All things bras & prosthesis
Comments
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hi Ariom,
Yes, the custom can be made with painted veins, freckles etc... I did not want that as I was not matching another side. They are not " sticky" enough to adhere to the chest on their own. You could put them against your chest in a well fitted bra. I'll ask my fitter about the adhesive if you are wondering. I was not interested in that but it would be good to know if they have a paint on adhesive for them. I think they probably do. I don't have a fabric cover for them but they do slide easily into the bra pocket. They are not sticky like my other silicon foobs. They have more of a velvety feel.
Best,
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Thanks for that Bettyboops. Is there much care required, for the custom form? Sorry for all the questions:)
The Contact, that I have has "mega stick", to the point where it can be a bit difficult to remove, but there is prep involved before you wear it, for your chest and it has to be scrubbed with a brush to retain the sticky surface after you wear it. I like it, but it wouldn't be something I would wear every day, because I couldn't be bothered to do all the things to care for it.. I always wash my silicone after wearing and the covers from my weighted foam form, get washed after a few wears.
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Hi Ariom, I think Bettyboops was answering my question about whether the Radiant Impressions forms are silicone or foam. I'm sure she'll come along and answer your question herself, but in the meantime, I believe the Radiant Impressions aren't attachable like an Amoena Contact. As Betty was describing, the consistency of the form is different from other silicone forms. It doesn't move around as much in a bra, so can be worn in a non-pocketed bra without so much concern about it sliding out.
I know you're a fan of MetroMedical. If you go to the Trulife breast forms page, you'll see the Trulife Impressions form, which is a non-custom version of the Radiant Impressions form (Trulife bought Radiant Impressions a few years ago) and uses the same type of silicone. If you click on the image of the back of the form, you'll see that it's covered with tiny holes, which are meant to keep you cooler and also account for the lighter, more foam-type feeling that Betty mentioned.
I was very excited when the non-custom version came out and went to try it on. They start at size 4, so a little big for me (they now have a more shallow Impressions II version, but I think it still starts at size 4), but also I didn't care for the consistency of the silicone. It's definitely lightweight, but I still felt I would perspire if I wore it against my skin and it didn't slide easily into a pocketed bra. Even in a regular bra, I found it hard to adjust, but I think the good thing is that once it's adjusted, it won't move around. I think it's one of those things you have to try for yourself and see how you like it. I may check out the new Impressions II, which might fit me and maybe I'll like it better.
Bettyboops, I'm really happy that this form works for you. Just shows how we are all individuals and what works for one of us may not be right for another. Genie bras is another example. I know lots of women here love them but for me they're way too high under the arm, where I'm quite sensitive after radiation. Just can't wear it comfortably.
(Sorry about the inadvertent indentation. Don't know why that happened. Can't seem to edit it away.)
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Just took a look at the Radiant impressions Erica, thank you for that. I do remember seeing this one now.
I don't really know how I got the impression that a custom was a contact and sculpted to look the same as the remaining breast in a Uni, or as a pair of contact forms, after BMX.
I too, love that there is so much to choose from out there. My fave Valletta cami, is the most comfortable thing ever, for me, but I know it doesn't sit right on the chest for others.
I am coming up for my 2 year fitting in a few week, we get subsidized forms every 2 years, so I am looking forward to seeing if anything new has come on the market, since my first fitting.
I can't believe how fast the time has flown!
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Just came from Hopkins and got my drains out and word that there is no chemo needed. The doctor admitted the BMX was a good idea after all as even though the scans were ok he said I would have been back with lobular cancer on the other side. Whew!
Came home and on the porch was the box with my new Valletta camis. What a day! Usually wear a 10 but since they run small got a 12 and 14. The 14 is loose but not so loose the it looks bad. it will be great until the sensitivity is decreased one for now, one for later! Let's Party!
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Woo Hoo Chloesmom, what a great Christmas gift for you! No chemo, drains out and new clothes! Love it!!!!!
If you sew, you will be able to take that cami in if it is a little large, later when the swelling and the sensitivity is gone.
I can imagine you are so pleased to have made the decision to do the BMX! Well done, you!!
I am so happy for you!
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Yes I sew so then I will have 2 colors
I made a post surgical cami by making a pouch out do the shelf bra I sit out of it. Fits someone size 10-12. Glad to send it to someone who needs it as I'm done with drains!
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Erica, thanks for the link and detailed description - I have been considering new forms with our new insurance in the new year...
Ariom, if you do invest, please let me know what you think. I have done quite well with your other recommendations
I do love MetroMedical too, good deals, but not "in network" for my insurance. Chloesmom, so glad that you followed your own wisdom... It would have been a good decision for you even if the surgeon had not confirmed it. Yay! And you have new camis... Life is good.
