All things bras & prosthesis
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You're welcome GeorgiaRai! I hope it works for you, like it does for me. If it really bugs you, try a rough towel like you're drying your back, that always does it for me! Good Luck with it! M x.
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Hello ladies.
After not being able to locate a mastectomy prosthesis fitter that would both accept Medicare assignment and/or call me back to make an appointment, I contacted the American Cancer Society for a referral to a mobile fitter who would come to me. The only company they could recommend, has closed their mobile fitting business. However, they also recommended Liberator Medical as an online store. Had checked them out, checked out great, I just did not want to do online for the first pair of foobies.
Yesterday I gave up and called Liberator Medical. Wish I had done so at least a month ago. The certified fitter I spoke with spent over an hour going over my options and why I would need a particular size prosthesis (2) and which of their huge selection of bras would be best for. me. While explaining why I needed lighter cooler silicone prosthesis and cotton bras (live. In South Florida), found out the company is located an hour north of me. should have my four bras and foobies before Christmas. Was assured that I can return anything I don't like as long as I don't wear it and the tags are still on. So we will see.
Looking forward to being able to wear my clothes that need foobies.😃.
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Glad you found a company to work with, Msqueen. I hope you'll be happy with what you chose. Good to know you can return if not. Were they willing to submit the insurance for you, or do you have to do that yourself? Most online companies I know of require payment from the customer and then the customer has to file for insurance. For that reason, up till now at least, when I've used insurance to get new breast forms or bras, I've always gone to brick and mortar stores.
By the way, seeing that you live in Lake Worth, have you tried Nordstrom? I don't know if they would accept Medicare, but I would think so. They have certified fitters and carry Amoena products. Not all their stores have mastectomy departments (part of lingerie dept.), but I know the Nordstrom at Town Center in Boca Raton does. Just a thought for an alternative...
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I've been reading forums for days. I'm scheduled for a DEconstruction in a couple weeks. I'm looking forward to getting rid of the iron bra and lopsided baseball looking implants that I've had since my double mastectomy 14 months ago. I wish I had gone flat to begin with. I know I'll have 6 weeks of recovery before I can be fitted for a foob. I was wondering if any of you have a recommendation for a set of foobs to wear when trying to be intimate with my husband. (I say trying because it has been difficult to regain intimacy due to my body hurting and body image) I saw Pals on the breastfree site, they look real.
I imagine I will go flat most of the time. If I wear foobs in public, I think I'd prefer something lightweight and a B or small C size but then I've read about the riding up issue. I'm starting to get overwhelmed like I did with all the reconstruction choices in the beginning.
Do foobs feel cold ( My implants are so cold!)
I've had very sensitive skin since surgery and radiation. It still hurts to the touch under my breasts, between them, and under the arm where lymph nodes were removed.
Thank you all for providing others with information!!
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Msqueen: I'm so glad you found a company who will work with you. I hope your selections work out and it's good to know you are return them if they are not ok.ChristyLee: are you near a fitter? It would be great if you could go somewhere and get an idea of what the foobs look and feel like. I was really surprised the first time i went. The silicon ones have a really nice feel to them. You can get fitted 6 weeks after surgery. When you are healed up, there are foobs that go into the bra pocket and then ones that you can actually stick on your chest. Ariom or Erica can probably tell you the brand. I tried one on, ,and then put on a nipple pasty,, and under a thin white tee shirt, I swear you could not tell which one was the fake! There is hope out there, my friend,, you just need to get thru this surgery and heal up. Since your skin is so sensitive, it might take longer to wear the stick on ones,,,, but you can wear the pocketed ones very soon.
Ask around for a fitter,, go online and google for locations. Is there a breast cancer support group near you? They could be a resource or your doctor's office. The shop in my town is OK,, but I found one that was 40 miles away that was really amazing and really really caters to BC patients with all kinds of bras, foobs, swim suits, etc etc.
