Questions about using the latissimus dorsi for reconstruction

[Christine Walas]

Hello Ladies,
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I will complete my herceptin treatments on 11/02. I am scheduled for reconstructive surgery on 12/11; the plastic surgeon has recommended that I use the latissimus dorsi with an implant. I am hoping that I can find someone out there the can answer these questions and maybe give me some hints for taking care of myself after the surgery.
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I am wondering how long the hospital stay is?
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What is the level of and duration of pain that I can expect?
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How long will be out of work?
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What is the recovery time is?
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Can I sleep in a bed or will I need a recliner?
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What will the scar on my back be like? The plastic surgeon did not have any photos to show me.
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Thank you,<O:p</O:p
Christine
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Please feel free to call me at 208 866-0562 or post here.<O:p</O:p

[SoCalGal]

I am going out of town but I will call you over the weekend. Flori

[harrie]

I had reconstruction following my bilat mastectomy. I had the DIEP flap reconstruction which is similar to the TRAM flap but spares the muscle. I had my final surgery for this a wk ago and I could not be happier. I just absolutlely love my body and the work that has been done and it has not even fully healed yet from the revision.
I am from Hawaii, but I had my mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction done in So California.
Maryanne

[Joanne S]

There are many options for reconstruction you should check out before making your decision on which type of reconstruction you feel is best for you.

I highly recommend seeing a couple more plastic surgeons and doing some thorough research of all the options available to determine which are the best possibilities for YOU.


The following links are related to you request about latissimus dorsi.

Here are a couple of sites that have images at the bottom.

http://www.vch.ca/breastreconstruction/method_transfer.htm

http://www.emedicine.com/plastic/topic137.htm

and

These site contains lots of information, illustrations and answers to your questions:

http://www.ienhance.com/procedure/description.asp?ProcID=30&bodyid=2&specialtyid=1

http://health.yahoo.com/topic/breastcancer/living/article/mayoclinic/D89678DB-CD6A-46AE-AC925B379D61AA93