reconstruction and no reconstruction -- forum names

BikerLee, thank you for your suggestions. We'll review the forum titles, and look forward to hearing other members' perspectives too.

• The Mods

I'm with River Rat and Biker Lee.  I wouldn't so much care which of Biker Lee's alternatives, or even something altogether different, as long as the two categories are presented with words that don't imply inequality or that one is desired over the other.  

While I don't have a problem with the name as it is and don't see it as somehow pejorative, I would be fine with a change such as "Mastectomy Without Reconstruction." But I would have a problem with Tina's suggestion, "Living Flat After Mastectomy." While some women truly live "flat" (i.e. don't wear breast forms) once they've had a mastectomy, I think a name like that would make those of us who wear prostheses (breast forms) feel unwelcome. For as long as I've been on the boards, the phrase "going flat" has referred to women who choose not to use breast forms. "Living flat" would likely be interpreted by many women to mean the same thing.

I agree with Tina's impulse to find a positive phrase that describes the choice women who don't want reconstruction make, but unfortunately I don't think "living flat" is it.

Edited to add: One of the functions of a forum name is to enable newcomers to the Discussion Boards to find the forums that have the information they seek. The prior name of this forum was something like "Reconstruction Alternatives and Options for Prostheses," which didn't clearly indicate that the forum was for women who had had mastectomies but hadn't had reconstruction. I was among those who urged the selection of a more descriptive name. 

After the old forum name was replaced by the current one, there was a striking increase in the number of women who found the forum. So, I would urge that any name change be descriptive and inclusive of all women who might benefit from the information and support offered on the forum.

I think that "Mastectomy without reconstruction" is a better name for the forum. I agree that choosing not to reconstruct is a valid choice and the current forum name does imply that one is going against the expected choice.

When I was scheduled for my bmx, I found it confusing as to where I would post my questions. I knew I was not a candidate for recon but just didn't know where to post my questions. I think a change is definitely in order. Thanks mods.

What is wrong with having a Breast Reconstruction section and a Mastectomy/Breast Free section?

As a non-reconstructer I don't see the point of having reconstruction mentioned in the title at all.