I had a mastectomy and immediate Latissmus Dorsi reconstruction in April of this year. After two months I had to have the implant and a haematoma removed and a new implant put back. A week later I had to have the incision on my back reopened because a capsule had formed and fluiid was having to be drawn off on a weekly basis. These two problems have now been resolved but after three months I still have a lot of tenderness and discomfort in my breast and under the arm and some areas of the breast feel quite hard. Can anyone tell me if this is to be expected. I am seeing the plastic surgeon on 22nd November but in the meantime would be interested to know if anyone has experienced similar problems
I also had mastectomy with immediate LD reconstruction. Remained swollen and bruised for a long time. Haematoma found about 5 wks post-op, and it was thought I might need op like you, but radiologist said it wasn’t large enough to need further action. Had hard areas in about 3/4 of the reconstructed breast, and needed to wear dressings for nearly 9 months over the wound (where the skin flap filled the space left by the removal of the nipple and areola). I remember having very odd and uncomfortable sensations in the new breast which felt like little lumps of concrete were exploding. I was seen very regularly at the plastics clinic until everything healed up, and given constant reassurance that everything would eventually be okay. P surgeon and nurses said that unfortunately some people’s reconstructions can take a lot longer than others to settle. They also said there was no obvious reason why this happened. So while what we’ve experienced is not necessarily to be expected, I don’t think it’s that unusual. Around a year post-op, my new breast had completely settled - no swelling, hardness, discolouration.
Do hope all goes well with you.
I had mastectomy and LD reconstruction in June. I still have fluid on my back now but when the surgeon saw 3 weeks after op it was the size of a hot water bottle and he said he wouldn’t drain it. The breast nurse said my body would reabsorb it. It is doing but very slowly and it is so uncomfortable in bed and when sitting. I can’t get away from the pain. I asked the nurse in August about draining it and she said the consultant wouldn’t because I had started my chemo. It is going but very, very slowly.
The new breast feels yuk. All I can describe how it feels it touched is like when you have toothache and you knock it. I get a lot of stabbing pains in it too. I have quite a large “dog ear” of skin on my lovely scar which will be removed later. You just wonder when you are going to feel “normal” again - as normal as we can. It would be lovely to walk up the street without everything tightening up.
Also the chemo seems to aggravate the surgery site. But timetraveller - you have given me hope that it does get better !! I still have a blue breast with the dye put in for the sentinal node biopsy. All I have been told is that it wil get better !!! I feel that women who have had this op should do a leaflet on how it really feels afterwards. Nobody tells you do they? You are going to get this operation which lets face it is marvellous but they didn’t tell me how it would feel afterwards. My boob jumps up everytime I sneeze or cough and need to hold it down !!!
Love to you
Brenda xx
Thanks to timetraveller and Brenda for your comments. It was reassuring to know that what I am feeling seems to be quite normal.
I had to laugh at Brenda’s boob jumping when she coughs or sneezes - you have to keep your sense of humour.
Manzara
You certainly do ! It does help but I do have a good cry now and again when I’m on my own - you just wonder what’s next. Had my first Taxotere this afternoon and okay up to now but looking at other threads it might all start tomorrow.
Brenda x
Dear Brenda
Do hope you’re not suffering today. By the way, I had the jumping boob thing,too…but it doesn’t do it any more, thank goodness!
Best wishes, Timetraveller
Hi Timetraveller - well that’s good to know ! How long before it actually stopped?
Just got horrible mouth and itchy sticky eyes up to now . Very tired but have rested all day. Nurse came at 3.30 to give my Neulasta injection.
Hope you are well.
Manzara - how are you doing?
xx
Hi girls - hope you don’t mind me butting in!! I had skin sparing mastectomy with LD flap and becker implpant 4 weeks ago. Surgery went well, had no infections and have healed well - skin graft has taken so I know that I am lucky compared to other ladies. Brenda and Manzara hope your surgeons sort out your problems soon. My swelling is going slowly the hot water bottle effect is reducing but very slowly!!
