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Latissimus Dorsi Breast Reconstruction

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Comments

  • el_tigre
    el_tigre Member Posts: 453

    so sorry tangles. I have heard of 1 other woman who did that and it was deemed unnecessary to have both sides done.

    oh! sorry to hear that Shannonlee

    I'm hoping it helps out my tightness and lopsidedness but time will tell.

  • shannonlee66
    shannonlee66 Member Posts: 14

    Oh, Tangles, I am so sorry. Sounds like we are in the same boat. I am trying to figure out why some women have problems and others don't. There has to be some commonality and I don't think it's a poor surgeon. My surgeon has performed many lat flaps and said that he's never had a patient like me. He is a well respected surgeon who was recommended to me by Atlanta's Breast Care specialists. I don't know what went wrong. I hope you find some answers. I know how discouraging it can be.

  • leftduetostupidmods
    leftduetostupidmods Member Posts: 346

    Being athletic/muscular is the highest risk of having severe issues after this. Shannonlee, nothing helps because, as they are starting to discover now, the LD muscle DOES help holding the torso up (well doh! what a surprise) and the remaining muscles cannot compensate, so the spine gets out of alignment and you get a lot of pinched nerves. I even have spinal cord compression.

    I'm one of the women who got disabled because of this type of reconstruction. And, imagine that, I didn't even need it. I didn't have radiation.

  • meadow
    meadow Member Posts: 998

    Sending everyone wishes for a Merry Christmas, and health and healing.

  • Bonnie7
    Bonnie7 Member Posts: 16

    Hi Girls,

    Merry Xmas (what a day to post I know!) Reading the latest posts on lat dorsi pain and can empathise 100%. Have posted previously but will recap...

    I had a recurrence 18 months after the lat dorsi surgery, the tumour was pretty big so it was likely it had been growing for some time, I feel the surgery may have been the catalyst for this (just my opinion !)

    I had chemo and was never given the all clear, shadows, swollen lymph nodes etc.....anyway I then insisted the implant be removed, I feel I should have insisted on this even prior to chemo! Implant out and further surgery necessary with pathology results not clear. This was done by hook wire biopsy which was pretty painful and since then it seems to have stirred the muscle pain quite considerably! Further bad news as the 'C' had gone into my pectoral muscle and this is currently been treated with Aromasin (due u/sound in Jan to see if the Aromasin is/has worked!)

    Need to vent now....feeling pretty flat today (mood low.....hormones). Single parent, keep the above to myself, have 2 lovely girls and don't want them worrying (17 and 21). Problematic Son who has been emotionally unstable since divorce 8 yrs ago( selfish ex and happy he has moved on) nil family here (living in Oz) as I am from Scotland......phew! Sorry but just a bad day!

    I too am quite athletic (work as an Enrolled Nurse) 48kg and feel I must have needed my head examined to go along with this surgery.......will keep looking for some answers, feel my pain is related to lymphatic system/flow blocked or restricted.

    I think you girls are incredible and glad to share my experience with you!

    Hope 2018 is less painful for all of us! Hugs xxxxxxx

  • leftduetostupidmods
    leftduetostupidmods Member Posts: 346

    A Happy New Year to come to you too, Bonnie.

    I completely agree with "I  must have needed my head examined to go along with this surgery....."

    I think that's 1000% valid for myself as well.

  • Sandonna
    Sandonna Member Posts: 2

    I think the result is awesome! I am set for rt side mastectomy (left side was done on 2015) and bi-lat LD on the 11th...10 days away! I hope my results are as good!

    Cant get an answer from my PS as to whether she'll use implants or my own (plentiful!) fat...I trust she'll get it right...

    I am more scared of the long anesthesia time 7+ hrs so I'm told....yikes! I'm 66 but feel 45, no other health issues...could lose 30 # tho!

    I'd love to hear from anyone to share her experiences w me.


  • meadow
    meadow Member Posts: 998

    Best wishes Sandonna!

