breast reconstruction

Hi Phylie,

Sorry you had so many problems with your implant reconstruction. Strange that it seemed to have settled but then you had further problems 2 years on. Was it more infection? Or some other problem with the implant?

I have also had failed implant recon but my problem was to do with my pectoral muscle being in very bad condition (virtually non-existent) after heavy RT so it was not able to hold the implant in place. I also had issues with infection (Cellulitis).

Do you know what type of Lat D you are having? There is one type where they still use an implant, but use some tissue from your back to make the 'pocket' in which to place it. Or the other type is where they use skin, muscle and tissue to make a complete breast from tissue only (no implant). This second type will give you are more natural feeling breast but will leave a bigger 'dent' in your back.

There are a couple of women on here who have had the LD flap done and I think they are happy with the results. From other patients I have spoken to, it seems to be a recon with a pretty high success rate. In your case, I would ask if the problems you had previously are likely to be an issue with this surgery also (or was it the implant your body objected to?).

You might also like to ask your surgeon how many of these recons she has done - and what was the success/fail rate of them. Also, if there is anything you can do now that might increase your chances of success for the op - eg, gain weight, lose weight, more protein, etc.

I totally understand your anxiety and your wish that this op would be the last time anyone operates on your breasts again. It is exhausting to have to deal with multiple ops and infections and the effects of all the antibiotics you have to take because of them.

Wishing you lots of luck and nothing but SUCCESS this time around!
Flo.

Hi Flo
Thanks so much for your prompt reply, and also some good advice i actually did'nt know that about using just skin muscle and tissue minus implant, I will certainly ask about that! but may be its only for very small breasts.
What type of reconstruction did you have after your implant failed and are you now happy with result?
Phylie.

Hi Phyllis
I had my mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using the LD and an implant (I was a 34b going into surgery, but got the implant as my surgeon hadn't enough fatty tissue to play around with). My surgery took place 30th March this year so it maybe too early to tell how my reconstruction is, especially since I haven't finished my chemotherapy yet and have also to go through radiotherapy so that might change things, hopefully not!
At this stage, 28 weeks after surgery, I don't seem to be having to much trouble - Stiffness is there but I'm blaming not being vigilant with my exercises (taking up swimming tomorrow as it happens) but I was with my surgeon a couple of weeks ago and she was thrilled with how both my breast and back look and feel so I'm delighted with the reassurance!
If there is any specific questions you want to ask, give me a shout - good luck!

Hi Flo

Thank you for all your information. I will be having my surgery on Nov 11th, so i will probably have some questions during my recovery if you dont mind can i keep in touch for progress update?
I hope all is well with you after your reconstruction.
Regards
Phylie

Hi,

I had a LD reconstruction in June and very happy with the result. The recovery wasn't too bad. I attended a female plastic surgeon in st vincents and she was great.

It will not be the same as your natural breast but the cleavage and look when dressed is excellent. I had an implant too and was 36b before surgery.

Good look with the surgery.

Patricia

wall100, i could have wrote your post, i had lati dorsi reconstruction done on june 15th and was back two weeks ago for checkup, everything perfect, surgeon delighted with it. looks the exact same as other breast in a bra but look at plenty of pictures first and i actually met a girl who had it done and showed me everything good and bad, she was 9 months out from surgery. my scars are now shiny and starting to sink, which means they will go white and silvery soon.

i had muscle and skin graft from my back but still had a small inplant to make the 36B. I wanted c on both sides but had to settle for B due to lack of skin, i had modified radical mascetomy 2 years 1 month before so there were a few holes to fill also, i found recovery time a lot quicker than org surgery and was home after 4 days and back to work after 3 weeks, i think mentally this op was for me and by my choosing. i actually started doing dumbell weights last week, had a little scar pain in bed that night but fine since, but i do stop as soon as i feel the burn.

best of luck i am delighted to say goodbye to that lump of rubber and no one can tell the diff between real and fake but do massage it every night to make it softer and stop the implant from showing through or becoming encapsulated, only for two or 3 mins so not as bad as it sounds. it does feel a bit of muscly and funny sensation on the back for a while but that does fade but the one thing i was not warned about is because your back has to stretch out the five inches or so taken for a B cup it feels very stiff and numb for a few months and i still find it if i try to run but that will wear off after another while the surgeon said.

best of luck, hope this one works out lovely.

Wall 100, Thank you so much for all the information on your Lati Dorsi Recon found it very helpfull. My good breast is 34d so I hope the muscle skin etc will stretch also a few hollows to fill in, anyway its in the hands of my surgeon at this stage. I will be having my op on Nov 11th all going well. Glad to hear your recovery was short and you are nearly back to normal, fairy play to you dumbbells and running! Go for it!
Again Thanks a mill.
Phyl.