Breast cancer is a journey that transforms lives in ways both expected and unexpected. For many, and most certainly for me, the battle doesn’t end with treatment—it extends into the deeply personal decision of how to move forward after a mastectomy. Lisa Sylvester, a breast cancer previvor and proud “flattie,” is amplifying the voices of those who have chosen to embrace their bodies without breast mound reconstruction. Her powerful project, Still: Stories + Images of those who have gone flat after mastectomy, is changing the conversation around body image, choice, and self-acceptance after breast cancer.
Choosing Flat: A Bold and Valid Decision
Historically, women undergoing mastectomies have been encouraged—if not outright expected—to pursue breast reconstruction. The prevailing message in mainstream culture has long been that reconstruction is a necessary step to “restore” one’s body and for some, their femininity. But for many, reconstruction isn’t the right choice. Whether due to medical complications, personal preference, or a desire to live authentically in a different way, a growing number of breast cancer survivors are choosing to remain flat, opting for a form of chest wall reconstruction called aesthetic flat closure. Research also shows the vast majority of women who do go flat are happy with their decision.
Lisa Sylvester is one of those women. As a “flattie,” she embraces life without reconstructed breasts, a decision that defies societal norms but is profoundly liberating. “For me, going flat felt like the best way to reclaim my body after my prophylactic mastectomy,” Lisa shares. “I wanted to feel whole and comfortable in my skin, without the added weight—both physically and emotionally—of reconstruction.” Her mission is not just to normalize this choice but to celebrate it, offering representation for others who may feel isolated in their decision.
Still: Stories + Images of those who have gone flat after mastectomy: Capturing Strength in Every Frame
Lisa’s project, Still: Stories + Images of those who have gone flat after mastectomy, is an evocative collection of portraits and narratives showcasing individuals who have gone flat after mastectomy. Through stunning photography and deeply personal storytelling, Still offers a powerful counter-narrative to the notion that femininity and beauty require breasts. The project provides a space where survivors can share their experiences, emotions, and the freedom they’ve found in embracing their post-mastectomy bodies just as they are.
“These images are not just about aesthetics—they are about empowerment,” Lisa explains. “Every woman in this project has a story of resilience, strength, and the choice to live authentically in a world that often tells us we are not enough without breasts.”
These images tell stories of confidence and defiance against a culture that often equates a woman’s worth with her physical appearance. By bringing the stories of 12 women — Emily, Farahana, Jaclyn, Jeannette, Jennie, Julianne, Les, Lisa, Lynda, Megan, Sheryl and Starr — to light and to the world, Lisa is challenging long-held stereotypes and opening up new conversations about what it means to be whole, feminine, and beautiful after breast cancer and by going flat after mastectomy.
The Impact of Representation
The significance of Still: Stories + Images of those who have gone flat after mastectomy goes far beyond photography. Representation matters. For the countless women facing a mastectomy, seeing others who have confidently chosen to remain flat can be life-changing. It validates their feelings, reassures them that they are not alone, and empowers them to make the choice that is best for their bodies and their lives.
“I remember searching for images of flatties when I was making my decision,” Lisa recalls. “There weren’t many. I want to change that. I want people to see themselves represented, to know that flat is a valid, beautiful choice.”
Lisa’s work is a testament to the power of storytelling. By sharing her own journey and those of others, she is not only raising awareness but also advocating for better medical conversations. Too often, women are not fully informed about their post-mastectomy options, with reconstruction being presented as the default path. Still seeks to change that by making flat visibility undeniable and by showing that choosing not to reconstruct is every bit as courageous and valid as any other choice.
Changing the Narrative, One Story at a Time
Lisa Sylvester’s Still: Stories + Images of those who have gone flat after mastectomy is a movement as much as it is an art project. It is about taking back ownership of one’s body, reshaping the way society views mastectomy choices, and, most importantly, empowering those who have walked this path.
“This isn’t just about me,” Lisa says. “It’s about every woman who has ever felt like she had to conform to a standard that didn’t feel right for her. It’s about choice. And it’s about visibility.”
For anyone facing a mastectomy and considering aesthetic flat closure, Still serves as a beacon of hope and affirmation: You are enough, just as you are. And you are still beautiful, vibrant, and whole.
Credits
Creative Director, Founder: Lisa Taft Sylvester @interrobangdesign @sothisisflat
Executive Producer: Kristie Raymond @humankindcasting
Hospitality Director, Photo Assistant: @hannah_sylvester
Portrait Photography: Bob Packert @bpackert
Behind the Scenes Photography: Cassandra Marccuci @cassandramphoto
Designer, Photo Assistant: Mark Sylvester @interrobangdesign
Styling by @jpaqobie (wardrobe) and @michellemmgrath (hair + makeup) of @anchorartists
Digital Technology by Tom Thrasher @thrashmedia
Interview Faciliator, Copywriter: Nora Sylvester @interrobangdesign
To learn more about Lisa Sylvester and her project Still: Stories + Images of those who have gone flat after mastectomy, visit https://project-still.me/For more information about Aesthetic Flat Closure and for a directory of flat-friendly surgeons visit https://notputtingonashirt.org/
My YouTube video with my take on going flat after mastectomy
