pedicle tram flap/abdominal buldge complication

[absintheminded]

Wondering how many woman suffering severe abdominal bulge/weakened stomach wall and severe digestive issue's years post pedicle tram flap? I am finally finding some admittance of this severe and debilitating side effect. Not many Dr's seem to want to associate it with the pedicle tram flap or acknowledge this very serious complication. Granted, in 2004 this was a relatively new surgery, we could not know all side effects. However, I seem to see this happening not just to me but to others and no one wants to discuss or find a fix. My left side of my abdoman has completely buldged out. This happend in 2011. My surgery was 2004. You can actually see the outline of my intestines. I went to ER thinking I had a severe hernia, possibly a blockage. The "Buldge" had increased greatly in size. Along with this came constipation and pain. It seems I am experiencing on going blockages in my intestines and colon. Without the strength of the rectus muscle my stomach has become so weak it cannot perform the contractions necessary, I beleive, to push the waste through my body. I swell with toxins. I notice it is at its worst when my toes swell from the toxins as well. I have to give up all fiber as I cannot digest it or break it down. I am forced to take laxitaves like milk of magnesia and suppository laxitives at least 2x a week or I develop horrific blockages which I fear can burst and become sepsis. A recent episode last week sent me to the ER where x-rays ordered to be sure blockage passed. It had but the inflammation, pain and gas are horrific. You cannot even touch my left side abdomin without pain. I am not able to eat fruit, vegetables, whole grains etc., I am losing vitamins and now adding ensure to my diet. They say the only possible thing they could do would be to find an abdominal wall specialist to try and tighten it, however I was warned that these surgeries are loaded with serious complications and tend to fail. I'm terrified I'm going to end up on a bag or something. My gastro doctor, primary, etc.,could not answer what was wrong with me...finally a plastic surgeon and my new oncologist says this is a side effect that is just beginning to show up in more and more woman. A warning to other woman, the bulge became it's largest after lifting heavy objects such as heavy grocery bags upstairs...it doesn't take much...you must NEVER lift anhything heavy again...yeah, like that's a possibilty...so, this is kind of a statement to throw out there on a serious side effect of the pedicle tram flap that certainly is being ignored in the medical community...and my question is, is there any hope? Will this neccesety of laxitives (I'm only 50) cause me to be dependent always. If the blockage does not pass can it burst and can I go sepsis? Thank you.


This discussion is related to pedicle tram flap complications.

[Puddington]

I have just read all the post here as I was searching to see if anyone has severe constipation!! I couldn't believe what I was reading...... I live in Adelaide Australia and in 1995, wow 20 yrs ago,I had a double tramflap operation. I got breast cancer in my right breast, in 1993. then had an implant put in.  Then in 1995 I got it in my left breast. Saw a plastic surgeon who said the implant would need coming out as it was encapsulating. He then suggested to do the double tram flap. Back then, I suppose Doctors didn't know a lot about what happens in the future. Well in 2000 I noticed I was having a few issues in using my bowel, became constipated........ The yrs rolled on and 2 yrs ago I saw a GI specialist who did Sitz marker tests which showed I had severe slow transit constipation. Roll on 2015, and a lot of tests later, unfortunately I am going to have to have my bowel removed. I am devastated beyond words as you can imagine. My specialist who has done a lot of research In constipation cannot give me a reason why this has happened, my peristalsis nerves in my bowel no longer work. I also have low back pain from straining and having weak stomach doesn't help. I came on this site as it just crossed my mind if others had bowel issues.. I suppose I will never really know, now I am worried about adhesion !!

[Puddington]

I have just read all the post here as I was searching to see if anyone has severe constipation!! I couldn't believe what I was reading...... I live in Adelaide Australia and in 1995, wow 20 yrs ago,I had a double tramflap operation. I got breast cancer in my right breast, in 1993. then had an implant put in.  Then in 1995 I got it in my left breast. Saw a plastic surgeon who said the implant would need coming out as it was encapsulating. He then suggested to do the double tram flap. Back then, I suppose Doctors didn't know a lot about what happens in the future. Well in 2000 I noticed I was having a few issues in using my bowel, became constipated........ The yrs rolled on and 2 yrs ago I saw a GI specialist who did Sitz marker tests which showed I had severe slow transit constipation. Roll on 2015, and a lot of tests later, unfortunately I am going to have to have my bowel removed. I am devastated beyond words as you can imagine. My specialist who has done a lot of research In constipation cannot give me a reason why this has happened, my peristalsis nerves in my bowel no longer work. I also have low back pain from straining and having weak stomach doesn't help. I came on this site as it just crossed my mind if others had bowel issues.. I suppose I will never really know, now I am worried about adhesion !!

