All things bras & prosthesis
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I would like to say thank you to everyone who contributes on this thread. Since my surgery in July I have been reading through many of the posts and because of the great information here I was able to go to my first professional fitting recently with the knowledge that I needed to make a good first choice of prosthesis and bras. So far I'm very comfortable with what I've chosen, but I'm also looking forward to trying out some other options, too, based on what others have said here.
So thank you ladies, you're all awesome!
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Hi Ladies, I am almost one year out from surgery, four months after radiation and still not wearing a bra most of the time. I had left side mastectomy, so I am flat on left side, and thankfully small (A cup) on the right, so with baggy clothes I didn't think it was too noticeable, but then saw myself in pictures and I look terrible. So now I feel I have to start wearing a bra with foob, but find it is still so uncomfortable. Not pain, more like muscle stiffness, straps and band chafing.....I hate to wear a bra! I had a professional fitting done and have a bought a few different bras, not many, but find all of them uncomfortable. Does the discomfort ever go away?
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Hi Deblc, It isn't unusual to hear people say they are still feeling the discomfort, a year or more out from surgery and treatments. Our poor bodies have been through a pretty brutal time and nerves that continue to regenerate, skin that has been damaged by radiation and just muscular tightness, can go on for a long time.
I made sure to massage my chest a couple of times a day, as well as doing the stretching exercises. I think the massage really helps the skin start to accept the bra and clothing being against it again. I know I had a real problem with anything touching my skin early on.
You have some options, particularly since you were a small "A" size to begin with. The larger breast size require a proper Mx bra, to accommodate the weight of the silicone breast forms, especially for those like me who still have one natural breast.
There are soft knit bras that you can purchase from department stores, like Genie or Coobie, which have a soft wide band, they can be a good first bra after the surgery etc. You can use a micro bead, dacron filled puffy, or even a weighted foam form, if you don't want to get into a silicone breast form. There are also the small enhancers that are made from silicone that are sold at department stores, called "Chicken Filets" where I come from. lOL There are also a number of different camisoles with pockets that look very smart alone or with a shirt or jacket over them, again, they don't have to have a silicone breast form in them, to look natural.
To answer your question, for me, I don't really notice any discomfort any more. I am still numb across my chest and under my arm, but the zapping and burning sensations have gone now. I occasionally have some phantom itch, but have learned to scratch my back to help alleviate what feels like an itch, at the front!
I hope this may help you! Let s know how you are getting on.
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Thanks Ariom, you are such a huge help with this topic. The phantom itch, OMG, it drives me crazy when I try to scratch the spot that is itching, but it's numb so I get no relief !!!! I am sure you have answered my next question many times before, but it's hard to wade through all the posts....so hope you don't mind once again recommending camisoles and where I could get them, I think that would be a good option as well. I don't live in the US so don't have insurance, so price is also a factor. However I will be traveling to the US for the holidays, so would like to purchase what I can while I am there, or order online to be shipped to the US. THANKS !!!!!!
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Ariom knows all about bras and foobs! She is our goddess of all things foob! I vote for the camisole with built in pocket. That way, you could put in a light form,, or a poof,,, and look "balanced" without having the bra band issue. Although I have used Genie bras and they are quite soft. They size them on the small size,, so order up!!0 -
Based on a recommendation here (thanks
! I tried the amoena Hannah tank which is about the only thing I've found that I can wear with a prosthesis thatdoesn't irritate my lymphedema / make my arm feel like it's "backing up." I think it's because there's no "band" wrapping all the way around my chest. The only thing I don't like about it is the bulky zipper in front which bulges sometimes 
. So I was wondering, does anyone know of a similar styles with the band only in the front like that but without the huge zipper? Thanks!0 -
Thank you Glennie! You're right about the sizing on those knit bras I hate having to buy XXL!!!!!!
Hi Floaton, I have a similar type of leisure bra, by Amoena called "Francis" which is a stretch lace, with hook and eye closure, at the front, no zip.That is very soft, with no tight band. I wear that with a weighted foam form and find it really comfortable, but I don't have LE to deal with. That may be worth looking at. Have you tried the Valletta Camisole? I know I go on and on, about these! LOL But they were a bit of a clothing revelation for me! I wear them all the time There have been women with LE who have discovered these camis, who say they are fantastic and they don't irritate LE. The soft modal fabric feels great against the skin and the bra inside is not one that is tight or restrictive. If you have an opportunity to try one on, it just may suit you. Although these are quite pricey at some stores, I have recently bought a couple for $27.00 each at Metromedicalonline in a deep chocolate and red. They are available in great colors and often come up on sale. They wash like a dream and never need ironing.
