TUG flap reconstruction

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Jaybird627
Jaybird627 Member Posts: 2,144
edited March 2019 in Breast Reconstruction

Hi. I have yet to find anything here as to who may have had this surgery. My PS says it may be my only option as my one TE is somewhat reactive (red). It was previously radiated 13 years ago. The other TE (just recently radiated) is just fine. Bilateral mastectomy April 2018. I have no belly/back fat or extra skin but my tighs may be candidates for this surgery. Anyone? Thanks!

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  • Mamihen
    Mamihen Member Posts: 15
    edited January 2019

    Hello. Jaybird627-

    I am headed for TUG flap reconstruction on 1/30. same day as my BMX.

    I'd be happy to share whatever I know....

    xo

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  • Jaybird627
    Jaybird627 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited January 2019

    Hi Mamihen!

    Good luck! What led you to that decision/procedure? I'm not a candidate really for much as I'm thin

    with not a lot of extra skin/fat except for my thighs.

    My PS says my one TE must come out. Then I'm to heal (months!) and then maybe try the TE again. Maybe.

    So I'm to be very lopsided for probably another year. The one TE is fine and she doesn't want to reduce it as

    there could be issues with re-expansion since has been recently radiated. She can't figure out why the right

    breast is reacting negatively as the radiation on it was 13 years ago and all was fine with it until the last few

    months, mostly since my left breast area was radiated. Ugh. I'm SO over this shit!

    J~

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  • Jaybird627
    Jaybird627 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited March 2019

    Hi,

    Still looking for tug flap experiences.

    Thanks!

    J~

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  • conscorner
    conscorner Member Posts: 23
    edited March 2019

    I never heard of that reconstruction. They used my lats for reconstruction, although I'm on the thin side. That was 11 years ago. I wouldn't recommend that at all. I hope that you can have peace over your decision.

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  • WC3
    WC3 Member Posts: 1,540
    edited March 2019

    My facility has stopped offering TUG flap reconstruction due to instances of leg lymphedema.

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  • Jaybird627
    Jaybird627 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited March 2019

    Well, TUG flap may be my only option other than going flat if my other side doesn't respond well to a future expander/implant.

    Doing research. A co-worker had it done and didn't mention any complaints or complications.

    Thanks,


    J~

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  • Gudrun
    Gudrun Member Posts: 140
    edited March 2019

    Dear Jaybird, my daughter had a nipple sparing tug flap operation due to lack of fatty tissue. The results are wonderful. Really! She hasn't had any issues so far. Good luck to you and best wishes, G.

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  • Jaybird627
    Jaybird627 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited March 2019

    Hi Gundrun!

    Thanks!

    I know it's 'common' but women DO have TUG flap surgery. Can I ask where she had it done? My current PS is not in favor of it although we haven't really discussed it as I had left TE replaced with implant and left TE removed due to tissue breakdown by him. Hoping for another go at expander in 6 months but if not I really want to pursue TUG flap surgery.

    Oh, and no lymphedema so far for me. R breast lumpectomy/lymph nodes removed 14 years ago.

    Bilateral mastectomy and L lymph nodes removed 4/2018.

    Thanks!

    J~

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  • Gudrun
    Gudrun Member Posts: 140
    edited March 2019

    Jaybird, I'm afraid I won't be of much help.

    She had her Tug flap here in Germany after having found a young surgeon specialized in exactly this kind of operation. We had been at two university hospitals in Heidelberg and Stuttgart for consultation. Both recommended TUG flap.

    Prior to that she had a provisional expander that she had planned to keep as long as possible but finally got problems with acute rashes and redness.

    It's been two years now since her tug flap. Her new breast looks like the identical twin of her natural one ;) Lovely!

    I hope you'll make a good choice, and I can only relate to what we experienced.

    BTW, she had only 4 sentinels removed and no lymphedema either.

    Love, Gudrun.

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