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All things bras & prosthesis

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Comments

  • wren44
    wren44 Member Posts: 7,931
    edited March 2013

    Have you seen the snakes and lizards the Vietnamese sell? You might ask them what is inside. I always thought it was sand, but I could be wrong. And if it is sand, that might work.

    I actually bought a pair from Mastectomy Solutions, but they were way too big. I used the filling for the too big ones to fill the smaller ones I made.

  • stepmic
    stepmic Member Posts: 67
    edited March 2013

    Yes, Mary is amazing. I live in Canada also. You probably will. Be soooo happy, no need to return a thing!

  • MRSROCKYTOP55
    MRSROCKYTOP55 Member Posts: 61
    edited March 2013

    Thank you, but I did this a couple of years back and was told that I could not "solicit", but could PM or reply to others.  I will try to keep a closer watch for items.  If you hear of anyone, feel free to give them my info.  God Bless

  • politicomama
    politicomama Member Posts: 52
    edited April 2013

    I have a really silly question...  I have Trulife impressions forms.  I really like them, light, don't bother me when on.  They are my first set.  However, my natural breasts were closer together.  Is it a bra thing.  I have two Classique bras, but I guess feel like the foobs are pointing off into different directions.  Is it that way with all of them?  I have been thinking about trying a regular full coverage bra v.  a mastectomy bra. 

  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 277
    edited April 2013

    Mine do the same thing, I am always conscious of adjusting the foobs, which want to point or travel to the outside towards my arms. yes, I do think the right bra would do the right job, a bra like you wore before surgery. I hope others have good advice.

  • wren44
    wren44 Member Posts: 7,931
    edited April 2013

    You can add pockets to any bra. If you get them at Nordstroms, they will add a pocket for free. If you want to do it yourself, go to www.mastectomysolutions.com and follow the directions there. I made a microbead foob from their instructions.

  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 277
    edited April 2013

    Just bumping this up for those who want to talk about bras....

  • wren44
    wren44 Member Posts: 7,931
    edited April 2013

    Thank you Crystal. I'm mad at Medicare because they will pay for bras but not for a camisole. I have a sore muscle in my back and my bra goes right across it. I don't think the bra is causing it, but it sure makes it worse. I wanted to try a camisole to see if spreading the support out helped. They cost the same, so where's the diff?

  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 277
    edited April 2013

    Wren, I have not put my cami's through health insurance (yet) but TLC (the American cancer seller) sent me information with numbers so it could be put through. Also the Handful website says they do count as Bras.

    I am not on medicare but maybe someone who is, will answer. I can't wear bras either, for a few hours, then I begin to swell around the band.

  • nagem
    nagem Member Posts: 46
    edited April 2013

    I explained to my breast surgeon my preference for mastectomy camisoles, and she wrote a prescription specifically for them. I haven't had any trouble getting them covered by BCBS.

  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 277
    edited April 2013

    Has anyone here tried the been a boob from Canada? This was my first one to buy and I have come full circle back to it. It gives the look of wearing a sports bra, but the footprint is large so it doesn't irritate my muscular edges left from the surgeries.

    My biggest problem with foobs is the size I want to wear, small, lands right into my concave places so it makes my pecs flex against it all day long. Like in irritation. The been a boob doesn't have that effect because it is a large bean bag and it overlaps on top of my edges of the surgery so I am not always flexing my pecs because of irritation.

    I can't wear a bra with them, but I wear a cami, a still you, and it holds the 4L size but I don't think the cami would hold a bigger size. I wear the Still you 2 sizes bigger, because I cannot take tight against me, my nerves are still super over sensitive in the whole area 3 and 1 year away from surgery.

    The down side to been a boob is it is in Canada but I think they are getting US distributors.

    Oh thank you Nagem for telling me how to get these cami's covered!

  • natlie38
    natlie38 Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2013

    Thanks Wren44 for telling us about mastectomysolutions.com, what a wonderful site. Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks!

  • Erica
    Erica Member Posts: 237
    edited May 2013

    I just want to let anyone who might be interested know that I've posted a new blog entry on my BreastFree Blog, by a guest contributor who spent a lot of effort finding ways to wear the clothes she's always enjoyed after she had a bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction. Here's the link: You Don't Have to Give Up Those Strappy Dresses and Cute Swimsuits.

