I have contacted Dr. Israeli's office to see about getting an appointment, but I live in KY so the expense of travel may not prove possible. I have investigated other Dr.s in Texas and New Orleans but they don't accept Medicare and I have been forced onto Medicare as of April 1 2015. Did talk to Dr. Israeli's office and found out they do accept Medicare which is great! Do you know of any other Drs. who perform this type of repair closer to KY?
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Hi Bonnie, I just now read this - are you stil having problems? I had the tram flap procedure done almost a year ago and I am having all sorts of complications - bulging, tightness and extreme lower back pain. I'm wishing I never would of had this procedure...I can relate.
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Wow, it is good to be amongst people going through the horrors I have been experiencing. I am so sorry you all are going through stuff like me.
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I'm sorry that it seems there are many of us who've had problems. I wish things could be different - I'm uncomfortable and in pain every day.
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I am still in terrible pain gong on 8 yrs now. bulging, hernias and lower back issues continue to get worse. Still looking for physicians who listen and don't just tell me I'm fat! I have gained weight due to 18 surgeries since 2007 and loss of all mobility, core and strength. Now scar tissue or mesh is binding entire trunk of body! Have lost most quality of life thanks to greedy male physicians who have no idea how much they have destroyed the lives of so many women by this barbaric procedure!
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This barbaric procedure MUST BE STOPPED! I was talked into this procedure; all I wanted was to remove my implants. I will never be the same. Due to prior abdominal surgeries, add the complications from the tram including hernia, mesh infection and more, the stomach muscles are cut. This doctor is now HEAD of the one of the major hospitals in Palm Beach.
After visits with many doctors and surgeons, no one wanted to touch me. Finally diagnosed with the need for abdominal wall reconstruction. I have found only ONE qualified doctor in Florida willing to do the procedure. It is scary, but not doing so is worse. The abdominal wall continues to protrude and will only worsen over time. The more I read, the more I learn that there are tens of thousands or more that have been crippled by this procedure. John Hopkins and many other hospitals no longer do this operation. Neither does the doctor that performed it on me. Can you say wrong place at the wrong time? These doctors should be held accountable, but they are not. We are the victims and no one wants to hear us.
My abdominal wall reconstruction will be done in the next two months and I have no idea of what life will be after that. The pain will remain, potential for more hernias, mesh infection and more are looming out there but I remain optimistic.
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Oh my. My surgery was in 2006. I too had to retire because of the pain. The incision took more than four months to heal. Gradually I was able to resume some of the activities I enjoyed before the surgery. Now in 2015 the pain is back. What is the answer.
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Yes!
I am in do much pain it's been 4 years and my clips stick out I can't get help.
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Hi Bonnie,
I had a bi lateral TRAM FLAP in 2002. I developed an infection about a week or so after the surgery in my abdomen ( dissolvable sutures began popping open). I would go to have the area debrided and after each chemo treatment the incision would start ripping open until it was 8 inches in length and 3 inches in width. I was living in Warsaw, Poland and had come back to the states for the surgery and chemotherapy. I returned to Poland with this open wound I my abdomen and would not have it surgically repaired until 16 months later. My daily routine included cleaning the wound and packing it twice a day. The quality of my life has been drastically altered. There is a constant tightness, numbness and pain. It has been 13 years since I've been living with this. It is quite frustrating.
I think it would be very helpful for others to have an understanding of what we all have been through.
I had a bi lateral TRAM FLAP in 2002. I developed an infection about a week or so after the surgery in my abdomen ( dissolvable sutures began popping open). I would go to have the area debrided and after each chemo treatment the incision would start ripping open until it was 8 inches in length and 3 inches in width. I was living in Warsaw, Poland and had come back to the states for the surgery and chemotherapy. I returned to Poland with this open wound I my abdomen and would not have it surgically repaired until 16 months later. My daily routine included cleaning the wound and packing it twice a day. The quality of my life has been drastically altered. There is a constant tightness, numbness and pain. It has been 13 years since I've been living with this. It is quite frustrating.
I think it would be very helpful for others to have an understanding of what we all have been through.
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I had one in January of 2014. It's been pretty rough. In fact, I came across your post from googling "tram flap nightmares" just to see if anyone else was going through what I go through. I flew to Baltimore to John's Hopkins to find someone who could help me. No one in Michigan was willing to touch me. The doctor at John's Hopkins said that they could perform an abdominal reconstruction. But that I'd have to lose 40 pounds first. The doctors here at U of M said that if they did that, I could be worse off - like even more pain, and less ability. They said there was a 25% chance I could get better, a 50% chance I'd stay the same, and 25% chance that I'd get worse. Not liking those odds. Never talked to an attorney,, although I've sure thought about it. Lost my job and was recovering from this surgery for more than 6 months. I'm as fully recovered now as I'll ever be, but I have to wear an abdominal brace around the clock now just to function. It's not very hopeful for me to read that you've been enduring it for 14 years, as it's only been 2 for me and I'm sick to death of it already.
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Hi Susan, I would like to be able to message you and share stories if you are still following this page - if so, would you please message me. Thanks! I hope to hear from you. Barb.
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I sympathize with all the remarks I just read. I too, had Tramp flap reconstruction 2004 (both breasts) and have had almost continuous pain. This Plastic surgeon who was supposed to be one of the best practically disregarded all my issues, and would not admit any mistake, sent me to rehab. P. T. for 2 yrs, which didn't help, in fact made pain worse. After #3 consults one @ John Hopkins, I was told I could not be helped the tissues had grown around he mesh and nothing could be done. I have spent so much time trying to find help. I was finally told "Pain Management" was my only option by the last Plastic S. I saw. PM is horrible for someone like me, it has messed up my G.I. tract so bad. I am now off all pain meds. & presently seeing a Gastric surgeon. We'll see what all the tests he ordered tell us meanwhile the burning pain continues. Tram- flap if not performed correctly is one of the worst and cruelest op. ever invented.
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Hi, i had my tram flap surgery in 1999 anorher surgery in 2000 .now its 2017 my stomach is painfull. Places hard. And. Really red. I cant afird to have more medical bills. Maybe next year ill go see a doctor if i can hold out.
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Morning, I had the surgery in 2011 and have had horrific complictions. From flap necrosis to constant bloating,
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