LD Reconstruction- Effects on Climbing (Strength and ROM)

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jvanstok
jvanstok Member Posts: 3
edited December 2019 in Breast Reconstruction

Hi,

I'm am looking for any advice on anyone's experiences on their ability to rock climb after breast reconstructive surgery (or any similar sport, I've heard paddling sports might be equally affected), and results on range of motion and strength after healing is complete.

I'm 33 years old, 5'1", 125 lbs and used to wear a 32C sized bra. I had triple negative breast cancer in my right breast and 1 right lymph node in my armpit. I did 8 sessions of chemo from December 2019 to March 2020 (A/C and then taxol), a double mastectomy in April with 3 lymph nodes removed on my right side and a tissue expander put into my left side, then did 25 treatments radiation over June and July.

I've been climbing for about 2 years now, around a V2/3 level bouldering 5.11 top roping and haven't had any issues climbing after my mastectomy or radiation. Feel a bit of strain through my armpit and side when I need to reach straight over my head, but it hasn't really stopped me, so that I am now better a better climber than I was before starting. I also do a bit of yoga, weight lifting and running on a weekly basis.

I'm at a point where my plastic surgeon wants me to decide on what type of reconstruction I want to do on my right side. The options she has included are:
1) Latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction with tissue expander and then another surgery to switch to an implant later,
2) Liposuction (probably from my thighs) injected into my breast tissue to hopefully soften the tissue enough that is will be like pre-radiation tissue. Then do surgery to insert a tissue expander, followed by a final surgery for an inplant.
3) Insert tissue expander followed by implant surgery and hope it all goes well without any complications.

Any advice, insight on experiences would be greatly appreciated

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited December 2019

    Please forgive my posting even though I have not had mastectomy and reconstruction. I have read a lot on BCO for several years, and thought I would suggest you search “implant over pectoral", “subpectoral to prepectoral" and “athletes" for some threads that address these questions. Also, there are threads with posts by women who have chosen not to undergo reconstructive surgery; that is an option, too (search term “flat").

    Hint: Go to the bottom of the results screen and choose Sort by Relevancy

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  • Bonnie7
    Bonnie7 Member Posts: 57
    edited December 2019

    Hi Jvanstok,

    I am time pressed at mom so will keep this brief! Please do NOT go down the path of Lat dorsi, I am very active too and having had this procedure has been a major regret for me! And I mean major!

    I wish you the very best! 😘

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  • jvanstok
    jvanstok Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2019

    @shetlandpony

    Implant over pectoral won't work for me unfortunately.

    They were going to do that when they put in my tissue expander on the left side and my skin was too thin, that they ended up putting it under the muscle. I haven't had any issues with it though.

    Considering what happened on my left, they won't even consider that on my right especially after undergoing radiation for so many sessions.

    @Bonnie7

    Based upon what I have read here, doesn't seem like an LD is a good option to consider.

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  • exercise_guru
    exercise_guru Member Posts: 716
    edited December 2019

    I will post more later but I would most definitely not rush into Reconstruction especially under the pec muscle or LFlap. I strongly regret my reconstruction.. Mine is under the pec muscle and had forever limited my athletic abilities. My breast distorts and limits my ability to do any kind of planks and extensions. They can never sew. My muscle back so once they take that muscle it is gone for. Good. lat flap would be worse because I have seen the back. Muscles of climbers and they need that strength. Also I think with the LFlap if I had that and flexed my back my boob would bulge. My PS made all these. Promises of aerobic instructors and major athletes who had under pec. Implants. Then later he told me that a lor of women are not happy with the results because of upper body strength.


    Take your time do not let. Anyone pressure you


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  • CBK
    CBK Member Posts: 611
    edited December 2019

    I had a LD flap as a salvage surgery. I would never have started out with the flap, but my skin and circulation on right side was not supporting implant size I wanted, and I did not have radiation!

    Honestly I weight train and do yoga so I’m very aware of my body and movement. I’ve also taught yoga for over 17 years. I’m actually stronger on my LD flap side than my other side. That’s over time of strength training post surgery! Again I would not advocate for the surgery “out of the box”.

    I have under the pec reconstruction on one side and on my lat flap side it’s over the pec ! I’m not sure what exercise guru is referring to on flexing the back muscle and the boob bulging on lat flap side?! That does not happen to me! I am able to do plank postures but I’m not as strong on both sides in those asanas or as flexible pre-BMX ! But funny ROM better on lat flap side!

    I like the idea of option 2 you mention, does your Doc have a lot of experience in this? I’d be interested in knowing if others on these boards experienced this type of reconstruction!

    Wishing you the best in your decisions and your go-forward reconstruction!

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