lap flap with an implant

kfinnigan

I'm so encouraged by your post!   I'm 51 yrs old and active.  I also help take care of my 3 yr old granddaughter, I work full time as an office admin.  My second granddaughter is due mid June so that's the reason I want to do the surgery this summer, while my daughter is on maternity leave.  How long were you in the hospital?  Did you need anything special to prepare in advance?  How long did you have drains, and how did you sleep? The PS said I would have two drains in the back and one in the front.  She said its a 4 week recovery so I assume I will need to take off work for four weeks.  How soon before you were up and around?  Were you given restrictions for driving, lifting?  You said you bought a bra, do they tell you what you should be wearing and when, like underwire bra or not, etc.  I heard the second surgery is an outpatient one and much easier.   I'm so happy for you!  Any info you can share is appreciated, thank you!!

nmcd

I'm looking for someone with an lat flap implant ~ after three months, today and yesterday I feel very uncomfortable, almost like I feel tightness with every breath I take.  I didn't feel that way before.... is it possible that something is going wrong?  I have been mountain biking which might have strained the muscle but it just feel cold and tight.... anyone?

dayzoo

Hi nmcd...

I'm 8 months out from my lat flap, and 4 months from my exchange surgery.

To date, I still feel like I there's a tight band around me, like my bra is too tight.  I was playing badminton with my kids last night, and reached too far for the birdie - and it was an uncomfortable pulling feeling.

I don't feel the tightness/shortness of breath, but I do always know the feeling is there....

I also feel really wierd when someone touches my back - not sure why, but it's just a wierd sensation....

Oh the joys!  Hope you're well..

nmcd

Just following up with my update.  I am over seven months out and am doing great.  I mountain bike regularly, swim, hike and actually started weigh lifting.  I never lifted weights before but felt that my mastectomy side was week and arm was really saggy.  I do minimal weighs with more repetitions and feel 100% better and the size of my arm has decreased.  I am being followed by our local lymphodema clinic to be sure that I am not creating a problem as I did have 21 lymph nodes removed during my surgery.  This is just an FYI in case anyone needs to hear good news.