Flat, but tight one year out - anyone have further surgery?

SPDGirl · May 2019

I had a BMX in May 2018 without reconstruction. My surgeon did a great job and everything is visibly neat and tidy. I recovered my range of motion fairly quickly and did not have very much pain in recovery. However, I have had continual chest tightness since the beginning and I am coming to the end of my rope on it. My incision scars are keloid (or hypertrophic depending on which doctor you talk to) and as others on the boards have mentioned, it feels like I am wearing a bra all the time or have a bungee cord around my chest. Often I feel like my chest is "suctioning" to my insides although my doctors have been able to move my skin and say that this is not the case.

I had 2 months of PT in the beginning of my recovery and have had regular chiropractic and acupuncture treatments throughout. I discovered myofascial release therapy 6 months after surgery and have been receiving that twice a week since then along with ultrasound and occasional cold laser treatments. I would say that my discomfort has gone down from a 10 to a 7 in the year, although some days it ramps back up.

I had a plastic surgeon this week say that a latissimus free flap surgery would correct the issue and that he could do that without reconstruction as I still want to remain flat. I am not anxious to undergo another surgery and have great concerns that it would only make everything worse, but I am not doing well with this daily issue. Have any of you without reconstruction had further surgery to become more physically comfortable?

peyton3 · May 2019

I had a bilateral mastectomy in 2016, followed by immediate reconstruction, was in constant pain, went back one year later and had implants removed, smaller implants put in over the muscle. In March of 2018 I had my implants removed mainly because I kept having these flare ups of extreme pain and my ribs felt like they were on fire. My PS said the implants had attached to the ribs and had to be scraped off, I am 9 weeks post surgery and like you my chest feels tighter and tighter. I hate the way I look, and the way I feel, but I have reached a point where I just don't now what to do. I see these pictures of women that have done the diep flap and I just don't know what to think.

SPDGirl · May 2019

Peyton3 - I am so sorry to hear everything you have gone thru and are still going thru. Have you found any professionals that take this seriously and are willing to continue trying to get this fixed? Has your pain and tightness changed any for the better or worse after any of the surgeries?

buttonsmachine · May 2019

I'm sorry you're having those problems - I also have much of what you describe on my flat side.

My Drs suggested some medications that might help with that, such as gabapentin, lorazepam, and plain old ibuprofen or aleve. I haven't tried the gabapentin yet, but I have had relief from the others.

It seems like a latissimus flap might create new or additional problems - I'm honestly surprised a surgeon would suggest that as a possible fix. You might find this thread useful to read: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/136/topics/788542?page=1

Finally, don't get too discouraged yet! Those feelings have lessened over time for me. Hopefully it will diminish for you too.

wrenn · May 2019

It’s been 5 and a half years since my mastectomies and I still feel like I am wearing a bra if I think about it. I mostly don’t notice though. I would give it more time. I was frustrated by it for quite a while in the beginning but didn’t want to go through more surgery. I hope it improves for you

Rah2464 · May 2019

SPDGirl - my oncological massage therapist (who I still see once a month) suggested that I massage castor oil at night onto my tighter areas where I feel cording, and along my scars. I added in a drop or two of lavender oil along with the castor oil and I am finding that very helpful. I put a cloth diaper over my chest after I have rubbed the oil in, then add a stretchy fitted tank top.

Very sorry you are having this pain (I always want to call it discomfort but lets name it for what it is). It is extremely frustrating, like a constant reminder that you have changed. I will tell you my issues began making a turn at the 10 month post surgery mark but that was also due to lots of PT, acupuncture, and massage with an experienced therapist. I wish you well.

SPDGirl · May 2019

Buttonsmachine - thank you for the link to the surgery thread. It sure seems like the odds would be stacked against it working the way the PS described and being an instant and complete fix

Wrenn - thank you for the encouragement! I hope I get to the point where I don't notice it either, it just is hard to imagine so far.

Rah2464 - thanks for the tips. I have tried various creams, but not castor oil, so will give that a go!

Hopeful3 · June 2019

hi Wrenn

I feel rib pain and swelling around my surgery site scares me because I go immediately to recurrence. I’m 4 years out.

jeaniept · June 2019

There is a Facebook page called "Flat and Fabulous" that has been of so much help to me since I went completely flat in February of this year. A wealth of info on post-surgical pain and women will freely share what they did about it, including surgery. You will not feel alone there! You have to answer a few questions to become a member and it takes a day or two to be approved, but it's a great space for help, kindness, and understanding. Good luck!

SPDGirl · June 2019

Jeaniept - Thank you for the facebook information. I just submitted my information and hope to be a member soon

MamaOz · June 2019

spdgirl

I had bmx no recon in May 2017

I had a lot of nodes removed from my rightside

I go to lymphedema PT periodically. She was able to work out the painful cording after surgery recovery , now 2 yrs later I still get a vise like tightness that comes and goes. Its an odd feeling. She says I now have some scar tissue blockage from the radiation which I was told tissue healing from rads takes years so it made sense

Like ill roll over in bed and my right chest seizes up its weird

Rah2464 has the right idea. Massaging oil or heavy lotion to keep sin pliable is what my PT recommends that and stretching my arm out to limber my chest area

I think its muscle memory keeps it retracting

Anyway understand youve had major surgery and muscle tissue and nerves were severed..

your body is still healing..

cccmc2 · July 2020

I had a unilateral mastectomy 2 years ago. No real issues this far. I did not get reconstruction. So the last week or so I’ve been having weird randommuscle tightening at the mastectomy site. I don’t feel anything concerning but this is new. I’m wondering if it could be caused from lack of activity. I’ve been out of work since the end of April. I wasn’t overly active but I did have a routine and worked 6 days a week. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I see the breast surgeon for a follow up on 7/14. Thank you!!

Flat, but tight one year out - anyone have further surgery?

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