Bras 101: The Great Post-Exchange Debate
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Here are the two WIRELESS bras that I suggested for KristenP:
Natori Body Doubles Lace Bra - style #137001
Wacoal Awareness Bra - style #856167
She may have other suggestions, too. Stay tuned.......
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Ladies -- I also posted a Bali bra a few pages back.. that is wirefree but very supportive. (I posted two bras and while both are supportive one, the Slimpressions, is less structured).
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This is the one I just got from Nordstroms - Love it!
Wacoal Awareness Soft Cup Bra 85276
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I got the OK yesterday from PS to start underwires and the green light to exercise- but he said no bouncing. I found the Wacoal Awareness bra to be very comfortable and supportive.
So today I got to put on an underwire bra and make some cleavage...finally!!!! woohoo!
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Waldo - do you bounce with that Bendon "Max Out" bra? Mine don't go anywhere. I just wish the less intense versions of that bra worked for me, but they didn't, though I'm still considering the "Flex Out." The wires in the center jut out in a funky way, so I probably shouldn't keep it. Still looking for a light-impact, underwire bra for pilates and such.
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Anna, I went with the procedure that my PS likes to do. I figured he'd do a better job with that and the procedure he uses got rid of my mastectomy scars so once I have tattoos these things are going to look really real.
Annie, I'm thinking your seroma is priority. Where exactly is it? I wonder if you could find a bra that has the straps set up differently or even cut a portion out of the strap?
Julie
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Val, I tried Bendon on but. I haven't test driven it yet, but judging by the fit, nothing is going to be bouncing. PS said no running for 6 months.
I have to get back to exercise. I feel like I am turning to mush! What is your docs recommendations about weights ad upper body strengthening? Do you have a cut-off of how heavy the weights can be?
I finally got a job and I start July 12!!! I am going to save up for Vegas 2011!
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Waldo- CONGRATULATIONS on the job! C U in Vegas, BABY!
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Val- thank you for the post. I feel more "normal"
I just need to get the exchange scheduled and over with.....then see how I feel. Thanks again!0 -
Thanks girls!
I was hoping I could get amazing cleavage, lift, support.. no underwire... all in one bra..:)
I am taking the suggestions with me this weekend! thank you!
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Laura -- that Bali bra I recommended is really nice -- close to being like an underwire bra (and god knows I wore underwires all my life! So this is high praise indeed). Let me know if you need me to post the link again. I think it's the thicker band that sort of helps with the pushing up
Waldo -- woo hoo on getting a job!
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Waldo - congrats on the job! As for the exercise, gosh....my PS is as conservative as they come, I thought, but he let me exercise post exchange after about 6 weeks - a few weeks longer after my revision. Six months seems like a little overkill; did he give you an explanation? The scar tissue around the implants is usually formed by about 12 weeks - that's why the "drop and fluff" sometimes doesn't show up til then. Plus, if you're in a supportive bra - which you will be - then that should keep the implants in place. Just curious.... As for weights, he never gave me a specific amount once I started working out again. I think he knew that I wouldn't do anything stupid to compromise his work. That being said, I started back with very light weights. In Jazzercise, most of our strength work is choreographed such that using anything over 7-8#s isn't good. I started out at only 2#, and am back of to 6#s for most things. I still cannot - and will not - do weights for my pecs (like pec flies) When I just go to the gym and lift, I use 10-12#'s, but I've never been into huge weights - I'm looking for a more streamlined look. Hope that epistle helps a bit....0
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Went on a little shopping spree at Nordstrom yesterday. The fitter says I'm a 32D! (not a 36A as VS girl predicted). I was a 34C before bmx. My implants are wide for me, plus I've lost 20# due to multiple surgeries). Also, I'm smaller on the right side so lacey cups just look baggy in front on the right if they fit on the left. These bras are all underwires, molded with minimal padding.
Le Mystere Energie Sport Bra 320
Chantelle Icone T-shirt bra 3852
Simone Perele Andora T-shirt 1313
Thanks for your suggestions, Val!
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Thanks, Gail! That Le Mystere was one I tried last week - also the Tisha - so am glad it worked for somebody. Seemed like a good bra. I'll definitely check out that Chantelle - I love the C-Chic T-shirt bra that turns into a racerback. That's the one that fits like a glove, so maybe that style will, too.
Thanks a bunch! (and forget about VS fitters....you've probably seen my rants about them before....they are essentially worthless.....Nordstrom's fitters ROCK!)
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Val -- I think Waldo had either an SGAP or a LAT (can't remember) -- so maybe because it's her own tissue and more invasive surgery is the reason to wait longer on exercise?
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That makes sense, Lilah.....didn't think about that possibility.....I forgot she had the lat flap.....since it involved dealing with muscle, I can totally understand. Thanks!
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I do love that picture of you Val
Purple is my favorite color! And Savannah looks like such a sweetie.0 -
Oh my Val....I never realized Savannah was in that photo! She is beautiful!!!
Gail: Congratulations! Being fitted properly makes all of the difference...
Regarding wireless bras:
The Wacoal "Awareness" is a very pretty bra and I wanted to try it on the other day at Nordstroms, but my DH was tapping his watch at me....I had already tried on six which did not work. I think you get to a point where you stick with the few that work and stop the madness. But I could SLEEP in that Wacoal bra....it felt so nice....
