Lat Dorsi recon- still hurts a year on.

[fhifhi]

I just wanted to say thanks so much for all the responses
It's so nice to be able to come on here and talk about things that concern us cos let's face it, no one else really can understand fully what it's like.
So I've still not been to buy a new bra-work is very intruisve in this resppect...hard to get away from.
I have left off wearing a bra a few times and it still feels like I'm wearing one cos of the tightness round my back and side.
I shall eventually get to shops and see waht I can find re everyone suggestions.
I am really looking forward to seeing my PS again in May so this can be discussed.
To top it all I have tennis elbow in my right arm and my shoulder is not good either Seeing doc about that next week!
Fhi

[fhifhi]

I just wanted to say thanks so much for all the responses
It's so nice to be able to come on here and talk about things that concern us cos let's face it, no one else really can understand fully what it's like.
So I've still not been to buy a new bra-work is very intruisve in this resppect...hard to get away from.
I have left off wearing a bra a few times and it still feels like I'm wearing one cos of the tightness round my back and side.
I shall eventually get to shops and see waht I can find re everyone suggestions.
I am really looking forward to seeing my PS again in May so this can be discussed.
To top it all I have tennis elbow in my right arm and my shoulder is not good either Seeing doc about that next week!
Fhi

[JoJo11]

Hi Fhifhi,
Just a thought - have you looked at backless bras , the sort of thing for a low backed evening dress?
Longer term though I think I would discuss this with your surgeon, it may be that he/she can release the scar surgically. I had my LD in July and I have no pain now, almost full arm movement, the only thing is sometimes it feels a bit tight. Like Revcat I do the stretches and I accept that I will have to do them forever.
Hope things improve for you soon,
Jojo

[Cheryl17]

Hi FhiFhi, Nagging pain is the worst, i had two knee replacements 5 years ago and before the op lived with constant nagging pain for years so I can sympathise. Try the genie bra one size bigger and you should be able to step into the bra to put it on and take it off avoiding the over head arm movement, i still do that now! I am lucky with the recovery and also fortnuate that i didnt need chemo or rads as my cancer was caught very early by a routine mammogram - I am sure this all helped my recovery as well. Good luck with finding a comfy bra. Xxx

[Guest user]

How about a front-fastening longline bra? Some of them don't look too bad and they should come below your scarline. Or a sports top with bra shelf? I did try a pull-on support vest top that you step into and pull up (mine came from Lidl, but there are others available) that would probably be ok for you.

[fhifhi]

Hi Cheryl17,
wow you're doing well after 12 weeks-well done!
I tried a genie bra but could hardly get it on it was so tight! It hurts my shoulder putting things like that over my head and off again (this due to my arm being affected since surgery also).
God I sound like a right whinge but honestly I'm not the type of person to complain about anything health wise usually. I'm hardly ever ill and like to think of myself as pretty healthy. I'm not overweight, don't smoke, eat healthy and I walk my big dog 3 times a day! I have recently got back into running too.
I will try and find a support vest type thing if I can.
It's just really hard to accept the differences I'm going through to what I was like before the op. I've also seen an awful lot of women on forums, in my position, saying the same thing and having worse problems than me.
If I can find a bra or top that is more comfy at least that'd be a start!
Thanks

[fhifhi]

Hi Revcat and Margaret.

thank for your input.
Revcat-Yes I am doing the exercises daily and breathing out far to try and increase the stretch. Glad to hear you are getting on well since your op.

Margaret-So sorry to hear you had a recurrence of cancer. I hope things go well with your further surgery.
It's easy for me to say I am regretting this surgery now. I appreciate it was done in my best interests but initially I had wanted an implant but was persuaded to go with the lat dorsi instead.
I just hope I will be feeling more normal soon and i'm looking forward to seeing my plastic surgeon to see if she can pinpoint any potential problems with my back.

