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All things bras & prosthesis

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Comments

  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 117
    edited July 2014

    hi Ariom! 

    As always, great information! Yes, thanks, I will be wary of ordering Amoena site unseen unless I'm prepared for exchanging. Thanks for the fashion tips. I see, it has only been 18 months but you are working this all like a pro of many years! It is so helpful to us newbies. I've learned a lot in the past month or so. I guess as women we never think about clothing options with foobs unless faced with the issue. I knew nothing about it. It's so great to have this discussion group! It has helped me put things in perspective to discuss things with you lovely ladies. I guess unless your hospital has a store resource like Dana Farber does, one really has to educate oneself in a hurry after surgery! I'm looking forward to more fashion tips and pics as we go!

    Best,

  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 117
    edited July 2014

    thanks wren,

    Yes, reimbursement makes sense. I've been so caught up in the medical healing, I really didn't see the forest through the trees, so to speak. I'm seeing a fitter which has been working during these early days after surgery. It took the pressure off of figuring things out before surgery. But I know I will want variety and to spin off on my own so I will check the reimbursement policies of my insurance. 

    Best,

  • ndgirl
    ndgirl Member Posts: 950
    edited July 2014

    Betty, I bought some bras last year from JoDee company, they are associated with JC Penney, I had to pay for them up front and then faxed the paid receipt to my insurance which is Blue Cross/Shield and they cut me a check for the cost. Check with companies and insurance. Good luck

  • esklader
    esklader Member Posts: 25
    edited July 2014

    Thanks, Erica! I will definitely look into the Still You forms. My biggest problem with the other lightweight ones are the straight, stiff backing. These look a bit more curved from what I can tell, so maybe they would work better. Appreciate the info!

  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 117
    edited July 2014

    Ndgirl,

    wow, who knew! I will definitely check that out. There is so much out there that I don't know about yet. 

    Thanks,

  • RhodyMMM
    RhodyMMM Member Posts: 278
    edited July 2014

    My fitter told me not to come to be fitted until all my incisions were healed, because others may also try on the products. And, as someone else posted, your size and shape will be changing for quite a while. I had lots of trouble with swelling and seromas, and I have been working to lose weight and exercise which also changes my shape.I am also starting to get quite a collection! Since I had a BMX, I can get two of everything. Initially I bought 2 microbead foobs from TLCdirect which I love for exercising and swimming. They are so light that I forget they are there...but they give me some shape when I am wearing a tank top to exercise. I got two silicone forms last August, and in March of this year I got two Tru-life leisure forms which can also be used for swimming. I agree that the backs of them is a bit stiff, but the fitter recommended them for wearing in a bathing suit because the beads will shift when you lay on your back on the beach. Silicone ones would stay standing at attention! LOL. In September I can get two more leisure forms, so she is suggesting a different type then. Next year I will be able to upgrade the silicone forms. I found some terrific sports tank tops from Amoena that I just love. I put the microbead foobs in one and leave them there; I wear that to my rowing class. And I run it through the washer with the foobs in it and hang it to dry. The other one, I leave the microbeads out and wear it a home when I do some yoga. It lays pretty flat on my flat chest! I will have to check out some of those bras at Walmart...they look comfy! Oh, and all my bras seem to be different sizes, unless they are the same model. Even within the same manufacturer my size and cup may be different. One more reason to go to a professional fitter.

    Martha

  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 4,027
    edited July 2014

    Martha, you reminded me of a point I should have made too. I did the stupid try on of a bra without thinking, before I was healed and I got an infection in my incision. I absolutely believe that was the cause, because apart from that slip up, I was so careful.

    You've really got all your needs organized too. It feels good to know you have everything covered.

    I have a catalogue from Amoena with a form in it that is supposed to move and flatten when you lie down! I doubt it is for swimming, but what next?LOL

    I have the Amoena sports tanks too, I love their clothing. It is pretty much the only brand sold here  in Australia, but I can still source it cheaper in the us....go figure.

  • Helenna
    Helenna Member Posts: 66
    edited July 2014

    Vintage gal  your suggestion of the No Bo bralette was perfect! I bought one yesterday, so soft and comfy I just love it, though I do have to say you will see me in the dark as they only had bright neon colors in my size, so if you see a figure in bright aqua with fuscia trim that will be me! HA. DH got a laugh out of it. Seriously it is very pretty and feels wonderful, I will check again for neutral colors.

