All things bras & prosthesis
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crystal,
I find that the oval Illusions look good on me (I wear the smallest size, A, though I think it looks like a large A, small B on me), but the "points" at each end of the oval can be visible unless I position the forms really carefully. I think it must be the shape of my chest. I spoke to the owner of the company at one point and mentioned the problem and she said she'd never heard that before. For most women, it wouldn't be an issue, anyway, but I like to wear fitted tee shirts, so every little unevenness shows.
The Triform Illusion (in the triangle shape) didn't work for me at all--the footprint, even of the smallest size, was too big for my small chest (I'm a 34 bra band), but the projection wasn't as much as I would have liked.
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I broke down an ordered a Jodee Mastcetomy bathing suit. I was told I could use my foob any it so I thought nothing of it. Man am I glad I tried it on before our trip in June. Good boob was down and the foob was up and sticking straight out. I made an appointment and got a swim one in a smaller size and guess what...she recommended wearing it turned around like some of you have talked about. She also had a top that I tried in...It was snug so I oredered one in a bigger size and will use my skirt I bought a few years ago. My top is much smaller than my hips...I would not have thought I could get buy with the top so much smaller. I am just so glad I don't have to pen a foam foob in and keep a noodle around my front to hold it down this year. Oh the joys of being big boobed.
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Ok, A member here has suggested I try a silicon prosthetic that is more made for concave figures...meaning a larger backing or footprint. Does anyone know of one? How about one that is not silicon?
I am also seriously considering the Illusions. It seems to drive me crazy because now is my time for insurance to pay for 2, and I can't seem to think straight. Last time they sold me something cantalope sized and I never wore it, not even once.
Kitty Dog, how is the bathing suit? Is it working with your foob?
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I will find out the third week in June if it is better than the foam one!
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Crystal, "cantalope sized" cracked me up. I do find it quite interesting that most women who have gone through BMX are aiming for smaller, not larger, while others, like foob sales ladies, seem to think that every woman desires a giant set of knockers. Odd that.
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Just wanted to post my experience in being fitted/shopping for forms and bras. My insurance (Kaiser) referred me to Nordstrom's as the provider. The store I selected had a specialist in the lingerie department (probably they all do, but I didn't really ask), with whom I made an appointment for today. I took two clingy tops that I had worn before my surgery and a dress that I had made just prior to diagnosis/surgery for a special occasion (haven't worn it yet).
I had in mind that I wanted to be a B cup or no larger than a C (I am 5'5" and weigh about 140 lbs - lost 15 pounds since surgery). I was wearing a 34DD before surgery and always felt like that was too much. Looks like Nordstrom's had 3 kinds of Amoena forms - the ones I purchased are the Energy Light. The fitter showed me a size 5 to start with when I told her I wanted a B cup size, and measured me at a 36 (I'm smaller on top, but I'd been thinking the 34 size I'd worn before was too tight). But, oh, goodness... The two mastectomy bras she showed me were absolutely hideous. I can't remember the manufacturer for either of them. One of them looked like a huge white sports bra for centenarians. I kid you not. I tried it on and felt like I was wearing a life vest or something. And no matter what adjusting we did, the cups were all puckered and wrinkled over the forms. Ahh - don't think so! The second mastectomy bra was a little bit better - some kind of lightweight lacy stretchy thing. But I really didn't like it either. I mean, I know these bras have a purpose, but holy cow, couldn't they be pretty? I *am* still a girl. (well, almost 52, but still a girl!). Even the fitter said those bras were too old for me.
She also brought a regular T-shirt type bra. I did like that one quite a bit. I think I have not gotten over my Body by Victoria bras and this one was almost identical to those except for the price. I tried that with the size 5 forms and one of my clingy shirts (it has a V neck). Pretty good! I then tried on the dress - it is a fitted wiggle type dress with a square cut galaxy neckline. I had it custom made to measure and I knew after surgery I'd have to have it taken in some. Trying to find a bra with straps that didn't show at that neckline was a bit tricky, as was finding straps that didn't rub on my port. After several tries, she brought me a not-quite-demi bra that seemed perfect. Then she suggested that I try the size 6 form (more or less a bump up to a C cup). I did and actually - I liked it. It looked great with the dress (still have to take it in a little at the top, but better) and great with my tops. Perky - but not ridiculously so. (I don't think I've been perky since I was 11 years old....).
