How exciting (and nerve-wracking!) that your surgery is coming up in September — it's completely natural to want to hear from others who've been through it.
While there aren't specific shared experiences about the latissimus dorsi flap in the available information, MyBCTeam members have shared their thoughts on flap Show Full Answer
How exciting (and nerve-wracking!) that your surgery is coming up in September — it's completely natural to want to hear from others who've been through it.
While there aren't specific shared experiences about the latissimus dorsi flap in the available information, MyBCTeam members have shared their thoughts on flap reconstruction generally. One MyBCTeam member who had a similar flap procedure said recovery involved a very tight feeling, and sleeping flat was impossible at first — pillows under the knees helped a lot!
Another MyBCTeam member shared that by six months post-reconstruction, they felt great and were back to all their normal activities. Here are some general things to know about flap-based breast reconstruction:
- Recovery typically takes 6 to 8 weeks, with soreness and swelling in the early weeks
- Numbness in the reconstructed area can last up to a year
- Future surgeries may sometimes be needed to refine the shape
- Fluid buildup or swelling after surgery should be reported to your care team right away
Posting your question in the MyBCTeam community feed is a great way to connect with members who've had this specific procedure — you may find someone with firsthand experience to share!
July 2