Problems after Latissimus Dorsi Surgery - help please!

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HappyTrisha
HappyTrisha Member Posts: 614
edited July 2016 in Breast Reconstruction

Okay, so I'm not having problems.  But someone named Lisa is.  I just thought it would be more helpful for her to have a new thread started.  I hope she doesn't mind me doing this!  I personally don't find trying to wade through 46 pages of an old thread particularly helpful.  This is her post:

 _______________________________

Hello,

I would like to hear from some women who have had difficulty with the LD flap surgery.  My experience has been a nightmare.  DCIS. I was very physically fit, small build, very little subcutaneous tissue.  Had surgery 12/14/10 with complete mastectomy on right side with immediate LD flap surgery with implant.  Horrible and unrelenting pain.  PS who did the surgery would not listen to me.  Dismissed me.  I finally went to Boston for a second opinion as I felt I was stuck to my ribs.  Well, guess what--I was.  Had a very large capsulitis from a seroma cavity and my tissue was adhered to my rib cage.  Second surgery was 5/9/11.  Pain has been a torment and is in my back, side, and chest.  Unable to do any activity without pain, and continue to feel the latissimus muscle move in my back, side, and chest with EVERY MOVEMENT, no matter how small.  I was a runner, also loved XC skiing, kayaking, riding my Harley Davidson bike, hiking, etc., etc.  It took 9 mo to return to work a few hours/week, and 10 mo to get up to 20h/week, and even that is difficult many weeks.  I completed 15 mo of physical therapy during April 1012 and continue to do a home stretching program.  I have tried multiple meds, massage, pain injections, craniosacral therapy, accupuncture, and now going to a chiropractor who has experience doing some fascia release.   I am back running short distances.  Bottom line is I am miserable.  I went back to the surgeon in Boston 6/11.  He did not know what to do with me.  He referred me to a colleague in Boston who trained under the PS who invented the implant.  He suggested pain injections.   I went back to pain specialist and nothing further recommended.  PS in Boston recommended PS in Michigan, Dr. Dennis Hammond.  Contacted him last Oct, sent photos, and he said to wait a full year from my second surgery.  I did and am still miserable.  Contacted him and he would like me to fly out. 

I want to see someone who has experience with women who have had ongoing problems with the LD surgery.  Help!!!  Anyone have any suggestions?  Any particular PS recommended?

I am new to the website and need to talk to other survivors!!!  Look forward to hearing from you!

By the way, has anyone had experience with the Graston technique for release of adhesions?  Chiropractor recommending it.   I checked out the national website and this has been done for women who have had adhesions after Breast Reconstruction.  I am worried about the implants, as Chir thinks I have an adhesion in the pec and in the intercostal space(s?) near the sternum.  Metal tools are used.  It is also a painful technique.

Thank you!

Lisa58

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Comments

  • Miss_Vesta
    Miss_Vesta Member Posts: 26
    edited June 2012

    Hi Lisa58,

    I am a long time reader and first time poster. I have a Latissimus Dorsi reconstruction on the left side. And seem to have developed an adhesion on my back. So I am searching for something to release it. I hope to see my physical therapist this week to see if he knows of some way to do that. I had not heard of the Graston technique before. That's interesting.

     My plastic surgeon was puzzled by the adhesion, he hadn't seen that before. Which seems odd, he's been doing this for thirty years.  

     I found my pain and discomfort with this surgery was greatly releaved by soaking in an Epsom Salts bath several times a week. Basically every other day. There was just so much discomfort that the pain relievers didn't touch. I don't know if this will help you or not, you seem to have tried everything. It really worked for me, it took several weeks. None of my medical people recommeded it. 

    I do hope you find some relief.

    Miss_Vesta

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  • fitzdc
    fitzdc Member Posts: 1,467
    edited June 2012

    Hi Lisa-- No answers yet, huh?  Many of the ladies that had issues don't post on BCO anymore.  (and the topics get 'buried' much quicker now) I know it is a pain to read through pages of posts, however if you go to one of the older topics on Lat Dorsi - you will find lots of info - and it is not 46 pages!  As for a PS experienced to deal with this, a lot of women talk about NOLA - they are tops according to most.  Sorry you are in pain and I hope you find relief soon.

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  • Miss_Vesta
    Miss_Vesta Member Posts: 26
    edited June 2012

    Lisa you have really been in my thoughts this week. I had quite a lot of discomfort with my LD reconstruction and I have been trying to remember what helped. 

     I do remember I took a tumble on the ice after my breast biopsy and they gave me a shot of tramidol for the back pain, I have a ruptured disk and the fall started it hurting. The shot was the thing that finally stopped the pain in my breast.

     After the surgery when the muscles were still painfull someone had the bright idea to try a shot of tramidol and it did help with the pain. It comes in pill form now, but I think the pills are pretty worthless.

     I have also had ultrasound done on some of the very tender spots and that has really helped with the pain.  

    It has been a gradual process for me. I work on one problem then move on to the next. Yes my lat still seems to move, but it's better then it was.

    My physical therapist just used ultra sound on my adhesion and broke it up with his thumbs. It is much better, but still there.