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Congrats on getting the drains out and the good news, Chloesmom! Santa came early!!!0 -
chloesmom,
Yay, drains out. Upward from here! Yes, I had a bi-lateral for the same reason. I have never regretted that.
Have a nice holiday,
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hi Ariom and Erica,
I did call my fitter regarding the radiant expressions and attaching directly to the skin. I was curious too! Here is what she said:
There is no definite answer, it is very individual. In her opinion, smaller size custom foobs can be attached with a medical grade adhesive. Larger breast sizes may have more difficulty having the adhesive work properly. She said she handles things on a case by case basis depending on size and actual physical characteristics of the scars and chest area.
That is so great that the same type of foob is available from trulife. Good to know! The new material does not inhibit sliding in and out of the bra pocket. I guess the old one was a little stickier. I personally just put them in a bra and leave them there.
Care of the foobs is to wash with gentle soap, no special instructions. Although they include a " cleaner" when you get them. My lady said it's just a simple soap liquid. There is also an anti-bacterial spray to use in case you wear them against your skin. You can just spray them. Personally, I would just wash them. The anti-bacterial spray contains triclosan and zeolite. I know that triclosan has been identified as a possible carcinogen so I will stay away from that!
I hope this answered your questions. I really haven't thought much about the custom foobs. That is a good thing! I just put them in my Marlena bra pockets and have been wearing them every day. Very comfortable. I think the non custom ones from trulife would be a good option too as long as you get the size right so they are comfy. This material is supposed to last for years. My fitter says she has a client who has been wearing them daily for 6 years.
Best,
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Bettyboops, thank you so much for taking the time to report all that information! It's very interesting and will be of use to others who come looking for info on Custom foobs. I have the cleanser from Amoena for my silicone foobs, but I think I will just go to a simple soft soap when it runs out. I was given a large bottle when I got my first foob and it is still going strong, you don't need much.
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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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So yesterday I decided to put the little poof foobs in the cami pockets
Looking to be an A- AA so not much poof. Just the same that made my cami move against my skin and it was like massaging a sunburn. I have had no pain from BMX except for drains but this wasn't pretty.
I was initially brimmed that the fitter doesn't want to even see you until 6 weeks post op. Was looking to get something so a couple of special outfits can stay in the wardrobe Otherwise won't bother much with foobs can't imagine when I will get to that point now
The only thing I want to have on now is a close fitting cami that doesn't slide around and is either made from a smooth synthetic or an ultra soft cotton. Is this par for the course? For someone in this situation what are the best foobs to start with?
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I just used the little poofs that came with my camisoles for a long time. I had a UNi, so I just wanted to look balanced. After 6 weeks or so,, I got a silicon foob. I had 2 others now also.
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hi Ariom,
I'm happy to look into prosthetic information!
Best,
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hi chloesmom,
My first, most comfortable and good looking foobs were the lightweight foam forms from ABC. They are called First Forms style 916. There is another style that is weighted but I would start with the unweighted and put them in an Amoena cami. You really have to heal some before things become super comfortable but they will! We were all impatient to get our foobs on but give it some time if you are not ready. Flat is okay too. I did put a bra on very early because I was impatient and it was summer time. The PS did say that having the pressure against the area would help keep swelling down, as long as you are healed enough so that there are no open wounds etc...
Best,
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Thanks Bettyboops. I actually got an amoena compression bra - the Patricia model - and it feels wonderful on my sides where it's swollen. Really keeps the swelling down. It's loose across the incisions but snug in just the right places. But the poofs on the cami rubbing on my shirt when I tried that were like sandpaper. I'm content to be flat for now. Just couldn't imagine what we would use later. Remembered that when I surgery on my thigh above my knee years ago I couldn't wear pants for 6 months as it was the same thing. Still is sensitive there 15 years later
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Chloesmom, as I remember, each step takse some getting used to. I wore loose fitting cami with the poofs early on and then moved on to a sports bra with the poofs. At 8 weeks (bit late due to seroma, I went to be fitted for silicone - Amoena Natura Light 2S (390) worn with several different Amoena bras: mona, marlena, not sure of names of others (Ariom is queen) - I had to adjust gradually to the weight, but love the natural feel now - BEST for hugging... Recently added Trulife 611 from suggestions on this thread - so light and comfy, maybe perfect for early prosthesis? I exercise (started soon after being fitted) in a weighted foam "Amoena Leisure Form" - it doest the job, but is NOT as comfy as others... Each new introduction seemed to take some time to feel like part of me. Definitely need to not aggravate healing at first. Sounds like you have a good solution for now. Just ease into the wearing of prostheses when you are healed. Best wishes...
