All things bras & prosthesis
Comments
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Couple more things to fine tune my answer regarding the Genies. With silicone, it needs to be lightweight, ultra-light even better. Standard would be too heavy. 5's are probably pushing the envelope and you would definitely need to release the seam to widen the opening. I have a pretty low impact life even though I walk very fast. I really like the Genies and mostly wear my ABC 1042 size 4 in them. In foam, I mostly wear the ABC First Form in size 5, though I also have an unweighted pair size 3 Asymmetricals from TLC Direct. The sizing on the TLC Direct foam runs large so that the size 3's are really more like 4's. At the office where it is mostly back and forth to the car, copier, restroom, etc., or typical grocery or mall shopping on the weekend, I love them. The weight of the silicone tends to slide a bit against the chest if you are trying to do something more athletic so would not recommend this type of bra with silicone if you are doing something really active like tennis or running.
Another thing I do like about this bra is it really hugs the chest so I never feel I have to worry about leaning over. They do come up a little higher on the chest which makes them just look like a cami under some of my v-necks. Also like many of you I am wearing forms smaller than are technically proportional. Smaller cup sizes in standard bras are often set closer together than is proportional to a wider chest. With the Genies, you can place the center tack stitches closer or wider apart as necessary to help the forms stay in the correct position for your particular body.
Reminder, these bras have no strap adjustment which is yet another reason for going up in size, particularly with foam and other lightweights to again resist ride up.
I am 5'6" and my avatar is pretty accurate. I wear an XL/1X in these things. If I only wore the foam and equivalent, I might possibly have even gone up to a 2X. My point is this is not something to blindly order online. The good news being you should be able to get your hands on some locally to be sure you have the sizing issues decided. In my area they are $19.99 for a pair (1 nude, 1 black). I found the largest inventory and selection of sizes at Bed, Bath & Beyond.
Barbara
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Ok, a snag. I got my ABC 1042's and I really like them!! Size 5. The fitter said i was a 7 but I chose 5.
Ok, the snag is the bras. How terrible they are all fitting. She felt I needed a 38 A and I could hardly breathe in it. I came home with a 40 A and the form doesn't completely fill out the cup, so she is ordering me a 40 AA for these 5's and she said AA comes in only a very few kinds.
So now for the first time I an considering it was never the silicon forms that were the problem, it is the bras!
I have already put a bra extender on the bra mentioned above to try to get the tightness off my underarm "puffiness" and it feels better. I have a Barely There by Olga on at the moment with pretty good comfort, but (yikes) I feel a bit like I am going to lose them when I bend over. It has no pockets, they just ride against my skin, which for some unknown reason does not bother me. I get that brain feedback that "yes I have breasts" against my skin. TMI???
If I take a 40 and it is snug, I would like it bigger, what size would I take in Genie? I know everyone says to order bigger, but how much bigger?
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Crystalphm: Do you not have a Walmart, Target or Bed, Bath & Beyond near you? The Genies are typically carried in the "As Seen On TV" section of the store. They will almost certainly NOT be in lingerie or the bra section. I would REALLY try to find them locally. Judging by my area, the advantage to Walmart is they have dressing rooms to try them on, but Bed, Bath & Beyond has the largest inventory, particularly in the larger sizes. I wear 36B (almost inbetween 36 & 38) and I wear the XL/1X if that helps.
In any case, because they run so very small, I am guessing at least the 2X though very or even most likely the 3X judging by how sensitive you still are. It will be easier to pull them up over your hips than to struggle with pulling them over your head.
If you would like to talk to me on the phone, PM me and let me know. It would need to be after 7 pm central today or over the weekend.
Barbara
They are also often carried at Walgreens or CVS. Sometimes with the As Seen On TV but not always.
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Thank you Barbara, I am going to find a 2x and a 3x tomorrow just to try them on and see. I'll report back.
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Hi All,
Found a Playtex pocketed bra over the weekend. It is an 18 Hour style no. 4088 lace bra, opening is from the top, great support, no wire, hugs the chest for the security, seemed quite comfortable, and even comes in red or soft pink besides the usual colors. I tried it with my ABC 1042 5's in the 36B. I think it was $31 or something close to that at Kohl's.
