LD Flap reconstruction

hi Gill DiggersMum 

it's been a long time, how are you doing?

I have heard good things about LD flap recon but haven't had experience. 

at the moment I'm struggling to think of anyone over the past 6 years who did have that ... let me scratch my head a little bit.

big hugs

Carolyn

xxx

Hi Carolyn, 

I’m doing better than I expected thankfully and I hope you are too. I look in from time to time and see there’s very little chat any more. We’ve lost a few along the way but good to see so many survivors.

My problem is the recon, being a muscle the damn thing jumps every time I move my arm. Just wondering if it’s the same for all ?

Love n hugs

Gill xx

hi DiggersMum

I had the standard implant but the surgeon did come and see me afterwards to tell me he'd secured it under a muscle and yes, it does jump occasionally.

Call me dim but I can't see how to search this new forum layout for previous posts containing LD flap

edit*

right at the top in the middle is what looks like a site wide search but if you type in LD flap it does find people who have posted in this group.

I didn't recognise any names and they are all from a while ago. Give it a go?

Hi, yes I did try that. Only two people had names as opposed to “former member “. Sent message to one but had no reply so will try the other lady now. Thanks for helping

Hello!

I had a LD flap reconstruction 5 months ago. Yes, the breast does jump a bit with certain movements, because the muscle is still attached to the back, I think.

I'm very pleased with the result and hope you are, too. I have a circular patch where my nipple and areola were and am hoping to get a new nipple.

It was quite an ordeal for the first few weeks, the drains being a burden, but I feel totally recovered now. Normal arm movements and that pulling feeling in my back has pretty much disappeared. 

No-one would guess what I've been through, looking at me.  The surgeon did a fantastic job!

Hi and thanks for your message. I had mine done early November last year. I’m right handed and the reconstruction was to the right side so every time I use my right arm, cleaning, cooking, ironing, driving, showering, the muscle is contracting. I also had an implant to even things up and sometimes the contraction will pull the new breast out of shape. 
Just wondering if you can relate to any of this.

Many thanks,

Gill 

Hi Gill

Mine was also right side with an implant.

I don't notice any contraction or shape change whilst I'm going about my daily routine. Nothing to distract or annoy me - or, maybe I block it out?

Certain movements like getting up sideways off the sofa or bed, yes, it happens then. Drying myself in the shower, I can feel and see the breast jump. It's very odd. Generally, everything feels normal. I was hauling a toddler and buggy about last week (grandchild) and wasn't aware of anything.

Your experience sounds a bit annoying if it happens all the time.

I wonder if it will settle? Have you spoken to the breast care nurse about it?

I had high grade DCIS and 2 ops that didn't get clear margins, which resulted in this MX.

No other treatment, fortunately. 

The worst thing has been the awful tight pulling in the back, but that's subsided.

Sue x

Hi Sue,

Thanks for the info. Seems like my contractions are a bit more severe than yours - or maybe I’m just a wimp. My dx was invasive (IDC) with quite a large tumour so I had the works, chemo, rads, Herceptin and an extra couple of hospital admissions with neutropenic sepsis then anaphylaxis, phew. Seems so long ago now. I did ask BCN about it and she said it should ease off but never go completely. Nine months on it’s no different at all. I’ll be seeing surgeon again in couple of months so I’ll bring it up again. He’s talking about a mastopexy to the other side for symmetry but at (a young) 67 I’m not bothering with the nipple, lol.

It’s been nice chatting with you and thanks again for reaching out. I’ll let you know what, if anything, happens.

Gill xx 

Crikey, Gill, you've been through the mill and you're most certainly not a wimp! Far from it!

We're the same age. I'm sorry to hear that you're still going through treatment. What a nuisance.

Sending you my very best wishes and I hope everything finally resolves itself.

Let us know how you get on. Onwards and upwards! Xx

Thanks Sue, the reason I’m still going through treatment is because they lost me in the system for over 3 years, my Dx was 2016, I got back into the system in ‘19 then covid delayed my reconstruction ‘til ‘21.

You said “let us know” are you by any chance from up north? I’m near Durham 

Gill xx