Flabby bits?

Nocompromises2013

I had R Mx in June13. Pretty soon after I noticed the there is an extra flabby bit on my trunk just below armpit to on/above bra line on RHS as well as a dimple/pit where Mx scar finishes

It is not the same on LHS. BS tried to say swelling that would go down. But it's not and even having lost 3kg it doesn't seem to have changed either. It seems to rub/chaff a bit on my upper arm too. Is it the bit they leave incase you want recon ?

I think the bit above at front looks fatty to compared to LHS when you were a sleeveless TShirt where arm meets top of where breast was when arms are held by your side ( if that makes sense)

Don't think it is lymphodena but I did have ALD too

Any answers ladies ?? It's starting to annoy me

Thanks Sue

kt1966

Hi-

I just had a pmx 3 weeks ago & I have the same thing. A flabby lump under the armpit.

My scar goes straight across my chest.

10 years ago I had my first mx and that side doesn't have the issue. I think the surgeon had a bit more finesse/skill! It did include an axillary dissection so it curves up under the armpit.

When things have settled down in a year or so & if I still have the bulge I will look into surgical revision- & hopefully will have some say in who does it (maybe my first surgeon) instead of taking potluck in the public system.

My pmx side is fatter where my breast/top of arm is compared with mx with ALD, because they took more tissue on ALD side.

I would have thought that would be the same for you, so you may want to check its not LE there..

I hope things settle down for you soon

kt

(edited to say: apart from that my surgeon this time was great- really lovely! Don't mean to dis her )

crystalphm

I have this too...it doesn't rub sore though, it is just there...and I think this gets swollen because it is a very traumatized area where they dig for lymph nodes. Also, they have to anchor stitches and the drain to something and they use that spot, and also the poofy places near my breastbone.

Ariom

I have this too, under my arm, but my chest is completely flat with a straight scar, it really has improved over time.

My surgeon told me that the underarm one, is flesh that is normally pulled forward by the weight of your breast, but when the breast is removed, it becomes what is sometimes called a "Dog Ear", or as another member calls it "Angel Wings". My surgeon said he doesn't want to remove too much of it during surgery, so it doesn't affect range of motion by being too tight. I was told that I can have it removed if it continues to be an issue. Mine has changed a lot in the 10 months since my surgery, so I think I will see how it goes during the Summer, and decide later if I want to remove it.

The thing I hated the most about it was having to tuck it into my bra, uggghhh, but fortunately, it isn't such an issue now, it has gone down considerably. I have changed to bras with a higher side to accommodate it better.

Anonymous

Angel Wings - I love it. Dog ears no more, it's Angel Wings for me. Had very small silicone implants for the past 6 years. HATED them, lumps under the pec muscle, felt the muscle pushing down on them any time I used the pec muscle. Had them removed, turns out one was ruptured, ugh! So now have Angel Wings. Have diminished a lot since explanation in early July. Like Ariom, my PS said she could easily remove the excess skin, fat, but it's not worth it to me.

Angel Wings, thanks Ariom.

Nocompromises2013

thank you ladies for your comments - I feel happier knowing I am not so alone

I guess it is only 4 months. Due to see BS in January - don't really fancy Any extra surgery. Suspect it's been left for any future recon ( that I still think I don't want )

Ariom - my lands end bathers arrived. Roll on summer. I think that might make re reconsider recon - we will see. I hear too many stories of failed recons.

Ariom

Hi Sunflowers, so glad to hear you're doing so well after your "deconstruction!" I am sorry I can't recall the other member's name that called them Angel wings, I like to give credit here it's due, but her surgeon called them that and told her she'd earned them!

Nocompromises! How's the weather in Perth?

I've heard many great reviews on the LandsEnd suits. I have a couple of Amoena suits and I have bought a few Tankini tops that have the pockets and modesty pads inside. I put in my swim form and I am good to go!

Truly, 4 months is very early days. I can't believe how much everything has changed in the 10 1/2 months since my surgery. Take your time to make up your mind about whether you want recon.

I haven't wavered one bit, about my decision to pass on the recon, and am really comfortable now, in any of my "foobs" or prosthesis. I really don't even notice I am wearing them now. I've even discovered how to dress to avoid the dreaded "fall forward" gap when the prosthesis falls forward when I bend over and the gap goes all the way through to my waist!

I wish you all the very best...take care!

Nocompromises2013

weathers great thanks

Just wondering if I started Tami 2 weeks ago - I wonder if the additional stiffness/tenderness in general Mx and ALD area could be related to that ??? I haven't noticed anything else wrong since starting on it ???

Ariom

Hi, I don't take Tamox, but my Mother did. She had terrible itching from it. So I am sorry I can't help with that. I think there is a thread about Tamox SE's on here.

It's not unusual to feel the tightness and stiffness for some time. Lots of people speak of it.

Are you massaging and still doing the exercises? I kept that up for many months, in fact, I still massage the scar every day.

Nocompromises2013

hi Ariom

Yes still moisturizing and throw in PT exercises to reassure me I still have full movement etc.

The change in sensation I guess could be any number of things

Warmer weather ? Tami? LE? ( hope not PT was pretty sure in sept that I will escape it )

No itching, No cording either and lots of exercise ( as in golf)

Ho hum will await BS comments in Jan

Paynesville looks very scenic ?

Ariom

Hi nocompromises!

Well, I'd say you are doing everything possible, and hope this is the normal sensations of the nerves regenerating and the body adjusting.

I had Mondors Cording for a few months after my surgery, that was a strange one! Mine was down over my abdomen and under my ribs. It felt like big ropey lumps, and was so tight that I could feel it pulling if I stood up very straight. Fortunately, it passed and became just another weird thing that went with this surgery.

