Topic: Physcial Therapy after Lat Flap

Hi Elizabeth--I think there are lots of posts on this topic.  I did see a PT for quite a few months after my bilateral LD.  My PT was invaluable in helping me to regain my range of motion and feeling.  I think I started about 10 weeks after surgery and continued for 6 months or so--typically once a week and at times twice a week. Although I worked hard and agressively...I do credit my PT for my success.  Hope this helps--Erin

Thanks for your replies.  it is helpful

I appreciate seeing all the posts to this topic. My reconstruction was started at the time of my bi-lateral in March, but my body just wouldn't heal through the chemo and radiation and persistent infections related to the expanders. So both expanders were ultimately removed in separate surgeries. I am told my option for reconstruction is the lat flap procedure. This time around I want to be as informed and knowledgeable as possible regarding the recovery challenges and potential for success/failure. As a dancer/instructor who remained active throughout ALL the treatment, I'm seriously stepping back and reconsidering if I really want to go through this drill all over again. I'm preaching to the choir and probably making the understatement of the year to say it's a long tough road to regain the range of motion and overcome the shoulder pain and posture problems.

 Those of you that have been through it, is it worth it?  I really want all the dirt. The good, the bad and the ugly.  I'm a bellydancer, and as you can imagine, the curves would be nice to have again -- but I also advocate that femininity is not defined solely in physical terms. I'm healing from the removal of my remaining expander and was just fitted for my prosthetics. Up until now I've been full steam ahead thinking I would have the lat flap surgery as soon as my plastic surgeon gave me the go ahead. 

 I welcome ALL and any comments, feedback, advice, etc on this topic.  Thanks! 

Kathleen

I had a bi-lat lat dorsi reconstruction in April 08.  One of my back scars has faded really good but the other on is still a little red.  I was hoping my scars would stay pencil thin but they widened to about a fourth of an inch.  I guess it has a lot to do with your back alway stretching and so stretching the scar.  Does that make sense? 

I did not have any infection.  Everything went well for me considering I was expanding a previous rad breast.  I am also active...I run and work out with weights and bike.  I was in the hospital for 2 nights.  Back to work in 4 weeks (hairstylist)......I had 2 drains on each side and they were at the bottom of my lat flap incision.  All drains were pulled within 2 wks and then I started walking.  I gradually started adding a little jog to my walks and then added running at 6 weeks.  Within 12 weeks I had worked up to running 10 miles in one session.  If you have access to a gym you can pretty much do leg strength training early on if you use the machines where you do not have to use your upper body.  Also the exercise bikes are good early on.....

You can use the search engine and type in LD flap or Lat Dorsi and get past postings on this subject and find out all kinds of info from there.

I have pictures posted on the picture forum.  Some are of my back scars.

the best to you

Linda

Kathleen

Thanks for your compliment.

I am happy with the results of my LD recon. 

the best to you

Hi to All:

I am scheduled for a lat flap on right in January. I had dble mx and right node dissection with expanders in Oct. 2008.The right chest wall became infected.Had to have emergency surgery when both incison lines became necrotic. Then developed deep infection around right expander. Took 6 weeks to cure with strong abx.

Had chemo and radiation.

Had implant/expander exchange on 9/23. Developed another right side infection around the new implant within 4 days.Had to have it removed.PS said radiation "fried" many of the blood vessels in my right chest well, thus preventing delivery of the abx to site of infection.

So now I am left with one good implant and the need for a lat flap on right.

I have read all of your postings with interest.Had no idea of the possible extent of disablity of right arm afterwards. Guess I have had so many issues already that I didn't want to know.

I also work out a lot and have done yoga, water aerobics and weight training to get strength, flexiblity and ROM back.I feel great. The thought of being down after yet another surgery is daunting, but I don't want to go through life lopsided.

Linda54: Can you tell me how to get to the picture forum so I can see your pix?

I also had no luck with the search engine when I put in LD flap, Lat flap, or Latissimus flap.

I am obviously not searching correctly. Can anyone help?

And any thoughts those of you who have been there have would be greatly appreciated.

Hi.  I had a free lat flap after poor results from implant and small MS free TRAM left me with hollows over my breast.  This is different from regular latflap  and, from what I have read, I wish it were more common.  I've had NO problems with range of motion or strength or anything.