Radical mastectomy - physical effects?

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Hi all,

Following WLE + node clearance (left) ('09) and simple mastectomy (left) (4 weeks ago) apparently further surgery is needed (remove muscle and skin, then use back/tummy flap to fill in hole!) - this sounds to me like a radical mastectomy.

Am not sure how common this is, but would love to hear from anyone who has undergone similar.

I know the physical scarring won’t be great - I will just have to deal with that - but I am really concerned about my arm, or possibly shoulder area, etc. being affected. The surgeon said it might affect both strength and mobility but that I would get back to normal for everyday tasks in time.

So I’m really keen to know if anyone has been left with short- or long-term side effects from similar surgery. I am still weighing up if I really want to go this route and I want to be fully aware of the possible consequences when I make my decision!

I am 37, have a 5 year old daughter, and although I haven’t been for years I always planned to get back to salsa dancing, windsurfing and kayaking - they were on my list of ‘things I will do when I get better’ when I was originally diagnosed!!!

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

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Anyone out there? Seriously, any experience of anything similar would be good to know about - good or bad, I just want to be prepared!!! Thanks!

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Hi Helen,
I am bumping this up for you as you have had no response, but had a MX and recon myself in July. I don’t believe that any muscle was removed and I was also able to keep most of my skin (a skin sparing MX, I think he said)so I can’t answer your questions, but had a DIEP recon using tummy and if yoyu have any questions about that PM me.
Jacqui

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Thanks, Jacqui! I know if I go ahead with it they will do an angiagram to check if one of the arteries in my back can still be used - otherwise it will be a ‘tummy flap’ so I may get back to you!!

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hi i havent had my mx but i have opted for recon at same time im still waiting to see plastic surg to see what kind of reco im getting, will let you know when i no more, nurse said wont get app till middle of oct, then will get op 2-3 weeks after that the waiting is the worse.