Will they ever offer a DONOR FLAP?

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Meggy
Meggy Member Posts: 530
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

I had a bilat and my implant reconstruction failed on my radiated side.  I can't cut into my back because I have back lymphedema on both sides and both arms.  I have realized that I am unwilling to cut anywhere else on my body because of the chance of more lymphedema from yet more scar tissue build up. 

Has anyone ever heard of a flap being used from a tummy tuck donor?  Maybe this sounds crazy but its what I really want.  My whole upper body was effected by my mastectomies.  I can't risk having any more misery on my lower body.  

I'm just thinking there are tummy tucks done all the time...have they ever proposed sharing the flap?

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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited December 2010

    That sounds like an interesting solution. NJ

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  • nagem
    nagem Member Posts: 353
    edited December 2010

    I was too thin to make a Diep-flap recon worhtwhile, and I can't tell you how many people offered to donate their excess tummies! Alas, it is not even foreseeable, what with tissue rejection issues.

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited December 2010

    Meggy, talk to some organ recipients and you'll find although they are moving on with their lives, there's always the fear of rejection...ALWAYS. And they take tons of medications to try and prevent that, some come with their own nasty side effects.

    What would be more practical, and is on the verge of being possible, is for a labratory to grow tissue for you from stem cells or a few of your own donated fat cells. Hang in there. Alternatives will be coming.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2010

    I thought they use Alloderm, which is cadaver skin. Has that been tried?

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  • dee7493
    dee7493 Member Posts: 155
    edited December 2010

     Yes Stem Cell breast regeneration is being develped in trails.

    After living through complications from Tissue expanders I too am more than nervous about having possible promblemos in lower body.

    Though I do plan on DIEP in a few months.

    My hubby said 'don't be looking at my big belly'!

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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited December 2010

    Hi Meggy,

    In your case, with lymphedema, I would be terrified of more surgery of any type. I think rejection of a donated flap would be a huge risk, even if a surgeon would consider it.

    I do understand that you're devastated your reconstruction failed on the radiated side. But have you ever considered trying a prosthesis? There are a number of women on this forum who had implant failure or who chose to have their implant removed due to pain or other issues. Many have found they feel healthier and happier wearing a prosthesis (breast form) to match their other side. There are lightweight, comfortable breast forms available.

    I realize that when you've had your heart set on reconstructing your breasts, it's very difficult to consider adjusting to life without them, but I and many others really have found living breast-free to be comfortable and we feel healthy and attractive. I wear breast forms and no one would ever know (in clothes) that I don't have breasts.

    Best wishes whatever you decide.

    Barbara

    BreastFree.org

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited December 2010

    barbe, as I understand the use of Alloderm it's just used as a supportive tissue to make a sling to hold the transplanted belly fat if the surgeon can't get enough skin or find a natural cavity. If you don't have enough belly fat, the Alloderm has nothing to hold in shape.

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  • Meggy
    Meggy Member Posts: 530
    edited December 2010

    i guess since I'm newly married and my dumb a$$ hubby looked at photos of other womens boobs on line...hmmmm...makes me feel not so comfortable being boobless.  He's worth keeping though..stuck with me through so much...just an on-line idiot.  Also, with the lymphedema, I am not comfortable...uppper body feels bad most of the time so I'd like to at least look cute if I have to feel  like crap. 

    I like the idea of stem cell growth...just grow me some tissue is the idea?  Thanks for the info on how miserable it must be to have flesh donated.  I hadn't thought about that at all.

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