The Flat Look Vs Prosthesis (with Pics)

I just do not like my prothetics. They are heavy, hot and sometimes just a little bit damp when I wear them which is not very often. I am small busted, or used to me but also short and slim. Believe me, I look like a little old man if I don't wear the prothetics so I do wear them when shopping etc. I don't think I would wear them if people wouldn't stare at my flat chest. Tee shirts are out but I certainly like the idea of smocks. I have never regretted the decision not to have reconstrusted surgery. One surgery is enough for me.

I like going without too, but I only had one mast. My BRACA came back neg so the insurance won't pay for profalctic now. I am thinking of talking to them about a reduction at least. Its just as cheap as reconstruction I hear... and I don't really want reconstruction. At least if the remaining one is smaller it will be easier to go braless or wear sports bra without the prosthesis.

I was a 36 c bra and only had one breast removed 10 days ago. I feel lop sided but do not want to reconstruct. Anyone in the same circumstance?

Lindalou,

Your pictures are wonderful and you look fantastic either way.

It's almost a year and a half since my bilateral mastectomy and I want to let the ladies know that have questions that my own personal feelings are that I love being flat and I don't use any bra's etc.   I love the feel of cool soft clothing against my chest.    I have never noticed anyone stare at my chest.

I knew right away I didn't want reconstruction and have never been sorry.    To me it's a free feeling.

You are all so brave and it's great to read so many different views on this subject.  

I do feel much like what lass and many others have written.  I do miss my breasts and it makes my tummy seem larger but I am happy with the situation being what it is. 

I wish all our ladies easy decision making and just know you will still be you breasts or no breasts. 

Hi Terry,

I see this is only your second post, so welcome to this great website and wonderful group of women. It sounds as if you've made a really positive adjustment to the new breast-free you. I'm almost a year post-bilaterals. Mostly, I wear small prostheses, but the other day I went out without forms. Sure enough, as so many women have said, no one seemed to notice. And it WAS comfortable!

Barbara 

Barbara,

I'm delighted you had a good experience without forms!  It is comfortable, isn't it?  Like others who wrote, I didn't think I wanted to wear prosth, but I tried them anyway for 4-5 months.  I found that my emotional healing was taking longer, as I would look more like the old me (only better) with the prosth, but at night when I got ready for bed, my chest had to readjust to the feelings without that tight bra, and my psyche had to readjust to the flat look in the mirror.  One I stopped wearing them, I adjusted very quickly and found myself much happier.  I do look different.  Most people think I lost a lot of weight.  I am actually close to the same weight, but I had to work out a lot to get that spare tire (what my dad called his "lower chest muscle") cut down.  It isn't all gone, but I think whenever we remove some fat cells in the body, the new fat we take in just goes to the nearest other fat cells.  This has all been my process of reaching my New Normal, and I am very satisfied now.  I changed my wardrobe over the past 16 months, and I now expect to see what I actually look like in the mirror, which is comfortable for me.  Blessings to all of you, and especially to Barbara for the website and to Linda for taking the time to do pictures!  I still hope to do some when I'm not so busy with work!

I agree with everyone else, you look teriffic either way.  My thing is I had a left mastectomy and opted not to have reconstruction.  So, if there are others out there like me please give me your take on what you do. Most of the time I go braless, simply because the prost. and bra a unconfortable.  So here I am, a 36b on the right and boobless on the left. Baggy tee shirts are my wear around the house. I am 59 and weigh 143 and am 5'4.  My build helps hide the flat side. If I have too get dressed to go somewhere important, I do wear my bra.  Other then that, I'm hangin' free. What about you?

nagem,

Thanks for the info site. I will definitely check it out. Hopefully I will get some ideas, thanks again.

beckyg59

MzzHope,

thank you for feedback.

Just to let you know, Erica (our very own Barbara) on this BB created a GORGEOUS website.

www.Breastfree.org and it has photos and stories with lots more.

She has exceeded what I thought I might attempt.

Thank you though; it is great to hear my idea wasn't totally out there :-)

Hi Coltsneck,

You might suggest that your sister check out my non-profit website, BreastFree.org. Wallycat is one of my wonderful contributors. In addition to photos and personal stories, I have sections designed to help women adjust in a positive way to living without one or both breasts. 

Barbara 

BreastFree.org?  Can't get onto that website. Weird stuff comes up!

Hello Ladies !!

I have only one burning question ~~ Where were you four years ago when I was smack dab in the middle of this exact dilemma ??  I was 41 years old, somewhat pressured into immediate reconstruction by a plastic surgeon with a God-complex who ended up treating me like a throw away patient because I was a light smoker.  He decided (while I was under anesthetic) that he would put in full left & right implants a size larger than I was originally -- no skin expanders on the left side where I had a full mastectomy and lost a lot of skin.  He actually told me that if I didn't have the reconstruction I would feel like half a woman for the rest of my life and would suffer severe depression.  Needless to say the implant didn't fit and my scar didn't close -- thank goodness there was no infection, but I did have to have an emergency "deconstruction" (?) a month later.  This plastic surgeon was no longer around a few months later when I wanted to "have a few words with him ", apparently he was asked to find another group to practice with ... hmmmm .  Anyway I have been single boobed ever since and do enjoy the freedom that comes with it !!  The BC comes and goes but what can you do? -- I am currently happy and relatively healthy (all things considered).  BUT I so wish that I would have found this group all those years ago it would have given me the strength I so desperately needed then.  I am older, stronger and wiser now -- and I will direct my fellow BC patients/ survivors here for the power and confidence that I have found through all of you beautiful ladies !!  Thank you so very much.

~Kris.

Linda Lou,

What great pics!  You do look fantastic both ways, and I like the pink top especially.  You have been a wonderful source of inspiration on this post because you've often taken this kind of time to help the rest of us out.  Your post will be helpful to a lot of women trying to make that decision.

Thank you!

Bobbie