Bras 101: The Great Post-Exchange Debate
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Deborah: I just had to show them off LOL! BTW: I posted on the bra thread--would you take a look at me in the Chantelle bra? You can really see the size difference better then with me naked. Also, in my Body by VS you can see my ripple. I know, I know, walk away from the mirror, but I have my PS appt on Friday and I would loke your honest input.
Almagetty: I posted my VS Push Up Plunge bra on the bra forum plus all of my other new bras if you would like to have a look.
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MBJ: Check my comments on the pic forum. But in addition, I looked at the numbers for your implants and we need to keep in mind that having the implants as close as possible in width is important for symmetry. Your native breast is augmented with a 397 and it is 13.1 cm wide. The MX is a 550 and it is 13.5 cm wide. If you increased to a 600 cc on the MX side, you are now at 13.8 cm wide vs. 13.1 cm wide. There is a "tipping" point - where you suddenly have the MX side appearing larger - wider and taller than the native side. Is that "tipping" point at 600 ccs? We don't know....but I would hate to have you go through surgery for this minor fix - for one style of bra - and then find that you have created something which bothers you even more. It is up to you. I can tell you in one year it will bother you very little and in two years, not at all!
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Thank you and sorry for being a pain
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MBJ: You are not a pain!! You know I feel you have an exceptional result. I just don't want to do anything which might mess it up!!! 0
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Deborah: Thank you! I forgot to mention--so what do I do about my new fipple? My PS only does the origami method and wouldn't this make my breast even smaller? BTW: I don't want to mess it up either, that's why I always ask you first, before I get in too far over my head!
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Deborah did tyou get the PM I sent you about the new plastic surgron?
Whats everyone's opinion on Mentor vs Allergan's? I now have Allergans but am having them exchanged to Mentors..I hope my insurance covers all these revisions.. Has anyone ever been denied by their insurance company for having revisions made and implants exchanged?
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Eeekkk! Jennifer! I read it and then went over to the pictures forum to look at your photos and then I obviously got distracted by something else and forgot to answer you!! I am sooo sorry! I'll PM you right now....
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I posted this over at Timtam's site, but wanted to share it here, too.
I have to thank all of you here for mentioning that insurance companies sometimes pay for bras. I was in Nordstrom today to exchange a LeMystere bra that I bought online that didn't work for me. I had picked out a couple more bras and I worked up the courage to ask the salesgirl if she could find out if my insurance company would pay for any bras. She called her manager over and they told me ... get this ... that my insurance company pays for an unlimited number of bras at 100% with no deductible for the rest of my life!!! I was incredulous, so while they went to the back to make copies of my insurance card and driver's license, I called my insurance company. They confirmed that this was my benefit!!! And I didn't even need a prescription since the insurance company has all my other claims that prove that I had a mastectomy. My guilty conscience wouldn't let me get more than 8 bras, even thought the saleslady told me that other ladies routinely walk out with 20 or more bras. But, I will be back ... Nordstrom is a preferred provider with my insurance company, so I'll probably stick to them from now on. Plus, I really like my salesperson there and she's willing to special order any bra that I want.
I'm still trying to get over the fact that I left that store today with $400 worth of bras and didn't pay one cent. Nordstrom is filing the claim for me.
So, thanks again! If not for you all and the information that you all share, I would never have known to ask.
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Almagetty - who is your insurance provider? That is great news. I now am going to check with my insurance to see if they pay anything. I love Nordstrom's and can only afford to buy one at a time. Like you, without hearing it here I would have never known that some insurance pays for these. Thanks for the tip!
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My husband's employer (a very large company) is self insured. The policy is managed by one of the larger national insurance companies. I definitely recommend that everyone check with their insurance companies. You never know!
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Called my insurance yesterday - they don't pay for any bras - darn.
Val and Deborah - saw my PS yesterday and he agrees with always wearing a bra, no underwire for 6 weeks (because of the incision), but then underwire during the day and a softer one, with pads that encapsulates the implant at night, wearing a bra 24/7. He says gravity is not our friend and he doesn't want the implants moving. Bras are important for keeping the implant looking good for many years. He thought the underwire and then sports bra on top was a good idea for exercising, says there will still be some bounce. I always ask him what he thinks and then tell him what you guys have said - it's always nice that he always almost agrees completely with your research.Thanks and I will be going bra shopping at Noordstrom's next week, with your list of choices in hand!!
Valerie
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Mine either I have Blue Cross & Blue Shield.. They pay nothing.
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are you sure jkz? I have anthem blue cross blue shield and they pay 100% with subscribers and 80% non subscribners
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I went to a bra fitting with a specialist at Nordstroms. It was a wonderful experience. I purchased a Natori, Chantelle and a Wacoal. Went in wearing a 36 C and came out a 34DD. I guess I was compensating for the width of the implant with a larger band size. Don't see myself as a DD at all.
My insurance is BCBS and the specialist told me they would cover certain bras but not the ones I selected. The ones that are covered are certain styles and full coverage. I was happy with what I had already selected. Thanks to all of you.
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DawnHope and MBJ thankyou for explaining what the LE stood for. I dont remember what discussion it was in so Im just finding you here and saying THANKS
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Hey, my dear bra friends! Welcome, sweetie2040 and PB22!! So happy to have you hang around here with us!
