POSTED UNDER Breast Reconstruction with Latissimus Flap REVIEWS
54 Year OldWoman SurvivesBilateral BreastCancer and Reconstruction Gave HerHope for a Somewhat Normal Life Again. Providence, RI
ORIGINAL POST
I was diagnosed with breast cancer, both breasts,...
lcherenziaApril 15, 2016
WORTH IT
I was diagnosed with breast cancer, both breasts, May 2014. After making the decision to have a bi-lateral mastectomy done, I was referred to Dr. Caroline Plamondon for reconstruction. From the initial visit, I felt a high level of comfort and care from Dr. Plamondon and her staff. The first procedure we tried the nipple saving procedure with reconstruction immediately following the mastectomy. We encountered infection and food poisoning The implants had to be removed. Now what I saw in the mirror was something that no one could even look at...not even myself. I felt so grateful that I was winning the fight against cancer, but somewhere along the road, I felt I had lost a part of myself. Dr. Plamondon told me she could fix anything as she was leaving the exam room at one of my appointments, and she kept her word. Through this entire process, I kept hearing her words of confidence that things would be OK, and it kept me believing when I felt myself giving up hope. We did the Latissimus Dorsi Flap with Tissue Expanders in July 2015. The incisions from that surgery were done from the armpit down my side, so you can hardly see the incisions. March 9, 2016, we removed the tissue expanders and put in the silicone implants. I could not believe my eyes, even one day after surgery, when I looked and saw what she had done. It was nothing short of a miracle. My life will never be the same, but Dr. Caroline J. Plamondon has given me a chance at leading a somewhat normal life again… a chance to "live" life again.
lcherenzia's provider
Replies (12)
May 12, 2016
Why did it take you eighth months to expand after the grafting?
May 12, 2016
3 months healing before the stretching could be done. 4 months of expanding with 3 to 4 weeks between each expansion. I was actually ready at 7 months, but needed to work it out with my work schedule...which put me at the 8 months.
March 9, 2017
Hey! It's been a year since you had your surgery. How are you doing today? It'd be great to hear from you again. Hope you're still happy with your results!
April 22, 2017
Yes, doing well. Going for a follow-up with my surgeon in two weeks. Have had a knee replacement since dorsi flap...now that is a painful surgery...4 months out and I am still suffering. So glad the dorsi flap surgery went smoothly.
April 20, 2017
I'm also a bc chemo, double mastectomy, radiation and lat dorsi flap survivor and so involved in a support group that discusses the lat dorsi flap often and ongoing. We call it the lat flap displacement procedure. U r probably the only person we've come across in our experience who has only been praising the procedure and applauding ur doctor as if she's ur Cinderella fairy god mother, without discussing the life long disabilities post displacement. I was told I needed the flap for post radiation reasons and being so emotionally drained and affected during treatments and the fear of cancer, I went along with whatever my doctors told me to do. I never had the opportunity to consult with my radiation oncologist for his opinion before the operation. What if the lat flap wasn't necessary for radiation? I was never briefed sufficiently on the long term, life long complications of not having that beautiful lat where it belongs, but now bulging under the arm and a tender muscle for a breast. I was a fit, physical woman and mommy to four kids, enjoying gym and tennis. The op ruined all that. Not a day goes by that I do not grapple with the pain and discomfort. My quality of life compromised, not because of breast cancer, but this mutilating procedure that has nothing to do with cancer. I struggle mostly with the constant tightness of the scar and the absence of the muscle below. I'm in London often and a simple walk, sitting in a theatre or restaurant, sitting on the loo and sleeping r painful everyday activities. I am constantly aware of the discomfort, also itchiness. I'm asked what the worst was during breast cancer and the answer is not chemo, not the mastectomies or radiation had caused any life altering physical damage like the lat dorsi displacement. How many other vulnerable women have gone through this or will go through this in the future.
We think it's our duty to enlighten patients that this is a seriously painful op with serious consequences, a 2-4 week drain with pipes snaked in your back, excruciating pain for at least 3 months, endless pain meds, aspirated seroma, her marriage compromised possibly, not being able to care for children, needing time off from work? We discuss the doctors contributions on this site often and we all laughed hysterically at their unrealistic recovery comments.
We think it's our duty to enlighten patients that this is a seriously painful op with serious consequences, a 2-4 week drain with pipes snaked in your back, excruciating pain for at least 3 months, endless pain meds, aspirated seroma, her marriage compromised possibly, not being able to care for children, needing time off from work? We discuss the doctors contributions on this site often and we all laughed hysterically at their unrealistic recovery comments.
April 22, 2017
I am so sorry your experience was and continues to be so horrible. I, unlike you, was never pressured to do the procedure by my doctor. She said I could do anytime and did it 12 months after any cancer related prodedures. I contacted her after living without reconstruction and initiated the procedure. It did come at a cost, but I now feel lucky, and my complaints are nothing compared to yours. I am feeling extremely lucky I do not suffer like you. I never had to refill any pain meds for this process. I did have time to meet with a lat dorsi flap survivor. I did not expect to look like I did pre cancer, but did not want to remain looking like I did post, post surgery. (I initially had implants immediately after mastectomy...I did not have chemo or radiation...I had infection...this compromised my tissue and I then needed the flap procedure for successful reconstruction) It was a choice. My surgeon continues to monitor me with compassion. She is not my fairy godmother, rather a competent and informative surgeon. Again, I am so sorry for your horrible experience, especially not being informed prior to undergoing this major surgery.
Wow, you are ready to hit the beach in that bikini!! Thank you for sharing your experience and congratulations on your victory against cancer!
What type of implants did you decide to go with?