    I'm 3 weeks post surgery now so I set up an appointment with a fitter at the hospital boutique for end of July. The fitter actually said do you want to come over this week as we aren't very busy!   No I want to heal up more, you'd think they would also want that, I hope they are experienced there, I may stop in a Nordstrom before then also.  Ariom thanks for mentioning about an infection at incision from trying on bras, very good point and that should be a standard precaution and warning the fitters give everyone! 

    On the Amoena site you can preview the 2015 line! Whoa the red swimsuit is beyond gorgeous!

  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 4,027
    edited July 2014

    Hi Helenna, I saw the swimsuit you mentioned, it is really lovely. I have several of their swim suits and Tankinis, they do them very well, no chance of losing a foob out of their pockets! Because they do a new range for each season, you can usually pick up the previous seasons stock, fairly heavily discounted.

    Take care and I hope you find lots of items that suit you at your fitting!

  • Helenna
    Helenna Member Posts: 66
    edited July 2014

    Ariom  oh love a discount, so you just order them through your boutique when they start discounting them? And do you know about when they lower the prices, end of the year or what month as I will definitely keep an eye out, that is fantastic.  

    I still have tape on my incision, its coming off at the ends and bs said to just trim it away as it falls off but I'm wondering how long it takes to come off? I would have thought warm soapy water from showers would have it coming off by now, I don't want to pull it off.

  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 4,027
    edited July 2014

    Hi Helenna, I have bought them on Ebay and through Ebayers who have shops. I have recently found a woman here is Australia who is a Mobile Fitter, she goes to women's homes to fit them for bras and prosthesis and she has a great range of swimwear and clothing, online, her website is TraceyG.com. If you check the companies that sell Mx bras and swimwear, like womenspersonalhealth.com, they usually have a sale section with great bargains. If you Google Mx swimwear on sale you may find something close to you.

    I had trouble with the  Steri Strips on my incision too, they stick quite well don't they! I did try to coax them off under the shower, but when I  went back to see my Surgeon after I had the infection, he drained a seroma, removed a stitch that had worked its way through and then he removed the last few steri strips with alcohol and tweezers.

  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 117
    edited July 2014

    hi ladies,

    I did a test amoena Valetta vs. LuisaLuisa cotton tank top. Well, the Valetta definitely is softer and more comfortable. Thanks Ariom for that suggestion! However, the LuisaLuisa seems a better option for typical weekend day at home, cooking, cleaning, managing/driving teenagers around. The Valetta is a little "fancy" and wearing it at home, I worry I'm going to spill something on it or tear it. The LuisaLuisa drawback is that the band under the foob pockets does not go all the way around the torso so you can feel the band at times. The decision is that I think I need both! The Valetta for work and going out and the more casual LuisaLuisa of around the house and errands. Does anyone know of another cotton type tank top with foob pockets? I'm still looking for perfection. Thanks!

  • wren44
    wren44 Member Posts: 7,932
    edited July 2014

    Helenna, Maybe those neon colors are meant to show in the teeny bopper set so others know they need a bra. I definitely would not pull off the tape. If it doesn't come off by itself have the MD do the job.

    My mx bra shop carries a Coobie bra that's cut more like the top of a tank top. It has wide straps and a wide band. It looks a lot more comfortable than the regular Coobie bras. I guess I'm just leery of light support. I was a DD for a long time and then a D. I'm not really sure what I am now. Perhaps a B?

  • VintageGal1111
    VintageGal1111 Member Posts: 126
    edited July 2014

    That's great Helenna! Check at WalMart online.

  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 4,833
    edited July 2014


    Bathing suits at Land's End are on sale now too.  Early July means summer is almost over?  HA!  Not in FL.

  • wren44
    wren44 Member Posts: 7,932
    edited July 2014

    Ours is just getting started.

  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 117
    edited July 2014

    glennie,

    Cute doggie in your picture! Yes, I just bought 2 lands end tankini tops for mastectomy and they were only around $34 each! I already had the bottoms as I am a Lands End customer from way back- I mean way back. Turns out, the mastectomy swim tops have such nice construction and  substantial modesty shields that I am wearing them without any foob at all! It just looks like I have a small breast. I'm thrilled because I'd rather not have to dry out a foob after swimming, although I know it's easy and that is a good way to go for some. I thought it was a lucky find.

    Best,

  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 117
    edited July 2014

    Wren and ladies,

    ah, summer, I live for it! I think that getting all the foob/mastectomy items in place during the summer will be great. Winter will be cake because I'll be covered up in so many layers and my down coat- who knows what lurks beneath!