Also check out www.knittedknockers.org They are a group of volunteers who knit foobs!! They are nice and soft, and could make a good first foob for you while you are healing up. You just let them know what cup size and they put you on the list and as they are available, they will send you a pair. If you can give them a donation for postage, they will appreciate that.
When is your surgery? Keep up posted on how you are doing.
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Has anyone found or tried Amoena's bathing suits, exercise shirts, or other clothing (beyond the Valetta). On their site, they have some nice long sleeve shirts but I can't find them anywhere and can't reach customer service at Amoena. Metro Medical has a couple of nice bathing suits and activewear, but the sizing looks different than the camisole. Just curious if they are as nice and comfortable (also about to order several more Vallettas. Yay!)
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Hi esklader, I have several Amoena swim suits, they are all really great. Amoena does do the the bra inside really well and the neckline is at the right height for no "Fall Forward" malfunctions. I have bought lots of the Amoena clothing apart from my fave Valletta cami and T shirts. I have been buying their active wear on ebay recently. I also love their other dress tops and I also bought almost the whole range of tunics and long dresses from their last range. I haven't had any items that I don't like from that range. Here in Australia, we don't really have much, other than Amoena, so that is the reason I buy so much from that brand. I do, however, buy a lot of it online from the US, because your prices are far lower than ours in Australia and fortunately, the Amoena brand is very true to size. I would encourage you to try to find these clothing items, maybe in a lingerie shop or department store that does fitting for prosthesis. I have gotten friends of mine into theses clothing items, who haven't had breast surgery, simply for the comfort and the style.
I have bought a few camisoles from other brands, but I haven't found any that come close, for me, to the Valletta. It is a staple in my wardrobe and I wear them most days. I have just about every color now and I find they are just about the most comfortable thing to wear, either with a silicone foob, or my favorite TruLife 611 weighted foam.
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Thanks, Ariom! Have you found that you wear the same size in the Valletta camisoles and the bathing suits? Looked to me like the size chart was somewhat different, so I was just curious. I have done so many google searches trying to find the other leisure clothing. So far, only places I've found have been in Canada
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hi christylee,
Check out my topic, "Implants removed-yay!!!"
To answer a couple of your questions. Foobs are not cold but my implants were so cold too! I live in MA so winter was no fun last year. I think your best bet right after surgery is a post- surgical camisole that you can put a light foob in, something you won't care if it gets a little blood on it or such. There are really nice camisoles made my Amoena but you don't want such a nice top right after surgery. The foobs should be very light, unweighted foobs to start as your "training foobs" as you may be sore in that area. All of this has a learning curve so I would really advise you to go to a fitter in your area to get the basics. The ladies on this topic can fill in all the blanks. I know what you mean about being overwhelmed. I felt that way too but, believe me, you will be so relieved when you get the darn implants out. Here's what I did- I went to I a fitter before the implant removal. She gave me a post surgical camisole with a light foam foob to have ready after surgery. The doc gave me a post surgical bra but that does not hold a foob. It should have drain holders. That is necessary because you will have a drain or two on each side for about a week.
After the drains come out you will be able to wear the post surgical cami with a soft, light foam foob. After about 4-6 weeks, you will be able to wear a soft bra with the foam foob or a nicer cami with the insert pocket for a foob. I didn't even know those existed before I had my implants out! I'll stop there because after that it gets more fun to find clothes and bras and there is lotsof help here for you.
Feel free to message me for details about implant removal. Let us know how you do!
Best,
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hi msqueen,
So great you were able to work through your options and get what you wanted! I was lucky and found a fitter within a half hour of my house. Just lucked into it. Someone mentioned her to me. I had no idea that these ladies were around at all before I started investigating before my implant removal.Don't hesitate to ask your questions. Lots of help here!
