Recovery time after stage 2 for flap reconstruction

Rubiayat

Next month I go in for stage 2 for my TUG flap reconstruction. They will lipo several areas to fill in my left breast and lift my right breast. I am planning on taking two weeks off of work. For those that have gone through stage 2, how long were you sore for? How long did you take off work? Any advice for recovery? I heard the pain and bruising from lipo is pretty bad and plan on using Arnica to help with the bruising.

LAstar

Hi, Rubiayat -- I think I took off 2 weeks but I didn't go back full time right away since I worked at home (computer work). I traveled for work 4 weeks later. I think I was sore for 2 weeks from the lipo. I was up and out on a slow hike a few days after surgery. So much easier than stage 1! Best wishes!

Sacnaillady

You may want to ask this question on the DIEP Facebook page. There are lots of women there who have just had Flap reconstruction. I had an sGAP flap and joined. Lots of great information and supportthere.

Rubiayat

Thanks LAstar - that is good to hear!!

I will post on the DIEP thread too - good advice. It has been over six months since my surgery and my arm and chest are still sore and I'm wondering if that is normal?

LAstar

A sore arm sounds like lymphedema (maybe the chest too?). Have you been checked out by a PT or OT that is trained in lymphatic drainage massage and treatment? I do the light massage and wear a LE sleeve when I feel the soreness coming on and it relieves the swelling within an hour or so.

Rubiayat

I have seen a PT and she is not sure if it is LE. My doctor doesn't think it is. I wonder if after so many surgeries in the same area that I am just extra sensitive and that it will take longer to completely hear.

LAstar

It does take a long time to feel like these relocated parts are really part of us. For me (and pardon me if this is indelicate), I felt like I had a couple of hams attached to my chest for about 1.5 years! (And I suppose I do.) I have mild LE, oil cysts, and necrosis from the surgeries and these contribute their own particular soreness and occasional sharp pains. It's part of the "new normal" I guess. 6 surgeries in 6 months is quite a streak! I hope things settle in for you.

Camille7

Hi - I've just joined this discussion group and am glad to have found you all! I had Lat Flap reconstruction surgery in 2011. My LE is most noticeable when it's humid out and I wear the sleeve to control that. I'm pretty athletic and didn't realize I should have had PE post op back in 2011. I went right back into my weight training about 6 mths after surgery and now, 3.5 years later, I'm having lots of muscle pain. Last week I started PE and am so excited! The therapist said I'll be swimming and back to weight training again, once I get the Lat and Pec muscles healed. I never thought I would be pain free, so this is the best Christmas present for me. Is anyone else an exerciser and having or had issues with weight training, push ups and such?

Rubiayat

I guess this is the new normal LAstar:) I knowing that makes it easier as it is the unknown pain and such that can be so worrisome!

Camille - that is great that the pain is getting under control!! That is a great gift. I have not been doing weight training and wonder if I should start because it doesn't take much to feel like I have overdone it with my pectoral muscles. Maybe if I was slowly building up my strength there I wouldn't get so sore so easily? I have just babied myself since surgery.

I understand that they move things around when the flap is attached, but I'm surprised that you are having pain in your pectoral muscles this many years later. Was there a lot of trauma to your pecs? Is the pain from too much too soon? I'm curious as I didn't get much guidance from my surgeon as to what I could do when. It seems at this point I have the green light to do anything, but I don't feel close to being completely healed. I didn't expect to still get so sore in my arm and chest.