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Anyone in Denver Want to Walk With Me 10/16?
I am leading a team to help support flat visibility at the Making Strides ACS walk on 10/16. I got to do an interview with Renee Ridgeley about the walk and about how being openly flat or uni can be such a reassurance to other people facing a mastectomy. I hope to see y'all in October! Instagram - Interview with Stand Tall…
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Stand Tall - Aesthetic Flat Closure - Making Strides
Hi everyone! If you are in the Denver, CO area, please join me at the Making Strides breast cancer walk hosted by the American Cancer Society. My team is also promoting visibility and normalization of flat closure as a mastectomy option. STAFC Flat and Fabulous, Denver If you are not in the Denver area but like the idea of…
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Flat closure results - Shameless request for surgeon info
Has anyone had a flat closure mastectomy with Michelle Specht at MGH, or Tari King at Dana Farber/Brigham? How did it go? I could use any info at all (feel free to PM me). I'm trying to choose, and I need to decide right away. They both seem fine, but different, and information is scarce (I'm out in the boonies of New…
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Prosthetic fit in normal sports bras and bathing suits
I am having a mastectomy July 6th and was wondering as I love swimming and aquafit. Do you need to get a special bathingsuit? or can you put prosthetic in a bathingsuit you already have. Also I wear sports bras and you can take the padding out when washing them. Does prosthesis fit in sport bras?
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Deciding to go flat: What questions do I need to ask surgeon?
2008 BMX, with right rupture now: I need to decide asap what surgery to get: replacement of silicone implant or no replacement but go flat. My brief overview of prior posts indicates that even with going flat there is much to learn about: proper incisions, ensuring proper mobility, fat grafting? ... Any advise or and…
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double mastectomy with/without reconstruction
Hello! I'm 62 years old and diagnosed with triple-negative invasive breast cancer StageIcN0M0. Currently, I'm under chemotherapy for 8 cycles/24 weeks and I'll have the last cycle of the chemo next week. After I finish the neoadjuvant therapy I will have a double mastectomy in late June since it is triple-negative breast…
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Considering going flat after rupture.
Hello community. I'm Katy. I'm 57. I've had implants for 8.5 years and one of them has ruptured. Considering going flat. I'm waiting on a call back from the hospital for an ultra sound, but my doctor examined me and agrees with me that it is a rupture. I've done some reading and found out the FDA guidelines on these things…
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Embracing being flat and no regrets
Greetings! After discovering I had a genetic mutation (ATM mutation) last February 2021, I had choices to make. I learned that I was at higher than average risk of getting breast cancer (15-40%), ovarian cancer (3%) and pancreatic cancer (5-10%). The number that made me most uncomfortable was the risk of breast cancer and…
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Prosthesis question
This may be a question with an obvious answer. But I'm not sure. Is it ok if silicone breast forms get warm while you're wearing them...like hot from walking in the sunshine or in a hot car before the AC kicks in? Thanks!
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Single mastectomy no reconstruction
Hello. I will be getting a single right breast mastectomy next month. I will be going flat, no reconstruction. What are or were some of your must haves after surgery and for recovery? Is it bad? Painful?
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Seromas and Hematomas
I had my BMX on 10/15/21. All went well, all cancer gone, took 7 nodes and all negative. The drainage in my left breast that had the cancer in it went to yellow pretty quickly and slowed within 10 days. The drainage on the right side was a dark red the entire time and was still about 30-40ml when she removed both drains on…
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Clothing options after mastectomy
Hello all, I am an Occupational Therapist who is interested in learning more about the clothing needs of women after mastectomy's. A few questions I am wondering, what clothing items do you need after surgery, are there specific shape wear items that are a must? Is there a certain brand of inserts that are the best? What…
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Would you like to donate your used prosthesis?
Hello friends, My aunt in the Caribbean is the head of the cancer society on her island. She is also a cancer survivor. She told me that it is very difficult for cancer survivor to get prostheses after surgery. I told her I would donate my old prostheses to her. My insurance pays for new ones every 2 years so I have an old…
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Looking for a prothesis
hello I would really appreciate if someone has a right side prothesis. I currently wear size 40b and size 9 R and my prothesis just broke. If you have one to donate I would really appreciate that. I don't have insurance, this last one i had was donated to me but it is 4 years old and it has split.Thank you to all for…
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What made you decide on a mastectomy?
Hello All, I was recently diagnosed with IDC grade 1 (3.2cm) in the left breast and atypical ductal hyperplasia (2.6cm) in the right breast (ER+/PR+/Her2-). I've seen 1 oncologist who basically told me that if I have a lumpectomy then I will have radiation and if I have a mastectomy I won't. Either way I will have 5 years…
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How do I get over the lost of my breasts ?