  • leftduetostupidmods
    leftduetostupidmods Member Posts: 346

    Sandonna, yes, the result is beautiful but I'd give them up in a heartbeat if I could get rid of all the life-long disability I got because of getting them.

    I hope you will be one of the fortunate ones who don't have problems. As for anesthesia, I was under for 11+ hours. I did look like the Pilsbury dough boy for a few hours after (they even had to cut my patient bracelet because my wrist was so puffed up it was cutting in) because my kidneys didn't like me being under for so long, but I recovered without problems.

    Also, ladies, something that I think everybody forgets to warn you about: you might be black and blue up to your neck right after the surgery. Don't freak out. It's normal. It will go away

  • D_Nice2016
    D_Nice2016 Member Posts: 1

    I had double mastectomy with reconstruction on 7/15/17. Latissimus dorsi flap left side. When sleeping on my left side there is discomfort, tingling, numbness and pain in left arm especially hand and fingers. I even tried sleeping in brace like for carpal tunnel but that doesn’t help. Has anyone else ever experienced similar issues after the surgery?

    Here’s a little more of my history: March 2016 I had lumpectomy and had 1 month of radiation in May 2016. My surgeon and Oncologist suggested at that time I be tested for the BRCA gene but I didn’t think there was a need because I wasn’t aware of anyone in my family with breast cancer. After talking more with my Oncologist I decided to be tested a year after my surgery, my results came back positive.

  • leftduetostupidmods
    leftduetostupidmods Member Posts: 346

    D-nice, I have that on both sides, because the lack of LD in my back and the remaining muscles not being able to compensate has brought my cervical spine out of line so now I got a lot of pinched nerves. That combined with the AIs that caused osteoarthritis got me fully disabled atm

    You might want to consult a spine specialist and get your cervical spine checked.

  • SugarCakes
    SugarCakes Member Posts: 73

    Well, I am 9 days away from having my Lat Dorsi Flap surgery on my left side. Wondering about things I should have ready post surgery and recovery. I imagine I need button up shirts; something I don’t have many of. Any other suggestions?

  • leftduetostupidmods
    leftduetostupidmods Member Posts: 346

    SugarCakes, check this pinned thread. It helped me bunches 8 1/2 years ago, and since, it got even more complete.

    Surgery packing/shopping list

  • feliciascintillation
    feliciascintillation Member Posts: 145

    SmileSeachain, thanks for getting me to this link and ladies thank you for all the information & insight in your posts! Kudos to those of you checking this thread BEFORE LD surgery which I did not! My experience: Had LD reconstruction plus silicone implant left breast only in 2015. PS said it was only good option for my previously radiated breast and other flap reconstructions not possible since not enough tissue. Thought briefly about no reconstruction but would have thought harder about it if I knew the discomfort to come! I am thankful that I was without infection and major complications unlike some others and my heart goes out to you. While the expander was in, it felt like I had a rubber band TIGHTLY squeezing my left side. Discomfort has improved since the expander was removed, however, chronic tightness and some pain is the new normal. Fortunately, after PT and exercise I have full ROM. My beef is that I believe more ladies are having difficulties with this surgery than is reported and I was not advised that there can be some serious debilitation associated with it. My research said that is was "a workhorse" of reconstruction done since the 70's and reliable. My PS acted (as other posts have stated) as if my circumstance was unusual and possibly related to my slender chest/ribcage. I wonder. Anyone have an implant removed and feel better? Just asking!Smile

  • tangles
    tangles Member Posts: 211

    I would sure like to know that also. I wpyld have this implant removed in a heart beat if I knew the pain would go away. BIGGEST REGRET of my life......

  • SugarCakes
    SugarCakes Member Posts: 73

    thanks seachain!!!

  • feliciascintillation
    feliciascintillation Member Posts: 145

    SugarCakes~ Best wishes for your surgery. I just noticed your post above mine and want to let you know I support you. Love to hear an update post-surgery if you are so inclined. Small prop pillows were essential for sleeping successfully. Someone to help with the drain(s)! My husband was known as the Drain Man. NerdyThinking of you...

