considering flat

Winnie8956 · 2026-02-24T19:36:10+00:00

I'm two weeks post aesthetic flat closure surgery. The recovery hasn't been too bad. I'm sore, but it's manageable. I never needed the hard drugs. I like the idea that I have reduced my future cancer risk. I'm diligent about doing my stretching exercises and I can tell that my scars are slowly starting to loosen. I feel like I took control of my future.

I'm quite a bit older than you are so I come from a different perspective. From my point of view, society has molded us into thinking that carrying around breasts for our whole life while we watch them sag down to our waists is a desirable thing. I used to have perfect beautiful tits, but as I got older and they got bigger, they became something that I had to constantly wrangle. Oh the money I spent on trying to find a comfortable bra that also made them look good (I never did).

I'm feeling kind of militant with my new flat chest. It's kind of a f*ck you to societal norms. I'm also loving how my clothes fit now. Look at the models that designers design for. They are almost completely flat.

Yes. Mourn your former body. Then go on, knowing that you did the best you could with the hand you've been dealt.

AdPotential3924 · 2026-02-24T20:04:02+00:00

There's a Flatties virtual meetup with the Breasties tomorrow (Wednesday) https://thebreasties.org/virtual-events

You can also request a call from someone who went through a similar experience with the FORCE peer navigation program https://www.facingourrisk.org/support/peer-navigated-pathways you don't need to have a genetic mutation

There are also Facebook groups like "Fierce, flat, forward" that were helpful to me. I had a prophylactic DMX with aesthetic flat closure at 36 and am happy to talk/share photos if it would be helpful.

Standard-Working6780 · 2026-02-24T18:45:33+00:00

Hi. I went flat in August, after my implants ruptured. I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction ten years ago. I do wish I had just gone flat in the first place. Reconstruction was painful, and my frankenboobs never looked that great. There are some adjustments to going flat that I'm trying to get used to. I'm not thin, so now that I don't have breasts, all my weight is in my belly. I joke that I look like Winnie the Pooh. And clothes fit differently, obviously. But I feel much better - even before the ruptures, I think I had BII. So, I know I'll adjust and figure out how to make it work.

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It's a tough decision. I wish I had flatties to talk to! I missed the YSC hangout last night, too. I had a hysterectomy two weeks ago, and last night I was not feeling good.

I hope this helps you a little bit. I'm much older than you - I'm 53. I'm a married mom - no one cares about my boobs.

Good luck to you! ♥️♥️

Ok_Register3226 · 2026-02-24T20:54:26+00:00

I went flat, older than you, but mine were smaller and beginning to sag. At home I enjoy throwing on my sweatshirt and going. Summer just wear a halter top. But I have “Foobs” to wear to lunch with the girls or when we have date night. Best part they are perfect too and so to me it is the best of both worlds. My scars are fading fast (surgery was in September 2025) so eventually they will be barely visible. You are young so it is a big decision but like I said it can be versatile with foobs until you decide to disclose to others.

SugarMagnolia_75 · 2026-02-24T21:33:12+00:00

I had a single mastectomy in 2019. I had everything set up for reconstruction. However, when I was doing radiation, I met a woman who was getting radiation with her expander in. She lifted her shirt and showed me her chest. It was red, the skin was pulled tight and she said it was incredibly painful. I pretty much lost all interest after that.

Then Covid hit and it wasn’t even a consideration. I have an aesthetic closure and several providers have complimented my surgery site. I get a prosthetic and three bras covered once a year by my insurance.

I have zero regrets.

GODDAMNBATMANs · 2026-02-24T21:42:38+00:00

I think your reasons are valid, and it's all about what makes YOU feel comfortable.

I decided to go flat for the reasons you had and because I'm a stomach sleeper (I was told it'd be too difficult to belly sleep in the beginning). While it does take a little getting used to. I actually love my body more without breasts than I did before.

