I was diagnosed with an invasive lobular cancer about 3 weeks ago. Following an MRI and further biopsies, I’ve been told I have another in the same breast and combined with a ductal.
I’ve been recommenced to have a mastectomy. I had an intuition this would happen so did some research but a lot of ‘going flat’ sites are in America, so when I asked my NHS surgeon about Aesthetic Flat Closure, he said he had never heard of it and the flat option in UK is a ‘simple mastectomy’.
I tried to ask hime about loose skin, flaps and probability of have lumps and bumps, but he said he couldn’t give me any guarantees. Can anyone suggest how I can have a reasonable conversation about the possible results? Describe my expectations and find out if the procedures are different. From what I have read a flat closure is not a simple case of removing the breast always.
I’m sure I want to have the simplest surgery with the best recovery time, but I am worried about how it will look.
I Would very much appreciate any information about this. Thank you.
I just wanted to say hello as it sounds like we’re both at exactly the same stage, same diagnosis and same outcome from MRI too! I was told I’d have a simple mastectomy - I kept pressing about the flatness, and had the same response (I’ve had my work cut out fighting them about my choice to remain flat at all!) Anyway, what I’m figuring is (after my pre op chat yesterday with my nurse), they will go as neat and flat as they are able to, and I’ll get on and heal and get through the rest of the treatments they decide on. When that’s all done and dusted, if I don’t like the look of my scar and the finish, that’s when I’d consider having more surgery to tidy things up if needed. I’m betting things move and shift after the initial op anyway.
Sorry I couldn’t help with your questions, but completely get where you’re coming from
Loads of love, and stay in touch if you’d like to - my op is on 9th Nov, so not far now!
I had a right simple mastectomy 2 weeks ago and was hoping to be flat-ish but very difficult to say now how the final result will look like. My incision is about 36cm long going from between my breasts, about a 3-4cm curved line down and then following my bra line but cutting up a bit on my side. I am big, bra size 48 so thus the length of the incision. I have had a seroma drained 3 times so far (375, 300, 275mls) and my chest area and armpit plus a bit of my side is still swollen. Also my incision is still a bit lumpy (surgeon used glue plus internal stiches to chest wall muscles - why moving and lifting restrictions are needed to begin with so these stiches don’t get damaged/torn) plus being fat I am not expecting being aesthetically flat, I only had the tegaderm and steristrips dressing removed on Wednesday.
Before my surgery I googled photos of mastectomies to prepare myself but none looked like mine! In fact, I was surprised at the length of the incision but glad that my surgeon (lovely man btw) followed my natural creases rather than cut straight across my breast. Maybe ask your surgeon where your incision might be?
It never occurred to me that there might be types of mastectomy surgery. I had a similar diagnosis of discussion around lumpectomy and then the MRI finding another area of concern. I had a mastectomy without reconstruction last August.
If I am honest I was surprised at the length of the scar. The pictures in the information leaflets make it look as though it will be less than 10cm in length. Mine goes almost from my sternum to my armpit. That said, it is reasonably flat. I had one small bumpy area immediately after surgery, but massaging Bio Oil in twice a day made it fade.
Are you on Facebook? I know there is a group there called flat friends. I have only read their public pages, but you can join and get to read more posts. I guess you might be able to ask for information there
What my BCN told me is that they need to factor in some healing space and cannot be totally tight in the sutures, in time the scars will heal over even though it looks “caterpillar” like initially. It also depends how fit you are I suppose as if one isn’t then it just makes it harder. I think when time comes your surgeon can tell you just before you go to the theatre. Depends so much on their skills.
Not sure if I helped at all to put your mind at ease. I feel they will do their best for you. Again it depends how big /small your boobs are which will determine length of scar.
Hi Seaglass. I am waiting on a date for a double mastectomy and am going flat as well. I’m in Canada but I saw my surgeon yesterday and she described the surgery as a simple mastectomy but said to make it flat she often continues the incision to under your arm so there is no extra skin there. She also said that after the surgery if I am not happy with the results I could make an appointment and she could freeze the lumpy areas and cut out the bump of skin and stitch it up. She said the worst spots are towards the underarm amd over your breast bone as there is naturally a bit of fat there. Are you having a single or double mastectomy and do you have a date booked?