Possibility of double tram flap at same time?

[Rembrandt]

Hello---I had a lumpectomy 7/00, chemo & radiation. In 3/02, I had a recurrence in the same breast and had a mastectomy. Last week I had a mammogram on the remaining breast and microcalcifications appeared and a biopsy was recommended. I am considering skipping the biopsy and going straight for a mastectomy. I was planning to have reconstruction in the near future but now I would just like to get it all over with and be done with the surgeries as soon as possible. Is it possible to have a double tram flap done at the same time? (I have plenty of tissue.)What would be the draw backs? What kind of problems may I encounter and what kind of recovery time would you estimate?
Thank you in advance for any information you can provide.

[nana7306]

A related discussion, Tram Flap Recovery was started.

[Karen377]

A related discussion, Removal of Tram Flap was started.

[velvetstorm]

I had a tram flap 4 my left breast reconstruct. Mine was done from my stomach. I think there are other sites they also use. You might want 2 ask positives & negatives of using the sites.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear Rembrandt:  A double TRAM flap is theoretically possible but most plastic surgeons will do this only in select circumstances where conditions are favorable to do so.  A patient must have adequate skin but also adequate muscle.  Other considerations would be radiated tissue. This is a questions that should be addressed to a plastic surgeon, preferably one who does many such flaps.  This physician could evaluate the possibility of bilateral TRAM flap as it relates to your specific situation.  As an aside, you should probably not skip the biopsy.  If a mastectomy and flap were done and there was no cancer, the insurance may not pay for it.