@A MyBCTeam Member. With all due respect to the answer from Cyn, the 2 surgeries she described, Tram and Latisamus Dorsi flap recon of which you had the Latisamus Dorsi flap of the back are becoming obsolete. They reroute and weaken important muscles. The best Breast Reconstructions are DIEP flap (tummy tuck tissue),and GAP flap, (buttock tissue) I had DIEP flap and now have a flat tummy, no muscle involvement. Tummy fat with vessels disected and micro surgically reconnected with vessels in the chest for blood flow and warm, living, my own tissue, no rejections, nothing artificial put in, formed breasts. They feel, move and hang just like natural breasts. They are the REAL ME! Check out the website of the Best Reconstruction Surgeons in the world at www.breastcenter.com It is the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery and they can fix any problem that has been done to you! They are artists! I guarantee them! They don't even offer Tram and Latisamus flap recon, because it's so damaging to the body. I'm so sorry for your ordeal, and yes I would say you got a bad deal from your Plastic Surgeon! So many of them just don't keep up with the state of the art surgeries that have been available for quite some time now. They will only do what they've always done, and of course they aren't going to send you somewhere else! Recons are even available for very thin women wanting breasts from their own tissue rather than implants, called the stacked Flap, tissue from tummy, buttocks, thighs and hips. It's truly state of the art in New Orleans. They even help with travel arrangements and free lodging at the Hope Lodge for Cancer patients. It's very doable. Women come there from all over the country to get Redone what other PS's have left them disatified with. Check out their face book page too. Breast Center, where all of us CRBS sisters are thrilled with our super heros, the NOLA DOCS and you will see why I'm so impressed with my Surgeons there. They always work as a team of 2 surgeons and the surgeries are much shorter, like only 5 hours vs the 15 hours of other surgeons. I wish every woman could be told of ALL her options, but only 3 out of 10 women are informed. I hope you can somehow find your way to New Orleans and get the results you deserve! I would be willing to help with lodging and in any way I could. Best wishes. You deserve it!

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A MyBCTea...

thank you, i will look around and i have time as i will not proceed with this until my sons wedding is over which is in july. i dont want to be in the middle of the reconstruction process when the wedding is. this gives me time to look into other surgeons and what they would recommend.

I too had TRAM flap (April 2012) and am THRILLED with the results. The scar on my belly is huge, but I am not planning to be wearing belly shirts...ever :) My breats look amazing and the flat stomach is great. I have had severe complication though. My surgeon was overly aggressive with the size of my breasts and when he went to close my stomach incision, it was too tight and I had a huge area of the incision site die. (about 6 inches worth) had to go through another surgery 1 month later to remove the dead tissue. Oh my gosh, that was crazy. The hole left in my stomach was about at least a half inch deep and 10 cm wide (up and down) in a triangle shape. I was then equiped with a wound vac for for 4 months. FINALLY right before Christmas the wound FINALLY closed! I went for 8 months with some sort of packing, bandages, plastic covering over that area and was SOOOOOO thankful for my "Christmas present". Getting ready to have my nipple reconstruction in 2 months. Can't wait!!

Oh Dianne! I am so sorry you had so much trouble. That is the very reason I am hesitant to try reconstruction. It's not been that long since I was taken off chemo, & I know that my body is still trying to get adjusted & balanced back out. I've also heard that it is more difficult to detect a new lump if you've had reconstruction. I'm not positive about that, but I think I'm going to wait 5 years (the standard for them really considering us cancer free), before I consider having reconstruction. If I had known my insurance would have covered it at the time, I would have had a double mastectomy. My family history is really bad & if I opt not to have reconstruction, just think how much weight it takes off your back. Ha! Ha! Also, if you do have reconstruction, they say it's easier to get them to look the same. Best wishes in your situation. I pray you get the right surgeon & that it will turn out great with no complications! In my prayers!! Cissy :D

I wish you the best of luck with that this year. You deserve that comfort. And as the oother commenter said, look around and find the best doctor for the job. Many women are very very happy with their flap surgeries and you deserve the same. So ask allot of questions and take care of yourself.