abdominal bulge after tram flap

First of all, congrats on being five years out!

I'm only two years past bilateral mast and tram flap. I started to develop a bulge and became suspicious that it was dietary -- I had upped my fiber intake and had gained a bit of weight and was uncomfortable each and every day.

I stopped with the high fiber foods I was eating. I'm also on losing some weight; my weight is slowly headed back down to where it was at the time of my surgery -- and I haven't been bulging in a while. I think it was those two things and not a real surgical need.

Any chance you're in the same boat?

I have a bulge on the side of my mast. I thought that was how your stomach was supposed to look like....lopsided!

I had a tram flap too and have lost my waist. Is anyone else having that problem? Clothing just falls off this straight body...no curves.

Pedicle tram June 16/08, so far no problems.  Still in the healing process.  I am aware of the hernia risk, albeit a low risk as long as you adhere to the lifting restrictions for at least 3 months after.  I will wear a full support girdle for 3 months total in all (I changed that decision from just until the end of July).  I am happy with the tummy tuck, a great improvement for me.  I didnt lose my waist, just my belly pouch (yuck was glad to get rid of it).  Am I correct in assuming it can take up to 6 months for the pedicle muscle to atrophy?

If they are at the ends of your incision lines, the are sometimes called "dog ears" or "Bat wings".  It is common after the initial surgery.  My plastic surgeon, a very well-known, kind and gifted woman, lipo'd them when I had the revisions to my breast.

I had extremely large and painful dog ears which the surgeon lipo'd when I had revisions to my breasts.  My Dr. said the insurance co. would pay for them, but now, after the surgery.  They have denied my claim.  They said it was cosmetic.  Can any one help me with info for my appeal.  The surgery eleviated the pain in my abdomen, but they still won't pay

Bebe,

I am two years out from DIEP reconstruction.  I, too have bulge, on my lower right side.  Doctor tried to repair during Stage 2.  It lasted a few weeks and one day, I simply reached to get my glasses off the table and felt the stitches give.  My PCP thought it was a hernia but scan proved her wrong.  They said it was a tear in the fascia which is on top of the muscle.  I hate it.  But after the failed attempt to fix it, I just don't want another surgery.  Mine starts out pretty small in the morning, but gets larger as the day passes, very uncomfortable on active days.

At least I know now that I'm not the only one.

I had my double mastectomy and tram flap reconstruction surgery in October of 08.  From the beginning I have had many complications.  My belly button "died" and I had an oozing hole for several weeks while it healed.  (had to wear a wound vac for quite a while).  Since then I've had hernia repair surgery 3 times and none have been successful in relieving my abdominal bulge and discomfort.  My most recent attempt to get some help ended in being told I needed to learn to live with the problem.  Two Dallas doctors recommended I wear a binder, take Advil for the inflammation and maybe try Spanx.  All of these things I have tried, but none have given me the relief I need.  I do not believe that tram flap should be offered as an option for reconstruction surgery.  Also my breast reconstruction didn't go very well either.  My left breast is OK, but the right breast has a considerable amount of hardness due to the tissue used not getting a blood supply.  If you should be facing a decision about breast removal and reconstruction I would like to warn you about the many complications that can occur when having a tram flap.   

To all - I too, have bulge on lower left ab area, right above scar line.  I just had T/E placed on right side and had ab area done after botched TRAM in Nov 09, however nothing was stated about bulge or potential of having one, yes, this is area where no muscle is, obviously what was taken from my left side into my right breast, and it caused 3 tracks to have embedded sutures that are NOW rising to the surface.  I will be having a re-con on this TRAM and ab area march 18th at which time "mesh" will be placed over the bulging area, the other option is "live with it", I'm opting to have it done because of the type of lifestyle I live and my line of work. Basically I will have everything re-done underneath to clear up tracks and suture problems, it goes much deeper than he thought (after finding this out Jan 7th).  I'm healthy enough and in good enough shape to go through this procedure and just want it completed the correct way once and for all...my PS is Dr. Fine at Northwestern in Chicago, just FYI.  very good and a credit to his profession....I've been very happy with his bedside mannaer and professionalism as well as his "openess" and honesty about me and my body and what he can and cannot do...

Binney4 - sounds like what I have.  With support wrap I'm fine but without it, man, bulge, sore and fluid all around the tram tracks and such.  I'm having a revision March 18th, mesh and track cleaning, I can't possibly live with it, I've had other internal surgery (3 colectomys and ileostomy/reversal) and that is my weak side, that was done before this tram almost 2 years out and no problems with my plumbing....all works well but this side has been a problem since this tram in Nov 09.  I insisted that coudl we do something else to previous PS, but he said this was better way to go, since I was a swimmer cutting into and working on the Dortis woudl have meant mroe rehab etc....jeez, that would have been a pice of cake compared to the TRAM.

Thanks for your posts and all the ladies on here, happy to know I'm not alone with this.

