Advocating to 'go flat' after implants
Rewritten Me · Luan Lawrenson-Woods
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Show Notes
Robyn has the BRCA2 variant and had a risk-reducing mastectomy with implant-based reconstruction in 2019. She experienced side effects that impacted her quality of life and made the decision to have the implants removed and ‘go flat’.
When a plastic surgeon told Robyn that she would look “aesthetically unpleasing”, she knew she had to self-advocate.
Robyn's story is one of courage - to challenge and re-think her own initial reconstruction choice and then to stand up for what was right for her and her health.
Luan and Robyn talk about:
- Hereditary cancer risk
- Robyn’s decision to have a mastectomy
- Why she had implants
- Her decision to remove them
- Finding the right surgeon
- Reconstruction framing bias
- The Australian flat community
- 'Flat' research with Flinders University
Resources for this episode:
- Informed consent
- Breast Recon 101 Live Q&A video: aesthetic flat closure with Dr Kylie Snook
- Flat Life Australia Facebook group
- Flinders research
- Not Putting On A Shirt
- Not Just a Linear Closure: Aesthetic Flat Closure after Mastectomy
Where you can find Luan:
If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.
The information in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. For personalised medical advice you should seek a consult with a FRACS qualified surgeon.
Post-production ‘shine’ by Paddy @ Goosing Sounds Ltd (UK)
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