I have made my decision. I will be going with a free flap reconstruction, most likely the IGAP. From butt to boob! I have to get an angiogram to check my blood vessels first to make sure everything is good. But barring any unforeseen issues, I will be going for surgery on March 24th. Not looking forward to the long anesthesia and recovery but this type of surgery is probably the best for me.
I eventually want to go back to working full duty which means wearing a uniform and a gun belt that weighs at least 25 pounds. I thought about that before making my decision. A TRAM flap would have meant removing muscle and tissue from my abdomen. I couldn’t imagine how uncomfortable or painful wearing the heavy gun belt around my waist would be.
I saw the second plastic surgeon, Dr. U on Friday. He explained the whole surgery to me and showed me a power point of a DIEP surgery. He then explained the IGAP surgery and possible complications. He explained that the wound recovery will probably be a little longer because of where the incisions are (I’ll be sitting on them!) It’s crazy. I realized doing a lot of regular things will be difficult, such as sitting on a toilet!!!! Dr. U stated that surgery will be about 6 hours, though I thought Dr. L stated that it would be closer to 8 hours. Dr. U stated 3-4 days in the hospital. The length of the hospital stay depends on whether there are any complications.
Little nervous. Tomorrow is the MR angiogram. I don’t do well in MRI’s. A little too tight for my liking. I’ll deal with it though. Xanax anyone? Still not sure how it’s going to work out. I was told before that my expander was incompatible with MRI’s. The place doing the test knows this. I guess I will find out tomorrow.
I go back to see Dr. L on Friday. Using the MR Angiogram, he will mark up my body to show which arteries and such he will be removing to re-attach for my new breast.
I will keep you updated as I go. Please keep me in your prayers!
Breast Cancer's Triple Play! 
I’m kinda fixated on this, having spent the last 8 months in PT, surgery, more PT, and then more PT, but the TRAM procedure (muscle saving or otherwise) sounds like an invitation to back problems. Start screwing with your abs and how are you supposed to hold your pelvis in the “neutral” position (which still does not feel neutral to me, but at least my back doesn’t hurt so bad).
How is Charles handling the likely reduction of your bootyliciousness? 🙂
XOXO
Thanks Fran. Charles is handling as best he can. But as it stands now, I won’t be losing much of my butt. My blood vessels weren’t in the ideal place so we are back to my stomach. DIEP for me. (Which will only be enough to rebuild my right breast).