Recovering from muscle sparing free flap TRAM

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P1nkyLee
P1nkyLee Member Posts: 1
edited August 2014 in Breast Reconstruction

I am 2 weeks post op and doing quite well! Almost able to stand upright but skin is very tight. My abdominal incision extends beyond my hip on both sides as my PS wanted to harvest as much as he could. I told him he could borrow some from my buttocks lol. Both flaps are healthy but it is very strange to see freckles that were once on my tummy to appear on my chest..yikes! I had 6 drains...and came home with 4...those were removed a few days ago. Still trying to get use to the new body, seems foreign to me but Im assured that comes in time. Haven't had a flat tummy since 2002! Even though the surgery was long and the 1st week of recovery was dreadful, I would do it again in a heartbbeat!! I'm new here but look forward to getting to know everyone :-) 

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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited July 2014

    P1nkyLee......glad to hear how well you are doing! 

    I'm sorry no one has replied to your message yet, but I wanted to reach out and say "hi". You might want to consider the Diep 2014 or the Moving On threads to connect with others. There are women on those threads that are actually Tram free recons who are also doing very well. Your info shows you are in Texas, and there are other Texans there.....maybe you share surgeons!

    Hope your recovery continues to progress as it has....things just get better and better.

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  • Thumper004
    Thumper004 Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2014

    P1nkylee - I too am recovering from muscle sparing free tram.  Surgery was 8/7.  Almost 3 weeks out and I am amazed how well recovery is going.  I was able to sit up in bed by myself for the first time this morning (yay for small victories).  I had 3 drains, 2 were removed at the 2 week mark and I get the abdominal one out on Wed.  Walking everyday but I can relate to the tight skin.  How are you doing?  

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  • Zillsnot4me
    Zillsnot4me Member Posts: 2,687
    edited August 2014

    I'm considering a tram. What is muscle sparing? Anything else I should know? 

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  • Thumper004
    Thumper004 Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2014

    Hi Zills!  Muscle sparing free tram is where they do not take much musle at all (compared to TRAM flap), just a small piece with the perforator.  Much less risk for hernia / abdominal weakness.  They patch the small area of muscle taken with mesh.  I would recommend doing your homework to find the right PS that specializes in microsurgery if that is the route you choose.

    My surgery was 14 hours because my right perforator wasn't flowing well so the PS went back.  I was up walking the halls at 2 pm the day after surgery (thanks to pain meds) and showered day two.  I went home the morning of day 4.  I bought a lift chair which helped with recovery.  I slept in in for almost two weeks.  Recovery has been going way better than I was expecting.  

    If you have specific questions, just let me know.

    Best wishes and gentle hugs!

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