Forum Discussion

JennyK's avatar
JennyK
Member
13 years ago

Latissimus dorsi reconstruction for swimmers?

Hi young pink sisters! I am scheduled to have a double mastectomy and reconstruction in early May. (Have already had breast cancer and extensive treatment (concluded June/12) and also have the BRCA1 gene mutation so need to avoid the potential of having to go through this again!).The doctor has recommended latssimus dorsi flap + implants due to damage from radiotherapy. I am looking for someone who has had similar operation who likes to SWIM for exercise/sport/fun....

Doc advises it will make a difference to the way I can swim freestyle. Swimming has been my vice during the recovery post treatment. It has been so good for improving arm and shoulder mobility but also SO good for the soul! While I've been able to connect with some lovely women who have had a successful similar operation, I haven't been able to find anyone who can tell me the impact on swimming....!

I would love to speak with anyone who can share their experience. 

 

Thank you

  • JennyK's avatar
    JennyK
    Member
    12 years ago

    Wendy - sorry, I just saw this response to my post!

    Really appreciate you taking the time to write to me. 

    Hope your range of movement continues to improve. 

    I'm now 6 months post op and am getting in the pool occasionally. 

    Breastroke is definitely easier than freestyle. I'll keep working on the overarm!

     

    All the best and take care

    Jenny

  • JennyK's avatar
    JennyK
    Member
    12 years ago

    Thanks very much for this info. That's great to hear. Hope all going well with you. Jenny 

  • LeeS's avatar
    LeeS
    Member
    13 years ago
    I did a 40 minute power walk/ jog with 2 FAST friends 2 days ago...today I feel the scar tissue tight and stretched and I have shin splints! My upper body feels like it has been tied in elastic and pulled tight!! But, it filled me with endorphins and knowledge that bit by bit my mobility will improve. My 7 year old said to me, out of the blue yday, "Mummy Bailey takes after you coz you're both always at the computer and I take after Daddy coz we are always getting fit and playing sport."! Arrrggghhh...if he only knew what my life used to be like Pre cancer!
  • JennyK's avatar
    JennyK
    Member
    13 years ago

    Lee - thank you very much for telling me about your story. I understand it's a complicated operation and not without its challenges post op. I'm so glad to hear the swimming is helping you with your recovery!  I am desperate to keep swimming and you've given me good hope that I'll be able to keep it up post op.

    Really hope your post op issues are resolved over time.

    All the best to you too!

    Jen

  • LeeS's avatar
    LeeS
    Member
    13 years ago
    Hi...similar story to you with previous BC and then I had mast with recon, tissue expanders and lat dorsi late last year when I found my brca1 was mutant :-) I have actually turned to swimming as I still get a lot of back pain and am on slow release OxyContin daily. I still have my expanders in after 4 months as I developed multiple bilateral pulmonary emboli post op. so some of my discomfort could also be due to that. I can swim overarm no worries but prefer to stretch out with breast stroke. Feels good! I'm not a competitive swimmer but I hope my story informs you and helps you in some way. All the best! X
  • JennyK's avatar
    JennyK
    Member
    13 years ago

    Em - great to hear from you and so happy that you are feeling so well, relatively speaking. Will be great to keep in touch. I am scheduled for 2 May. 

    When you say swimming, are you talking laps by any chance?

    This is what I'm most interested in. 

    Thanks again for getting in touch. And don't forget to take it easy!

    Jen

  • Emma_T's avatar
    Emma_T
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Jenny,

    Thanks for your post about the lat dorsi breast reconstruction.  I am recovering at home after having this exact procedure done 13 days ago.  I also had extensive treatment following my bc diagnosis in June 2011.  The lat dorsi recon was really my only option.  I was very nervous about the op and the recovery time but I can honestly say that I am feeling great, albeit a little sore and tired.  

    I am fairly active (love to walk most days, swim, play with my kids, etc) and have been told that I should be back to normal after allowing my body to heal for a good few months.  I will be starting physio again in a couple of weeks and this should help further :)

    I hope this is helpful to you.

    Best of luck and if you have any other questions please let me know.

    Em

    xx

     

  • JennyK's avatar
    JennyK
    Member
    13 years ago

    Louise - thanks so much for responding. Glad things have worked out well for you. The doc did say that as a swimmer things would be "different". Just trying to work out what that means!!

    Again, glad your op was a success.

    All the best.

    Jenny