What does the term “flat closure” mean? Flat closure = chest wall reconstruction post-mastectomy Flat closure is shorthand for surgery to reconstruct the chest wall contour post-mastectomy. It is a patient-friendly term that serves as a stand-in for the more cumbersome technical description. The mastectomy first removes the glandular tissue of the breast, and theContinue reading “Clear Language: “Flat Closure””
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Flat Denial: Who is Most at Risk?
We’re All at Risk, Right? Our research, presented last year at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, has identified several probable factors that patients going flat should be aware of. While all patients going flat face some risk – roughly 2-3 in 20 end up with an egregiously poor cosmetic result and one of thoseContinue reading “Flat Denial: Who is Most at Risk?”
Kim’s Revision Surgery After Intentional Flat Denial
I finally decided to get revision surgery, after almost three years living with “a little extra in case you change your mind.” I shouldn’t be here, being prepped for revision surgery. I had a plastic surgeon at my mastectomy two years ago solely to do a flat closure. I had pictures, a witness, “smooth flatContinue reading “Kim’s Revision Surgery After Intentional Flat Denial”
NPOAS’ Table at the 2019 AHN SABCS Review
A Great Opportunity for Provider Outreach Thanks to Allegheny Health Network and San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium for putting together the 2019 AHN SABCS Review, and for providing for participation from local nonprofits. Kim was there representing NPOAS and spoke to quite a few medical professionals about flat closure, flat denial, our research and our initiatives. We got someContinue reading “NPOAS’ Table at the 2019 AHN SABCS Review”
NPOAS Board of Directors
Not Putting on a Shirt is starting 2020 off with a BANG! The new year brings a new crew and we are proud to introduce our new Board of Directors. Kimberly Bowles, PresidentChristy Avila, Vice PresidentDevorah Borenstein, SecretaryShana Whitehead, TreasurerBethAnne Lobmiller The expertise, knowledge, and diversity of experiences and talents of our Board of DirectorsContinue reading “NPOAS Board of Directors”
NPOAS Exhibit at 2019 Pittsburgh SABCS Review
Not Putting on a Shirt will be exhibiting at the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Review at the Pittsburgh Mariott this Friday January 24th. This important annual event provides for medical professionals who could not attend the San Antonio conference to learn about the cutting edge research presented there and to discuss the implicationsContinue reading “NPOAS Exhibit at 2019 Pittsburgh SABCS Review”
Share Your Experience: Revision Surgery
Help us ensure women’s access to care by filling out our short online survey. Your participation in the survey will take only a minute or two of your time, and will help us understand how we can solve the problem of insurance denials for women seeking flat closure and revision services. Visit the website toContinue reading “Share Your Experience: Revision Surgery”
Tina – Flat Has Been Freeing
Editor: It’s been some months since we published our last personal story of going flat. Today we hear from Tina Rattunde, a woman who tested positive for the BRCA2 mutation after watching multiple family members deal with breast cancer. She chose to go flat in July of 2016. Her surgical oncologist wanted her to seeContinue reading “Tina – Flat Has Been Freeing”
Vermont Rep. Fegard Introduces Revision Bill
Breaking news! Vermont State Representative Charen Fegard has just introduced an historic bill requiring insurance coverage for revision surgery! Charen Fegard VT State Representative has just introduced a bill that will require healthcare stakeholders to decide on a clear coding and billing protocol for revision surgery for women who have chosen flat closure after mastectomy. WorkingContinue reading “Vermont Rep. Fegard Introduces Revision Bill”
Our Poster at SABCS 2019
We had a successful poster session at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) this past month, presenting a poster with the results of our original research, “Flat closure after mastectomy: are your patients satisfied with the results?” This research explored the patient experience going flat, including decision factors, satisfaction with cosmesis, provider pushback, andContinue reading “Our Poster at SABCS 2019”