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

StarGirl
Member
5 years ago
@Abbydog, it’s okay. Wishing you all the best whatever you decide.
Abbydog
Member
5 years ago
Dear StarGirl,
I never meant to upset you.
I may have misunderstood. I took it that you hadn't been offered or tried a prosthesis.
I have one and rather dislike it. Sometimes I hate it. It swings around to the side with the remaining breast.
In public I wear it. But almost never at home.
That was why I started this post. I'm seriously considering going flat.
I am sorry.
StarGirl
Member
5 years ago
@Abbydog, your comment sounds kind of judgmental. I never said I hadn’t tried going down the prosthetic route. It’s not always as easy as you might think. Just as not everyone can have a reconstruction. Being told it wasn’t possible after I’d already had the mastectomy was disappointing to say the least. It’s not always a matter of choice.
TonyaM
Member
5 years ago
Thanks @Ausmum2 for your input. It all helps us lopsided girls in our decision making.xx
Ausmum2
Member
5 years ago
Hello ladies, I’m just catching up with this one.
I’m a recent flattie as @Abbydog knows.
Here’s a couple of things (other than a BC survivor who told me about her neck and back problems after years of being single boobed that lead her to make a change) that I thought about.
I couldn’t figure out how I’d manage one DD size boob and one flat-
managing two had been a clothing challenge.
I thought about the joy of never “having to” wear a bra again (this still makes me smile everyday).
I thought about being able to have the cute little lacy bits if I wanted them (rather than needing super-solder Boulder holders). I went and looked at them and bought myself two little flimsy bits with a bit of padding (gives me a nice probably large A, small B). But I haven’t worn them much, yet as it’s been jumper weather. But they are there for the dresses etc I have that fall better with a bit of a bump.
I started a bank account and I’ve “purposely re-purposed” the money I used to have to spend on expensive bras and swimsuits etc to hold the girls in. It’s my “frivolous” fund. It’s for the things you’ve denied as they were frivolous/expensive/unnecessary vs bras/swimsuits etc. To have and do and not feel guilty about.

So, so far, life as a flattie is something I’m finding absolutely liberating!

And my husband has been a rockstar about it and I’m grateful that he never ever questioned my decision in this.

Many hugs for this making tough decisions here.
Abbydog
Member
5 years ago
Dear StarGirl,
I wonder why you haven't tried your bra with a prosthetic?
It is fully covered by Medicare.
Aside from this the bra still annoys me with the prosthesis.
I am suitable for the Latissimus Dorsi. But that is significant surgeries.
And I would also need a breast reduction on the remaining side.
A Mastectomy seems a lot less surgery.
StarGirl
Member
5 years ago
Hi @Abbydog, I am in the same boat and also starting to consider having the remaining breast removed. I have been lopsided now for 3 years and have no prosthetic. I have trouble with bras as I find them uncomfortable at best and usually actually painful. I am not able to have a reconstruction so am feeling a bit stuck. Am beginning to feel totally flat and at least even might be the way to go.
SoldierCrab
Member
5 years ago
hi @TonyaM Not that I know of ....... this is a facebook group I help moderate for flatties
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bcnoffaaduaustralia
Breast Cancer & Beyond- No recon, Flat, foobs and alive Down Under (Aust) - This closed group is for anyone who has undergone a mastectomy and is now learning to live with
NO reconstruction, or chose to wear foobs.
did you choose not to have reconstruction?
did you have to reverse your reconstruction?
are you contemplating it?)
Whatever the case, we would love to see you here
Many of us can understand the day to day issues unique to living without reconstruction following mastectomy, in Australia. We can figure it out together.
So feel free to open up and have a vent or express yourselves in any way you need to! We do not judge or discriminate! We believe in embracing each other and accepting each other's differences! No matter what!
You need information about services or where to go for foobs etc just ask.
TonyaM
Member
5 years ago
Hi @SoldierCrab,
Do we have a flatties group here at BCNA online network? Maybe we need one- just a thought.
Afraser
Member
5 years ago
As another uni-boober, I’ll merely reflect that being fitted for a prosthesis and a mastectomy bra was the first time I had been professionally fitted for a bra in a long time. Made a lot of difference! I’m not keen on more surgery after a year long seroma or needing a big wardrobe change but I’d do it in a flash if anything suspicious was found in my remaining breast.

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