It's been 6 months since my BMX and I'm still sad / depressed over the lost of my boobs. I didn't want recon and I still don't, but the loss has been hard to adjust, or get use to. I was fine right after surgery. I was happy the cancer's been removed. But when I had my follow up on my 6th week, and the surgeon finally…
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Weird sensation when drinking hot or cold beverages
Okay, so for the past few days, whenever I drink either a hot beverage or a cold glass of water, I feel it going down the middle of my chest. (Had my PBMX 12/19). It feels so weird. I guess its because the fatty breast tissue isn't there to absorb the heat/chill? Anyone else? Cats
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Going Flat? Be Clear! "Aesthetic Flat Closure"
If you're going flat, be clear. Ask for an "aesthetic flat closure" as defined by the National Cancer Institute, to ensure your surgeon understands you want a smooth, flat chest. We don't have to deal with ambiguity anymore - clear language is key to protecting your choice. Spread the word, ladies!! #aestheticflatclosure
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Most Women Satisfied With Going Flat, Not Supported by Drs
Most Women Satisfied With Choice to Go Flat After Mastectomy, but Choice Not Supported by Many Surgeons January 11, 2021 Nearly 75% of women surveyed who opted for mastectomy without reconstruction were satisfied with the results, but almost 25% said their decision to go flat was not supported by their surgeons. Read…
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Any tests needed to detect any growths after Mastectomy??
My doctor here in cali said I wouldn't need any follow up yearly tests to detect breast cancer. Now I don't want to sound stupid so hear me out...I realize I would never need a mammogram bc I have no breasts..however I do remember hearing someone say they get yearly MRI's?? Is this only for people with implants?? Shouldn't…
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Podcast: Talking to Your Doctor About Going Flat
Talking to Your Doctor About Going Flat February 17, 2021 Dr. Deanna Attai is associate clinical professor of surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Attai was an early adopter of social media for professional and patient education. She serves as the social media editor for the Journal of Oncology…
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Going flat ... clothes?
Hi. I am months out from my surgery. But will be having a double mastectomy with no reconstruction. My initial instinct is that I will go flat most, if not all the time. I have searched everywhere and can't find pictures or advice of dressing after this. And I don't mean to cover it and hide it. I mean will I be able to…
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Is anyone going flat or living flat?
I had a right breast mastectomy in 2014. I've been living with one breast for three years, wearing a mastectomy bra & prosthetic. My left breast is a size D and hangs low and I get sweaty and rashes during the hot summer months. I met with a PS but am not a good candidate for breast reconstruction because I've had…
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CONCAVITY
Hi all, I'm posting on both the reconstruction and reconstruction alternative forums cause I'm curious about concavity. I had a bilateral mastectomy with expander placement three weeks ago. I chose this option despite my PS saying an expander was not good in previously radiated breast tissue because I didn't want to use…
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Deciding to Go Flat . . . Maybe. Please advise.
Hey there. You all are my foob posse so I wanted to reach out to ask for your thoughts, suggestions, insights & questions on going flat. I am 95% sure that's what I'm going to do sooner than later. Meeting PS this Wed to discuss. Can you talk it through with me? Anything I should consider before I decide? Questions I…
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Questions for Plus Size No ReCon Women - sizes 22, 24, 26 etc.
Hi, I am trying to figure out clothes options for my professional life (suits, dresses, similar outfits) post - bilateral mastectomies. What will I do with a very large belly and no breasts? I am fine with no recon; I just need to be comfortable with the work related clothes options. On my own time, I'll go bare and be…
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Wardrobe pics for boobless days
I know there must be many women who have gone through the struggle of finding new wardrobes after their mastectomy surgeries. Wondered if there would be those of you who could actually post pics showing examples of your outfits. Its just so much easier for those of us still trying to find our new wardrobes we could see the…
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HOW TO MAKE A MICRO BEAD BREAST FORM
Hi Ladies, There has been so much positive discussion lately regarding the TLC brand Micro Bead lightweight breast forms (thanks Coonie!) that I decided to try a pair for myself about a week ago. I have been thoroughly impressed with their lightness and comfort. While the TLC forms are reasonably priced at $40 each, buying…
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new and future flat sister, with questions
Dear ones: Facing my own double MX (no date yet; BS Monday). I have some questions, but I get different answers. I knew I could come to you for help. I'm not having reconstruction, so I'm hesitant to post these Qs where others might answer based on their SX with reconstruction or TEs. - How long before I can go back to…
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All things bras & prosthesis
I was thinking (I know - scary isn't it) that it might be fun to have a thread on all things bras and forms. Breastfree has wonderful things that I view as tried and true, the ones that have been tested and can be recommended. What I am thinking about here is more like a beta testing of all the other stuff that is not on…