What I was wondering is when I rest my arm by my side I feel the end of my new boob is under my armpit and it doesn’t feel flat - feels weird. My surgeon said that is the end of the back muscle as they don’t disconnect it but split the tendon and tunnell it through the armpit (yuk!). Does anyone else feel this and is it normal?
Sorry if this seems like a insignificant question with all the problems you have had but I don’t know who else to ask. I would be lost without this site.
Take care
Sarah x x x
Hi Sarah - I have had that off an on since the op. It feels like a big stone under your armpit doesn’t it. Not there all the time now but still get it. Also when walking everything seems to tighten up around my back. My surgeon told me when I was in hospital it could years for all the bumps to settle down ! I have quite a “dog ear” flap which they will take off but my scar is very, very good and also the nipple scar. I am very happy with the look of the new boob. Obviously when the clothes are off they are not the same but with clothes on you would never know. I am 52 and don’t think I shall bother with the nipple reconstruction as I am at ease with the way it looks.
I was so adamant when I found I needed a mastectomy that I just wanted it taken off and away from me and wouldn’t entertain a reconstruction but after talking to the Breast Nurse that was in clinic that day she explained how they did the back flap and your skin was spared I thought that’s for me !! Sometimes with everything being still uncomfie I think I may have been better just getting rid but it will be okay eventually. My fluid seems to be coming around to my side.
I had my 4th chemo yesterday, started on Taxotere and up to now no really bad effects.
Brenda xxx
Sarah, I know what you mean about the reconstructed breast feeling as if it’s partially under the armpit, and not flat at side like the other breast. It is the where the muscle is channeled through, and I can see the difference when I undress and look at myself side on in the mirror, although I’m hardly aware of it otherwise unless I think about it. You might also have a collection of lymph fluid in that area, which is very common for a while post op, and this could be adding to your ‘weird’ feeling. Once the fluid disperses it should feel a lot better.
Brenda, hope you’re feeling better today. Just wanted to say that I wasn’t keen on the idea of nipple reconstruction either, for all sorts of reasons. However, two yrs later I changed my mind, partly swayed by a friend who was delighted with her new nipple. I think it took just over 1/2 hr, after some very careful measuring had been done and local anaesthetic had been applied. I healed quickly with no problems whatsoever, and around 6 wks later had the tattooing done. I was, and still am, incredibly pleased with the result - I find it has made a very big difference to the overall appearance.
By the way, re the ‘jumping boob’ - I didn’t really notice when it stopped, just became aware that it wasn’t happening any more. Possibly was about 18 months after reconstruction.
Best wishes.
Sarah
Appearance wise my boob looks good and the area under my arm is reasonably flat although several dents where drains were. However I sometimes feel like I have a puppet under my arm (Spit the dog or Emu). The whole of the muscle is still very tender and when I have been wearing a bra all day it is very sore. Still early days I guess.
Hi, thanks for all your replies - reassuring that what I feel like and look like is ‘normal’!! I am only just over 4 weeks post op so hopefully still have some swelling to go away.
Brenda - like you with clothes on no one would know that I had even had a mastectomy - just obvioulsy looks different when I undress. I think I will go for the nipple when my other breast is removed and reconed in Feb. My surgeon is going to try and do both nipples at once.
Manzara - will have to think of a name for my puppet!! When I was little I did love Sooty and Sweep!!!
Timetraveller - I think once I have other one done both armpits will feel the same so perhaps I won’t notice as much as there will be no difference - here’s hoping for that.
Thanks again and good luck with the rest of chemo Brenda - very tough but worth it in the long run.
Take care
Sarah x x x
Hi everyone
out of action with really bad set back. Had a fall on Saturday and have severe bruising to arm and shoulder on mastectomy side and have also got a fractured collar bone. This is certainly not a good year for me. MY ARM IS IN A SLING AND i am unable to wear a bra. TYPING ON HANDED HENCE combination of font.
Manzara
OUCH!!!Oh, Manzara, you must be so sore. Hope the bruising heals soon and that the collar bone mends. Sending hugs. It will soon be 2008 and a totally new year.
Ruth
x