Flat denial is when a surgeon’s unilateral actions deny their patient the agreed upon flat mastectomy result – either through negligence or intentional disregard. The patient is left with an egregiously poor cosmetic result with significant excess tissue that can only be remedied with additional surgery. Flat denial is a violation of the patient's bodily autonomy. Note: flat denial has also been defined more broadly to include lack of information presented about flat closure. (Learn more.)