The Flat Look Vs Prosthesis (with Pics)

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  • LindaKR
    LindaKR Member Posts: 1,577
    edited January 2014

    Lettinggo - I met a woman that had mets and no primary tumor!  You just never know! And she probably did have a pet scan.  After MX, but before chemo, etc... I had a nuclear bone scan and an abdominal CT with contrast to rule out Mets!

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  • FTell001
    FTell001 Member Posts: 13
    edited January 2014

    Wow..thank you so much for posting! You look great either way. I go "flat" right now..new to this and I really am not self conscious and don't think about it when I'm out in public. I just bought some Genie bras and added more stuffing to them and they work fine on the few times I've worn them. Thanks again.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2014

    image

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  • Vivtwins
    Vivtwins Member Posts: 69
    edited February 2014

    Hi barb! 

    Wow that is such a powerful quote!

    How are you doing?  I've been flat now for the whole of January and loving it!!!!!!

    Viv xxx

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  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited February 2014

    Amazing!!!!! Thank you!


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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2014

    I was REALLY moved by that quote I found on Facebook and knew I didn't need to comment on it as I posted it. It says it all.

    I'm doing fine, still enjoying my flatness as I move around in the business world!

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  • Flounder
    Flounder Member Posts: 35
    edited April 2015


    This was a great discussion.  I have surgery in a week, and while I know I don't want reconstruction (considered it for one sleepless night), I'm still not sure about forms vs. flat.  I'm afraid of my pot belly.  But I'll probably do a combination of both, at least in the beginning, and see how it goes.  These discussions help me feel a lot more confident, and I thank everyone who contributes so much of their time and experience.

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

    Flounder, welcome! Just let yourself get through the surgery, you have a lifetime to plan your wardrobe (because you are taking action and getting the cancer removed!!! Yeah You!!!!!)

    You may change your mind 1000 times, and that is ok. I am flat 3 years now and I wear forms now and then. It is always nice to have a choice, so you can look into clothing that makes you feel fab, and you can wear forms when you want that.

    There is a website called Breastfree.org and a private facebook group called flat and fabulous....and of course all of us here to help each other along this journey.

    The pot belly is an issue for many of us, scarves are my best friend when I want to hide it all. But I have also come to embrace the pot belly, it is a part of me I just never saw so well before because my boobs hid it...but everyone else could see it lol. Just my perspective.

    Wishing you the best! Denise

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  • Flounder
    Flounder Member Posts: 35
    edited April 2015

    Thanks Crystalphm!  I know it's early days (since I haven't even had my surgery!), but the whole wardrobe thing has been a good distraction while I wait.

    I'll try to embrace my belly.  Someone was teasing one of my bosses about gaining some weight, he smiled, patted his tummy, and said it was an investment.

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  • bubbieone
    bubbieone Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2016

    Very very helpful I had my bilateral mastectomy June 2016,, 3 months ago, and chose no reconstruction. I was full busted, with breasts starting far back under the arms and a good size cleavage. I was left with dog ears under the arms, and what I call my little volcano, right where the cleavage started.

    I have not regretted, for one minute, not having reconstruction, and feel perfectly content in my current body.

    You look wonderful, and I am sure these pictures have, and will continue to help others decide!

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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited October 2016

    Unfortunately, LindaLou has passed away, from metastatic breast cancer. I got to know her on these boards (and she contributed to my website, BreastFree.org). I'm virtually certain she'd be very happy that her photographs are still helping people cope with life after a mastectomy.

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  • MaryG59
    MaryG59 Member Posts: 28
    edited October 2016

    Erica,

    So sorry to hear about LindaLu and you are right, she continues to help us make hard decisions!

    Prayers and Hugs to her family and friends!


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  • Lcaruana
    Lcaruana Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2016

    Having a single mastectomy with no reconstruction January 5. Both my oncologist and surgeon say the one is necessary, but my choice entirely if I wanted both. Now I am questioning my decision. Will I look and feel strange? How do you deal with clothes? I am 68 years old and ust want to get on with my life. Any help

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2016

    I am very happy to be flat. No recon and no prosthetics. I never have to wear a bra again and I actually feel sexy with the fabric of my tops right against my skin. Not having the weight of my breasts has been amazing for the arthritis in my neck and back. I went totally flat at 50 years old and never looked back.

