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Mesh in abd & N.F. surgery

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Posted 8/22/2011 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
I'm wondering if anyone here has a mesh in the abdominal area and also had the NF surgery.

I had bilateral T.R.A.M. (transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous) flap surgery in '92 and have a Marlex mesh in my abdominal area, a fairly large one at that.

Thanks.

God bless
cme
Posted 8/23/2011 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Cme,

I just sent your question to my daughter-in-law, who is a PA with a plastic surgeon. They do a lot of TRAMS. Hopefully she'll have a moment to answer it! I'll let you know what she says.

Take care,
Denise
Posted 8/23/2011 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much Denise.

I am very concerned any surgery and would hate to make my situation worse. I'm really looking forward to what your PA daughter in law will say.

I don't think they're doing the kind of TRAM flap which I had. It has some really awful side effects.

I'm a tiny person I can't wear belts or any fitted clothes. I have what is know as the "bulge." It's awful!

Again thank you very much!

God bless,
cme
Posted 8/24/2011 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
I said,
"I don't think they're doing the kind of TRAM flap which I had. It has some really awful side effects."

I didn't mean the plastic surgeon and your daughter-in-law. I meant the profession has steered away from this particular surgery and now do various flaps where the abdominal muscles are left in tact.

I've had numerous problems with it but the two I hate the most is the bulge and constant feeling of tightness in the waist area. It's as if someone tied a crude (burning) rope around my waist and tightening it with all their the strength they have. Awful, just awful! This is not a surgery I could recommend.

The complications caused me to become disabled. My line of work involved handling dogs. I couldn't take a chance on being injured so I applied for disability and didn't have any problem getting it.

I am more than positive all this GERD mess is due to the TRAM surgery.

Looking forward to what your DIL says.

Thanks again.

God bless,
cme
Posted 8/25/2011 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Cme,

I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to you. My DIL is a very busy girl, with her PA job, and a 9 month old baby. I will try to see what she has to say. I think you're probably right that they've changed the procedure and improved it. Do you think that you could have a revision of what they did to make things better for you?

I'm sorry you're having so much trouble.

Did you go to a GI doc about your GERD issues? Did you get referred to a surgeon? Please forgive me if I missed something and should know the answers to these questions.

I would think that a surgeon would be able to answer your question pretty quickly.

Again, I'm sorry that my DIL hasn't responded...I'll try to ask her again.
Hope you're having a good day.
Denise
Posted 8/26/2011 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Cme,

I saw my DIL tonight, and asked her your question.

First, you're right that they don't do the TRAM the way they did it with you. They take the tissue and fat that is outside the abdominal muscle. Then they have to sew together the veins, etc. so it's a microsurgery. That way the abdominal muscles remain intact. (It's called a Free-Flap Reconstruction)

She described how they do the TRAM you got. I can imagine that must be difficult--losing your abdominal support like that. Mesh can't recreate what the muscles do. It must be unbelievably uncomfortable. Sorry you've had to struggle with that.

Anyway...
She seemed to think that docs might be hesitant to go through the mesh to do a laproscopic procedure. The ports they usually use are above the belly button, one below the solar plexus, and then in the rib area. I think there are 5 ports.(Here is a PDF that contains a diagram of where the ports are located.www.pcomsurgery.org/Files/Articles/LaparoscopicNissenFundoplication.pdf)
She said that it would depend on the location of the mesh, and how high it is.

Also, she seemed to think that even if they were hesitant to do a laproscopic surgery, an open one was certainly possible.

I expect that none of this surprises you. Wish I had better news!
Hope you're having a good night.
Take care,
Denise

Post Edited (dencha) : 8/25/2011 8:18:38 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/26/2011 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much Denise and please tell your DIL thanks also.

Yes, I have GI doctor. In fact I'm seeing him this coming Wednesday. And no, I haven't been to a surgeon yet.

I'm really hoping I can avoid surgery. My GI doc isn't aware of the TRAM surgery. He will be this Wednesday for sure as he casually mentioned surgery as I was on my way out on my last visit.

I'm not surprised at your DIL's response. I've learned an awful lot about this TRAM surgery since I had mine. Yes, it is super uncomfortable and there is constant pain in my lower abd and the waist line.

It seems there's always a new pain in the area that crops up and never leaves. Yesterday I started getting a stabbing pain in my left, upper (just below the waist line) area just off the naval area. It's off and on now. Sometimes a binder helps but then this makes the GERD worse.

I think the mesh is large as it was a bilateral surgery.

I'm sure what's done can't be undone. I just have to live with it. It's rough and then on top of that is the GERD/LPR stuff to deal with. Somehow God blesses me with the tolerance to live with it and not lose my mind. Well, sometimes I lose it! :o)

Thanks again Denise. You and DIL confirmed what I sort of thought.

God bless you,
Cme
Posted 8/27/2011 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cme,

Hang in there, my friend. It must be a difficult challenge for you, but you accept it with tremendous grace.

It's very likely that the GI doc will be able to help you without surgery. Still, if it is deemed necessary, I have no doubt that there are surgeons out there who can handle the challenges. Don't borrow trouble...it may never be necessary. Still, you can relax into the notion that it can be done if things don't resolve.

Take care,
Denise
Posted 8/27/2011 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Denise.

I have a daughter who has a serious illness and in far worse condition than I am so when I get to feeling sorry for myself, I think of her and begin praying for her. God graces me and I forget about my problems.

I promise not to 'borrow trouble'. :o)

Thanks so much for your encouragement!

God bless you,
Cme
Posted 8/27/2011 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cme,

I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's serious health issues. It must be very difficult to see her with such problems.

Hang in there...We're here for you!
(((Hugs)))
Denise
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