I have seen a few posts lately about double mastectomy and staying flat and wanted to share my experience. I have turned 37 last month. I had a double mastectomy with no reconstruction on 2 February 2022 and couldn’t be happier with my decision. I am staying flat and have no regrets.If anyone here is approaching surgery or are uncomfortable with their expanders, diep, implants etc and want to consider going flat, please reach out. I may be slow to respond, but I will and would love to provide my support. Sonia

Hi @Fernweh Even though I had reconstruction I agree there every person is different and there is no “ right” answer - only what is right for you.Once my breast cancer surgeon recommended a mastectomy ( because of the size of my tumour) he referred me to a plastic surgeon who went through with me the options including implants , reconstruction with my own fat and aesthetic flat closure.All the best with your surgery and recovery.🌺

Gosh, that is an unusual one, @Vix1963 - I reckon I'd definitely be getting a 2nd or even 3rd opinion. I find it hard to believe that a BC surgeon hasn't head of aesthetic flat closure .... I would assume that EVERY BC surgeon would not only 'know' about it - but I reckon an 'aesthetic look' would be top of the list for ALL their surgery results, flat or not.Someone else had earlier asked about aesthetic flat closure surgeons & I thought 'outside the square a bit' and suggested chatting even with Plastic Surgeons who worked on female to male sex change patients .... as the need for a really good & tidy end result (with everyone) is SO important! All the best xx

Hi @Vix1963 I don’t think the term AFC is widely used here in Australia, but it is pretty self explanatory. The results you want should be clear enough and respected regardless of what it is called.I know ‘dog hears’ depend a lot on your body type and some surgeons can only remove breast tissues, so they will not be able to remove other fatty area to give a smooth AFC. They would need to call in a plastic surgeon or whatever other surgeon for that. There are so many variables, but most of all you need to trust your surgeon.You still have time to seek a second opinion and ask your current surgeon questions to see how confident they are that they can give you the result you want. There may be reasons they can’t and you need to know so you can decide. I don’t have an AFC per se (although very pleasing in my opinion) but I didn’t ask for one either so I don’t know how that would have gone if I did.Good luck and keep us updated!

I didn’t have an AFC, didn’t ask for one, my surgery was a week after my first test so lots to think about in a short time and aesthetics wasn’t one of them. I also had formed no clear position about reconstruction, other than being happy that my surgeon preferred later to immediate which suited me very well. So he left me ‘a little baggy’ (his phrase, not mine!) to facilitate reconstruction, if I chose, at a later stage. I didn’t and I won’t, but I appreciate his decision as I now have just a hint of cleavage I might not have had otherwise! Aesthetics are in the eye of the beholder!

Would be great if we could form a list of breast surgeons and plastic surgeons who are recommended for DMX and/or an Aesthetic Flat Closure.

DMX, Flat (no reconstruction) and Loving it

21 Replies

arpie
Member
3 years ago
@Marycipk - you've been thru a lot, with your surgery, chemo & recovery & most of us go thru some level of depression sooner or later ..... the hospital you attended may have counsellors available to chat to, but in the mean time, Maybe give the Helpline a bell today .... 1800500258 .....

take care, all the best xx
Marycipk
Member
3 years ago
I had a bilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction and am loving being flat. I'm slim and muscular and not look like a man! especially with the post chemo cropped hair. I couldn't imagine having only one breast off and being unbalanced. I am battling a bit with depression 9 months after diagnosis but I don't think it's because of the surgery.
Broccoli
Member
3 years ago
I have discovered accidentally, because I was using my TENS machine for back soreness... when I turned it off, suddenly I was having pain in my front again, and I realised that the TENS machine had actually stopped the discomfort in the front!
I had an electrode under each shoulder blade, but closer to the armpit than the spine, and two in the 'small of my back' . I can't wait to try it at bedtime. I wouldn't recommend actually putting electrodes on the front of your body after surgery personally, and I got complete relief from having them on the back. so good. Downside is you can't put it on all the time, or you feel like you've been kicked by a horse.
Fernweh
Member
3 years ago
@Broccoli I think that is what I have now too. Fingers crossed the physio m works well for you!

I send you the links via PM.

Take care! 💫
Broccoli
Member
3 years ago
Sure that would be great thank you. I have found out my ‘pain’ Is adhesions…. :-( waiting to see a Physio who specialises in these sorts of issues.
The tight t shirt did provide some relief for the skin sensitivity which is great 👍
Fernweh
Member
3 years ago
Hi @Broccoli, welcome to the flat side!

I had seroma 3 or 4 times after drains came out. It takes time to heal, but I have been pretty comfortable.

I have been going around flat from the get go, no prosthesis. I don’t care and no one else does either! 💞

So glad your husband is on board. I am on a few FB groups for flatties if you would like the link!
iserbrown
Member
3 years ago
In case you or others don't know of free knitted Knockers

http://knittedknockersaustralia.com/prothesis/
Broccoli
Member
3 years ago
ALSO///. One of the BEST things about going flat is that before the op I had chronic neck pain and since the op I have had basically none. Its been like magic :-)
Broccoli
Member
3 years ago
I have also elected to not have reconstruction following DMX. Its a whirlwind from diagnosis to surgery, so there isn’t much time to think and research. Although I was definite about not wanting recon, my surgeon left the sub mammary fold ‘incase I changed my mind later - they sit so much nicer’ and it does give a slight hint of form. (Most likely from my seromas though lol). I am anxious to see the final result when all the swelling and fluid has settled down, and I had set in my mind before surgery that would be 2 weeks after - but it seems it will be quite a bit longer…. I am not sure if I will bother getting proper prosthesis, as a crop top with a foam form and some cotton wool is actually nice and light and does the job. I cannot bear wearing tight clothing at the moment (including crop tops) be nice to know how long it takes before its comfortable and pain free. Something that isn’t really talked about before surgery.
I don’t know how anyone has a recon, I simply cannot imagine being that uncomfortable. My husband is keen for me to join the flat and fabulous brigade, its his way of being fully supportive of my new body.
Thanks for your post Fernweh I’d be interested to know how long it took to feel fully comfortable after surgery, and if you had seromas? How long did they last?
iserbrown
Member
3 years ago
That's so kind to share 💕