All things bras & prosthesis
Comments
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I was at Walmart the other day and discovered some Danskin sports bras, racerback style, that have an opening at the top that separates the inner lining from the outer layer. It is open from the top all the way through the cup so I can put my foam form in. They were inexpensive - I got two for $12, a set of one black and one white. They also had a set of light pink and white, I think. They ran smallish. I am 5'2", 123 lbs., but I needed the large, partly to accommodate the implant side and to have a big enough cup for the form. The band is comfortable though, not too big, I'm a 34, so I was a bit surprised I needed the large.
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I just bought the Geni Cami Shaper and I am very pleased. (I bought the bras and returned them, they were just wrong for me). The Cami shaper worked well with foam foobs but mostly the reason why I liked it was it is total compression, the whole thing is snug like arm compression, so there are no "tight" places to hurt. It struck me as strange that I liked the compression feeling, but I really did. It also slimmed me down just a bit after a few days, so obviously I have some truncal LE going on here too. I did buy one size larger than measurements said to.
I really can't stand *any* band around my chest, those fleshy ridges are SO sensitive on me. Anyone else? if it rides up 1/4
inch, I am hurting. And they always ride up...which is why I think I liked the cami shaper. I plan to fly this summer and will probably wear it without foobs just for the compression.
The cami shaper also comes up high under my arm, so maybe some of you would not like this. but my armpit is wrong since the mastectomy, and it gets puffy, so again, the cami shaper seems to help me lose the fluffiness in my arm pit edge. If that makes sense.
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I have some of these too, crystalphm. I wear the shapers with my Contact Prosthesis occasionally or with the light weight foam forms. I have always liked that compression feeling, which makes whatever you wear over the cami, sit smoothly.
I had an issue with a Dog Ear, it was like a bunch of cut nerves just above my incision under my arm, so the ridge of the underarm of the cami would irritate, but since I had that Dog Ear removed, it is much easier to wear them now. I have the weird, puffy, high underarm too, I think it is from the SNB.
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SpecialK
I think most of those stretch bras run small. The NoBo bralettes must be for teens since that brand of clothing WalMart has is for young gals. I am 117 lbs & buy the Large, in the Genie bra too.
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This may have already been mentioned somewhere in the zillion posts here, but I'm just trying to be somewhat helpful in the bra issue. I had a UMX and have not gotten up enough nerve yet to have reconstruction. I'm about 5'7" and weigh about 148. I was and still am (on one side) a 36C or 38B. I have an Amoena Natura Light size 6 for my serious breast form (have some leisure softies too). I purchased a few Genie bras (had to get 2X) which are just ok except they don't come up quite high enough under my arm, and the thin triangle shaped pads in them I feel aren't quite large enough... as with some shirts you can see the outline of them. The pads also don't hold up well through machine washing.
THEN..... I found in Walmart a stretchy sports bra that looks exactly like the Genie but slightly better quality and a better fit for me. The tag reads "Simply Basic" and cost $5.98. It comes in beige, white and black in my store, but I couldn't seem to find it on their website. The straps feel better (softer) around my arm and armpit where I have nerve damage, and it has rounded, larger, thicker and better quality pads in it than the Genie that are easier to put in and take out. The opening for them is easier to get my form in it. Washes nicely without the pad getting all twisted or folded (on gentle/cold cycle of course and hung to dry or in dryer on very low dryer heat). I did have to also get the Walmart bra in a 2X -- I find most all of these stretchy/thinner sports-type bras run quite small. Racer-back types you usually have to put over your head, whereas the Genie and the Walmart ones you can just step into and pull on. And to keep the band from rolling up if you don't have 6-pack abs, just fold it up flatly about in half in the front anyway. Larger breasted girls (like D cup or larger) may not get enough support from this type of bra. Sure, some of those expensive professionally fitted bras can fit you to a T and can make you look almost perfectly even if you've had an UMX like me. I own 2 of those that I might wear for an evening out or with certain dresses, but they always feel tight and irritate my arm area, so my everyday go-to comfortable bra is the Walmart one.
Happy bra shopping, and most of all...happy days and good health to all :-) Sam
P.S. If anyone has had a skin-sparing UMX with delayed reconstruction, I'd love to hear from you....have had a hard time on here finding information like that.
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It's great huh that WalMart has such a selection at such a good price! I have Genies but find them a bit too constricting.
I am thin, 117 lbs double mast, & wear a Large in the No Boundaries bralette under $5 just because I don't want anything tight. But the lace edged ones don't bind at all. here I am with my soft foobs but many days I just add a tiny poof of fiberfill behind the foam cup liner. And so many colors!!!!!
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Can't seem to find these online. Do you have a link?
