Discuss prostheses, swimsuits, bras, and other options for women not having reconstruction or waiting for reconstruction.
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…
Hi all, I was diagnosed with DCIS in 2010 and had a partial mastectomy and radiation on my left breast. In 2014 I was again diagnosed with High grade DCIS in left breast. I had a double mastectomy including nipples and a Tramflap operation using the skin, fat and muscle from my stomach to create breasts. I absolutely hated…
I had surgery 1/14/26. I think my posture has changed or something because my ribs kind of flare out. I’m not sure if this happens to everyone- I think it is pretty common? Another change is I’ve had pretty radical mood swings and my period has been erratic since my surgery. Anyone else live through feeling crazy after…
I chose to go "flat" and have both breasts removed, but I blead to much and my cancer obliterated my left breast. She took four hours on just my left breast. Of course I was asleep but my family was very worried because it was taking so long. The surgery was my greatest fear besides death in this whole thing. I worries…
Exciting news to share! The STILL Anthology has dropped. It's a fashion photography project created by the incredible Lisa Taft Sylvester to help raise awareness of and to normalize aesthetic flat closure. I was invited to take part in the second volume that has just been published. It's a beautiful volume, and the stories…
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…
It's been a year since I had my single mastectomy for Stage 3 IBC. I decided to commemorate the occasion by sharing (a) what I learnt from a plastic surgeon regarding my reconstruction options and (b) why I chose to go flat. Hope my essay helps those who are thinking about foregoing reconstruction! Link to my essay:…
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.
I'm curious if anyone has made this decision, and if they had subsequent surgeries to tighten up loose skin or fill in any concavity? I had my nipple-sparing DMX in Sept 2025, with the initial plan of reconstruction. However now that I am wrapping up chemotherapy, I am considering remaining flat. I'm not sure what to do…
Anyone out there who had grade 3 DCIS, subtype comedo (aka comedocarcinoma) with expansile comedo necrosis? I was ER- and also had cancerization of lobules by high grade DCIS. I had a bilateral mastectomy 2 months ago, which my surgeon and Nurse Navigator fully supported. I think they were relieved that I understood how…
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