I had a bilateral mastectomy at age 26 for breast cancer with the lats flap reconstruction and have consistent, unrelenting pain for the past 7 plus years.  I had complications following surgery- a hematoma in my back- but the pain started pretty much right away, with chronic, debilitating spasms in the upper and lower back for years (I ended up going on long term disability for several years, it was so bad).  I did have a lung surgery that went through my back a year after the original surgery--which certainly did not help matters- but the pain was there beforehand.  I should note that I am a slender person with not a ton of upper body strength so I am not sure if that is why my muscles went haywire on me.

 I go for PT every week or every week, focusing on myofascial release (now we are focusing on releasing the nerve since it may be the nerve that is causing the muscles to be so tight) and core strengthening, still seven years later.  My pain is exacerbated by really sitting/standing for any extended length of time (from 30 minutes + depending on what I might have done the day before) so I seesaw in and out of pain.  It has gotten gradually better over the course of many years and  today I left with thoracic pain/tightness that goes around to the front ribcage area.  

 Has anyone else experienced this level of pain from the surgery?  Any advice on other things I should be doing?  Ultimately heat and rest (laying) help the most but too much rest can be as equally bad as too much sitting up (I am back to working full time).

 Thanks- Patricia 

I was diagnosed in Mar 2007, had Rt Lumpectomy, lymphnode removal, 2 weeks later Rt mastectomy, chemo, radiotherapy, in 2009 I had hysterectomy, March 2011 Lt mastectomy & bilateral LD flaps, Mar 2012, implant on Rt.

I still suffer pain on all of the scar, drop things, cant stand for anything over 5 or 10 mins.  I cant get in or out of the bath myself, have trouble doing any household chores, & feel so helpless at times, I was also strong as I used to be a nurse.

Costochondritis was diagnosed on the chest wall, I would never have had this done, only I was pursuaded by breast care nurses, saying it was wonderful, & few people had any pain afterwards.

So yes another that feel s all the things you mention.

Hope we all feel better soon, & things improve.

mermaid

I am so very sorry for the suffering you are living with because of this surgery.  We are all different. If you have been on this site for very long I am sure you have read that statement many times.  Most ladies that come here are looking for solutions or support...or just to have someone to talk to. People who have never been through what we have experienced does not understand.

With that said I have to say that there are women who have had the LD flap recon and are very happy with their outcome.  I would not want someone who's only choice is the LD flap to be frightened by your post.  Yes, you have the right to post your pain and suffering brought on by this surgery and we need to know that's a possibility with this LD flap as with any of the reconstruction surgeries.  It makes me mad that doctors are not trained in the full effects of all recon surgeries. They are trained to do the recon but not educated on what can happen down the road. 

My advice to ladies who are facing reconstruction surgery to do your research. You cannot depend on your doctor to tell you everything...because he/she does not know!!!  And most of them do not care after they rebuild your boobs....they just want to put mounds back on your chest.

I would love to have autologous tissue flaps (boobs made from all your own tissue, nothing foreign in the body) but it was not to be so my only choices were to stay flat or a bi-lat LD flap (I had previous rads). I wanted breast so I had the LD flaps.  I had a good experience. The problem I have is the tightness around the chest like I have on a tight bra all the time...even when I am braless. It has been 5 yrs since my initial surgery. Either it has gotten better or I just don't notice it as much.  I do everything that I done before my surgery without problems.  I don't say this to make you feel bad or to lessen your pain...just to let others know that there's ladies out there who've had good results with this surgery.  Most of the people who come to discussion sites like this are looking for help or are having problems.  I joined because I was looking for advice.  There's women in my community who had the same surgery as me and the same doctor and they haven't experienced any problems...not even the tightness that I had/have.  These women are not on BC.org.

Have you went for a second opinion?...if so, what did this doctor tell you?  Have you thought about having the implant/s removed to see if that helps?....

Again, I am so very sorry for your pain. Please seek help for your wellbeing.

I had chest reconstruction right side (without implant) 4,5 years ago. My LD is very
strong. The report says they cut the nerve during operation, but one way or another my nerve is working fine. I feel my LD all day long, cause when you move can't stop the nerve signaling (and
the LD contracting). And when I sneeze it feels like 'struck by lightning' from
shoulder to belly button. Pfff! My experience is: power sport and stress worsens, relaxing and stretching gives relieve.

I have an iron bra as well, but I think I got that from radiotherapy.

I have problems in my legs: I have fluid around my ankles. I had no diagnose
(for sure no edema and my veins are perfect). I'm always (except at night) wearing
compression stockings. It got worse and worse: I can stand on my feet for about 3 minutes and then I have to move. I have to sit with my legs 'up'. When I walk at good pace, it's fine, my muscles are pumping the fluid up. But walking slowly is terrible too.

And then I found an osteopath and
he diagnosed me: my LD flap is causing tension on the diaphragm, this has an
impact on the lymphatic vessel passing through the diaphragm. That's consistent with my weekly experience at my physiotherapist: when she 'works' on my right side/LD I feel movement in my legs. So I'm preparing myself: I want my nerve thoracodorsalis cut!

A lot of doctors tell me 'we've never seen this before'. In the beginning I got angry, but now I think: yes, I'm very special!

I post this message: perhaps there are women who have the same problems in their legs. I will post again after my operation.

I haven't posted on BCO in a very long time. I thought it was time for an update on this topic. I was one of the fortunate ones who didn't have problems with the latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction. It's been 8.5 years since my bi-lateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. The tightness (iron bra) has subsided but I still feel where the lat muscles were moved around but it's not bothersome. I have done very well with this type of reconstruction. So far I have no long-term effects from my muscles being moved. I have no complaints.

I am so sorry to hear this, Fezfem. I jump on the boards about every 3-6 months searching for someone who has found relief from lat flap surgery. I've had chronic pain for five years, so I understand.

I think your surgeon did you a grave disservice when he/she performed the lat flap because of your hemipresis. However, if the pain is recent, it should be easier to get under control. I don't know if you have a rolfer or massage therapist nearby. Both have helped me tremendously. Unfortunately, the pain returns, but it does help. Do you exercise or practice yoga? Acupuncture was also amazing. I could feel the pain evaporate, but again, it only lasted for a day or so. A heating pad at night also helps.

I hope you find some relief!