Post surgery anatomy question

CharSue1

Hello out there:)

This might be an odd question but I had a single mastectomy surgery 3 months ago and my ribs on that side seem to poke out more then the other side Nothing hurts but it’s definitely noticeable. Anyone else had this problem? How long before it fixed itself. My surgeon says that it will take awhile. I don’t even know why it’s like that...

MarilynIllinois

Hi Susan,

I'm a year and a half out from a single mastectomy without reconstruction and my rib cage still "sticks out." I'm used to it and it really doesn't bother me. When I practice yoga I wear a fleece vest to cushion my front side. Did you have a sentinel node biopsy?

I found physical therapy really helpful to get my arm back to feeling comfortable.

Good luck to you for a good recovery.

CharSue1

thank you so much for your response🙏. I guess that’s another area which will be apart of my new “normal”. Uhg. Why was the rib effected? My arm is doing great. I originally asked for PT but once the order finally went through it was better. I did a lot of massage and stretching them exercising. I had 8 nodes removed. Thankfully no more then that. The cancer was in one. I refused chemo because my Oncotype score was 20. I’m also using flaxseeds everyday instead of Tamoxifen. What did/does your treatment plan look like?

Mine is a lifelong plan😅😂

Meow13

No I didn't have that happen, did the surgeon say what is going on?

CharSue1

no. The whole process was a nightmare but when I did see her a couple weeks after the surgery, I showed her and all she said was that will take awhile to heal. She didn’t look surprised or anything so I thought it was part of the process.

SummerAngel

One side of my rib cage sticks out farther than the other. I wouldn't have known except my plastic surgeon took it into account when doing my reconstruction. He said it's a common thing, just genetics and no problem at all.

My younger daughter has the same and she noticed it years ago.

CharSue1

Summer,

sorry. I’m just seeing this. That is definitely a possibility and of course just never noticed because there was a breast there. I see you surgeon next month and will get an answer. Thank you so much for sharing:)

Su