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KTCC's avatar
KTCC
Member
11 years ago

Lat dorsi reconstruction.

Five months on from my bi-lat mastectomy and I am now looking at reconstruction. Although my op was nipple and skin sparing complications meant a return to OT and the loss of my left nipple and some skin. I've been to my plastic surgeon - seems my only option is a lat dorsi with implants. I'm too thin for a tram, and probably a TUG, plus do not want to change surgeons, only two in Brisbane do the TUG, and I'm too scared to contemplate seeing a different surgeon. I'm currently with Lily Vrtik. Has any one else had a double lat dorsi? What difference has it made to your life in terms of being able to do things - nothing spectacular just being a working mum, wife and doing everyday 'stuff'. I do swim and have been told I may have to stop, but research shows it's possible to continue with good Physio post op. My chest looks so bad right now, it is concave and I find the forms too uncomfortable to use, they're so hot. Every time I see those dents in my chest I'm reminded of the phyllodes - oh and the area in the other side that came back as 'not good' on my final path post op. Thank goodness I got both done! Emotionally though I'm all over the place. Can anyone please help?
emotions
mastectomy
Reconstruction
side-effects
  • KTCC's avatar
    KTCC
    Member
    11 years ago

    Also moving house in two weeks and can do nothing,but do have great family to do it all, just another guilt trip for me.

  • KTCC's avatar
    KTCC
    Member
    11 years ago

    Also moving house in two weeks and can do nothing,but do have great family to do it all, just another guilt trip for me.

  • KTCC's avatar
    KTCC
    Member
    11 years ago
    Had lat dorsi just over two weeks ago, luckily surgeon was able to scrape up enough pectoral muscle on the right, so only had left lat dorsi. Unfortunately PONV kept me in ICU three days, an infected drain site and seromas appeared as did muscle spasms. Just had back seroma drained for the fourth time, and have developed an abscess on the right - which was the 'easy' one. It also hurts far more than the lat dorsi side, and while I'm happy I have 'boobs' again I am feeling fed up that I can't do much and irritated beyond belief that I'm not better than I am. Abscess drained today, really feeling down. Still feeling sick and hard to eat. Surgeon says is normal to feel like this. How long did it take you to recover post op? I'm lucky enough to have income protection so don't need to rush back to work, but honestly thought that by now I'd be thinking another few weeks and I can get back, instead of which I cannot even contemplate a time when I'll feel good enough to walk round Coles, let alone go to work. Sorry, I'm just feeling really sooky la la right now.
  • katie76's avatar
    katie76
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi KTCC, sorry it has taken me a while to respond to this question. I also had a lat dorsi with implant reconstruction with Dr Lily Vrtik 3 years ago. I had only unilateral mastectomy which was also skin and nipple sparing and did not have enough tissue for any other options for reconstruction. It was on my left side and with regards to everyday life it has not really affected me all that much. I do occasionally get a tired feeling in my back on the right side which I am not sure if this is as a result of not having the lat dorsi on my left. I swim at least 2 times a week now - at first it was really hard and my reconstructed side always felt tight and a pulling sensation to start with however I rarely have this issue now when swimming. I also do a boxing class once a week and the main difficulty is boxing above my heag or holding the pads above my head for someone else. I do notice that I cannot punch as hard on that side, however it has always been my weaker side. I also do another class that involves weights and body weight exercises and I do struggle to do pushups however over time I have built up from not even being able to do one to now about 20 to 30 on my knees. I was originally told that I would probably not be able to do any of these things but I have been determined to do all the things I used to do. If you want to know more or ask more questions I am more than happy to answer them. Cheers Katie.

  • katie76's avatar
    katie76
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi KTCC, sorry it has taken me a while to respond to this question. I also had a lat dorsi with implant reconstruction with Dr Lily Vrtik 3 years ago. I had only unilateral mastectomy which was also skin and nipple sparing and did not have enough tissue for any other options for reconstruction. It was on my left side and with regards to everyday life it has not really affected me all that much. I do occasionally get a tired feeling in my back on the right side which I am not sure if this is as a result of not having the lat dorsi on my left. I swim at least 2 times a week now - at first it was really hard and my reconstructed side always felt tight and a pulling sensation to start with however I rarely have this issue now when swimming. I also do a boxing class once a week and the main difficulty is boxing above my heag or holding the pads above my head for someone else. I do notice that I cannot punch as hard on that side, however it has always been my weaker side. I also do another class that involves weights and body weight exercises and I do struggle to do pushups however over time I have built up from not even being able to do one to now about 20 to 30 on my knees. I was originally told that I would probably not be able to do any of these things but I have been determined to do all the things I used to do. If you want to know more or ask more questions I am more than happy to answer them. Cheers Katie.