Valerie, sounds like we not only have the same name but also PS's who think the same about bras!
MBJ - Love the new avatar! I'm off to check the pic forum, too! I actually just took some pics of my newest acquisitions, so I'll get those posted there.... Also, I tortured myself over the fipples and what it would do to my foobs, as I was happy w/ my result, too. Initially, there is a definite flattening out where the skin flap is taken, but it honestly softens back out after a couple months once the skin relaxes from where the incisions were made. Maybe I need to have my DH take some new pics to see if y'all can tell the difference. I definitely do.....(and I'll just add that I LOVE having the fipples!)
PB22 - don't worry....you're most definitely not alone with compensating w/ a bigger band size....we've all done it! Just remember that with every band size you go down, you need to increase one cup size. Bra sizing is a proportional thing, so a DD in a size 32 does NOT have the same cup size as a 38DD, but the ratio of cup size to band size is the same. Hope that makes sense....
jkz - Why are you changing brands of implants? Though my PS uses both, from what he's shared w/ me, he prefers Allergan for certain profiles and Mentor for others. He did say that although some of Mentors dimensions seem "better" than Allergan, in real life they're essentially the same, if that makes sense. As for insurance, mine covered my (one-side) revision, but my PS took TONS of pics to help document the need, which probably helped.
almagetty - congrats on the bras and insurance! My DH's employer also self-insures, and is also managed by a large national company. I'm a little scared to even think about checking, though.....just the thought of how much money I've spent on bras over the past year makes me a little queasy....
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This ps I am using only uses Mentor. The other only used Allergan. I looked up the statistics on both kinds and ps were saying it really depends on who you contract with but they both basically the same. One is not said to better than the other. If anyone wants to chime in I'd appreciate it
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I think you're absolutely correct, Jennifer......they're essentially the same, just depends on which drug rep won the contract!
Just in case there are any "bra newbies" out there who wonder just how a correctly fitted underwire bra should look, I posted some new pics on Lilah's bra thread on the pic forum......two pics that show how the wires should snug up against the implants. Hope they help. Of course, I also added a couple pics of my latest acquisitions.....
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samiam, I [have the same problem. I am going for a second opinion Monday bc my PS I have say I can't go bigger bc of rad. side. My implants are only 300cc and I am a big girl 160lb. But like you the rt one shifted to the middle and I can't find a bra to fit me correctly.
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kindone - I must have missed samiam's post (sorry!).........I had the same issue, though my left implant slid laterally (to the outside). I've since learned that this is pretty common, which makes sense when you think about it.....slanted surface (ribcage) + round object (implant)......could easily happen. I had a revision, and although it was a pain (in all senses of the word), it was most definitely worth it. Are you considering doing that? Even if your PS can't put a larger implant in because of the rads, couldn't he correct the errant implant?
On a lighter note......I think I just found the perfect sleep garment for us.....lol....it's in the VS holiday catalog:
I saw this and thought, "it's a sexy version of the Chic Shaper!"
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Val: I went to the VS link and it says page no longer available. I just received my holiday catalogue--what page is it on? going to the picture site to check them out. I have two more to post--I hadn't realized that I bought so many bras LOL!!
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Yeah same here -- no page! But a cute girl in a white bra and panties with sparkles
Is that it?LOVE your demo pictures on my picture forum thread Val!
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French Lace Sling: Victoria's Secret Holiday Catalog - page 7. Model is wearing it oer an animal print bra..... $39.50 I was really sort of kidding about sleeping in the thing.....but it did get me thinking.....I think I'm gonna get one...... 0
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Val: You are a mind reader--That is the only thing that caught my eye in the VS catalogue--the sexy black sling! I must have one now!!! Anything to get a bit more lift and cleavage, eh?
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Val61 I can see my self sleeping in that. lol
I am going to marrow to the PS I will see what he has to say. Hopefully I can get bigger implants and get my rt side corrected. I'll let you know.
Betty
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OMG I love that French Lace sling Val!
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Just got back from buying my first new bra!! I was a 34 C!! Perfect size for me - thanks to you Deborah. I went to a LACE by Louise (little store by me that specializes in masectomy supplies etc), anyway she brought in Ds, but the Cs looked and felt better. I ended up getting a Warners, Inviisible Bliss, no underwire for a few more weeks, but this comfortable enough to sleep in. I thought I'd go to Noordstrom in a few weeks when I'm ready to purchase more.
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That French Lace Sling is fabulous! I know it would work for a lot of gals who need to keep their implants lifted up and maintain good lateral support. It also does not look as clinical as the Chic Shaper...
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It would be so nice it we could order the body with it! lol.
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Today was first appt with my PS since my implant surgery. She told me I could lose Big Bertha (my surgical bra) and go buy something that is light, doesn't push, pull or squeeze. I see her again in 4 weeks and she'll talk further about bras at that time. She also said in the meantime, no sports bras and no underwires. Interesting how each PS seems to have their own post-implant rules.
So . . . I went bra shopping. I went looking for 32 D. Doesn't exist . . . not where I was at least. The best I could come up was a 34 C. They had ONE . . . literally one!! bra in that size unless I wanted underwire. So being desperate I bought it. My biggest complaint is that it is PINK. I don't wear pink. But given the option of a pink 34 C or nothing, I decided pink it is!0
