Just hope someone out there can help clarify things for me.
Briefly had mastectomy, chemo, radiotherapy starting March 2009, now on hormone therapy. Had lots of problems with seroma and it was drained many times. In October 2010 I had a biopsy as I felt a lump on the scar, this proved to be just junk inside. The BS decided to operate and clear it out, the wound was then glued back together. Over the next few days I felt the build up of fluid squishing about and when I had my check up 2 weeks after surgery I told the Dr I was worried about this (it was not the BS who did the surgery)he said not to worry it would absorb. A few days later the wound burst open like a fountain. Went to hospital and saw the same Dr again he said it would need packing and dressing every day by the District Nurse, this was done for over 4 months with no improvement. Finally saw another BS who referred me to Plastic surgeon, since May everything has been tried, honey, collagen, debridement surgery and VAC machine. I have had some improvement but it will not heal, this week the Plastic Surgeon said the only way to heal it now is LD Flap surgery which will hopefully be done in the next couple of weeks. This not for reconstruction purposes but to heal the wound which is about 2cm long, 1cm across, 1cm deep and has 2cm tunneling. I just cant believe that after 11 months of different treatments I am in this position. The Plastic Surgeon said there is now no blood supply to the wound and LD Flap is the only way forward. I am terrified of 4 hours of surgery and of having problems with seroma again, which she explained is a possibility particularly in my back. I appreciate I cant go around forever with a hole but it does seem to be drastic surgery. If anyone can put my mind at rest about the surgery or about treatment for an open wound I would be so grateful.
Pam
Hi Pam
Firstly, can i say that i am so sorry to read about your experience, it must be horrid for you.
I take it that you do not have an implant in there at present?
I am guessing that your surgeon wants to do the LD flap, to act as padding for the wound area, to ensure that it does not open up again?
My experience of LD flap was for recon purposes.
I had an implant in my left breast, which came through my skin, and left me with a hole probably where the nipple would be.
My surgeon did the op, nearly three weeks ago now, and so far, i do not have a seroma in my back,
I do have aches and pains there though, but everyone is different, so you may be lucky and not have any, if that is the way forward for you now.
My op was 5 hours, no morphine, was up the following day, had washed hair over basin, and got dressed. Home within four days.
It is a big op, but do-able.
For me, it was the only option for a recon, as i do not want to live ‘breast’ free.
I hope all goes well for you Pam…
Let us know how you get on…
Naz x
Thanks Naz, good to know it went well for you. I am now debating whether to ask for an appointment to speak to Plastic Surgeon early next week to express my fears. I really do not want any more major surgery and at 67 am not bothered about reconstruction. It was suggested the week before by another Dr in the team that I had the wound opened again including the tunneling and the VAC machine put on immediately, which it wasnt last time. I was quite happy with this as apparently if machine is put on immediately after surgery there are better results. Plus the machine was only on for 2 weeks and not working correctly on the 2nd week. The hole was down to a slit with just that period of time but unfortunately it opened again. I know the PS is only trying to do whats best and I must admit when she told me last week what she intended to do I didnt quite understand how major the surgery was. How do I tell her I would rather not go through the surgery, I know she is a fantastic PS and I dont want to have this hole forever (its 11 months now) I am making myself ill with worry and my poor hubby doesnt know what to say. I really don`t want the PS to think I am doubting her.
Pam
Pam, i think if you are not concerned with reconstruction, and it is not for everyone, i think that you need to make it clear that you do not want to undertake any further surgery.
It is a big op, but obviously, most women go through it for recon purposes.
There has to be another way of dealing with your wound,other than major surgery surely?
Definitely make an appt.to speak to your plastic surgeon as soon as you can, and express your concerns.
Try not to worry to much at this stage. There must be ways and means of sorting you out.
Let us know how you get on.
Naz
Naz, just to update you. After your response I have had a good chat to my OH and Daughter and they are in agreement that I speak to the PS as soon as possible. I will phone on Monday and try and get an appointment for next week as she was provisionally going to do the surgery on the 20th. I intend to ask if she will debride it again and use the VAC immediately.
The wierdest thing has just happened though, the PS said there was no blood getting through to heal the wound. As usual tonight after a bath I was cleaning the wound and it started bleeding, something that has not happened before. Is this an omen I wonder.
I hope it isnt too long before you are back to normal` with matching boobs.
Pam
Hi Pam170,
Like Naz, Ive had an LD flap. Mine was for a partial reconstruction. Had a WLE and heavy duty rads which caused the site to have extensive damage to tissue and blood supply in area. My wound healed but apart from the poor cometic appearance ached like mad in the cold due to cramp caused by poor blood supply.It continued to shrink and ultimately I sought help to try and improve things.
6 mths on, alot of “junk” excavated from site at surgery and warm flap in place.
