LD flap Recon - How are you a few years on?

Smudgie31

Hi,

I had my LD Flap reconstruction 2 years ago. Although I'm happy with the result, I'm left with puffiness and tightness that I'm still not used to and not a day goes by without me thinking about it. It doesn't stop me doing anything and although not swimming at the moment due to covid, I try and exercise my arms/back using resistance bands regularly.

I just wondered what other people experience on a day-to-day as a result of this op? Anything worth making sure is part of my exercise routine? My worry is, as I grow older, it's only going to get worse.

CBK

Hi Smudgie

I’m 3 years out thisApril. What do you mean by puffiness? Do you mean at the donor incision sight?

I too resistance band train and weight train. I went to PT several months after LD flap procedure and PT gave me a whole routine with resistance bands and weights. All focusing on back, shoulders and specifically rotator cuff. Rotator cuff is one area that can become unstable with the surgery.

Also two stretches that PT guy said I should do everyday. One taking a bent arm across the body while holding onto elbow with opposite hand (really gets into the scapula). The other is a yoga hand position known as Gomukasana performed with a strap.

Sounds like you are doing great.. I’m weaker overall in upper body after BMX I don’t notice much of different in strength from my LD flap side vs. the others.

Love to hear what others are up to on this front too!

Smudgie31

Hi CBK,

Thanks for replying.

Yes puffiness is probably just donor incision. Nothing swells up. Just feels like it does at times.

Had to look up the names of some of the stretches you do. Guess l'm doing similar though. I have good movement, just constantly reminded on a daily basis of my surgery. Whether that be tightness sometimes due to my bra or the relative solidness of the implant. It niggles me.

Guess it's not always a bad thing to be reminded of what we've been through. Allows me to be more cautious as well as grateful at times.

I think being on Tamoxifen and the effect on my bones adds to the whole feeling of stiffness. Would be keen to hear what others are taking to help them. I've been taking Glucosamine and chondroitin but not sure how effective this it.

X

CBK

I had a lot of puffiness at incision donor site and my PS lipo’d it off. It was actually extra skin though not just inflammation.

Do you have LD flap on both sides? Where is the tightness? If it just overall tightness in chest it may not be from LD flap.

I take turmeric and omega 3 for joint pain from Arimidex. I’m going to add in omega 7 this week. I took Glucosomine for a bit but dropped it recently. I’m not sure it helped me either!