Bras 101: The Great Post-Exchange Debate
Comments
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Val, How does Bendon run? I'm going to search ebay.
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Val, Since he is the expert and has a good understanding of bras and how they impact implants, what does he say about push up bras? Are we ever allowed to wear them? DH's only request was cleavage- Big or small didn't matter to him. Mine sit low on my chest and today I tried on some low cut tops with a low cut bra with wires from Pre BMX and thought I would be seeing some more cleavage but, sadly, without a push-up bra, DH and I won't be seeing any cleavage
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Waldo - i think it runs fairly true to size, though maybe a bit small. I got a 32 D, and I have to really lift and squeeze the foobs in the cups - but they do fit inside the wires correctly. I'd rather have it too snug than too loose anyway. The band maybe runs a bit small, but fairly true. I haven't found a sports bra that comes in a 30 band, so I use 32's. I wear the Bendon on the middle row of hooks most days, though did wear it snuggest when I first got it and needed as much compression as possible. I will tell you, it's a pretty intense bra. The straps can cross - which adds stability, actually - but it takes some practice to get into it. Good luck!
As for push-up bras, my ps never addressed that. I'll have to ask him. I really can't think that it would be an issue, though....in fact, the push-up pads on the sides would help keep the implants pushing toward center....a good thing for those of us whose implants want to slide laterally. I think a push-up should be fine.....just don't go too overboard......like that VS bra that says it increases by 2 cup sizes.....I looked at it the other day....that baby is intense!
Anybody else have an opinion on push-up bras?
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Deborah~ yes i need to get my mind off size for once! LOL I'm seriously becoming absessed with it!!!
Im not quite sure what type of bra gives good lateral support. I have never been good with buying bra's as i used to just buy these specialist ones from maxcleavage.com which were full of gel and padding! Will one wth good lateral support help keep them pulled INWARD? Yeah i'd like to help keep them inward if they're going to bring them closer together. Keep that cleavage in check
Would a firm support sport bra do the trick? Or would you go for a bra which has actual cups (but not wired)
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BRAS WITH SIDE SUPPORT:
Here are some bras which have side support, which might come in the form of "boning" or "stays" at the sides of the bra, or with the mechanism of pushing the breasts inward and upward. Read through the descriptions and see what might be appropriate.
http://www.herroom.com/Fantasie-2182-Elodi-Underwire-With-Side-Support-Bra.shtmlhttp://www.herroom.com/Bali-3222-Active-Underwire-Low-Impact-Sports-Bra.shtmlhttp://www.herroom.com/Fantasie-2152-Savannah-Underwire-Side-Support-Bra.shtmlhttp://www.herroom.com/Freya-4234-Deco-Underwire-Molded-Plunge-Bra.shtmhttp://www.herroom.com/Bendon-76-408-Extreme-Out-Technical-Support-Sports-Bra.shtmlhttp://www.herroom.com/Fantasie-1014-Shannon-Underwire-Bra-With-Side-Support.shtmlhttp://www.herroom.com/Simone-Perele-191380-Eternite-Rigid-Molded-Cup-Bra.shtmlVarious side support bras: Fantasie and Elomi have a wide selection of bras with side support:
http://www.barenecessities.com/search.aspx?search=side+support&ft=10 -
Deb - do you know of good side support bras that are NOT underwires? It looks like all the ones in your post above are underwires...
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Deborah, Just below the breast I measure 28 1/4 and above the breast I measure 30.Lilah, I had a wacoal that didn't have underwire and it was pretty supportive. Dillards also carries a brand (I think it's called) modern form and they have some nice no wire bras. I haven't bought any but was impressed with the form of the bra which looked supportive.Julie0
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I have to say the wireless bras totally suck! I did find a Wacoal wireless on sale at Bloomingdales last week for $11 -- amazing price but it was one of only TWO bras they had for sale (both Wacoal) that were wireless. Oh there was one Spanx molded cup wireless bra (I hate molded cups). Sigh. I am going to buy the Spanx all hosiery bra on line (it looks like it's NOT molded and soft -- it goes on over your head though so we'll see)... went to three stores and no one carries it anymore; they all have the molded cup bra.
Sorry for the rant -- Julie: thanks for that recommendation! I don't think there are any Dillard's here in the east coast. I did find a bunch of wire free bras at Lord & Taylor but none that I loved (and they definitely had more than two). I'm going to go to Nordstrom's soon but it's a bit farther away from me than the other stores I've hit, plus I'm waiting for more shrinkage of the swelling...
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Lilah, I'm sorry to hear you're having such a hard time bra shopping. It's been rough for me to, I'm so not a shopper and to have to go in there look in those awful mirrors and try on a million bras is just not my thing. The dillards here only has the molded spanx and I did not like those at all but I would thing spanx could make an awesome non-molded bra.
Julie
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Julie -- Spanx DOES make a non-molded bra but apparently it is only sold on the website. After looking in three stores and not finding it in any, I'm going to bite the bullet and buy one next week (I'll let you know what I find). I am thinking it's really only good for sleeping in but we'll see. I've always hated bra shopping
Now I just hate it for a different reason lol. 0 -
Deborah~ wow ,they're all gorgeous!
But i don't think i'm gonna come anywhere a 'D' cup! lol That seems to be the smallest size in all of them. I do love the 2nd one down-the Bali sport bra. Plus,i'm not allowed to wear underwired straight away~just a regular sport bra =(
I might just ask them to bind me with surgical tape! ha ha =D
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Deborah, great post! Huge thanks- I'm going to print it up- take it to Nordies to try on and or get fitted for the brands they carry and look on ebay to buy
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Deborah, I just learned how important it IS to read the words as written- I quickly read what you wrote because I wanted to open the links: "Here are some bras which have side support, which might come in the form of "boning" or "stays"
and I read it as 'which might come in the form of boring...' and then I looked at the bras one by one and thought I can only imagine what Deborah thinks a sexy bra looks like-LOL! Fantasie looks like they may have the market for side support bras.OMG! so expensive-Nordstrom for fitting not to buy or maybe to buy and return
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Waldo: BORING BRAS? LOL! I think the most "boring" bras I own might possibly be the Natori bras. I just like the Natori memory foam bras for everyday use. They do have pretty straps though...
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Hi Ladies, I just peeked in on this forum and WOW! I am in TE phase and waiting for my first fill and I HATE wearing a bra now. It just doesn't fit right. Do you have to wear one at TE phase or are you all just talking about after finial implants? I always thought with the implants they would just be firm and perky and wearing a bra would be a matter of choice, but now I have been enlightened that is an actual necessity in the healing process! Do any of you know with gummie bear implants if a different type of bra is recommended. These are anatomically shaped so they shouldn't have to settle as much, but I suppose they also need to be keep in proper place after surgery.
Binney4- you bring up some good points and information. My Dr. went over the risk of Lymphodema with me as I had a SNB and 6 nodes removed on each side. She said I had a low risk, but I think about it sometimes because if I do too much my arms feel numb and the back of my arms still feel numb since the orignal surgery. She maintains it's go to have BP checked and blood drawn,but I want to err on the cautious side with that. I feel so overwelmed there is so much to know and be aware after BC!!
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Kay: Why don't you just buy a Chic Shaper? I think this would be an ideal [inexpensive] solution until you are able to find a bra which will work. I think you can find this in the UK, but certainly you can find it on Ebay.
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"GUMMY BEAR" IMPLANTS....IS BRA SUPPORT REQUIRED?
Here is a video which I think very nicely depicts what occurs when gravitational forces are applied to the "gummy bear" true cohesive gel implant vs. the standard silicone round implants. This would reflect that supportive "uplifting" of the implant might not be so much of an issue or need with the gummy bear implants. However, if there is any lateral or medial shifting of the gummy bear implant, or any inclination that this might occur or be a problem during the expansion [TE] phase of reconstruction, a supportive bra which addresses the area of need should be strongly considered. I think that the firmer consistency and more rigid presence of the gummy bear, in the face of a lateral or medial migration, would place an even greater need for some type of supportive "guidance" towards remaining front and centered on the ribcage. This is something to discuss further with your plastic surgeon.
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Thanks for that link Deborah. That's exactly what I was thinking (the way it stands up in his hand vs traditional silicone). When you add the textured surface, which adheres to the skin, to the cohesion of the silicone, which holds its shape -- you do get a better chance of maintaining the shape without a bra. I do agree though that anyone with lateral/medial issues should wear one. I will have to wear one due to the fact that I only have one; so unless I wear a bra that reduced breast of mine is going to someday be sagging to my belly button and I will surely be a freak
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Lilah and others looking for no wire bras:
Just a quick note that I order some non-molded spanxx bras (with no underwire) online and I had to send them back because they didn't give any support at all.
I did just find a no wire bra by Chantelle that offers a LOT of support (reallly almost as much as an underwire):
http://www.herroom.com/Chantelle-2032-Hedona-Soft-Cup-Bra.shtml
Of course I paid literally twice what it costs on sale at herroom.com. It was true to size and I filled out the cups. I see it is a discontinued style, so if you are interested you'd need to order quickly.
