I'm seriously considering having my other breast off, and going flat.I don't have a cancer gene, and have not had this recommended for that reason.But I am finding my remaining breast a nuisance. My bra is always twisting, and when bra less, I have one big boob.I'm considering no precise reconstruction and breast reduction.I will probably give fat grafting a go with no great expectations, perhaps small bumps.Are there any downsides to going flat, that I may have missed?

Hi @Abbydog,I opted to go flat 12 years ago after a double mastectomy. I have never regretted my choice for one minute. The surgery was on Monday, went home on Thursday, drains out on Saturday. Since then I wear Amoena bras for special occasions, but usually go bra-free most days. I was a c/D cup before. Lightweight scarves over tank tops with a shirt/jacket are my go-to items, and there is a real sense of freedom as far as movement is concerned. The scar is a very fine line across my chest, barely noticeable. It is very much a personal choice. I was over 60 and my husband was 100% behind my choice. I wish you all the best whatever you decide. xx

I'm a flattie. Had my bilateral mastectomy in 2017 and have remained flat. I used to be a size 18DD and so to now look (chest wise), a I did at age 12 was a bit of a surprise. I have no regrets whatsoever about remaining unreconstructed and rather enjoy the freedom from having to wear a bra all day. I do wear my prosthetic boobs when going out to the shops in the warmer months, as it's very obvious that I have no boobs. I have a rather pronounced "Buddha Belly" after being on prednisolone for over a decade and so I look rather strange with an unsubstantial top bit and a generous middle bit, with two skinny legs poking out from the bottom. All this lot, and bumbling along with my wheeled granny walker amongst the unsuspecting public is a bit much. Otherwise...I don't bother. In the cooler months, I ditch the plastic and wear a scarf to drape over my front.

I'm now a uni-boober and remember back to when I had two and the best part of the day was getting home from work and the first thing you'd do is rip off the bra. Imagaine - getting home from work and ripping off the boobs! What freedom!I didn't know how I'd feel when I was pre-surgery but now that I've been a month with just one I'd definitely feel more even with none. And then you could pick your cup size for the occaision - B cup for shopping/exercise, D cup for evening out. No more trying to 'match' the remaining one.I'm all for flat!

Hi @Abbydog,I’m in exactly the same position as you- lopsided with fair sized boob. I’ve put up with it for the last 11yrs. My remaining boob keeps growing and I’ve gone up a few sizes with my prosthesis (size 7 to now 9). It used to be important for intimacy but now we don’t care. I worry that I’ll have discomfort after another mastectomy and it’ll be sometime before I can lie in bed on that side.Ofcourse,there’s the obvious big surgery again.They are the only down sides I can think of. If I can get an aesthetic flat closure and then later on get some fat grafting into the concave areas of my present mastectomy then I reckon I’d be ok with it.I have a girlfriend who’s gone flat and she’s happy she did it. Perhaps we’ll hear from more flatties.

I'm about to find out my surgery date and whether or not I will have both breasts removed. For me it is important that they take both as I feel like this will be less traumatic for me that having one remaining breast. Although I understand this is a deeply personal choice and some people feel just as passionately that they only have the cancerous breast removed and retain the 'good' breast. I hope whatever choice you make it works for you xx

Any regrets after going flat? | BCNA Online Network

40 Replies

arpie
Member
11 months ago
Oh my gosh, you've been thru the mill, @Didevro. And That is shocking that the surgeon went ahead with the reconstruction when he shouldn't have suggested it. :( It sounds like you are in a happy place now tho, which is great xx

Feel free to join the Reconstruction group that is private - you may be able to let others know of what happened to you xx

take care & all the best xx
Didevro
Member
11 months ago
After my third (unrelated) breast cancer, I had a double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction, with implants, and including latimus dorsi flap on right side, because I'd lost my pec major muscle years before. It was a complete and utter train wreck, because I'd had radiation to both sides in previous bc events years before. The surgeons knew that so should never have suggested reconstruction. I had capsular contraction, a great deal of pain, and the things on my chest had no resemblance to breasts! Eventually I was able to have the horrible implants out and flat closure. Great weight off my chest!!!
Best thing ever! I have knitted knockers, but never bother with them, because who wants to wear a bra! I really don't care how it looks, I'm very happy to be flat, and I love the freedom!
SoldierCrab
Member
4 years ago
I demanded it at my diagnosis for both off ..... I had to prove that my reasons were stable.... I was 20E already had neck and back problems from the weight of them.... I saw their psychiatrist he asks me questions and said I had good reason and thought it through and knew what I wanted. signed off for a double at the same time....

