Deip flap post surgery stomach issues

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Lyseetann
Lyseetann Member Posts: 2
edited March 2018 in Breast Reconstruction

I had a deip flap surgery with a mastectomy about a year and a half ago with tissue taken from my stomach. One of the drains came out too early and the incision had to be reopened a couple times leaving major scar tissue. My stomach is always hard as a rock, I am bloated and take a laxative every day. Just wondering if anyone else has had these issues. Is this how it is going to be and should I just get used to this feeling? I haven't found anyone with similar problems.

Thanks

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  • mitzi458
    mitzi458 Member Posts: 64
    edited March 2018

    Hi Lyseetann,

    I just underwent my own DIEP flap, and hoping I don’t have the same problem.

    I was just wondering what your PS says about this? It does not seem right. Can they clear away some of the scar tissue? And have they determined that the bloating and need for a laxative is due to the DIEP flap or could it be something else? Maybe there is a solution to this. I am the kind of patient that will drive my doctor insane until they either fix it or tell me it’s 100% non-fixable (although then I see another doctor). I’ve learned when it comes to dealing with doctors and patient advocacy, the best advocate is MYSELF!

    If you can’t get an answer from your PS, I would see another doctor.

    So no, this does not sound normal. I truly hope you can fight until you can find some help and feel better.

    Big hugs~

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited March 2018

    did you have stage 2 done? Did they address anything below the breasts in stage 2? (Some docs don’t). Did your doc perform plication? Maybe he pulled things too tight. I know i definitely cannot eat as much in one sitting as i did prior to surgery. It helps tremendously with keeping the weight steady.The hard tummy resolved for me after stage 2 when they did a little lipo across the abdomen to free things up a little. It helped tremendously. I still get a bit of a “swelly belly” at the end of the day but that’s just the effect of gravity on body fluids. It resolves overnight after laying down. I do take various laxatives to go but I had issues prior to all this from a previous go round with a different cancer and it’s treatment. Although I did find that I was quite regular when I had to wear the girdle after stage 2. Hope this helps!

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  • Trishyla
    Trishyla Member Posts: 1,005
    edited March 2018

    Have you been checked for truncal lymphedema? What you'r describing sounds very much like it. I go to a lymphedema specialist for massage 2x per week, and it helps tremendously with the swelling and hard belly.

    Trish

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  • Lyseetann
    Lyseetann Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2018

    Thanks so much for your responses. I feel like I am going crazy and i hate complaining. I will follow up again with my docs. I am going to the PC and oncologist again and will keep bringing it up. I really appreciate the responses. Thanks

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