I am due to have reconstruction on the 19th march,I have opted to have the LD flap and implant, can anyone give me any tips to help with the recovery. Scared but also excited at the thought of having a sort of boob again.
Hi there
Best of luck for the 19th! I can’t offer advice I’m afraid because I’m in the process of trying to make a decision about this kind of reconstruction myself. What sort of questions did you ask your consultant prior to deciding to go with this option?
Thanks,
Cat
Hi, although I have not had an implant (am hoping to a little later on) I had a mastectomy and LD flap op on 30th Dec 09. You will see the physio nurse probably the day after your op. My advice to you is do the exercises regularly and daily because missing just one day you will pay for for several days. After the op they will tell you will feel like you have a huge towel rolled up under you arm pit. This is an understatement. I would actually roll something up and put it under you armpit to be aware of what it will feel like.You armpit, back and chest will feel really tight. Pilates is really good for stretching your muscles.It has been 9 weeks tomorrow since my surgery and whilst I am still stiff (some days worse than others) I have 99% movement in my arm and shoulder. I have had to work at this though and endure some cording on the arm. I also found I could not lay on my side where I had the op, I still find this in uncomfortable. So invest in a V-Pillow. Massaging the armpit helped me to soften up the bulky feeling. I used bio-oil. This also helped sooth the painful and sensitive to touh pain down the back of the top of my arm.Felt a bit like sunburn. Invest in some soft bras too (matalan do then from £2.99-4.99). You will need these as you wont be able to wear a bra for a while, plus the scar at the op and bottom of your back scar will be very sore and possibly bulky (mine was - less so now). Get someone to massage your back scar aalong the line not across the line. Hope this helps. I would appreciate tips re implant as I hope to have one at the end of this year. Take care and good luck with the op.
Had skin sparing mx and ld flap no implant on the 15th, op took nearly 5 hours and was in hospital for 7 days, 3 drains, and clips back and front. Muscle in boob from shoulder twitches at odd times like it still thinks it’s doing a shoulder muscle job! pain not too bad, seroma on back drained last week and will again tomorrow. Decided on this op as I did not want implant, they usually take well as blood supply not disturbed and I had 3 c sections so no tummy op possible. Looks ok for day 15 and hope further down the line for nipple reconstruction and left side adjustment. I think you need to check your surgeons results on the op you choose, I was shown lots of pictures of the different procedures he did and that helped! With the flap the shape is “pert” and slightly firmer than a breast feels. I hope this may be of some help to you. xxx
Hi there,
I had ld op with expander implant in october. I was in hosp for a week. I needed to go back to hosp 3 times as fluid built up on my back, but it was easily drained and is very common (u cant feel it).
Expect to be quite tired at first, keep doing the exercises they give you in hosp, and when wounds are fully healed, rub vit e oil or similar on them every day.
I was driving after 5 weeks, and feel fine now, just need a few minor adjustments in the coming months.
I did go for extra physio to help with my shoulder/arm movements, but you may not need to do that.
Take care, and good luck.
Rosie x
Thank you all for your tips and good wishes, I will let you know how I get on after the op.
Dear Monkeyface.
I had MX and LD reconstruction on 7th November. I had had lumpectomy and SNB previously in Oct and so didn’t have to have any lymph nodes out at same time as this op. I think that helped because my arm was already starting to recover from the first op. My op took around 6 hours and I was in hospital for 7 days with three drains. Had one drain out while in hospital but came home with two still in and found that one of the worst things. During the first couple of weeks my back felt extremely weak. Sometimes when I was walking slowly it would suddenly give way and I felt really scared. Bear in mind that it will get better with each passing day. Expect the first couple of weeks to be hard and take as many painkillers as you need. I didn’t find the pain constant, so it wasn’t too bad. The recon is very swollen at first so bear in mind that you will need a bigger bra than normal (I was a pathetic 34AA but the bra I used immediately post op was 36B, front fastening sports bra which is much easier to deal with). I had a seroma on my back after the drains came out which I had drained twice. I had some physo at the hospital but she just showed me some exercises and did a bit of ultrasound. I then found a better physio after a few weeks who really massaged my scar area and helped free up the muscle and get everything feeling better. You will find your strength comes back gradually. After 4 weeks I still couldn’t do very much but then after 8 weeks I was starting to lift more and generally be more “normal” - but even since then I have made improvements. The surgeon and BCN warned me it would be slow and they were right. I am very pleased with the result and am going for the first stage of nipple reconstruction next week. My back still feels a little strange because it is numb all around the scar area, but it isn’t painful and I am getting used to the feeling. I still can’t sleep on my left side comfortably and under my arm is rather tight, but it’s gradually getting better. I have been told that it can take over a year to feel really “normal” again. I think you just have to be good to yourself. I felt really low after Christmas - I think everything just hit me - but am starting to feel better again now and trying to focus on the positives. Good luck and if you have any more specific questions just ask. x
Hello all
I’ve just had mx with LD flap and nipple recon on Monday, came out of hospital yesterday. I still have 1 drain in but that isn’t causing any problems, I just empty it every morning and ring the hospital to tell them how much fluid came out.
