Will a TRAM FLAP/DIEP FLAP ruin my hips and my waistline????

Linda7

Pics from internet

Pic of me 3/16/15, pre mastectomy

Seeking to connect with women who have been through the experience, both the positive and the negative.

A bit about me: 9/2014 Stage 2b, Triple Positive (Her-2 Positive), highest grade aggressive cancer, right breast, at 41 years old (42 now), 6 rounds of chemo (really, really tough for me), unilateral nipple-sparing mastectomy, immediate silicone implant reconstruction, no expanders.

Where I'm at now 3/6/16: I was super thin at the time of my mastectomy (3/17/15) for anything other than an implant reconstruction (plus they wanted to see if I needed radiation first). I've since then put on 30 pounds. 15 just part of my recuperation, another 15 deliberately so that my PS could agree to a DIEP or FREE TRAM FLAP. Good thing that I've always had a "potbelly" and I gain a lot of weight on my lower abdomen though the rest of me stays relatively thin. People have asked me a few times if I'm pregnant because of this. Annoying, but now this fat might come in handy. My PS has given me two options: 1. Try another implant or 2. DIEP or Free Tram Flap (he won't know for sure till he's in there). Only need it for the right breast.

Why do I dislike my implant: It doesn't move with me, it's just this stiff lifeless object held up by my skin and muscle, it is always uncomfortable and it sometimes hurt. It's been a year and it does not feel like it's an integrated part of my body, it is a constant reminder of everything I've been through. After a year I feel like, nevermind that it's unattractive, no reconstruction will give me back my breasts as they were. I made it through this illness, I made it through this treatment, I'll never forget what I've been through, but I want to really start living my life already, nice breasts or not so nice breasts. I'd keep the implant but it hurts sometimes and it feels really tight and uncomfortable and I hate how I feel the muscle move with minimal use of my arm. My PS is suggesting I try another one, better looking, but will always feel a degree of discomfort.

FLAP Reconstruction: This is what I always wanted but was not a candidate a year ago. Now that I am, I have a lot of concerns which are bringing me to reach out to other women who have gotten this procedure. I hear the result of the breasts is great, a lot like a real breast. I understand the surgery, scars and the recovery period are intense, I've lived through cancer, I'm not afraid of the surgery and recoop if It means I'll be able to move on with my life sooner than later.

What I am afraid of is that in trying to fix one thing I'll ruin another part of my body. I've heard women get those "dog ears" and that they lose their waist (see pics above). My PS says these things can be fixed with a follow up surgery but I'm afraid of ruining the remaining parts of my body that I still very much like. I like the shape of my hips and the definition of my waist, whether I'm thin or not so thin as I am now, I really like the shape of my body. Will getting this procedure alter my figure permanently? I'm already getting used to the fact that my pretty breasts had to go, but I still very much like the rest of me, if I lose that, I'll lose even more of myself. For one breast, it's just not worth it.

I'd like to hear from women who have gotten the DIEP or Free TRAM Flap. Was the shape of your hips altered? Was the definition of your waist altered? Did the shape of your stomach change in a negative way? Was it temporary or despite follow up surgeries, your hips, waist, or stomach are now changed forever and not in a good way? If so to what degree and is the result of your flap reconstructed breast worth all of this?

Thanks for taking the time to read.