11-month update: Mastectomy & TRAM Flap reconstruction

[MsVickie08]

PatJohnfis: Thanks for your input. I woud like to mention I am also having an itching sensation in the tram flap directly under the nipple area, but my original nipple is gone and I have a nipple made from the stomach. It is driving me nuts because I can't scratch it. It could be ghost itching,but the itch feels so real. I don't have heart problems, so the pain is not that. When I don't use my arm, I have no pain.

[MsVickie08]

I came across your video regarding your Tram Flap. I would like to share what I am experiencing after having the tram flap done to reconstruct my right breast after surgery for DCIS. It has been 8 years and for the past several months I have been experiencing excrutiating pain in the tram flap site especially after using the lawn mower or weed eater. I am right handed. I also experience pain in my right shoulder as well as pain which radiates across my chest into my left breast.

[patjohnfis]

@MsVickie08

Hi, my wife had a Tram Flap 20 years ago and shortly afterwards developed what she thought was severe indigestion. Some years after suffering all of this she mentioned this to the doctor who just prescribed angina and gave her medicines to cope. Turns out that there is nothing wrong with her heart and the doctors at the hospital are unable to diagnose. We think that the pain she suffers (it goes up her chest into her lower jaw and across the left shoulder) is due to the tram flap.

[kurtkalvari]

Joelle, Thank you for sharing all of this. I am facing a mastectomy in the very near future and am trying to decide on what type of reconstruction to do. Your videos have helped a lot! You are very brave to post all of your experience, but I am thankful!

[joelleburnette]

@kurtkalvari I'm so sorry you have to go through this horrible process. Are you favoring one reconstruction type over the others?

I wish you peace of mind and best of health.

Let me know if you need any other information.

Truly,

Joelle

[socallengyels]

joelle: i have watched your videos. thank you for making them. tomorow morning at 6 am i will be having bi lateral tram flap surgery. i must admit i am very nervous, but after having 3 sets of ruptured implants i am looking forward the finality that the tram flap will give to me. thanks again.  i hope i have the same mental and physical strength you have! carol <3