Hi, I am about to have MX on 5th September and think I have decided on immediate LD flap reconstruction. Has anybody been through this? Was it the right choice for you etc?
Hi Lurcherlass,
I had this procedure two and a half years ago (you can read the whole story on my profile info which is public I think) and was really pleased with the result then, and still am now.
Not sure how much info they have given you, but I practised doing everything one-handed for a couple of weeks before I had my surgery as you can’t put any weight through your affected arm (e.g. to push yourself up in bed) for a couple of weeks. In the early days the muscle ‘twitched’ (interesting party trick!) but it did settle down and hasn’t done it for at least a couple of years.
I was driving again after six weeks, but didn’t miss doing the hoovering for twelve :cattongue:
Do try to do the exercises religiously, little and often, every day as it makes a huge difference to getting arm movement and strength back.
I have absolutely no regrets about my choice, and although I’ve had to wait ages for the ‘finishing touches’ (which are optional anyway) I would do it again faced with the same choice.
I have just had it (21 August), and I think it was the best choice. I must say that I do have some pain, but coming out of surgery with a breast is amazing, and even if there is still a lot to go before it will look “normal” (obviously it is swollen and has no nipple) I am extremely happy with my choice, so much that I have already decided to do the same with my healthy breast, as recurrence is always a risk and I believe not one worth taking. I always had quite full breasts (size 34E), but I asked the surgeon to go down a C cup and he said it was the best choice. Hope this helps.
Good luck, stay positive and strong, do your exercises and think of the future.
Daniela x
I too, due MX on the 5th, with implant, best of luck:
I had mine done on 20th, Ld with implant and am sore & swollen at the moment biggest problem has been finding sports bra’s which fit and support my new breast. I have ordered some on line which should be here tomorrow hopefully in time for me to go and have dressings & last drain removed so i can see it uncovered at last x
My implant is permenant and doesn’t get filled up. Good luck with your decision and surgery x
Hi Lurcherlass, I had my immediate LD recon 5 weeks ago and had a permanent implant and am so pleased with the result. Recovery has been much better than I thought it would be. I was in hospital for 5 days in total and had the drains out 2 days later. The only real problem has been a seroma in my back which though uncomfortable isn’t painful. The scars have healed really well and so much skin has been saved on my breast I sometimes forget I have actually had a mastectomy. The swelling is now going down so I don’t really notice it unless I overdo things. It was absolutely the best decision I made to have the op, and it has to be your own decision not anyone else’s. Recovery is long , although I feel fine even now I am more tired than I used to be and I know it takes months for everything to settle down. Make sure you take plenty of painkillers and do the exercises ,its so important, even if you don’t feel like doing them, a little and often seems best. And suddenly they get easier! 5 weeks on I am doing selected housework and some gardening and have started driving. A V-shaped pillow is useful for sleeping too. Good luck with your decision, hope it goes well for you. Helen
Hi Lurcher Lass
Had left mx and reconstruction on 13th August 2013 with LD flap previously had the same operation on my right breast 2004 for dcis. using autogenous tissue, no implant .My recovery in 2004 was good, recurring seroma and a large hematoma and slow healing tissue due to being a smoker prior to the operation. Overall I was fit enough to holiday in Dubai 6 weeks after the op; I tried very hard to abide by the instructions of the clinicians but as I was self employed as a wholesale distributor a certain amount of lifting was undertaken, luckily because I had been very fit (the gym every day, swimming walking) I got away with it. My breast was and still is amazing the surgery being done by a fantastic Plastic Surgeon, each time I went for a hospital appointment or mamogram every one was amazed at how good it looked.
Now to my most recent experience, I am 63 and it is 9 years later, my new breast will need further surgery apparently there wasn’t enough tissue in the donor area so fat will need to be harvested from other parts of my body. I am disappointed and dont relish the idea very much but it would be nice to have something resembelling my right breast. Again it could be my age but the pain was at time quite severe and I was on tramadol (which scared me ) and ibuprofen, codeine and have only recently stopped the coedine & tramadol.
Like other ladies have said it is important to do your excercises, I do them as often as I remember also listen to what the clinicians tell you, no heavy lifting etc. all good advice if you have someone who can do shopping, run the vac around, iron etc.
I am going to be very honest with you if I had known how difficult it was going to be this time around I would have just had a straight forward mx but i’m almost 6 weeks post op and things are starting to get a little easier and I get my silicon prothesis next week, which will even up the left side.
I did omit to say this time it was a small cancer 5mm with clear margins, some pre cancerous cells in another area my lymph nodes were negative and I have been advised it tamoxifen dosen’t agree with me I can stop at my leisure.
The breast care nurse said the tamoxifen was just as a precaution, maybe the new NICE guidelines.
So there you have it thats my experience hope you can pick out some points which may be of interest to you!!! What ever you decide to do it will be what you want and you do have the option to request a referral later on if you so choose.
Good Luck