PAIN Latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction with implant

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ZitaB
ZitaB Member Posts: 13
edited July 2014 in Breast Reconstruction

Hi

I had the above op on July 10 2012 and am still so very sore. I cant sleep on my back , still have a bit of fluid and very sore where muscle was including spine area.

My new boob is still rather tender and at times throbs , pulsates and the odd stabbing pain. Is this normal?

How long before the pain goes away? the surgeons say take a pill but hell after 5 months I am not taking pills. tried condeine for 2 months , too addicted , easy to like that. Any help much appreciated please Smile

Also please see my questions on tamoxifen

thanks

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  • lalove55
    lalove55 Member Posts: 43
    edited December 2012

    Hi ZitaB - I can't help but wonder if you're having some capsular contracture issues.  It doesn't look like you had radiation, so that is in your favor of having things eventually improve.  I had MX, chemo, and radiation, then I had LatFlap surgery in Dec. 2010.  It still stings, burns, aches, and spasms.  So I am scheduled to have surgery Jan. 17 to get de-constructed.  I will have the implant removed, the capsule cut out, the pec muscle put back in place, and the thoracodorsal nerve cut to stop the spasming!  After 2 years of putting up with this misery, it sounds weird, but I can hardly wait for this surgery!  Crazy, huh?  I intend to do several sessions of fatgrafting to fill the void left by the implant.  Otherwise I'd have to have the loose skin and nipple removed.  Not too gung-ho on that idea!  What we women go through for a stupid boob!  At this point, I just want it to stop hurting.  Anything beyond that will be just gravy!  Good luck to you.  

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  • fitzdc
    fitzdc Member Posts: 1,467
    edited January 2013

    Zita, I had the surgery December 2011 and after a few months felt almost back to normal.  A year out, and all is good.  Sure, there is the occassional pull, but a bit of stretching helps. I think you should be able to sleep on your back at this point.  Talk again to your doctor.... constant pain not good.

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  • Kimmie0247
    Kimmie0247 Member Posts: 38
    edited January 2013

    I had the same operation on Dec 10,2012. I have developed a seroma on my back and under my arm. I get stabbing pains in my new breast and feel like I am constantly wearing an underwire bra and it is digging into the underside of my new boob and the wire is poking me in my arm pit. Im miserable!!!!!!

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  • fitzdc
    fitzdc Member Posts: 1,467
    edited January 2013

    Kimmie For some,  that 'tight bra feeling' goes away; it did for me at about 6 months. I did ask my PS about the pain in my breast, rib area.  She responded that was due to the stitching of the tissue to the rib.  I hope you find relief soon.  However, I did not develop a seroma so can't comment on that. 

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  • Lydiaj96
    Lydiaj96 Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2013

    I totally understand where you are coming from. I too had seromas and spent months sleeping or trying to sleep upright. Couldn't lie on my side at all without feeling a terrible spasm just under my ribs at the back. Over months I managed to reduce the height I slept at.

    I am nearly two years on and still have all the same feelings of tightness. Like wearing a hard shell on your back all the time with it digging into your skin.

    I have tried everything and am struggling - just trying to adapt so I can get by

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  • msdebbieot13
    msdebbieot13 Member Posts: 9
    edited June 2013

    Hi ladies..just jumping in here..Had Right Mastec 4/95, w lat flap reconstruction, (12 chemos, tamox 5 yrs)..encapsulated, replaced, encapsulated Yell, always has felt hard and tight through my back, etcUndecided..and Im a high strung kinda girl ..lol .. so I need to stretch a LOT! anyway, redoing and REMOVING said implant, no replacement this time (Im 61) Surprisedand lift/reduce left side to A-B-ish cup (Im a c+)..anyone know of success with removal of implant, reduce muscle length/extra tissue etc? Surgery in 6/24/13, Im nervous as I know its not a common surgery..trust my guy for reduction but I had all surgery done at Brigham and Womens in Boston, Im in FL now and not as trusting of the whole system..thnx!! send any links or what have you? appreciate it..hope we all feel better!!Embarassed

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  • chapter4
    chapter4 Member Posts: 155
    edited July 2013

    Hi Ladies,



    I just had this surgery on July 12. I still have the drain :( and was wondering about pain/discomfort.

    The muscle was taken from the left side which remains sore but every morning I wake up with a cramp-like feeling on the right side of my back. Anyone experience that?

    So anxious to get drain out. Planning to go back to work 7/29.

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  • cdbryant
    cdbryant Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2014

    I had surgery in 2002. I had seromas and had them drained. I went back to work in 4 months. I had a few sharp pains now and then. Some itchy feelings. But I did great..so glad I did it. 

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  • starstarwilliams
    starstarwilliams Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2014

    I just had the lat flap done 5 days ago. Reading posts has me a little worried about continuing pain. I've been having pain and my arm has been hurting since the memastectomy last year. 

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  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited February 2014

    starstar, could your arm pain be lymphedema?  Did you have nodes removed on that side?  Hoping you will heal quickly from your surgery and not have to deal with any long-term pain. 

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  • rozem
    rozem Member Posts: 1,375
    edited February 2014

    stars - thousands of women have/had this surgery...you are only reading worse case scenarios as most ppl who have on-going issues post.  Most women do fine and you are likely to be one of them!

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  • Tobie
    Tobie Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2014

    I know you had your implant removed last year, but I have just had mine done 3 weeks ago. I hate the result. Can't have replacement implant because of thin skin. Options are to remove muscle completely or have healthy breast reduced. All operations compromised as I now have secondary breast cancer in my spine, ribs and shoulders. After my mastectomy in 2007 I was told that I was clear and did not require any chemo or radiotherapy, but it returned within 3 years. Each time I try and get my body into shape, but now I just feel depressed. Still getting pain under my arm. Surgeon says it is not the muscle as she cleared out all scar tissue and cleaned up round the muscle, so pain may be referred pain from rib lesions. I am in a bad place at the moment - any advice?

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited July 2014

    Welcome to the BCO Forums Tobie

    We're sure someone will respond to you soon as there are lots experienced women on here to help you.

    So sorry you've had a return of your cancer but hope you can find support here. We wish you the best.

    The Mods

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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited July 2014

    Tobie this thread has not had comments since Feb, so there may not be responses soon for your questions. I am so sorry you have been through so much. You  are a very strong lady I can see.  Our bodies take such trauma fighting this beast cancer.  I have not been through the surgery you have and I hope someone who has can give you advice. Until then explore the BCO webite and the other threads that pertain to you, you may find answers there on other threads that are seeing more posts.  Don't get discouraged. I will say a prayer for your comfort and healing, I believe it helps so much to take our hearts to God when we feel like we are so down. Gentle hugs to you. Meadow

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