Flat Closure NOW

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MT1
MT1 Member Posts: 371
edited April 2019 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

Flat Closure NOW

Since my diagnosis in 2011, I have felt ill at ease about paternalism in the world of breast cancer treatment. Many of my friends have asked for flat outcome and received skin sparing mastectomy. Flat doesn't have an official name or standard of outcome. Research papers are written in favor of reconstruction as outcome, questioning women's choices in light of this.

When I was diagnosed there were hardly any pictures of female bodies who looked like mine. I did everything in my power to change this.

When I was asked to work with Catherine Guthrie, a health journalist, and Kimberly Herpe Bowles, of Not Putting on a Shirt, a woman who suffered paternalism in breast cancer treatment personally, I said a whole hearted yes.

If you are considering going flat, as we call it, Flat Closure NOW is your resource.


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Comments

  • Aussie-Cat
    Aussie-Cat Member Posts: 5,168
    edited December 2018

    Thank you, MT1. I have looked at the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJiAE8qY8tANow I plan to look at the website at www.flatclosurenow.org


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  • MT1
    MT1 Member Posts: 371
    edited December 2018

    yes! That is part of it!

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  • Sunocean
    Sunocean Member Posts: 134
    edited December 2018

    thank You so much for this. I am almost 100% positive I won't have reconstruction due to other medical problems I have. This is helpful.

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited December 2018

    I have shared this with everyone who matters to me. I need to promote healthy body images. These women have beautiful bodies. I am discarding my "foob" now. No judgement for other preferences. We are all beautiful. ❤️

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  • MT1
    MT1 Member Posts: 371
    edited December 2018

    I am so glad to hear this.

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  • JoE777
    JoE777 Member Posts: 628
    edited December 2018

    So courageous in pioneering this avenue for those who choose flat. I was faced with it when I had a lumpectomy that could have turned into a mastectomy with no reconstruction. After 61/2 years and metastatic to bone and lung, I haven't changed my mind. I was one who didn't mind a curative surgery but didn't want the extra ones and the added side effects that may prove difficult . Go iron ladies. There's a best path for everyone. Jo
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  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited December 2018

    google won't find/pull up that page for me. It sounds wonderful. About time. I was fortunate to have a breast surgeon who listened to me.

    I cut out a picture of a 10 year old boy and brought it with me and said, "in case you aren't getting a visual of what I am asking and expecting, look at this. I don't want ears or skin or assumptions that I'll change my mind---if I change my mind, I'll worry about that later." He listened. Scars are unavoidable but many practitioners are in awe of how well mine have healed. POWER for us and and docs should guide us but listen and help us; it is hard enough to fear death to be worrying about how we look.

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  • ElleJae
    ElleJae Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2018

    I LOVE this! I really wanted a double mastectomy at the time of my diagnosis (almost 30 years ago when I was a young mom in my 20's), but was denied by all surgeons. I've undergone 2 failed reconstructions since and a lot of pain tied to them and am back to "uni-boob" which is a huge relief for me physically. But secretly I still just want the freedom of being flat-chested and avoiding the lopsided feeling--- I wouldn't wear foobs then unless I wanted to (which would most likely be almost never =) Sweet freedom!!!

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited December 2018

    Although I chose reconstruction, and am happy with it, I strongly believe that if someone wants to go flat, that’s exactly what they should get! Thank you for advocating for this

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  • MDRR
    MDRR Member Posts: 133
    edited December 2018

    I really appreciate this. I had no idea that some surgeons would behave in this manner. I feel especially fortunate that my decision to skip reconstruction was never questioned by any of my doctors and they did a wonderful job with my surgery. None of my friends nor members of my family ever questioned that this was my decision and I was to be the one making it. Everyone should have this opportunity -- it's our body!! I'm happy that there is advocacy to make my experience standard of care when women face the tough decisions that come with a breast cancer diagnosis. Bravo!

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  • Darnit_DDD
    Darnit_DDD Member Posts: 40
    edited February 2019

    I absolutely love flat closure NOW. The women on the site are all beautiful strong women, it’s an inspiration.

    No surgery date scheduled yet but planning to go flat. I printed out the questions and am armed with facts.

    I was shocked that in 2019 this could be happening, who do these men think they are? It’s infuriating, I’ve shared this issue with my friends, none of us had any idea this was going on prior to my diagnosis and subseqresearch.

    Both BS I’m working with are women, my second consult is this Thursday. I hope I don’t run into this, but so grateful for this awareness.

    Thank you!!

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  • MT1
    MT1 Member Posts: 371
    edited February 2019

    Wow, I am just happy to have posted here. I am glad the site resonates with those of you who need it!

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  • blah333
    blah333 Member Posts: 270
    edited February 2019

    That is great but your organization should have a catchier name.... Maybe one that can be an acronym that spells F.L.A.T. but that's kind of hard!

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  • MT1
    MT1 Member Posts: 371
    edited February 2019

    While I agree with you, blah333, this is the word that surgeons use to describe the surgery, so we didn't want to begin a whole new lexicon. Plus, 'Flat Closure’ i a weave technique in the hair industry. But there you have it

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  • BvH531
    BvH531 Member Posts: 4
    edited February 2019

    Thanks for the posts. I had no idea that there was such a thing as a flat closure. I had my mastectomy 2 days ago (left side) and was hoping for immediate reconstruction, but it wasn’t possible. I haven’t looked at my chest yet - dreading that. I am an “a” cup, so there wouldn’t be much of a change to go flat. And I am 53 - my days of low cut shirts and tiny bikinis are long since gone. Thank you


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  • Stitch
    Stitch Member Posts: 36
    edited April 2019

    I will be considering this as my diagnosis slowly comes together. I’m so angry that some doctors won’t listen! I have a female surgeon so we will see what her reaction is once my full DX is done.

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