LD flap recon soon
Hi all,
I'm three years post diagnosis (followed by chemo, rads) and I have delayed recon surgery date in less than three weeks for LD flap with implant. I'm excited and scared!
Did anyone have this procedure and regret it?
Also, due to medication side effects I had to give up my favourite exercise of walking and decided to learn to swim as a new form of exercise. Now I'm actually good at swimming and find it great exercise. Also, it feels like mindfulness going up and down the pool, calms the head when I have to concentrate on one, two, take a breath! So I'm a bit worried about the potential weakness from messing with the back muscle and maybe ending up not able to swim.
I'd be very grateful of any comments or advice. I'd rather know the good, the bad and the ugly in advance!
Thanks,
Jo
Comments
Hi Josephine
I had LD plus implant in Aug 2010. Surgery was OK and I had no particular complications. I too am quite pleased with the results (hated being a uniboober) but like emcee I have nothing to compare it to.
I do recall being quite uncomfortable for the first two days in the hospital and I discovered that prolonged use of morphine did not agree with me but once I switched to a non morphine based pain killer I improved quite well!!
To be honest I don't remember what type of physio I was offered or had post surgery but ask at the hospital and be guided by the medics
The good news is that I used to be a swimmer and got back into swimming about 2 years ago and I have no probs swimming despite feeling that my left side is weaker I don't appear to sway asI plough up and down the swimming pool!!!!!
Best of luck!
Lindylu
Hi all
Just an update, the op was cancelled due to chest infection 
Prob all the swimming and wet heads!
So postponed for three months and the longer I wait, the less I want to do it. I'm sick of still being a patient.
Jo
Oh Jo,
I can't even imagine the disappointment. Is there any chance they would give you a cancellation?
I have no words but big hug xo
Hi Encee
Thanks for the kind words. The secretary told me I had a better chance of winning the lotto than get a cancellation so I'm not holding my breath!
Jo x
Oh no! Don't despair, you might get a cancellation. I can't remember what hospital you attend, I'm a beaumont girl and used to call admissions every so often when waiting on my reconstruction surgery. My turn eventually came around and I was well prepped for it!
Hi Jo;
The very best of luck to you with your surgery.
I had an immediate LD flap implant done at time of mastectomy; I can't say I regret it as I have nothing to compare it to.
I was thrilled with the result, but had to go back for revision surgery as I had encapsulation (doesn't happen often, so don't let that put you off); my big regret was not keeping up with my physio long after I back to normal; also, I don't think you have much to fear regarding problems swimming - I got improves swimming lessons after my surgery - it's one of the best forms of exercise you could do. Also, you really shouldn't suffer too much strength - you might notice not able to carry as much weight but it really shouldn't pose as a problem.
Hope this helps, and best of luck