I was a little surprised, that they only have the 3 kinds of forms. I can't remember what the other two were called, but the ones I purchased have little bumps on the back that supposedly let air circulate. (I've read enough critiques and reviews to think they'll probably still be on the warm side). The one other kind was totally flat on the back and I could just see sweat pooling under them. None of them have the "wicking" fabric that I've ready about, and that was disappointing. I didn't shop around more, though, because of the cost and the insurance. If this is typical, the forms alone were priced at $338 apiece (the ones that were flat on the back were $250 apiece). Yikes!!! I only bought the bras because the insurance pays up to a certain amount for them too, even if they aren't specially designed mastectomy bras, because they are putting pockets in them. I can't imagine paying for these without insurance.
They let me take the forms home but I had to leave the bras to have the pockets put in (I don't sew). So my great plans to wear them to the grad parties I'm attending tomorrow are moot - but that's OK; I got a lace cami to wear under the ruffly sleeveless top I got to visit my office a couple of weeks ago, that should almost cover the port scar. The ruffles disguise my flatness quite nicely. Nordstrom's is supposed to mail me the bras on Monday (the store is about 20 miles from my house so I was glad for that. I'd rather not go back there until we are ready to visit the Cheesecake Factory at the mall!).
I have mixed feelings about the forms. They did look great under my clothes; I just hope they fit OK in the pockets. The fitter assured me that they would; I hope she was right. I suspect I'll do like some of you and only wear them at home if my vanity seems to need a boost, but otherwise go flat for comfort. I will wear them for work and with clothes that will look best with them.
Here is one irony about all of this - as far as cost, the copay for my BMX was less than what I will be paying out of pocket for the forms and bras. The copay for the surgery was $100 - this is looking like it will be in the neighborhood of $300. The copays will be the same for all stages of reconstructive surgery - so for both surgery to place TEs and the exchange surgery, I'll pay $200. Go figure. Recon surgery is delayed for me until I complete all followup treatment (chemo and rads). I have been having some second thoughts after reading about all the complications some folks have had, and about the pain of dealing with the TEs (one reason I had decided I was not going bigger!). But now, I dunno. I do still have quite some time to figure it out.
Anyway - I'll post again once I get the bras and test-drive them next week. As pretty as they are, and as nice as it was to see myself curvy again - I have to say, going braless since March has been great.
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I had pretty much exactly the same experience at Nordstrom last weekend--3 forms to choose from, uncomfortable mastectomy bras, other bras that I'm waiting to receive after pocketing. I chose the forms that you did with the bubbles on the back for air-wicking. I took them home along with the 2 mastectomy bras. One bra I can tolerate, but the other is torturous. The fitter measured me as a 38 when I've always thought of myself as a 40, which is contributing to the torture. I didn't argue the point since I've just lost some weight. I suspect the idea with the mastectomy bra and forms is to be as tight as possible to reduce movement, and I must say that these forms are going nowhere in these bras. It will be interesting to see how they work with the "regular" bras when I get them. The other thing about Nordstrom's selection in addition to having only 3 forms is that they are only weighted forms. It's interesting that they have been able to make themselves the preferred provider for so many insurance cos.
If I don't end up being able to tolerate these forms, at least now I know a bit more about the size I want, and I'll try to order off-line and put it through as an out-of-network charge. I'm still waiting to see what they do with my out-of-network charge on foam forms that I bought before I was healed enough to go for a fitting. I have great insurance, but they tend to drag their feet on out-of-network and/or call the out-of-network provider and try to haggle for a better price/fee. Ultimately, I think I'm going to want unweighted forms.
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I told the fitter that the forms seemed heavy when I picked one up, and she said the were the lightest ones they had. At least, they didn't seem too heavy while wearing them - they are still smaller than my girls were. I am wondering about those bumps, though; just for the relatively short time I wore them during the fitting, they left marks om my skin. I think I'll be checking out some lighter and cheaper alternatives too. I imagine my insurance will insist on a lower price - what they are charging up front is $50-$100 more than I've seen for those products on the web. I also didn't really like that they took my credit card and said they'll just charge it once the insurance is paid, when I don't even know the amount for sure yet.
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IndigoMont1 & Mary625: Just a few things I have noticed as I have surfed around. You are right Nordstrom is a common preferred provider (not for me - no Nordstrom in my area). It would seem they exclusively handle Amoena forms and presumably only Amoena mastectomy bras though as you have noted, they will put pockets in non-mastectomy bras, swimsuits or whatever. On the Amoena US website, when you search for retailers, they show how much of a selection of each type (form, bra, swimsuit) of Amoena product they carry.
http://www.amoena.com/us/StoreLocator/StoreLocator.htm
I signed up for an Amoena newsletter and there was a line or two in an article that jumped right off the page at me. It basically said you are in charge of what is right for you. Fitters are there to help you but NEVER let them push you into walking out with a product that you don't feel right about. For me that meant they invariably want to make the band too tight and the straps too tight. I very calmly tell them to loosen them. When I go home, I may further adjust.