I feel very similar to what teresa describes: the reconstructed boob and nipple are very swollen at the moment but even so i can tell that they will have a good shape when they have settled down. I too have the rolled up towel in the armpit and what feels sunburn at the top of my arm!! I am necking the painkillers and have no energy at all, but am not feeling too bad in myself. The worst thing is that the back scar is so tight I cannot get my breath unless I am lying down flat, but I’m sure this will improve. I am doing the exercises as best I can, and would agree that this is really important as they are really helping increase my strength and movement.
So it’s early days but I have been surprised at how quickly I started feeling better. Best of luck with yours on the 19th!
I had a delayed LD flap without implant (as I am only a AA)on 24 Feb, so 11 days ago. I came out of hospital last Tuesday but still have a drain in which is beginning to get me down.
I would say the most important thing is to do the exercises. Immediately after surgery it feels as if you will never be able to lift your arm again, I found it particularly difficult lifting it out to the side. But if you persevere it quickly becomes easier. I would say I now have about 75-80% movement, so getting there.
My surgeon did an extra stage in the operation where he divided the tendon. This means I do not have any tight feeling around my chest, and the rolled up newspaper feeling is much reduced.
I am very tired, more so than after the mastectomy. I imagine that’s down to it being a longer operation.
But already I am glad I did it.
Hi Monkeyface,
First of all, best of luck for the operation soon, I was too scared and excited too as I couldn’t wait to see how my confidence would come back and believe me it really has!
Apologies that I have wriiten so much but I felt this might be useful to all.
At 30 (am 40 now)being BRCA1, I had a mastectomy, bilateral reconstruction with LD flap and 2 implants at same time in 2001 with my nipple resonstruction 6 months later with nipple tattooing another 6 months later and I can honestly say it was the best thing to happen to me so hope all goes well with you.
I too was shown photos of what the reconstruction would look like and really felt very positive and apprehensive that mine would look that good, obviously you worry but it turned out brilliantly (I can send you a photo if you want)
Cat, I was given the option of the LD to take from the back or stomach, but they said I didn’t have enough tissue, believe me before the appointment I was secretly hoping that I could remove my fat from my stomach : ) but it wasn’t an option as I didn’t have enough tissue so they should go through with you what is an option for you with enough skin, tissue, muscle and skin!
Teresa38, the implants I opted for was silicone on the outside and saline on the inside, its just they said they were the best to go for at the time and I have to say 10 years on they feel really good and I’m happy with the positioning and the feel of them. Am sure 10 years there may be more options but ask them to show you what they feel like, am sure they have samples there or also there are women that may show you so you can feel yourself and see for yourself, I know I have done this for women thinking of doing this but ask your breast care nurse to see if anyone is willing to do that.
Before going down to the operation my consultant took before and after photos which is interesting to see afterwards maybe my own curiousity but it worked well for my confidence and matching purposes so I just wanted to see how it was. Also your consultant should go through how long it will take mine was a week, how to get the fluid drained, again like Rosie I too just popped into the hospital whenever I felt the fluid needed to be drained, it will just depend whenever you feel it’s filled up too much and need to get rid of it, I know I always felt so much better afterwards too.
My operation lasted 6 hours, took sleeping tablets as sometimes with so much going on the days before you may be really tired emotionally and physically and initially I was on the morphine pump for 1 night as I did feel nauseous and drowsy but it did the job immediately then went onto Zydol painkillers and like Lola definitely take what you feel you need.
Just one tip that you may know about, I took Arnica tablets a week before it helps with any operations to heal wounds and I used the Weleda brand as they are the best, Boots brand is cheaper but I found not as good. Any natural help to aid healing I think helped me so I use this for every operation I have now.
I agree also with everyone that exercise is really key to recovery as soon as you can. I was nervous even to get out of bed believing I would pull something seeing as I was so stiff but my excellent breast care nurse said to me that to remember you cannot do any damage by moving and it really is the best thing so my confidence was restored and I religiously did my exercises 3 times a day but don’t go over the minimum they tell you to as you will feel your body telling you, you are doing too much especially even simple lifting that you don’t even think about. Also I kept a notebook with the times I did them and just set my mobile phone alarm to remind me to get up and do it as you will be keeping odd hours.
