Who Else Has Decided NOT To Have Implants or Reconstructive Surgery?

I think it probably depends on your age. I'm 81 so reconstruction means nothing to me. I had my right breast removed two years ago and I wish I could have had the left removed, too. I'm large breasted and it's terrible to have to try to balance the two, but I'm still glad I didn't go for reconstruction. Every woman has to make that decision for herself, but since I've had my surgery I'm more aware of how many flat chested women I see now. I know they've had mastectomies because nobody is that flat, but they wear their flatness well and still look chic and lovely.

Hi! I had bilateral mastectomy about one year ago. I decided to go flat at that time after weighing the increased risks and healing time with flap reconstruction and the additional future surgeries for implant replacement as implants only last 10-15 years and I am only in my 40s. I am a risk averse person by nature so my decision did not take too much deliberation. I went from a 34DD to being flat. I communicated my desired outcome with my surgeon and she did an amazing job. I have pretty flat, symmetrical scars and no dog ears. She is an exceptional surgeon who really listened to me. I do not regret my decision to go flat. I do miss my breasts and the sensation of having them, of course, but no reconstruction was the right decision for me. I had many people tell me as I started to get out after surgery that they thought I was so brave for my choice to not reconstruct and I explained to them that my choice was actually fear based-I simply wanted to avoid additional risk and that I felt reconstruction was the ‘brave’ choice and that there is no one ‘right’ or ‘brave’ choice. I hope you find clarity in your choice! Also, I got prosthetic breasts but have not worn them once. It’s nice to not have the extra pressure and weight on my scars and back and shoulders plus they are much smaller than my original breasts and just look funny to me. But I am glad to have them on hand just in case I ever feel like wearing them. Also also (lol) Knitted Knockers is a non-profit of volunteer knitters who donated lightweight knitted prosthetic breast to women like us! They are not wearable in swimsuits but women I know who wear them say they are super comfortable!

I had a double mastectomy this past Wednesday and decided not to have the
reconstruction personally I felt like it was a risk that I didn't want to
endure and I'm happy for my decision, but I think everyone should make
their decision based on their own personal needs.

I opted NOT to have reconstructions because of the same reasons many above cited. That was 3 years ago, I'm 61, been married 35 years. My husband didn't care and I didn't want the extra surgery, risk or frankly.....breasts. I'm sorry I got cancer (that's not fun) but the breasts.....don't miss them. Haven't worn my prosthetic but I have it in case I want to wear something that would require breasts. I use a speedo type swimming suit and throw a light weight t shirt over that if I feel uncomfortable with how it looks on a given day, but mostly.....I just look flat chested. I did have a scar revision surgery to remove extra skin and tissue a year after my mastectomy to improve the chest wall appearance and to clear up a lymphedema problem (fluid was collecting in the extra tissue and not moving properly through my arm). I was very tired of doctors and surgeries and knew I'd still have check ups and other considerations and didn't want to the added thought on reconstruction but I know many women who did have the reconstruction successfully and they are very happy too. I was told to wait a bit and see how I felt because you can do reconstruction later.....but 3 years in I'm settled and like my decision. Hugs.....

I was diagnosed with Right breast Ca in Oct 2017 (I was 42 years old) I chose to have bilateral mastectomies & not to have reconstruction. I am enjoying not having breasts & being free of bras & back pain 🙂

I had my double mastecomy one year ago and divorced and age 68 did not opt for reconstruction. What i wanted to share with you is that i have found the most comfortable way to appear ""normal"" when i go in public
I went to Big Lots of all places shopping a year ago and saw some sports bras and thought they would be comfortable on my scar as it felt better being wrapped. but after taking them home just for grins i put my implants in them and since they are stretch they are not up to your chin perky but instead look just a tiny bit droopy as they should and as for comfort i can wear these bras and the implants for long 12 hour days and do not even know i have them on. they carry two types one is a razor back and one by gloria vanderbuilt has traditional straps wiith a stretchy sports bra attached they come in a three pack for 16.99 and leave the prescribed prosthetic bra in the dust .

@justyes, helpful tips. What an ingenious DIY for a natural look for a fraction of the price.

I opted to go flat and chose to get the prosthetics; but sometimes want just a little shaping without the additional weight. I'm a knitter and made my own "knockers" from the Knitted Knocker pattern - which are knitted shapes filled with fiberfill and therefore add no additional weight. I have some sports bras which hold them in place and I also have a couple of other bras that have "pockets" which allow me to insert the "knockers" so they are held in place. I believe the Knitted Knocker project will send "knockers" to those in need - I'm not sure if there is a small charge. But even the cost of make them myself was the cost of the yarn and the fiberfill.

That’s great! I’m 57 had left breast mastectomy in October. I finished radiation March 26th. I’m not sure what to do. I received a knitted knocker from my surgeons office. It fits really nice.

Thank you for the information. I had a L MX 3 weeks ago and just ordered one.