I look for other flat chested women. A rant.
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Momine, ah that probably has a lot to do with it, the study was from 2003-2010. It will be interesting to see studies in the future. My BMX was in 2006, which falls during the study parameters and the BS seemed to think I was some sort of rebel. I'd love to see a graph of the percentages of reconstruction. Is it increasing? Or did it have an initial surge and then level off?
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The only reason I would want reconstruction would be to get rid of my tummy. There's plenty of fat there to make a new one.
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River Rat, I only remember seeing a recent study that noted increased recon, as high as 40-50% in metro areas. The study ascribed it to the change in the law that makes insurance cover it.
However, it could also be partly because prophylactic MX is becoming more common, as well as MX for DCIS. In those cases, recon is more likely to be successful, so it would make sense that more people with very early DX would choose it. My cancer was stage 3, and after careful research, I realized that most of the nice recon jobs were on early stage patients, whereas once I got to the pics of recon after stage 3, it started looking a widdle scawy
I know some people have very nice results even after stage 3, but I didn't like the odds of that particular gamble.0 -
Momine, I would bet that prophylactic MX has been a major factor in the increase in recon. For some reason that hadn't even crossed my mind.
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My mother had a BMX and no reconstruction. I was amazed to be offered a BMX with a 1cm DCIS. After complications from a little lumpectomy and SNB, I would never opt for reconstruction. Anyway...Hanro Touch Feeling camis and other tops are super comfortable. They are expensive, but last very well with no special care. Some colors are often discounted. eBay is a good source, especially the German seller, Maxmrosi Body and Legwear. Hope this helps.
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LynnInColorado, I just read your post and noticed your Dx. You are the only other person I have come across here, who had Mondors and the cartilage problem too!
I also had a fairly significant Dog Ear that I had removed 12 months after my UMx.
My Mother had a UMx and no reconstruction in '94.
I love soft clothing too and have found Bamboo Fiber Camis feel great and not too expensive.
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Riverrat, thanks for inviting me over. I am 6 weeks out from BMX with no recon and none intended ever. I would be happy being totally flat but apparently I will have to have further surgery for that because I am one lumpy mother! I have begun to wonder if my surgeon assumed I would want recon down the road and so left extra skin because I have these tiny booblets all across my incisions. And I don't have any follow up appointment with the surgeon, either.
Y'all talking about camis, I found wonderful really soft cotton camis with spaghetti straps at Walmart for $2.97 each in an array of colors. I mean, these things are SOFT! I have a bunch of them and that's my everyday wear. Haven't even tried to get fitted for foobs. Guess I'll get some to wear with the tops that have darts etc., I still have some of those I'd like to wear and they just look funny flat.
I'm sitting in the clinic having my first chemo as I write this. Haven't got the chemo yet, just the saline and steroids and emend for nausea. So the worst is coming. Got my ice chips, my ginger ale, my snackies, and now the real fun starts.
Favoriting this thread, I want to come back and read it all. Can't get enough of my Flat & Fabulous sisters!
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Magdalene, I hope treatment is easy on you and kicks cancer's butt. There is a wealth of information and validation to be had in this thread for those of us that have chosen to be flat, those who have had de-construction, and for those who for whatever reason didn't choose it but haven't been able to have reconstruction. It's kind of a long read at this point, but a very worthwhile one.
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Magdalene, I hope it all went well for you today!
I had a "Dog Ear" left over after my Mx which annoyed me so I had it removed a year after my Umx surgery. It was the best thing I could have done. Mine was just at the the end of my incision, an under arm thing, that many of us have. It actually bothered me most when I was sitting and completely relaxed, it was like a shelf that my arm would bump and irritate and it would rise over the side of my bra too.
My Surgeon told me that most women don't want to have any further surgery, so they leave them, but for me, it was a source of irritation with cut nerves zinging inside it.
After the removal, which I talked my surgeon into doing in his office with a local anesthetic, I was left with a 7cm or about 3" extra on my scar which now curves around my back. It was tender for a week or two, but now, there is barely any nerve sensation in it and it is completely flat and tight. There are before and after pics on Breastfree.org if you want to see the results. I just wanted to let you know, can be fixed if you choose to do it.
Take care! M x
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These lumps under my arms are soft in the morning, hard by bedtime. I feel like they make me walk like a wrestler. They will definitely have to go, at some time down the road. I'd post a picture but I think even YOU ladies would find it horrid.
