Tram Flap

Hi Kristy

How is it all going for you now that you are further down the track? My surgery day is fast approaching now, this Saturday 11 April. I will confess that I am starting to get a little nervous. I am hoping and praying that all will go well, but as you have said and experienced, it's a huge operation. Not looking forward to the pain, especially the first 3 days apparently, but will be glad to have it behind me. Shame they can't just put you in a coma for a few weeks until its all over!! Are you still happy with your outcome? Hope I go as well as you have done. All the best. Louise xx

Will do, we'll be in touch. Thanks again Take care Louise xx

Thank you so much for your kind words.

I am so thrilled that I was able to help and put your mind at ease.

It is very comforting when you know you have great doctor's looking after you.

Please let me know how your operation goes.

Take care and I wish you all the best. I know you will be fine!

Kristy xx

 

Thank you so much for your kind words.

I am so thrilled that I was able to help and put your mind at ease.

It is very comforting when you know you have great doctor's looking after you.

Please let me know how your operation goes.

Take care and I wish you all the best. I know you will be fine!

Kristy xx

 

That all sounds great Kristy, thank you so much. Talking to you has made me feel a lot better and more positive about the whole thing. I am looking forward to it all being over (my surgery is booked for 11 April). My breast surgeon is Dr Jenny Gough who is absolutely wonderful and has looked after me exceptionally well all the way along, and my plastic surgeon is Dr Eddie Cheng who I have heard nothing but wonderful and great things about him, so I am in very good hands. Like you, I will be glad to not have to worry so much about the cancer returning once they're gone. Keep fighting the good fight, I wish you continued recovery, good health and a long long wonderful life. Take care and thanks again. Love Louise xx

Hi Louise,

I totally agree with you it is the anticipation of it all.

I was originally going to have the preventative mastectomy and reconstruction all at once but when the Dr found the DCIS I just decided to get both breasts removed. I was 36 when I had my mastectomy.

Like you my husband had been so supportive and wonderful. He just wants me to be healthy and happy.

It is a really tough journey emotionally and physically but I can tell you that it does get better and you will have peace of mind knowing that you don't have to worry about another lump again.

Like you I was concerned about the mesh but now I have it I don't notice it..So far I have not had any trouble with it. Each day I have been feeling not as tight in my stomach which is good.

A friend of mine had the Tram Flap too and I asked her about the mesh and she said she doesn't feel it and forgot it was there.

I was also asked to loose a few kilos before my op. I think I only lost about 4 but I started going to boot camp and walking and jogging and I think by doing that it really did help my recovery.

I know you will be fine. It sounds like you have got a great attitude.

Thank you for thinking of me.

 

Take care

 

Kristy xx

 

Hi Louise,

I totally agree with you it is the anticipation of it all.

I was originally going to have the preventative mastectomy and reconstruction all at once but when the Dr found the DCIS I just decided to get both breasts removed. I was 36 when I had my mastectomy.

Like you my husband had been so supportive and wonderful. He just wants me to be healthy and happy.

It is a really tough journey emotionally and physically but I can tell you that it does get better and you will have peace of mind knowing that you don't have to worry about another lump again.

Like you I was concerned about the mesh but now I have it I don't notice it..So far I have not had any trouble with it. Each day I have been feeling not as tight in my stomach which is good.

A friend of mine had the Tram Flap too and I asked her about the mesh and she said she doesn't feel it and forgot it was there.

I was also asked to loose a few kilos before my op. I think I only lost about 4 but I started going to boot camp and walking and jogging and I think by doing that it really did help my recovery.

I know you will be fine. It sounds like you have got a great attitude.

Thank you for thinking of me.

 

Take care

 

Kristy xx

 

Hi Kristy Thanks so much for your reply. Sounds like you have had a very positive experience which is excellent, I hope mine goes as well. I will just be glad when it is done, I think the waiting and anticipation is difficult. Mine has been delayed because they wanted me to lose some weight and so far I have lost 12kg and I'm also trying to exercise so that I can be a bit fitter before surgery. Did they use mesh in your stomach and if so, has it given you any grief? I have read where some ladies have said it feels hard and sometimes painful. I am a little worried about the mesh, being a foreign body and all. Like you, I have a wonderful Mum who is going to stay here and look after us all, which is wonderful. I also have a beautiful husband who loves me no matter what and a wonderful supportive family, so I'm very blessed. I also think I have been very fortunate that my DCIS was found so early and that I have not had to have chemo or radium, and that, given I have the BRCA2 gene, that nothing happened earlier (I was 48 when first diagnosed in 2013). I know this won't be a walk in the park but I am a fairly positive person with a good sense of humour and a strong faith in God, so hopefully all of that will help me get through it all. One day at a time hey. Thanks so much, I'm really happy for you that things are looking up and I pray you continue to heal and recover quickly. Love Louise x

Hi Kristy Thanks so much for your reply. Sounds like you have had a very positive experience which is excellent, I hope mine goes as well. I will just be glad when it is done, I think the waiting and anticipation is difficult. Mine has been delayed because they wanted me to lose some weight and so far I have lost 12kg and I'm also trying to exercise so that I can be a bit fitter before surgery. Did they use mesh in your stomach and if so, has it given you any grief? I have read where some ladies have said it feels hard and sometimes painful. I am a little worried about the mesh, being a foreign body and all. Like you, I have a wonderful Mum who is going to stay here and look after us all, which is wonderful. I also have a beautiful husband who loves me no matter what and a wonderful supportive family, so I'm very blessed. I also think I have been very fortunate that my DCIS was found so early and that I have not had to have chemo or radium, and that, given I have the BRCA2 gene, that nothing happened earlier (I was 48 when first diagnosed in 2013). I know this won't be a walk in the park but I am a fairly positive person with a good sense of humour and a strong faith in God, so hopefully all of that will help me get through it all. One day at a time hey. Thanks so much, I'm really happy for you that things are looking up and I pray you continue to heal and recover quickly. Love Louise x

Hi Louise, 

Oh  my goodness Louise how similar we both are. Like you I had a full hysterectomy 12 months ago. It was all so much as I had my mastectomy then 6 weeks later my hysterectomy. 

I am now 4 weeks post op from having my Tram Flap reconstruction  and I can honestly say for the first time in over a year I am smiling again!!

I seriously just can't stop looking at my chest!!

I was so nervous and worried before my reconstruction as I think it was the unknown.

I had mine done through Megan Hassall in Sydney and I went to Hunters Hill private hospital. Everyone was so wonderful.

My op was approximately 10 hours. Its true with what people say. You go to sleep and the next minute you are awake.

I found the first  3 days were tough. I was made so comfortable when I was in bed and by day 3  I was up sitting and walking. I was only walking to the shower and toilet and by day 5 I was walking up and down the corridor.

I got my central line out day 5 and day 6 I got my drains out and came home.

I went to see my dr the week after and she asked me if I would do it again? My answer to her was YES!! It was so worth it. Its a week out of your  life where you don't feel great but its the reward you get at the end. 

I now have my nice new boobs and a flat stomach!

 I have found the pain to be nowhere near as bad as what I anticipated. I have only been on Panadol since day 5 and now I am down to twice a day.

I think the biggest thing is just to rest and don't over do it. I have been very fortunate as my Mum has been staying with us to help.

A month on and I am only just starting to do more now.

I hope this has helped a little.

If you would like to ask me anymore questions I am more than happy to answer them.

Take Care

Kristy xx