Going flat

Hi, I’m not surprised that you are struggling to find anything as I too did not wear my prosthetic. I had a second mastectomy by choice five months ago, and am now totally flat, although if I wear certain clothes, especially if they lie a bit ‘ruched’ , it often just looks like I am small chested. Really sorry that I can’t add anymore for you, but have you tried contacting ‘Flat Friends’ which is a charity set up to give fashion advice to people who choose not to have reconstruction or wear a prosthetic.

Hi there,

Because of my faulty gene (PALB2), I am likely to have a double mastectomy in two stages (chemo finishes 23rd June - no tumour now present on MRI). I think I will have my first surgery August time and the second one perhaps around January 24 - seeing breast surgeon in a few weeks. Im thinking of not having the reconstruction as I don’t like the idea of either in terms of recovery etc etc. Can I ask how you found both surgeries and how you have adapted to being flat?.

Thanks so much, Jan x

Hi, the two surgeries were very different. I opted for a mastectomy first time. I also had an axillary clearance. Then 15 sessions of radiotherapy. Like you, I had chemo first ( 6 cycles) prior to surgery. My second mastectomy was 18 months later. No axillary clearance this time, although tissue was sent to pathology lab and was clear. I developed a seroma after each surgery. I think I must be prone to them. The first had to be drained 3 times. It settled a few weeks before radiotherapy. The second surgery seroma was drained once, then settled by itself. Certainly, the main difference between the two surgeries was in the tightness and lack of movement, especially in the armpit area. Not surprisingly, the first surgery was much more challenging in that respect. I hardly did any exercises for the second mastectomy, but then there was no axillary clearance and I hadn’t been on chemo. 
Re: adapting .. I have no regrets. I wear a fitted t shirt under hoodies. Or a snug vest under a top. I have a couple of very pretty camisoles that I bought from Amoena with built in padded boobies ( very subtle and comfy) if I want to wear something. It’s just a hint of a bust. I’m not sure if they sell them anymore as I got them in a sale. I actually felt more self conscious with the single mastectomy, but that’s just me. We are all different. 
Your chemo response is very encouraging. I hope you are managing ok. X

Aaaaah - thanks for swift response - my it sounds like quite a ‘thing’ with the  seroma situation! I don’t think I will have to have an axillary clearance as no lymph node involvement apparently although they will do a sentinel node biopsy at surgery to check? I’m only just getting my head around all this as only found out about genetics a few weeks ago - had been heading towards a lumpectomy before this. My faulty gene mutation means my risk for reoccurrence is much higher and I don’t want to live with that anxiety. So your second mastectomy was quite a long time after the first - is that usual do you know? It seems like a long time to me - I thought it would be a few months later.

Good to hear you have no regrets - you sound very strong in the way you come across.

Yes the response to chemo has been great really and I have had very little compared to many in terms of side effects for which I am very grateful. I would prefer however to reduce the risk of going through it all again - plenty to mull over!

Jan x