LD Flaps and strength training

Options
Linda54
Linda54 Member Posts: 2,689
edited June 2014 in Working on Your Fitness

I had bi-lat mx with LD flaps recon and expanders placed almost a year ago.  During expansion the tightness around my chest felt like I had a real tight bra on.  When running it felt like a boa constrictor was tightening up but I kept running.  Had my exchange about 5 months ago and the tightness decreased.  After recovery I really got back into my strength training and worked on increasing the weight.  Several weeks ago I started tightening up again like when I had my expanders.  This should not be happening.  Then a light bulb went off and I thought that maybe the weight machines that work the LD muscle is causing the tightness.  That muscle is no longer where it should be and I should not be working that muscle like I do.  Any opinions or experience on this is appreciated.....I am going to the gym this morning and will NOT work the LD's.....

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 2,689
    edited March 2009

    Disappointed that I did not get any replies but I have figured it out myself and thought I would share this info.

    I no longer have Lat dorsi muscles in my back, they are now in my boobs.  I do not have pectorals in my chest, they were replaced by the lat dorsi muscles.  I have come to the conclusion that there is no need in working muscles that are no longer there.  I am avoiding weight training that involves working the pecs and the lat dorsi......sure cuts down on workout time HA     Since I have left off those workouts, the tight feeling has gotten better.  Now I need to get into a stretching routine to keep those lat dorsi's stretched out......

    Any comments on this theory will be appreciated.

    Hope this info is a help to someone else who has had the Lat dorsi flap reconstruction....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sandyb
    Sandyb Member Posts: 32
    edited April 2009

    Dear Linda,

    Thankyou so much for sharing all your knowledge with me. To cut a very long story short, I had a bilateral mastectomy August 2008 with LD flap reconstruction (with expanders) However, after awaking after my op I had a tightness around my chest that was unbarable. Because of this even though I had expanders I was never expanded. I was beside myself. I then underwent radiotherapy to one side in November 2008. Last week on March 28th I finally had the exchange from the near empty expanders to small sillicone implants. My surgeon also tried to divide a nerve that he thought could be making the tightnesss worse without any success,. I dont know why but I was living for this day, thinking that I would finally have relief from this awful feeling that ive had for the last 7 months. However, once again I awoke after my op feeling even possibly tighter than I was before. Im devastated. Before my illness I was extrememly fit and very strong. I was a professional dancer, I ran, and surfed. I now hobble along and cant even lift myself out of a chair easily because of the tightness. Do you think this tight feeling could be worsened bt the fact we were pretty fit and the latissimus dorsi was taught? (I can tell that you love exercising too) Im now at possibly my lowest point ever. I cannot ever imagine feeling good again. Im seeing the surgeons again in 3 weeks time but to be honest I dont know what they are going to do. Do you think stretching is the best way forward to help the tightness? I have been stretching the last 7 months but was limited  because of the pain from the expanders.Somebody sugested swimming to help break down scar tissue? Once again thanks for all your info. Best wishes Sandyb

    Ps One thing the surgeons have discovered is that I develope very thick scar tissue after my ops. Could this cause tightness?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 2,689
    edited April 2009

    Sandy

    I am so sorry for your pain...it could possibility be the thick scar tissue.  Only the doctors can tell.

    I have been told by ladies on this site that a physical therapist that specializes in breast cancer patients is a must have.....I plan on talking to my PS about this when I go to see him on the 23rd. I think that stretching is the key to keeping everything from tightening up and I would like to go to a PT for a while to be trained in the right kind of stretches......I talked to a Personal trainer at the gym I go to but she really could not advise me on weather I sould be working the lat dorsi muscles since they are no longer in my back but in my boobs.....so I feel like I need to see a PT and see if that will help the tightness....I do feel tighter when I have not done any stretching...

    I have read about the nerve that can be cut but I think that can only be done by a microsurgeon.....in order to be successful.....

    I am not sure about us being fit had anything to do with the tightness.....I just think muscles need to be stretched to keep them flexible.....I will keep in touch  and you may want to talk to your doctor about seeing a PT.....

    The best to you

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sandyb
    Sandyb Member Posts: 32
    edited April 2009

     Dear Linda,

    Thankyou so much for your reply. I am going to see a physio next week and as soon as I can im going to start swimming etc. Im sure we'll all get there in the end....its just a longer road than id ever imagined. If I get any tips I will keep you informed. Have a good Easter.

    Best Wishes,

    Sandy x

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • apt
    apt Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2009

    Dear Linda,

    I had Right Lat Flap and saline inplant 10 years ago and in that time wondered re Strength training and never got an answer!. However have continued the gym doing only light weights (10 kgs) and no progression with Lat Pull Down machine to encourage associated muscles to compensate.Right shoulder Extension is about 50% strength compared with left  .Too much weight is too uncomfortable around my right boob which still contracts even though I had a nerve section in 2000 to stop that! Only symptoms I get are  pins and needles sometimes along scar line when working out.

    apt

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories