Latissimus Dorsi Flap Surgery tips-advice

kimber_1616

Sandra

I don't want to be an alarmist, but with the ability to only take Tylenol afterward I would do more investigation or maybe you have a super high tolerance for pain. I was fine with the mastectomy, DIEP was fine, implants very little pain, but the lat flap HURT.(however I did vomit after surgery and tore out the incision and had a huge healing process after) I had to have multiple surgeries for infections and a bleeding disorder and I could always tell when they moved the muscle!! Muscle pain is different than skin stuff as far as I am concerned.  I also regret having the lat flap because of chronic pain. Not everyone has it but if I would have known all the complications I would have had I would have just done implants to begin with. May have saved me a lot of trouble, but hindsight is always 20/20. Whatever you decide I hope that it is successful. My surgeon has used some kind of medicine ball inside that has a time release for 72 hours I wonder if that is a narcotic?

Lucy20

I had a delayed bilateral LD surgery on 04/02/14...how long will the swelling last under the arms?  I look like I have size D breasts and the tissue expander was not even filled.

Thanks

shelteringtree

I am scheduled to have LDF surgery next week on just one side. I had a lumpectomy and have had two failed implant surgeries and one failed re-closure of the wound (all three times I had an exposed implant). I will also have fat grafting to achieve volume (I am a B-cup). I am wondering what the typical recovery time of this surgery is? How long do drains typically stay in for? I booked our summer vacation before the last implant exposure happened and am scheduled to leave on July 18th. Do you think I will still be able to go on vacation? Thank you ladies!

sandj

Shelteringtree, I am actually in the same boat that you are. I had a unilateral lat flap last Wed and a vacation planned early July. My PS ok'd the trip prior to the surgery. My drains are still in, but will probably come out Friday (10 days post op.) He had originally said about 3 weeks for some, but my drains are not producing as much now. I feel my pain has improved significantly in this 1 week, I don't really need any narcotic medication. I cannot lift for another 3 weeks. Since your surgery is next week and you have about a month until your trip, I think you will probably be fine to go. Good luck with your surgery!

shelteringtree

Thanks so much for your reply and glad to hear you are doing well. I am headed to the hospital in about an hour to check in for the procedure. They scheduled my hospital check for June 24th and it looks like that may be the day the drains will come out. Enjoy your vacation as well!

sistagirl

I am really glad I decided to do a double mastectomy as prevention as I would hate for this process to drag on for years. I had orig reconstruction with tissue expanders to silicone implants, but as I said on an earlier post, my skin is too thin and it didn't work. Had bil LD flap 2 wks ago & getting the last 4 drains out tomorrow. The Left side really hurts at drain site and I know my hands will be sweating when they remove them. Didn't realize the drain itself is in about 8 to 9 inches...scarey! I feel tight on my back but only pain on left drain area. The chest looks such better...soft and pink and natural. Only have 120 cc's saline in expanders but it looks so much better. Just feeling a little down today (although I feel guilty because mine was preventative) but have no one to relate to because no one is going thru this that I know. I will feel better tomorrow I know when these drains are out...better take a valid before...will let everyone know how it goes.

kfinnigan

sistagirl, there's a thread over on the Breast Reconstruction forum titled "Latissimus Dorsi Breast Reconstruction" that has a lot of posts and info. I will be 9 weeks out tomorrow from Lat Flap on left side.  You'll be so happy when the drains come out!  soft hugs

sistagirl

Thank you for the site reference.  I had the drains out & it was not painful at all. Just the thought was...and I'm a nurse at that.  I honestly can say I have not had pain past 1st two days but my back feels tight. I am stretching and shoulder shrugs but no lifting over 5 lbs. Had problems with 1st reconstruction attempt so I am being a good girl the bio-oil that I read about on this site is really great. Keeps incisions moist so scab won't form. I am happy that I did bilateral as the breast nurse told me "they're sisters you know". This LE flap is so much better than implants alone. They looked weird were round cold and my chest was numb. I now feel warm pink skin & have normal sensation. I could even feel the needle prick for the fill but it was a great feeling. I would do this over again. Valium 2mg tabs help better than narcotics for me..no muscle spasms. Anyway...If I can help anyone to reduce worry before LE flap please contact me. I am so fortunate not to need any radiation or chemo & I honestly admire all of you who are...thanks again for all the blogs I have read...it really helps. Women are amazing creatures....

renee1008

I am 2 weeks post bilateral mastectomies with LD reconstruction with full size implants (no tissue expanders) . PS says everything looks great.  Just wondering when the huge bulges ( one alot larger than the other side ) under my arms will go down. I can't put my arms down by my sides. My breasts are lop sided.  Just curious how long it takes for them to look somewhat normal.