Lat Flap Experience

Hello...I'm a male asking a question for my wife.  2.5 years ago she had a lat flap to reconstruct her
left breast in which she had DCIS.  She had 2 surgeries on the breast and was ultimately declalred clear of cancer and after a 6 month wait, she saw a plastic surgeon and decided on a lat flap.  She deeply reqrets that decision now.  She has been in pain in the area now for the last 2 years and is taking heavy pain meds and has been told by 2 doctors that she just may have to live with it.  The surgeon who performed the surgery essentially told her that "she shouldn't be in any pain, and perhaps cutting (some) nerve will help it".  She's very reluctant to return to him.

I can't stand seeing my wife going through this anymore.  Are there any women on here with a similar experience?

Thanks for any help.

BG

[[e-mail]]

Dear BG,
I had my Lat Flap surgery 3 weeks ago.  I am still having some pain on the left side of my back.  I just discovered most of it was due to to the compression bra I was in.  I would hurt while lying or trying to get up.  
If her Doc cut the nerve, she should not be having pain.  My Doc did not cut mine so I wouldn't have muscle deteriortion.
Things are quite different than I expected also.  Please have your wife visit another Doctor.  I hate to hear she still has to take pain meds.  I dumped mine down the toilet a few days ago, because I was becoming so dependent on them.
Good luck to you both.
If you or you wife need to chat more, e-mail me at ***@****

[shelley50]

Hi I hope it is OK to ask you this. I was DX in 7/02 and went the lumpectomy/radiation route. In 1/06 I had a recurrence and had both breasts removed with expander reconstruction. The left side did fine but the previously radiated right side did not. The incision literally split open as if it had never even healed 3 months after the final surgery. It has been 1.5 years since I lost the implant. I am a very athletic 50 year old and the thought of wearing this prosthesis for the rest of my life saddens me. I have considered a lat flap and have a great surgeon. I am just so anxious about it. Are you able to lift things, how heavy? Do you regret the procedure or are you happy that you went through it? Were you majorly anxious prior to the surgery? In the course of a day I go from yes to no to HELL NO for having such a brutal procedure. Any advice you have would be welcomed. Michele

[SSB100]

You should look into DIEP or GAP surgery.  No muscle is disturbed in either method of reconstruction, only fat, skin, and blood vessels.  I'm planning to have it done in the fall or winter.