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Considering Going Flat? Start Here.
The main Breastcancer.org site features extensive information about Living Without Reconstruction including: Going Flat: Choosing No Reconstruction Podcast: Choosing to Live Breast Free, interview with Barbara Kriss Podcast: Talking to Your Doctor About Going Flat Prostheses (Breast Forms) Some popular Discussion Board…
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PTEN Gene mutation recommended mastectomy
I was recently diagnosed with PHTS after a gene test. This along with heredity and atypical ductal hyperplasia my doctor has recommended a double mastectomy. I'm 50, and I've decided that I'm going flat. I'm concerned that I'll have regret from a (will I still feel like me perspective) but I think it's the more logical…
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Going flat or breast reconstruction
Scheduled to have bilateral mastectomy next month. I am very much undecided if I want to have reconstructive surgery or not and go flat. If I go flat, I am afraid I might get depressed as my body will be very different. With plastic surgery, I’ve read of women having so much pain and needing to do more procedures…
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Risk of Hunched Back following Double Mastectomy without Reconstruction?
A few months ago I found out that I have a couple of different additional risk factors for breast cancer and I had a lumpectomy to remove some calcifications containing atypical cells. My doctor is recommending chemoprevention medication and observation. But in the middle of dealing with these breast issues I had a routine…
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Reconstruction?
I am 56 years old, and I am going to have a mastectomy on my left breast soon, but I am considering going flat. I just want to get the surgery done, recover, get through any cancer treatments, and see how I feel. I don't want to have to worry about a longer surgery time, multiple surgeries and/or complications. Is there…
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Appearance after bilateral mastectomy
I had a bilateral mastectomy about six weeks ago, without reconstruction. I can't get used to the bizarre lumps all around and on where my breasts used to be. One scar seems deeply embedded; both scars look rough and bumpy. Is this normal? My surgeon is unconcerned and said it could take up to six months for things to…
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Post unilateral mastectomy - recovery
I’ve read through a lot of the recovery posts, but am wondering how long (roughly) does it take before lifting heavy and doing things like vacuuming are ok after a mastectomy without reconstruction. I realise our healing is individual but would just like others timelines.
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Maybe a dumb flat question?
I had surgery Monday. Modified radical on the left and simple on the right. This may be a silly question but will my chest become more flat instead of concave? I am having a very hard time processing what I see under the bandages right now and try not to look because I just cry when I do. Will it look any better? The…
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How many reconstructive surgeries are too many?
I've had a setback with my reconstruction and I'm not sure what I want to do. I had a mastectomy on the right side in November 2022 and had a tissue expander placed, which was swapped for an implant in October 2023 after I healed from radiation. I had mild discomfort from the implant even after recovery and wasn't super…
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Need swimsuit resources w/ prosthesis
Hello, I am post masectomy 8 yrs with an implant on my left breast that has absolutely worn out her welcome as I have gained a bunch of weight in last couple years and now have a huge right breast 40 D and a tiny left breast of only 34 A/B!! Im probably not going to do a reconstruction as I am 60 yrs old and dont want to…
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Single Mastectomy vs double Mastectomy
I am 37 years old and have been diagnosed with DCIS high grade in my right breast. I decided to do Mastectomy but not sure what to do with left breast as I want to keep it. I have a family history of breast cancer. any suggestions?
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Advice on AESTHETIC FLAT CLOSURE
Hi there! Heading in for a double MX with AFC in 2 weeks. I have the option of going somewhere else with a plastic surgeon there or staying at my hospital and just having my breast surgeon close. She is confident she can do a smooth closure with minimal incision size. I am on the smaller side. Just wondering if anyone out…
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Swim suits for women who go flat?
Because I'm at a loss, and I have a pool party this weekend!
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Specialty Swimwear for Single-Breasted Ladies
I'm so excited! The first batch of prototypes for my swimwear line have come in. These are designs that highlight and showcase an asymmetric body, and allow the scar to be shown. I will be launching with 5 designs, but I hope to expand if these do well. Fashion for survivors by survivors!
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I'm considering a unilateral mastectomy following DCIS diagnosis
Hi. I'm newly diagnosed with DCIS following a biopsy to my left breast. Two areas of DCIS found (located near each other), 8 mm each, 1- ER+ graded intermediate, 1 - ER Neg. graded Advanced. I'm trying to decide between a mastectomy of my left breast or radiation followed by tamoxifen. I'd like to connect with women who…
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Anyone regret going flat?