Best,
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Christy, The silicone foobs are cold when I put them in the bra in the morning, but warm up almost immediately to body temperature. By evening they feel so real it's sort of creepy. My DH doesn't mind me being flat so I've never worn a foob to bed.
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Hi Ladies,
Thanks for all your input. Yes, Liberator Medical files Medicare so I will only be responsible for my 20 %. Looked at Nordstrom but they do not accept Medicare assignment. Cannot afford to put out that much money at once and then wait months for reimbursement. Even our local ACS had no suggestions. My travel limitations really limit my ability to go somewhere an hour or so away. The funny thing is I know I will go flat 90% of the time. Just want options. Have worn my post surgery cloth foobies in a regular bra and it looks horrible, plus they move around. Ordered the best foobies I could get with the proper bras so we will see. If not what I expect. Back they go.
christylee and Bettyboops you both confirmed my feelings that implants would not work for me. I have a history of having problems with medical procedures, and since I have M.S. I was afraid it would further complicate matters. So sorry you ladies had problems, but you do a service by educating others. When I told my Breast Cancer surgeon I was not going to reconstruct, he did not understand why. I think women go into reconstruction thinking there are no downsides. Have been told 50% of women who have a mastectomy never reconstruct. don't know if that is right.
Erica, where in Florida do you live? Guessing somewhere in south Florida.
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I have swelling in my armpit and skin sensitivity from radiation. I've been looking for a bra that's comfortable. Most bras don't come high enough to my armpit and cut into the swelling I have. I have a compression garment that comes up under my armpits but get tired of wearing it everyday. I liked the Genie camisole but it doesn't come up quite high enough. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm an A cup and got a compression bra that feels good but the cups are too big and require lots of padding! And it looks like my boobs are right under my chin! I also have a Coobie that works sort of but the straps are skinny and the material rubs on my skin. Has anyone tried this?
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I haven't tried that one but it looks like it might work. What is their return policy? My mx shop carries a coobie bra that is shaped more like the geni with the scoop neck and wider straps. They also have the skinny strap one. The valetta camisole has gotten good reviews on here. Sometimes they have certain colors on sale pretty reasonably priced.
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I have the 2 Blue Canoe cotton bras on the left - super comfortable. The racer back one comes up higher under the pit. a bit pricier
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I've used the Wearease Compression Bra #790 It goes down to sizes XXS. The shoulders are adjustable too. That was a big plus for me cuz the other compression bra did not have that.0 -
I'm happy to report I got my prosthetics yesterday! I got the Amoena Natura Light 2S and I am finding them to be quite comfortable! I think the biggest difference between this shop and the other one I went to (where I didn't buy anything) is that this fitter brought out bras that were comfortable from the start. I didn't try on one comfortable one at the other place. I was in and out within a half hour yesterday. I even bought a really pretty one...by Anita Care that they had ordered for someone else but I guess it didn't work out for her. I need to look up the style number for that one so I can try to get some more. The other two are the Marlena bra by Amoena and they are just a basic bra with no fancy stuff on them. I think someone else talked about them here, too. Another big difference I noticed is that the bras at the other shop seemed to make my "boobs" look really far apart with a big space in the middle. The fitter there said it was just the nature of the prosthetics because they weren't real, but with these other bras, I don't have that problem.
AKJ - I suspect that the ones I bought would not be high enough in your armpit...that is actually one of the things I liked about these because the ones at the other store were too high and hurt. I hope you are able to find something you like!
Of course, I will still wear the Knitted Knockers my sister is mailing me! I think she is shipping them off to me this week!
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YAY, Mel!! Glad you found some things that you liked!!! Nothing like a successful shopping trip!0 -
Good for you Mel! I have the Natura Light in the 2s too. It is a really natural drape. Glad you found the comfy bras too. I just received some Amoena 2167 bras in Chocolate, from the metromedicalonline sale. I have just ordered another 2 because they are so comfortable and at $9.00 each with a further 10% off they are a steal. There are a few sizes left and some other styles too in the Amoena blowout sale area. These are mostly discontinued lines, but if you do a search for the style you'll see they are still selling for about $60.00 elsewhere. They also have the Valletta camisoles in a couple ofcolors for $27.00 and the Valletta T shirts in black or White for $30.00 each.