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starak and Ariom,
Too funny! You know I have a few foobs but have kept it to a minimum. I just wear my weighted leisure form, every day, with a soft, stretchy bra that hold the weight properly. I just put it on every morning and forget about it! I'm still waiting on my custom foobs. I don't know how they will be any better but I'm told that they will be. I'll let you all know!
Best,
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Thanks for the suggestions !
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Ariom, thanks for the suggestions! I've been avoiding the valetta since the elastic is the whole way around, but I think you've convinced me to at least try one on the next time I have a follow up appointment
. I'll see if my fitter can get me a Francis (who names these, anyway?) to try as well. She's a great sport at ordering me tons of stuff to try. Does anyone know if the "still you" tanks are half or all the way around elastic
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I concur with Ariom, the Valetta cami is really comfortable even though it has an elastic all the way around. They are well designed and made high quality.
I tried a luisa luisa one and although I liked the cotton fabric for summer, the elastic was totally uncomfortable and misplaced. Terrible design. I ended up cutting the elastic out and now it's fine to wear as a tank top with light forms.
Best,
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floaton, I think if the elastic all around is a problem, the front elastic could be secured at the side seams and the back elastic removed. That should be enough to hold the cups in place.
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Good idea Wren, I hadn't thought of that. I have a couple of different sizes in the Valletta and find the one that is a bit on the large side, is loose in the interior elastic, which isn't a tight hard elastic at all, anyway. It may not work for you, but definitely worth looking at. The other tip with these is to get the straps to the right length so the front sits on the chest a little higher, and there will be no fall forward, which is the thing I hate the most, with other clothing. That gap that can be seen when the form and the bra fall forward, if you lean over....ugggh
I have tried a whole range of other pocketed camis, but none have been as soft or comfortable as the Valletta, for me. I know we are all different and one thing will suit one and not another. I think, if you can try a range of things on with a fitter, you are ahead of the game, because you can then purchase online when things are on sale, or on Ebay, where I have found some sensational bargains. Knowing how things fit and your correct size is key, to not making mistakes with these kinds of impulse purchases.
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From the boxes, looks like you primarily have Amoena. So which is the go to?
I only have one Amoena 392 (sz 6) set which is the top left in the picture. It is also my only asymmetrical. The others are ABC. The smaller ones (4 & 5) are lightweight and the largest is an ultra-lightweight (7). I also have a couple of sets (small) in foam. One the ABC 916 and the other from TLC Direct. My go to was typically the ABC 5 for work or shopping and the smallest foam on weekends or when doing anything physical.
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Starak, the main reason for all the Amoena, is that in Australia, it is by far the most popular and easiest brand to come by. Although I buy most of my items from the US, because those prices are far, far better than ours, I try to only buy items I have been able to try on first, to establish size and fit. I have taken a chance with a couple of brands that are not available here and they were a mistake. I also gave a few very low cost options from China a try, but they didn't work out for me. In saying that, my favorite "go to" is the TruLife 611 weighted foam, which is available here as a "Leisure Form" I find, I wear that most days, these are not as long lasting as a silicone form, but that is also reflected in their price, I buy in pairs for just $72 from Metromedical and have stocked up a few, just in case they change or delete them from their range.. This form is the perfect drape for me, where a lot of other foam forms seem to stand a bit too proud. I also love the Amoena Contact, as a more dressy option, but couldn't be bothered with the extra steps to wear and care for it, as an every day form. I also really like the Amoena Natura with the gel back for heat distribution.
I just took a look at your ABC616, which looks very much the TruLife 611, but yours is featherweight and mine is weighted. I find if I try to wear a feather weight, it just rides up and I have one high, the foob and one low, the natural! lol
Since most days, I wear a Valletta camisole or T shirt, both made by Amoena, I have found the 611 weighted, is just the right drape and weight for me to have no sensation of wearing anything at all. For me, it is the most natural feel of anything I have tried. Although I have a fairly large collection of Mx bras, some which are more comfortable than others, I find these clothing items with the pockets, to be the easiest things to wear every day. They work on their own or under shirts, jackets or cardigans and the camisoles come in such an extensive range of colors, they go with anything.
I know this wouldn't work for everyone, but for me, it has been an evolving thing, all trial and error, over the past couple of years to get to the point where I feel normal, comfortable and confident in my clothes, without having clothing malfunctions, like I had in the early days:)
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Ariom, you are such a wealth of information, so grateful you keep this thread going. Question re the Valetta camisoles. How do you find the fit? I don't have the chance to try them on, will have to order online. I am between a size 6 and 8 with an A cup in bras. I don't like a too tight fit, but don't want to buy it so big that the boob area is too big either. I too find that sometimes the form stands prouder than my remaining boob, lol love that expression. Any recommendation as to what size to buy ?
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Hi Deblc, thank you!