I'm finishing up chemo next month and will have to make a final decision about whether or not to do reconstruction. I'm planning on having both breasts removed. I do not want implants, so I'm choosing between going flat or DIEP fat grafting. A few weeks ago, I was just fed up with the whole multiple surgery, lengthy…
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After-surgery Pain/In search of revision options
Hi. I am am a two-time DCIS survivor, once in 2009, and once in 2019, in the other breast. I went w/ Reconstruction in 2009, which did not go well, so I had the implant swapped out in 2011, for a different kind. That one hurt, but I just lived with it. It stretched my skin too tightly, restricted my shoulder movement, and…
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Thoughts about going flat after single side Mastectomy
Hi, I am 37 years old, diagnosed with DCIS stage 0. Planning to do Mastectomy but wanted to go flat without reconstruction. my bra size is 34D and need suggestions about the prostheses and bras to use.
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Creepy feelings on my numb chest
It's time for my 6th month check up, again. It's been 3 yrs since my BMX. The chest wall used to be very numb. Didn't feel much when touched. 3 yrs past, and some sensory is coming back. I have some feelings now, creepy feelings when touched by someone else. My last check up in January was traumatizing. I left my check up…
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Need help finding compression bra/no reconstruction
Hi, My mother (83 yrs old) just recently had her second breast removed and I would like some recommendations for compression bras used just after surgery. She is not planning reconstruction nor does she want to use prostheses, so I have been trying to find a simple, soft, light compression "bra" that is flat (no cup size),…
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Please don’t call me “Sir”
I chose to go flat and had zero push back from my surgeon. Mine choices were limited – either a single or a double mastectomy. I am two years out, super healthy – best decision ever! I have always been tall and thin. I am 6'-0" and around the 160 lb mark. I was raised by a mother that didn't wear makeup – so it was never a…
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I look for other flat chested women. A rant.
I know many of you wear prosthesis, so I probably wouldn't be able to see or 'know', but. I look for you. I want to see you. I want to form a union, lol. I wish it were even more accepted, acceptable to be flat. To not wear prosthesis, not feel the need to, to opt out of reconstruction-if that is your choice. I do hope…
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Self adhesive prosthetic?
So, I had my “fitting” for my prosthetic today (and I used that term very loosely because what she did was gave me a catalog and told me to pick three styles of bra I liked, and berated me for “wearing the wrong size bras”… it was an ordeal). After the way today went, I’m resigning myself to having to research a prosthetic…
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how many flat women (NOT DOG EARS) have needed a REVISION?
My surgery was over 4 years ago, I go to an educational hospital and one side was clearly done by an inexperienced surgeon. Letting them operate on me is one of the biggest regrets of my life. They left behind a row of tissue/fat below my scar, it is like a row of fat that clashes when I move my body. I also had a seroma…
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Living Without One Breast
I have to decide whether to have a mastectomy or a lumpectomy. I am leaning toward the mastectomy, I don’t want to drive 30 miles for 30 days for radiation. I would like to hear from those who have had only one breast removed and how they deal with it. Do you wear your regular bra wit
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Missing my breasts as I contemplate sex
My bilateral mastectomy was in 2010, I was on these boards a lot when this forum was created. Feels like a lifetime ago. At that time, I felt perfectly fine about being flat; I was far more traumatized by having had an aggressive stage III cancer that had a relatively high risk of killing me. The AI had taken away my sex…
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Tattooed chest
pour moi qui ai horreur des tatouages , dans ce cas de figure on est pas dans le tatouage qui enlaidit , mais au contraire dans une décoration salvatrice et esthétique The caption says "I dislike tattoos, but the tattoo on this chest is a saving and beautiful decoration."
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25 days post BMX - still having some fluid under the empty space
Had bilateral mastectomy on Sept 13 with no reconstruction, stiches are all healed, all good. But there is some fluid underneath my breast skin where the tissue got removed. Surgeon gave me an option to drain them. But oncologist said not to, because it will collect again. Did anyone experience same? If yes, how did it…
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Incision preferences for mastectomy with aesthetic flat closure?
Hi - I had a lumpectomy recently, but because of some surprises with pathology, I may end up having a mastectomy. If so, I would likely prefer a double mastectomy with no reconstruction -- aesthetic flat closure. But - I actually care deeply about the aesthetic result. I've looked up photos online, and see a lot of…
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Did you remove implants & go flat? How was recovery?
I had dbl mx w dti on Christmas Eve 2022 after a synchronous bilateral recurrence/new tumour of heterogenous IDC. My implants are bigger than I wanted (200cc of tissue removed, 300cc implanted) and just super uncomfortable, tops don't fit anymore, its harder to do the sports I like, and to he frank they look matronly. I…
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How have you adjusted to being Half Flat?
Dear Half Flat Sisters, My name is Sara I am 33 years old and I have been living the Half Flat life for about 6 months now. My BS told me i can have reconstruction if i want to, but I am not sure if I want to have something not real on my body. I would like to know what your experiences have been like only having one…