24, 1995 THAT i HAVE FELT NORMAL.