When you’re facing a breast cancer diagnosis or elevated risk for breast cancer, it can be hard to think beyond survival. Treating or preventing cancer is always the top priority, however it’s important to recognize that your emotional health matters, too. Take a moment to think about what you want for your body. Consider what will make you feel healthy and whole—that may include breasts or it may not.
Many people find that breast reconstruction is an essential component of emotional restoration. Reconstructive surgery cannot truly replace what was taken away, but it can rebuild comfort and confidence by bringing the body closer to what it once was. These individuals find that the physical reconstruction helps them feel whole again.
Others take solace in going flat after mastectomy. For some of these patients, going flat is cathartic, a conscious way to challenge norms, expectations, and beauty standards. For others, it’s a way of mitigating risk by avoiding further surgery. Individuals in either category might consider an aesthetic flat closure, which restores chest wall contour after mastectomy.
One of the best ways to determine whether breast reconstruction is right for you is to learn more about your options and talk to a doctor you trust.