[Toboo]

Yes, I did not find out until much later that hernias occur after TRAM Flaps. I can only direct you to 2 excellent surgeons who have dedicated their practice to repairing this. Start with Aestheticplasticsurgerypc. This will get you going in the right direction and on the road to healing. There is hope, and I am proof. They have a -0 year success rate. I wish this surgery would be banned. And perhaps one day, I will fight for just that. I did not find out what was wrong with me until I saw theses 2 surgeons. Up until I saw them, I was told, everything was fine and healing well. Look up Dr. Ron Israeli and Dr. George Denoto, out of Long Island, Ny. Please, there is hope. So far, 6 women I've referred to them have been repaired and doing well.

[karenlewis55]

I am fed up with my pain.Sounds like no one can help us. I will love to help save other women from this surgery. My life is just here.I went though all this in 1998. I look 5 months pregnant at 55.I have constipation problems. I have depression due to my limitations. YES THIS SURGERY NEEDS TO BE OUTLAWED. ***@****
I am in search of a cure of these terrible side affects.

[Showinup]

Ladies we should ban together and have Tram reconstruction surgery outlawed!! The medical field odten does not want to acknowledge or understand the issues that we have as a result of the risks from this surgery!!  but the surgeons who know they KNOW and have told me this is the worst surgery a woman could have and he thinks it should be outlawed!!! I don't want to rehash all of my  risks but I will say we have had the carpet pulled from under us and we will never be the same!!! But we are alive and survivors!!! I get up and walk a little.  I go to occupational therapy! I do Not clean my house not do I lift anything over 10 lbs.  I can't sit too long stand too long or walk too long!! I've cut down on my pain meds. I am accepting this is what it is and reinventing myself!! Pain is a constant but I refuse to be in the dark hike I was in with the depression!!! Medicinal marijuana helps a little bit not much!!  I use disovabke ziofran for the nausea . Meditation reiki and mother nature does wonders!! It all ***** being in pain constantly but I try not to talk about it except to the experts and all they can say is I can't help you...but then disability wants to tell you you can work ha ha!!! I say we get TRAM  crap OUTLAWED !!!  My heart and positive healing energy is sent out to all of you! I live with all your same pains...and misunderstandings and ignorance of the medical field and our family and friends.  But we show up!!! May you find some peace... Peace love hugs n tyedye survivors!!!!

[Showinup]

Ladies we should ban together and have Tram reconstruction surgery outlawed!! The medical field odten does not want to acknowledge or understand the issues that we have as a result of the risks from this surgery!!  but the surgeons who know they KNOW and have told me this is the worst surgery a woman could have and he thinks it should be outlawed!!! I don't want to rehash all of my  risks but I will say we have had the carpet pulled from under us and we will never be the same!!! But we are alive and survivors!!! I get up and walk a little.  I go to occupational therapy! I do Not clean my house not do I lift anything over 10 lbs.  I can't sit too long stand too long or walk too long!! I've cut down on my pain meds. I am accepting this is what it is and reinventing myself!! Pain is a constant but I refuse to be in the dark hike I was in with the depression!!! Medicinal marijuana helps a little bit not much!!  I use disovabke ziofran for the nausea . Meditation reiki and mother nature does wonders!! It all ***** being in pain constantly but I try not to talk about it except to the experts and all they can say is I can't help you...but then disability wants to tell you you can work ha ha!!! I say we get TRAM  crap OUTLAWED !!!  My heart and positive healing energy is sent out to all of you! I live with all your same pains...and misunderstandings and ignorance of the medical field and our family and friends.  But we show up!!! May you find some peace... Peace love hugs n tyedye survivors!!!!