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WalMart, do you have a store near you?
These were on the site but I don't know if the lace edged ones are. I have a few of these, under $5 each with the removable thin foam liner
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crystal,
Congrats on your new forms!!!
I just got abc first forms today too! I started with a heavier prosthesis 3 weeks after double, implant removal. They actually helped flatten the healing area and prevented any fluid buildup. But the first forms are perfect for a camisole pocket which I also just got today! The heavier, industrial strength prosthesis seem too heavy for a cami. Is that true or do I just have a super cheap cami? I just ordered the amoena Valletta cami on recommendation of a woman on the "choosing no reconstruction" thread. I just found this thread since I am ready to explore my fashion options. I'm excited to have all these choices. The cami I have, a cheaper brand, is perfect for hot weather and so comfortable. I do like having the heavy duty foobs in a nice bra for work or going out. I'm only 4 weeks out of surgery so I have a lot to learn.
Best,
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hi vintage gal! I just found this thread and I recognize you from "the choosing no reconstruction" thread. I love the pictures of the bras. What kind of bras are the pretty ones with the lace on the bottom? Walmart?
Best,
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Hi Bettyboop, I find it depends on the size of the Prosthesis whether it can be worn in these cheaper knit bras and camis. I am a size 8 and there is no way I can wear that in one of these, it will just drag and sag, but i can get away with these with a lightweight, micro bead or foam form.
It was probably me who told you about the Valetta, I have been wearing these since I was fitted for my first Prosthesis at 6 weeks post Mx. You can wear a silicone prosthesis in these, or any of the other tops or T shirts made by Amoena. I can't recommend these garments enough. They aren't cheap, but I am still washing and wearing my first cami on a regular basis. I have them in all colors now and when fitted properly with the straps adjusted, they sit flat against the chest and don't do the awful "Fall Forward" that I have come to hate when you wear a silicone prosthesis with a top that falls forward and you display the empty void.
It happened to me in the early days at the supermarket where I was bending over, stacking groceries from the trolley to the belt, whilst wearing a loose button up shirt. I glanced up to see the girl looking down at me, she looked away, when I looked down at myself, I could see my bra had fallen forward with the weight of the prosthesis exposing my concave chest. I went home and culled my wardrobe of every top that would do that.
I will be interested to hear how you find the camisole, if you like it, there is a new range, just out, that has several tops and 3 different kinds of dresses, all with pockets. I bought almost everything in the range, which also has jackets and pants or a skirt to match the tops. I am never at a loss for something to wear any more and these are so comfortable, even some of my friends who haven't lost breasts are wearing them.
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hi on a different thread Ariom!
On your recommendation, I just ordered the amoena Valletta cami. I wanted coral and blue colors but all I could find in my size was white and red after looking at several retailers. I ordered size 10 but now I'm thinking I may only need an 8. I'm kind of between an 8 and a 10. My prosthesis size is 6. Oh well, I'll have to exchange if needed. I got abc first forms today, much lighter than the abc triangle "lightweight" forms. Not very lightweight. I don't mind the heavier ones for certain clothing options with the amoena Angelica cotton bra.
Best,
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thanks Ariom,
OMG, I was laughing thinking about your foob closet picture that you posted a few weeks ago. What a great idea. I was thinking I need a box or a cubby or area in my closet for all the prosthesis stuff. Right now it's all in pretty shopping bags. I must get organized somehow...ha ha. I'm afraid to throw the boxes away yet because they have all the manufacturer information on them etc... I may have to get rid of the boxes and make a list of the sizes and brand names.
Best,
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Hey BettyBoops
yep the lace edged bralettes are the under $5 No Boundaries (WalMart). I like them better than the other style. The wide lace band isn't tight & doesn"t ride up. The fabric is a bit silkier too. They do seem to run small.
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Bettyboops, check your insurance because mine paid for the valetta camisole, it was classiefied as a bra I guess. I am not as pleased with mine as Ariom is, it just does not fit right on my chest and it does fall forward on me. I really like the look of them too, I have a gray and black, I do wear them but am always conscious of bending over. It must be the concave on my chest that doesnt work so well for me, but I think I may be the only one on these boards that doesnt just love them... sure hope you do. Keep us posted.
Just thought I would mention the insurance bit! Good luck to you.
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I am curious on the Valetta camisole - the smallest size I can locate online is a size 8. Are these sized exceptionally small? I wear a size 2 or 4 top and I am worried about the 8 being way too big.
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ndgirl, this is where the cami sits on me, with the straps tightened. I can bend forward and it will move a little away from my chest, just like it is here, with my left arm stretched out, but nothing like the "Fall Forward" I get from a bra with a silicone prosthesis in it. It sits even tighter against my chest,with the foam weighted foob in it.