This is just me but will share some small things that seem to help me. As they say your mileage may vary.
First, I find if I will raise the back band an inch or so, it seems better. Try it, stand sideways and look in the mirror and make sure it still looks level front to back. While on, adjust the form up a bit in the pocket to get it off the band and the top of the triangle in line with the strap. Reach in from the side and pull the fabric out to the side. The point of all this is to have the form sitting nicely in the pocket with no fabric folds or bunching anywhere, and that the side of the form is fully covered by fabric and not touching the skin. With all the trauma and nerve damage, I find my body and skin can still be hypersensitive even two years later. One day of fabric developing a fold next to the skin can cause several days of pain or nerves firing afterwards. The more I try to ensure the fabric and form sit as smoothly as possible against my chest, the better I usually feel. Must say though, just as some days for no seemingly apparent reason, I just feel out of sorts or worse, my chest can do the same thing. I think for that reason, I sometimes have to give forms, bras etc. a chance over a bit of time with a few days inbetween in order to know if it is really the product that is off or just my body having an off day.
When I took home my insurance forms from the fitter, I was allowed 7 days or so to bring them back and trade for something else. I actually traded my first pair out the following day. Ask what kind of exchange policy is in effect. This was a really big difference between my local preferred insurance provider and ordering online. Locally, I could actually wear it and trade if necessary where online, I could only try it on and not wear or remove tags.
I am in a different situation in that my insurance deductible is so high that I am often better off just buying outright online. Probably for most of you with insurance, that will not be the case.
I was actually quoted something nearly $400 each for forms locally that even with the insurance negotiated rate were around $300 each. I waited for a 10% coupon and was able to purchase online from Metro for $400 for the PAIR, free shipping, exact same brand and style. I have seen them online at Park for a similar or less price without a coupon. I have no interest in any of the companies. I looked at cost, shipping, return policy and recommendations from others when deciding where to order. I have given up the lowest price on occasion due to a less forgiving return policy.
Again just my experience.
Barbara
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Thanks Barbara, for all the advice. I should get my bras by Wednesday and I'll pull your post up when I try them on. I just am still blown away by the cost - I will have to have two separate procedures for recon, one to place TEs and then the exchange surgery, and both procedures together will cost me less out of pocket than the prosthetics!
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I'm just a week from surgery and expect to get my drains out tomorrow. I had a right side mastectomy. I would like to go to the grocery store occasionally , run an errand here and there, and can't figure out what I am going to do.
I have a mastectomy bra, and my soft comfy Soma bras that I can sew pockets into, if I am able to wear them over my inscision. I ordered a fibre fill form online, but it doesn't look like I'm going to get it. Ordered on May 18, have e-mailed and called, but no one can tell me if it's been shipped. Too bad, that online store had a lot of mastectomy products at good prices. Those bras are not going to work without something in them.
anyway, I thought about a molded cup camisole, something like the Rhonda Shear Everyday cami from HSN. I can order it online without having to drive around town trying to find something. Think that would work for the interim? Thinking a molded cup might hold it's shape.
I am really unprepared for this. My wardrobe is mostly Chico's t-shirts and jeans. I have a few jackets, no vests, no scarves, and it's already getting pretty warm here.
You would really think that the insurance companies would be more than happy to pay for the prosthetics etc. Look at how much money we have saved them by not electing reconstruction!
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Diana, My BS wouldn't let me wear a bra over my incision for 5 weeks. A scarf worked the best for making it look relatively normal. I was too sore to wear the tight cami that I thought would tame the other side. I was lucky having surgery earlier before it got warm, so I was about to wear a vest or sweater. One of the long scarves popular right now works best. If you can sew, the website mastectomysolutions.com has instructions for making a foob filled with microbeads. I did one and am about to make one filled with fiberfill to see if I can get it to match the other side better. I'm 71, so the other side is not especially perky. I know what you mean about the wardrobe. Mine consists almost entirely of T-shirts also.
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Ack, no bra? The other side will need a scarf, too!
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Diana, I needed a prescription in order for Blue Cross to pay for my bras and prosthetics, and the doctor would not write that until 8 weeks. So it really is something you want to ask a doctor about first.