Am sure if many people have been in hospital you may not have energy for a body wash so baby wipes are so good to even pick up your mood and feel ‘fresh’. And also drink lots of fluids to flush through all the drugs if you can, I know the result means going to the toilet but the exercise may be good or else they did give me a commode but I just used going to the toilet as exercise if I couldn’t do my exercise times.
Before I left I had one drain come out and just gritted my teeth but was ok when it came out, ‘one step closer to what I want’ I always said and just remember it will be odd to see the implant not filled but mine took 2 weeks before the first was done. As it was being filled, I originally wanted a 36C (from 36A) but they said that my left breast was upright because of the muscle used from my back and the right side was lower than the left making it look more noticeable positioning wise so I just went for 36B which is totally fine as I think it looks good.
I used Vitamin E oil for the scars but actually you know what I have grown to be OK with my scars over time. Even better was the nipple reconstruction skin was taken from my groin and I am very happy with what they have done. Then the tattooing was the icing on the cake so to speak. I hope this will make you feel a bit more positive.
Take care, I will be thinking of you on the 19th. x
Purdie
I read your post with great interest. I had a lumpectomy 18 months ago, but I have since found out that I am BRCA1.
In August I will be having bilateral mastectomies, with LD flap.
Your post was very interesting, and helpful.
Can you tell me please how the implants feel, do they feel completely foreign to your body, or do you now feel like they are part of you??
I will also be having my ovaries removed at some point, have you had this operation too?
Thanks
Crystal T
I have had two LD flaps done (1 year apart) and can honestly say that from Day 1 the reconstructed breast (each has an implant) felt totally part of me.
I can only speak for myself because breasts mean different things to different women, but I am just so very grateful for the skills of the wonderful plastic surgeons who have helped me back to where I was before, (even better I might add!), albeit with the addition of a few scars.
Bubs x
First of all, monkeyface - good luck for tomorrow, hope you feel more excited about it but I’m sure a little nervous but am wishing you well that am sure you will be OK.
Crystal T,
Apologies for the delay I was away for the week.
Just like Bubs, it does feel great as you can feel the implants against your chest which is great so it is a part of you especially when I compare that to the feeling of a hollow chest from the mastectomy and I’m sure you may have the similar feeling and look of a lumpectomy, obviously this was just how I felt but the feeling and boost of confidence I had when I woke up from the operation and even now I look and feel them has done great for my state of mind, really incredible.
I too will be having my ovaries out but my husband and I are going to do egg donor from May so after that try at it once, if unsuccessful I will get my ovaries out later this year. Obviously I don’t need them now if doing that as not using my eggs so I feel it is another step to make sure my life can be prolonged with BRCA1 and not have it on my shoulder, so to speak. I am nervous about it and feel I need more information, especially when it means HRT etc with me being 40 but I’m prepared to do that.
Actually Crystal, I am going to the Family History Forum in London on Saturday 24 April to try and ask more questions there and hopefully talk to women about it, I can always bring back what I thought about it or if there are any questions you may want to be asked?
take care
Purdie x
Purdie
Thanks for you post, it is great to hear that you feel so good about your implants. For me though I feel it will be different, as currently the lumpectomy I had was tiny, in fact I cannot really tell that I have had it, and to have a double mastectomy with implants will I am sure feel so foreign to me compared to my breasts. I know though, that due to genetic risks I have not other choice.
thansk for you post
I would be very interested to hear what they say in the Family History Forum in London on Saturday 24 April.
Another thing that worries me is the removal of ovaries, because I am also triple negative, I cannot have HRT, so I wonder what this means to me as well… so many questions questions
Crystalt
Hi Crystal,
Oh silly me, I totally understand that it is a really big decision to go from a lumpectomy to the whole hog so from that perspective that is pretty hard to get your head around on the basis of being BRCA1.
I think when I chose to get both done, even though I felt I was losing a part of me physically and emotionally of being a woman all I could think of is that I wanted to live a longer life than the stats were telling me if I didn’t and that scared the hell out of me. Also I was 36A so going from a smaller size to a larger one albeit with scars I was getting around to the idea of an improvement, shall we say!
You know I don’t think anything will feel the same as the breasts you have had before as they are yours and natural but I do think that hopefully you will feel like I did saying to myself ‘well I have these and have lowered my chances of getting cancer hugely and really these are quite good’. It boosted my confidence again as a woman for me and hopefully will be for you too to plan for that day. Keep in touch with me if you like and I will be happy to hear how you are getting on.
As for the family history forum, sorry Crystal I don’t know enough about triple negative BC and HRT but I can note anything down specifically for this at the forum if it comes up or could forward any questions to them and note answers down I just won’t be able to answer them if they ask me another question : )…if it helps maybe you can email the people on the forum to see if they can answer anything in particular or if you feel you have too many questions you could park this for the moment to give yourself some breathing space, am sure they will be having these days fairly often??
cheers
Purdie xx