All things bras & prosthesis

Ariom

I really liked shape wear tanks for compression too. The department stores have them as a very firm, flat tank, without the bra at the top for those who are totally flat. They are really cheap and are as good as many of the expensive ones. I also found some great camisoles and tanks made from bamboo fiber, they were soft like silk.

wren44

I went to WalMart for a new Genni bra. They didn't have what I wanted. Walking out, I spied a copy cat bra for 5.98 and bought one to try it. I'm wearing it today and it's as comfortable as the Genni. I've have to see if it lasts.

Chloesmom

I get Genies in Bed bath and beyond with the 20% coupon. Guess they are in the beyond dept.

Ariom

Haha Chloesmom, in the "Beyond Boobs" department!

wren44

I didn't know Bed Bath & Beyond carried them. I'll have to watch for a coupon. They have my large dish drainer that I can't find anywhere else. I don't have a dishwasher because I would lose drawers if I put it in and they're more useful. With 2 of us it takes a week to fill it, so just as easy to hand wash. The drainers are getting smaller and smaller because people are only washing their good wine glasses or something.

Erica

Hi Bettyboops,

When I read your post, I thought you were talking about the ABC 916 First Form, which uses memory foam but doesn't have much weight. Then I realized you're probably referring to a newer form by ABC, the 926 First Form Weighted, which uses non-metallic material to add some weight. I have a pair of the 916's and the foam is completely intact (I wore them quite regularly for a while, though I haven't used them much recently), but I wonder if the material which helps weight the form in the 926's has affected the integrity of the memory foam which surrounds it. Or maybe it's just that you've really worn the form a lot and it's breaking down. Maybe washing the form sped up that process. I'd say your best bet is to contact the company directly. They don't make it easy to find contact information on their website, but I did come up with this: email -- customerservice@americanbreastcare.com; phone -- 866-830-1990. The phone number says it's for orders (for retailers, I think, not individuals), but once you get to a live person, perhaps they can answer your question or direct you to someone who will.

Ariom, I have a question for you, since I know you wear your Trulife weighted leisure forms a lot. I've been wearing mine a lot lately, too, and have noticed that the back seems to be bulging in the middle, where the weighted part is, almost as if it's working its way to the surface. Maybe it was always that way and I simply didn't notice? It's possible, since I wear the forms in a pocketed camisole, so I don't need to remove the covers for washing very often. Now the bulge is clearly noticeable even through the covers, more on one form than the other, so it's hard to believe I simply failed to notice it before. Maybe I'm more unobservant than I thought!

I've had a weird issue the past few weeks. I had a bad cough and managed to pull the intercostal muscle under my left lower ribcage from coughing. I've been told this takes a long time to heal and so far that's true. It's getting better, but very slowly. I've found that when I wear my foam forms, since they feel harder against my chest than the silicone ones, they cause pain in my tender muscle. So, I've been wearing silicone more recently and find them pleasantly soft. I have a wonderful soft bra that I wear them with -- the Anita Nastasja. It's a smaller bra than it appears in the picture (at least in my size, 34A), with no stiffness whatsoever. But I wish they made something like it in a smooth, seamless version, since the seams and stitching show through most tee shirts. I ordered a Coobie bra to try, but I think it may be too high under the arms, where I'm rather sensitive. I have another bra, called the Zee Bra, which is great for a small-breasted look as it's a very soft and minimal bra. It has removable padding where a breast form can be placed (and the owner purposely enlarged the pocket opening to accommodate breast forms). I use this for more sedentary times, but the nylon fabric doesn't prevent perspiration very well, so I'm looking for something that will work better for long walks, etc.

Always interested in hearing what works for everyone else!

moissy

Hi all! I've been away from the boards for awhile and am 10 years out now --and all's good! I always stop back now and then to see what I'm missing! Love. This. Thread. And still loving Breastfree blog, Erica! Ten years later, still feel happy with my decision not to "reconstruct."

I recently went to a new fitter and came out with the Amoena Valletta cami and Jillianna bead form- a new combo I'm really liking for comfort. Ariom - you are one of the few people I've seen who has worn the Jillianna much. I'm thinking about trying the Trulife 611 leisure form next. How would you compare the Jillianna to the Trulife?

Ariom

Hello Moissy,Congratulations on the 10 years out!

I did wear the Jillianna quite a bit in the beginning, but once I discovered the Trulife 611, I haven't looked back. For me, the weight, the drape and the feel of the Trulife, is far superior to anything else. In saying that, they are very different forms, with the Jillianna being a mix of micro beads and the 611 being a weighted, formed foam. I have been wearing an Amoena gel back, silicone recently, but I usually wear the 611 exclusively. I wear all of them in the Valletta Camisole and find just about anything, works in that. Also, worth mentioning is that I wear a size 8 or 9 in forms, depending on make, for a size D cup. The size can make quite a difference as to how the different forms look and feel to the wearer.

