The Flat Look Vs Prosthesis (with Pics)

Hello all

loved the pictures and the posts.  I didn't chose reconstruction because I'm older and it wasn't that important.  I'm still in my flat look because living in a rural area, I have to travel far to get fitted with prosthesis.  Sometimes I feel self conscious because I'm not thin so my belly shows more.  Sometimes I don't care and I'm comfortable in my body.  I don't know what I'll do in the end.  At this time we're on cobra and my plan will pay for fitting and couple of bras but I haven't moved forward.  Maybe it means I'm going to stay flat.

Thank you all for sharing 

I started wearing soft flowing type tops or ones that had a significant neckline like a turtle-neck or ruffles or layered with cropped sweaters. Those gave me the confidence to go smoother. I was quite large (42D) and am bigger than most of you so I too, have a prominent belly and ribs. I used to be so skinny when I was young that I could put most of my hand up underneath my rib cage!

It just took standing a different way and having the flowing part of clothing over the belly to make it all look good. 

Good luck all!

Bodhi, You might want to check out the pictures and personal stories on breastfree.org to get a sense of what it's like to go, well, breast free. When I was going through this decisionmaking process, I longed for someone to just show me hers, but no one offered and I was too shy to ask. I'd offer, but you're kind of far away (I live in New York), so that site is probably the best alternative. If you have a consultation with a plastic surgeon, he or she will have a portfolio of before and after shots, and that may help too. You could always try going flat and reconstruct later if flat doesn't feel right to you. That's what I decided to do—but three years later don't feel inclined to pursue the additional surgery.

You are absolutely beautiful!

I am currently struggling with the decision.  Single Mx or bi-lateral?  Reconstruction or not? I thank you for this post along with pix.  You are inspirational!

Just signed up for the flat-attitude-with-flair campaign.

You women of strength will need to hold my hand periodically.

I feel empowered having made the decision that is 'right' for me.

I will be issued my card-carrying membership on Jan 15th. That's the plan.

xx00xx00xx

THANK YOU for the thread!!!!!   After going through 3 infections with expanders and 6 months of on and off again antibiotics, I'm going flat!  Don't want to risk getting another infection. Lifes too short!

I'm happy to be cancer free. I had my expanders removed this month. Healing is slow and I'm so weak.

I just want to get to feeling better and get on with my life. You know, even if I did go ahead and get the implants, I still wouldn't like my body! LOL I'd still find things I'd like to change, ya know what I mean. Thank you again for this thread!  I've been so down and depressed. I needed it.!

Hi Robin,

You've had an interesting journey so far, as I know you struggled with the reconstruction question. If you'd like to contribute your story to BreastFree.org, please let me know. Also, I'm always happy to receive photos, both in clothes or showing bare chest. I get a lot of feedback from women who say they find the photos particularly helpful. If you're interested in contributing your story and/or photos, please send me a PM or email me at breastfree@gmail.com.

If anyone else has a story or photos they'd like to contribute, I'd be interested in hearing from you.

Your post has some really great observations about dressing when choosing to go flat. The one about lower necklines making you look less flat is particularly interesting. I'm not tall like you (I'm almost 5'5", weigh about 110 lbs), but the rest of your description sounds like me -- ribby and what little fat I have seems to find its way to my tummy. Even though I was warned (by a slim woman with a unilateral mastectomy and no reconstruction) that my ribs would probably show, somehow I thought I'd be different. But no, I had a wonderful breast surgeon who removed every bit of breast tissue she could find and my ribs definitely show.

If you feel like sharing here what camis you wear or any other details, I for one would be interested.

I have a placemarker on BreastFree.org for a section on Fashion Ideas, but I've never gotten going on it. Maybe that will be my project for the summer (after my son's wedding in May!).

Barbara

Linda; thanks so much for going to all the trouble to "pose" and post your photos. I am having a prophlylactic bilateral surgery soon, and I am pretty sure I will not go thru with reconstrucion.

Seeing your photos had a different effect on me; compared to most of the posts I read.  I will start shopping around now for a good place to be measured for prostheses and bras.  Even tho I am 55, the idea of "going flat" does not appeal to me. I am very self-conscious of people who have stared at my uneven breast since my initial large lumpectomy.    It might not bother another person at all; but I'd rather not have people looking at my chest "wondering".  Thank you for your kind act.

the important message is that your post helped me realize a little more about myself. It's great that we don't judge each other here.  

Linda and turtletots:  you both look fabulous.     Thanks for the fotos.    I have seen all the naked ones in PS offices and it's really helpful to see how great you look in clothes!

I probably sound like a diva;but I know there is no judgement here.  After my partial mastectomy 7 yrs ago; I did see people's eyes avert to my chest area. Even well-loved cousins!     

Ha! I even told a priest off for asking if I had a lumpectomy or a total.   People think they have the right to info.   

Maybe it is regional. I live in the NY metro area, where women easily drop $100 on a haircut when they don't know how they will pay the rent.   Appearances are considered a huge asset in the workplace.         My husband dyes his hair so that he won't look aging at age 55!      I'm telling you that we are a bit materialistic and youth-oriented here!           I am a nurse so I wear scrubs and don't need designer apparel.          No offense to fellow New Yorkers.   That is just my sociological comment and of course there are many exceptions.       My breast surgeon's jaw dropped when I mentioned no reconstruction, after having carefully thought out this whole plan.       I saw her Gucci purse near her desk and thought "Is this part of why people don't understand my decision for no reconstruction?"    I do love my BS and I'm happy that she enjoys her Gucci purse- she deserves it.    .    Just wondering aloud.
God bless you all and thank you!      eileen

The only time I notice people looking at my flat chest is when I wear a cancer t-shirt. This past weekend we did a fund raiser for Komen and my chest was stared at more than once. I use it as a time to educate people and let them see that I am happy the way I am and comfortable in my body.

Linda

The only time I got a lot of looks was last summer when I was walking through a Walmart with a t-shirt that said "Viva Las TaTas!" It was all sparkly and jazzy and I'm not sure to this day if anyone noticed my flat chest. I was wondering why people were looking at my chest until I looked down and realized what I was wearing.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!! I have already made my decision to have a double mastectomy and you just convinced I'll be okay in the end.   

Just survived my first day back to work without my breast and without prosthesis!. I had soo much anxiety beforehand - but it went fine and I think I will stick to my 'breast free' plan even after the soreness goes away.