Pain from small piece of rib removal

src3acs
src3acs Member Posts: 40
edited October 2019 in Pain

I had a bilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP Flap reconstruction on October 4, 2012.  I later found out that a small piece of rib was removed at the top of my chest and on both sides so my plastic surgeon could get to the blood vessels needed to do the flap surgery.  My questions are:  Has anyone else had this done and how long does the pain last.  It's been 4 months and I still have a great deal of pain where the pieces of rib were removed.  I told my PS that it still hurts and he really didn't have much to say.  Can anyone tell me what they experienced and how long until the pain went away?  Thank you!!!!

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Comments

  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited February 2013

    Yes, it is normal is what I've heard from multiple PS.  There was one done on one side and two on the other.  My understanding is that they have to be moved out of the way somewhat to get to the Mammary Artery on each side. 

    My attempted Diep was in early July and this still affects me.  Remember though, each of us heals at our own rate of time.

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited February 2013

    Hmmm, I had bilateral surgery in September and there were bits of the rib cartilage removed on both sides. I have no ongoing pain from those areas at all...



    Jenn

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  • New-girl
    New-girl Member Posts: 358
    edited February 2013

    Had my BMX and DIEP a year ago. Had bad rib and chest pain for a month before I found about the rib removal. It will get better but still hurts from time to time.

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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited February 2013

    I did have pain where the cartilage was removed for probably 6 weeks or so.

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  • Soniasegal
    Soniasegal Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2019

    Hi. I am thinking about having the same procedure done and am worried about the rib removal. Did your pain ever go away?

    S

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  • HopeWins
    HopeWins Member Posts: 181
    edited October 2019

    Soniasegal - ask your PS which vessel they connect to. My first consult used the vessel in the chest, which requires partial rib removal. My second consult uses a vessel in the armpit/lat area. He said there are a few reasons besides not needing to cut rib. First being it leaves the chest vessel intact in case bypass surgery is ever needed in future. Second is his preference of back up procedure if the DIEP flap fails, which is SGAP. He said the vessel that comes with that flap is too short to reach the lat vessel. He said some surgeons prefer the chest vessel with DIEP because their back up is Latissimus Flap, and they need the lat vessel intact for that.

    The second PS was definitely more experienced but idk if that also means his choice of vessel is better. I can tell you that I had skin sparing, and my scar radiates out from my nipple towards my arm pit and the incisions go all the way out under my arms. I don't remember that part of the consult so I'm not sure if those incisions were necessary only for the vessel connection or if it would be there anyway because of snb. Just sharing so you know. Scars don't bother me, but I can understand they bother some and maybe you'd avoid some scars if the PS uses the chest vessel.

    If your go on the 2018 DIEP thread, its active and surely you'll get some women who can speak to the recovery of the rib area.

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