DMX, Flat (no reconstruction) and Loving it

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.
🌺

DMX oct 6 saw breast surgeon and told him I’ve decided not to have planned DIEP Flap and instead would like an Aesthetic flat closure.
(AFC)
surgeon is Dr Wei Min Ooi at Austin Hosp Melbourne. Dr hadn’t heard of this procedure so I had to show pics and explain- I also said I didn’t want dog ears or concave result. I asked for a neat flat chest. 

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! 

You are so right @Afraser! 

a recommended site for those thinking of going flat- 

https://notputtingonashirt.org/aesthetics/#concavity

A recent article in the US about going flat.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/06/11/cancer-flat-breasts-mastectomy/?fbclid=IwAR3UkyuV6jD7Ty6P0i2todgLGO4PB3uwr4ovCzbnBPwCbMFgr7oBisUJFkM

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.