Latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction can be DEVASTATING !!!

Dear Chesterton, I am so very very sorry that you are going through this I can only imagine the pain, frustration and despair that you must be feeling...are you able to deconstruct?? I, too, had BMX but chose not to reconstruct. I did not want further surgeries or the risk of complications. I really hope that things start to get better for you soon. You are so much more than a pair of boobs. Wishing you all the very best x

Chesterton,

OMG!  I am so sorry...I was thinking @ using that hospital too but went with the Rush Copley in Aurora since it was close to home and easy for my husband to get to from our house (he had to go back/forth to let the dog out).

I hope your emergency surgery went well and you have some relief.  Post when you can about how you are doing and if the surgery has helped you!  My thoughts are with you!

I couldn’t agree more!

I’ve just seen your post from 2013 and thought I was the only one suffering after having had the latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction!

Cher once sang “If I could turn back time🎵“ and I’ve had these thoughts too many times since my 9 hour surgery in October 2020.

Biggest mistake I’ve ever done and if anyone asked me whether to go ahead with this type of breast reconstruction I would tell them a resounding NO !!

After going through a double mastectomy (and 25 fluid aspirations afterwards due to one drainage tube being removed too early),and chemotherapy, home with 6 drainage tubes attached, daily visits from Community Nurses to change dressings, etc etc etc, I decided I wanted to ‘go natural’ with my breast reconstruction. I’d had so many toxins in my body with chemotherapy I just wanted something natural and long-lasting.
I could have had the inserts which are pumped up every 2 weeks for about 6 months, but I thought the latissimus method would be better for me.

I was told about the 9 hour surgery, the 6 weeks recovery afterwards, the weekly hospital appointments until all 6 drainage tubes were out, the discomfort, etc but I was never told that 7 months later I would still have pain, awful tightness across my back, long lumps of skin jutting out where I had been sewn together, and JUST LIKE YOU going from a Size 10 to a Size 14-16!!

When I told my surgeon about my pain and discomfort, he told me “I’ve done hundreds of latissimus dorsi flap reconstructions and none have your pain and discomfort”. Can you imagine how this made me feel! Was he suggesting I was lying? Was he inferring I was being difficult? All of this and more and it was the last thing I needed to hear as he made me feel as though I was his only patient who had problems.

To then read your post - it was a huge HALLELUJAH for me! Someone else has gone through the same as me! It was liberating and comforting and, even though I’m still in pain, your post has helped me enormously.

Thankyou so much for sharing and I can honestly say “I know exactly what you went through and are possibly still going through “?

Are you still in pain?

Have you had other surgery to ‘flatten down’ those lumps and bumps? If so, has it made any difference?

Have you lost the bloated stomach? The bloated stomach has been so trying for me to deal with, as just like you I was a smaller size and now have to wear loose tops etc to hide my ‘pregnant’ stomach. As if it’s not enough to deal with the postoperative pain and disfigured body without having to deal with other body image thoughts.

I know it doesn’t sound like it here, with all my whining, but I am actually a super positive person, despite all I’ve been through. I also deal with lymphoedema and underarms that are now flapping etc but they are the least of my problems. It has just been so good to vent to you (and anyone else who may have experienced what we have) , write it all down and know that I’M NOT ALONE

Bonnie7 and ventro,

The op started this thread in 2013. She made the initial post and never posted again.