smoothing or tattoo solutions for not-quite-flat flat chest?

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jude104
jude104 Member Posts: 2
edited April 2015 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

Not sure if it was because of the way my surgeon did my UMX two years ago, or if it was because my drain came out too early, but the skin under my scar is loose and saggy (wrinkly). Plus above my scar it's kind of bumpy (I guess just the ribs showing thru.) Doesn't look like the images of nice clean prebuscent-looking chests that I've seen. Any of you been in this position? Anything that can be done? (This isn't about removing dog ears…just "ironing" out the wrinkles and bumps if only that were possible.) Is this something that fat-grafting can help with? (Please don't laugh if I'm completely off-base...) Alternatively, have any of you gotten a tattoo that successfully camouflaged a less than flat chest? (Can a tattoo artist even do a tattoo on wrinkly skin? I've never gotten one…)

I'm pretty sure I'd be able to deal with seeing my body in the mirror if I was "nicely" flat or at least didn't have to see the bumps and wrinkles.

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited March 2015


    Jude, you might consider consulting a plastic surgeon to make you smooth.  Seems like PS could iron out the wrinkles. I'm not sure how a tattoo would work on wrinkly skin either. I'm sure an experienced person could probably do it,, but you would definitely want recommendations.

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  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited March 2015

    I really don't know why some people come out so smooth and flat, but I do think it could be related to where the cancer was and how much. I may be wrong but I have noted that women who have breasts removed as prevention of cancer have neater scars. I am 5 years out and am still very tight, no extra skin, and very concave, down to the ribs on the cancer side. But with pouches of skin where the drains were. Mostly I try to let it go because I am still not in the mood for surgery and I don't go topless or anything like that. I am most comfortable in a silk cami.

    I sure hope you get more advice here !

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited April 2015

    Just curious, have you lost weight? But even so, a surgeon could most likely help.

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  • jude104
    jude104 Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2015

    Coraleliz, I haven't lost weight since my surgery...gained a little actually. Were you thinking that I'd lost some fat that was keeping it stretched out?

    Glennie, I did see a plastic surgeon today but it doesn't seem like he could help with either problem. While he could tighten up the skin that's wrinkly, he says it would likely impact my range of motion (and as much as I hate how I *look*, how I *feel* and what I can *do* is more important). And the bumpiness, he says, is just a combination of my ribs and muscle. I'm sad (was really hoping I could get myself to a point where I didn't dread looking in the mirror), but I think it's time to take your "let it go" attitude, Crystal.

    Now I move on to my other goal: get rid of the remaining breast so I can be truly flat!

    Thanks for the responses, all three of you. This was my first time posting, but I feel like I kind of know you all from your various other posts.

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  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited April 2015

    Nice to meet you here too Jude! And just remember the grass is not really greener on the other side of the fence. I am very tight and smooth, and it was very painful for months after surgery, not enough room to have a full range of motion and my shoulder froze, again, more pain. This was not something the doctor did on purpose, but what he did to get clear margins. My armpit has been pulled down onto my chest...flat and lovely-smoothe, but painful.

    You are right, we do get to know each other from various posts!

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  • GeorgiaRai
    GeorgiaRai Member Posts: 175
    edited April 2015

    Jude, I'm sorry you got disappointing news.  My scars are a little puckered and bumpy; they don't bother me, but they're definitely not something to write home about.  But 2 years after my diagnosis, I got a small tattoo - just the word "stronger" (referencing the quote in my signature line) located between my port scar & my left mastectomy scar. It doesn't cover anything up, but it's makes me smile when I see it  Maybe a similar distraction would help you feel better?  Best of luck to you.

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited April 2015


    Georgia:  awesome tattoo idea!  I love it. And I love your signature line too,, I use that quote on my email's signature line.

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