just diagnosed - considering TRAM

Tram is doable but they use stomach muscles and that can lead to many other complications.

Is there a reason you cannot do a DIEP instead?  It is basically the same as a tram but they do not use muscle just your belly fat and skin and the DIEP artery and vein.

There is also a free Tram that uses just a tiny bit of muscle for blood flow, I would question if either of these are available for you.  

Sometimes you are offered only what your surgeon is able to do. There are newer versions of the Tram flap but the surgeon needs to be able to do a microsurgical process. You may have to shop for a more qualified surgeon if you want to do a flap without sacrificing some stomach muscles.

If you are just beginning your own research and have not met with a PS yet, check out the reconstruction section in this websites main menu.  They explain each procedure, care, and recovery.

Sorry I did not have Tram so no specifics on that type of surgery. I did do two different flap surgeries and would do them again in a heartbeat.  The final product of warm, soft tissue that is mine only is well worth the surgery.  I realize I had complications but they are fairly rare.  I would still do it.

Good luck this was my hardest decision, just research all your options.  

I had my mastectomy with TE's so I could spend the time deciding what type of reconstruction I wanted and not settling for implants.  In fact, I got to a point where I said absolutely no implants for me.  I even would have traveled to New Orleans to NOLA or San Antonio to PRMA if I had to.  

I apologize in advance if this was more info than you wanted. 

HUGS