I was diagnosed with breast cancer days before Texas’s worst winter storm in its history. We were without water for weeks, roads were shut down, and areas were without power for nearly a month.
And, I was frantic, unable to see doctors after my initial diagnosis, get surgery dates, or get essential questions answered.
Soon, I will celebrate five years since my breast cancer diagnosis. Each year, I brace myself for a winter storm and its fallout.
Conveyor Belt of Treatment
After receiving my initial call from my doctor confirming breast cancer, I was set on a conveyor belt of treatment. Due to the winter storm, I was anxious to get surgeries scheduled. I was sure waiting longer to get more questions answered would result in more delays and cancer spreading.
So, I didn’t ask the questions. I didn’t know the questions to ask.
When the storm settled, I met with a plastic surgeon who discussed implants and DIEP flap reconstruction—using your stomach tissue to reconstruct breasts. Going flat was never mentioned.
I was fearful of implants, both by their reputation and by the thought of adding foreign material to my body. I didn’t understand what a DIEP flap is, but I assumed I needed reconstruction. I didn’t understand the depth of my diagnosis or the fact that I would endure chemo and radiation after surgery.
Since my cancer was single-sided, I assumed I could only reconstruct my left breast. My lack of knowledge led me to choose the DIEP flap reconstruction for only my left side.
It was a 10-hour surgery that I never fully recovered from. It’s an option I still support for others, but for me, it was not the right option. My reconstructed breast swelled after reconstruction. It grew to over twice as large as my original breast. I felt uncomfortable in my own body for nearly four years.
During that time, I joined a variety of breast cancer groups. I sat quietly, absorbing information, for a while. One day, a community member shared a photo of her flat chest. While she had breast cancer in only one breast, she elected to have both removed and to go “flat.”
I knew, then, that was the option I had wanted.
Going “Flat”
It took me a couple of years to garner the courage to ask my breast surgical oncologist to perform an aesthetic flat closure, which is different from simply being flat.
Aesthetic flat closure removes excess breast tissue and seals the breasts in an aesthetically pleasing way. She confirmed that the procedure could be done, but she would need to do it in conjunction with a plastic surgeon in order to remove the DIEP flap.
📖 RELATED The Breasties Guide to Breast Reconstruction
When I met with my original plastic surgeon, the appointment was difficult. Beyond difficult. He reminded me repeatedly that my flap had been beautiful and that it would be sad to remove something that was so beautifully done. He also informed me that I wouldn’t need to worry about feeling less feminine after the surgery because my breasts had always been small.
The comments set me back a few months. I didn’t know where to turn because I thought I had to go to the plastic surgeon I was referred to. And, I couldn’t go back there.
I reached out to a few Breasties who gave me the support I needed. I called a new plastic surgeon who brought me in for an immediate consultation. I gave her the name of my breast surgical oncologist, and she handled the rest. After that appointment, I had a surgery on the official schedule.
A few months later, I had a single mastectomy and DIEP Flap removal with an aesthetic flat closure.
And, almost a year later, I couldn’t be happier with the choice I made. My choice.
Questions to Ask About Aesthetic Flat Closure
- Ask if you are eligible for a double mastectomy. You should be.
- Ask your doctor to explain the surgery, the recovery, the long-term effects of all reconstruction options, including an aesthetic flat closure.
- Discuss the aesthetic results you hope to achieve. What type of closure do you want? For me, I didn’t care about the closure, but I wanted to be as flat as possible.
- Bring an advocate. I eventually did, and it helped me get the courage to speak up.
- Ask how many surgeries you will need. Will you need more than one attempt to go flat?
- Ask when you can have the procedure given your treatment plan. If you have radiation, can you do it afterward?
What I Learned About Breast Reconstruction
- One opinion is just one opinion. Get a second or even third opinion regarding reconstruction. Be advised that multiple opinions are not always covered by insurance.
- If you are working with a surgical oncologist or plastic surgeon, express your desires up front. I would have told mine that I don’t have an emotional connection to my breasts. In fact, the thought of them being gone was a relief.
- Research, research, research. Ask questions. Join support groups. I listened for nearly two years before I made my decision, even though I think I knew from the start.
- It’s okay to wait (if your doctor allows).
- You can change your mind. You are not locked into having one reconstruction.
- Your feelings are valid. You are entitled to your reconstruction choice.
- Speak up. So many can benefit from your story.
- Read more about an aesthetic flat closure at Breastcancer.org.
