STOMACH MUSCLE AFTER TRAMP FLAP

I HAD  A TOTAL MASTECTOMY IN MAY OF 06 AFTER SEVERAL TIMES GOING IN TO REMOVE TISSUE ETC. I DID HAVE A TRAMP FLAP ALL WENT WELL CAME OUT GREAT JUST FEB. O7 HAD THE NIPPLE PUT ON GREAT!!! BUT, I COMPLAIN TO MY DR ABOUT MY STOMACH THE MUSCLE.  HE DID TRY TO FIX IT WHEN HE DID THE NIPPLE SURGERY BUT HE SAID THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO CUT A MUCH BIGGER INCESTION TO GET TO  THE MUSCLE! NOW THIS WEEK I'M STARTING PT TO SEE IF WE CAN PULL AND STRENGHEN  THE MUSCLE. IT IS NOT PAINFUL BUT, I KNOW IT'S THERE WHEN I LAY DOWN, WALK,IT FEELS LIKE A  BALL IN THERE!!  IT FEELS WEIRED HAS ANYBODY HAD THIS PROBLEM???? IT RUNS FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY BREAST TO TUMMY AREA  THANKYOU SO MUCH!

[alessi]

I had single mast. in Feb with tram flap and am having similar problem with muscle.  I am going back in on 5/31 to reduce size of reconstructed breast.
PS says he will stitch muscle so it does not protrude.  It is not that uncomfortable but it does bulge somewhat.

[mona55]

I too had a radical mastectomey and the tram flap done in 2000. I have had my stomach operated on 4 times since then to repair a hernia, and the bulge that sticks out on my left side. I have 3 pieces of mesh and 1 piece of cadavor skin in there and it still is sticking way out. I work out 3 or 4 times a week , sit ups , crunches etc, nothing has helped.

I have had 3 different plastic surgeons try to fix this mess. The first one told me the tram was the best way to go because I would get a really great tummy tuck.

Well anyone out there thinking of doing the tram flap think twice before you do it. I regret every day for doing it.  

[kathy7]

I had my left breast removed and underwent chemo and radiation, then 7 months later I had a transflap done.  Now it has been 6 months and the surgeon did not use mess as I closed up nicely, however, when I am moving around my stomach seems to buldge and it is like I have fluid in there.  When I lay down the stomack is flat,   I thought I would have a flat stomack after this but I am still having these discomforts.  I am still wearing the binding as when I take it off my lower back hurts and my somack acks like musle problems.

Anyone can help???

[JulieP1953]

I had a tram flap surgery after a right side masectomy in 2002. I too have a bulge on my lower left side. I had a hernia repair there in 2006. More mesh was added. It is uncomfortable at times but I am happy with my choice & my surgeon. I was not told that there would be a bulge but I have learned to live with it. Anyone considering a tram flap surgery should question the doctor thoroughly before opting for this type of surgery. Find out how many of this type of surgery they have done. Ask if there is anyone that has had this surgery by this surgeon to get their opinion. It is a very painful surgery & there are benefits as well as drawbacks as you have read in the prevous comments. Since I have had this surgery & living with the results for several years it has taken time for me to adjust to the change physically & mentally. Excersise is a good option-I like yoga. I am grateful to my doctors for helping me to make the choices I have made.

[bloatedlady33]

I had a left masectomy with trams flap done in may and since then I had underwent 3 months of chemo. But during chemo my once flat tummy from the tram flap became bloated and distended. I looked like I am 3 months pregnant. I then had bad stomach cramps and constipation problems. I still cant sit up well without assistance. Can anyone tell me why I am bloated. I thought it was the chemo, but my stomach was hurting before the chemo started also. Im confused and in pain, please help.

[wndln]

I had a bilateral mastectomy tram flap in 8/2008 from stage 2 breast cancer at age 35.  I have a buldge across my stomach from hip to hip resulting in the appearance of being 3 months pregnant.  I can not  sit up well and want to begin exercising and question the crunches.  How can someone without the rectus abdominis muscle do a crunch?  I hate my bulge but am fortunate to have survived at all.  It will take years to adjust to my new body and bulge (as I ALWAYS had a flat stomach).
Definitely consult your doctor. This is a HUGE surgery.  I wish I would have opted to have implants, but can't turn back the clock now.  I consider myself lucky to be alive.

[TexasMo]

I had a mastectomy 4 years ago with an immediate tram flap reconstruction, the Dr ended up having to use both stomach muscles. Now the mesh is failing on the right side..........how involved is the repair surgery? Can't see a Plastic Surgeon till Jan.

[SueYoung55]

Make sure you don't go to the same plastic surgeon. Go for a specialist. Make some phone calls and ask lots of questions.

You may also want to post on the expert forum. Click on forum at the top of the page and their is a breast cancer forum on the right side of the screen that's an expert forum.

Best wishes.

[lura1637]

I had a bilateral mastectomy and tram flap resconstruction in 2003 when I was 47.  Everything went fine with my surgery and I came out with a nice, flat stomach.  I guess I am lucky that I did not have complications.  I am happy to have my own tissue rather than silicone inside me.

I do regret the loss of feeling in my breasts and the numbness and taught feeling in my abdomen, but it is a small price to pay to be alive and normal looking.  It's taken 6 years, but I do feel more sensitivity in my chest and stomach area now, though never like before.  The tightnss and numbness in the whole are bothered me for quite a while, but I don't think about it anymore.

I was lucky to already have a comitted husband and I am glad I didn't loose sensation any younger.

I swim for exercise and I still can do a good amount of lifting and working; I just avoid the most heavy things.  I started out fairly strong physically before the surgery and perhaps that was helpful.  I also had a very experienced plastic surgeon.

Under my reconstructed breasts, I have a smallr bump, probably from the muscle.  I wish I didn't have that but it is not that bad either.

I am very happy overall with my choice, as I would be terrified of a recurrence if I still had my breasts.  But some of the horror stories here would have made me hesitate about this procedure if I had read them in the past.