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New Group Proposal - No Reconstruction post Breast Cancer Surgery

Mez_BCNA's avatar
Mez_BCNA
Community Manager
3 years ago

Hello members,

We have had some great conversations and feedback recently in relation to starting a new group for people who have not had breast reconstruction following breast cancer surgery.

I would love feedback in relation to the following questions:

* Name of the group
* Should the group be private or public

When thinking of the name of the group we must ensure it captures people who for a variety of reasons and/or circumstances have not had breast reconstruction. Some of these reasons may be: they might decide they don’t want to have any more surgery than they need to treat the cancer; they want to be able to get back to their normal activities as soon as possible; they are just more comfortable with how they look and feel after the surgery; financial barriers prevent them from have breast reconstruction; breast reconstruction might be difficult, or even not possible, because of other health issues they have; breast reconstruction has been delayed.

We agree that there are different challenges and questions faced by people who are either considering wearing a breast form or prosthesis (inside the bra or attached to the body to wear under their clothes) or going flat (not wearing a breast form).

Look forward to your valuable input.

(Tagging those who have been involved in starting the conversation so far @Christabel03 @Afraser @June1952 @TonyaM @Julez1958 @Fufan @Allyjay @Keeping_Positive1)

Published 3 years ago
Version 1.0
  • Hi I definately think it should be a closed group so people can post photos.
    I think a title with “flat “ in it would be good
    “Choosing to Stay Flat” is not that catchy or clever but captures the issue, and is similar to “Choosing Breast Reconstruction”
     Perhaps  the two could sit above and below one another in the index of private groups .
  • I think @AllyJay has a good point about sharing photos only in a private group.
  • Mez_BCNA's avatar
    Mez_BCNA
    Community Manager
    Thanks @TonyaM @Allyjay, loving the suggestions and feedback already. 'Private' group sounds like the feasible option as majority of groups are private and as you mentioned, some may want to share their pictures privately. Look forward to gathering a variety of group name ideas as the comments roll in.
  • I think that perhaps the group might be best being private. I've posted a photo of my chest after a bilateral mastectomy, and have no problems if the general public can see it on the open group discussions, but I'd imagine there might be those who would not like that. Due to other medical issues, antiphospholipid antigen syndrome (a blood clotting disorder), extra surgery was not a good idea for me as I need to come off my blood thinners, which in turn, puts me at risk of yet another pulmonary embolism. I also have systemic scleroderma, which would probably result in poor healing as well as skin tightness over the chest. I seldom wear my two prosthetics as they both spend most of their time sitting smugly on my collar bones anyway. Because there is not another 'original issue' breast to anchor the bra and anything prosthetic in it, when I lift my arms, the whole shebang, bra, boobs and all go north. I'm then forever fossicking under my top, trying to pull it all down again so now I just go 'as is'.
  • Hi Mez,
    Thanks for your follow up. I feel the new group should be predominantly for those who have gone flat or are contemplating it. And therefore the group name  should reflect this with ‘flat’ in it. I’m a bit unsure about the term ‘no reconstruction’ as this could mean anyone really.Certainly women with one breast would be welcomed. I was in that situation for 12yrs and I joined the reconstruction group until I decided recently to go flat. I wish there had been such a group beforehand. It is an entirely new ball game this’flat’ business! And although I don’t plan on having recon, I’m open to the idea of some lipo to fill in the crater. This is another reason why I’m not so sure about ‘no recon’ in the title. There are many flat/mastectomy procedures now and I wish I’d known abit more.This info would be helpful as well as “what to wear”,how to alter clothes/swimsuits, what croptops/bras to buy etc etc.I am fast becoming an expert but still have a lot to learn.I don’t always go flat but often wear a slightly padded crop top.It’s good to have a choice and be comfortable.
     Some group name ideas- Flat Out, Flat chat,
    Going Flat, Flat n Fab
    Regards, Tonya
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