Hi Paula,
What your plastic surgeon said about TRAM and DIEP sounds correct. I went to my plastic surgeon cos he's great at doing the DIEP and I wanted to keep all my muscle intact (including back). He tried for a DIEP but when I was under General, and he looked at the blood vessels, the best vessels to use involved him removing a small (about stamp sized) piece of rectus abdominus muscle, so I technically ended up with a TRAM. He replaced this with mesh. He was very aware of my desire to keep my muscle but he said his job was to ensure the flap had adequate blood supply, and if this involved muscle then so be it. I must say, I'm glad this was his priority.
I am six weeks post op and feeling great. I ended up having a TRAM for my left and a reduction of my right. They both look excllent and I'm enjoying my flat tummy!
Feel free to ask any other questions
Heather