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hi Erica,
I just checked out the Tru life impressions forms and they are the same as the custom material I got as you said. Even the carry case they come in is the same color that I got! I would say that is a great option for a huggable, non- custom foob. What I didn't get is a cover for my foobs. I see they sell them separately at metromedical for the Tru life impressions foobs. I'm going to see if my fitter can get one for me or I'll order them from metromedical. I just have to find out which size my custom foob is closet to. Thanks for the good information. Love this topic!
Happy Holidays!
Best,
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Thanks for the feedback, Bettyboops! I haven't found a place where I can try on the newer Impressions form (Impressions II). Please keep us posted on how your custom versions work out.
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Do the Amoeba Valetta T shirts fit the same way as the Camis?
Wonder if I should get the same size
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Chloesmom, that rasping sandpaper, burn, sensation is normal, as are other nerve related sensations that you will begin to notice, like zapping and zinging. I actually named the sensation, for "I have overdone it today" "The Claw", which many of us experienced, it usually happens at the end of the day and feel like a sharp claw is holding your chest and underarm. Another is the "Waterfall" which is a sensation none of us has been able to find the reason for, even though it happens to lots of us and it is when you drink a cold liquid, which you can feel traveling all the way down, on the inside of your chest. Very strange, but it goes away. I can still feel it if I really concentrate while swallowing an icy drink. I found that if I spread my hand and held it on the area, when I had that sensation sandpaper sensation, it would disappear.
I went to the fitter a week after my Mx, wanting to be fitted, when they discovered I had only had surgery a week ago, they just shooed me away and told me to come back after 6 weeks, because your true size won't be evident till then and the swelling will have gone.
I had my surgery in the heat of an Aussie Summer, so I pinned the modesty pad from a Genie style bra into sarong, just to hold the fabric away from my skin. I also had a bra which is given to everyone here in Australia by the company Berlei, it is a front closing bra with adjustable fluff foobs. That was useful for the first 6 weeks.
As the others have mentioned, it is just baby steps and a matter of finding what suits you and what is comfortable. We have found that there are some things, like the weighted foam foobs that suit lots of us and the Marlena and Mona bra is a safe option for many too, but it is all trial and error.
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Chlloesmom, I go up a size in the Valletta T shirt too, it is fitted at the bust line and flares slightly. Take a look at some of the Amoena Exercise tops and tanks as well, they have the same bra inside them and they look and feel great. You can often find these items at great prices on Ebay and there are a couple of tops that come with a soft style, sports bra, which goes under it. I have found them new with tags on Ebay for $20.00, great buy! They also have a fair amount of this range on Metromedical too.
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Thanks so much Ariom! They said they don't fit you for 6 weeks which is fine by me but I thought I'd order a T as we are going on vacation and I need a top. Tried wearing a regular T shirt to bed last night and it was awful as it slid around
Put on a cami with a PJ top over it and got some rest. YAY!
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Chloesmom, Some women have talked about wearing a cami with the bra on top of that. One said she wore the cami inside out so the seams wouldn't rub. Under Armour has some shirts that have compression and Jockey makes tank tops that are really soft. You can also wear a cami or tank top and put a shirt over it left open in front. That sort of confuses what might be there.
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Thanks Wren! Will experiment. Today I tried a soft tank with a compression bra on top and that worked. I got the Amonea Patricia compression bra that really helps the swelling on my sides. Got a 36 to fit my 32 band dimension and it was perfect. The tank made it nice and soft over the chest incisions
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Ariom and everyone,
I I have a question. I washed my ABC weighted leisure form as I wanted to put it away until summer and I noticed that on the back it, the foam is breaking apart a little. Did I do something wrong or is that par for the course? I've been wearing it with a cover for about 6 months and have left it in the Marlena bra, just washing the bra but not the prosthesis. I finally took the cover off and it did look like it needed a little washing especially in the underarm side. I washed it in gentle soap under warm running water, squeezed them out and set them on a towel to dry. I noticed the tiny tears in the foam when I was washing but now I see a lot of them. What is the usual life span of these foobs and how do you all care for them? I know I will want to wear them again when the warm weather comes, either in a cami or in a cotton bra. Please advise!
Thanks
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Hi Bettyboops, I am not absolutely certain about this because I don't have any ABC brand products, but I think this may be a memory foam form. Erica may be able to help you with this one, she has access to more brands than I do.
I have never washed my foam forms, only the covers and I am fairly certain that they only have about a 6 month warranty, where the silicone have 2 years. I just did a quick search on the ABC and the only information I could find, was to say they are not advised for swimming, but no other care instructions at all. Is there a care sheet that came with the form when you bought it?
Sorry I couldn't help more, Bettyboops.
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I washed the modesty shields in a Genie bra and they pulled apart. Don't know if the foam is similar but thinner. Had been wearing the Genies for a long time pre BMX. Speaking of Genie bras. I always wear medium but got a cami and had to get a large in the cami. Had packed them away preop but glad I kept them as the cami feels great for compression!
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