For cleavage, I echo what Annie said previously about the VS Angels wireless, but for some reason, I cannot find it on their website. Have they discontinued it? Well, there is always Ebay...but this is what it looks like:
But this one [["Very Sexy" push up wireless] will do the same thing - but with more lift than the one above:
Another one - The VS Body by Victoria - pictured here:
Wireless....all three.
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The Wacoal Awareness comes wired or wireless, by the way; I have it wireless and like it very much! I wore Wacoal for years (underwire) -- they know how to make a good, support, comfy bra!
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WIRELESS: Oh, I just remembered the Warners "Elements of Bliss" bra! It is wireless and inexpensive and one of the most comfortable bras you will ever wear. It is the one Linda54 told me about when I had my TEs - it was the only bra I could wear over them. It now has a little extra something in the cup for "lift"...which is nice I think: Here it is at herroom.com. It seems to get great reviews:
http://www.herroom.com/Warners-1298-Elements-Of-Bliss-Wire-Free-Bra-With-Lift.shtml
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I have the Warners.. it's OK.. my boobs still look .. Mom/g.ma like in that bra..LOL.. But comfort it gives.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE BRA ADVICE. I am so excited to go SHOPPING and trying on. I am taking all these notes with me this next week. I want some push up.. without too much padding...
THANK YOU for taking so much time for me..:)..
I am a HUGE ebay girl too Deborah! I just sold a dresser and night stand on there yesterday..LOL.. and I ALWAYS look for my FAV's on there.. SO MUCH cheaper!
Thanks friends!
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Val, I wanted to see what your PS said about exercise- since yours is so conservative, mine said ok- but no to running or anything bouncy for 6 months even with a good bra. I guess that means stick to low impact- elliptical, bike, speedwalking asked about spinning and he re-iterated as long as it isn't bouncy. I think it's because he did a mastoplexy and the lat flap during the intitial BMX and then I wanted higher and perkier so he did a lollipop lift with the exchange. He said I was more like a cosmetic surgery patient than a reconstruction patient so that may account for the difference. I plan to speedwalk, and do pilates and light weithts. I think he worries about the implants bottoming out.
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I used the warner after the BMX because it was the only bra that didn't hurt me until I discovered the wacoal awareness. The awareness is seamless and soft and gave me more support and I love the wacoal awareness for sleeping but it is cut so high and its hard to find summer tops that cover it. I feel grandma- ish in that one too. PS gave me the green light forunderwire push-ups and lateral support bras and said they will actually be good for me. So I have been gladly and dutifully complying with my doctors orders
Now I want the VS model's body!!!!! Deborah must have been able to read the PS's mind and she shared and sent me one of her bras that pushes me inward and upward and makes me feel va-va va-voom. So I am the proud new mama and recipient of a new maroon Chantelle and it is all girly and frilly-frou frou. DH eyes nearly popped out of his head especially since He's used to seeing me in the granny bras. 0 -
Frankly, I agree - I think the Wacoal Awareness is the bra to buy....and the reason is the band underneath the cups is sufficiently wide enough to support the lower pole and to not fold under the breast mound, as the Warners' tends to do.
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I was trying to find an answer to my question by reading through all these posts from the beginning, but lately I seem to have the attention span of a gnat. (Blame it on the Percocet.) So forgive me if this is a repeat question.
I just had my exchange surgery 6/29. I am planning on going to Nordstrom's for a bra fitting. My question is should I go as soon as my drains are out or do I need to wait until I drop and fluff? And how do you know when you're done fluffing, anyway? I know the Nordstrom's bras can be a little expensive (but worth every dime from what I've heard) so I don't want to buy anything that won't work after everything settles.
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I went one week after exchange - I needed something that fit both sides so I could leave my house
I've practically lived in this one - Wacoal Awareness Soft Cup Bra 85276
I think the soft cup will conform to any drop and fluff.
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Kate - My PS sent me to Nordstrom's the day my drains came out. Just realize that you may very well change size to some extent.....so don't buy the store out or anything. You do want a bra that will fit you NOW, though. Are you feeling okay? I had drains, too, with my exchange....my PS always uses them.....a pain, but better than seromas and such, I guess. Hang in there!
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Well I have to tell you all I went mall strolling today with my BF and there was a place called The Bra Shop (or something like that) which was terrific and had a huge selection of bras (especially underwires but of course I can't wear those -- but also of wire free)! I bought an adorable black lacey Chantelle that fit me like a glove (sorry Val) and an Anita (which I was thrilled to find - had seen them on line but did not want to buy without trying). I'm consistently finding I'm a 38D every time. I tried a 40 just to see -- and a DD -- the 40 band was too big and the DD (unless it's really stretchy material) puckers (on both my native and my implanted breast)... so too big. There was a very nice and helpful bra fitter who did not bat an eye when I told her I had had a reconstruction. She offered to measure me but I declined; she did examine how all the bras fit, though, and agreed that 38D was the right size (I had arrived at this size by using the measurement formula anyway). I'll post some bra pictures next week.
Laura -- when you go shopping, do try the Chantelle -- this is the sexiest of all the wirefree bras I've found so far. Maybe they fit better wireless?
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OK ladies -- I've started a Post Your Bras thread on the pic forum -- go there and post your favorites! I thought it would be nice to share photos of the ones we like best.
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Awesome idea, Lilah! Thanks a bunch! And I'm glad you found that shop. Sounds like a great place. I hope you like the Chantelle....I think they just fit reconstructed breasts well - at least for many of us. I want to get another style to see if it fits, too. So many bras...
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