TRAM flap after breast cancer and weight loss

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rosnz
rosnz Posts: 91 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi I realise this is a rather specialised question but I'm thinking that in all the people in this forum there maybe someone else who has had a tram flap reconstruction of the breast after breast cancer. Although I knew that the breast reconstruction was done with abdominal fat I suppose it has come as a big surprise to me to find that my breast size of the reconstructed breast has shrunk and is now at least a cup size or more smaller than the other. Thinking about it of course it makes sense that as you do lose on your waist as your breast is now made of that fat and it has a blood supply so is living tissue the breast gets smaller too. However while you confirm and tone the other parts little body where you have lost weight I'm not exactly sure what I can do anything about my now unattractive saggy mismatched breast :-( please don't get me wrong I am grateful to have recovered from the cancer I am grateful to have my health and I am proud of my weight loss but I just wondered if anyone else had noticed this happening in a similar circumstance?

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  • turtlefan137
    turtlefan137 Posts: 9
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    This is 100% a question for a medical professional, most likely your oncologist and surgeon. I don't think any of us have the expertise to give you that sort of specialized advice.
  • GreenIceFloes
    GreenIceFloes Posts: 1,491 Member
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    I don't know if this is at all similar, but I had a breast reconstruction too (not cancer though), and one of my breasts is mostly made up of abdominal fat and fat from my other breast. My surgeon told me that the size would shrink over time, especially if I lost weight. And that I would need a a lipoinjection after I reached a stable weight.
    That being said, you should speak to your oncologist and plastic surgeon about this and take their advice.
  • rosnz
    rosnz Posts: 91 Member
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    Thank you. I am not worried just surprised particularly by the amount but I guess a loss of 14% would be proportional. I do have regular checks and mammograms etc (all AOK) so will just mention it at my next visit. My question was rather more if anyone else has noticed the same than a concern something was amiss
  • GreenIceFloes
    GreenIceFloes Posts: 1,491 Member
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    Thank you. I am not worried just surprised particularly by the amount but I guess a loss of 14% would be proportional. I do have regular checks and mammograms etc (all AOK) so will just mention it at my next visit. My question was rather more if anyone else has noticed the same than a concern something was amiss
    I have definitely become smaller on the reconstructed side than on the normal one - not too much, but definitely noticeable. I started noticing it when I had lost about 15 lbs. I'll need to go for another procedure after I've lost the remaining 25 lbs.
    Good luck to you. :smile:
  • kcuneo111
    kcuneo111 Posts: 1
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    Hi There. I am new to Snap Fitness and just went onto this sight hoping to find someone who has also had a Tram Flap. You are completely right about the reconstructed side changing - I am the opposite. I have put on 30 pounds since my surgery and the reconstructed side in much larger - much! Good for you for getting in shape. Hope all is going well!

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