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.

[hoodd]

Oh m  gosh that's me! i feel like I'm going crazy because no doctor wants to tell me what's wrong! The surgeon I just saw recommended I have all the nerves in my stomach killed because they were causing the severe contractions and swelling in my stomach. I had my surgery in 08 and now experiencing everything you're talking about. D in Oregon

[AlyParker]

good afternoon I ahd the tramp flap procedure in 2001 in the UK, I do have a right sided bulge which is very unsightly. But what i ahve experienced is unexplained episodes of stomach pains cramps and unexplained episodes of diahorrea and vommiting, which comes on suddenley and unexplained.
Not food related, but takes about a week to subside.

Can this be along term effect of tram flap procedures, I dno nto know what type of mesh was used in my operation.
many thanks

[Hvala]

I had a bilateral mastectomy in 1999 with pedicled TRAM flap. Here I am 13-14 years later and am experiencing the same things you describe. I experience bulging, bloating, increased gas, indigestion, pain. The pain worsens when I lift things such as groceries. Last spring I ended up in the ER with severe pain. It was determined that fluid was collecting on top of the mesh that was inserted to support the abdominal wall in 1999. Some docs have said there is no way this can be related to surgery in 1999. A plastics doc referred me to a general surgeon who said that the risks of opening the abdomen outweigh any benefits that might be gained due to the possibility of infection. A plastics doc that specialized in breasts made me feel crazy bc the pedicled TRAM isn't performed anymore. I look like I am 3 or 4 months pregnant. I have to wear pants below the bulge bc any pressure on the abdomen is uncomfortable. I wear maternity tops because they hide my bulge.  Have any of you found any relief or answers? Obviously we are not crazy and this is very real.  Any comments or suggestions are welcome!

[Ellen2672]

Hi my name is Ellen, live in Perth west Australia. Had my double mastectomy in August 2012. It is now January 2014 and I too have had terrible bouts of constipation ever since the surgery. These bouts at first were spread by weeks .. Now it is every week.  The bulge is huge on the right side as that is where the donor  ab muscle was harvested. My left breast was compromised as I had breast cancer in 2007 and had radiotherapy. Then in May 2012 after many biopsies found the cancer had returned to the same breast .. So obviously to me, I chose a bilateral mastectomy  using the TRAM and DIEP methods.  The right breast is smaller as it already was compromised by radiotherapy so had tissue necrosis.  The left side is significantly larger. But I am alive.  It's the bulge and the constant constipation that are annoying.  I will see my GP tomorrow as my ultrasound showed no obvious hernia.  Has anyone had or tried colonic irrigation?

[Ellen2672]

Hi my name is Ellen, live in Perth west Australia. Had my double mastectomy in August 2012. It is now January 2014 and I too have had terrible bouts of constipation ever since the surgery. These bouts at first were spread by weeks .. Now it is every week.  The bulge is huge on the right side as that is where the donor  ab muscle was harvested. My left breast was compromised as I had breast cancer in 2007 and had radiotherapy. Then in May 2012 after many biopsies found the cancer had returned to the same breast .. So obviously to me, I chose a bilateral mastectomy  using the TRAM and DIEP methods.  The right breast is smaller as it already was compromised by radiotherapy so had tissue necrosis.  The left side is significantly larger. But I am alive.  It's the bulge and the constant constipation that are annoying.  I will see my GP tomorrow as my ultrasound showed no obvious hernia.  Has anyone had or tried colonic irrigation?

[Jamy4]

I had breast reconstruction in 2003, I've not been the same since, can not carry anything , can not walk my 10km that I use to, now I have Rectom prolapse and bladder buldge,and need surgery,I'm afraid i might get worse ,my plastic surgeon never warned me of any complication in the future ,and Iworn all woman not to get the flap reconstruction done, what should I do..