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Wow, about that Chantelle bra, herroom only has a 32B in stock. It's worth looking around for it, though. Bloomingdales has all sizes available for $62...
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I'll check it out Kristinka and thanks for that info re: the Spanx bra... that was my worry exactly and why I wanted to try it out in a store first. Now maybe I will wait on buying one...
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OK well I've gone ahead and purchased two wireless bras from Herrroom... will let y'all know what I think once I get them (hoping I don't have to be bothered with returning but hey at least they have a far bigger selection here).
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You can get the chic shaper in the UK from JML Direct
They are actually on sale at the moment
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Hi, Waldo,
Man, this thread moves fast! I'm still catching up from several days ago. Soooo much great information here! Anyhow, I just now saw your question about underwires and lymphedema.
The superficial lymph vessels are located directly under the skin, so even a tight watchband is enough to compress them and slow or block their flow. When our lymph system isn't compromised we have enough extra capacity in our lymph vessels to overcome that kind of limitation. But once the system is compromised by the trauma of surgery (including not only node removal, but the severing of lymph vessels and the presence of scar tissue that can block lymph flow), our lymph system has less ability to compensate for those kinds of "normal" pressures.
Underwires produce a line of pressure against the lower chest that compresses a wide area of lymph flow. The entire chest area is very rich in lymph vessels, which is why breast surgery is so much of a lymph problem. So blocking that wide an area of the chest becomes a problem in terms of overwhelming our already-struggling lymph systems.
Breast/chest (truncal) lymphedema has been shown to be on the rise in recent years. The theory is that the increase in SNB surgery plus radiation is the culprit because of the very targeted nature of that surgery in removing the nodes that drain the breast/chest, but at this point that's only an educated guess. Unfortunately, breast/chest lymphedema is also much less likely to be recognized and diagnosed by our surgeons and oncologists. Without treatment, lymphedema in the breast (or anywhere) progresses through stages (just like breast cancer does). The stages are not about more swelling, but about changes to the surrounding tissue -- hardening (fibrosis), abnormal fat deposition under the skin, changes in skin texture, and increased risk of serious infection. At some point those changes become permanent and can't be reversed, which is why early diagnosis and treatment are so important.
That's not to say that using an underwire is guaranteed to result in truncal lymphedema. Just that, as a risk reduction measure, avoiding underwires (and tight, narrow bands and straps) is preferable to wearing anything that cuts across lymph drainage.
Other simple risk reduction suggestions on these two pages:
http://www.lymphnet.org (see their Position Papers)
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/riskreduction_for_lymphedema.htm
Be well!
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Julie - your measurements are EXACTLY what mine are.....you should be in a 30 band size.... 0
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Lilah - Check the barenecessities website....I'm pretty sure they have the Spanx Bra you're talking about. If you buy today, enter discount code FRIEND at checkout and you get 25% off!
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Deborah - Thanks for getting the info on gummies. That should be very helpful to many here!
Binney - Thanks for all your info, too!
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Val -- now that Kristinka says it offers no support, I'm not gonna bother buying it. I found something on Her Room that looks similar but the comments were: great support! It's Slimpressions Short Control Bralette Style BR106 ... will let ya know what I think once it arrives. As far as I'm concerned if it's not supportive enough for Kristinka, it's not good enough for me either
But thanks for the discount! I will see what else they might have I must say what I like about the Her Room site is all the reviews from customers, the fitter comments as well as the photos of both front AND back of bra... Bare Necessities is not as consistent with that info.
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BRAS WHICH MIGHT APPLY FOR POST-RADIATION LYMPHADEMA RISK PATIENTS OR THOSE WHO WANT A COMFORTABLE ALTERNATIVE TO OTHER BRAS MENTIONED ABOVE:
I do know that Anita makes support bras for post-mastectomy purposes which are worthy of mention:
This one:
http://anita.com/us-en/Products,Anita_care,Care_bras,Post_surgery_bras:5322X_Care%20bra
Extra-fine micromodal fabric protects sensitive skin. Practical front-fastening - also ideal for wearing during and after radiation therapy, sports and recreation
Material/Design- High-quality single-knit cotton with elastane and the natural fibre MicroModal
- Very soft towelling fabric on the hook-and-eye band of the front-/back-fastener
- Wide, stretch soft underbust band covered with towelling fabric
- No pressure on body
- Prevention of lymph build-up at the side under the bust
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Lilah - I love that about HERROOM......really good info......barenecessities, not so much......but sometimes their stuff is on sale, so I research at one site and buy from the other!
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