Experiences with Breast Reconstruction (Flap)
Breast reconstruction can be done after a mastectomy procedure due to breast cancer. Breast tissue flap procedures can be done using tissue from your tummy, back, thighs, or buttocks to rebuild the breast. The two most common types of tissue flap procedures are the TRAM flap (transverse rectus abdominis muscle flap) which is taken from the lower abdomen area, and the latissimus dorsi flap which is taken from the upper back. After tissue flap procedures there are two scars; one scar is where the tissue is taken and one is on the breast. Scars from breast reconstruction fade over time but will never go away completely. There is a risk of differences in size or shape of the breasts and risk of pain from the surgical sites.
Women that opt for tissue flap procedures have experienced many different outcomes. There is no way to predict how exactly your surgery will turn out. However, many WhatNexter’s give the same advice: consider all your options, think about getting a second opinion, communicate well with your surgeon, and make the decision that you feel most comfortable with. Sometimes it is good to ask others what decisions they have made concerning breast reconstruction. There are endless questions and many different combinations of breast reconstruction. Ask questions and post firsthand insights below.
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Breast Reconstruction (Flap)
Procedure or Surgery
At the time of my double mastectomy tissue expanders were inserted in the breast to prepare the breast for reconstruction. I then mo...
0 CommentsWent as Expected: Disagree Minimal Recovery: Disagree Minimal Side Effects: Neutral/NA Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Neutral/NA -
Breast Reconstruction (Flap)
Procedure or Surgery
L-flap with fat transfer.
0 CommentsWent as Expected: Agree Minimal Recovery: Neutral/NA Minimal Side Effects: Agree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Neutral/NA -
Breast Reconstruction (Flap)
Procedure or Surgery
Here I'm again after the Reconstruction surgery, It was on May 15th. When your doctor tells you is going to be 8 weeks to recover, d...
4 CommentsWent as Expected: Strongly Agree Minimal Recovery: Disagree Minimal Side Effects: Agree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Disagree -
Breast Reconstruction (Flap)
Procedure or Surgery
This procedure was mastectomy of remaining breast followed by reconstruction.
0 CommentsWent as Expected: Agree Minimal Recovery: Strongly Disagree Minimal Side Effects: Strongly Disagree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Strongly Disagree -
Breast Reconstruction (Flap)
Procedure or Surgery
Free flap from ab with glut vein attached moved to my chest wall, vein reattached to my flap. Surgery took 7 hours. Very painful rec...
0 CommentsWent as Expected: Agree Minimal Recovery: Strongly Disagree Minimal Side Effects: Strongly Disagree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Strongly Disagree -
Breast Reconstruction (Flap)
Procedure or Surgery
Painful, slow recovery. Belly button did not survive. Had to pack with gauze.
0 CommentsWent as Expected: Agree Minimal Recovery: Disagree Minimal Side Effects: Disagree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Disagree -
Breast Reconstruction (Flap)
Procedure or Surgery
Experiencing now Not pleasant.
0 CommentsWent as Expected: Agree Minimal Recovery: Disagree Minimal Side Effects: Disagree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Disagree -
Breast Reconstruction (Flap)
Procedure or Surgery
The abdominal screen is the most difficult to get used to
0 CommentsWent as Expected: Strongly Agree Minimal Recovery: Strongly Agree Minimal Side Effects: Agree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Agree -
Breast Reconstruction (Flap)
Procedure or Surgery
At a later procedure had the Arreola tattooed on.
0 CommentsWent as Expected: Strongly Agree Minimal Recovery: Strongly Agree Minimal Side Effects: Strongly Agree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Strongly Agree -
Breast Reconstruction (Flap)
Procedure or Surgery
Still in recovery but overall very happy with results
0 CommentsWent as Expected: Disagree Minimal Recovery: Agree Minimal Side Effects: Agree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Agree -
Breast Reconstruction (Flap)
Procedure or Surgery
Right now I'm in that 24 to 48 hour most painful stage, but hopefully I'm ending this part of the journey and will find my new norma...
0 CommentsWent as Expected: Agree Minimal Recovery: Neutral/NA Minimal Side Effects: Neutral/NA Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Disagree -
Breast Reconstruction (Flap)
Procedure or Surgery
I had the DIEP flap procedure for reconstruction. Not as bad I as I though it would be. 8 weeks out and healing nicely.
0 CommentsWent as Expected: Agree Minimal Recovery: Neutral/NA Minimal Side Effects: Neutral/NA Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Neutral/NA