Inner Thigh Flap (TUG) Anyone?
Comments
-
Hello, ladies! I've been thinking about you all, while trying NOT to think about my necrosis! Lifelover, I really hope you are done with chemo and can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Two Hobbies, I hope you have been able to chip away at all the things on your plate and feel good about making progress on them.
Well, off to read about side effects of tamoxifen. I've been feeling like a crazy person, unable to focus on anything, but I'm not sure if it's a side effect or due to some other things I have going on. I am so glad to have this site to find information from real people.
0 -
Louisa, sorry about your necrosis - I hope it settles soon. I've finished chemo and although I'm still dizzy and tired I know that I will be feeling my old self before long. Do you think you might be having some anxiety? I know mine was worse for awhile but I upped my anxiety med and am able to focus more now. I start tamoxifen in a week.
My surgical scars are healing better now with the silicone gel my GP prescribed for me. No more seroma or infection.
Activity wise - I think because my chemo came after my surgery I've felt unable to do the walking and exercises I would have done sooner. But by next week I should be able to go walking again. Gardening to follow. Oh, and I bought a motorbike so I can learn to ride! I rode pillion on the back of my partner's bike though - it was exhausting but I had an amazing time.
0 -
Hello all. Yes I have chipped away at that pile of medical bills, insurance problems, payments credited to the wrong account and therefore collection calls. Geez, my son has a chronic illness and I've had one error in 8 years. As soon as I get sick and don't have the energy for it, no one can do anything correctly. But yes I have 95% of it resolved and just waiting for them to respond/fix the other 5%.
Lifelover, I am thrilled for you that you are done with chemo and can get back to rebuilding your health. Riding a motorbike sounds like a good bit of fun. Louisa, sorry about the necrosis and the weirdness on tamoxifen. I am also on tamoxifen. I didn't have any side effects until three months but they may be starting now. I feel like I have PMS for two weeks. Ugh.
I have been taking a break from doctors and procedures, but I did schedule my second laser hair removal for next week and so may think about getting the nipple procedure done later. I haven't decided yet if I really need them. My leg that had the infection is not shaped quite normally and the PS said he could fix that, but I guess I'm hoping it may fix itself in time. I don't really want to do that, either.
I really have just been focusing on leading a healthier lifestyle. Although I thought I did pretty good before, I'm much more consistant now with the ever-present cancer reminder. I have been doing great at geting in my 150 minutes of walking a week and even more, but then last week it has rained every day; I need to find another exercise now that fall and winter are coming. I ordered a juicer to try to increase my intake of vegetables. And I'm trying to learn to reduce work-related stress. This is actually the biggest challenge for me. I have not figured that one out yet.
0 -
Very sorry to report that my cellulitis is back in my thigh at the surgical site. My plastic surgeon admitted there may have been a mistake in surgery. I had it drained 2 days ago and it's already filled up again and is sore and hard.
I'm really upset about it because I hoped to be on the mend by now and all my consultants tell me to exercise - how the heck am I supposed to exercise? And I can't keep my fever down. This, along with peripheral neuropathy from the Taxotere, and the Tamoxifen side effects are really getting me down.
0 -
Dr. DellaCroce has a forum where he answers questions and this post about TUG might shed some light for those considering it:
0 -
Hi Sandy,
I read the post in your link. It doesn't say enough about the procedure or the pros and cons. I read all the information available that I could find on the internet before surgery so I was well informed about the possibilities of seroma.
I'm happy with my breasts - entirely - they have a beautiful round and firm shape. The TUG gave me the opportunity to have breasts with beautiful nipples formed and yes, they shrank a bit but they were a lot larger than the "C" cup I asked for when I came out of surgery.
For me, the drawback was the problem with seromas in the thigh donor site. Although when there is no swelling my thighs are a beautiful shape.
0 -
Lifelover, so sorry that the cellulitis is back. You deserve to get that all over with and back on the mend. I send my hope for a resolution once and for all. Relax for a few days and then start slow on the exercise. I was so tired at first I couldn't do two days in a row, but its much easier now. And I feel like I'm doing something proactive for my health.
Sandy, a thigh flap is a great alternative for those of us who don't have enough fat elsewhere. I was thrilled because there was no chance of DIEP or TRAM for me and I didn't really want to lose my hip fat and I didn't want implants either. I can assure you I have no loss of any strength or movement in my legs. I notice nothing. I'm very happy with the results. .
