Question about Free Flap Graft from Forearm

Hi Sophie 66, I had my nose removed and a bone behind my top lip in February 2020  and I have had skin removed from my left inner wrist in February 2022 plus I had skin removed from my leg to cover the donor site.  My thumb feels exactly like yours.  A lot of my donor site has healed okay except for the middle part where a tendon (I think it’s a tendon) doesn’t  want to heal so im still seeing the plastic nurses and getting it dressed.  It’s not painful at all just a nuisance really and but will  be worth the pain I’m sure.  I’m now waiting to see the pain consultant to get some medication to settle the nerve damage inside where my nose was.  The best thing I did was keeping away from Google and taking everything step by step.  

Hi, Lyn - I had a free flap graft from my forearm to reconstruct my mouth after surgery in May last year.

When I first saw the wound I joked that it looked like a zombie bite! Now it is a faint white/pink circle, slightly indented in the middle. There is also a long white scar from wrist to crook of arm where vein was taken to plumb in the graft. I barely notice it now.

There was considerable numbness in my hand below the thumb and some nerve damage around the site, but the strength has returned and I use my hand as normal. There are still some tingles and a bit of numbness, but nothing that bothers me. I’ve definitely found it has improved and is in no way a problem a year after surgery.

Hi Lyn,

I am only 6 weeks post op.  I’m having exactly the same issue. I’m seeing my consultant this week and was planning on asking about it - will let you know.

Matt

Good evening Sophie66, i have had this procedure done, mine was to repair the floor of my mouth. I did have a few issues with my fingers for a brief time but just kept pretending i was playing the piano to keep things moving. I agree it does look a bit dog bitten to begin with but i now look at the area and think what an excellent job they did, as you cannot really notice it , it's only because i know it's there. It will become a tight feeling due to it healing up.  Mine took a long time to heal and my consultant was getting a bit concerned plus it got infected but its now perfect and it does not bother me one single bit so im sure yours will heal up just as well, i have been on this forum for about 12 years and have not heard of anyone having problems with the area, you sound a bit like me with other operations. Wishing you all the best with your continued recovery, take care.

                                                                                  Chris x

Good evening Trish, hope all is well, i agree with your last sentence about Google and taking everything step by step, we get there in the end. Best wishes .

                                                                  Chris xx     

Thanks so much everyone for your replies. It is so reassuring to know that everyone has had a similar experience with the graft and it is great to know that in time the tingling and numbness does improve although maybe not completely. I will look on it as a temporary inconvenience and add it to my list of battle scars.

Lyn

xx

Hi

i had forearm flap reconstruction jn december. Im numb in the “snuff box” region of the thumb. Its a bit ugly in places, i showed it my GP and he said it looked like a shark attack!! I continue to use bio oil but to be fair, i dont think its too bad. Happy to share pics if you wanted x

Good evening Chris, things going slowly but getting there.  Just waiting for the date of my next op.  Mean while I  have severe facial nerve pain which is good for keeping you awake all night! I’m waiting to see Pain Consultant and hoping he will come up with something.  I hope you are keeping well.

Hiya just read about your treatment for nose cancer yes its is a crap place as all cancer are..i got adenocarcinoma cancer in nose but reading your posts nothing like wat you gone through hope your on   the right path and getting there good luck for the future.

Hi Papillon10, thanks for your message.  It’s good to be among caring people.  We are all doing what is needed to get some sort of life quality, but our journey is just taking a bit longer.

Best wishes,