Forum Discussion
TUG Flap Reconstruction
Good Afternoon to all. I am new to all this and have been told about this forum by my breast care nurse.
I was diagnosed with invasive lobular breast cancer in September and as a consequence had a bilateral mastectomy and a TUG flap reconstruction. I am hoping to hear from any one else that has been thru this procedure, I am finding it very hard to find anyone here in Australia.
If anyone has had to operation and is willing to pass on some information about their experience I would greatly appreciate it.
I do feel quite isolated as this type of plastic surgery seem to be very new.
28 Replies
- Hi again,
I can’t see your request. Do you mind clicking on the link again and re requesting then we will hopefully get you signed up.
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/1-choosing-breast-reconstruction
Occaisianally there is a glitch in the system. That group has nothing to do with Facebook, it’s just a BCNA group. A few of us admins are also admins to a reclaim your curves Facebook group which may have caused you confusion. You definately dont need to be in facebook for this.
Paula :).
Ill check in tomorrow and hopefully we can get you signed up.
Just a thought, can you make sure you are signed in to BCNA before sending request. - Thank you SoldierCrab, I have been looking at that link and have joined, hopefully they will accept me.
You have been very lovely and helpful.
I really appreciate the support
Kindest regards
- https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/1-choosing-breast-reconstruction
click on above link then click on join admins will accept you.
its a group on bcna online forum - Thank you Paula first for the hugs and then for the advice. Do I just join the choosing breast reconstruction group as I did this forum. I don't have Facebook if that is there preferred forum.
I will ask my Plastic surgeons personal assistant about other people in their practice that she my be able to pass my number on to, I had not thought of that at all.
Thank you again
Kindest regards. - Hello and welcome. I can see you have some lovely comments. In regards to TUG/DUG they are very similar surgeries
“The TUG/DUG (transverse upper gracilis/diagonal upper gracilis) procedures are two similar types of breast reconstruction surgery that use a patient’s own tissue from the inner thigh to create a new breast after a mastectomy”
@Cupcakes is the name of one of our ladies in choosing breast reconstruction. and her story link is here. She hasn’t been active for a while, but you could try and send her a private message.
I have also also tagged you in her story. You will need to be a member of choosing breast reconstruction to view the posts in that group.
My other suggestion is rather rather than your surgeon giving you the name of other ladies (which they won’t do for privacy reasons) you could ask if he could give your number to them so they can contact you if they wish. My PS did this. Well actually his nurse did as the nurses seem to be a bit more proactive in that area. It’s worth a call to their rooms.
Hugs.
Paula xxx - Welcome to the forum. I haven't had a reconstruction but like @primek, I had terrible pain from nerve damage after the mastectomy and the area can still become tender 12 months later. If it's pins and needles it may be wise to check in case there are problems.
- Thank you ladies for your advise, I am now 12 weeks post op and have had this awful leg pain since the anesthetic administered during my operation has worn off in my legs.My plastic surgeon assures me it will resolve but as yet I haven't had any relief, cant even go to do the groceries.I had this well before my chemo started so I don't think that has contributed to it.To be honest I have had a terrible time, got infected and have since had 6 operations in 6 weeks, to clear the infection.Not having the best time, if this nerve pain is just part of the healing process then so be it, that is something I have to deal with, I'm just wondering if other TUG Flap reconstructions have had the same problem.
- Although I didn't have a tug flap I had terrible nerve pain from my mastectomy, reconstruction and node biopsy which was tunnled. I required somthing to assist with that, which was lyrica. I only required this for a few weeks and then weaned off. Tbe nerve pain settled.
Are you currently undergoing chemotherapy? The taxane class chemo can cause issues with nerve pain also.
Be aware that swelling if extreme can cause pins and needles as blood flow can be compromised. Maybe you do need to visit an Emergency Department to ensure its not an operational complication rather than normal healing. - Glad I could help in some small way @Cafrini60. I will pop on to our Facebook group today and ask. I can't promise anything but fingers crossed someone will be able to help.
Has the surgeon said anything about the pins and needles / nerve pain and whether the chemo etc might be exacerbating it? In any case, there may well be something they can do to assist in relieving the symptoms.
Will get back to you asap if I hear anything from our group. Hang in there xx - Thank you very much for your interest in my query Jane. Yes I have already had my mastectomy and TUG flap reconstruction. My surgeon tells me that he has done this before but had not offered any names of previous patients.As I am not on Facebook I would really appreciate it if, on my behalf you might be able to see if anyone is willing to talk about their experience. I am having issues at the moment with pins and needles and nerve pain in my mid thighs to my knees that is with me 24/7 and on top of the associated swelling and the chemo, all seems a bit too much.If this is normal and will go away with time it gives me some hope.You have helped me heaps, just trying to steer me in the right direction.
