All things bras & prosthesis
Comments
-
I put pockets made of swimsuit fabric in all my wireless bras. Not hard to do at all. The website mastectomysolutions.com has instructions.
Momine, Love the dress. I sew, but have never figured out how to alter things for myself. I keep after DH to help me with a duct tape form, but it hasn't happened yet. Unfortunately, as a UMX I'm stuck with a bra.
0 -
Thanks! I hear you on the sewing machine problems. Mine is busted too, so I ended up sewing this one by hand. It doesn't take as long as you might think.
0 -
Ladies - I am 4 months out of BMX - sometimes the area of my chest and under my arms from the sentinel node biopsy hurts like heck. Do any of you have a hard time wearing anything but a teeshirt....ugg!!!!!
0 -
Barbiecorn, I think I'm going to have the same problem. I have a "ditch" where my inscision extended to my underarm, with swelling on either side. Anything I put on that doesn't have sleeves (like a camisole), slides right into the ditch. I'm only two weeks out, still healing, but I don't see how this ditch is going away.
I am one sided, so it's jackets if I want to go anywhere. It's pretty obvious I'm braless and hanging on one side, concave on the other. This is going to be a challenge.
0 -
Momine, Now I'm really impressed. If I sewed a dress by hand, I'd be afraid it would fall apart in the middle of the festive event.0
-
Momine, I am very impressed! I love to sew by hand and need to get busy to try something, well, not as grand as your dress, but maybe a shirt.
Barbiecorn if you go back to the beginning of this thread you will see I have had the same problem. I am 2 years out on the left, 6 months on the right, and I can not stand the pain a bra causes. Certainly tell your doctor and please let me know what he/she says. I now tolerate the Pinxwear cami (it has surgical drain pouches but you don't see them). it has no band like a bra or most cami's have, and two pockets for foobs. This past week I also got a Still You cami, and I had to get this a size larger than I am (the lady who answered the phone was VERY helpful) and I can wear this cami with memory foam foobs. So for about 2 years, all I could wear against my skin was a silk cami (no foobs). it took me a long time. And to be honest, most days I still only wear a t-shirt.
My armpit swells when I wear a bra...another reason for selecting a cami with no bra band. The downside is these cami's can't take much more than the memory foam foobs, (no silicon) but I am content with them.
DianaNM Just be patient, 2 weeks is too soon to know what it will change into becoming. My ditch ended up moving higher, but it really didn't help because now the bra band goes right where the lymph nodes were removed and that place still hurts. but be patient, scars change for quite a while for some people! Right now you need to be royally pampering yourself. !
0 -
Crystal = I will let you know when I go back to my dr. in July what she says...but she did say at least a year but I think this is going to bother me for a long time. When I have to wear the prosthetics, it is awful and the longer I wear them, the worse it gets and yet underneath my arms, it actually hurts. Wow...I can just imagine what it must feel like to be reconstructed...that must really be painful...ugg...
0 -
My fitter sent me a swim prosthetic for both breasts. They are hollow....why???? I am confused. Do I put something in them??? I guess I may have to call her unless you gals have an answer for me...lol...
0 -
My goodness Momine, what a lovely, beautiful dress!!! I love the fabric and how it looks on you. Very innovative too!! You have so much talent.
0 -
sorry, gals, i've not been here in a long while..
you can buy the older type ahh bras in walgreens, now, but you have to order the ones with pockets at hsn.. they're about 20 each, i think 49.95 for 3 with "sheilds" for "privacy " which means, its a pocket you can put your foobs in.
i find them comfortable, i order them in a 1x for le.. but for everyday, i wear camis, too.....the genie bra sides are too scanty for me, as i have le right where the dog ears were...3jays
0 -
Wren, that is funny!
Crystal, give it a go, it is very satisfying to produce something tangible.
Thanks for all the compliments, you guys are making me blush.
0 -
Love the dress too! It is absolutely beautiful. It is a true gift to be able to sew, and to enjoy it...
I haven't posted in awhile but I had my 2nd TE removed after 18 months of problems in January. I saw the fitter in February and had to special order forms, I ordered the 1041 ultralites. Can you believe I finally just got them 2 weeks ago. Thats a long story. Unfortunately, I have been wearing either the fluff filled forms, or basically nothing, so I am having trouble transitioning to size 7 even in the ultra lites. I came up with my own "rig" which I've been wearing which is a bandeau style bra by Barely there (style x741) that has molded cups and straps (you can wear with or without straps). It does NOT have pockets but it is so fitted you could place a small form in it. I have just been using hte little molded cups from the genie bra and some fluff and it has been a nice light small size breast and very comfortable. The things we do!!!The bra comes in lots of colors. I find it way more comfortable than the genie bra. I have not tried the Ahhh. I am disappointed in my silicone forms but I think it will take some getting used to. i wish I had gone smaller. My next plan is to by some smaller foam forms. I had ordered some form TLC a month or so ago but they were way too big so I sent them back. ANyways, I ordered 4 different styles of bras after trying on many many and I will report back after I've had a chance to try them all out for awhile. Trying them on at a fitter is one thing, wearing them for a day is another.