    Best, 

  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 4,027
    edited July 2014

    Hi Bettyboops, glad to hear you like the tank and the cami. Take a look at the Valetta T shirt, and the other Amoena camis. The t shirt is the same modal fabric of the Valetta cami. I wear both and although I understand what you meant about the Valetta being too good for everyday, I have pretty well turned the T shirt and the Cami into my every day comfort wear. I am still wearing the very first cami I bought 19 months ago. I throw them into the machine and then just hang to dry. They don't need ironing. Since I have bought so many colors in this cami, I keep a couple for going out and have a few for every day. It is rare that I wear these, without something over them, just a light cardigan, open shirt or jacket, so you'd never know I am wearing the same kind of top all the time.

    It may be worth looking at the active wear Amoena did this season too. There is a T shirt with a sports bra underneath it and a couple of nice racer-back tops. These are in an easy dry fabric and they have the same bra I believe, as the cami and T shirt. There is a seller on Ebay who has these at great prices, like about $20.00 definitely worth a look.

    Great that you have found a swim suit that you like with modesty pads. If you find they need some boost from the back, don't forget the little chicken filet boosters that the department stores sell. I have heard of others buying those for swimming. I have the silicone swim form which is transparent with ridges in the back to prevent the slurping sound you can get with some of them, when you swim hard. So there isn't any drying out a foob, with either of these. 

  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 4,833
    edited July 2014


    Bettybops:  that's my Princess Ava,,, one spoiled little puppy dog!

    As for swimming with a foob,, don't forget to try the swim poofy!  Look on this forum for the info on how to make one. I did, and I'm looking forward to trying it out.  It only took one little bath scrubbie to make one big enough for me, and that Land's End tank suit I got has a great pattern on it,, and good for disguising everything. I put it on witht the swim poofy and I swear you couldn't tell at all.

  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 117
    edited July 2014

    hi Ariom,

    Yes, I'll have to check out eBay. I'm sure once I build up a supply of tops, they won't seem such a novelty and I'll be able to wear what I want, whenever I want. Right now I have only 3 tops with pockets so I'm being really careful with them. I will check out sales for Amoena items. They are really super soft and comfortable.

    Best,

  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 117
    edited July 2014

    glennie,

    I just want to reach out and pet that cute Ava! I am a dog lover too! I have a bichon frissee who is our "baby."

    Yes, swim poofy and Lands End suit. Sounds like a great combination!

    Thanks,

  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 4,833
    edited July 2014

    Ava is a big spoiled baby. She has a lot of my neighbors suckered!  They see her out and go in the house to get her dog cookies! She has them trained. 

  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 117
    edited July 2014

    ha ha, adorable glennie! I bet ava keeps you positive and active. Such great companions during times of illness. Pets are so good for helping you move on!

  • VintageGal1111
    VintageGal1111 Member Posts: 126
    edited July 2014

    Here are my two. Zoe, the black one is battling her own health issues now. I have to make some decisions regarding her treatment. Ziggy, the white Shih Tzu has lost almost all his vision & most of his hearing. I'm seeing him get confused about where he is more and more. Makes me sad.

    image

  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 4,833
    edited July 2014

    awwww, they are so cute.  It's tough when you have to make those decisions. Been there.  ((HUGS))

  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 117
    edited July 2014

    vintage gal, so cute! They are lucky to have you caring for them. I always say that in my next life, I'm coming back as my dog Teddy!

    Best,

  • wren44
    wren44 Member Posts: 7,932
    edited July 2014

    We had a friend who wanted to come back as DH's dog.

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 2,845
    edited July 2014

    Blue, that is what I did too. The silicone thingies themselves work fine, but anytime I wear something heavier than a poof or shield, including these silicone bra liners, they slide down behind the bra band. How do people prevent that? If it were a "real" prosthesis, I imagine it would be even worse. 

    The back of the bra cup, the pocket part, basically sags because of the weight and the silicone wedges between my ribcage and the bra band, heading for my navel.

  • Helenna
    Helenna Member Posts: 66
    edited July 2014

    Ariom  question on the bras you mentioned as favorites of yours, you said the Lara, I see on the website it mentions the Lara comfort, the Lara comfort 3-d, and the Lara wire free……..all three being wire free.  Any thoughts on the differences? Which one is your fav of those three?  I go to the fitter in a couple weeks and cannot wait to go see what all they have, what fits, etc! Something fun to look forward to.  Gotta get started on my foobmoire :)

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