Pain after Latissimus Dorsi Breast Reconstruction

katie66

Can anyone who has had this operation give me some idea as to when I will begin to feel more like myself?

I had the surgery in Aug 2012, I am no longer on any painkilleres after encountering an analgesic headache. I cannot find  a bra that offers me any relief from pain and my backpain is awful. I am very worried about going back to work and I will have to soon for financial reasons.

After reading a few horror stories on one of the forums I am now wishing I had not bothered with the reconstruction.

Has anyone similar stories or can anyone give me some hope or suggestions towards a pain free future.

kimber_1616

I wish I could tell you a certain time frame of when it will get better. Not sure of your age or physical condition or if any of that even has anything to do with it, but I will tell you I am 42 (41 when I had it done) and I have had to fight back pain a lot of the last year. Massage therapy and acupuncture has helped along with muscle relaxers, ice and unfortunately pain pills. For me, if I keep it moving and stretched and exercised, I feel much better. I had five surgeries between Aug 7 - Oct 1 and I am currently fighting the back pain again. I was running 10-12 miles prior to the surgery and I almost feel like it is starting over again with the pain. At this time I was able to do pull ups and real push ups, which I am working my way back to, but there is pain.  I have a lot on the opposite side where it is compensating and I also experience spasms in the shoulder where the lat was moved. I am sorry I am not a ray of sunshine, and I wish I can tell you everything will be as it was before, but unfortunately I can't. Swmming once you are able is VERY difficult to get back into but a great low impact way to work on those muscles. It's funny because there are certain things I do that I go... wow that muscle is gone.

fitzdc

So sorry you are suffering after this surgery.  I had it in Dec 2011 and feel almost back to normal. I had back pain and still have some stiffness,  however the shoulder pain Kinber has I never experienced.  Physical therapy and massage really helped me - ask you PS for a referral.  And yes to the swimming.  Have only been a few times (no gym membership) but boy did it work out those muscles!  And try muscle relaxers instead of pain pills.  I was on cyclobennzaprine (sp) for a few weeks and it really helped me to sleep

There are tons of horror stories about the lat flap just as there are tons about other reconstrucion options.  But thre are many women who are very pleased with the lat flap. We never know how our body is going to react. 

granny-56

Hi, I had my surgery in Oct 2011. I still get muscle spams that feel like a heart attack under my left breast. Lots of back pain and muscle spams there also. Have arthritis in left hip and can not touch my left foot no matter how hard I try. Not sure if that is from the muscle they took from back to bring around or not. Really wish I knew what to do. So this coming Oct. will be 2 years and really no relief. Can't turn certain ways and very hard to stretch my arms up to say reach a bowl on the top shelf of my cabinets. When I do muscle spams in my back and left front. Anyone have an answer as to what to do to help. I am also 57 years old and have had two back surgeries before the breast cancer. Just tired of it hurting.

Adoption

Has anyone had a good experience with the lat flap? Any other neg experiencees would be helpful as well, I'm scheduled for lat flap Oct. 3.

dayzoo

I had my Lat Dorsi done Sept 4th, and as of yesterday, had my second fill of TE's.

Each day is definitely getting better.  I'm quite happy with the progress, in fact, my mood has been so much better after this surgery, then it has the last 9 months (after mx and chemo).

I do feel like I have a very tight bra on, but my PS says it's normal, and I can tell it's improving.

I'm gradually able to use my arm more - it's getting easier to open big doors, but I haven't tried to do any pushups yet...lol..

I'm 42, and can't wait to feel 'normal' again!

Hope this helps!

sth314

I had my Lat Flap done on my left side in 2006. I really didn't have that many issues of pain until about 2 years ago. A lot of tightness and muscle soreness as well as pain around the implant. I think my pain is caused more by the implant than the muscle. My surgeon said that because of the incapsulation, it could be pulling on the muscle. He said a lot of that should be relieved when the implant is out. I'm actually going to have a DIEP flap done in Nov. So...not so sure it's widely known, it's possible to take out the implants and have a DIEP after a Lat if it's something you want to persue. I'm thrilled I have the option as the Lat was not my first choice, but due to unforseen circumstances, was my only choice at the time. I never liked the thought of an implant inside me and because I have a very sensitive body, I knew it would cause trouble somewhere down the line. I'm just thrilled I can get it removed and have a new boobie made with my own tissue! What helps me with pain and soreness is masages on my back incision and anti-inflamatories.

Miss_Vesta

I had mine done in December of 2011. I am pretty pain free. Though there are still days I reach for the painkillers, happily they are few and far between.

I see a massage therapist every two weeks. This has helped my body adjust to the changes. It makes a big difference for me. My therapist has been working on my scars and they lay flat and look good. She has also helped with my range of motion and has gotten the skin to lay better under my arm where they made the tunnel to pull the muscle through.

I am a big fan of epsom salt baths, for a while I took two a week. It made a big difference in the muscle aches. And I rub aspercreme over the surgery site if it's sore. that seems to make a big difference for me.

So about two years out and I am pretty comfortable most days. The last time I was out on my road bike I was really pulling on the handlebars while climbing hills in the wind. Later in the day my muscles in the surgery site were really burning. I took a painkiller, I am a big believer in not letting the pain get started. And I rubbed in some aspercreme.

I was in a car accident when I was 12. I am still having to have little things done to adjust to the changes from that injury. so I just assume I will always be doing a little something to keep the area of the surgery comfortable. Still doing my physical therapy from the car accident, and I expect to be doing it for this surgery thirty years from now too. (there's a moment when you realize how old you are, LOL.)

The first six months were rough. It gets better. Fruit of the Loom makes a soft front hook sport bra that helped me with the pain. it was like a soft hug all over. You might even find you need to sleep in one, just to keep things happy. Walmart has them for under $10 a bra. I still use them. I also notice keeping my torso warm helps with the achy feeling. A nice polarfleece vest. Or a down one really makes a difference.

Hang on hon. I am happy I did it. For a while there I really thought I made a mistake.

Okpushing60

I had L breast LD flap w/ tissue expander on Nov. 27 2013. I feel I had a top notch PS, highly referred. I recovered and healed well the first 6 wks, highly encouraged in every way possible. Had re-started my walking routine and doing basic household tasks w/in reason. Off all pain meds. At wk 6 I bumped into dishwasher, slightly lunged forward and likely pulled some new scar tissue in back donor site. Ouch! Last week I somehow hurt muscle in my good back side, opposite of first injury. I have been so careful, doing very little other than necessary stretching and ROM exercise. I am struggling w/ pain/weakness more than after initial surgery. Maybe I am being too impatient!? Hard for me as I have managed to stay fit and very active these 59 yrs. Always blessed w/ a healthy back, until now. I lead aquatic fitness w/ seniors but I don't want to get in pool as I am also getting rads. I don't wish to compromise my skin that has a scaly patch already. Docs all say give it time and rest and pain meds. Two recent massage sessions have seemed to aggravate all surgical area that was not so noticeable and now that feels worse. Just so crazy as she was fairly gentle and cautious. I have not seen on any blogs yet how someone has injured themselves or if massage is a problem. I am really not a klutz, the things I did would be a non issue before surgery. I am starting to feel I am headed the wrong direction after such a positive start!! However after reading many other people's experiences, I should not complain one second and be thankful!! 

sistergal

hi, I’m not sure how this site works, and think this might be an old thread, but I had mastectomy and latflap in dec 2016. It’s been a nightmare. Have to be thankful that my C is gone, but my fatigue and pain continues. Had implant in June. Doing PT and modified Pilates. Pain continues to slow me down. How long does this last?