I look for other flat chested women. A rant.
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CCFW, I saw a pattern for how to make 1920's dresses at a fabric store this weekend. With Downtown Abbey, they're becoming quite popular. You'll be the leader of the pack.
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Awesome rant! I am newly flat (since Dec 13, 2013) after suffering with silicone breast implants for 3.5 years and hating every minute of it. I love your rant and agree with all that you said! I love my flatness!
Gran
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Speaking of flappers, here is my grandma in 1935. As you may notice, she was not exactly well endowed. Grandpa seems not to mind and the dress is gorgeous, I think.
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Momine, love that dress, and your grandma was gorgeous.
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They used to wrap themselves to flatten the bust. My how times have changed.
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My MIL was flat as a pancake. She said she wore an A cup when she was nursing. Otherwise nothing at all. Lucky woman.
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Onco, no, the order is fake. It was a mardi gras party.
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Momine
Your grandmother is really beautiful and elegant. She looks so young!
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Georgie, she IS young in that picture - all of 17. She remained, however, always elegant till the day she died.
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My latest offering to us Flat and Happy Campers: http://melanietesta.com/2014/02/the-grace-to-be-flat-and-fabulous/
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That's a very powerful article and it makes me angry that the woman in it had to fight to be able to make informed choices about her own body.
I'm going through the BRCA testing process myself now and wondering if I will have a similar fight when the time comes. I know I don't want the additional surgeries, risks, time off work, and issues with exercise that might come with a reconstruction. I also know that I don't want something on my body that isn't me and I can't feel. It seems crazy to me that this woman had to fight to prove she wasn't insane just to make the choice not to reconstruct. I can understand why other women choose to reconstruct and I'd definitely support anyone making that choice, but it seems like the same acceptance and support should be there for women who choose not to.
I think the "gender confusion" the author was told she'd "suffer" as a result of her choice to go flat was more a reflection that she wasn't fitting into some neat little box of what others think a woman "should" be, but instead defining it for herself. I find that act of defining womanhood on our own terms particularly empowering and, not having gone through it myself, I would think that during cancer treatment would be a time you might need to feel that the most and have the most control over decisions about your body.
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Great article with lots of great links within. Thanks so much for sharing!!
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Mel, great post and links. You are beautiful, we all are.
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Duh! MT - I just realized that the author was you!
It is a great post and really got me thinking. Thank you for sharing it. 
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MT, again thank you for another powerful article. Your words are so eloquent. You are a beautiful and courageous woman in so many ways.
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MT1,
Thank you for writing. It is an important community. I had a similar experience with the initial "breast care coordinator" who was very dismissive when I asked about a mastectomy. She told me "studies" showed that lumpectomy with radiation was the way to go. I asked "what studies" and she couldn't name them. Fortunately, the first surgeon I consulted, was willing to refer me for a second opinion and sent me to someone out of the area who had far more experience. The second surgeon requested additional imaging and recommended a mastectomy. She had scheduled a consult with a plastic surgeon. When I told her I was not interested in reconstruction, she cancelled that appointment. She has been respectful and supportive. As have my yoga teachers, my partner, my friends, my neighbor who had breast cancer before me and regrets her implants--they are still uncomfortable five years later, and family. Insurance covered my prothesis. My chest actually felt good with them on, but my shoulder was not happy, so I have dispensed with them for most occasions and have not looked back.
I asked the first surgeon about saving my nipples. she said it couldn't be done. The second surgeon said it could , and that she had done dozens. I was surprised that I could not find images of what is called "Skin sparing" mastectomies. But with the upswing of women coming out to be photographed, I hope that too will change.
~ponyo
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MT1, I have been a "fan" of yours since I joined these boards. I really enjoy your well thought out and eloquently written articles, please keep them coming!
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Thanks Jaunita and all.
Ponyo, one of the women on Flat and Fabulous had nipple sparing mastectomy and is flat, she has beautiful nipples (she uploaded a photo that can be seen if you are a member). I never liked mine and didn't know this might have been an option anyway. I periodically think I would like 3d nipple tattoos. This just might be something to ponder for years to come. I also really like my plain and simple, nipple-free chest.
GeekyKnitter, I firmly believe we need role models. The more women come out and reveal themselves, even if clothed or however they choose to discuss with the world, the better.
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So glad you still have your sense of humor. I've been flat for 12 years & my best days are the flat ones. Bras rest on scar tissue & hurt, forms fold over & look wonky. Ptui!
Just changed insurance so may have more choices of bras & prosthesis but really life is fine flat. Carry on, sister, with your recovery. You can do it!!!
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MT1,
No need to see any photos now that I am post-surgery. Was surprised that that I could not find anything out there pre-surgery (which would include this web forum.)
Have since stumbled on some collections such as the scar project and under the red dress and there is one more that i can't recall at the moment.
When i attended a support group sponsored by the local medical provider, I was shocked at the number of folks who had accepted both the diagnosis and initial treatment recommendation without any questions. but i realize that it is such a shock to hear the words that the brain does go bonkers in trying to figure out which way is up. Just so many variations and nuances. I have always regarded medicine as much as an art as a science, that there may be more than one way to approach things.
anyway...i am now just rambling. Appreciate the flat chested corner of the forum. my chest has been having some interesting sensations this week. maybe its all that darn yoga.
~p
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I want to get us on the Ellen Degeneres show. I am asking her to get Tig Notaro (also a Flattie) in a room with us 1/2 /Flatties. OMG, I want to meet all of you, and to do it with humor and grace, while making a statement for our beauty and resilliance? Please go comment on this Facebook post. It is a public post. We want on the Ellen Degeneres Show! We are flat and proud, we wear forms, we don't wear forms, we didn't ask for any of this.
Out loud proud!
This is a public query to the show to invite us this coming October. Dreaming Big here!
I am cooking, so, gotta go.
Melly
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and maybe Ellen will do a Selfie with us? I actually enjoyed the Oscars for once....
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Here is my latest offering to the Flat and Fabulous lifestyle: http://mollygalbraith.com/2014/03/love-your-body-challenge-day-21/#more-3224
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MT1 ... What an amazing and inspirational story. You rock!
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Brilliant! Thank you!
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You are a great inspiration to so many! Thanks for sharing!!
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