0 -
Thanks so much Two Hobbies
My breast care nurse called today and they want to see me in clinic. Hopefully, we can all discuss where we go from here. Perhaps surgery. I just don't know. Cellulitis seems to be one of those persistent infections. I still have a fever so still have the infection.
I can't wait to return to my walking. I was doing well before and had started back to walking, pilates and strengthening exercises. I was pleased with my progress so I know I can get there again!
0 -
I know a couple of people who did have to go back into surgery to get some infection cleaned out, one was a hip surgery and one a shoulder. I'm sure you'd prefer not to, but it seems that did the trick. Good luck and hope you feel better soon.
0 -
Thanks Two Hobbies. Sugery is on the cards now it would seem. When draining my thigh again last week some damage occured. The site is hard and hot and swollen. Just waiting for a referral now. I'll ljust be so happy to have the revision done and then I can move on.0
-
My plastic surgeon says no surgery for now as it is too high risk and could make things worse. The hematoma is dispersing but my leg is still painful - PS says it's a nerve problem and so is sending me to a pain management specialist in London.
I refuse to be beat though - I'm going to try to be positive and learn to live with some pain and swelling. And wear more dresses to hide the swelling.
0 -
Oh, Lifelover, I am sorry to be catching up on your news. I had a spot of cellulitis in my tailbone area--the PS said it was probably from lying on the table for so long during the operation, so he is changing his standard procedure to include putting a gel pad underneath the patient. It took a long time to clear up, even without ever filling up with fluid.
Dresses and skirts sound like a good idea, not just for hiding swelling, but they'll be less constricting than pants and so more comfortable too. I really hope and pray for you that as you get further past the chemo, your body will be able to do more and more to heal itself.
When will you see the pain management specialist? I do hope he or she will be able to help you over this difficult hump very soon.
In some ways, maybe it's good not to have to psyche yourself up for another surgery. But couldn't the PS suggest anything to relieve the pain and swelling? Ice? Elevatioin? Compression shorts? Massage? Physical therapy? I don't know if any of that would help at all, or make it worse.
Please do keep us posted. I'm really cheering for you from the States!
0 -
Thank you Louisa!
I've tried a lot of things that PS recommended. I do have 2 different types of massage, lymph and sports massage. Exercise is recommended - walking, in particular. Also, pilates which is specifically for breast cancer surgery patients and helps the most of all! Compression shorts did not help me and I was told not to sit around and keep it elevated. Truly, I get the most relief after I do my pilates exercises and I think the movement is important.
I guess I won't be getting on a motorbike anytime soon. So, you know what? I've decided to buy myself a little sports car. Tee hee hee. I'll get my enjoyment any way I can
0 -
Oh yeah, I don't know when I'll get to see the pain management specialist but hopefully soon. I will report back on what he recommends.
0 -
Lifelover, sorry to hear you continue to have pain. I hope the pain management will help, or better yet, that it will go away. I will say that pilates is certainly the most effective thing I've found for my back problems, so perhaps it can help.
I am recovering from my nipple surgery and a little fat grafting in the upper part of my breasts. I hesitated to do it for all these months, but finally decided to do it and get it over with. Even though its not nearly as invasive as the original surgery, I kind of hate to be back on this side, sore and crabby! Still, I'm glad I got it over with this year.
I finally got my bra problem fixed. If anyone has trouble, I highly recommend going to a bra fitting. She put me in a bra size and style I would never have tried on and they fit perfectly and look wonderful. I hope they still fit well when I get back into them after this surgery. I expect they will but that would be my bad luck.
Here's to a happy and healthy new year for all the girls who have been through this surgery this year. I'm so glad I found you to advise and hold my hand through it all.
0 -
Thanks Two Hobbies, I have my pain doc appt tomorrow. I go to weekly pilates classes and also do the exercises at home. They do help and they keep me limber and my stomach muscles strong. Definately a great exercise for us
I hope you recover quickly from your nipple surgery! Once I switched to push up bras I discovered that I like the way I look.Happy Holidays to all from a grateful "poster".