Push for what is right for you....
kmcin28
Member
4 years ago
@HinterlandSian I'm all for flat too.
kmcin28
Member
4 years ago
@TonyaM I to am sick of being lopsided and suffering from shoulder and neck pain. Do you think it would be such a big surgery, I know my last one was but then there was cancer involved. I'm just curious as my daughter in law has just had a preventative double mastectomy and reconstruction. She went into hospital Tuesday and was out Thursday with drains removed and is sore but coping well. I'm 63 and would rather have it done sooner than later, I'm over my prosthesis and would love to have the freedom of not having it. Making travelling easier. (Have had a couple of embarrassing moments at airport security when we could travel) I even feel with hugging people that they know I have a fake boob. I stress at my mammogram screening every year, it would be so relieving not to have the worry of that and the oncologists appointment. I'm not to sure with the Covid whether surgery would be possible at the moment but if I could have it I'd do it tomorrow. Sorry for my long rant. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Afraser
Member
4 years ago
Different surgeon, different response. My very good surgeon would have mine off in a flash! No family history of breast cancer, no recurrence. He thinks I’ll get neck/shoulder pain. It is fairly large surgery and I had a very persistent seroma last time. Which might be unlikely to recur, but then again might. Pity we can’t swap!
TonyaM
Member
4 years ago
Hi @kmcin28,
I don’t think a prophylactic mastectomy is classed as cosmetic surgery when you’ve already had bc in the other breast.I’ve had bc twice in the same breast (2003 and 2010). I’m sick of being lopsided and my remaining breast keeps growing! I’ve had to change my prosthesis 3 times in the last 11yrs.Maybe that’s ok,I don’t know. But when I asked my surgeon(back in April) about taking my other breast off,she said I’d have to REALLY talk her into it.She said I didn’t have a family history and it’s big surgery again.I really thought that having had a recurrence would be the golden ticket but no.The prosthesis size I have now is bordering on uncomfortable and I’m 66yrs old so big surgery is only going to get harder as I age.These are some of my concerns,not to mention the yearly mammogram worry.Anyway,Covid lockdown came along soon after so no choice for now. I was abit annoyed with my surgeon for being dismissive of my concerns- however,I would prefer she did any future surgery. For the moment I’ll just try to lose some weight and hope my uni boob shrinks abit.
HinterlandSian
Member
4 years ago
I'm now a uni-boober and remember back to when I had two and the best part of the day was getting home from work and the first thing you'd do is rip off the bra. Imagaine - getting home from work and ripping off the boobs! What freedom!
I didn't know how I'd feel when I was pre-surgery but now that I've been a month with just one I'd definitely feel more even with none. And then you could pick your cup size for the occaision - B cup for shopping/exercise, D cup for evening out. No more trying to 'match' the remaining one.
I'm all for flat!
BlackWidow
Member
4 years ago
As one who was told by the doctor to take some time before making the decision to have the 'other' breast removed I am upset to hear that it would be regarded as cosmetic @arpie. I hate the annual stress of the tests and really hate having to wear the prosthesis when going out but, on the other hand, having the other one hanging there does remind me that I am female. The bad does outweigh the good, though. I was hoping to go ahead with the chop last year but covid got in the way.
arpie
Member
4 years ago
@kmcin28 Are you still having yearly mammograms and ultrasounds? As it is under 5 years, I would think so. I am assuming they are all clear? (Mind you, mine was also clear and it totally missed MY ILC - found just months later by my GP!).
Can you contact your cancer centre and arrange a meeting or 2 with the psychologist that they should have on hand for concerned patients? If you can get your concerns down ‘on paper’ and show how leaving the breast ‘there’ will be a problem to you ... squeaky door and all that. And chat with your Onc too ....

Your request will not be that unusual .. Shame your original surgeon didn’t discuss it more fully with you back then.

If you put your general area (town/city) into your profile .... other members nearby may be able to point you towards a sympathetic surgeon xx

all the best xx