Advice please about LICAP

Hello, I am 48 years old, 9 weeks post op, lumpectomy (20mm) with licap reconstruction.   I found this is not so common, so any questions you have I'm happy to answer.

For me, I  definitely was unprepared for how long the recovery would be,  it's a major procedure and even now my breast is discoloured with bruising and has some fluid build up.  However I've had very little pain, just soreness in the first few days (paracetamol & ibuprofen worked well).  Full movement of my arm returned quickly as well.

They took the tissue from an incision that runs out from my breast and up onto my shoulder blade, a bit of a shock seeing the length of it the first time. The reconstruction itself is hard, numb and does not move, it roughly takes up a good quarter of my breast.

I know this must sound negative but I'm actually very happy with it.  I kept my boob and it still feels like mine, just different to before.  Dressed you would not know I've had anything done, its only me and my husband that see the wonky bit.  

Thanks so much for sharing, I’ve sent you a friendship link, if you feel that would be ok, maybe you can answer a few more concerns I have x

I've accepted the link.  Ask away I'm more than happy to answer any questions you have big or small

Hi Cyprusfav

I had a LTAP reconstruction (same as LICAP but using a different blood vessel) back in June and was thrilled that I could keep my own breast rather than have a mastectomy after having an additional large area of DCIS identified after my first lumpectomy.  My surgeon drew the scar location on me during my planning consultation which was great to prepare myself for the extent of the scar which is about 8 inches long.  The op took about 3.5 hours and I went home the same day, with no drains and just paracetamol and some codeine if I needed it.  After a few days I was just on paracetamol so there wasn’t much pain to be honest.

I was able to shower the following day and two weeks after my op I went back to get the see through waterproof dressing removed. All the stitches were internal and just dissolved. I didn’t have much bruising but had some numbness on my back just behind my armpit due to interaction with some of the nerves.  The shape isn’t ideal and not as good as the original lumpectomy but I have my own breast.  I saw my surgeon this week and we discussed doing some revisions including lipofilling to smooth out the contours, though this will have to wait until the summer due to surgical restrictions right now.

Oxford University Hospital have created a leaflet which is really useful - you can find it HERE

Make sure you do your arm exercises - I’m still doing mine 6 months later, especially after radiotherapy.  The flap is still soft after radiotherapy which is really good, though I have had some persistent post-surgery breast pain, which I’m currently having acupuncture for - after 2 sessions the pain has reduced by around 50% which is amazing.

I had about 4 weeks off work mainly because it was on my computer mousing side, and I started driving 4 days after my op with no problem.

Overall I would definitely recommend having a LICAP. I hope that’s helped!  Please get back in touch if you have any further questions.

Loffie xx

Oh thankyou,, I can’t see you on my profile page yet! Have you had chemo or radiotherapy 

The original plan had been for just rt.  But after the surgery one of my results meant I had a chat about chemo with the oncologist.  I had the appointment yesterday and the choice was left to me,  I decided for peace of mind in the future to have chemo and that should start in about 3 weeks,  followed by rt a month after chemo finishes. 

Although many ladies here will have had similar treatments,  it's still a very individual journey.  Ive found it's best not to look too far ahead so changes are not so difficult to deal with.

Hi Cyprusfav

i also had a LICAP in September, and I agree, there is not a lot of information about the surgery as I believe it is one of the newer surgeries and only can be done if the lump is in a certain position. I know I was the 15th person to have a LICAP at my hospital.

I didn’t have any issues at all, and the surgery went well. As with most, the surgery was done as a day procedure and I was under anaesthetic about 3 hours, by all accounts an hour of that was spent with my 2 surgeons trying to figure out the best end look by drawing on me, before they cut. I was home in my own bed by the end of the day.

I was lucky, and had no drains, and I stopped taking pain killers within days. In fact I was working at home (computer work) 72hours after the operation, and back at work 2 weeks after. (On light duties) I have been left with what I described as a lollipop scar. A round circle on my breast, and the lolly stick which is about 12-14inches long, which extends under my armpit, into my back. But you can’t see it as it covered with my bra. I am 4 months post op, I do have a lovely purple scar, which has faded slightly. 

Healing took a little extra time, as I’m not very large, so I didn’t have a lot of spare skin under my arm, and the incision was a very tight. So I could not do most of the post operation exercises, and could not lift my arm above shoulder height for weeks. So I had to move it carefully to avoid the build up of fluid. Even now the healed scar feels tight, but lots of cream helps with that.

Immediately after, the circle on the breast was numb, and felt weird. 4 months later, it’s slightly numb, I have most of the feeling back, but it still feels odd when I touch the area.

if I am honest, I am really very pleased with the operation, and would do it again. But again I was lucky and the whole operation, and recovery went extremely well.

good luck xx 

Many thanks, kelstar9 I will try to message you x

Hi

Could I ask was size you are please? I’m a 36C with a 5.5cm cancer area to be removed. Im having a LICAP and should get my operation date today.

Hello @GeeGeeRed I'm also a c cup but my lump was smaller at 20mm.

This thread is a few months old now and it's about 8 months since I had the licap.  It's still changing and now is very different to when I originally posted.  It has softened up and moves more naturally, when I press my hand against it the feel is of an almost normal breast.   The nipple still points a bit off and is not as reactive.  I'm very happy with the results and have no hesitation in recommending the procedure.   Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions