Bras 101: The Great Post-Exchange Debate
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I had cleavage all my life -- a lot of it -- and quite frankly I hated it. I have to say I like having far less now and I like that I can choose by the type of bra I wear whether to have it or not. (A good form fitting bra will separate at the center if that's what you want and encapsulate each foob individually).
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thanks. Lilah - I am coming from the opposite side where I am not quite sure yet how to handle it, (not that it's a lot, either!) I look forward to getting different bras like you mentioned to accentuate cleavage "if" I want to and others for when I don't want it showing...I will say I never took much stock in a good sports bra until recently, and especially while testing them out in aerobics today...what a difference some support can make?!?!
...I look forward to my fitting this week, I want to make sure I am keeping the foobs where they should and not too close either!...seems so important early on to encapsulate them where they "should" be! ...another thing I worry about ...
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I have to say, in the last week my DH and I have had to do more social gatherings then usual for his work, and at both of these, two complete strangers approached me, not my DH, to ask if I were one of thier colleagues and then I had to introduce my DH so he could resue me from the leering men. I am so not used to being approached any more by the opposite sex. I had to laugh as I have never in my life had any attention because of my breasts--I mean this just has never happened to me before. Weird.
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I always wonder where they "should" be. I thought my TE was good where it was, but my PS wanted to move it down and out. Hmph. Apparently I feel they should be closer together than they should be!
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Erica: better then a uniboob! I think they look perfect on you.
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Haha, thanks Mary. He's the expert, so I suppose I outta listen to him. Lol!
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I had my exchange last Friday on 04/29 but I have been reading you guys' postings for a while. My PS is one of those PS who does not really have preferences. So I took everybody's advices and I went to Nordstrom this morning (after my post-op visit) to be fitted. The person who took care of me was wonderful! I cannot believe I am a D cup... I was a small C before. I got 2 bras - a sport bra from Donna Karan wireless (35237) and another wireless bras from Wacoal awareness soft cup bras (85276). They both are very comfortable. When the swelling goes done I will go back and buy a underwire one. Thank you all for all the info! I am so happy to be out of the TE, it is so much comfortable.
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Namaste!
I am confused about what bra size I can expect to be after my 133MX 600 cc TEs that are filled to 800 are exchanged out. My PS will be bringing in 6 different gummies. Allergan 410s FX and MX. 550-775grams.
I have done measurements myself as per the two sites mentioned in the heading at the top of this thread. Calculating by the first site makes me a 42 band and A cup currently.
However, calculating by the second site makes me a 38 band and DD cup.
How can there be this much difference? My rib cage is 38 and the measurement above the breast mounds is also 38. Measuring over the mounds is 43.
Before BMX I wore 42 C. Before TEs my prosthesis bras were 42 B with a size 10 prosthesis. At surgery my removed breasts measured 20cm x 19 cm x 6 cm on right on one side and 18cm x 17cm x 6.5cm and weighed @ 1300 grams. This did not include the axillary pedicles. The largest of the gummies is 15cm x 16 cm I believe.
I am starting to get worried that I am going to end up an A cup and look like an AA. After my TEs were placed, it took quite a bit of fill to bring me from ravine to flat.
I will be happy to receive any input.
Thanks.
Karla
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So far very little luck in bra-shopping for me. I might make one more stab tomorrow, then I'm going to quit wasting my time, until I'm 6 weeks post-exchange and can go to a regular bra. I hate the bras the hospital gave me -- they are lumpy and flatten me out -- but if I can get through the next 6 weeks things will get easier. I will just focus on tops that are loose, patterned, and/or heavy enough that they don't show every curve and bump.
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Citykitty -- I ordered one of these around this point and I loved it. It's more supportive than it looks. Stretchy and you step into it.
http://slimpressions.com/product/comfy-bralette
I got one in black but the photo I found is beige. It was not lumpy and did not flatten me out.
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Karla - I can't help you on your size and what your size will likely be ... but I just want to encourage you that the bra fitting guides didn't work for me either. When I used the guides I ended a negative cup size!
I don't have any idea on why they work for some and not for me but don't be distressed because the guides didn't work for you. Have you been to the breast implant sizing thread by whippetmom? She could guide and give you some idea on where you're going to end up.
I doubt very seriously you're going to end up an A cup with 800cc TE's. Do check out, if you haven't, whippetmom's thread. She may be able to help ease your mind a bit.
Peace to you.
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citykitty - I used an old zip up the front exercise bra until I was six weeks out ... didn't begin my bra buying spree until about 8-12 wks out. Some of have tried the Danskin zip up the front bras that are cheap at Wal-Mart and those might work for you. Hopefully you'll find something that works ... I didn't like the looks of the velcro thing they sent me home in either ... but I kept wearing it for a long time just because it held the new girls in place better than any I could find for some time.
