Breast Reconstruction Surgery tram flap ?

Question

My mom had mastectomy her right breast and her lymph nodes are gone she had surgery jan 2006
and this year september 4 she is going for
reconstruction
they said its tram flap where they cut the stomach and flip inside to her breast
4 times surgery
whole year to do it

anyone experience this type ?
that can tell me if they liked it ?
good and bads ?
how long till u can go on with daily stuff?

thanks

shes at city of hope
where she had chemo surgery radiation

im sure my mom talked to people about it

i really do hope everything goes well
she really wants it

Answer 1

The TRAM flap uses lower abdominal tissue, including some of the sit-up muscle, to reconstruct the new breast. The tissue that is removed is very similar to the tissue that is removed during a tummy-tuck (abdominoplasty) procedure. Removing some of the sit-up muscle does make the recovery significantly harder though and your mother will likely experience a reduction (up to 20%) in abdominal muscle strength. Your mother will probably not be allowed to lift anything heavier than the phone book for 6 weeks.

DIEP flap breast reconstruction is the latest evolution in terms of reconstruction and leaves the muscle behind. Unlike with the TRAM procedure no muscle is sacrificed. Recovery is easier and there is significantly less risk of long term strength loss. The down side is that the surgery is more complex and not all plastic surgeons offer the procedure.

Dr Chrysopoulo
www.prma-enhance.com

Answer 2

Well I haven't kept up with the medical world except on ER or code Blue and of course Discovery Channel.
If it was my mother I would get her to get a second and even a third consultation. I know there better deals then this. For this first place, every time they go into the body, they risk infection, your talking about four times and a year. Never heard of this.

I know there about four different type of reconstruction surgery after cancer, I know of more then several women that went through it. Never this.
Talk to her, see about another doctor and consultation.