Scars feel like they are glued to my chest..is this normal?

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GointoCarolina
GointoCarolina Member Posts: 753
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

A little background..had uni mast 9/2008,I had a proph mast and tissue expanders placed 3/2011 with expanders removed 4/2011 due to pain,no recon.The skin above and below my scars is moveable,the skin on the scar areas is not.It feels like it is glued to my ribs.It is so uncomfortable and tender.Is this normal for it to be so tight?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2011

    Not sure if I have that but my incision (which is below the fold of the breast) definitely feels tight and puckered.  I also have a lot of Alloderm there, though, and kind of attributed the tenderness to that.  I'm consulting with a new PS next week and that is one of my questions so will see what they say.  Is that where your incisions are as well?

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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited October 2011

    I don't have that issue. I had PT following my bilateral mastectomy and I know the therapist released scar tissue (removed adhesions) with a technique called myofascial release. Maybe something like that would help you. A physical therapist who works with breast cancer patients would be best. It doesn't have to be as you describe.

    Barbara

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  • GointoCarolina
    GointoCarolina Member Posts: 753
    edited October 2011

    I did have Alloderm placed with the expanders(which were put there for fat grafting),I think it was removed.There is a PT about two hours from me that specializes in breast cancer,so I will go to her for an evaluation.I do not remember it feeling like this before the last two surgeries,it seems to be getting worse.Thanks!!

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited October 2011

    pandazankar, that feeling of your scar line being "glued" to your ribs is because of "adhesions". 

    The immobility of your scar line is not "normal", IMHO.  It's been 6 months since your tissue expanders were removed, and I think things should have loosened up by now.  The skin along and including your scar line should slide over your ribs just like the skin everywhere else on your chest wall.  If it doesn't, then there is connective tissue holding it down.  The connective tissue there is like hidden scar tissue -- it forms when there has been trauma to the tissue, and when there's a gap your body is trying to fill in.  (Seromas do that, too.)

    I'll bet most of us had some adhesions after our surgery.  Having some adhesions might be a good thing -- otherwise, that gap gets filled in with fluid and you end up with a seroma.  But, by now, the adhesions should be broken down (gone).  Sounds like you should set up a visit with that PT.  She can help you with the proper exercises to improve mobility of that scar and flexibility of the skin.

    otter

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2011

    Agree about the "adhesions", and I also have had myofascial release therapy and found it quite beneficial. I originally saw the therapist for pain when I had my implants. However, I have seen him twice since my deconstruction surgery just to make sure there are no adhesions. Planning to go again soon as it's been six months since surgery.

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  • Lunakin
    Lunakin Member Posts: 120
    edited October 2011

    You can do scar massage yourself, or a very close friend can. My PT showed my husband and I how to do it after my uni mx. Slowly move the skin just on either side of the scar back and forth. You want to do it just enough so that you have an slightly itchy discomfort (least that's how it feels to me) but not pain. You can also gently "roll" the scar itself to get the adhesions to loosen. In the beginning I could only stand a few minute's worth at a time. A combination of these techniques, done over several months -- ideally kept up for even a year -- , will significantly loosen the scar tissue.

    All the best.

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  • GointoCarolina
    GointoCarolina Member Posts: 753
    edited November 2011

    I saw my onc today.He has referred me to a PT who is trained in lymphadema care and has worked a lot with mastectomy patients.He said it is scar tissue and needs to be addressed right away.It seemed to get worse when I had the flu followed by major stomach problems and didn't do much for a few weeks.I know it feels better when I walk with Leslie Sansone,the arm movement really helps.I will get back at that tomorrow!!Thanks so much for all your input.

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  • mawhinney
    mawhinney Member Posts: 1,377
    edited November 2011

    Massage your reconstructed breasts helps prevent scar tissue and help to break up existing scar tissue. In the headings at the top of the screen go to Treatments & Side Effects. Click on Massage to find info on breast massage.

    I like the site www.womensplasticsurgery.com You will find a good demonstration on breast massage after reconstruction.

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