Topic: Mastectomy Stores
- Posted on: May 12, 2009 10:20 pm
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 61
I still don't get it! Why is it that I can walk into any store and buy bras off the shelf but now, post mastectromy I have to go into the store and hide in the little room in the back. It's not that I don't appreciate the help of the salespeople and fitters but I just want to browse thru a rack of mastectomy bras not have them taken out of a box or a drawer in a "special room"!
Dx 12/1/2008, DCIS, 2cm, Stage 0, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+
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otter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 3,952 |
May 12, 2009 10:23 pm, edited May 12, 2009 10:28 PM
by otter
otter wrote:
Oh, that's a good point! I never thought about it until now, but it really did irritate me that the only mast bras I was allowed to see, much less try on, were the ones the fitter decided to bring to me as I waited in the "special room." Edited: I just thought of something else. Maybe they think we'll be embarrassed, or self-conscious, about the fact that we are buying a mastectomy bra. Isn't that odd? Women who have boobs are expected to browse through the racks and piles of regular bras in full view of anyone who walks by ... but women who are missing a boob, and the bras they are looking at, must be sheltered from public view because someone might get uncomfortable. otter Dx 1/14/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- |
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apple Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,304 |
May 13, 2009 12:11 am
apple wrote:
we are high profit customers no doubt Dx 5/10/2008, IDC, 5cm, Stage IIIc, Grade 3, 4/9 nodes, ER+ |
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Erica Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,812 |
May 13, 2009 09:06 am
Erica wrote:
This is a great question, since while it's obviously true, I'd pretty much accepted it as a given and never gave much thought to it. One time, in a Nordstrom's, I did see a rack of Amoena bras (the only mastectomy line they carry). It was in an out-of-the-way spot, but still out there. And it was pleasant to be able to see the entire selection and choose for myself rather than count on a fitter to pick for me. In a funny way, I think fitters are a lot like many of the plastic surgeons I hear women talking about--they think they know what's best for us. If we have to rely on them to choose bras, they might not even show us the ones we would like. I'm only generalizing here--I know there are some wonderful fitters out there (I've even found one, but after much searching). |
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mthomp2020 Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 878 |
May 13, 2009 11:16 am
mthomp2020 wrote:
I know exactly what you mean. I haven't gone back to the fitter to get the 2 bras my insurance covers because the shop only carries 2 bras that are covered, and I don't particulary like either one. The shop makes it a big hassle to upgrade, too. You have to buy the bra you want and apply to your insurance for reimbursement. Since it's an HMO, it's really too much of a hassle to deal with it, so I just end up ordering bras that I like online. With the big markup at the mast shop, I probably don't spend that much more to do it that way. No one ever seems to stock the bras I'm interested in, so they have to special order them. There's a local lingerie boutique that carries mast bras and forms. They carry the ABC T-shirt bra, which has a stretch-foam cup, and they do disply this bra on a rack. You can't put that type of bra in a drawer without squishing the cup, so they have to hang them. That's the only place I've ever seen with mast bras actually on display. They're building a Nordstrom in our area, so I'm hoping they carry mast bras there so I have another option. Dx 5/21/2007, IDC, Stage IV, Grade 3, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2+ |
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NancyNJ Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 61 |
May 13, 2009 09:12 pm
NancyNJ wrote:
Otto ".....but women who are missing a boob, and the bras they are looking at, must be sheltered from public view because someone might get uncomfortable". You are so right! Yesterday I was even ushered into separate dressing rooms in the secret room in the back......I could see for the privacy for the prostetic fitting but not for buying a bra....I cannot get used to the fact that I am supposed to hide the fact that I'm missing my left breast by no fault of my own just to make everyone else not have to deal with it. Dx 12/1/2008, DCIS, 2cm, Stage 0, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+ |
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wblibrary Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 74 |
May 28, 2009 08:13 pm
wblibrary wrote:
We usually have to deal with insurance forms - rather than just paying for them and walking out of the store. That's what the difference is - a regular department store doesn't offer the service of billing your insurance company. Mastectomies have made specialty lingerie shops very lucrative. Why do we have a price tag of around $300 on a silicone prothesis? What makes it so expensive? It's not exactly made by hand? What I'm really pissed about is insurance only "letting" you have 3 bras a year and only ONE prosthesis every two years! Wblibrary
Dx 2008, IDC, 4cm, Stage IIa, Grade 2, 0/10 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- |
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SLH Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 534 |
May 29, 2009 12:37 pm
SLH wrote:
Here's my pet peeve. It ticks me off that stores like Macy's and Victoria Secret have the big sales promos for Breast Cancer Awareness with pink displays and a % of sales going toward Race For The Cure, and yet they don't sell mastectomy products! They sell breast-enhancing silicon push-em-ups, yet they don't sell silicon whole boobs! |
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Maeve Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 82 |
May 29, 2009 01:12 pm
Maeve wrote:
