How Long Does It Take To Recover From TRAM Flap Surgery?

TRAM is the acronym for transverse rectus abdominis i.e. a muscle found in the lower abdomen of a person between the pubic bone and the waist. Flap of this fat, skin and a specific part or all of the underlying TRAM muscle is useful in the reconstruction of one’s breast while performing a TRAM flap surgical procedure.

TRAM flaps are commonly performed flap reconstruction on a part basis because the flap tissue associated with TRAM is more or less similar to the tissue found in one’s breast and forms an excellent substitute. These also remain for a relatively long time and most surgeons possess good knowledge about the ways to perform them properly.

Despite TRAM Flap Surgery, gives a plenty of benefits to women, but it may never be a good choice for the following women-

• Thin women lacking enough tissues in the belly.
• Women underwent with multiple number of abdominal surgical procedures in the past.
• Women planning to get pregnant.
• Women concerning towards losing their strength in the lower part of the abdomen.

After TRAM flap surgery completes, patients go to the hospital’s recovery room, where nurses and staff members monitor the body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure. If you feel nausea or pain because of anesthesia, you should immediately tell them, so that you may get medicine in no time. Irrespective of the specific type of flap used in TRAM, you have to stay about 5 days in the hospital.

In general, you require approximately 6 weeks to 8 weeks to recover from the TRAM flap surgery. However, for this, you should make sure following specific instructions as prescribed by your doctor associated with your quick recovery as possible.

Doctors/plastic surgeons may recommend the patients to wear a suitable compression guide for about 8 weeks after they undergo with the surgery. Since the patient had surgery, at her both sides of the body, i.e. belly and chest, she may feel worse than the one underwent with only mastectomy and hence, may require relatively long time for recovery.

Patients of TRAM flap surgery have to care for their three different incisions, which include the incision of their lower abdomen, breast and belly button. In addition, a patient may have drains in the abdominal donor or reconstructed breast site. In addition, the women may have a fourth incision beneath the arm in case of auxiliary node dissection performed by the surgeon simultaneously.

Indeed, similar to any other abdominal surgical procedure, the patient may face difficulty or pain while sitting down or getting up from the sitting position. In this case, the physical therapist or doctor may show various ways to use other body muscles with the aim to compensate for the time the abdominal muscles heal. In case of experiencing severe pain, you should ask the doctor the medicines you may take.

You should essentially give some time for the healing of your TRAM flap surgery wounds and scars. This means, you should strictly follow the advice given by your doctor or surgeon associated with starting the various important stretching exercises and regular activities. You should strictly avoid lifting of any heavy object, play any strenuous sport or perform sexual activity for a period of 6 weeks after your TRAM flap surgery procedure.

In some of the cases, the recovery of patients may require about 1 year or even more to complete healing of the tissues or fading of the scars. Other than this, the patient may have to decide on additional finishing work, like reshaping of the flap or nipple reconstruction.