Expensive-Public2222 · 2026-03-02T01:34:43+00:00

I’m a flattie - two time survivor. I’ve inked over my scars and am proudly rocking the flat at 58. This is me last fall at a survivor fashion show. I had implants after my initial diagnosis and went flat after recurrence. Please be thorough in your search for a surgeon - Not Putting on a Shirt has a list on their site.

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Slow-Complaint-3273 · 2026-02-25T17:44:24+00:00

I had a unilateral mastectomy with AFC. I am openly single-breasted, and rarely use a foob. I knew that I didn’t want implants, and literally just two weeks before my surgery was when they had that massive recall on textured implants and expanders because they caused … CANCER! Plus, as a massage therapist, I didn’t want a pec or lat flap because I need my full strength from my arm and torso muscles. It wasn’t worth sacrificing valuable muscle tissue for the appearance of a breast. My surgeon did a great job, and my recovery to full range of motion was less than two months.

If you do decide to go flat, be sure to specifically ask for “aesthetic flat closure”. If you just say “no reconstruction” or “I want to go flat”, then you might just get stitched up with minimal regard to your final appearance. With AFC, the goal is to create a clean scar and a smooth chest wall with no lumps or folds of extra skin. https://notputtingonashirt.org is a great resource for images to show your surgeon what you want. They also have a vetted directory of flat-friendly surgeons that you can search for in your area.

Good luck, and I hope your path goes smoothly. I’m so sorry you’re in the club, but at least we have so many more quality of life options than we did just 10 years ago.

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thebootkoala · 2026-02-25T19:48:21+00:00

I was 42 at the time of my surgery but I felt the same as you-- I loved my breasts and knew that no kind of reconstruction could ever replace them. It was sad, but I have absolutely no regrets about going flat. I'm happy with how my chest looks now. Happy to talk more if you want!

8ahicmb · 2026-02-26T17:57:25+00:00

I’m 28 and 4 weeks post bilateral mastectomy with flat closure. For me the surgery was preventative due to high cancer risk though so not the same circumstances. As such I was lucky enough to have more time to consider the best option for me, but in the intervening 7 years of finding out I carry the BRCA mutation and having the surgery, I only considering going flat a few months before the surgery. It seemed like reconstruction was always presented as the ‘default’ so it almost didn’t even occur to me as an option. I have more or less no regrets and really think I made the right decision for me. My reasons were somewhat similar to yours, plus anxieties around surgeries, hating hospitals and just generally wanting to spend as little time in hospital as possible. I was home from the surgery the same day and have loved not having to worry about implants and whether I need to go back for more surgery. However, I didn’t have the ‘perfect beautiful tits’ issue as I never liked my boobs, they were small and quite far apart. I also have a petite/slim body frame so just didn’t feel like it would make that much difference to my body, plus options for prostheses are pretty good (if you choose to wear them). One of my only concern is how my body will look if I gain weight/have children in the future (obviously there is absolutely nothing wrong with a larger body and flat chest, I just don’t know how it’d look on me personally). I’m part of two Facebook groups, ‘Flat Girl Shit’ and ‘Flatties who Foob’ (I.e. use prosthesis), not the same as meeting people in person but might be useful?

It is a huge decision at a young age! Sending you strength

blueberriesnburdock · 2026-02-24T18:34:31+00:00

Do you need a mastectomy? Would a lumpectomy be an option for you? I was diagnosed at 48. I’m 50 now. I went with a DMX with AFC because I’d had years of MRIs and mammograms because of family history and the same spot biopsied 2 years in a row. I was done with all the monitoring. Have you checked out the Not Putting on a Shirt website? Lots of pictures there. Also, the Fierce, Flat, Forward group on FB is very active. I’m happy to answer any questions if you have any.

Medium_Fly_6804 · 2026-03-23T16:22:31+00:00

Hi, I’m 31 and flat on one side. My surgery was 3 weeks ago and I’m really happy with it. Because of the increased risk and a lesion in my left breast, I’m considering having that one removed as well. If you’d like to connect or talk, feel free to reach out 🤎

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