0 -
Hello Lifelover, Louisa, and Two Hobbies,
Thank you for sharing your journey with us all. I have read most of your posts and they have been informative. I checked out your posts because of what I am experiencing and found out that much of the procedure I had on 12/26/11 (so I am 33 days post op) was similar to yours. The Pap Flap takes from the same place, mostly inner and posterior thigh. The Dr. marked the inner thigh with a doppler and went in equal dimensions in both directions toward the front and rear, with the incision just under the panty line to the end of my buttock crease (just below it). Since our procedures are so similar I was wondering if anyone having the TUG had some of the sensations I am having. First of all there is no feeling in my left calf and I have weird and numbing sensation throughout my left thigh and discovered a section about one inch long strip on my posterior thigh extending down to the left calf that has no sensation as well.
I see from your earlier posts that some of you had some weirdness going on early on as well. Did all the numbness and weird sensations or lack of feeling go away in your legs? Did any of you have no feeling in any areas leg areas? Sorry to hear about ongoing pain and infections. What a raod to fight this cancer and try to get some semblance of breasts back, huh? Wow ladies you have been courageous and have done your homework and have posted your results for others, and this "other" thanks you. After three weeks of not wearing my girdle I put mine on tonight after reading your posts.
I did pop a thigh stitch along the way and have some gappy incisions, but have been walking over a mile almost daily. But the weird sensations and the not feeling in a few areas started freaking me out. Otherwise I have been doing quite well. I told my Dr. about it a couple of weeks ago and he says that he hopes/expects it will resolve itself and I hope he is right. Anyway, just wanted to touch base with you and anyone else who has had the surgery (TUG) and ask the questions I just posted, and I wanted to thank you courageous women for facing the battle, for continuing the fight, and for finding ways to enjoy and appreciate life to the extent that you are able at each stage. YOU ALL INSPIRE ME!!!!!
0 -
Hi, Stac. I had my surgery last April. I don't recall now if the numbness reached all the way down my calf, but definitely very numb all the way to the knees and a good four inch area in front and back of my incision. Now I have normal feeling back except I still have some numbness close to my incisions (I did vertical inner thigh), but I also had some lipo on both legs a month ago, so some could be related to that.
Do you have lower leg or ankle swelling? That will cause a numb feeling. To me, at 33 days your numb feeling doesn't seem unusual.
I hated that feeling too. To me that is almost more creepy and upsetting than pain.
0 -
TwoHobbies,
Thanks for your reply. No swelling period that I have noticed, except in the breasts. It is so weird not to feel a part of my body, even if it is a small part, so I was just checking in about that. And yep the weird sensations and numbness are freaky deaky.
As to all of you that have had TUG, I noticed in some of your posts information about the following and had some other questions: Any info about stretching exercises (legs)? Massaging the scar (when do you start, for how long and with what)? How long did your Dr. recommend you wear the girdle?
Thanks for sharing your journey with me.
0 -
Hi Ladies, glad to have found you. There are not many that have had TUGS. Thank you all for posting. I had my BMX in 2006 with expanders and than implants. My implant is now coming thru my skin. I am doing the TUG in March.
Have a couple of questions. After the surgery do the breasts get smaller in time or does the size stay the same? what size cups were you able to get with your TUG,
My Dr wanted to do the procedure that would make the scar horizontal and than vertical down the inner thigh about 5 in. I did not like the scar down the leg. He said it's a trade off. If I do the reg groin scar the breast volume will be less, if he goes further down he will get more volume.
How do you feel about your breasts and leg scars?
At this point I would love quality instead of quantity. Before breast cancer I had implants for cosmetic reasons and had some complications. Seven surgeries all together. Got them finally right and than got BC to have them taken off.
I would just be so happy to have both breasts look the same.
Has anyone posted pics of your results?
Thanks and hope you are all doing well. Janet
0 -
Hi Janet
I had a Tug two years ago. I have a horizontal scar. My breast is a 34C (same as the one that I started with). I did lose a bit of volume BUT that was because I had a post-op problem (kink) and needed a second emergency surgery. That was corrected subsequently (and really not "necessary") with fat grafting/BRAVA. The shape from the TUG, the feel and the size were great for me. I am 5 5 and about 115 so I didn't have a ton of fat, but no problem. Good luck!!
Jean0 -
Thanks Jean, WOW thats pretty good getting a C and you must be very slim. I sure have the thigh weight. It has been my problem area my whole life. It will be a nice perk.
I can't wait to have it done. I will post on the pic site after.
Janet
0 -
Hi Janet and Stac,
I love my new breasts and my new thighs. I had the groin area TUG and although I did have a lot of complications like swelling it all seems to have resolved very nicely.