    I'm posting the link on this thread since the author of the post usually wears breast forms when out in public and has focused on finding creative ways to wear them in all kinds of clothes.

    Some of the items she mentions have already been discussed on this forum but I hope you find a few helpful hints!

  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 277
    edited May 2013

    This was fantastic... lately clothes shopping seems to get me down in spirits.

    Maybe it is because it is summer and I am seeing ample cleavage everywhere I look..

    But anyway, anyone else try the Handful bra? I actually like it, it is enough so I look very very small, and certainly not concave. I did buy it one size too large because I can't stand anything tight, and it looks a little lumpy **Until** I put a t shiirt on and then it is amazing...very smooth and attractive. It is just not touching any sensitive places and I can wear it all day if I wish.

    Anyone else?

  • river_rat
    river_rat Member Posts: 317
    edited May 2013

    Crystal, I'm glad to hear that the Handful is both comfortable and attractive.

    I had considered ordering a Handful bra but I believe at the time they didn't have adjustable straps so I didn't want to order and then have to send it back if it was too short for me. I see now they do have an adjustable model. By their size chart I would wear a medium but I'm thinking that since I ended up with the XL Genie bra maybe I should order a large in the Handful.

    Decisions...decisions.

  • LindaKR
    LindaKR Member Posts: 1,304
    edited May 2013

    We need a clothing blog for the unilateral with no prosthesis and no reconstruction!

  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 133
    edited June 2013

    I bought silcone breast enhancers, fitted them into size B cups at Walmart's to see if they'd fit, they did and work beautifully ($24.00), as good as those expensive prosthesis. I also bought mastectomy bra and they fit into those as well. I bought the inserts that were the largest. They are very comfortABLE TOO.

  • EllenP
    EllenP Member Posts: 13
    edited June 2013

    Thanks for the info, bluepearl. I've been meaning to look for the ones in the link (below). They are $16, though. Are these the ones you got?

    http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lingerie-Solutions-Enhancers-Silicone-Bust-Enlarging-Bra-Pads/17167858

    Thanks,

    Ellen

  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 277
    edited June 2013

    I bought the ones from Jo Ann Fabrics and they are very hard, but look the same as the ones in the photo, but everyone is different so certainly try them.

    LindaKR, I think many of the fashion tips for us flat ladies work our pretty well for uni's also. I am still learning about this because "body type" plays into it also. LIke ruffles make my belly (which is big) look bigger. The ultimate answer for me is to knock off about 20 pounds, but my comfort food is chocolate.

  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 133
    edited June 2013

    Mine were flesh colored but they appear to look the same....they were the most expensive and said they were extra large breast enhancers (most are quite small just to "lift" what's already there).....ebay had tons but they were all wrong and when I got to stuff like the ones I bought, the price shot up dramatically. It was a real find!

  • terrikoala
    terrikoala Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2013

    I am 6 months out from rads and there was no size difference for a while BUT two months ago it was very obvious how much tissue was taken. I am a DDD and lost at least a half cup size from the lumpectomy. I wear heavy duty support molded cup bras and there is a noticable gap at the top of the left cup. I do want to get some kind of insert to fill it in but when I look at them on line I can't tell what shape I should get and am not going to go thru trial and error with money. Any advice?

  • Erica
    Erica Member Posts: 237
    edited July 2013

    Hi Terri,

    I suggest you go to a shop that sells mastectomy products (bras and breast forms). They will usually have some "balancers," i.e. forms that are intended to fill in lumpectomy defects, and the fitters at such shops should be able to suggest the best shape for you.

  • RhodyMMM
    RhodyMMM Member Posts: 278
    edited July 2013

    Here is a great website with links to places that sell bras, prostheses and other great things....discount codes too! www.cancerbeglammed.com . Run by someone I know.....

  • gavinsgrandma
    gavinsgrandma Member Posts: 115
    edited July 2013

    Hi Ladies, I had BLM on 7/18 and I planned on starting recon but I had 2 nodes come back positive so my PS did not put the TE'S, he wanted to wait and see what treatment would be needed first. My question is that I am looking for advice on Post Mast bras that would be comfortable if there is such a thing? I am looking at about a year of chemo and rads before I can even start recon so I need some bras with forms for now.