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I mostly slept in it Cindy. It's NOT a sports bra. I wear a 38D and I just checked and I got a Large. It was very comfortable and lightly supportive. The material is thicker than it looks in the picture. You have to step into it as there is no hardware (and DON'T try putting it over your head please!)
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Well, today was the big day - my Nordstrom's fitting! I'll cut to the good part and tell my size - 32 DD!!!!!! I actually looked at her and said while laughing, "shut up, you must be joking!"
I was floored, but at the same time not surprised because of all the advice I've gotten on here. The news was definitley easier to hear since I was prepared that we measure out bigger than we look - phew!I was so darn excited for the appointment I was like a kid on christmas day ;-) The woman who worked with me was spectacular - she spent two hours with me and had me try on probably 20 bras of different cuts, colors, etc. She was honsest in her opinions of what worked best on me and I left with 6 bras, a couple "utilitarian" , but pretty nontheless, then some demi's and a super-sexy push-up. She indulged my love of color, I got a couple in black, then one each in ivory, hot pink & a pretty red...even though she insisted I buy a nude colored bra - btw, am I the ONLY woman who never owned one before? I always bought white as my basic color, she told me always go nude for basic, not white - I obviously knew nothing pre-bc about this stuff! The woman who worked with me was all about variety and emphasized even everyday bra should be pretty bras...she was "required" to fit me with a booooring post-MX bra, but quickly mentioned I should look at the rest of the selection and pick from them. It was so much fun, I felt like I had my own personal shopper, she would just bring the bras back to me in a private room where I had such a lovely selection to choose from.
The saleswoman will be processing these through my insurance and I will probably pay somewhere between $50-100 total for the six bras. She told me to spread the word about Nordstrom's and their MX fittings. The story behind it she told me is the Nordstom brothers' mother had BC and this was their way to give back. Just curious, has anyone had issues with their insurance covering bras? I called and it seems I will pay 20% copay, how many bras were you alloted under insurance?
So, I had a super time, Nordstrom's really made it a relaxing and fun experience - don't know if I'll ever be buying 6 bras there again, my hub might take issue with my bras costing more than the grocery bill
...but I will be checking out ebay!!!I'll post the styles of the bras in a bit - I have NSM and my incisions are in the IMF and all the bras I got are wired, so if anyone needs help finding one that won't irritate under the fold.
Well, I'm off to model my bras for myself
...I called my hub at work to tell him my size - that'll really mess with his concentration!!! 
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Haha!!!! Yey, Megan!!!!! 32DD. Woohooo! Lol. Glad you loved your lady, and had a positive experience... can't wait to see styles/brands you choose. Woohooo for being out of the sports bra. Yipee! 0
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I went with 1 Natori, 1 Betsey Johnson, which I will probably never get the guts up to wear in public, especially with my family (purely for super-sexiness & fun - I look like I stepped out of a dirty magazine in that thing!!! hahaha!!!!!) and the other 4 are Chantelle, which fit like a glove...once I get the kiddos taken care of I'll come back on and post more info on them! 0
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fire-dancer - We are the same size 32 DD!! It's too funny isn't it - no one believes it when I tell them. Especially since I was barely an A cup before. I love Noordstrom's, but my insurance wouldn't pay for any. I love the Chantelle's - and bought a couple and then bid on some more Chantelle's on e-bay - wait now you might be bidding against me
!! Congratulations - glad you had a great time.Hugs, Valerie
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that's too funny - picture it, all us 32DD's bidding against eachother & driving up the prices of Chantelles on Ebay!!! ...the good thing is I feel pretty set bra-wise for a while till things settle some more...I am only 6 weeks and hear things can still change so I will probably wait a bit longer to purchase any more...although I could definitley see the "bra-fever" setting in - and all those matching undies?!?! too darn cute!!! ;-) 0
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Megan,
Go glad you had a grand time shopping for bras! What a way to spend the day! Enjoy the new bras and show off those DD girls!
Hugs, Sandy
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Namaste!
Thanks Dawn for your input. Its nice to know I am not alone with the confusion of the bra size calculators. Through all this time of BMX and then having to wait for the TE placement and my expansions I have been able to "stay in the moment", but now that I am 6 1/2 weeks from exchange I am obsessing about size and how they will look. It is so wierd that the bra size calculators can differ from 42 A to 38 DD in the same person.
Fire-dancer: It sounds like you had a wonderful experience at Nordstroms. Do any other stores do such a good job with fitting? The closest Nordstroms to me is 3 1/2 hours away. I will have to check my insurance about covering for bras. I know they cover for prosthesis bras but I never thought they might cover post op reconstruction bras.