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Ariom, I sawn where Amoena had a camisole Talia 2841 for $11.49, but wouldnt ya know it>> sold out, I like it because it had the insert so no gap when bending over. I am one of the only ones that have a gap when wearing the valetta cami.. it falls forward no matter what I do. Darn, I will have to watch ebay for this cami.
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Thanks, Glennie and Ariom! I am definitely very happy about my purchases! Ariom - I agree...I think the Natura Light 2S is a very natural drape! Thanks, also, for the info about metromedical. I do plan on buying some of the cami's you have talked about and will have to check out the sales, too. I really do like this bra and wouldn't mind getting a few more at those great prices! I looked at the site before after reading some of your posts about it but hadn't made the leap to buy anything yet since I wasn't sure of my size. It's kind of funny...in the past, when I had real breasts, I was never one to buy fancy bras, or even very many bras, but now I just want to buy a whole bunch!! How wacky is that??
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I know what you mean Mel! I was always a bit of a lingerie nut, and found it hard to discard my favorites, but I am really obsessed now and have a wardrobe of bras, camis and foobs! I have found, for me, half the fun. if you can call it that, has been the hunt for the right products, at the best prices.
ndgirl, I have seen the Talia Camisole, but not on sale, anywhere else. I'll keep an eye out for it, when I am searching. It's a shame the Valletta doesn't work for you, but then there isn't going to be anything that works for everyone. I have bought a few other camis from other manufacturers and they are useless to me, too low cut and not as good quality, as the Amoena.
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I know what you mean about being obsessed, Ariom. After my cancer surgeries, on my breast and my leg, the constant challenge of how to dress has helped my accept my new body. What bra and what foob today? Which pants, or is it time for a skirt? I think it might provide a distraction from worrying about the cancer. Best, Amy
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great Mel! I also love the Marlena bra. I wear it everyday with weighted leisure forms. I'm waiting for a pair of custom prosthetics. The jury is still out on them but I will let you all know if they are better than the off the shelf or not. I was lucky that my insurance covered most of the cost.
Best,
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I do the same thing Amy! LOL
Hi Bettyboops, looking forward to your take on the custom foobs!
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I just bought a new foob. I tried on that new Tru Life Supreme, but it didn't look as good as the Amoena. Fitter helping me said my back is swollen on the side that hurts. I've thought that in the past, but had no proof. She suggested ice which I'm going to try when I pry myself away from BCO. My new one is a lot lighter than the old one.
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betttyboops - I just got the Marlena in blush color that they had shipped to my house. It was fast...I only ordered it on Monday. Can't wait to hear how you like the custom prosthetics. Awesome that your insurance paid for most of the cost!
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Just thought I would mention the 2167 Amoena at Metromedical that I mentioned in an earlier post, which is on sale for $9.00, is the "Marlena" it is only available in Chocolate, but a great bargain. I bought 4 of them! There is also a 10% off, coupon that will be offered when you go into the site. Just make sure you go to the Sale section-Mastectomy and Amoena blowout sale. Use the drop down and go to the 2167, there are some other Amoena bras left at $9.00 too. They still have the 2167 Marlena at the higher price on the site in other colors.
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Funny, Ariom, I just received that very bra. I find it very comfortable, but the cups seem to wrinkle and have excess space. I got it in the same size as my other Amoena bras, but I am wondering if I might need to go down a cup size in this one to avoid that, or if that will just make it too small. The one I have is a 34B
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Thats great advice Ariom. I think I will buy one. Although chocolate is dark, it's cold here and I'm in sweaters and fleece every day so color of the bra doesn't matter.
Thanks!
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