Lat Flap Advice needed

MaggieL

I am scheduled with my PS for lat flap surgery on 9/22nd on my radiated breast and ultimately we will put in implants. My doctor said that I will be in the hospital for 2-3 nights and then a two week recovery prior to returning to work. I'm wondering if anyone can share their experience with recovery for this surgery? I would also love to see pictures if anyone is willing to share them of your final reconstruction if you went through a lat flap with implants due to radiation issues. I have had a difficult time finding any online. Thank you!

Hopfull2

hi Maggie, there is a lat flap forum here u might want to check it out. One if the members there shared her pic with me after I pm her. I had my lat flap 2months ago and I'm recovering well. I was in the hospital for 2nights. I had 3 drains on my lat flap side plus this pain pump for the back. The hospital was on top of my pain meds. It was hard getting up to go to the restroom. After a couple of days u will get used to it. I have TE's put in so I still have another surgery because I'm still getting expanded every 3weeks. Honestly though it wasn't a bad experience not at all. I made able to vacuum now and do things and that side doesn't feel too wierd. My Dr gave me 8weeks off to recover but that's also cuz i had a prophylactic mastectomy on my other side. You will do fine. Feel free to ask me any other questions. Hugs

ravzari

MaggieL, there's a huge thread on that particular surgery here https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics...

Reading through it, you'll see a lot of experiences of different women who've had it done.

MaggieL

Thank you both so much. Our plan was changed from the lat flap to the DIEP flap. It's been a whirlwind. I am recovering from DIEP now and am one week out. I will also need implants. Thank you again to both of you for responding and for being so sweet!! I hope you are both doing well!