I agree SLH it's SO annoying. There are some fantastic products out there but trying to get them is a bit of a nightmare. I'm going to try buying mastectomy pockets and sew them into off the shelf bras. I recently went to a store in London (UK) specifically designed for mastectomy wear... I felt like I was walking into a really dodgy (sex) shop as the windows were heavily frosted and the light inside was minimal. I was so excited when I found it and so disappointed with the experience. I understand the reason behind this is for privacy reasons, but to be honest it was more embarrasing walking in and out of a shop that looked so hideous. I'm 31 years old I don't wan't to be hidden away from the world buying a bra just because I have only one breast! Also if there is anyone out there who is a mastectomy bra designer, what about giving it a bit of OOooomph when it comes to your designs, like pretty straps, oh and maybe take into consideration the smaller one breasted women, I sometimes kinda feel like I'm wearing my grannys bra... Sorry for the rant... Dx 6/11/2007, 3cm, Stage IIIa, Grade 3, 4/16 nodes, ER+, HER2+ |
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Erica Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,812 |
May 29, 2009 06:23 pm
Erica wrote:
Hi Maeve, As a small woman (with a bilateral mastectomy), I can relate to your wish for nice bras. There are a few good ones out there, though. Have you looked for Anita bras? They're made in Europe (sold both in Europe and the U.S.), so I think you could find them somewhere near you, at least online. Here's a link to one I like (it's on the UK site Nicola Jane): http://www.nicolajane.com/product-Anita-Stretch-microfibre-5362/ Hope this helps! Barbara p.s. Check out my non-profit website, BreastFree.org. In the "Bras and Camisoles" section, you'll find a number of options that women find comfortable and attractive, with links to photographs. |
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tnmtnmomma Joined: May 2009 Posts: 20 |
Jun 2, 2009 11:21 am
tnmtnmomma wrote:
I found a WONDERFUL website for t-shirts. One of the ones I bought says: "Yes they are fake. My old ones were trying to kill me!" Try walking into one of those shops with that shirt on I thought it was great! It makes some of the prudes think, though. (I'm 67 and LOVE wearing this shirt) Site is: www.cafepress.com then search for Breast Cancer. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it,
Dx 10/2/2008, IDC, 6cm+, Stage IIIa, 4/6 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+ |
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Nensi Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5 |
Sep 16, 2009 02:11 am
Nensi wrote:
This Post has been removed by the Community.
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otter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 3,952 |
Sep 23, 2009 11:28 pm
otter wrote:
Bump. (Getting tired of seeing that blank post. Besides, I visited "my" mastectomy supply store this week and I have another story to tell. It was, once again, a disappointing visit. At least I managed to get out of there without spending any money this time. Story will follow. Bedtime beckons.) otter Diagnosis: 1/14/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- |
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jhonydep Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 1 |
Oct 26, 2009 11:33 pm jhonydep wrote: All models are made with SENTACTM aearrings visco-elastic polymer gel developed by John R. (Jack) Schweitzer. These REALISTIC BREAST FORMS -, sometimes referred to as MASTECTOMY BREAST PROSTHESIS, in both standard and plus size have softness, flexibility and exhibit gentle and realistic movement when worn in POST MASTECTOMY BRAS wedding rings POST or other mastectomy apparel . The soft, flat backs contour immediately to the chest wall configuration. They have a matte surface covering that exhibits a tactile nature closely replicating human skin. This unique skin system helps keep the breast form from shifting or sliding around in the pockets of the mastectomy bras or other mastectomy garments.bracelets The plus size mastectomy breast prosthesis, largest made in the USA, are available in both the full weight post mastectomy breast forms and the new lightweight breast forms. These breast forms are not plastic feeling. They are mastectomy swimwear safe in chlorine treated, plain or salt water. They are repairable if the skin system of the breastform is cut or punctured. Three models are available - A LITTLE HELP, THE ALTERNATE and PLUS SIZE FORMS in four skin tones. |
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lisa-e Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 443 |
Oct 27, 2009 12:15 am
lisa-e wrote:
I reported johonydep's post . Might odd - i am afraid to click through on the links to see what they are. Initial BC dx with dcis & idc after lumpectomy & snb in 6/08. in 8/08 dx with multicentric bc (idc) after mri. had bilat mastecomy in 9/08 w/o reconstruction
Diagnosis: 2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 1, 0/19 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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Erica Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,812 |
Oct 27, 2009 09:30 am
Erica wrote:
lisa-e, I agree, it's an odd and inappropriate post and I'm glad you reported it. However, I was curious, so I googled "A Little Help breast forms" and found this website: http://www.breastform.com/, a site which I've come across before in my meanderings around the web. They are forms made with a non-silicone substance known as Sentac, developed by Jack Schweitzer, who's mentioned in the post. I would be curious if anyone's ever tried these, as they're certainly inexpensive compared to most silicone forms. The site says they're made of a polymer gel, so perhaps they're like Pals breast forms, which are made from a non-silicone gel (http://www.supergelproducts.com/index.html). Always looking for new alternatives! Barbara http://breastfree.org
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KristyAnn Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 561 |
Oct 27, 2009 09:46 am
KristyAnn wrote:
Good Morning, I havent been to Nordstroms yet because they are not covered within my insurance but I am going anyway later this year- you can make an appointment with Nordstroms fitters and they have a service that will let you pick out any bra in the store and they will put in the pockets so that it works with your prosthesis- I am going to check this out!!!! My onc recently wrote me a prescription for 2 bras and on it put- "pretty ones please" - she was upset when she saw what they have fitted me in at the local shop!!!!! She even told me about a black lacy one that she wants me to have.................. Kristy Diagnosis: 3/18/2008, IDC, <1cm, Stage II, Grade 3, 1/2 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2+ |
