1. < Breast Cancer

Feelings on going “flat”.

Posted by lrchaparro @lrchaparro, Feb 15 11:38am

I recently had a mammogram that turned into a biopsy and I just got the results that my right breast has invasive lobular cancer in the upper right quadrant. 6 years ago, I had a left breast mastectomy with reconstruction due to a slightly different invasive lobular cancer. So now I am contemplating whether or not I should just go flat on both sides and not go through reconstruction again on the right side - plus in another 4 years I would need to replace the left breast silicon insert - which would be another surgery. I’m wondering the physical, emotional and mental feelings/reactions that others have had once they went flat.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

ssmab | @ssmab | Feb 18 5:26am
In reply to @bpknitter53 "I'm triple negative and BRCA+ and chose to go "flat" after my bilateral; when speaking with..." + (show)
@bpknitter53

I'm triple negative and BRCA+ and chose to go "flat" after my bilateral; when speaking with your surgeon please make sure you both have the same definition, even if it means taking in a picture to confirm you're both on the same page. I told my surgeon that I wanted to go "flat", I was 69 at the time and I had no desire to have any more surgery - even for reconstruction. But apparently our definitions of "flat" were different - I've been asked when do I plan to have reconstruction because of the excess skin that was left. After surgery I made my own "knitted knockers", since I knit and I was able to make them in several colors. I also wore sports bras with my knitted knockers until I got my prothesis. I usually go "flat" and only wear either the prothesis or "knitted knockers" when I want shaping for an event I'm attending.

The only issue with going "flat" was our differences in that definition. But I still have no desire to have any additional surgery for shaping that I can get when I feel I need it. If I had to do it over again I would take a picture to get confirmation we agree on the definition of "flat".

Jump to this post

I had the same experience. I assumed when I told the surgeon that I wanted to go flat that I would have the flat closure. That was not the case. I also am left with areas of excess skin. I was 70 last Spring when I had the bilateral and just like you I did not want any additional surgeries. That is a great idea to take a picture of what you want and show it to the surgeon. Your suggestion will benefit others. Thank you for that❤️

REPLY
1 reply
windyshores | @windyshores | Feb 18 6:10am
In reply to @ssmab "I had the same experience. I assumed when I told the surgeon that I wanted to..." + (show)
@ssmab

I had the same experience. I assumed when I told the surgeon that I wanted to go flat that I would have the flat closure. That was not the case. I also am left with areas of excess skin. I was 70 last Spring when I had the bilateral and just like you I did not want any additional surgeries. That is a great idea to take a picture of what you want and show it to the surgeon. Your suggestion will benefit others. Thank you for that❤️

Jump to this post

I am wondering how much excess skin was left for those of you who are unhappy with the surgery. My surgeon left a very very small amount without telling me, and told me it was in case I wanted it for a bathing suit! I am essentially flat but there is more left on the right than the left. I agree: they should ask us. I check the area regularly for recurrence.

REPLY
1 reply
ssmab | @ssmab | Feb 18 8:59am
In reply to @windyshores "I am wondering how much excess skin was left for those of you who are unhappy..." + (show)
@windyshores

I am wondering how much excess skin was left for those of you who are unhappy with the surgery. My surgeon left a very very small amount without telling me, and told me it was in case I wanted it for a bathing suit! I am essentially flat but there is more left on the right than the left. I agree: they should ask us. I check the area regularly for recurrence.

Jump to this post

Windyshores, mine are different sizes too. I have more extra skin left on the R side. That R breast was larger because I had 2 surgical biopsies years ago on the L breast plus I had the L nipple removed due to a papilloma. So I think the larger the breast the more skin that is left. I'd say on the R side where I had the larger breast the extra skin looks like the size of 1/4 of a small chicken tender. On my L side I'd say the extra skin is the size of 1/5 of a small chicken tender. That's the only way I can think of to explain it.
So ladies who are facing this surgery and want a flat closure please follow bpknitter53's good advice of taking a picture in to your surgeon. Sending Love and Healing wishes to all❤️

REPLY
drummergirl | @drummergirl | Feb 18 12:04pm
In reply to @bpknitter53 "I'm triple negative and BRCA+ and chose to go "flat" after my bilateral; when speaking with..." + (show)
@bpknitter53

I'm triple negative and BRCA+ and chose to go "flat" after my bilateral; when speaking with your surgeon please make sure you both have the same definition, even if it means taking in a picture to confirm you're both on the same page. I told my surgeon that I wanted to go "flat", I was 69 at the time and I had no desire to have any more surgery - even for reconstruction. But apparently our definitions of "flat" were different - I've been asked when do I plan to have reconstruction because of the excess skin that was left. After surgery I made my own "knitted knockers", since I knit and I was able to make them in several colors. I also wore sports bras with my knitted knockers until I got my prothesis. I usually go "flat" and only wear either the prothesis or "knitted knockers" when I want shaping for an event I'm attending.

The only issue with going "flat" was our differences in that definition. But I still have no desire to have any additional surgery for shaping that I can get when I feel I need it. If I had to do it over again I would take a picture to get confirmation we agree on the definition of "flat".

Jump to this post

Yes, I went flat and fortunately, my surgeon gave me a very smooth chest. I knew I did not want more surgery either. However, out of curiosity, I asked another surgeon if it was possible and she said it certainly was. So, they don’t have to leave that excess skin. Sorry your surgeon did not hear you. Sometimes I think they are encouraging business for the plastic surgeons in their practice.

REPLY
mossa | @mossa | Feb 19 7:19am

I didn’t know symmetry was an option, I would have chosen to bid so long to the “healthy” breast and gone flat. I opted for no reconstruction and when I wear a prosthesis I am tugging at it all day.

REPLY
1 reply
windyshores | @windyshores | Feb 19 4:35pm
In reply to @mossa "I didn’t know symmetry was an option, I would have chosen to bid so long to..." + (show)
@mossa

I didn’t know symmetry was an option, I would have chosen to bid so long to the “healthy” breast and gone flat. I opted for no reconstruction and when I wear a prosthesis I am tugging at it all day.

Jump to this post

@mossa I had the second mastectomy separately. If you want symmetry you should be able to still have that surgery.

REPLY
1 reply
mossa | @mossa | Feb 19 6:36pm
In reply to @windyshores "@mossa I had the second mastectomy separately. If you want symmetry you should be able to..." + (show)
@windyshores

@mossa I had the second mastectomy separately. If you want symmetry you should be able to still have that surgery.

Jump to this post

I didn’t know that. I see that nurse practitioner next month and will ask about that.

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 20 10:10am

In case it's helpful, here are related discussions on the same topic:
- Chose not to get breast reconstruction
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chose-not-to-get-breast-reproduction/
- Mastectomy and breast reconstruction pros and cons?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mastectomy-1/

REPLY
annshopemail | @annshopemail | Feb 21 8:55am

I went flat 2 years ago and I am so happy I did. I feel a little more relaxed knowing my breast tissue is gone. For some reason it’s settled my mind knowing they are gone. And I love my body. I never really cared about breast size since having kids somewhat “deflated” mine haha something that changed is I wear sport swim suits now. I do not have excess skin, just some gnarly scars…which I don’t mind. All this to say, I have never once regretted going flat. Best wishes to you.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.