Thanks for all the great info in this thread.
0 -
Finally got my pocketed bras today from Nordstrom's, so I'm wearing my new Amoena Energy Light foobs! They do feel heavy in the bra before I put it on, but once I did and fastened it, they feel normal. They probably are smaller than the real ones were (I was a DD cup size and these are 6s, fit in a C), so I don't think they are really heavier than I used to be. I like how they look in the T-shirt bra under the ribbed tank I'm wearing today. I was worried that I'd be confused about how to get them into the bra, but with these pockets it's a no brainer (I do need that lately). These are not the triangular ones but the more "boomerang" shape. They do fit around the side a little but it isn't uncomfortable.
So yay, I've been afraid after being charged all that money that I wouldn't really like them much. I still like rocking the flat....
Momine, thanks for sharing the pics of your dress! I am not adept with a needle but admire that talent!
0 -
Indigo...I got my pocketed bras yesterday and wore one for the first time today. Much better than the mastectomy bras from Amoena. I think the forms looked great under a t-shirt. I was so sad a few months ago thinking that I would have to throw out a lot of my clothes that wouldn't look right anymore. It's sooooo good to know I can still wear my t-shirts. I am glad you're enjoying yours as much as I am!
0 -
here's to feeling comfortable in our clothes, if not n our own skin!hahaha 3jays0
-
It seems I'll never wear the very expensive Amoena Essential Light 2S Size 3 Tria Aire 442 silicon forms I bought a few years ago. I haven't worn them, but they are probably four years old. I don't know what the shelf life for silicon is, but they seem to be in perfect condition as far as I can tell. Does anyone want them? They are in their original boxes and according to the boxes are appropriate for someone who wears a 32 A or B. (I'm a 38 A and they were perhaps on the small side for my chest wall, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone who was 34 or so would find them suitable.) Particularly interesting in giving them to someone who has no insurance or would find it hard to pay for them. PM me if you are in that category.
0 -
I bought a Coobie cami and it arrived in the mail today. It's almost exactly the same as the two camis I bought at Costco, 2 for $20. The Coobie has some gathering at the center bust, that's the only difference I can see.
Of course, I am not able to wear the camis because of the large flap under my arm. Have to decide if I will return the Costco camis or keep them with hope for
the future. They do not give my remaining breast much support, though.
I missed something, what are the Nordstrom pocketed bras?
0 -
Hi - Nordstrom's will sew pockets for forms into a regular bra, as well as providing bras made for mastectomy patients. I hated those mastectomy bras, didn't buy either of them, and ended up purchasing two "regular" bras that they pocketed for me. I'm sure there are other specialty shops out there that provide the same service, or people who are handy with sewing (as I'm not) do it themselves. I bought a T-shirt bra (very similar to the Body by Victoria bras that I wore prior to my BMX - only a lot more expensive - we're talking Nordstrom's), and another almost-demi style bra with wide set straps for me to wear with dresses and tops with wider necklines so the straps don't show. I am really pleased - the forms looked too big to me to fit in the pockets, but they absolutely fit fine!!
I didn't have the same challenge probably that ladies after UMX might have in trying to match a remaining breast - but I'm sure they can help you out with that. I hope so anyway. All the best to you.
0 -
Update on the Ahh bras with pockets. I tried my ABC lightweight 1042 size 5's and there was simply too much open space in the pocket which caused wayyyy too much sagging - far more than in my Genie bras. A friend with a UMX and recon (no nipple recon) tried on the Ahh, LOVED it and LOVED the inserts. I had purchased them at a really good price on Ebay and sold them to her for what I paid for them. A win win for both of us. I probably could have made them work but it would have taken far more tacking than I wanted to mess with when the Genies work with just a couple of tack stitches in the center.
I was in Target yesterday and noticed they had a whole bunch of Champion active wear bras and cami tops that have the pockets and modesty inserts. I am just not fond of most active wear because of the snug fit even when going up in size. But for those of you that do like that type of clothing, the built-in pockets might be a real plus though I think size 5 forms are about as big as you can manage to squeeze through the pocket opening.
