Problems with LD flap reconstruction 16 months on.

[Kirstie]

Im having lots of pain think I may have pulled the muscle. Had LD Flap in 2015 implant in 2016 the pain is bad and breast keeps going hard and tight. My arm is also painful when reaching.

[jillybee]

Go on holiday.We flew to France,and had a week in the sunshine..with my tummy bulge..ENJOY.

[Kirstykat]

Thanks Jillybee, it is good to not feel alone and that others have felt the way I do.

I have had a terrible night and have not slept. The area / bulge under my arm seemed to swell a couple of weeks a go, so it was a even more bulgy than usual, this coincided with my period so I though it was connected. It has gone down a little but it is now sore and I have been feeling around it a lot more and think I can feel a kind of lump. I had an MRI in October which was clear but now in a panic thinking it is a reoccurrence. To make things worse I am due to go on holiday to Europe on Tuesday so I am agonising about that. I did mention it to a bcn on Thursday and she just said go on holiday and was not concerned. I guess it is normal for that breat to hurt now and then and feel different at times ........

[jillybee]

I had similar problem.....saw my GP who referred me back to my original surgeon.I was under her when I had my mastectomy,then went to a regional hospital for my DIEP. Encountered further problems,felt they were slightly disinterested in me as they had done their job.
Also,was an hour and half away.
Now back at my local hospital.All is getting sorted,more surgery,but at least I can see an end to it all

[Kirstykat]

Thanks so much for your reply green leaf. I think I may have to do the same research and pay for private consultation. The surgen that did this one had a bronze in Breast reconstruction, which I only found out afterwards. Thanks again x

[greenleaf]

Hi Kirstykat - I couldn't just read this and run, as I've been in the same sort of situation as you. I had my treatment (mastectomy and reconstruction with an implant) at my local hospital, and it was not a good experience. Bureaucratic c*ck ups, unpleasant staff, and a very poor cosmetic outcome.

I spoke to my lovely GP about this (actually just a chat on the phone - didn't even need to go into surgery), and she said I had the right to be referred to anyone on the NHS in England, and if I gave her the name of a consultant I liked she'd do the rest. I don't know the exact ins and outs of this "right" - I know there are exceptions - maybe someone on the helpline here would know  more?

I'm so glad I persevered with this. I'm now seen for my follow ups at the breast clinic at a fantastic hospital, and have been referred by them to an excellent plastic surgeon who is putting things right for me. There really is so much they can do.

I found what helped was researching breast surgeons who work privately but also do NHS work - there's plenty of information about their credentials on line, along with patient testimonials etc. I then made an appointment to see a couple privately and chose one I really liked. She's the one my GP referred me to. It's not a cheap option of course - I think I paid about £200 for a consultation. Might be a possibililty though?

Really hope you get a good result. Keep pushing for it! We deserve it after all we've been through.

All the best,

greenleaf

[Kirstykat]

Hello Kitten mad

Thanks so much for your reply. It is such a relief to hear of someone else who has had the bulge sorted out. My radio therapy finished in July so only 7 months ago. Do you know if they have to leave it a year or more after treatment ends before they can tweak? I am not in a mad rush just would like to know that they are not gonna leave it like that and a time frame......
I saw my GP today who was reluctant to refer me to a different county. She said she would ask for a second opinion from a different surgeon at the same hospital: Southmead in Bristol.
She said she would need to apply for extraordinary funding if it was a new referral to a different hospital, I'm not sure that is right and will get with the help line tomorrow.
May I ask which hospital you had your done?
Many thanks

[kitten_mad]

Hi,

I had this and got the bulge removed by my surgeon (who is also a PS), he did it whilst doing another op for a small recurrence in the skin elsewhere. The bulge has not come back and that is over 6 months since the op. If you would like more details please send me a PM. Hope this helps a little bit.

K M x

[Kirstykat]

Hello
I had a mini LD reconstruction 16 months ago. Chemo and Rads finished 8 months ago. Unfortunately it is quite bulgy under my arm pit. This seems to get worse during my period. Sometimes it feels really tight and uncomfortable. I went back to see the surgeon who at first seemed to think it would be possible to do a bit of lipo suction to reduce the bulge. I got some pictures taken which he said he would discuss with the plastic surgeon and he would make an appointment for me to see him. Well, last week I just got a letter saying that they had discussed it and liposuction would not help my situation and could create more side effects that could make matters worse for me. I am upset because when it swells it is really uncomfortable, also I wish they had seen me and explained why, how it would make matters worse and if anything else could be done. I have discussed it with the help line and they have suggested I could ask GP to refer me to a different hospital. I would like to do this as I feel that this surgeon has not done a good job, before the surgery the nurse made out he was a good surgeon but the scar I have is much bigger that others, he did not have a great manner and I have felt dismissed at times etc... How do I find an alternative NHS surgeon who has a good reputation? Has anyone else had work done to correct bulgyness of an LD reconstruction? Why does it swell more at times? I mean the side is not really my Breast it seems to be under the muscles which is pulled .round. I did do all the excersises after the surgery but I think I should be doing more now after reading other threads. Thanks for reading and any advice greatly received. I know this may seem a small problem compared to others, I have read other threads where women in similar situations have been made to feel like me - that is: 'it looks ok to us, consider your self lucky and off you go' .....