About Flatvocate

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer  June 2022

DCIS & IDC Er+ Pr+ Hr- Stage 2 Grade 1  Oncotype 14

July 2022: underwent a Bilateral Mastectomy with Aesthetic Flat Closure

 Why "Flatvocate"?

When faced with a mastectomy, I researched ALL of my options and I decided to remain FLAT rather than reconstruct. This was an extremely difficult decision, and it was not presented as an option by any of my doctors. In fact, one of my doctors told me that prosthetics are horrible and implied I wouldn't feel like a woman without breasts. 

I created Flatvocate (flat + advocate) to raise awareness, educate, encourage, and support women who choose to 'go flat' (aesthetic flat closure) after losing one or both of their breasts to breast cancer. I believe FLAT should be presented as a beautiful and valid option along with all of the others presented.. 

Definition for Aesthetic Flat Closure after mastectomy

aesthetic flat closure
(es-THEH-tik flat KLOH-zher)

A type of surgery that is done to rebuild the shape of the chest wall after one or both breasts are removed. An aesthetic flat closure may also be done after removal of a breast implant that was used to restore breast shape. During an aesthetic flat closure, extra skin, fat, and other tissue in the breast area are removed. The remaining tissue is then tightened and smoothed out so that the chest wall appears flat.

https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/aesthetic-flat-closure