    Thanks Shary🌞

  • mary625
    mary625 Member Posts: 154
    edited July 2013

    Dear GavinsGrandma:  I have not had recon either.  I have had very few uncomfortable bras post-mastectomy.  I do not however use "mastectomy" bras.  If you go to the website "breastfree" whose founder posts here, you'll find some great suggestions.  Most of the time, I use regular bras that were pocketed for me by Nordstroms, but you probably don't want to go that route until you're finished with rads.   When I'm not using those with my Amoena forms, I use the foam forms from the TLC/American Cancer Society website with stretchy knit bras that I found in outlets or at Kohl's.  I think the brand is called Barely There.  I look for ones that have the small opening to insert or remove the shields.  Not all bras have this feature, of course.  I then stick the foam form in there without the shield.  I also have a stretchy knit sports bra that I do the same with for exercise.  All of these bras are extremely comfortable and relatively inexpensive.  The foam forms are not too expensive either.  I've just placed an order for Still Me Fiberfill forms which are very inexpensive--$30 for a pair--and am looking forward to seeing whether they will replace my foam forms.  FYI, I am using forms that are about a D cup, and I think anything D or smaller would work with these bras.  I have no idea about larger sizes. 

  • mary625
    mary625 Member Posts: 154
    edited July 2013

    I noticed on BreastFree that some forms can be worn unpocketed.  I haven't tried that at all yet.  Is the idea that the lighter or unweighted forms can be worn this way provided that the bra fits correctly?  Interested to hear more about this and possibly expanding my range of choices.  Thanks. 

  • Erica
    Erica Member Posts: 237
    edited July 2013

    Hi Mary625,

    Thanks for your kind words about BreastFree.org. Regarding wearing forms in regular unpocketed bras, the main issue for a lot of women is that silicone forms worn directly against the skin aren't comfortable and unweighted foam forms might ride up too much. And of course another concern is that the breast forms might fall out (yikes!). I've dealt with these issues by finding silicone forms with fabric backs, which are comfortable to wear against my skin. My favorite is the Anita Tritex 1055x. I wear small size forms in a little Maidenform bralette and they look and feel very natural. The weight of the form (not much weight, but enough) holds the bra in place. I've only had a form come out of my bra once, when I was at home cleaning the floor (basically leaning so my torso was facing totally downward for several minutes). But I've never had a problem when doing normal activity. 

    Weighted foam forms can also work in a regular bra. And some women like silicone "contact" forms that have an adhesive that sticks to your skin. Here's an example of a contact form: http://www.metromedicalonline.com/amoena381.html. You still need to wear a bra with contact forms, but some women love them and say they feel the most like real breasts. 

    It seems as if you've already been through a lot of trial and error. It definitely takes some experimentation to find combinations of bra/breast form that are comfortable and look good. But it's worth the effort! 

  • gavinsgrandma
    gavinsgrandma Member Posts: 115
    edited July 2013

    Hi mary625, you and I have a lot in common,ILC, E&P+ Her2- I had 15/15 bad nodes and I am starting the same chemo protocol you had on 8/15/13. Did you do the cytoxin and taxol together? I am confused about that😄 Thank you for the great ideas, sounds

    Like a lot of trial and error but I will take your advice and try a couple of the suggestions and I will also look at Breastfree.org. Thanks again and have a great day.



    Shary🌻

  • mary625
    mary625 Member Posts: 154
    edited July 2013

    Dear Shary: I had Cytoxan with Adriamycin for 4 treatments and then Taxol alone for 4 treatments. Yes our diagnoses are very much in common. I had my chemo prior to surgery though. Will you be having radiation? I did. I wish you the best for your start of chemo in a couple of weeks. I guess you'll be getting a port soon. Please PM me if you have questions about it. I'd be happy to try to help.

  • gavinsgrandma
    gavinsgrandma Member Posts: 115
    edited July 2013

    Thank you Mary, I got my port in last Wednesday, I had my post-op f/u with my surgeon and we travel 3 hours to him and to where I will do my treatments and he wanted to get the port put in while we were there and yes I will be doing radiation also after the chemo. I need to clarify if I will have my Adriamycin alone or with the cytoxin. We are going to Carson City tomorrow, I have an appt. for my Echo on Wednesday morning but I am going to stop by MO office to,gat a few questions answered😄



    Shary🌞

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