DIEP VS TRAM - Why???

Okay, so this is a common response when we tell someone what we do here at "The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction" ...... illustrating that microvascular muscle sparing perforator flaps are confused with TRAM and other flaps that use muscle every day......

I say...We move other parts of the body to build breasts for women who have had mastectomy or are at high risk for breast cancer and choose preventative mastectomy. Our procedures do not use muscle, they are just skin, tissue, fat and blood supply leaving your muscle intact.

Woman says.....Oh, I've heard about that my friend "Mary" had that years ago and said it was just the hardest thing she has ever done.

I say...are you sure she had one of these procedures done ? I'm speaking specifically of the DIEP, GAP, TUG, SIEA flaps. ( sometimes I'll ask what surgeon they used or where they may have had it done to clarify)

Woman says.....I think she said she had it done at "ABCXXZ" hospital, or she'll mention the acronym TRAM, or a surgeon that does not do this type of surgery.

I say.... I think your friend may have had a different procedure. Let me get you in touch with some of our patients who we know have had this procedure and you can ask them any question you like about their experience with this procedure. Then you know you are getting real facts from women who have had the procedure you are investigating.

Sadly, some women see the tummy scar on our post operative photos and just assume all free flap transfer surgeries for breast reconstruction are the same. They aren't....weigh your options empowered with knowlege of all procedures available for breast reconstruction. It's your choice.