Question...

Paulette531

I had reconstruction twice and both times it failed, last time I ended up in the hospital a week after surgery with a staph infection. So far I have stuck with no more surgery!

Here is my question though...for those of you who chose not to have reconstruction, can you feel your muscles under your arm pits? I know this sounds strange, but it is really annoying, it doesn't hurt, it is just uncomfortable. 

Erica3681

Hi Paulette,

Sorry to hear about your failed reconstruction, but I hope that eventually you'll be as happy as many of us on this board are with no recon.

Regarding your question, I had bilateral mastectomies. On the right side, I'd previously had a lumpectomy plus radiation and after the mastectomy, I felt as if I had virtually no padding under my arm--no softness. I don't know if it was muscle that I was feeling, but it just felt kind of unprotected. Like your situation, it didn't hurt at all.

After my mastectomies, I saw a physical therapist for help regaining range of motion and feeling in my chest. She also helped tremendously with that underarm area, by manual therapy (literally massaging the tissue and keeping scar tissue from adhering). While the area is still harder than the non-radiated side, it's much better than at first and doesn't bother me at all.

So maybe it would be worth seeing a physical therapist (one who specializes in breast cancer would be best). 

Barbara 

sahalie

Hi Paulette,

I'm so sorry you had to go thru staph infection.

I can feel some muscle but do have some numbness in the

under arm area.  I can feel the muscles when I exercise and lift

my arms.  Is that what you are referring too?

Paulette531

Erica, no more surgery for me! My PS left me with cleavage and some breast material in case I wanted to try again, I could actually put the girls in a small a-cup bra that has padding and it looks as though I have breasts. I like going braless though!

Cheryl, I think it is more noticible when I exercise or do a lot of work using my arms. It is just so annoying and feels really weird. 

SusaninSF

Paulette,

Like you, I had a failed reconstruction. I'm sorry you had to go through that too. Hopefully, you can feel relieved that you have that all behind you now and can look forward to going on with your life.

I think many of us were numb after surgery but most seem to regain some or all feeling within about a year. That has been the case for me. Still feels a bit weird to have the pectoral muscle directly under the skin like that but I suppose I will get used to that as well.

You will find a lot of support here. For me, wearing a prosthesis is much more comfortable than my reconstruction ever was. PM me if you like.

Hugs, Susan