TRAM flap - ongoing problems after 15 years

paflutie

I just turned 60 this year and I am single.  While my diagnoses was back in August 1999, because of the bad choice in reconstruction, I still have ongoing problems related to it that affect every part of my life.  

Here is my story:  https://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/pam-flutie-medical-fundraiser/218272

nihahi

paflutie....I hope you find resolution with your ongoing problems. I mentioned in the other thread you started on this topic, that there is someone on the threads who has posted about a surgeon who is giving good results in correcting the problems created by the older version of Trams...the pedicled Tram....which I assume is the type you had??? 

Today's Trams are much different and typically use only a tiny piece of muscle. I was 62, almost 63 when I had my Tramfree...and have not had any ongoing issues. I am not meaning to brush off your struggles at all, but since this site doesn't allow us to differentiate between the old and new version of Trams, I wanted to reassure women facing surgery now, that things have changed A LOT in this procedure over the years.

I sincerely hope you are able to have success in putting some of your significant health issues behind you.

Thimbleberry

nihahi, I know this is a novice question, but, do they use an implant along with the TRAM flap? I had a failed implant reconstruction due to radiation wound healing. I am trying to decide what my next step should be. Any suggestions you could give me would be greatly appreciated. I live in Southern Alberta(Most people call it Montana...heh! ....heh! )

nihahi

Thimbleberry..... I'm also in Southern Alberta..a short distance south of Calgary. The surgeons in Calgary do not do pedicled Trams anymore. The Diep or muscle-sparing free Tram are the two main versions, dependent on each patients specific situation. Typically, an implant is not used with a flap recon, but I have known of a few ladies on the threads, who were not happy with the breast flap size, and have had a small implant put under the flap, and they have been happy with that solution. That would be a different type of implant, not submuscular, but more like the type used in breast augmentation surgery. I am very sorry that you had complications with your recon....implants and radiated tissue often seem to have "extra issues". 

This is not a very active thread, and I just happened to catch your message. If you have further questions, it might be better to pm me and I would be more than happy to help you in anyway I can. I am in touch with a couple other local women (they are also on the threads) who have had rads and are now waiting for their flap recon....they more have more info regarding the info of rads/flap issues and I'm sure would be happy to connect with you too. You could also post some questions on the Diep 2014 thread...that has both Tram and Diep ladies, but many of them just go by the category of Diep in their history. 

We are very fortunate to have some compassionate and very experienced PS in the Calgary area. I've even heard that the wait times for this type of recon have shortened significantly since my "time". I'm guessing you are considering Calgary as your place for surgery???