All things bras & prosthesis
Comments
-
Shary it is common to have Cytoxan and Adriamycin together and then Taxol or Taxotere after. 4 of the first and either 4 of taxol or taxotere weekly for so many weeks. Hope that helps you. Do ask..things can change in how they give it.
As far as forms. Some places will not fit you until after radiation. I used the foam ones for almost two years because of healing issues. The place did fit me with a sports bra during that time. Every place is different and so does your insurance. uggg good luck.
0 -
Kittydog, thank you, that is what I was thinking and it makes sence, I will clarify with MO tomorrow and yea I can see the whole form and bra thing being a pain😕
Shary🌞0 -
Hi terrikoala!
I have a friend who just recently had a fitting as Erica suggested. The "filet" that was needed to fill the gap left after surgery is actually pocketed into a mastectomy bra at the right position. You put on the bra and the gap is filled.
I too learned a whole lot from BreastFree and can't recommend it highly enough for women who are either sure they don't want reconstruction, or are conflicted and need help to decide.
I have come to the realisation that for me, as a Uni, there is no one ideal prosthesis or foob. I have put together quite a collection, including foam, microbead, weighted and unweighted, several Amoena Silicone, and a lot of Amoena Bras. My favourite item that I have mentioned here before is the Amoena Valletta Cami. I love that it has a structured bra inside it with pockets, and when the straps are adjusted it sits flat against the chest with no "fall forward" which is my pet hate. I wear those with either a silicone or a weighted foob. I have a contact prosthesis, which I think will turn out to be my favourite.
There is a soft microbead option called the Jillianna which has been designed by a fitter, I believe. It is really good inside a good sports top/bra. I have a few by Marika which are so comfortable and secure, they even have pockets with shields that can be removed. They have brilliant sales on the Marika site, and they can be picked up for under $20.00. The knitted Ahh Bra, or Genie bra is great too if you wear a soft foob. Another one I found was a maternity cami, it has the bra inside and all you have to do is remove the plastic clips and join the shoulder strap to the front of the cami, you can pin a soft foob inside, or sew in a pocket. They are super cheap at Target or Kmart.
I personally really like a lot of the Mastectomy Bras which can be bought at a fraction of the retail cost, new with tags, on Ebay. I have bought prosthesis, new with tags on there too. Anything Mx related costs an absolute fortune here in Australia, so your prices, especially on Ebay are very tempting!
As with anything new, it's all trial and error. I have found though, for very minimal outlay, there are lots of very comfortable, useful options available.
0 -
Ariom, Thank you for taking the time to write about what is working for you. I also have quite a selection and yet usually wear none, chosing to go flat. But I love having options. I personally love the insert from Handfull and I wear it in the bra from handfull, or when I am swollen due to LE I wear the Handfull inserts with a TLC cami, because they have no tight band. This does not give me breasts, but rather small mounds that hide my concave places, and I am now comfortable enough with this. \
My silicons just gather dust...
But I do think I would love to try a contact someday. Thank you for reminding us about ebay...there are things I would love to try but returning them is so difficult.
0 -
Thanks crystalphm!
You have such a huge asortment of things in the US. It isn't like that here, we really just seem to have Amoena. I am not complaining, I love their products, but I have to go through lots of websites to see the other brands you have. I am hesitant to buy a lot of different brands because I prefer, of course, to have tried them on first. I do that with the Amoena.
I find that I can usually resell on Ebay if I make a mistake. I also have a great group of women I meet with monthly in a BC group that will take things off my hands, so it really seems to work itself out.
We are all different, with different issues and needs. It is good to have so many options available. I am quite comfortable wearing a firm shapewear tank which keeps the other "D" side under control, or with any number of different configurations of "Foobs". At times it can be a bit of a challenge, but I have no regrets about being a Uni.
I am sorry you have to deal with LE. I fear it, because my Mother had it, but she had a full Axillary Clearance, mine was just a SNB. I had the swelling under my arm checked at my first follow up appointment last week, but discovered that it is completely normal, as is the small "Dog Ear" I have been left with. The surgeon explained that the weight of the breast used to pull the armpit down and the dog ear forward. He offered to remove the remains of the Dog Ear which has diminished considerably, if I want to. I would do it if it can be done with a local. I don't want another general anaesthetic. I have decided to see if it really bothers me in the warmer weather. If it does I will remove it. If not, I'll just get used to it.
Take care!
0 -
Ariom- What do you think of the microbead types? I have the Amoena Silicone and they are quite heavy. Are there any others that are lighter you can recommend? I am new to all this fake stuff. thanks
0 -
Hi Lezza!
It is all a bit of trial and error. I have a couple of different microbead forms. One came from a lovely lady, Mary from mastectomysolutions.com. If you are a sewer she has the pattern for forms with instructions on how to fill with beads for the different sizes. They are packed reasonably tightly. If you don't sew, Mary makes them for you for a very reasonable amount. I also have a Jillianna which I found on Ebay. If you are a small size the seller still has some for sale at a bargain price of $26.00 each. These are more casual type forms, and are looser packed than Mary's, with a different fabric cover. I wear them in an Ahh Bra, or my new favourite a Marika sports bra. I find I like the little bit of weight in it, because that side can ride up a bit. Take a look at the Jillianna website for info on that one.
I do all my research in the USA, we don't have a lot of options in Australia. Amoena is pretty much all we seem to have here, not complaining, I really like the things I have from Amoena, but I just couldn't wear the same thing day in day out. I like to have other options, it also gives me a lot more clothing options too.
I hope this may help you a little Lezza!
0 -
I love my microbe ads from Mary. After working all day I would come home and immediately take out my Amoena silicone beast and pop in a microbead foob! I have ordered a few sets, even sewed on into a bathing suit (UMX).
