DMX, Flat (no reconstruction) and Loving it

Before surgery, I was made fully aware that my wound closure might be a problem due to a pre existing medical condition which affects my connective tissue. I was not an ideal candidate for any type of reconstruction due to the fact that my skin would be more prone to either not healing well, or healing too well and producing excess scar tissue. I explained that I didn't in any event want that, and was happy to remain flat. I think my surgeon was quite surprised as her reply was,'"Oh good...I just automatically assumed that you would want reconstruction". After that, she never mentioned this, that, or the next type of scar, just that after surgery, I would have a surgical vacuum dressing to aid healing. This photo was taken about five years after my surgery and I've gained some weight in that time and that has resulted in a somewhat bumpy on the sides result as fat can't form under scar tissue, but only on either side of it. In the beginning, I always wore both my prosthetics when leaving the house, now I don't bother at all. If I was going to say, a wedding, or somesuch, I probably would, but otherwise I just go flat and fabulous.

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. 

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

a recommended site for those thinking of going flat- 

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

You are so right @Afraser! 

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! 

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!

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

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.