All things bras & prosthesis
Comments
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Other than mastectomy bras, can silicon foobs be worn in any of the stretch bras like coobie, genie and such? I have size 5's.
I can't wear a tight band around myself, a bra band. And I don't want to wear something that slowly sags or quickly sags as the day goes on. Any thoughts?
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Crystalphm, I was able to wear silicone in the Genie but only a size 3. I don't know if bigger forms would work. I think I saw where some said they did after they made the opening a little larger. The Coobie used to be one size fits all and silicone wouldn't have worked in it. They now also make a larger bra but if the structure is the same as the original I wouldn't think it would work with silicone forms.
Just as a caution. I'm a 36 band which I believe the Genie Bra says would be a small. I found them in the "as sold on TV" section of Target and tried them on. I bought a large but it seemed to want to roll up so I went back and got an XL and it fits fine.
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crystalphm, I can't wear a silicone Prosthesis in a Genie, but I am a size 7/8, and a 38 band, it just pulls straight down and looks awful. I wouldn't be surprised if a Genie could hold a size 5, but not sure. I wear a weighted foam by TruLife in a Genie and it is a great success. I find I am actually wearing the weighted foam, far more often than the silicone these days. I don't have issue with pain, but find the lighter weight of the foam makes the feel of having something in my bra just disappear and the weight of it means it stays in place all day. I bought mine, as RR did in Target, or K Mart for something like 3 for $15.00. I had to go for the XL too.
Have you tried any of the sports crop tops, with pockets? They have a much wider spread over the chest and many have adjustable bands. I find them extremely comfortable, but although many can take the weight of the silicone, I still seem to opt more for the comfort of Foam, these days.
I am not sure if they sell in the US, but Target do 2 Mx bras under their own brand name that we can get here in Aus, they are both a stretch cotton with front fastening and are very comfortable, even with silicone in them. I bought a few of them when I was first looking for comfortable options and still wear them occasionally. They are well priced, wash well and aren't tight, or restricting.
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Hi ladies! I have Amoena silicon forms that I usually wear, but when I work out (I walk, dog walk, and practice yoga) I don't like wearing them. I never did get any lightweight (foam?) ones, and I'm wondering if those would stay in place in my sport bras and bandeau with a little of that magic tape. I took a peek at the new Divas website, but there are just way too many choices. I have 6s in teh forms, but sometimes I think they're bigger than I wanted. I'm a 38C size. Any suggestions?
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Hi Indigo, I am a 38C/D on my remaining side, and wear a 7/8 in Amoena Silicone. I have tried a number of different weighted foam forms and find, for me, the Tru Life 611 Leisure form is the right one for me.
I think you'd have success with this type in the bras you mentioned, even go down to the size you want to be. I wear mine in the pocket of my sports bras, camis, crop tops and tanks, but as always, what works well for one, won't necessarily work well for another.
If you have a store that fits for Prosthesis, near you, I would definitely suggest you at least, try these leisure forms, they may be just what you're looking for. The best price, I have found is at MetroMedical online, $40.00 each or 2 for $72.00. I bought my first one after being fitted for it in Australia and it cost $88.00, so the online price is fantastic, even with postage to Australia!
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Thank you so much for your replies. I am going to try a few bras here and I will report in. I am not wearing them now, so I might as well try them, even if they don't work.
I just don't know why this all brings me stress, but then buying bras was stressful before too, I found one I liked and bought 5.
I do have the foam ones in a size 4, so I will be trying them too.
Thanks for the help!
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Thanks, Ariom! That price looks good too - my Amoena forms cost me $300 after insurance! I'll definitely check into the forms you recommended. :-)
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You're welcome Indigo, I hope you find something that will suit you!
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I hardly ever wear my forms anymore (did the first year) But when I go try clothes on I get kind of depressed I guess I should wear them when I go clothes shopping ...0 -
Ariom, I ordered a Tru Life form from MetroMedical. Waiting for it to arrive. Definitely the best price around.
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Glennie, I hope you like it. I ordered 2 from them, just in case they go up in price. These don't last as long as the silicone ones, but they are great for the price.
Sorry you feel depressed when you're shopping for clothes, nwest, would smaller forms make it any easier? Just a thought.....perhaps just a small transition from forms to flat.
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Tru lIfe forms are nice, I also got some from tlcdirect.com that have microbeads in them. I use them for swimming and working out. They are so lightweight they are great!0 -
Hi Rhody, I took a look at the micro bead forms at TLC, they look almost identical to the ones Mary makes at Mastectomysolutions.org. Do the ones at TLC have any weight to them? I find I need some weight to keep that side down if I am wearing a bra. My existing breast anchors everything, to a degree, but if I don't have a bit of weight in the form, the right side just rides up. I can wear a microbead in a Genie camisole or a swimsuit without the problem I get with a bra.
