Post Tram Flap tummy

[NEtramflap]

I am 4 months post tram flap currently undergoing chemotherapy.  Within the last month I have begun experiencing a "tightness" in my abdomen.  While I wouldn't go as far to call this painful, it is very VERY uncomfortable and getting worse every day.  I saw my plastic surgeon this week and he examined for hernia and told me there was none and that this "tightness" is something I will need to get used to.  I was wondering if anyone else that has had this procedure has experienced tummy problems post op.  It feels like my tummy was tucked too tight.  Is there anything I can do (physical therapy, stretching)? Do I need to give this more time?  Could the chemo drugs (taxol, gemzar) be the cause?

[mjsh]

24 days post bilat mastectomies with TRAM reconstruction-extreme tightness with any change in body position-very uncomfortable-worst soreness is in back of my arms (paresthesia) feels like they're raw-good news is that I am moving around a little better each day-have been driving since 18 days post op (only taking pain med at night) feel like a scarecrow and am afraid of coming apart at the seams...haha
-just happy to have tumors removed! looking forward to healing and loving life!

[tinkerbell38]

I just had the surgey on 2/16/09.  My scare, in the center has this hole dosen't lool like it's healing.  The Dr say's it fine.  Has anyone gone through.  I had BCaner when i was 35 am 38 now. I hope this is it.

[kiritsubo]

I just turned 60 yrs old this month.  I've had a bi-lateral TRAM FLAP to fix my left breast masectemy sixe years ago in June 2003.  While I limit lifting anything more than 5 lbs. sometimes I over do it, then my stomach muscle and belly button get inflamed even after 6 years..  Whenever i have that, i usually have to stay put for 3 days with some anti-biotic medicine.  Sometimes my abdomin feels heavy as if I am having hernia, but doctor says no.  If anyone has the same issue, let's ommunicate.  

[kathstan]

I had a bilateral TRAM flat reconstruction four years ago.  I had breast cancer.  I didn't notice any problems until 6 months later when I had a hysterectomy and bladder repair.  Since then my waist is almost under my breasts; my belly button is off center and, like several of you above, I have very uncomfortable tightness across my stomach.  At times it feels like someone is tighting a vice from the inside.  It has never gotten any better and I do feel like I'm a 100 years old when I first stand up - my stomach is super tight and my back aches.  I'm 65 and hate to think what I'll be like in 10 years.  I was never told to get PT.  I was checked for a hernia which I don't have.  I've got lumps of blubber that hangs down on the right side of my lower abdomen - my stomach looks like I've got balls of various sizes inside.  I didn't have a flabby stomach BEFORE surgery even though I am over weight.  I am uncomfortable all the time.  I'm glad I had the reconstruction for my breasts but if I had known how my stomach would turn out I wouldn't have had it done.  I am thinking the second set of surgeries caused the problem but I don't understand why the mesh can't be repaired.  Has anyone had surgery to repair the mesh after TRAM reconstruction?  Is it worth the risk?  All my doctors (all male) act like it shouldn't be a big deal.  Thanks for any thoughts.

[Sue0911]

Hi - let's try this again. Of course by now I've forgotten what I wrote this morning! From what I've heard/read, the hunch back is not entirely a bad thing - it helps let everything heal. But as they let you stretch, be sure to do it. I didn't have the mesh but my trainer does, as a result of a rare non-malignant stomach muscle tumor which developed a year after the birth of her daughter. Let it suffice to say, she's back to training, yoga, Pilates and adventure racing! As for the chemo ... your dr sounds similar to mine - conservative. When everyone else was saying "lumpectomy," he was saying "mastectomy." I just went a bit further. And when I asked him if he could guarantee that nothing had slipped through those negative nodes, and of course he couldn't, I volunteered for chemo. Yes, I was frequently very tired during those 6 months but otherwise, I got through it just fine. I had a bunch of little tricks that helped a lot (I think) and I'd be glad to share them if and when you want. Also, for post-tram flap recovery - I had gotten a 1" thick large square of foam rubber (from a sewing store) before I went in for surgery. It went under the seat belt for the ride home - and I used it for a few months once I had permission to drive. A lot more comfortable, both physically and mentally! Later I got some of those "sheep wool" covers for the seat belt - again, much more comfortable across the front and tummy than just the plain belt. Hope the mood shifts back to "forging ahead!" - Sue

[lhughes]

The hunchback should straighten out, but you are going to have to make yourself and pull those muscles to stretch them.  It's gonna hurt, I'm not gonna lie.  It took nearly 4 months before I could lay flat without a pillow under my legs.  However, I was walking fairly straight by the time I left the hospital.  Can't say it was a pretty walk, but it was mostly upright.  Do a little more each day, try to lay a little flatter, try to pull up a little more.  And for goodness sake, don't overcompensate with your back muscles...that'll just end you up with back issues, too.  Just work at it each day to stand straighter, pull your shoulders up and back and then down.  