I had a "DIEP" flap reconstruction on left breast DEc. 7, 2010.  My PS told me he had to take a small cuff of muscle to protect the vessels.  According to definition, the DIEP turned into a Free Flap, but he still calls it a DIEP.  My tummy never lost inches like I was told it would and women on the DIEP part of this site all have lost inches.  I, however, have gained a tummy bulge which is not a hernia, but weakening in the muscle which was compromised for the vessel. My PS is hesitant to do anything about it as there are no guarantees.  I saw a General Surgeon for second opinion.  He said the same thing and that there is nothing to be done about it.  I had one revision so far and the breast is still too flat (trying to match the right which has an implant in it).  So, I still need another revision,  maybe a small 100cc implant on the left.  Has anyone had repair for tummy bulge?  It is painful especially if I've used my tummy muscles throughout the day.  In the beginning when I complained about tummy bloat and bigness, the PS had me doing crunches and I'm sure I was not doing them correctly.  And he had me walking, which irritated my knees and now I need knee replacement.  Geez, I felt good 2 years ago before all this.

Hi, I am living with a bulge that has been increasingly getting larger and larger and appears to be ripping right across my body from the left side and feels like it is tweaking my belly button on its way as it gets larger. I had Diep flap surgery on 4/08 and then a repair  to the bulge that occurred with mesh 10/08. Immediately after, there was a tiny bulge that just has gotten very large. It didn't not hold at all. I had inferior results from the left breast mastectomy with immediate reconstruction where the front of the skin died and the surgeon after a week pulled skin about 2 1/2 inches across together and now there an upside down breast form as it can never relax and look like a breast as there was just not enough skin. As far as the bulge, I am also afraid of more surgery as the entire thing has been one bad deformity inside and out every time. It is now three years later since the bulge repair and it is not good. I am glad I have seen this site as I have no one to talk to about this as the doctors have nothing to tell me. Wear a binder which is fine for  awhile around the house or a walk , but not for dressing for my work. Yes there was no warning that this waas even a remote possibility when I initially went for consultation for mastectomy. I don't know what to expect in the future. It is very deformed lokking ans feels as someone described as as frog belly bulging. When I sneeze I try to grab hold and push in lest I feel like I will rip more every time. I have seasonal allergies and that is a real problem!!! Violent sneezing often. 

Hi, I am living with a bulge that has been increasingly getting larger and larger and appears to be ripping right across my body from the left side and feels like it is tweaking my belly button on its way as it gets larger. I had Diep flap surgery on 4/08 and then a repair  to the bulge that occurred with mesh 10/08. Immediately after, there was a tiny bulge that just has gotten very large. It didn't not hold at all. I had inferior results from the left breast mastectomy with immediate reconstruction where the front of the skin died and the surgeon after a week pulled skin about 2 1/2 inches across together and now there an upside down breast form as it can never relax and look like a breast as there was just not enough skin. As far as the bulge, I am also afraid of more surgery as the entire thing has been one bad deformity inside and out every time. It is now three years later since the bulge repair and it is not good. I am glad I have seen this site as I have no one to talk to about this as the doctors have nothing to tell me. Wear a binder which is fine for  awhile around the house or a walk , but not for dressing for my work. Yes there was no warning that this waas even a remote possibility when I initially went for consultation for mastectomy. I don't know what to expect in the future. It is very deformed looking and feels as someone described as as frog belly bulging. When I sneeze I try to grab hold and push in lest I feel like I will rip more every time. I have seasonal allergies and that is a real problem!!! Violent sneezing often. I hope I hear back from more people who may have this taken care of successfully.

Hi all,

I am so happy to know that I'm not alone in this!  I underwent a bilateral mastectomy in March, 2009 with tissue expanders being placed at the same time.  It all went downhill from there.  Long story short, I had a TRAM in April, 2011, to replace the breast on the right side only.  Like so many of you, I have a bulge that my PS says isn't a hernia, and if I want it corrected, to see a general surgeon.  I've been trying to get back into shape, and it any activity that involves my abdomin is uncomfortable.  It's at its worst first thing in the morning.  I suppose I could try to use the binding that PS provided right after surgery, but this is just, well . . . deflating. Hey!  I'm alive!  What's a little bulge?!

Hey Carole. I just read your post.  I had bilateral mastectomy Feb. 2011.  Radiation last summer. Reconstruction with TRAM Flap in November.  My PS is wonderful... absolutely love him. But like many of the other posts on this subject, I did not know "frog belly" was a possibility.  My PS put mesh in at time of reconstruction to prevent possible hernia.  I stayed out of work til Jan 9.  No problems with surgery itself.  But after I went back to work I noticed my abdomen started swelling.  Have the same problem as you... sitting looks awful.  Can't stand to wear fitted clothing.  All I've been told is that this is one of those possible side effects and hopefully it will go away.  I've tried changing my diet... done research on bloating... cut out sodas... eat more yogurt.. nothing is helping.  Have you found out anything new? Very pleased with the reconstruction on my breasts... very disappointed on the bulge.

I had my tram flap surgery in February 2011.  I too have a bulge on my left side where the muscle was removed.  My PS stated that is was caused due to weaking of the anchoring of the mesh after surgery.  The option is to live with it or surgically go back and give it more support.  In total since my diagnosis in January 2010, I have had 8 surgeries including a complete hystorectomy in December 2011.  At this time I am not mentally ready for any more.  I have been trying to lose the weight I gained during chemo and steriod treatments and of course putting my body into complete menapause.  Does anyone know how much weigth the mesh would add to my own body weight due to fluids being absorbed?