"Living Flat"

RHL

Does anyone have experience with a plastic surgeon in Vancouver, WA who works with women who do not want to reconstruct their breasts and Live flat"?  I am having a bad experience with my current surgeon around this subject.

I really appreciate any insight!

Thanks!

TraciInLA

Flat girl here

I live in Southern California, so I'm sorry I'm not able to help you with your specific question, but did want to share with some resources that might be helpful.

I had a double mastectomy with no reconstruction about 18 months ago, at the age of 46.  I was fortunate that all of my doctors, including my surgeon, were completely supportive of my decision not to reconstruct.  I go flat most of the time, and really enjoy the freedom of never again having to wear a bra!  I have small, lightweight breast forms that I sometimes wear with certain work clothes.  I'm really happy with my decision.

If you're considering no reconstruction, I highly recommend

BreastFree.org -- a treasure trove of resources, helpful photos, tips, and advice from women who've chosen not to reconstruct

BreastCancer.org's forum, "Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy":  https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/82 -- thousands of posts on every possible question you can think of relating to going flat.

I have no personal affiliation with either of these sites -- I just found them very helpful in my journey, and have them bookmarked, as I still refer to them often.

I'm so sorry you're having a bad experience with your surgeon, and I hope some of this might be helpful to you as you make your decision!

Traci

cinnamonsmile

I had a bilateral mastectomy

I had a bilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction. I did not have a plastic surgeon, I had a general surgeon who specialized in breast cancer surgeries remove my breasts. Is there a reason why you are needing a plastic surgeon if you don't want reconstruction? Can you find a breast cancer specialist surgeon or a general surgeon who specializes in breast cancer?

I was lucky, never had anyone push me to want reconstruction.

What kind of problems are you having with your plastic surgeon?

dpletzke

TraciInLA said:

Flat girl here

I live in Southern California, so I'm sorry I'm not able to help you with your specific question, but did want to share with some resources that might be helpful.

I had a double mastectomy with no reconstruction about 18 months ago, at the age of 46.  I was fortunate that all of my doctors, including my surgeon, were completely supportive of my decision not to reconstruct.  I go flat most of the time, and really enjoy the freedom of never again having to wear a bra!  I have small, lightweight breast forms that I sometimes wear with certain work clothes.  I'm really happy with my decision.

If you're considering no reconstruction, I highly recommend

BreastFree.org -- a treasure trove of resources, helpful photos, tips, and advice from women who've chosen not to reconstruct

BreastCancer.org's forum, "Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy":  https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/82 -- thousands of posts on every possible question you can think of relating to going flat.

I have no personal affiliation with either of these sites -- I just found them very helpful in my journey, and have them bookmarked, as I still refer to them often.

I'm so sorry you're having a bad experience with your surgeon, and I hope some of this might be helpful to you as you make your decision!

Traci

flat

I'm not sure what to do. I am considering not to do reconstruction.

Debbie

dpletzke

cinnamonsmile said:

I had a bilateral mastectomy

I had a bilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction. I did not have a plastic surgeon, I had a general surgeon who specialized in breast cancer surgeries remove my breasts. Is there a reason why you are needing a plastic surgeon if you don't want reconstruction? Can you find a breast cancer specialist surgeon or a general surgeon who specializes in breast cancer?

I was lucky, never had anyone push me to want reconstruction.

What kind of problems are you having with your plastic surgeon?

How do you feel about your

How do you feel about your decision?

cinnamonsmile

dpletzke said:

How do you feel about your

How do you feel about your decision?

I have absolutely no regrets.

I have absolutely no regrets. I enjoy being flat. No bra ever again! I love it! Things have not gone smoothly for me...had to deal with severe scar tissue adhesions (and still have them), I have nerve damage pain from the sentinel node biopsy and BMX.But I still wouldn't change a thing.

When my surgeon drew a picture of my breast and what the lumpectomy found (no clean margins), I knew the BMX was for me.

dfpulliam

plastic surgeon in Vancouver WA

I am seeing Dr. Cynthia Gray.  The mastectomy left behind a real mess so I will need a scar revision and some liposuction.  She referred me to phyiscal therapy to get some help with all the tissue problems.  I highly recommend her.

Apaugh

No reconstruction

I had both breast removed with no reconstruction.  I dont regret my choice.  To me they were just a hassle and the thoughts of reconstruction was just too much for me to handle.  I went to a physical therapist who specialized in breast massage and lymphedemia and she was very very helpful on management of my scars and lymphedemia.  It was a year this past May and I am still dealing with nerve ending pain and of course, I will always deal with the lymphatic problems.

Hugs,

Annie