I didn't buy it as I really don't need more bras but filed this away as an instant solution if I suddenly needed a bra for a prosthesis that I could just put on and go and could buy at most any major retailer, like on vacation and they lost your luggage. The link below shows it on sale. If you have any interest in this bra, it would be worth checking the other majors like Walmart, Target, etc. as I expect you can get it at a price closer to Kohls sale price. It seemed to me that it might be worth a try on for those with a UMX.
Barbara
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Thanks Barbara, this bra sounds and looks good (and certainly way more cost effective than "proper" mastectomy bras). Since I'm a 36a (was sometimes a 36b) I never thought to stray into the fuller figure section, but I see this bra comes in a 36b so I'm going to check it out. Your suggestions, honest reviews and sane advice are always so very welcome, thank you thank you. Jo
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I just checked out the Playtex bra at a local Hanes/L'eggs/Playtex outlet store. The 4088 was too big for me (smallest size it comes in is 36B, and I am really a 36A), but helpful saleslady pointed me towards the Playtex 18 Hour #4608 style, which she said ran a bit smaller. And it did. Has the same useful pocket as the 4088, same sort of style (wirefree etc.) but has a more solid front rather than the lace front. This range (4088 and 4608) has a "breathable comfort lining" according to the packets, which might be a plus. The pocket opening is quite big, so I may stitch it up a bit, to make sure my foob doesn't pop out. Just for information I tried this with my TLCDirect weighted foam asymmetrical form, size 3, fit well, and I think there would be room for bigger form sizes too. Think the bra comes in white, black, cream, and toffee - maybe other colours too. Thanks for suggesting the other one Barbara, and landing me in the right part of the bra department.
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Barbara, Please don't say airline lost my bras out loud. OMG what a nightmare that would be.
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Thanks for the playtex link, Barbara. It looks really pretty, I love the colours and the big range of sizes!! I live in Canada but will be going to Bangor where there is a Kohl's so I will take a look for it!!
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I have my silicon breasts, size 5, the amoena 1492 I believe, and I like them! Yesterday for a while I wore them in my Still You cami (or is it still me??) and that worked out fine. I felt I was just at the edge of the weight that cami could handle. I'll tell you, it was a nice feeling, to not have that band around my body and to still have boobs!
While I mostly choose to be flat, I like memoryfoam foobs, but these silicons gave me great feedback, like I felt I had breasts again. Now I have to learn to keep my own hands off them :-)m (Does anyone else do that? Want to adjust/touch them when they are new?)
And as an added plus, they were cold from overnight and they kept me cool for about 2 hours. I did not keep them on long enough to get hot.
Is anyone else wearing the silicon in something other than a bra?
And did anyone try the new bra TLC offers that has the cups already filled?
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Crystalphm, I would love to wear my silicone forms in my Still You camis, but they seem too heavy for it (and I only wear size 3 forms). Great that you're able to get enough support but not feel constricted. How do you do it (maybe I need to tighten the straps a lot!)?
Yesterday, I wore my size 3 Amoena Climate forms all day in my Zee Bra (a bra made for small-breasted women that has pockets so I can insert my forms). They looked and felt great and, like you, I felt as if they were really breasts (weird, huh?)! I also know what you mean about touching them. I find myself doing that sometimes, too, but only (I hope) when I'm alone. Since I so often wear the less-lifelike foam forms, it felt like a treat to be wearing the silicone forms comfortably.
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I occasionally feel like my breast needs adjusting in my bra (more common in old age lol). To my surprise, I don't have one there. It's eerie how real the silicone can feel.
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OK I confess I touch the silicone. It's kind of like an experiment in touch but wherever I touch the form it feels as if I am touching a real, born with it breast, in that exact 3D position that I am touching. My logical mind says the feeling should simply be as if I was touching my flat chest, but it is not, it is as if I have nerves in the silicone that have somehow connected with my body and I can feel the outside of the silicone. It is simply a touch/pressure sensation without heat, cold or other sensation. Still it's comforting to me and "feels" as if I have intact breasts besides the fact that from the outside the silicone has a more natural feel and movement, the huggability factor. All comes together to make me choose my silicone more often than the foam or going flat.
Eight months of wearing forms more often than not, my chest is far less hypersensitive and fires off far less often than before. I do not want to necessarily draw conclusions that it was wearing forms that made all the difference as there are a number of other factors including simply time, though I see far more progress in the last 8 months than before.