[Cheryl17]

Hi FhiFhi, I had this op 12 weeks ago, so far so good. I have got back to the gym and just started 10 mins on the cross trainer which has really helped stretch the back muscle. I agree massage really helps too. With regards to bras I only use the genie bras and find they are really comfortable. As they have no hook and eyes (pull on/off bra) there is nothing to stab you and the back is very broad so again nodigging in to you. Good luck and I hope you get to a pain free place. Hugs to you x

[Guest user]

I decided against the operation because my feeling was that I did not want anyone touching my back - yet more numbness and I also had doubts about having any muscle moved. Had my Mx done a month ago, and still getting over the ANC. I wasn't offered any pre- or post-op help and am paying to see a Pilates teacher because my range of movement is not recovering as quickly as I think it should.

Because I should have had immediate reconstruction but changed hospitwl, I am now awaiting a delayed recon. I am hoping to join a waiting list for DIEP flap, with surgeon who specialises in dealing with thinner ladies. I will need an implant, or a reduction on the good side. I have already had one reduction, as I had cancer in 1991. Went from 34FF to 34D, and will probably end up a 34B after my next ground of surgery.

[RevCat]

Hi Fhifhi,

I had an LD recon in Feb 2011 and was told from the start that the exercises were"for life" to help keep the scars as supple as possible. Nowadays, I do the 'walking up the wall' one every day in the shower, and use breathing techniques to extend the stretch a bit. So far, so good. I think my arm is a little less strong than it was before - but also I am quite cautious of the risk of lymphoedema, which so far I have avoided.

I am fortunate that I have no pain in my recon or my back, but I do notice that in cold and/or damp weather the recon 'tightens' and my back can feel more tight. I have always assumed this is because there is now no fat to blanket the muscle, and becuase it is a bit stretched anyway - not very scientific I admit.

Hopefully you will get some help in gaining relief - it is rubbish to have gone through all this surgery and then not be glad you made this particular choice. Sorry I can't be more help.

[fhifhi]

Hi Margaret,

Yes I've seen this vid before thanks and yes I do get massage and had physio at hospital for quite a while after I started to recover from op.
I feel that my problem is not just the scarring but deep beneath. My muscle is restricted whenever I move it. I am generally a fit person so it makes it difficult to get used to this.
I feel perhaps my muscle is tethered in some way...more than it should be. My movement is pretty much there but the feeling and pain in my back is not normal and nowhere near what it was.
Scar tissue is not adhering to any of my skin and it's heeled well-both doctors and physiotherapist have said this.
I was told this op would not make any different to me and it was only those who did mountain climbing or played tennis or rode a horse that it would affect. Well It is affecting me... everyday all day.
I am seeing my plastic surgeon in may to discuss further recon work so I will be asking her all about this and see what she says as well as the physio dept.
Can I please ask why did you decided against the op? What did you have as an alternative?

[Guest user]

Hi fhifhi,

I was due to have that operation, but chickened out. You may be interested in massage, if you can find someone to do it for you. The second link is to youtube video from a lady called Marnie Clark, who has had the LD Flap herself. Basically, scar tissue tries to adhere to the flesh around it and this causes problems. Massage helps to get round this.

hope this helps,

Margaret

http://www.balancenaturalhealthclinic.ca/articles/88-massage-therapy-for-post-mastectomy-scarring
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=rYcc8kshQR4&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DrYcc8kshQR4

[fhifhi]

Hi!
I am on to see if anyone else is having this same problem.
I had my MX and immediate recon (lat dorsi) in march 2012, been through chemo and had my first follow up appt for mammogram in feb. All clear
My problem is I am still experiencing pain in my back where my scar is. Every bra I have irritates it. I bought a few new ones, which was necessary, but all bras have the strap running right along my back scar which does not help. I can't find anything that has a lower lying strap.
Has anyone found something suitable like a support vest? Searches online don't really throw up much in this area. Lots of mastectomy bras etc but nothing really suitable for someone who's had this op.
Also I still have a lot of tightness and have more physio exercises to try and stretch this but they aren't really helping any. I do feel now that I am always going to be like this and at 46 it doesn't really fill me with joy
I know I shouldn't complain cos there are lots more folks in a far worse position that me but I do feel regret for having going through this op now.
Anyone else having similar feelings and experience?