Latissimus Dorsi Breast Reconstruction

Beth - That is the kind of information I am looking for.  When my PS told me he wanted to do a lat flap he did not say anything about a second incision on my back.  I really won't need a whole lot to get the results I am looking for.  I have an appt with him on the 20th to ask just these kinds of questions and the more I read on here the longer the list is getting.  I will not be getting an implant - don't need one.

Beth - I have found out that he works with the only "breast center" in my area.  I did not know there was one when my BC journey started.  I loved my surgeon - he still will take care of anything I need.  He did not mention any back scar which leads me to believe he will not use that much.  I have probably a third of the boob that needs to be done.   I will update everyone after the 20th.

I am scheduled for LD flap on March 7th.  Getting very nervous, but thanks to all the posts, I have a long list of questions for my PS.  I go in next week for preop labs, etc.  Will get to see PS then.  He did tell me I would have a small incision on my back.  Will ask him how many inches is small to him.  

I too have a "small" incision that is oh, maybe eight inches.  I know it will most likely fade as my other scars have faded over the years.  But I don't like the saggy skin that is no longer attached to a lat muscle.  Don't get me wrong, there was some sagginess prior to my surgery, but now it's not the same on both sides.  I see my PS this Friday.  I'm hoping I can keep all the questions straight and remember them.  I also hope he can move the "nipple" area over before he creates one.  That is my number one gripe.  For some reason I'm a little too far to the left.  <sigh>  I try my best to put all this in perspective.  I've read other posts and I know I'm lucky. 

I just want to point out again....the length of the back incisions is greatly affected by the amount of skin you need for the flaps.  My back incisions were over 12 inches long on both sides.  Not everyone needs that much skin, so have your PS mark on your back what he expects he will take and you can tell how long the incisions will be.

Mine have faded with time, but because they are so long, my backless sundress days are long over.  For me, the decision to have some type of breasts again overrode the vanity of the back scars.

I have documented my surgery and recovery on the pic forum.  It is Latissimus Flap Recon - under my same screen name.  If you have access, you can look and send me any questions you have. 

Send a PM to MBJ or Whippetmom.  If you have posted enough, they should offer you access.  It is a separate forum that is guarded by TimTam for privacy reasons.

Jo ~  Thinking about you and your appointment on Monday.  Hoping that it goes smoothly and that all your questions and concerns are answered.  Be sure to let me know if you have other questions. 

westieluv - Sorry I did not post sooner but have had a busy few days.

The appt the my PS went great.  He answered all my questions and also showed me exactly what he would be doing.  In the course of the conversation, I did ask about mammos and he said no more on the recon side that I would probably need MRIs.  Since I had my last mammo in June, he wants another one before the surgery for 2 reasons - to make sure it is clear and to have a current baseline.  I had to call my MO and have him move my mammo up from June to Mar 20.  That works perfect - that will be around the same time I will get my surgical clearance.  Once the PS has everything, then I will get scheduled for sometime in late April. 

Glad that all your questions were answered  - that is a huge relief!

I will be in the hospital 2 days and will have 2 drains.  He said they will be in about 7 - 10 days.  After that, if I want to go back to work that would not be a problem.  I am fortunate in that I sit in front of a computer, answer phones and do paperwork.  I don't have to lift anything - that is what I have staff for. Sometimes it is good being the boss. The other added plus is, I don't drive to work, I walk,  I live on the resort property and if I get tired, I can go home. 

Linda - I will not have an implant.  The area is too small for one.  I am just having a lumpectomy divot filled in.

coni, will you be having lat flaps on both sides or just one? 

I have bilateral lat flaps, but I had them done 2 months apart & took off 2 weeks from work for each surgery. Incision size varies depending on how much skin is needed. 

The recovery time is very dependent on the size of the incisions, the size and placement of the skin flap and any contra lateral breast work being performed. Each of us is unique in the physical shape that we bring to the OR, so there are varied times in recovery. Plan for as much time as your body needs. A fast recovery would be good, but don't feel abnormal if you find yourself not bouncing back so quickly. After all, we had cancer and depending on what treatments you had, you may experience slower healing.

Hi all..I had the lap dorsi reconstruction with tissue expander back in 2002, finally had the expander removed in 2004 and replaced with a silicone gel implant after chemo, rads and herceptin...nearly 10 years on and I'm happy with my decision...some negatives but mainly positives.

Good luck to all Sharon

Feels like I have done a ton of research online and I am finding out there is little to no information about LD flap surgery after having a lumpectomy.  My PS has said that I will not need an implant and talked about having 2 drains after.  What are the drains for and what if anything has to be done to them?  He said I would have them about 7 - 10 days.  Hoping someone will chime in and share their experience with the drains.  I don't have a surgery date yet but am looking at the end of April.  Just looking for some answers.

Jo:  I am having Lat surgery on Friday March 2.  My surgeon said I will have 2 drains - one in the chest and one in my back.  The drains remove excess fluid that would otherwise cause swelling at the surgical sites. He said the drains will likely be in 1 to 2 weeks.  I had drains after my mastectomy and did not have a problem with them.  You need to empty them a couple of times a day and will need to measure the amount of drainage.  You can shower with them; I've got a lanyard that I wear around my neck and pin the drains to when I shower.  Yes, they are a nuisance, but what in this cancer journey isn't?

My PS is very optimistic that I will be happy with the outcome and I'm looking forward to having this behind me.  I plan on starting physical therapy as soon as the doctor says it's ok.  I've seen some before and after photos of the Lat procedure and the results can be pretty amazing.  I'll chime in after the surgery to share the post-op experience.