January will be here before you know it, and if it hasn't just passed on it's own you'll get your answers.

Paynesville is an absolutely magic place, despite the name.

We decided we had one more move, or build in us. We wanted a coastal environment with absolute water views and managed to get it all.

We have only been here since end of June 2012, so just as we were settling in after a huge renovation and move from Melbourne, I was Dx, after a routine Mammo.

Yes it's very scenic, gorgeous place, and the people are so wonderful and welcoming. Not many are actually from here, but have found their way, as we did, almost by accident and have stayed. I absolutely believe, that my fast and relatively easy recovery was due to being in this wonderful place and I will be forever grateful that I had my Mammo here. We had just had the newest state of the art machine installed in the nearest big town. Had I gone to my regular place in Melbourne my Dx may not have happened, because I'm not sure they had the new machine at that time.

I call it serendipity!

Erica3681

I didn't have angel wings after my bilateral mastectomy, but I've heard from women both here and at my non-profit website, BreastFree.org, who did have them and decided to have a revision to remove them. Virtually all have been happy with the results. I gather that it's generally considered a minor procedure and is usually done on an outpatient basis, by a plastic surgeon, if possible.

Sue, I agree with others that four months is still early and there may be some residual swelling that will go down, and I understand totally why you're not interested in more surgery anytime soon, but if you find over time that you still have the "wings" and they're bothering you, the procedure to remove them doesn't seem too onerous.

cinnamonsmiles

I would LOVE to have my darn angel wings removed, but I have too much nerve damage done during the BMX and node removal. I also envy everyone who turned out absolutely flat!! My surgeon said she couldn't get me flat on the cancer side because of the lumpectomy scar. Don't know why she left a pouch on the left side either. She has since moved away so I can't ask.I was terribly disappointed not to come out flat.

Nocompromises2013

Ariom - sounds like you have found a great place to retire and yes very serendipitous with the mammo machine !!! paynesville sounds like Mandurah we have inland waterways and canals galore an hour south of Perth - love it

My MIL must have had Mondors she described it just like you ( 35 years ago) and I couldn't figure out what she was on about as I never had that sensation at all

Erica - interesting info thank you - Will consider angel wing removal down the track if it annoys me enough

Ariom

Nocompromises, I have a girlfriend from Mandurah, she is in Fremantle now, but grew up there. I have been a couple of times to visit, and love it.

I am considering the Angel Wing/Dog Ear removal too. My surgeon said it was a fairly simple procedure. I'll see if it bugs me enough to have more surgery.

Glad you didn't have the Mondors, it's a very weird thing, but fortunately short lived!

I remember my Mother having a much worse one than I do and complaining that it was the worst part of the surgery for her. I don't remember if we inquired about getting it fixed.

All the best to you!

Anonymous

I sometimes think how nice it would be to be flat without angel wings, but the surgery, no matter how small, is NOT covered by my insurance, and still amounts to several thousand dollars. Wonder if there is an EXERCISE or Yoga position that works that area? Anybody know of any?????

Ariom

Hi Sunflowers!

I don't know if this would help, but I have been doing an exercise routine for many months now called the "5 Tibetan Rites". It is a type of yoga with 5 positions that are repeated up to 21 times each. I have found that I have built muscle in my chest that has helped with the concave look I had at first. I am very flat, except for my Dog Ear, under my arm. That has improved too, quite considerably. I am sure a lot of it at first was fluid, but I think the exercise is helping too. I could lose a few pounds, but take cortisone daily for Rheumatoid Arthritis, so it is always a battle to lose weight.

If you are interested in looking at this pretty amazing form of exercise, there are many demonstrations on You Tube, Dr Oz has a good one, but the best way to learn about it is by the books 1 and 2 by Peter Kelder, called the Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth. Don't be put off by the title, the exercises are great. I have had some wonderful results since starting. I am only doing 9 reps each morning. It takes no time at all, and the benefits are quite amazing. I suffered from postural vertigo, which is completely gone since shortly after starting these exercises, as well as much more flexibility. Definitely worth a look!

Anonymous

Ariom

going to Amazon RIGHT NOW...THANK YOU...just knew one of your wonderful women would have good advice.

eta:

http://www.mkprojects.com/pf_TibetanRites.htm

anyone who has done any yoga, should be able to follow these printed exercises, with illustrations, AS WITH EVERYTHING - check with your onc, pcp, whoever is your resource person about whether you can/should do this type of exercise.

Ariom

You're welcome Sunflowers! Thank you for posting that link!

I was introduced to these exercises by a friend who was an ex ballet dancer. He worked for an airline at the same time I did. He was on board a stationary aircraft, and leaned against the safety barrier across the open door. The barrier failed and he fell out onto the concrete tarmac, shattering his shoulder and his foot. It took many operations to repair his injuries, and he was laid up for a long time. Someone told him about the Rites, so he tried them out very slowly, till he could add to them and finally accomplish the 21reps after almost a year. He still does 21 reps a day, years after his accident.

When my friend heard of my Dx, he got in touch with me and hassled me till I promised to try these Rites. I am so grateful I listened. He still emails me all the time to make sure I am not being tardy! He is totally devoted to the Rites, and swears it was the reason he was able to recuperate so well and is doing better, generally, than before his accident.

It is very important to start at 3 reps and stay there as long as you need to. Only increase by one or two reps a week. It doesn't matter if you can't manage the 21 reps, you wouldn't believe the improvement after even a short time at 3 reps.

Take care, and enjoy!