Problem with TRAM

I am about 5 yrs out from my original TRAM surgery.  Everything has been going well, except the past 8 months or so I have developed severe abdominal pain.  I have been told I have diverticulitis. (Ever since I had the tram, I would get pain in my left side (harvest side) up under my rib cage, it felt like when you run and you get a cramp in your side.  Only I no longer run and it is much higher up.)   Now I get these horrible pains, my bowels get blocked, my abdomen is very extended.  I get very bloated.  It looks like I should deliver any day!!!   I have been in for all kinds of tests, xray, PET, CT, MRI and the only thing they say is that I have diverticulitis.  But none of the "traditional treatments" work and the pain gets worse and worse.  Recently someone mentioned that a friend of a friend situation, that a young women who had a TRAM was having all kinds of problems.  It was the first time I had heard of it.  Anyway, long email, but does any of this sound familiar?  I am getting a bit desperate, and a bit scared to be honest about what is going on!!


This discussion is related to Problems after Tram Flap Surgery and Hernia Repair.

[PaulMD]

Hi.

TRAM flap surgeries can really have a lot of long term consequences and these vary from one person to another. Most women would go along with their lives as if nothing happened, but for a significant minority, there can really be disabling symptoms.

A possibility that I can think of is that of internal hernias, which are segments of the intestines trapped under fibrotic areas or reflections of peritoneum.  These hernias can be transient or these can be permanent.  Transient blocks can cause bloating and all of these pains, and relieved when the obstruction is freed.

I suggest you discuss with your doctor regarding this angle and possibly be worked up.

Regards and God bless.