Fw: Mentor's Informed Decision: Tissue Flaps by Pam Young

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From: " lany (by way of ilena rose) " <lany25@...>

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Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2002 5:47 PM

Subject: Mentor's Informed Decision: Tissue Flaps by Pam Young

Dear Ilena,

I would appreciate it very much if you would post this article to your

alt.disc group and send it out to the other members on your mailing

list.

I sure hope you are having a wonderful holiday season, and that this

next new year will be the best year yet to come for all of us.

With love,

Lany

Mentor's Informed Decision: Tissue Flaps By Pam Young

After reading Mentor Corporation's Informed Decision for Saline Implants

at the FDA site, I found TRAM Flaps and Latissimus Dorsi Flaps listed at

the bottom as alternatives to Saline Implants. Mentor states " The TRAM

flap is sometimes referred to as a 'tummy tuck' reconstruction, because

it may leave the stomach area flatter. "

How could severing major muscles from the lower abdomen cause the

stomach area in the upper abdomen to become flatter?

The stomach is an internal organ that digests food and is situated in

the upper part of the abdominal cavity, mostly to the left of the

midline.

The TRAM Flap operation severs the Rectus Muscles from above the pelvic

bone, which is located in the lower abdominal area.

According to Dr. Walt Stoll, the purpose of the rectus muscles is " to

hold your guts in. The '6-pack' of body builders is the rectus

abdominus. It also helps keep the back supported by preventing an

abnormal increase in lumbar lordosis. "

The Rectus Muscles support the abdomen and back. Exercising these

muscles by doing sit-ups will cause the abdomen to become stronger, thus

giving a slimmer appearance.

However, when these muscles are severed, the woman can no longer perform

the very sit-ups that would give her a " flatter " abdomen.

Rectus Muscles work in synergy with other muscle groups to support the

stomach, liver, small intestine, large intestine, gallbladder, pancreas,

spleen, kidneys, adrenal glands, bladder, uterus and ovaries.

Without the support of these muscles, organs may become distorted and

push out against the abdominal wall causing a woman to herniate.

This pushing out effect can give the appearance of pregnancy. Instead of

the TRAM Flap making the abdomen " flatter, " it can cause the abdomen to

appear " fatter. "

Because this operation is permanent, a woman could have a bulging

abdomen for the rest of her life. This effect can become more prominent

due to mid-life weight gain.

Mentor goes on to state " However, flap surgery has the advantage of

being able to replace tissue in the chest area. This may be useful when

the chest tissues have been damaged and are not suitable for tissue

expansion. "

Women, who have had multiple surgeries because of failed breast

implants, may find they have wounds that won't heal. In these cases, the

TRAM Flap operation may seem appealing. But, isn't there a better way of

" wound healing " than cutting out a woman's abdominal muscle and tissues

and sewing them to her chest? Mentor does say that women may not be

candidates for a tissue flap if they are " very overweight, smoke

cigarettes, have had previous surgery at the flap site, or have any

circulatory problems... " What happens if these disqualifying conditions

occur after the woman has a tissue flap?

What if she gains weight, smokes cigarettes, needs abdominal surgery or

develops circulatory problems? Mentor fails to mention that the woman

may not be a candidate if she has a history of bowel problems or

degenerated spinal discs, or if she has to work for living and is

required to lift, bend or carrying things.

Mentor does say, " Some women, however, report that it takes up to one

year to resume a normal lifestyle. You may have temporary or permanent

muscle weakness in the abdominal area. "

What if the woman's job is to carry mail for the post office? How could

she resume a normal lifestyle if she had permanent weakness in her

abdomen?

Suppose the woman was a School Librarian and she had to lift heavy

books, carry media equipment, and pull herself straight up out of a

chair when leaving her desk?

In both cases, the woman would most likely be unable to perform her

duties, especially if she had multiple complications from herniation and

infection. Thus the TRAM Flap could cause a woman to become disabled.

Mentor never mentions the effects that removing abdominal muscle and

tissue can have upon the woman's sex life. The act of copulation

requires physical agility and strength of the abdominal muscles. Without

those major Rectus Muscles, the body loses its strength to perform

during intimate relations. Mentor does say that " It is important for you

to be aware that flap surgery, particularly the TRAM flap, is a major

operation, and more extensive than your mastectomy operation. "

This is true. Flap operations are more " extensive " than mastectomies or

breast implants. More muscle and tissue is being moved and more cells

are damaged.

Mentor neglects to mention the following

TRAM Flap complications:

1.) Hernias.

2.) Death of the flap.

3.) Infection in the bowels where

polypropylene mesh can adhere.

4.) Nerve damage from the pelvic area to above the

reconstructed breasts.

5.) Fat necrosis in the abdomen and

breasts.

6.) The inability to raise oneself straight

up from a bed or chair.

7.) Great risks with carrying any future

pregnancies.

8.) The possibility of never being able to lift

grandchildren.

9.) Risks in future abdominal surgeries

(hysterectomy or caesarean section).

Even with abdominal tissue transfers, such as the DIEP flap where the

Rectus Muscles are not severed, the woman has equal risks of herniation,

tissue death, infection, etc.

The Latissimus Dorsi Flap has its own set of complications. Mentor warns

" You may have some temporary or permanent muscle weakness and difficulty

with movement in your back and shoulder. "

The removal of that needed back muscle can result in a lifetime of nerve

pain and partial loss in the use of the hands and arms. This would lead

to permanent disability.

Mentor goes on to say, " Because the Latissimus Dorsi flap is usually

thinner and smaller than the TRAM flap, this procedure may be more

appropriate for reconstructing a smaller breast. " In some cases, a woman

who has a Latissimus Dorsi Flap may also need a breast implant;

therefore, how can a Latissimus Dorsi Flap be an alternative to breast

implants?

Women may believe that " natural " tissue flaps are a way of avoiding

" autoimmune " conditions associated with breast implants. But, there is

nothing natural or ethical about severing a major muscle and sewing to a

woman's chest where it will atrophy.

If people believe that tissue flaps are a " safe " and " natural "

alternative to breast implants, they need to look at the facts. Tissue

flap operations are major surgeries, which can result in disability.

Also, remember that the plastic surgeons that perform Tissue Flaps are

the same ones who have been implanting women with toxic Silicone and

Saline Breast Implants for years.

©2001 Pam Young

References:

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/breastimplants/labeling/mentor_patient_labeling_5900

..htm

l

http://www.vesalius.com/graphics/cf_procedures/tram/cfpr_tram1.asp

http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/8689/tramflip/tramflap.html

http://www.homestead.com/sosalines/guthrietram.html

http://199.45.69.176/tony/Flap/index.html

http://199.45.69.176/tony/USA/Testimony/index.html

http://www.siliconeholocaust.org/

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/ode/guidance/1354.html

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