Confused about TRAM/DIEP versus Lat Dorsi

Hi Karene, I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in Nov 2011 and was told I would need a mastectomy. I was 45 and devastaed. I lived in Dongara, 4 hours north of Perth and I had my operations in Perth. I went private and was told that I would be a great candidate for Lat Dorsi. Once it was explained to me I felt a great relief as after reconstruction I would only have 1 scar across my breast where I lost my nipple. My surgeon used a new method for Lat Dorsi and instead of cutting the muscle from my back and leaving yet another scar, he went through where my nipple once was and went under my armpit and cut the muscle from my back that way. He then pulled the muscle through to the front to start the reconstruction of my new breast. I had expanders in for 3 months and then went back to have a small implant put in. I have since had a new nipple made and colour tattooing for my aereola, so now my one and only scar is almost covered up. As good as this all seems, it is an extremely painful operation and does take a long time to recover from. I have alot of muscle pain and at times have shooting pain spasms in my back where the muscle was taken and in my new breast. But.... if I had to go down this path again I would choose the same operation. After all the pain etc I feel and look much like I use to and that makes it all worthwhile. Having the Lat Dorsi made me feel as normal as possible, I didnt want to have implants that feel fake, I wanted to feel like me, if you can understand that. Even though I have a small implant the rest of my breast is me. Every woman is different and every woman will make the choice that suits them and their needs. You will choose what is right for you, and take the time to think about it. It is hard enough for us to take in that we have breast cancer, let alone how and what operation we will have. I have so much praise for my surgeon and what he has done for me, I cant thank him enough. Good luck with whatever road you choose to take and I wish you well with everything. I hope my comments have helped you and if you would like to know anything else I will be quite happy to tell you. Take care xxxx