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Hello Ladies.........I have never posted here before but hope someone will response with a suggestion. Has anyone flown recently with their prosthesis and did you have any problems with TSA? My DH and grandson are going home soon and I dread going through TSA. If I am taken off to a room to prove what I have on my chest I'm concerned my grandson will be frightened about what is happening. I thought of putting my foobs in my carry on luggage with a note as to what these are and of course the underwire in the bra might draw attention also. What to do.............
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Hello Norma Jean, I am in Australia, but worked for an International Airline for many years. I checked our rules, but also found this the link for info in your country. I am going to carry a letter from my Surgeon, as a "just in case".
www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/what-expect-if-yo...
There is no issue with under wires, as most women wear them.
I hope this helps you!
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Ariom, thank you so much for responding. I did go to the TSA (US) site and there is a card that can be printed out for this purpose. I have an appt. w/ my onco next Weds. and will request a letter from her in addition. My DH carried a medical letter w/ him from the onco when he traveled to explain his Neupogen syringes. I have read & seen on the news about this situation and the embarrassment some women have been put through & really dreaded starting our vacation that way. Again, thank you for your input on both boards.
P.S. I think your hair is so stunning.......very pretty.
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Hi Norma Jean.
I fly frequently and have only had a problem one time. I have BMX and have the nearly me foobs (and I hate them-am looking for something different). The first time I flew after the first MX I had something ding as I went through and told the screener i had an artificial breast. The ding was from my jacket-so not an issue. Since I have had the 2nd MX and there is never an issue. I have flown with a drain, no foobs, both foobs, etc. And prior to BC always wore underwires.
Best wishes.
~susan
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Hi Norma Jean, so glad you have all the information you need. Isn't it unbelievable, all the things we have to think about after this kind of surgery!
Thank you so much for the compliment! Much appreciated, I went grey very early so it has had a long time to turn this platinum color. M
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Susan.....thank you for the reassurance. Hopefully I can get a letter before I leave with only a week between my appt. and departure. One thing at a time I guess. Question.....what is nearly me foobs? I had a terrible time finding bras and prosthesis that I was comfortable with & finally gave up for a long time. Then the onco nurse navigator at the hospital strongly encouraged me to go to Nieman Marcus to be measured and given the opportunity to try on different foobs. I did and spent the extra money to finally feel almost normal again. For what I spent at N M I had already wasted in searching.
Ariom........I did download the TSA "disability tag" and will fill it out & print it. Thank you again for your help.
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I've flown several times since my BMX, wearing silicone forms, and have never been asked any questions or even looked at funny when I've gone through the scanner and/or metal detector. I've read, though, that some weighted foam forms contain metal pellets, so those might get someone some unwanted attention from TSA!
Safe travels to you, Norma Jean - and congrats on finding forms that make you feel "almost normal". A good fitting can sure make a difference!
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I've had the same experience as GeorgiaRai -- no problems when going through the scanners. In most places the newer millimeter wave scanners are used. I've gone through them a number of times. Once, I was patted down because my jeans had some metal beads on the pocket, but other than that I haven't had a problem. In the past, when they used the x-ray-type scanners, I used to opt out, so then a female TSA agent would pat me down. I didn't go anywhere private (they'll do that if you request it, but it's not required). The pat-down was totally over my clothes and was respectfully done. I really didn't mind it.
GeorgiaRai is right about some of the weighted foam forms -- there are often metal pellets embedded to give them the weight. I would NOT wear those if you don't want a pat-down. But plain foam forms or regular silicone ones should be fine.
Good luck and have a great trip!
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Ariom, my microbead forms are extremely lightweight, so you are right that they probably would not work for you. I had BMX, so they work okay for me, but do tend to move around if I am very active. I like to use them when I am exercising or swimming.
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Thanks Rhody, I have several different types of Micro bead forms and they work fine in swimsuits etc, but in a bra, they can ride way up. I end up with a foob near my shoulder!
Norma Jean, the "Nearly Me" foobs are just another brand, like Amoena etc. There are more brands popping up, with different benefits all the time. If you do a google search on Mastectomy Prosthesis, or Forms you'll find what is available. I have found that no store keeps everything, at least here it is like that. I have taken to just ordering according to the size charts on the websites and don't really have any problems. I always scan Ebay for bargains too. Sometimes you can get great deals on new forms.
Also, take a look at Breastfree.org which is Erica's site, she has put together a lot of great info on different Prosthesis etc which is very useful.
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Erica and GeorgiaRai thank you for sharing your experiences with me. My foobs are silicone placed in a pocket hand sewn in a regular, off the rack underwire bra by the seamstress (at the store). I also have the clear ones that are for swimming etc. Both are make by Amoena and called Essential 2S. When I first started wearing the correctly fitted bra (not padded) and the foobs it felt so natural and even have slight movement with my body like the old, sick ones felt. We chose to go 2 cup sizes larger as I am very sunken on either side of the sternum.