To boobsareoverated...amazing you got physical therapy.  They told me it was "all up to me".  Good to see someone got some help and thanks for passing along those exercises for others.

Lisa

[Kelleen]

I am 3 weeks post op rt TRAM flap.  I'm surprised you didn't experience tightness till 4 months out.  I'm a hunchback!.  Have just this week been given the okay to begin stretching.  Welcoming any suggestions. What's the point of having perky breasts if I can't stand up straight?!

[Kelleen]

Have any of you heard of the DIEP flap?  I am considering total mastectomy with immediate reconstruction and came across this newer procedure on line that uses abdominal fat and tissue but not the muscle.  Sounds like a breakthrough to me but has anyone had it?  I have an appointment with a plastic surgeon tomorrow so will ask hi of course but I'd like to her it from a woman who has been there.

[boobsareoverated]

I used a lotion with shea butter in it and it works great. Stretching is the key. My plastic surgeon sent me for physical therapy and they taught me how to stretch. It's been 1 year now and I still do the stretches every day. They really help.

Try laying on your stomach and put your hands out like you're going to do a push up.  Just push your upper body up and stretch. Do that about 10 times twice a day. Dont actually go on your knees or toes just lay on your stomach and only push the upper body where you stretch your mid section.

Another is the pelvic tilt. Lay on your back with your knees bent. Lift and tilt the pelvic area.

These help alot.

[lhughes]

I don't have any "tightness" left (it's been not quite a year), just a general lack of feeling when you touch the skin on my abdomen area.  Some of that has come back.  The only weird thing I have is a ridge along the pubic area where you can tell the 2 muscles were reattached.

I did have some tightness to start, but I went to the gym around 4 months and had a trainer help me with some nautilus.  I did get the doc's approval for this.  Use the super-pullover to help stretch out your abdomen and the arm area.  It'll hurt, so only go as far as your range of movement will let you.  You'll just need to work it out and get the muscles to stretch.  Use some lotions to soften the skin, and hubby had me start using PREFER ON which is a scar ointment, cheaper than the other thing, but works pretty good for softening up the scar.

Wear your sleeve (if you had your lymph nodes removed) so that it doesn't impact your lymphedema.

I still have no feeling in my new breast whatsoever, and that may never come back.  I have fewer spots of non-feeling under my arm, but there is one streak that probably will always be numb.  There's one spot that just feels "funky", too.

You do eventually get used to the non-feeling.  According to another doc that I happen to go see about an unrelated issue, she reminded me that nerve endings grow like a quarter of an inch a year, so feeling may not get restored to the abdomen for a number of years depending on the damage they sustained during the surgery.  I had a lot of loose skin from my pregnancies, so I don't think my nerves were as damaged as some could be during the stretching part.

The best thing to do is keep the area moisturized with good lotions and try to get the muscles and the skin to stretch back out and then relax.  It will take some time, but it will get better and then get easier.  Nothing's going to happen overnight, though.

Best of luck to ya!
Lisa

[HAPPY4]

I AM 4 MONTHS POST OP FROM A DOUBLE TRAM-FLAP.  I HAVE THE TIGHTNESS AS WELL.  DID YOU EVER GET THE FEELING BACK IN THE IN ABDOMEN AREA.  I FEEL THE SAME WAY AS THE OTHER, KIND OF LIKE MY TUMMY TUCK WAS TOO TIGHT. I STILL HAVE LITTLE TO NO FEELING FROM UNDER THE NEW BREAST TO THE CUT?

[lhughes]

Lotions like Oat beta glucan (expensive, but worth it) from CVS (ask the pharmacist) and now I'm  using Cetaphil and other type lotions (lotions that help with skin elasticity) to help soften up the skin.  I did nautilus training (with a trainer) after my tram (5 months after, I think) to stretch everything out and it did help with the tightness.  It's MUCH better now (10 week session).  All I can tell you is to work on lotions to soften the skin and stretching to help get the skin to loosen up.  It does get better, but you have to help it.  I'm 8 months out now.  Still some days it seems to tighten up, but I just do some extra stretching and it loosens back up.  I have YET to get a full unassisted sit up, but I'm working on it.

Best of luck, I hope yours looks as good as mine!

[goblinspice]

I have had a double tramflap,  It has been over 18 months now and there is a tightness across my

abdomen down to my scar line and under my breasts.  My stomach feels like I have a very tight pair

trouser  on and I need to undo the buttons to release the pressure, unfortunately this is not possible.

I don't know if there is anything that can be done about it but if there is I would like to find out too.