I was fascinated by the Nordstroms story, it all just boggles the mind, doesn't it? We have gone from selecting our own bras our whole life to feeling unsure of everything, other than we know what hurts! LOL and we know what bra feels like a life-vest (too funny).
I was away for the weekend and I was able to get my Still Me cami...and I wore my memory form foobs with it and felt pretty fantastic about myself. Some discomfort, but not pain, only discomfort and I am getting used to that. (itching mostly, deep inside, not a skin itching).
What a long road it can be!
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Diana--I wore the microbead foobs in a post-surgical cami starting at just 5 days out of surgery. I did not wear them for long periods--just long enough to leave the house. It was winter though. It is hard to wear the surgical cami in warm weather. My cami was from TLC and had the velcro up the middle. What I would do if I were in your situation now is get a microbead foob from TLC in comparable size to your other breast, use it in the cami so that there is no tightness against your incision, and buy some of the loose, floral tops that are in style right now to go over it. I got one at JC Penney for about $20. TLC also has a shelf bra cami that I highly recommend. I've already worn that thing to shreds during radiation, and there are Sharpie stains on it, but I still continue to wear it around the house. You might also like the foam foobs from TLC, but I don't recommend the fiberfill (pillow filler material) ones that some with the camis. That may just be my taste.
Here are some examples of tops I've bought and worn successfully over the camis when I was still in radiation and could not tolerate a bra. It was somewhat hot here in April when I was in rads. One is from Jc Penney and the other from Chico's. You WILL be back in your t-shirts in no time. I am in t-shirts and tank tops from Chico's now and had BMX on 2/6 followed by rads until 4/26. Also, I highly recommend the shelf bra tanks from Amoena. Just got two of those and am living in them.
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OK -- went to Nordstrom's, got Amoena Energy Light (left only), wore it home with the new bra BUT when I took out the form to wash the bra I coudn't remember which way it was supposed to go in. Is the label pointing up, or pointing toward middle or side ?? I "think" it's OK, but would like somebody to confirm.
It took me 5+ years to move on from the Wal-Mart "breast enshancer" plus sports bra -- not used to the extra weight, bur it's nice to be the same size on both sides.
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Lauri, I am presuming you have a triangle shape. If so the writing typically would be upright, just the way you would read it. I typically place the top of the triangle at the base of the strap which would make it just a little bit on an angle. Is that helpful?
If not will try again.
Barbara
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Crystal,
So glad you like the Still You camisole. I find it soooo comfortable. Lately, I've been wearing mine with TruLife Tri-Leisure Lightly Weighted breast forms, Style 611. The foam is softer than some others and the slight weight feels just right. It has a removable cover, too, which can be washed easily, if necessary.
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Barbara, Thank you for the suggestion, and they are so reasonably priced (The tru-life Tri leisure). I really do love the Still You cami, I wear it a size too large, so the band easily rotates, and I am dealing very well with it. What a long hard struggle this has been!
I do have a "list of possibilities" for my prescription paid for silicons which include
Silique (silicon in front, microbeads in back)
Amonea Natural Light 390 or 392
ABC Flowable back
Ultralights 1041
ABC ultralight triangle breast.
Any feedback on these?
I also think I need to go up a size, because the smaller footprint for the size 4 is catching a ridge I have from the mastectomies...so maybe a 5. I was a 7.
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Oh, I forgot to add I selected these from all of your posts, as well as Breast Free.org so thanks :-)
I will let you know how this goes...and if my store carries any of them.
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Crystalphm: I have a couple of your choices, like and wear all of them.
Actually the Ultralights 1041 and ABC Ultralights are the same thing - American Breast Care (ABC) Ultra Light style #1041 which is a triangle. The ABC Lightweight 1042 is commonly stocked by my local fitters. The 1041 is a special order item which I have found to be the case most places. I have both of these forms. Speaking of the possible sizes, I have the 1042 in size 5 and the 1041 in size 7. The two styles would have the same footprint in the same size but the squishiness is a tad less in the Ultra Light.
I also have the Amoena Natura 392 (asymmetrical triangle) in size 6. I have tried on the Amoena 390 (symmetrical triangle) and compared the footprint of this form to the above ABC forms in the same size and can tell you the Amoena Natura 390 will be maybe ¼" shorter top to bottom than the ABC form but will have a significantly wider base, perhaps something close to ¾" overall. In squishiness, the ABC 1042 is the most, then the Amoena Natura 390/392, and the ABC 1041 being the least squishy of the 3. ABC forms have a shiny surface and the Amoenas are more of a matte finish. There is a roughly ½" band around the outside of the Natura form that frames the flowable back. The PurFit we discussed has the similar frame. The ABC's are totally smooth edge to edge.
