"Floppy" or "Flapping" feeling in DIEP flap reconstructed breast

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Polarkat
Polarkat Member Posts: 2
edited July 2014 in Breast Reconstruction

Hello, I am new to the forum. I am 3 months out from my double mastectomy/DIEP flap reconstruction surgery. My right breast feels like it is flapping or floppy - don't know how else to describe it. If I put my hand on it while I'm moving and hold it, it does not feel like it's flapping. I can't see any difference in the mirror between the two. It is a very disconcerting feeling. Has anyone else experienced it? If so, has it gone away with time? I hate to think it will feel like this for the rest of my life and I'm wondering if the other will also start feeling like this. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you.

Kathleen

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

    Welcome to BCO Polarkat, we hope you find plenty of valuable feedback from our many members.

    Remember that your nerves have been cut, stretched, bent, relocated and some are now regrowing. Many people find strange 'feelings' that often come and go as your body readjusts and repairs itself. Phantom feelings can be very strange but perhaps someone has had similar experiences to relate to you.

    We hope your strange feelings decrease.

    The Mods

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  • lahela
    lahela Member Posts: 515
    edited July 2014

    Polarkat, is it like a butterfly feeling? I got that in my noobs (and stabbing pains) and it was the nerves. It went away after a few months.

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  • Polarkat
    Polarkat Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2014

    Lahela,

    Thank you for your reply. I would describe it more like bird wings than a butterfly but we are probably talking about the same feeling. It looks like you had your reconstruction 3/3 which was only 22 days before me, but we all heal at different rates. I don't know if it makes any difference but my surgeon placed the tissues on top of the chest muscles, rather than under them. Was that the case for you?

    Kathleen

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  • lahela
    lahela Member Posts: 515
    edited July 2014

    Kathleen, I had my original DIEP on 8/8 last year, just had some scar revision on 3/3. Yes, my flaps are over the muscle - I think they always are. The nerves can take a long time to recover and you can get lots of odd feelings when they do, but it's a good sign because it means they are recovering. I have a lot more sensation than I had at first, which is good  :)

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