Barbara
0 -
My "affected" arm bothered me yesterday, more so than in awhile. It felt more numb and heavy. It occurred to me that it could be because I was wearing the new prosthetics and bra all day the day before. I didn't wear them at all yesterday, did my massage and exercises, and today my arm does feel better. However, when I re-read the American Cancer Society's lymphedema info, I saw that it says to avoid weighted prosthetics if you are at risk for LE. (Naturally, Nordstrom's doesn't have any "unweighted" ones).
I'm hoping that if I limit wear and loosen my bra a notch, that I'll do all right.
0 -
IndigoMont11, This is one of my biggest concerns. Certainly limit your time wearing the silicon and loosen up a bit until you can see if this is a one time thing or a pattern.
I have had the same thing happen with the fitters, they strap these things on so tight (the bras and silicone) that I start to feel tight in my one arm.
Keep doing the massage and exercises...you are pretty new to all of this, so it could just be a "bad day"....but you are well informed about LE so I know you will be watching out for yourself. it doesn't make sense when you think about it, that I have to work on lymph drainage every day, only to strap something on tight.
0 -
Thank you, Crystal! You could be right that yesterday was a bad day; it was the beginning of my chemo "steroid crash" too. I actually also still have some fluid and swelling (on the non-cancer side) from the surgery, and, although it seems to me the surgery was a long time ago, I was assured on Thurs. that it will go away in time. I have done pretty well with my arm over the last month or six weeks, and I'll try to be patient. Easier said than done.
Both my new bras have underwires too, btw - not uncomfortable at all until I'd had then on for several hours, and I expected that since the last time I wore a bra all day was 3/20. At least the fitter didn't measure me too tight,.and as I said, I will wear them in the loosest clasp. I'd worn underwires forever, but I don't think they had anything to do with the cancer (it was nowhere in the vicinity of the underwires). LE may be another story. I'm not keen on bra shopping again real soon, so if I want comfort for now, I will be flat!0 -
I can't wear the prosthetics everyday even though they are light weighted. My chest area (BMX) starts to hurt and under my arm area and down my arms all start to hurt. So I alternate between my camisole with foobs and my prosthetic. When at home, I go flat. That feels the best!!!
0 -
Indigo, interesting about avoiding weighted forms. I quickly discovered that my arm and trunk felt way better if I stuck to fiber or other light forms and if I skipped the bra (I put pockets in a couple of tight tanks).
However, I also found that I had all kinds of problems while still under treatment. Especially the taxotere threw me for a loop. I did not have the allergy problems, but after treatment I had about 2 months of nasty inflammation in my muscles. This caused the LE arm to swell as well. Now it is much better, 6 months after last chemo.
So, figure that it will take a while and be kind to your body until all the treatment is finished and for some time beyond.
0 -
Thanks, Momine, good to know.
0 -
Has anyone gotten one of the prosthesis that are molded to fit your body? It is too early for me to be fitted, but I was told that the place I have been referred to can do this.
0 -
DianaNM I've never heard of this, when you know more, please share.
0 -
yes, please, let us have the info as you find it. i've just started wearing my silicone foobs, and i like them.. feel good, but its 3 yrs now!!ive been wearing foam, but it is really hot now , here, and the silicone ones strangely feel cooler..
they fitted me when i had the bmx, and now i realize, they're way too small.. so, my ins will pay for 2 sets, this yr for sure.. im going shopping soon...3jays
0 -
Diana, you may be referring to Radiant Impressions or another company that takes a mold of your chest and fabricates forms exactly to your body's contours. While this can be helpful for women with many bumps and ridges on their surgical site, for most of us it's not necessary, especially since just recently TruLife, which bought the Radiant Impressions company, introduced a non-custom form called TruLife Impressions. It uses the same silicone technology as the custom forms, which results in an ultralight silicone form (the lightest all-silicone form I've ever found). You can wear it directly against your skin if you wish. I tried it and it seemed less irritating than other silicone forms against my skin, probably because virtually all other silicone forms have a clear polyurethane coating to keep the whipped silicone in place. These don't have that, hence the silicone is directly against your skin. They can also be worn in a pocketed bra, but I noticed (and the fitter mentioned) that the Impressions forms don't slide easily into the pocket due to the mat silicone exterior.
Custom molded forms are extremely expensive (thousands of dollars) and while insurance may pay and they may be helpful to a few women, most of us will do fine with non-custom forms.
Barbara
0 -
Barbara, that sounds like a good option, I will ask about it. My appointment had to be cancelled for today since my infection is worse. Going back to see the surgeon instead.
0
