Aesthetic Flat Closure

Hi. I had never heard of this procedure so looked online and it looks like it’s what my surgeon has done anyway post my mastectomy. My chest is very flat now, the skin is really tight (difficult to stretch upright initially but massively improving). I might have a delayed reconstruction but they did say to me the flatter you chest is, the better outcome further procedures will be. I am thinking I could just remain flat, but would like the other side to match ! 

Truthfully I would like to be completely flat on both sides if I have to have a mastectomy. What shape is your scar? There are various different possible scar configurations depending on where the cancer is and body shape etc. 

My scar is horizontal starting centrally around the bottom of my sternum. Because I also had an axillary clearance it changes direction upwards under my armpit. I asked for a double as I have calcium and cysts on my other side and feel just as lumpy, but I was refused, ‘No survival advantage’ I was told. I think it may have also been a time thing too, he had to cancel a clinic to get me in, it took the whole morning as it was.  They have applied for genetic testing for me so I guess I will only get another mastectomy on the NHS if that comes back as positive. Thinking about paying privately for the other side, but need to deal with the cancer first and have chemo and radiotherapy.

I do hope all goes well for you. I don't really understand the logic of allowing implants and complex DEIP type reconstructions on the NHS which are for aesthetic purposes only and not allowing the removal of the other boob for similar reasons. 

Hi Wondering if you have had your surgery and how it went - did you get your flat closure? i had a single mastectomy 4 weeks ago and asked for a flat closure and although its still healing i am very pleased with the result. However I would also prefer to be the same on both sides. I don't understand why its not available when you can have a reduction and uplift (so i understand) to match a reconstruction.

I had a single mastectomy 6 weeks ago and opted to stay flat. I have been really happy with my decision. The cut, for me, was a straight line from the breast bone to just below the arm pit. Neat. Healing well. No problems at all.

The shock was when I peeped under my gown after the op, to see it with no dressing. Just glued and open to the air. But it healed quickly 

There is a FB group for folks in the UK. Flat Friend UK (FF UK) Lots of ladies there who have opted to stay flat. They allow folks join who are still deciding on which way to go. You may find it helpful. 

Best Wishes

JigJog x

Hi Lizzy, I have had my AFC, two days ago. Really pleased with it although I have not seen the scar yet as there is still a dressing on it. What I can see is flat and smooth though. I wasn't sure if it would bother me the first time I saw it as you never really know but I was absolutely fine with it. Like you, I now want the other one gone. I had two different types of cancer and the second one appeared within two weeks of having mammograms and ultrasound. Luckily I found it and it is of the more aggressive HER2 positive type so I don't want that one coming back. I think if I can't get it done on the NHS I am prepared to have it done privately but I don't see why I should have to. 

Hi JigJog, thanks for the heads up on the Flat Friends FB group. I joined an American based group for flatties before my op that was very informative and encouraging. The horror stories on there of people who have had implants and had terrible pain and illness due to the implants are quite shocking. I hope that UK surgeons are warning people about the dangers of implants. I stopped my surgeon as soon as he started talking about reconstruction as I knew I wanted flat so I don't know what he would have said about implants and whether he would have talked about the dangers. I see there is a surgeon in France who is now refusing to do implants because of the dangers of them.

Hope you are all healed and recovering well and your post-surgery results were not worse than expected. 

Best wishes,

Vee

I agree. My left one was removed last Friday (14th) it went fine and I am flat but I feel Lop sided. They offered me reconstruction but when I asked them to remove the right one for balance they said it was cosmetic?

I think we need a campaign on this one. I could have asked for and had a DIEP flap reconstruction which I understand is an 8 hour operation and the only reason for having it is for cosmetic purposes so that both side match; yet you cannot get a much shorter operation to remove the other side to make both sides match??????