I do have a really concave dip, right below where this sits on me, so that may be the difference, maybe the concave area starts higher on some of us than others.
I do usually wear a light cardigan, or jacket over these camis, because I like to cover my arms, but at home I wear it alone, like this all the time.
SpecialK, I am not really sure about your sizing, but I wear a 38 C/D in a bra and this cami I have on, is a size 16US. I guess, yes, they actually do run small, because your 16 is an equivalent to an 18 here, and I although I am a bit chunky, I am not that big.LOL
Bettyboops, I can see you heading the same way as me and needing a "FoobMoire" too! ndgirl and I have a lot of the same things and similar taste in Foobs etc!
I hope this helps and hasn't confused the issue any further. I actually tried one of these camis on and fell in love with it when I had my first fitting for my Prosthesis, so I knew what size to go with. I think I have bought a size up or down, to be able to get a color I wanted and they are fine.
I have the Valetta T shirt in a couple of different sizes because they were on ebay for next to nothing, so I went smaller and although a bit more fitted that I would like, they are ok too.
Take care M x
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thanks Ariom, w ell of information for us! Love it and love your cami picture!
Best,
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nd girl,
Thanks for the insurance tip. I did get 3 bras through a woman who has a business getting prosthetics and bills insurance. I'll have to see if I can submit receipts to insurance for a camisole. For now, I've been going through her office as I am a newbie and just needed any help and guidance I could find. I feel lucky I got connected to this woman and to this discussion board as well.
I will keep everyone posted about the Valletta and how it works for me needing a double solution with a B cup. Maybe I'll post a picture too! Funny, the spending of money on clothes stopped abruptly for about 4 weeks during my surgery and recovery. My husband is now cringing a bit with all the " foobwear" that is starting to roll in. I'm just happy to be pumped up about something after a year and a half of negative stuff. Have you all felt that way too?
Best,
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Morning Bettyboobs and thank you!
I absolutely agree about being "pumped" about something! I had a pretty easy time with my surgery, my final pathology and didn't suffer any emotional issues about losing my breast, so I was damn sure ! wasn't going to lose my confidence, because I couldn't dress the way I wanted to. That was why it became my mission to find everything I possibly could that would make dressing easy and most of all, comfortable.
When others were interested in my findings, it became even more of a passion. My Husband is used to the constant stream of stuff arriving at our door now and has become quite the critic of new items! LOL
I hope the Valletta fits well and you find it as versatile a piece as I have. Let us know about anything new you find too!
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Ariom: you posted a pic of your foob closet?? I must have missed that! What an awesome idea. Currently my stuff is taking up 2 entire dresser drawers and I still could use more space. Foobs, bras, sleeves, swell spots! EEEK!!I need to get better organized somehow. I too, am reluctant to throw out the boxes in case I need them.
BTW, I wore my gray tie-dyed sleeve today to work at our rummage sale, and got a lot of compliments and questions about it !
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ariom - you look beautiful!
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Glennie, here is a shot of the "FoobMoire".I keep all my foobs and Prosthesis in their boxes, the soft ones are in the little drawers and yes, there is a foob in every box! LOL
It was just pure luck, that the house we bought had this great purpose built sewing room for the previous owner's wife. I don't sew, so I turned it into a dressing room, by knocking a doorway through from our ensuite bathroom. It has a bank of built ins that is perfect for keeping all the bras, camis and foobs together, the rest are used for cosmetics and stuff.
The room even has space for a pull out sofabed, so it is a real multi-use room.
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Thank you SpecialK! I am not used to taking "Selfies!" LOL
I just wanted to show where I pull those straps to on the cami to hide the concave dip! M x
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SQUEEEEE!! I love it !!! that is so awesome !! Thanks for re-posting the piccie.Now, if I could figure out how to make that work in my room,,,, hmmmmm,,,,,
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Glad you like it, I just PM'd you to tell you the pic was there!
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you know,, I have this little teeny closet just off the bathroom. It's really too small to be a linen closet and I have another closet where I keep all my linens,,, I could do some re-arranging in there,,,, hmmm,,, You are really making me think here!!0 -
She is beautiful... inside and out!! great lady to have on these boards, Ariom has helped me so much along this journey and also have shared our buying foob obsession and had some good laugh along the way!! All the gals here are wonderful! These boards are the only good thing about having bc.
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Sounds good Glennie! I have faith, you'll find the perfect spot!
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That little closet is full of odds and ends, but I do have my earrings arranged nicely in there! Now if I can find a home for the other stuff, I could be in business. It would be nice to have it all in one place.0