My thighs have a new shape to them - much less fatty in the groin area and my trousers fit perfectly now - I still have a big bum but I'm hoping my surgeon will use some of that fat when I have fat injections in the middle of my breasts where they have sunken in slightly - yes, the breasts do sometimes lose their shape a bit but they still look good.
Stac, I think the exercise you are doing - walking - is very good therapy for your thighs and keeps the lymph moving. I also now do leg lifts to the side front and back - little by little.
Don't massage scars unil dr or nurse says it's ok. Different for everyone depending on how well your body is able to heal your scars.
I am 9 months post-op and I still have some numbness but much much less. I never had numbness in my calf and I think it is something that should be checked with your nurse and/or doctor. However, I can see it happening because muscle, nerves etc have been cut.
I've been giving gabapentin and amitryptaline for the nerve pain in my hands - but the pain there is from chemo. Even in my hands and arms - I do notice that if I keep them moving they get better.
There is a secure site for posting pictures. I think it is TimTam's site or something like that. Don't post your pics here but if you send a message to TimTam she will give you access to her site where pictures can be securely posted.
Best wishes to you all you Ladies! Keep smiling. It helps a lot.
0 -
Sorry, I couldn't find TimTam's site. I'm sure there are other secure sites. I would do a general search for securely posting pictures if I were you. That's just me though. So many people have access to this forum.
0 -
Lifelover that is great you are doing better. Thanks for the reply. So greatful for all the posts, I feel so much better about the surgery.
Thanks Janet
0 -
Thanks for the reply Lifelover. Wishing you well on your continued journey....continuted healing and finding the things to be thankful for in the midst of it all.
I traveled for surgery and it is not too much of a hands on experience for me and I am an information junkie, so if you gals think of anything else along the way let me know. (i.e. post op recoverey suggestions: what to use when I can massage the scars, when were you able to start that -even though it may be different for me, how long did you wear the girdle). Thanks for all. ((HUGS))
0 -
lifelover, you need to send a PM to timtam to get access to the photo site. It's a private site, and she and the other moderators guard our pictures religiously. I think timtam also goes by a new name--nowheregirl.
0 -
If anyone does post pics of TUG let us know. Thanks Janet
0 -
You're very welcome for any help I can offer Janet and Stac.
Ask your surgeons for pictures. They have them and they should be showing them to you. It is a new procedure though so there may not be many out there. Everyone heals differently. I've seen scars on a 30 year old woman and hers healed so quickly that 4 months post she had only faint purpish scars by her groin. Your breasts scars should heal even better. My surgeon cut around my aereola (sp?) so that and the stitches to the nipple (which he constructed at the same time) are the only scars on my breasts. I'm 50 years old and my surgeon specifically said when he examined me a few months after surgery that my body does not make good scars. However, I'm happy with how well they are healing. To me, it is fantastic that they could do that surgery without me having lumps and bumps. I have round, lovely shaped breasts now and the scars on my groin are now smooth and getting fainter all the time.
I was told to use bio-oil by one doctor but my surgeon said to use a lotion that does not have any fragrance in it. I used a non-fragranced lotion bought at the pharmacy for my scars and when I was about 3 months post started the bio-oil.
I can't stress enough how important it is to take the advice given by doctors, surgeons, nurses. They know best.
Wear the bicycle shorts as long as they say to! You may hate them (I did because mine were so tight!) but they will help with any swelling. If you do have swelling and are still using the shorts telephone your consultant and ask what you should do - shorts or no shorts. At one point, I had swelling and was using the shorts and my surgeon said stop using them and start exercising, which I did - gently - walking and leg lifts.
Keep up your strength and work out (exercise) if you can right up to surgery. It will be a huge help!
Let us know how you're doing Ladies and please ask away!
I'm a little shy about posting my pics but I remember TimTam's or Nowheregirl's site having other pictures of TUG's. I hope you can find it.
0 -
Thanks Lifelover, I have been exercising everyday. I am so looking forward to this surgery but I hope my expectations are not to high. My breasts had been fixed from synmastia before BC and after the BMX they didn't come out right. I have implants and one is round and the other is oval. My Dr said this could be fixed because the TUG will go over the muscle. I'm scared because the pocket including the skin needs to be fixed. I have explained this and he feels it will be fixed.
I have had cold lumps for 6 years. I pray this will be my last surgery.
Thanks for everything, Janet
0