I need to correct where I FINALLY found what works for me........it was not Neiman Marcus BUT Nordstrom's. They don't advertise that they have prosthesis but anyone interested should go to where the "regular" bras are sold. You may have to make an appt. as they have trained personnel to help women like us. Thankfully they made me feel very comfortable and secure during the whole process. I only wish I had been told in the beginning and started there rather than wasting a lot of money and time only to be disappointed. The onco nurse mgr. in the infusion dept where I went could hardly believe how natural they felt.
I have rattled on long enough but if there are women reading out there I want them to know this info in hopes they will not have suffer the same frustration. Again, thank you all that jumped in and responded.......you have been more help than you will ever know. Will post when I get back about my own TSA experience. Thx for the well wishes also.
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NormaJean.
The Nearly Me-as said above-is a brand. I really do not like the foob or the bra. I have heard about Nordstroms. Sadly none in my area. But-when I visit my far flung children-plan to schedule an appointment. Each of mine weighs 2.5 lbs and feels like an old dead mattress. The bras have essentially no form or shape. When I got the first one after my first MX I was--I think--in such shock I just bought what was available locally and was fine. Then added the second six months later. Now-a year later really am unhappy with my choice.
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Hi - I just found this forum and there is so much wonderful information here. Perhaps you can help me. I had a bilateral mastectomy last August. My insurance covers bras and prostheses, as long as I get them at Nordstrom, the only local in-network option. They only carry Amoena. I got a pair of the Amoena Natura size 5 and two regular underwire bras that they sewed pockets into. While I like the way they look, I have a pretty small frame, and find them to be heavy and hard to wear for more than a few hours. I went back and tried a different version that was supposed to be somewhat lighter, but it really was about the same. I asked them to order an unweighted pair, but apparently Amoena is having production problems and the order keeps getting delayed. They don't expect to be able to order any product until at least July.
I generally just go flat, but like having the option of foobs when I go out or work out at the gym. I would like something very lightweight that I can throw into a sports bra or the regular pocketed bras that will give me a little shape when needed. I did order a pair of Mary's microbead foobs, and while I loved the idea of them and she was awesome in getting them to me quickly, the backing felt very stiff on me, and I couldn't get them to look right. So I'm not sure where to go from here. Do I try a cheap fiberfill insert? The TLC ComfortLite for some other foam form? Or something like the TruLife Lightly weighted form that people here seem to like? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!
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Hi esklader, I am sure someone else will be along to give you some information from the perspective of a BMX. I am a Uni so I don't have the same choices in sizes that you do because I have to balance the other side. Personally, I can't handle the micro bead side riding up, in a bra, but the bit of weight in the Tru Life weighted foam form, my favorite, sits right all day. I find the micro bead or unweighted forms only work well in a swimsuit or body suit, so there is no possibility of it riding up.
Amoena makes an unweighted and light weight foam form, but I haven't tried them.
I wonder if you have tried the forms you already have, in a comfortable Mx bra? I have a couple of normal bras with pockets added to them and they are nowhere near as comfortable as my actual Mx bras. It may not make a big difference to you, but for me, the different cut of a Mx bra, both on the shoulders, the fuller cover and no under wire, make it feel really comfortable, compared to a regular bra. Amoena has a huge range of Mx bras. My favorite for daily wear is the style named "Mona". It may not suit you, but is worth looking at, as are many others in the range.
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Thanks, Ariom. Oddly, Nordstrom didn't even give me the option of an actual Mx bra - just had me try on ones I liked from their selection of regular ones. I wonder if they even sell them? I find it strange that my insurance company doesn't cover any other stores in the area that sell them. If I buy them at Nordstrom, I get as many as I need fully covered. Anywhere else, I will have to pay my deductible first, so I would wind up paying for the whole thing. But you have a good point. I might go to one of those other stores and take a look.
As for the Amoena unweighted light foam, I believe that is the one they tried to order for me and were told the company was having production issues and would not take orders before July.
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esklader
Hi & welcome. Why not just try a stretchy bra like Genie, or one of the bralettes with some soft smaller foobs? Very comfy, lightweight, not hot. It may be worth just to spend $20-30 on the soft foobs from TLC & a $5-15 bra to see how ya like it.
Here is one Genie bra that has a lace overlay, good under v necks & helps not to show the NON cleavage. (I am bony & concave so have to be careful of so many tops)
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Thank you Vintage gal, I am going to try this, I seem to have a scoop of chest missing above the one breast, so even a tank top shows this "dent" in me...I think this genie will be a great help. Did you buy it bigger as is usually said with a Genie product?
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