I am considering going flat instead of having implants put in. I have tissue expanders in now. I had a double mastectomy in July then radiation. After reading all of the horror stories about implants , I am reluctant to get them. Was wondering if anyone has gone this route and what was final outcome?

Yes! I went flat on June 21 2018. I did not shed a tear. I was always in pain with the expanders and couldn’t sleep very well. I went to physical therapy afterwards and one therapist specialized in breast massage for breast cancer patients. She was great! I have exercises to do at home. Still trying to figure out the bra thing, been wearing cotton sports bras. May consider a prosthesis when fully healed. The incision was made right over the mastectomy incision and it is thin. My plastic surgeon did a great job! I do not regret my decision at all.

The plastic surgeon told me that if I choose to go flat ( which I have chosen) that they will make the incision right on top of the incision from the mastectomy. He also said that the worst case scenario for choosing to remove the expanders and not having implants would be that my chest would be concave. I’m ok with that. I’m hoping all goes well with the surgery.

@A MyBCTeam Member I ended up moving forward with implants. I chose silicone because they are softer. I am happy with the result. The expanders were awful. I can feel the implants but most of the time I forget that they are there. I could never say that about the expanders! As far as going flat after expanders, I was told two things: 1) the expanders could deform my ribcage (indents where expanders were), and 2) end up with flaps (if that were the case I would have requested that they be completely removed). I am almost 2 years out from my exchange surgery. There are times I still consider going flat - but that is really due to the fact that I don't like feeling something unnatural in my body, has nothing to do with discomfort.

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A MyBCTea...

I have tissue expanders in now and want to go flat in December instead of having new implants put in. I don't know how this procedure should be done or what questions to ask. Any feedback would be great!