Igap reconstruction done on 1/25/16-having complications.

Wow, so challenging. I will share my story. I had a Ruben's Flap (the hip using the iliac arteries) I had an abdominal flap 3 months prior (was scheduled for bilateral but only got one due to bad perferators). One week following the second flap the staples were removed and two days later the entire incision opened back up and was black. PS cut out the black areas and I began wet/dry packing for the next 9 weeks. At that point the tissue was looking bright red and granulated so a wound vac was ordered and I had it for the next 3 and a half weeks. Then wet dry packing a very small area that remained for 2 more weeks. 1 month later began fat transfers because I lost over 50% of my flap. I had 5 fat graftings and have stopped at this point.

My biggest regret is it did not turn out symmetrical. A lot of the fat is under my arms now and it is a cup larger than the other breast but slope and projection are the same. We can remove some fat but it reduces my projection and remains under my arms. The injected fat is not firm like the transferred fat pad. A different flap might be a better option. I don't know what I am going to do from here but starting to research. I do not expect perfection but I would like to be able to wear a cute bra and look nice without needing a prosthesis to even me out. I would also like to wear a bathing suit and not hang out the side on only one side.

Ask lots of questions, I wish I had known more about the injected fat before pursuing that route. I was hard headed and did not want an implant to increase my volume.

Good healing and good reconstruction.

Princess, I am so sorry your fat grafting did not work out. What is next?

My incision problem was 2 years ago, I am fine now. It opened up due to tissue necrosis, not enough blood flow to the new flap soon enough. This is not extremely unusual. I actually had a very highly rated PS he was the head of plastic surgery for MD Anderson for 9 years back in the 1990's and was on the team that did the first free TRAM flap in Houston, Texas. I don't have anything bad to say about him. It was just bad luck.

I will probably talk to another PS but not right now. I need to follow up on a different problem. My stomach appears to have an abdominal bulge or possibly a hernia/s. I will be seeing a hernia surgeon in April and do some scans to determine what are the actual issues. That surgery will require a general surgeon and a PS. At that time, I will discuss maybe a breast revision at the same time. I am in no big hurry so I will take it one step at a time.

You will love the flap vs. implant. The tight feeling every time you flex your arms will be gone. I never want anything under my pec muscles again.

Good luck with your surgery. April is just around the corner.

Thanks Beth, my surgery is on the 14th of April. I am in really good hands. The reconstruction has given me the most surgeries and I hope it is the last one. Good luck to you too.