How long does it take to recover from breast flap surgery?
Most women can start to get back to normal activities within 6 to 8 weeks. If implants are used without flaps, your recovery time may be shorter. Some things to keep in mind: Certain types of reconstruction surgery do not restore normal feeling to your breast, but in other types some feeling might return over time.
What is the difference between a TRAM flap and DIEP flap?
Where they differ is in the execution. TRAM flap focuses on using tissue from your abdominal muscles, as well as some soft tissue. DIEP flap spares the abdominal muscle and uses only soft fat tissue and local blood vessels. Each procedure has long recovery times, and similar side effects.
How is DIEP flap surgery performed?
During a DIEP flap reconstruction, tissue from a woman’s lower belly is surgically removed, shaped and attached to the chest to form a new breast. The surgeon takes skin, fat, and blood vessels, but leaves the underlying abdominal muscle (rectus abdominus) intact.
How long does TRAM flap surgery take?
Either free TRAM flap procedure lasts about 6 to 8 hours. A pedicled TRAM flap takes about 4 hours. After TRAM flap reconstruction surgery: You’ll be moved to the recovery room after surgery, where hospital staff members will monitor your heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure.
How painful is DIEP flap surgery?
You will be sore in the breast and in the area where the flap was taken. You may have a pulling or stretching feeling in those areas. You can expect to feel better and stronger each day, although you may need pain medicine for a week or two.
What are some of the complications for tram surgery?
Measured complications included fat necrosis, mastectomy flap necrosis, abdominal flap necrosis, partial TRAM flap loss, wound infection, hematoma, seroma, vessel thrombosis, and abdominal hernia.
How long does it take to stand up straight after DIEP flap surgery?
You can gradually straighten up over the next few days as comfort allows, and from five days after your operation you should aim to stand upright. After two or three days, you can start these exercises to ease/prevent back pain and stiffness.
What is better DIEP flap or implants?
Women who have undergone chemotherapy for months do not wish to get implants that would again require future surgeries or revision. The DIEP flap breast reconstruction technique is an extensive surgery, but in case of future radiation requirement, the implants would have to be removed and DIEP remains the best choice.
Is TRAM flap surgery safe?
Among the 168 pedicled TRAM flap procedures in 158 patients, flap complications occurred in 34%. Most of the flap complications included some degree of fat necrosis. There was no total flap loss. Flap complications were associated with elderly patients and the presence of major donor site complications.
What happens when a DIEP flap fails?
If this happens, you will need to have surgery to remove the flap. If your flap fails completely and is removed, you will need to recover fully from the operation. You usually have to wait about 6 to 12 months before you can try to have reconstruction again.
How many hours is breast reconstruction surgery?
How Long Does Breast Reconstruction Surgery Take? Preparation for the procedure, including anesthesia, may take 2 hours. The reconstruction will take 1 to 6 hours. After the surgery, you’ll spend about 2 to 3 hours in recovery before being transferred to a hospital room.
How painful is DIEP flap?
You will be sore in the breast and in the area where the flap was taken. You may have a pulling or stretching feeling in those areas. You can expect to feel better and stronger each day, although you may need pain medicine for a week or two. You may get tired easily or have less energy than usual.
Who is a good candidate for DIEP flap surgery?
Generally speaking, you may be a candidate for DIEP flap if you: Have excess tissue in your lower abdominals. Want results that typically look and feel more natural than implants. Have realistic expectations for the procedure and are aware of the potential risks.