    I also had a reiki healing. I am not a believer at all. I did it to be polite. But something let lose in my chest and I got great relief from it.

    I hope you find some help with your pain.

    And yes I agree, some of these forms have gotten so long they are daunting.  

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  • Tipperary
    Tipperary Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2013

    I thought my long term back issue was isolated to me & have silently put up with the discomfort. Until i walk am fine ish but after maybe 10mins of walking or the carrying of bag of shopping the dragging in the back starts & the discomfort so great i literally have to stand still to ease it ( which can look pretty silly in the middle of the street) it is now 3 years since reconstuction. Anybody suffer similar discomfort?

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  • kaza
    kaza Member Posts: 284
    edited April 2013

    Hi, i had L/D surgery to left side Oct 09, so just over three years ago, like you i am still suffering with tightness and pain. I also cannot carry anything if i do carry shopping etc...i also get pain to my back and soreness to scar area. Even trying to get comfortable when sitting is sometimes difficult.    Before surgery i was not made aware of any of this, i certainly would not have had this surgery, i would of just had the mast.

    I hope we both in time will find our pain and tightness eases a little, perhaps we can keep in touch regarding this....sending you a hug ...Karen xx

      

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  • Dgrattan
    Dgrattan Member Posts: 4
    edited March 2016

    I'm looking at the dates on this thread and I'm not sure anyone will see this. I have been struggling for 2 years now. My life has changed so drastically and I find myself depressed and just trying to accept that I may never be the same again. I had my Ld done in 2014 and expanders were put in for a year on the right and 8 months on the left. I have Lived in excruciating pain that worsens with movement. I have limited range of motion on my entire left side, I can not ware a bra. I can only do limited walking and have to use a wheelchair if more then 15 min of straight walking. I swell and become numb across my chest, I feel like I am being strangled around my chest, I am unable to twist raise my left arm to the side or behind me, or above my shoulders. I am a left handed person and can't lift a gallon of milk without using both hands. One wrong move and my day is ruined... I have burning pain constantly in my chest that moves on my left side under my arm to my shoulder blade and down my left side to the center of my spine. I feel a dripping feeling down my spine or like something is crawling under my skin... I have no feeling from the shoulder past my waist the pain is all inside although when I sit I do get burning pain if I lean against something. I feel like my skin and what is under it is floating around at times as if not connected. I have numbness and nerve damage down my entire left arm and fingers. I know this must sound crazy but I can't really explain it any other way. I just know.. the more I try to move the tighter the feeling and the more the pain excellerates. I feel like my left side gets so tight its pressing on my heart and I have a hard time taking a breath. The pain has gotten so bad I have almost passed out several times. I am on nerve blockers, pain meds, anti inflammatories, injections, anti anxiety, meds for depression, sleeping pills just so I can sleep for at least 3 or 4 hours even that is not solid sleep. I have RA, DDD, PA on top of all this. I have never in my life been through something like this..... Nobody has answers no cures, no fixes... I have become afraid to leave my house. I miss shopping, entertaining friends and seeing family. I am the kind of person who is hard to keep down but this has kicked my butt and I can't imagine that I will live this way pos. for the rest of my life. Has anyone had half these problems and If so can you share with me what has worked for you?

    Hoping to find others that can share what has worked to help the pain.
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  • moni22
    moni22 Member Posts: 4
    edited March 2016

    I had ld flap recon on my cancer side with silicone implant and just silicone implant on non-cancer breast, 5 years ago. I constantly feel like I am wearing an "iron bra". I would like to have my implants removed. Would anyone suggest tram or diep flap? Are there any other options? I just want to be comfortable again. so for al you other pink sisters that are suffering as well

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  • shannonlee66
    shannonlee66 Member Posts: 22
    edited June 2016

    Hi Moni,

    I am once again perusing the site for women suffering from lat flap procedures and saw your post. I had a bilateral mastectomy, lat flap reconstruction direct to implants three years ago. After chronic pain, I decided to remove the implants in March of this year. I hate to say it hasn't helped much. Even my new plastic surgeon was disappointed.

    There are other options. I would def recommend the diep over the tram as the tram cuts and moves abdominal muscle. The diep uses only tummy fat. It is a very delicate procedure and takes a skilled surgeon. Personally, wish I'd done that myself.

    Best of luck!

    Also, Donna, I posted to you on another thread:)


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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited July 2016

    thank you, ladies, for being willing to speak up. I am just now thinking about having reconstruction and I know for a fact that I don't want implants. I want a DIEP. I went to see a new plastic surgeon this week, told him what I wanted and told him specifically that I do not want implants. After his examination he concluded that I would not be a good candidate for DIEP because I have a large fat tummy and he emphatically recommeded the lat flap with implants. Exactly what I told him I did not want!

    I have been so upset all week thinking that this was just hopeless. Everything that I have read about the lat flap is discouraging. When I pointed out that I had heard nothing but negative things about the lat flap this doctor said that he had never heard of any of it, that all his patients love their lat flap. I do not believe that for one second.

    I have decided to seek out the doctors in NOLA. I think if anybody can help me that I can. I know one thing for damn sure. I'm not letting anybody carve up my back and put in implants! I'd rather stay flat.

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