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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
free tram flap
Answered by
Cleveland - OH
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
free tram flap
by becca0350, Dec 15, 2007 09:32AM
I am having a free tram flap done on 12/19. I am 57 years old, smoker for many years but now down to 3 cigs per day for about 3 weeks now and doctor didn't seem to think this would cause a problem. I had a lumpectomy in 2000 with radiation only on the right side and was diagnosed this year with multiple nodules on the left side which came back malignant. I am having a bilateral mastectomy with the free tram flap. I'm just looking for any input from someone maybe with the same scenerio as me. I had tossed around the idea of not having reconstruction done at all, but just couldn't let cancer take one more thing away from me. My best to all of you out there.
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Dec 17, 2007 09:20AM
, Dec 17, 2007 09:20AM
Dear becca0350: Since you are looking from input from others, rather than a medical post, we will leave this up for others' comments.
Member Comments (3)
by bfree2008, Dec 17, 2007 11:36AM
To: becca0350
I am shocked your doctor said it's ok to smoke, even 3 a day, and still do a free flap. My doctor said even second-had smoke would constrict the blood vessels that need to be reconnected by microsurgery when they move the flap to the breast, and could lead to necrosis or flap failure. Why risk it? Even stopping for a few days could help, so stop today. I wish you all the best and success in your surgery.
by sheep, Dec 28, 2007 02:28PM
To: becca0350
How are you doing?