I usually go up a size in clothing items, simply because I have more belly than I would like and I am a "D" on the remaining side! I think you'll find the Valletta Camisole starts at a size 8 US, so I'd probably go with that if you are in between those sizes. They aren't actually a tight fit, on the body, they do have a slight flare to them and the built in bra has a little bit of padding within the pockets, but it isn't constructed like a real bra, so should sit softer and flatter on your chest. The straps are adjustable, to bring the front up, so it sits just above where the cleavage would start. I find I am a bit obsessive about getting that front, in the right position, because I still have cleavage on my natural side, with a slight concave on my Mx side, which looks really weird, if I let the front sit too low. LOL
I hope this may have helped a little, if you can. I would still suggest you try these items on when you are in the US and then you will know your size for further online shopping. I would hate to think you have taken my advice on sizing and it doesn't work for you.
You take care and let me know how you get on! Hugs from Australia to Jamaica!
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I find the Valetta camisoles incredibly comfortable, too. I usually wear a size 4 or 6 and my Amoena Lara bra is a 34B (breast forms are size 4 maybe?), but I wear the size 10 in the camisole. May have been able to go down to the 8 but I like the way the 10 lays and feels
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Thanks Ladies !
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I back with the information on the form I tried that is new that I liked so much but it wasn't in my size yet. It is made by Truelife and called sublime. It is not even on their web site yet. Here is an article about it.
http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/trul...
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Kittydog, I just had a look at that one after another member mentioned you'd posted about it. I found and it but it said ready to ship in November 2014, so it's very new. I like the look of it, but wonder how long it will be, or if it will ever be available here in Australia. We have a few TruLife items, but it is mostly Amoena that is available here.
I'd love to hear about this one if anyone finds one.
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Hi all - I have a question for those of you who are wearing the Lara Amoena bra. I had been wearing some regular Natori bras that Nordstrom put pockets in, and they are comfortable bras but I found the silicone forms weighed them down and became uncomfortable after a while. So I just got the Lara bra, thinking an actual mastectomy bra might provide more support, and it does. When I first put the bra on (with my foam inserts) the bra seemed very comfortable. But when I wear it with my regular silicone forms,it feels too tight around. Trying to decide it I should try a 36 (this one is a 34B) or if this one will stretch out a bit over time... Also, are there any other real bras (I have some of the genie type stretchy ones) that feel more like the band on the Valetta camisole (which I love).
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Hi esklader! I have a couple of Lara bras and I like them too. I am a Uni and haven't had any problem with the silicone form making it feel tighter, than if I wear my leisure, foam weighted form. I guess you could try the next size in the bra, but if it is a very small difference, how about trying an extender first. I am not sure you could rely on the bra stretching enough to feel right. Are your silicone forms the same size as your foam ones? That could be the problem, they may be a slightly larger form and that's what is making the band feel tighter.
Amoena make a leisure bra, called Hannah which is a front closer, but it is a soft bra with pockets. It has more support than the Genie type bras, which really don't seem to work for anything much more than an "A" cup form. Target also make a cotton front closer, which is really comfortable in a heavier stretch cotton.
There may be others who have tried other types of knit bras that work better with silicone forms. I can't wear them because I am a "D" and in a short while, after putting them on, they are sagging to my waist, not a good look!
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Thanks Ariom! Trying an extender is a good idea. I'm going to do that first
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I agree with Ariom that trying an extender is a great idea. I hadn't ever used them before my mastectomy and heard about the idea here. I love being able to make my bra bands looser! If the Lara you use otherwise looks good, it could be a great solution. Hope so!
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Hi, y'all. My BMx is next Tuesday and trying to do my research in advance. May I say that I am not really the least bit sorry for the BMx? I have had big boobs all my life and really am looking forward to experimenting with different sizes and being FLAT for awhile! So, can somebody give me the real life rundown on which prosthetics are the best for a hot natured Texas girl who still works in a professional environment? I am so looking forward to ditching my 44DDD bras, that I am actually thinking of having a bra burning party!
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Hello, twolumps. You have come to the right place. Our very own goddess of all things bras and foobs, Ariom, will be happy to advise you. I know that she loves the Trulife 611 weighted form. The trick is to have enough weight to keep the bra down in the usual place, and not have it ride up to your chin,, but not leave you feeling so heavy or weighing the bra down so much. There are also camisoles that have pockets, so you can slip your foobs right into the camisole and not wear a bra. A cami would look great under a jacket for a professional look. You will need to heal up after surgery before you can get a proper fitting for the foobs. I think it is 6 weeks.You ready for the surgery? You know about drains? You got something to help hold them up? It is not fun to leave them dangling. There are camisoles with drain pockets on the inside, or you can wear a hoodie, etc that has pockets to slip them in,,, or get thee to Home Depot and get a NAIL POUCH. It has 3 pockets, ties around the waist and it will hold 3 drains. I got one for a male friend who had to have BXM. Worked like a charm. And it costs like $2. You can tie it around your waist, button up a big shirt over it and no one will ever know it is there. Have some button up shirts, as it will be hard to pull things over your head for a while.
