My pictures came nine years after my unilateral mastectomy with aesthetic flat closure. What you see is 9 years of scar healing and 9 years of emotional healing to accept my new body. For 5 years I wore a prosthetic breast form so that I would be symmetrical in my clothing, but now I no longer feel it’s necessary: I feel totally comfortable in my asymmetry. Sexy, even! I wanted to share my pictures here because I think for a lot of people the idea of being lopsided is the worst-case scenario. I wanted to show that it doesn’t have to be that way.

 

 

 

 

I am happy I was able to keep one of my natural breasts. I wasn’t thinking about intimacy when I opted for the unilateral mastectomy versus the bilateral, but I know now how much my breast plays a part in my sex life (which is complicated enough post chemo & early menopause).

I also wanted to show my body here because I have a large remaining breast. Some might think only a smaller breast would “work” for a uni. My remaining breast is a D cup.

Finally, I wanted to share my flat closure because my surgeon did a really great job. I didn’t have to fight for this; he just heard me when I said I didn’t want any breast mound reconstruction. So big cheers to Dr. David Rose (now retired)!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diagnosed with Stage 3c IDC, HER2+ at age 35 in 2012. (Photos by the Breast Cancer Portrait Project – Missy Peters.)

Instagram: @i_heart_my_life