Choosing nonreconstruction on the BCO web site?

Hmmm, Kylie's bum ... Now that might be worth going under the knife for

I read an article recently, wish I could remember where, that said that a much greater number in the US get reconstruction than in other countries, they particularly mentioned in European countries.  I'll see if I can find the article. 

Just saw your respose Momine, you're not wrong there! LOL

thanks Lindakr, but I'm not on FB ( by choice) - will keep looking for answers.

SunflowersMA - I think some of the women who frequent this thread have gone through deconstruction.

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/82/topic/789067?page=101#idx_3022

I look for other flat chested women. A rant.

Sorry Sunflower, I didn't notice that you'd started another thread. I hope you get all the answers you need when you see your PS in June.

Great job MT1,

I totally agree with everything you have outlined there.

I would be happpy to send in my UMX result, too.

There does seem to be more women making this choice of non reconstruction. I know I spent time looking at photos on Breastfree, of ladies who'd had UMX and were proud to show it. It was very empowering, ad I thank them for being brave enough to make that choice, and brave enough to document it for other like minded women to see.  

MT, fantastic job, I agree completely! Actually it was the exact photos on BCO (the link you listed) that made me choose to not reconstruct, the surgeries were too much to even consider...

MT1 and all,

You asked for it, and we responded! Check out the new content on the main Breastcancer.org site on Going Flat: Choosing No Reconstruction. We're also hoping to be adding pictures in the near future!

We hope you enjoy!

--The Breastcancer.org Team

Thanks Mods, that is fantastic!

There are more and more of us deciding to forgo the reconstruction, and that text is exactly what we need to see before making that decision, or indeed, to reaffirm our decision.

I am pleased you have directed women to the Breastfree site too. It is a really valuable resource. I used it when I was in the decision process, and am so grateful to all those women for allowing their photos to be there, it was such a help to me. Since having my "Dog Ear" revision recently, I have offered Erica before and after pictures so anyone considering having the same surgery has an idea of what the result could be like. 

Thanks again to everyone involved for adding this valuable information to this site. 

I had no option with having reconstruction.  I am ok with not having reconstruction because I know it's not an option.  I did get fitted for my prosthesis and only wore it for a couple weeks.  I have sensations that I can't stand the bra touching the side of my skin.  I was told I should wear it by the fitting lady.  I am in PT right now and the PTA/massage therapist is really massaging my scar and the minimal cording that I have. 

Tonight I am going to an event one side flat with a shirt that you can tell.  This is a big deal for me. 

Thanks, mods, for the new article.  I fall into the first category (health being a reason to avoid recon) because I had 3 cancers diagnosed at once. So treatment for all 3 came before niceties like recon and PT. Didn't get to PT till 7 months after first mx. With the second mx I went right to PT after the drain came out.

Also, my first general surgeon advised against reconstruction. I remember my first preop appointment with her. She cited the high infection rate, said that for now, I needed the least risky procedure to enable me to move on to treat the other cancers. That almost worked. But I got a deep vein thrombosis from my port and that, plus a slow gyn-onc consult, delayed further cancer treatment a month. And I was way too weak to endure fills of TE's while doing a chemo-rad combo treatment for another cancer. Then it was a total hysterectomy for the endometrial cancer. It's a tough row to hoe, no matter what you choose.

After my second mx, a different (breast-only) surgeon asked me, at the last postop appointment, if I didn't really want tissue expanders? I guess she felt she was doing her job. I'd never want any patient to feel she was not entitled to recon so I don't mind her asking. But I said no thanks, I'd had C-D breasts all my adult life and I didn't think numb flesh would be worth all the effort. Besides, after doing all that, suppose one of my other cancers returned? I don't feel like I have a lot of time to spend on elective surgery.

Thanks for the clothing suggestions. I have to change my thinking from trying to minimize large breasts to finding ways (like lapels) to balance the chest and abdomen.

I splurged on a Nordstrom leather moto jacket (50% off). It's not for anyone with a BMI over 23. But it's cool if you zip it half way up to make a slim waist. The top of the zipper pouches out into little air breasts. It's kind of silly for a 70-year-old like me, but it's my reward, along with a quilted leather Chanel-type cross-body bag, for all I went through in the past couple of years.

I have one more body-image experience, but I'm just not ready to share it yet. It's kind of weird. Maybe someday.

Hi feelingfeline -

Cute cat in your avatar! Thanks for your message, all the way from Ireland to here in New Mexico.

Yes, we have all been through a lot. Even when things go perfectly (does that ever happen?) almost any cancer is a life changing event. You find out who your friends are. I'm grateful to everyone for sharing their recon experiences, good and bad, otherwise I might have been talked into recon by my second breast surgeon. But I doubt it. I used to be an RN and I have a healthy respect for the damage surgery can sometimes do.

Mods, do take into consideration what MT has written and pass it on to the editorial board.  I like it so much more.  Unless there are women (yes plural) on that board who live flat, no one can really know what we go through making the decision to live against the norm of what society thinks women should look like.  I was lucky.  My surgeon completely understood but there are some who, as in MT's case, give their patients a hard time.

While I liked what was written I do remember thinking why was reconstruction and prothesis mentioned so prominently when they have their own page.  MT's revision of that paragraph hits wanting to live flat out of the ball park and would do so much in helping those on the fence make a decision.

Melly - just went to your website - FABULOUS, FABULOUS, FABULOUS, your art & creativity is INSPIRING!

eta - think there should also be good information on explantation!  Removing those horrible ( often ruptured & we don't even know it) implants.