Wishing you all the best.
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hi two lumps,
What a great attitude you have! That is so important. I am now flat as a board after BMX and implants that were subsequently removed. I am so happy to not have anything inside me or have my body torn apart with reconstruction. This topic has been great for me. It is so much fun to check in with the ladies !
What will be essential is a cami or surgical bra to wear after surgery that has drain pockets as glennie mentioned. Some docs will give you a comfortable surgical bra than has drain pockets attached. Make sure you ask because they don't offer and don't tell you all this stuff. You will have drains on each side so make sure they give you pockets for both sides. This seems so basic but, believe me, not all docs provide this. Some of the bras only come with 1 drain pocket-that happened to me. I had to ask for another bra! Duh! The doc offices just don't think the details through sometimes. Once you get the drains out and heal a bit, you will be able to wear the camisoles that have the pockets that you can put a soft foam form into. The women on this thread helped me and I went to a local "fitter" who helped me sort all this out and ordered all the initial stuff that I needed. You can google mastectomy bra fitters in your area. I never knew they existed until I went through all this.
There is much knowledge here that all of us are happy to share with you. Our foob goddess(love that designation, glennie!) Ariom, can guide you with specifics about anything prosthetic! She was a lifesaver for me. You have found a great topic to help you!
Keep us posted about your progress.
Best,
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Awwww, you girls are too kind, thank you!
The truth is, I am a Uni, so I still have a natural breast that I have to match, so that's why this stuff has become a quest, or a hobby, as my Husband calls it.
Hello twolumps, you do have a great attitude and from what I have read from others who were very large, having the breasts removed, was a very freeing experience for them, too!
As the others have mentioned, it is 6 weeks before the fitters want to see you. It will take that long for the swelling to go down and for them to be able to get a true fit for you. I was at the door of my fitters the moment my drain was out, but they shooed me away and told me 6 weeks was the minimum. In saying that, I mocked up a modesty pad out of a Genie bra to fill out the empty side, in my clothes and to stop the fabric from touching me, which was something I wasn't aware of prior to surgery. I was very sensitive to anything touching that side, which is totally normal, not pain, just weird sensation like uber sunburn, which is to do with the regeneration of nerves. Most of us will tell you the Mx was nowhere near what we expected, pain wise, but for me, at least, it was a surgery of many strange sensations, some of which I named. The one which most will recognize was "The Claw" which arrives early on after the surgery when you have overdone it, which we are all guilty of. It feels like a something holding your chest and underarm with some claws, or the "Waterfall" when you drink something very cold, for the first time after the surgery and you feel it cascading down, on the inside. Weird stuff, but interesting!
Anyhoo, I digress! Glennie and Bettyboops have given you the important drain info. I didn't use anything other than a lanyard in the shower, but I only had one drain so it wasn't too hard to manage. I could sling it around my neck and hold it in a cloth shoulder bag, but I also found I could drag the darn thing along behind me, it was on a really long tubing line. Most will tell you this is the worst part of the recovery, dealing with this unwanted appendage, not pain, just so annoying and when it is removed, the relief is fantastic!
There are a huge amount of boobs, foobs and forms available, there are many bras too, but a good fitter will guide you to what will fit you best. I really like the leisure forms, like the TruLife 611, but I have a Contact, which actually attaches to the chest with a stick backing, these are not able to be used till all the healing has taken place at around 6 months. There are forms with a gel backing if to have a tendency to get hot, they will absorb and release heat. There are different drapes, which you can decide on, since you don't have another breast to match to.
The camisoles that the girls are mentioning are a fantastic option, I wear these or the T shirts made by Amoena most of the time these days, because of the comfort. They are called Valletta and they have a bra inside with soft elastic that doesn't irritate your chest. These also need to be tried on to get the right fit. There are shape wear tanks or camisoles available from department stored that some like when they go flat because the firmness of these garments holds everything, giving a really smooth line, because some of us have what we call, the "Buddha Belly", which is more apparent after the breasts are gone. Some prefer to wear the Genie style bras, but these, I find only work if you have a very small lightweight form, because they do have a tendency to sag and drag down, if you wear a silicone form in them. I have also fallen victim to the soft puffy, inside a soft bra, which worked its way up and out of my T Shirt and under my chin. Very embarrassing!
Feel free to ask anything, nothing is off limits here and there are so many, willing to share experiences. I hope some of this may help and I wish you all the very best for your surgery and a fast uneventful recovery!
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I'm way behind in reading this thread, but wanted to say thanks, Goddess Ariom, for your comment about "Phantom Itch". I'm going to try scratching my back next time to see if it helps the front itch to go away!
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