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I know how you feel Magdalene. I hated mine and I also give a warning to anyone looking at my pics of it! I was walking like a wrestler on one side too! LOl I also had a lot of nerve sensation that made it hard to ignore it.
Nothing bothers me, to look at. I actually watched a Mastectomy surgery on YouTube, after my Mx, not before, to try to work out why we have the sensations we have, after our surgery. Now that wasn't pretty, it was a brutal surgery, but it answered a lot of questions for me!
You have plenty of time to decide what to do about your protrusions, they may even improve over time, but if you do decide to have them removed, I can recommend it!
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I have swelling between the end of the scar and the armpit, but it's LE, not a dog ear, so there's nothing to be done about it. It's awfully tender so I know exactly what you mean about walking (sitting, standing...) like a wrestler. LOL
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Jennie, I have a swelling up under the arm too, still there after the Dog Ear was removed. I believe it is from the SNB. It has been uncomfortable since surgery, but 18 months out and it has really improved a lot. Still numb, but can burn a bit at times too.
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Yes, Onco, I am on that page as well, I'll look you up there! Haven't cut it yet, trying to enjoy the last of my March perm for a few more days. I'll see my wonderful hairdresser for a shave, and if I get a wig between now and then I'll have him style me. DH said he'd take me wig shopping Saturday if I'm up to it.
So far very little in the way of SEs from first infusion, got my Neulasta this afternoon.
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Glad to hear you are doing well magdalene!
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Hello everyone,
I am a fellow survivor and contributor to
this forum, including, early on, to this topic thread. I dropped off
the boards in the fall of 2012 as I prepared to begin graduate school,
so you may not be familiar with me. I am posting today to let you all
know that I have begun a research project, which, inspired in part by
MT1's breastcancer.org discussion thread 'looking for flat-chesters',
examines the relationship between mastectomy, body image and wellness.
As part of my study, I am interviewing survivors: those who have
reconstructed and those who have not. If you're interested in learning
more about my study and possibly sharing your own survival story with
me, please private message me or contact me through my website.
Of particular note, I will be in Michigan in late July and early August
and in Minnesota early to mid August. If you are interested in
participating and reside in these areas, I'd be keen to meet you while
I'm in town. There is no need to meet me in person to participate,
though. Interviews may be conducted remotely through chat software.
In
the spirit of respecting the purpose and central topic of this thread,
please contact me privately if you would like to learn more about the
study, the nature of the interview, and how your privacy will be
protected. Feel free to share this information and my website address
with others as you see fit. The more, the merrier.
All my best!A.M.
(p.s.: This invitation is extended with site moderator permission received in August of 2013.
Unfortunately, I had to wait for Institutional Review Board approval
before I could reach out to anyone publicly. Hence, the delay.)0 -
I'd like to get rid of my dogear, but put it on hold while dealing with LE. I'd still like to do it, I'm just concerned that surgery could make the LE worse. Have to talk to MO and PS about it.0 -
Hi Glennie, I had mine removed about 12 months after my Mx surgery. I am really pleased with the result, but then, I didn't have LE , and still don't, after the procedure. It was a concern for me too, but my surgeon was confident that it would be ok.
My Dog Ear was a real nuisance to me because it had the sensation of cut nerves within it. That sensation is all but gone now and the area, which added about 7cm or 3 inches to my incision line, is flat and the scar is fading.
I had the procedure done in my Surgeon's office, with a local anesthetic and it took about 35 minutes. He had never done it that way before, but I have issues with anesthetic and pain drugs, so being able to eliminate these was important for me. I would have taken pain meds, if they were necessary, but, just like the Mx, I had no significant pain at all.
If you haven't already seen the before and after shots of this procedure, they are on Erica's site Breastfree.org.
I wish you all the best with your decision!
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Hi. I am trying to decide whether to go flat or not.
I need to have a mastectomy but would like a double, mainly for peace of mind, but I also wonder about symmetry.
I am 46 and a single mum. I also wonder if it would make meeting a man one day even more difficult! If I already had a loving husband we could discuss it together and he would probably be pleased I found and stopped the cancer (hopefully). But it could totally shock a guy who wasn't part of this roller coaster ride!?
