Women Applaud Kathy Bates’ Choice to Skip Reconstruction After Mastectomy: ‘I Enjoy Not Having Breasts’
Women across the globe are sharing their own experiences and praising Bates for her bold choice
Kathy Bates recently shed light on her bold decision not to have reconstructive breast surgery after undergoing a double mastectomy 12 years ago, and reactions are overwhelmingly positive. Keep reading to see what the 76-year-old Matlock star said and reactions from inspired women!
Kathy Bates explains her decision
As a guest on a November 12 episode of the MeSsy with Christina Applegate & Jamie-Lynn Sigler podcast, Bates said she was confident in her decision not to have reconstructive surgery after a double mastectomy following a breast cancer diagnosis in 2012.
“This is really weird maybe but I had really heavy breasts,” she shared. “They were like 10 pounds when they removed them. Really big, big breasts and I kind of enjoy not having breasts. It’s strange.”
Bates, who also underwent chemotherapy for ovarian cancer in 2003, explained that she didn’t want or feel a need to go through the reconstruction process at the time because of her age and the fact she wasn’t in a relationship.
The actress said that the Matlock team created a thin-strapped sort of camisole with inserted cups for her to wear on camera.
“They’re so comfortable, and they give me a nice shape,” Bates raved. “And that’s it. I mean I feel so good when I go out like that. For a while I just didn’t go out with any prophylactics or at all, you know, or I went out with them and they’re hot and heavy and they made me unhappy.”
When Applegate, who also survived breast cancer, asked Bates if she ever went back for reconstruction, the Misery star confirmed she hadn’t. She briefly considered getting tattoos, she noted, but couldn’t due to a battle with lymphedema that closely followed her breast removal.
The condition is caused by lymph node removal, which leads to swelling in the body due to a buildup of fluid.
Women respond to Kathy Bates’ decision
In a Reddit thread discussing Bates’ comments, she was praised for being so forthcoming, and many people shared similar sentiments about breast removal.
“When I have my preventative mastectomy, I will do the same,” one commenter said. “As a BRCA [breast cancer gene] woman, I have several family members and know women in my support groups who have had reconstruction. It can be a long, painful road. But I respect women for knowing what is best for them and their mental health. For many women, breasts are a big part of their identity and I get that. For others, it’s not and I get that too.”
@susangkomen Learn from @Samantha✨🩵 why she made the decision to go flat after breastcancer. #goingflatafterbreastcancer #breastcancerawareness💕 #breastcancerin30s #breastcancersurvivor #cancersucks #susangkomen
Another woman wrote that she had a double mastectomy less than six months ago at age 50, and actually began the reconstruction process before “hating everything about it.” She changed course and instead went with a flat closure, she said, which is a procedure that removes excess skin, fat and tissue from the breast area to create a flat chest wall.
“It’s not the easiest thing I’ve ever dealt with, but on the whole I agree with Kathy Bates,” she concluded. “It’s kinda nice not to have to deal with them now that I’m used to it.”
Another woman who did opt for reconstruction after a mastectomy said she “hates” her implants. “They look great but they’re so incredibly uncomfortable and get in the way,” she shared.
Even women who haven’t had brushes with breast cancer said they completely understood Bates’ perspective.
“I love her,” one fan wrote. “I’ve thought through what I’d do in a similar situation, and I would probably make the same decision. The less surgery, the better. At my stage in life being flat-chested doesn’t scare me, my comfort matters more. So good for her, I am glad she’s healthy.”
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