Karla
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Do you need anything from your doctor to get insurance to help pay for the bras?
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I was told by several stores that you need a prescription that states mastectomy bras (or one for camisoles). My Rx also listed the primary dignosis & the quantity - 2 for camisoles & 6 for bras - but I'm not sure how many are paid for each year.
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Everyone's insurance is different. Some cover as many bras as you want. Some only cover one. It's also possible that some don't cover at all. You have to enquire with your insurance. I will say though that Nordstrom's DOES know which ones it can submit directly to (i.e., they have some info) so if you call and ask for an MX bra fitting specialist she will be able to tell you on the phone whether they can submit the forms for you. Details vary so you must ask. I would also just call your insurance.
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firedancer: LOL! I love that our new foobs can get such a reaction from our DH's. I just purchased two VS cotton push up bras and I love them! I wear a 34D in these and they push them up and in with very little padding. Great for summer. They have some really cute gingham daisy duke looking ones that look as if they could be a swimsuit, too.
Dawn-Hope: I took notes on how they get so many bras in one drawer at VS because I am running out of room!
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Good evening, ladies! It's been a crazy week, so I've had essentially no computer time. I'm happy to see y'all have helped each other out! I LOVE how that works!!
Karla - Welcome! You know, I finally edited the beginning of this thread and took out that way of measuring that never works for us - it almost always results in needing a sub-A cup!. I'd kept it in because someone said it worked for her. The best way - that seems to be pretty spot on - is measuring up and over the implants (I guess, essentially their circumference), then checking the chart. Please don't worry about being an A cup.....not gonna happen with implants, I promise you.... EVER! These puppies are wider than natural breasts, which is why even when we LOOK like a C cup, we have to wear DD's!
Speaking of DDs......congrats, Megan, on your successful Nordies trip! I love Chantelle bras, too.....they just fit implants well, I think. I know a couple other people who have the Betsy Johnson bras and love them. Don't be afraid to wear them in public.....enjoy them & go for it! And yes, white is quite "passe".......nude is most definitely the "new white"!!
MBJ - I know how you feel about men looking at you. This past Christmas, my dh was working (as usual) so I attended the annual holiday party at our close friends'. The husband later told my dh that he shouldn't let me go to parties alone because all the men were way too interested in me! Of course, I was completely clueless to any of that.......believe me, men taking a second look at me NEVER happened! (except, I guess, with my dh....lol)
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Namaste!
Val61: Thanks for your comments. My fears are calming a bit. Now I just have to be patient and wait to see what my implants will look like on me. Or I should say "in me".
Karla
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HantaYo: Even before my MX if I used the bra measurements I was a minus A cup! Yet in reality I wore a B cup, so I would get yourself professionally measured when it't time. Whippetmom will help you, too!
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Yes - definitley check with your personal insurance provider, coverage for bras varies from one to another. When I called Nordstom's to schedule the saleswoman told me to get a script stating mastectomy bras. The quantity will also vary. She said if I run into a problem and insurance won't cover all six (tho they should no problem, I called) just return them no problem. The salesgirl took care of all the insurance details and sends it to the prosthesis office at Nordies somewhere out west, where then they will process with my insurance and I will receieve a bill for the copay. According to the woman who fit me she was "required" to fit me in a regular surgical bra, but after that she could show me any bra I liked and submit that to insurance. Nordstsom's send their MX fitters to a training to learn the ins & outs of prosthesis fittings, etc. I still think it is impoprtant to check with your insurance & make some calls to verify....the woman said she wanted me to spread the word because Nordstom's doesn't advertise for anything they do, not even sales she said so since this is a wonderful thing they do it can only spread by word of mouth - it's worth the call to see if it could work for you! Also, check around your local lingerie shops (if you have them) and see if they accept insurance, couldn't hurt, right?!
Val - thanks! I really do like the Chantelles fit, the wire gives alot of room and doesn't interfere with my IMF scars/healing...
MBJ - I have a gift card for VS and think I will check out those bras you mentioned, I just love fun prints & colors. Do you think I should wait another month though? Could my size still change since it's just been 6 or 7 weeks?
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Nordstrom's is coded as a mastectomy bra shop for insurance purposes. That is how they are able to process some insurance claims.
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Ok, so a week out and during the post-op today, the PS says I don't need to wear a bra 24/7 and I don't need a special mastectomy bra. He did say no underwire for a month, but that's it. So I can't take advantage of Nordy's insurance program because he didn't give me a prescription. I'm pretty sure I still want to be fitted for at least one bra by a professional so I can make sure that any others I get on my own will be right. (I know different styles fit differently, but at least I would know what to look for in a proper fit.) He was more about "they'll look natural in a bra" than "they'll look natural when you stare endlessly at yourself in the mirror." Sigh.
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