My office has us all on a healthy eating and exercise program. I power walk which includes pumping my arms for a mile before work and virtually always go flat with the softest cotton I can get my hands on. Power walk another mile or two at lunch and with the arms pumping and other upper body exercise I get, perhaps that is another factor in the improvement. Certainly not a cure. There are still the occasional days I have to run to the ladies room and rip them off. But then when they come off at the end of the day, I feel the tightness start becoming noticeable which usually isn't there when wearing the forms.
In terms of wearing silicone with the lesser supportive options such as my Genies or Amoena Valetta cami, I almost always stick to my 4's which are the smallest I own.
I still do go flat almost always for my morning walks. Now when going flat I try stick with the softest gentlest fabric imaginable. The forms and bra offer the cushioning and barrier to feel comfortable with fabrics or construction that I would not want to wear against my bare chest.
Barbara
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ok after wearing my size 5 silicons with the Still You cami, I admit the fit is not so secure. Bending over is out of the question unless I had an outer shirt on. But as some of you might remember, I could tolerate *nothing* on my left side for over 2 years, so I have made such progress but feeling "ok" with this new combo.
I tried the silicon with the bra the fitter sold me and I did get a band size larger than she wanted, I couldn't stand the 38, but even still, the cami is more comfortable. Something about that ultra soft fabric I think.
I suppose by wearing size 5's in the Still you cami I will take it to the limits and need to replace it more often, we will see.
Now after wearing silicon, I am not getting that "real" feedback. Maybe because they fall away from me when I bend over.
I am doing my best.
I did order the ruffle shirt from TLC in black to go with 2 new skirts I have for vacation.
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Ok, the Still You cami's didn't work after a few times and I seem to be starting over. I can't stand the tightness of the band. And I don't think I get any real feedback because they hurt.
Does the Ahh bra or the genie bra work with silicon? Which one better? They seem the same to me. And I have spent too much money to be reaching out there trying things.
I also don't like asking this question, but does anyone else have total feeling in the removed breast area? I can even feel a very slight tickle and I am wondering if numb would be better? (but I don't have a choice of course, I am just trying to learn why these size 5 silicons are so hard for me to wear)
I am going to the beach in 2 weeks, spending time with friends there, and maybe I am just "poor me" thinking how awful the beach could be flat.
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Crystal, I'm numb along the scar, but feeling everywhere else. I made some nylon net foobs for my swimsuit. It already had a bra area, so I made a pocket, slipped in the nylon, and sewed the pocket shut. If I keep losing weight, I'm going to have to take it out and make it smaller.
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Crystalphm, One thing that has worked for me is always buying undergarments in a size that the fitter says is way too big. I'm a medium (about a 38B), but I always buy large or extra large. That way the band doesn't bind. I find Luisa Luisa tank tops especially comfortable because the band only goes across the front. Just a thought, Megan
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Like Wren44, there is some numbness on the scar itself but I have feeling elsewhere.
To answer your question, I find the Genie is the better bra for forms, particularly with the weight of your 5's. You will definitely have to carefully open the side seam to make the opening wide enough to accomodate the forms. Also with silicone with either bra, you will need to put a couple of tack stitches in the middle to prevent the forms from migrating to the other side.
Barbara
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You ladies sure are here for me during the tough times and I thank you. I have ideas now, the Luisa, genie, bigger sizes, (I went from a 38 to a 40 but now I can see maybe a 42 would even be better).
I noted tonight that the most sore place is right where the drain that had to stay in for 4 weeks was located. but I am 2 years out on that side.
And I got the fabric and netting so I am ready to alter my bathing suit.
Starak, How many sizes did you go up on the genie? I am a L so maybe an xxl?
Thank you so much ladies. I so much appreciate the help. Who would have thought this could be so complicated?
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Crystal, I bought a 2X in the Genie, and found it still was uncomfortable. My experience with the Genies was that the bigger sizes were all roughly the same size, so it didn't matter how much you went up over your regular size. Also, the band rolls. On the other hand, I've got a Coobie one-size bra that is O.K. and an XL Boxer Joe sports bra that is pretty good too.
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I mostly wear size 12 or a Large in tops. Genie calls the next size XL/1X and that is the size that I have.
Barbara
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I usually wear a size 8 small, sometimes medium in tops. I wear an XL/1X in the Genie Bra. I don't have trouble with the band rolling but I'm fairly thin.