However, it is big surgery… I’m no doctor but would support whole heartedly what Naz has said.If there is any other way they can fix this for you, the better. After all they basically break something that is working perfectly well elsewhere to rectify the initial problem… and that is a massive ask PARTICULARLY if you are not fussed about a reconstructed boob.
Playing devil’s advocate, whilst reconstruction hasn’t figured big for you, might it be an opportunity to revisit this… 2 jobs for 1?
Pam, there are no easy answers… only you can decide at the end of the day. just hope my comments have been helpful rather than confusing.
Love and empathy
Blessing.
Blessing, thanks for your comments they are much appreciated. I must agree with your comments, why break something that is working perfectly to fix something else. Everyone that I have spoken to seems to be of the same opinion. I have made myself ill with worry this past week, plus I have been under the weather with a heavy cold which hasn`t helped. Just hoping I can get to see the Plastic Surgeon early next week.
Pam
Hey Pam
Don’t you go making yourself ill with worry…
Take deep breaths.
If you are sure that you don’t want any kind of recon, then i would get on the phone on Monday and ask to see your plastic surgeon asap. Voice your concerns about the possibility of major surgery, and see what she says.
Explain to her that if there is an alternative to having the LD flap, you want to know about it.
I am not so sure i would go for the LD flap, to try and fix a wound, but then again, i am not a plastic surgeon, so i don’t know. Too me it sounds a little drastic, but i don’t know what the situation is with your wound.
Pam, once you have spoken to the PS next week, you will feel better i am sure. At the moment, your head is understandably all over the place.
Hope you feel better soon.
Naz
Hi Naz, feel a bit better today. My daughter called to take me on a shopping spree yesterday to cheer me up, she bought loads and all I ended up with was 3 books. Still we had lunch together and a long chat about my worries (she is a nurse). As she said it is my body and not a life or death situation so it should be my choice what is done. She feels the PS wants to do drastic surgery to clear it up once and for all after all this time. She also feels there must be other alternatives. As I said before I have a fantastic PS and do not doubt her skills and feel really bad about telling her I do not want the LD Flap surgery. Just praying I can see her tomorrow and get it sorted out so I can start eating and sleeping.
I don`t know what I would do without all the support from you and other members on this site. I am one of the oldies, but regarless of age we are all in this together.
Pam
Hi Pam, i had a ld recon last nov and believe me it is not an operation to take lightly.Please do not feel bad about expressing your concerns to your ps and also you are entitled to a second opinion at the same or different hospital.The ld flap surgery is very major with healing times varying from person to person,personally i still suffer from back pain 12months on.You can also talk to your gp about second opinion if you dont feel comfortable talking to your ps.Dont be rushed into anything pam and make sure that you understand everything that is happening.this is your life and your body.Good luck with everything.xx
Hi Pam
Glad to read that you are feeling a little better.
AS lyndafryer has said, the LD flap is not something to be taken lightly, as i am finding out now.
Your PS sounds very good, and obviously she is wanting as you say, to clear up the problem with one swoop. How she decides to do that however, needs careful consideration i think, After all, it is your body and your life, and you must be made aware of all possibilities and their pros and cons.
In my case, i wanted recon, but this was the only type available will eventually give me a half decent result - so i went for it.
Pam, good luck and let us know how you get on next week.
Naz
p.s yes we are all in this together!
Got an appointment with PS at 1.30pm today. I spoke to the Sister who works with her at clinic and she was very sympathetic. She then had a word with PS and rang me back, she eased my mind a little. Stupid me broke down in tears whilst explaining to her on the phone. Just hoping I feel happier later this afternoon when I have got everything off my chest, must be a pun there. Just feel happier that she has not left me waiting for an appointment.
Pam
Great you have an appt. today Pam.
Let us know how you get on later today.
Naz
Hi Naz, thanks for your support.
The PS was wonderful and put my mind at ease. She said she was only thinking that after a year my quality of life was not too good, having to go to the hospital every week and dress the wound every day and thought this was a way to solve the problem once and for all. She told me it might eventually heal on its own. She also said she doesnt want to see me again for 8 weeks unless there is anything wrong Whoopee after a year of hospitals every week and sometimes twice a week it will be heaven. I am going to dress it myself from now on. Also said I can go back anytime even months down the line an if I want it debriding and the VAC back on she will do it. I cant speak highly enough of her, she even called me a daft thing` for getting so upset and told my OH to take me out for a meal tonight to cheer me up.
I see from your other posts that you have been in some discomfort, I hope things are getting better for you.
Pam
Pam, your PS soubds lovely!
So glad that you saw her today, it must have been a huge relief.
You have some breathing space now, so try to relax i would, and enjoy life.
Yes, my pain has subsided now thankfully, i think i will be okay now…it was just those first weeks afte the op which were uncomfortable (plus i am so impatient !)
Bye for now.
Naz
So pleased for you pam, you couldnt have asked for a better result. Hope he took you somewhere nice. Blessind