No reconstruction

Aesthetic Flat Closure

A smooth, comfortable flat contour for patients who choose not to reconstruct.

How does Aesthetic Flat Closure work?

For patients who choose not to reconstruct after mastectomy, aesthetic flat closure creates a smooth, comfortable flat chest contour — with attention to avoiding the excess skin ("dog ears") that can be left after a standard closure.

The path

1Consult & plan
2Flat closure
3Recovery

Consult & plan

For patients who choose not to reconstruct, Dr. Li plans a smooth flat contour and how to avoid the excess skin ("dog ears") sometimes left by a standard closure.

Flat closure

The flat closure can be done at the time of mastectomy, shortly after, or as a later revision for patients who were not left with the flat result they wanted.

Recovery

You heal with clean, symmetric scars and the team's support.

Recovery timeline

Surgery day
Early recovery
Final result

A real result from Dr. Li

A 63-year-old woman diagnosed with right breast cancer underwent a double mastectomy without seeing a plastic surgeon first, and was left bothered by extra tissue on the sides (“dog ears”). Dr. Li performed a revision of her mastectomy scars with a delayed aesthetic flat closure, with significant improvement.

A 55-year-old woman with right breast cancer underwent a double mastectomy with immediate aesthetic flat closure by Dr. Li. In a single surgery she was left with clean, symmetric scars.

A woman in her mid-20s came to Dr. Li several years after a bilateral mastectomy with flat closure, left with “dog ears” at the ends of her scars and a hollowing of the chest wall. Dr. Li revised the scars, using the patient’s own nearby tissue to fill the hollow and flatten the contour — giving her the smooth, flat chest she wanted.

See more aesthetic flat closureresults ›

Every plan is personal — Dr. Li will walk you through yours.

Request a consultation

Frequently asked questions

What are "dog ears"?

Excess skin or tissue that can be left at the sides after a standard mastectomy closure. Aesthetic flat closure pays attention to avoiding them for a smooth contour.

Can it be done later?

Yes — flat closure can be done at the mastectomy, shortly after, or as a later revision for patients who weren't left with the flat result they wanted.

Is it still surgery?

Yes, it is a surgical closure focused on a smooth, comfortable, symmetric flat chest.

Want the full picture?

Read the full Aesthetic Flat Closure guide ›

Meet your surgeon

Dr. Wai-Yee Li,
MD PhD FACS

A female board-certified plastic surgeon in Arcadia, Los Angeles, specializing in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery — with a focus on the best surgical outcomes, less pain and minimal scarring.

Meet Dr. Wai-Yee Li ›