My 10yr old daughter is desperate for me to have a reconstruction, I know when she is older she won't mind but I don't want to traumatise her now.
Married men I know have said their wife's health is the most important thing, that is lovely to hear.
Any single ladies? What's it like?
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Ali,
I am single and remain non-reconstructed. In the nearly five years since I have had my bilateral MX, I have only encountered one or two men for whom it was a problem. I have dated others for whom it is not an issue. And several other potential suitors continued to express their interest even after I informed them of my non-recon status. The moment of disclosure can be a little awkward, but it is a temporary discomfort.
Hope this helps!0 -
What type of recon are you considering? Tissue expanders to implants, or a flap procedure? Will you have radiation? If so, recon may not be for you since radiation does a number on the skin.
Please do your research. Know the types of surgeries your plastic surgeon performs. Know that the failure rate is very high & the risk of infection &/or rejection is an issue. It's a tough decision. But also know that you can have your double mastectomy & not have immediate recon or expanders. You can take time to heal, do some soul searching & then decide if you want recon. Even a year or two later.
I chose to have both breasts removed. I knew that a re occurance was probably not likely in the healthy breast, but rather brain, bones or lungs. My oncologist & surgeon left it up to me. I pretty much knew from the beginning I would want both removed.
I'm one of he lucky ones with a hubby who just wanted me alive & well, & not to go through any more pain, several more surgeries or health risks. I honestly don't know how I'd feel or the decision I'd make if I was younger or single.
May I ask, & hope I don't offend, why your 10 year old would be involved in a decision like this? Does she realize what is involved or at her young age does she just not understand? I know you can't show her failed recon pics or what implants can end up looking at, that would be way too scary for a little girl.
Good luck!
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@Ali,
Vintagegal has posted several excellent questions for you to consider. I wanted to add that I, too, have a daughter. She was five when I had my mastectomy. Certainly she approached my surgery and condition differently than if she were older, more aware of what it means to have and not have breasts, but she did well with it, was even curious to see my drains and understand how they functioned! She occasionally brings up my surgery, but always in a loving way, and confirms even now that my chest's appearance doesn't bother her in the least. If you're on the fence, take whatever time you need to think your decision through. You can always reconstruct at a later time. As for myself, I still keep that option open.
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Ali, Your DD may just want you to look like all the other mothers. They are that way at 10yo. Facebook has a Flat and Fabulous page, you have to ask to join. Perhaps if she saw photos of flat women looking good in clothes, it would make a difference. You could tell her it takes a long time to get the recon, then see how she reacts when she realizes it's not a big deal in clothes.
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Ali, - if you go for foobs, you absolutely WILL look like all the other Mothers. (And even if you don't wear foobs, 99.99999% of people will never notice). I have been half flat/half breasted (Uni) for 2.5 years. My daughter will be 9 in Nov so like BonoboGirrl's daughter she was younger than yours at the time of surgery. She is cool with it - even thinks of my flat side and scar as quite normal. I wonder if your daughter may be thinking that you will end up having some kind of massive seared red branding-iron style patches where your breasts currently are? I have to admit that that is what I would have thought a MX patient would end up with in my pre-MX days. Thankfully it's nothing like that, but how would she know that? If you decide not to do any recon at the time of your MX perhaps you could explain that you may give thought to recon at a later stage but that you want to give yourself a chance to recover from the MX first. I wish you all the best with your surgery. Remember there is lots of help here from your sisters on BC.org. XXX
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I told my daughter, who was a little older, and grand kids, that now she I hold them, I can hold them closer to my heart!
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Nice one Linda.
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Ariom,,, you look great! And your scar is so nice and flat now. That's what I'd like to do. Have to deal with this current estrogen issue first. Egads,, ,it's always something, isn't it??
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Ali, I'm single, but I haven't been dating. I'll worry about what a man thinks of it when the time comes. This was solely my decision, based on what I wanted,, not on what some possible future man would want. I knew that I didn't want to go thru a lot of surgery and deal with all the risks and the possibilites of problems down the line. It's a big decision, and you should make it based on what you want,, not anyone else. My surgeon left excess skin on my chest,, thinking I wanted recon,, which I didn't but sadly we didn't have that convo ahead of time. If you are on the fence at the time of your surgery,,,, having excess skin will help with the recon process down the line. Your best bet is to talk to a PS about all the possiblities. Best of luck.0
