Abd swelling after TRAM Flap

I had my tram done during my left breast mastectomy on March 18.  I am pleased with the reconstructed breast, and flat tummy.  I am pretty well able to pull myself up by my abdominals and I don't really have muscle weakness.  The one thing I've noticed is that I  feel a little bloated and am still depending on stool softeners to make me feel more comfortable and less bloated.  I'm wondering if I will ever be able to get off of "colace".  But overall I'm pleased with the outcome and symetry of my breasts.

Sonya,

Congrats on your last chemo! Do something special to celebrate the end of this part of your journey!

Linda

Hi Sonya - I'm glad your wound is healing and that your chemo is over! You might find your abdominal swelling will also get better now - I think some chemo tx's cause fluid retention - ask your onc - and as you start feeling better - try going for daily walks - the exercise will also help. Maybe in another couple of weeks you'll have a flat stomach again..........if not, be the squeaky wheel.......ask for a Cat scan just to be sure you don't have a hernia. Good luck!

Jkanu01 I'm so sorry you developed mrsa........what a nightmoare! Were your open wounds in your abdomen? I hope your lat flap gives you the results you want........check out www.hospitalinfection.org to learn how you can help yourself avoid getting MRSA or C-Diff while in the hospital. Good luck!

jkanu01

Hi, I had a tram flap Feb. 25, 2009 - I had swelling issues for months.  It took a long time for things to settle down and I think it will still take awhile.  I was so worried about it.  I've been going to Occupation therapy since May twice/week.  It's helped.   Don't be discouraged, it takes awhile.  I walk everyday for 30+ minutes, this has helped too.   Good luck with your surgery.

It's frustrating when you can't get a clear straight answer if it'll all be normal again.   My OT kept telling me "it will go down", now I want to be able to do a sit up.

Sandy

As a matter of fact I had surgery in 2010, I had my right breastfeeding removed and and during the same surgery I had reconstruction of both my breasts. I had a transfer flap done, I was told that they used alloderm, a couple of weeks later I began to get an infection after antibiotics it was not going away I was told that I had micobacterium, they removed the mesh and cleaned the area and replaced it with normal mesh I was on I.V antibiotics for 6 months after the infection dissappear I then started to experience pain, swelling and I contacted my doctor which continued telling me there was nothing wrong after a few weeks I finally got him to listen to me and he did an ultrasound and it was then he scheduled yet another surgery because the pain and swelling I was feeling was from and empty cavity the developed in my abdominal area, he fixed it but now I am experiencing more issues once again pain, swelling, loss of bladder control and I think the mesh may be eroding. The doctor will not return my calls and honestly I wish I never did the transaction flap, not to mention 15 + hours is a long time to be under and now with all the surgeries I have had and the problems I have had I now have a phobia of doctors and hospitals and the motion of surgery terrifies me

I had a Tram flap in May of 2015. I told the doctor that I wanted a DEIP flap but he insisted I have Tram. I am in so much pain. Had a mesh installed last October but it didn't help. I have terrible swelling and bulging in my lower ab. I cannot walk more than 50 yards. Even the Tram breast hurts every day. It's burning and feels like something is pulling on it from the inside. The Tram flap surgery should be outlawed. I called my surgeon for a follow next month so he can see what kind of damage this surgery does.