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I'd like to say a good word for the Playtex Full Support Simply Sized Bra. It's similar to the Genies but just a little sturdier and more supportive I think. I found them at Shopko but lots of places have them.
I'm waiting for my Bolero Breathable Short Compression Vest/Bra With Short Sleeves. Hoping it will help with the Trunk LE.
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Cindy, I hunted one of those bolero bras down. Been trying to figure out what I will wear for an airline flight the end of October. I hope it will help with the swelling over my axilla area, none of the bras took care of that.
And since we are going to be at WDW, and comfort is important! I ordered one of the new bras TLC has. It's called "Cool comfort Especially for you bra", with microbeads on the one side. I'm wearing it right now, so far so good. It seems like I can wear it and not have it get stuck in the ditch created between my scar and swelling.
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This Cool Comfort by TLC has my attention too, but I did not order one yet. (out of money).
I did wear my silicon 5's today in a bra and found them to be pretty miserable. And when I bent over with a snug tank and regular low cut blouse on, the boobs went downward and left a big open -for-viewing place.
I am thinking the memory foam in a TLC cami or a Still You cami still works best for me. But I wonder if i buy 5's (I have 4's) if they too will become uncomfortable?
I am going to look at the Playtex bra suggested above. Thanks.
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I am coming to the conclusion that comfort is a thing of the past, and just looking for the lesser of the evils. My favorite bra BBC was a Soma with soft molded cups, all cotton. Can't wear it now because the straps cut into the swelling above my scar.
I may be sending that bolero bra back. If it's meant for implant surgery, it probably won't work for me with my A/B cup size on the left.
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Crystal, I think it is a matter of trial and error to find what works best for each of us. Money definitely becomes an issue on that journey...I started with stuff and fluff forms, then after my fitting graduated to size 7 silicone with several different bra styles. I find the silicone too heavy and warm (I live in Florida). Recently I purchased some size 4 foam forms and I like them better actually. Not as soft of course, but I bought some sports bras at Marshalls, they are Marika brand The Balance Collection. Unfortunately they only had them in bright colors - they have small openings with removeable pads so I took those out and put the foam forms in them and they are very comfortable and true to size. when my insurance is ready to spring for another set of forms I'll try the silicone in a much smaller size. I like being small!!!!
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Thank you for the comforting thoughts. Yes, we all have to find what is most comfortable. I did downsize from 7's to 5's in the silicon, but it is still way too much. *everything* hurts after i wear them, the incision, the area at the edge of where my breasts were, my shoulders...and I had a bra 1 size too big and then added a 2 inch extender. It just doesn't work for more than an hour or two. And maybe that is the answer, to slowly increase time, but I don't think I want to "tough it out" with my scar area. I want to be gentle to it.
I do like the TLC microbeads, I wish that one man would not have said "it is freaky to hug you". That happened about a year ago and I don't know why I put so much importance on what someone said? Well, I appreciate all the support I get here! And I know I really do have to forget that 1 person, he was rude, he knew better.
I am glad the weather is turning cooler...yeah for sweaters and scarves.
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I agree, we just need to do what is best for our bodies. It took me awhile to come to that. I am just back to work for a month and have found I need to think about what I am wearing and how comfortable I want to be. I have a size 13 silicone foob to match my remaining breast. Some clothes I have are better with that one but lots of clothes are okay with my microbead foob. So I try to alternate because if I wear the silicone on longer days or too many days in a row then I have a build up of aches and pains everywhere, even running down the muscle in my upper arm.
This is a constant juggling act for me. The saleswoman for my Ameona prosthesis said I should be wearing it every day but I checked with a physiotherapist and my surgeon and they said if I didn't have back pain and was comfortable with the microbead foob then to go for it.
I have become the queen of camisoles and I love the snap your bra lacy toppers that I bought at Walmart in a three pack.
I can't wait for reconstruction and reduction in the spring!
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Went for a fitting today. TruLife is the bra brand that for me seemed to fit better. The forms are Classique. Initially we started with an 8 on the left and a 9 on the right. After having been without any girls since Feb, they felt so huge. Zeroed in on a 5 on the left and 6 on the right. Bra will be 42A. Several bras have been ordered in the size and colors for me.
They didn't feel too small. If they are, then eventually some day will increase them. Those first ones though, were just too overwhelming to me.
When they arrive I'll see which work best for me overall.
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