For what it is worth, fitters pretty universally tried to steer me away from the 1041 Ultra Lights as they said they might ride up and as I mentioned they are strictly a special order item. Personally, I have had no problem whatsoever with ride up and would not let that deter you. I prefer the squishiness of the Lightweight 1042 over the Ulta Light 1041 and so the tipping point for me is weight meaning I would choose the 1042 in the smaller sizes and the 1041 in the larger sizes where weight is more of an issue.
Barbara
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When did your surgeon give you a prescription? Had a follow up to surgery yesterday (MX on the 21st) and I won't be seeing him again for 3-4 months. Will I not be ready until then? I think I'm going to want the Ultra Light type form too.
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Crystal,
Of all the forms you listed, the Silique is the lightest. The microbead/silicone/microfiber combination enables it to weigh a lot less than even the lightest all-silicone form. (For me, though, it's still not light enough to wear with the Still You camisole; it weighs it down a bit too much.)
There are other considerations, though. The Silique, because it's not all silicone, has to air dry after washing. And it doesn't totally prevent perspiration behind the form, though an advantage is that you can wear it in a regular bra (I've never had one fall out on me). I like to wear it in a Bali Crop Top bra. The Silique generally costs a lot less than the silicone forms, so in that sense you'll get more for your insurance allowance if you choose one of the silicone forms. But obviously, if you'll wear the Silique and the all-silicone would sit in the closet, then buying the Silique is a better use of your insurance dollars.
I agree with Starak about the ABC ultralight not riding up--it didn't on me when I tried it on. I hope you'll have a chance to try on a number of forms on the list, plus others as well. We're all so different, so even though advice from others who wear breast forms can help, there's nothing like feeling the form on your own body. Most online sites allow returns if you try something and don't like it, though you'd probably have to pay return shipping costs.
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OK, I made my first "mastectomy dress." I needed a dress that would work for going to a semi-dressy dinner, but could also be used as a summer dress. I wanted it to have a built-in foob holder, so I wouldn't have to wear a bra (because of lymphedema issues).
So, I made the armholes as small as practical and the bodice snug. The neckline is high, but wide since there are no bra straps to cover (thought I might as well take advantage of that). The bodice is fully lined, and tacked onto the lining is the front part of a genie bra with the shields. I pop the foobs into that and I am good to go.
Close-up of armhole configuration:
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Momine - Great job and you will be the star of the evening at the semi-dressy dinner.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Barbara
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I bought the Ahh bra with pockets on Ebay. I can see that like the Genie it will have to be tacked in the middle to prevent the forms from migrating to the center. After I have a chance to really compare the two brands more, I will give an update.
Barbara made a good point earlier in that I hope you all have a chance to try on as many things as possible. Don't be afraid to ask about things you have seen or heard about. I find, if they have it, even in the wrong size, by putting it on my body, I can often either cross it off the list or leave it on my list for further consideration.
As many of you know, I am not big on camisoles though I do have the Amoena Valetta. Based on my sole cami, I really question the weight of the silicone as I noticed it pulled some. I think I can maybe pull it off with my lightweight size 4's but larger than that, I think I would be going to weighted foam.
Actually, I may be alone but I feel the same way about the Genie bras. Might go to a size 5 lightweight silicone form but for me that is the absolute max due to the weight. Others may have a different take.
Barbara
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The dress is amazing!! And you made it yourself? I am so impressed.
This is exactly what I think about for a plan for myself, something that has small foobs built in already. So there would be no bra, no constriction.
What a wonderful idea, you are so talented! And you are right, the dress will be dressed up for an event, or dressed down for a summer night.
I remember a woman from europe (?) was on the boards here asking ideas for what everyone thought the perfect clothing would be, then she disappeared.
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Thanks both of you. I like sewing and it gets a bit addictive, because made to measure is so comfortable. It is also more practical in other ways. For example, the fabric I used is silk, but I washed it in the washing machine before sewing it. That way the dress is washable and won't shrink.
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Great job on the dress. You look wonderful!!
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Momine, that's beautiful, and it looks amazing on you. Wonderful idea with the silk. Wish I had some sewing skills like when I was younger. Now when I sit down to a sewing machine it's all frustration. Pretty sure that's from not taking care of the machine.
I have some pockets I got from TLC that I can sew into my favorite comfy bras. Anyone done that?
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