Now that I have a TE being filled, I just let out beads after each fill for the perfect solution.
My journey without microbeads would have been a whole lot more challenging!
Karen0 -
Ariom : Thank you so much. I wiill check out the website. I will try these microbeads out at that price. Have a great weekend and yes it did help
stepmic. Well thanks for the input. I would love to try these microbeads out.
0 -
Ariom, you refer to "dog ears." My surgeon calls them "Angel 's wings." She tells me that I earned them!
Martha0 -
Hi Martha! I have never heard them referred to as Angel Wings:)
0 -
Ariom: I can't thank you enough for recommending those microbeads from Mary's website. Just received them and they feel awesome compare to those heaving silicone implants. I will use these instead at work.
stepmic- Glad you are enjoying yours and wish I knew how to sew. Lucky you and enjoy them.
0 -
Lezza, I am thrilled that you are happy with them!
Mary is an awesome lady, with a great website for info and she does such a wonderful job of making the "Foobs". Especially for those of us who are less than competent sewers:) I wouldn't have had mine if not for Mary!
Take care!
0 -
Yes, Mary is great! I tell everyone I can about the microbeads. And for any with a TE who had a UMX, they couldn't be more perfect.
Oh and I don't sew, I just sew them into bathing suits and let beads out as needed as my new breast grows!
Thank you, Mary!!0 -
I looked at her site yesterday and I am going to order some, was just wondering on size, Pre- surgery I was a 38 C so should I just follow her size recommendations?I would like a C.
Thanks, Shary🌞0 -
Yes gavinsgrandma, I would follow her size recommendations!
She knows her stuff!!
Karen
0 -
Thank you Karen, I have a fitting Monday at our local Surgical Supply, they carry Mastectomy wear and my Ins will cover 1 Bra and I am hoping maybe 1 set of prosthetics so I will see what they have and then I will order the micro beads.
Shary😄0 -
gavinsgrandma: I did what you did, went for a fitting, got a set of Ameona silicone and thought they were so heavy so I went to Mary's site and ordered the microbeads. Hope you find what feels best for you.
You take care too Ariom!
0 -
Coule someone please post the link to Mary's site.
Thanks,
Sharon
0 -
Hi Sharon!
It is mastectomysolutions.com
Thanks Lezza!
0 -
Gavinsgrandma, I am a 38C/D, I had lost some weight in the stressful lead up to my surgery. Mary went to a lot of trouble to get mine right, and she nailed it!
0 -
Thanks for the link, Ariom.
Sharon
0 -
I just ordered my microbeads too from Mary, she emailed right back and said she would be working on them, so cant wait to get them! price went up since July but still not bad. $36.oo including postage.
0 -
I ordered a pair of the microbead forms from Mary today too. I also heard right back from her. I am looking forward to trying these light weight forms. I've never had any before. What type of bras do they work best in? moulded cup? genie or coobie?
0 -
I have used mine in the Genie type, and moulded cup, but my most comfortable option is a Marika sportsbra. It stays in place inside the pocket of these bras. and they cover more area than a normal bra, so they sit higher on the chest for a firm fit.
The micro bead forms are also great in a swimsuit.
0 -
I have the genie and moulded cup bras. I will try them first. I have not found a sports bra that I can tolerate. I have a hard time finding any that are cut right at the arm hole area. The way that my tissue starts and stops right there is SO sensitive even 2 years out. Good idea for trying them in swimsuit.
I do have a crazy question though...do they make noise? You know like the micro-bead pillows do? Or are they small enough and tucked in a bra and shirt you don't notice the sound of the beads moving?
0 -
Thank you Ariom, they look and sound like they would be so comfy, where do you get the Marika sports bra?, I am only 3 weeks and 3 days out of surgery and I have a couple of sports bras that my sister gave me that are 44' s usually I am a 38 but those work goog for now with my foobs from TLC mastectomy loungewear, but I am wondering did you go up a size or two in sports bra for comfort?
Thanks Shary🌞0 -
FL Warrior, No I haven't heard the beads make any noise at all. They are fairly tightly packed in Mary's foobs. I also have the "Jillianna" which is a looser packed foob but once in place it doesn't move around, so no noise there either.
GavinsGrandma, I buy from the Marika website. They have great sales with big percentage discounts site wide. I have bought several of their sports bras, but my favourite is The Seamless Sports Bra, It is like a crop top with removable pads, wide straps, racer back and adjustable bra closure at the back. For me, it is perfect under the arm, because I need a high side for my "dog ear". The band under the cups is firm, but not tight, and no underwire. I would imagine that a lot of companies would have a similar style, but I have to say that when on sale, these are really excellent value. They may not suit everyone, we all have our little differences.
I have actually bought both, Large and Extra large, I was a 38D, but lost some weight while stressing about my surgery, so I am more a 38C now and both sizes are fine. I have bought a lot of their sports wear too, and have found not a huge difference in the two sizes.
I hope this may help! Take care, PM me if you need any other info!
0 -
Thank you, It sounds to me that Mary's prosthetics are by far the best so I will get some ordered and check out the mirika website, thank you so much for all your help😄
Shary🌞0 -
Hi everyone,
Has anyone tried ABC Massage Form Air? I received something in the mail advertising it. Can it be worn in hot summer days? I had double mastectomy 10 months ago and am looking for some prosthetics that do not sweat when it is hot. My insurance pays for some of the expenses so I do not want to make a mistake of investing on something that can not be worn for long hours. If you have any suggestions about other prosthetics, please let me know.
How is the microbead breast form working out? What bras are you using with the microbead forms? I looked at the pattern in Mary's site. Has anyone tried to make them themselves?
I am new to all of this and would appreciate any suggestions you have.
0