  • leftduetostupidmods
    leftduetostupidmods Member Posts: 346

    Gina Maisano (which I have referred to previously, the lady who went ahead and founded the "No Surrender Breast Cancer Foundation") actually had not just that, but also the LD completely cut and removed, in the hopes that it would improve her QOL. This is somewhere on this forum but don't ask me to look for it. Might be even on this thread, way back.

  • shannonlee66
    shannonlee66 Member Posts: 14

    Wow, I'm reading some of these recent entries. I am so sorry for the ones of you who are experiencing complications and extreme pain. What a mess, right?

    I had no idea that being athletic was a factor in the outcome of a lat flap. Of course, my doctor never told me that. Nor did he think my scoliosis would be a factor, which is interesting considering this study I found ...https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10749640

    Tangles, I think I mentioned once before, I had both of my implants removed with little success. I still have chronic pain, sometimes worse than others. It may help with your pain, but I don't know. My second surgeon told me relief from pain was a possibility, but not a guarantee. At least he was honest with me.

    I'm wondering if anyone has had the lat cut from the humerus to allow for more movement and less tightness? I'm afraid to trust any doctor now.

  • leftduetostupidmods
    leftduetostupidmods Member Posts: 346

    I think that's what Gina had, Shannon. I know we were in at about the same time, 8 1/2 years ago, me former gymnast her former swimmer, if I'm not mistaken, comparing notes.

  • shannonlee66
    shannonlee66 Member Posts: 14

    I will definitely try to get in touch with her, Seachain. Thank you!!

    I didn't know you were a gymnast :(( I am so sorry.

  • leftduetostupidmods
    leftduetostupidmods Member Posts: 346

    Oh that was in my youth. But former athletes are the ones who have the highest risk of life-time issues after this surgery

  • SugarCakes
    SugarCakes Member Posts: 73

    was set to be at the hospital at 6am tomorrow for 7:30 surgery. Got a call close to 10pm tonight. Surgeon’s daughter rushed to hospital and my surgery is cancelled. Nurse says thw surgeon said she’ll try to reschedule me this week.

    I hope her daughter is ok, but man! I’m a single mom that travels for work (account manager). Do you know the planning I’ve Had to do for this surgery? People taking off, people covering at work, at home, friend taking leave to come stay with me after surgery, etc...

    I don’t have a good feeling about getting in this week

  • feliciascintillation
    feliciascintillation Member Posts: 145

    So sorry to hear about the reschedule! All the logistics to make it happen plus the mental preparation. I bet you are a strong lady so you will pull it all together and get your gameface back on, but really? Hope you get in soon, SugarCakes.

  • jwilco
    jwilco Member Posts: 209

    SugarCakes - good luck with your surgery! I had only the left side done, never had radiation, and I'm ok. Everyone is different and I hope you are happy with your results. Moving surgery dates is stressful! I hope it gets sorted out.

  • el_tigre
    el_tigre Member Posts: 453

    Sorry about your delay for surgery sugarcakes. It sucks because you get mentally ready then something happens.

    I had mine on the left side 12/20/17. So far so good. i had a very long back incision due to the shape he took. And apparently i'm very muscular lol.

    still numb in spots and i checked with my physical therapist about recovery and she seems to think that unless i do pull ups i should be able to bounce back to my usual exercise schedule after weeks of therapy that is.

    I got 2 fills and the first one was about a week and a half out.

    Swap out is set for March.

  • SugarCakes
    SugarCakes Member Posts: 73

    Going in for my surgery this morning! At least yesterday was much less stressful than last Monday... despite me waking up to news of the company I work for being sold!!


    Wish me luck! I’m totally calm and ready :)

  • leftduetostupidmods
    leftduetostupidmods Member Posts: 346

    Good luck, SugarCakes! I know it will be a while before you see this, but as soon as you can, let us know how it went

  • feliciascintillation
    feliciascintillation Member Posts: 145

    Best wishes,SugarCakes!

  • anothernycgirl
    anothernycgirl Member Posts: 821

    SugarCakes! Wishing you a speedy and easy recovery!

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