    If you get one breast removed you will have to decide on recon or foobs and wear a bra again. Good luck with your decision. It was the pictures at the beginning of this thread that gave me the guts to got flat and I work with people every day that have no idea I'm flat! I'm in sales in the public eye and I just walk around like I have the best two out there. I'm not slim and the surgeon was worried about how I'd feel, but I stand better and don't slouch with the weight and actually look slimmer.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited December 2016

    "Will I look and feel strange?" Do you think you 'look' or 'feel strange' now? I am and always 'marched to a differdnt drummer'.- thus 'weird'. How do you deal with clothes?". Do you wear clothes now? I wear clothes as I'm not a nudist and live in an area that is quite cold this time of year.

    Sorry for trying to interject a little humor! I know your questions are honest and sincere and will give my personal experiences/thoughts.

    I was 63 when DXd and now 70. I am one who wears my pros. at all times I am 'up and doing things' (read as when I get up in the morning until I go to bed at night). I 'feel' and 'look' GREAT. There are so many different pros available for different shapes and sizes so a good Certified Fitter is important to get the one that is correct for you. There are many sexy and cute mast. bras available - there are also a lot more 'old granny' ones. (I still like and wear my cute underwires - just what I've always worn and like - so will continue to. . I am on the somewhat 'smaller' side - 5'6", 125 lbs, B.

    Clothes - I just wear the same type that I've always worn. Winter - jeans, turtleneck under a sweatshirt/sweater/flannel and thermies to keep warm. Summer - jeans or cut-offs, T-shirt or tank top.

    I'm a VERY active 'outdoor' woman. I love to now with my push mower, care for and ride our horses, bicycle, and flyfish among other activities. Have no idea what your life was like but you definitely can do whatever you want to. 'Getting on with your life' is up yo you and what your life is. Mine is (and always has been) very different than most but it is up to us, individualy, to follow our own path.

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  • Goincrzy8
    Goincrzy8 Member Posts: 387
    edited December 2016

    Love your thoughts Kicks. I had drain out Tuesday and today I put on a Genie Bra with a knitted knocker and a tight tshirt. I felt great and anyone who does not know what I have gone thru will not know that Left if a fake Right is real.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited December 2016

    Our local ACS sent me a 'Care Box' when I had UMX that had a 'fluffy puff' in it among a few other things. I used that 'fluffy' (with my old bras) for a while. It was winter so I was wearing my 'winter uniform' ( turtleneck under a baggy sweatshirt) - worked great and I felt good. Don't remember exactly when I got my pros. but probably late Jan/early Feb.

    Both breasts are real! One just happens to be a prosthesis and not the other.

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  • kathindc
    kathindc Member Posts: 2,042
    edited December 2016

    I was 61 when dx. Could have had a lumpectomy but decided on BMX. Had some problems with a radiologist who walked away from a stereotactic biopsy because he realized he couldn't get to the area my surgeon wanted checked out before surgery, plus report that detected the cancer on the left side said there was a suspicious spot on the right and it should be checked out in six months. By this point I didn't want to be yanked around any more. Have never had a problem with going flat. I even wear blouses that have darts and knit blouses. Have caught a few stares in four and a half years, but when people realize I'm looking back at them with a "you have a problem look", they look away. It has never made me feel uncomfortable as I never felt defined as a woman by my breasts. It's all in your attitude or should I say flatitude. Check out the thread - "I look for other flat chested women. A rant." It will give you the perspective of those who go flat, sometimes flat, uni and those who wear prosthetics all the time, very enlightening.

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  • Wicked
    Wicked Member Posts: 141
    edited December 2016

    A few days ago, a woman at the pool told me that I was the fittest woman she had ever seen there. I told her it was because I have no boobs- it makes you look more muscular! I don't wear a prosthesis of any kind and just wear regular racing swim suits.

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  • llamamama90
    llamamama90 Member Posts: 4
    edited December 2016

    You have a very contagious smile and you look beautiful either way. I would look completely different if I had no breasts. I have been big chested since I hit puberty.

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  • Freya244117
    Freya244117 Member Posts: 603
    edited December 2016

    Lcaruana, I had a single mx and I dont wear a prosthesis. The other side is a DD. I am early 50's and very slim, I wear what I have always worn, some quite fitted, some not. For me this is my new normal, and to be honest it is unusual for anyone to stare or even notice.

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