Erica, I just went to the "FoobMoire" LOL to check out the 611's I have been wearing. I have 3 on the go at once, so I don't over wear any of them. I don't have any that look like the circle at the back is protruding any further, than when I first wear them. I don't really know what would cause that, other than perhaps the foam at the front is flattening down with wear and age, which highlights the circle where the weighted area is, but this is purely a guess.

It may be worth a call to them. I spoke to a really helpful gentleman at TruLife about a year ago when I had a question about the product, but I had to call Ireland for the information. You may have somewhere in the US that can help you. I'd be interested to hear how you get on.

Bettyboops

thanks Erica

I guess I will call the A BC folks and my fitter about breakdown of the foam. It sounds like you and Ariom love the trulife 611. What do you both think is the difference between the ABCs and trulife weighted leisure forms? I will look into them in the new year. I think I can get another pair of forms in 2015 with insurance help so I'll wait a bit on that. I do love the weighted leisure forms! My customs are fine for now but I think they will be hot in the summer. Just guessing but they seem to retain more heat in the silicon than the foam ones. That is according to my very unscientific observation! It's great right now because it's cold here, Although we had an unseasonably warm Christmas week. It's been great- we've been able to walk and collect more firewood- a balmy 40 degrees! Usually we are knee deep in snow or it's like the inside of my freezer. It's getting colder now and we will be back to lower temps later this week.

Best,

Bettyboops

hi Ariom,

That might be the trick for the foam weighted leisure forms, have a couple going (or a couple of pairs in my case) and that way one doesn't get worn out to fast. I like putting the forms in a particular bra and leaving them there. Maybe having 2 bras and 2 sets of forms and rotating them is the way to go. That will work for the weighted leisure forms but not for my custom. Hmmm, jury is still out on the custom. I need to get a cover for them. I don't want to have to wash them all the time. I took them off until I get covers that fit. I'm wearing the weighted leisure forms in the meantime!

Best,

Ariom

Bettyboops, I am not certain, but I think the difference is that the ABC is a memory foam and the TruLife is a normal open cell foam and as far as I know the difference is, closed foam in the memory foam, which doesn't allow air flow through, but molds to your chest and the normal foam which does let air through open cells. Erica may have more information.

Ariom

Posting at the same time Bettyboops, yes, that is what I have found works for me. Having 2 or 3 going, means they don't get too much wear. My very first one of these 611's, is still going strong, but is a little worse for wear and has flattened out a little. It is still my "go to" favorite! lol

blownoffcourse

I have a question I hope you gals can help me with. I ordered a Trulife 611 form in a size 13, since I'm normally a 40D. When I got it I found it was way too big for me. The only other prosthesis I have is an Amoena Natura 2S, and that is a size 9, which fits pretty well, maybe a bit fuller than my remaining breast. Any idea what size I should exchange for? I've got an e-mail in to Metro Medical, but haven't heard back from them, and I need to get this one returned as I'm approaching the 30 day limit since I ordered it.

TIA for any input.

Susan

moissy

Thanks for the feedback, Ariom. I'm going to look into the 611's.

Ariom

Hi Susan, I am a 38D and I wear a size 8 2S in Amoena Silicone forms and 9 in the 611 foam forms, I would guess that you could possibly go for a 10, or if you are a fairly full "D" perhaps an 11, but as a 2S, you probably have a similar drape, to me and a 10 would likely do it..

Is there a fitter near you where you could try on for size? I actually purchased my first 611 from a fitter, not knowing at the time, how much I was going to like it. That's when I started shopping around and found metromedicalonline, where they were so much cheaper than anywhere here, in Australia.

It may be worth your while to call metromedical and speak to one of the customer service staff there about sizing, someone posted recently that they got great service on the phone. I hope this may be of help!

Ariom

Moissy, there are some other weighted foam forms around, Amoena has a leisure form which is weighted with powdered minerals, I have one of these and I like it, but for me it stands a bit too proud, I like the drape of the TruLife 611. There are also the ABC's that some of the other women here wear and like, but I haven't tried that one.

Bettyboops

thanks Ariom,

Do you have a cover for the 611 open cell forms? I just called my fitter and she is getting me covers for my custom but she said that they would restrict air flow. I told her ill test them out and see. I thought a cover would keep them cleaner longer. Am I mis informed or thinking about this wrong? The customs have holes through the silicon on the back and thought it but not on the front. I guess they call it silicon foam? Hard to tell about air flow in the winter. Warm is good all around!

Best,

Ariom

Bettyboopps, the 611's come with 1 cover, which is a very lightweight sheer cover that dries really fast. I don't know anything about the custom foobs, but I would say, that putting a cover on it, wouldn't be all that different to just putting the foob in the pocket of a Mx bra?

I do clean my silicone foobs each time I use them, with the soft cleanser I was given by the fitter. It only takes a moment and I keep them in the cradle of the box they came in too. The Contact that I have, requires a good scrub with a brush on the backing each time I wear it, so it isn't worn all that often, simply because of the commitment to clean it so thoroughly, each time:) I do leave the 611's, in my bra or camisole on the few nights a week, that I don't hand wash the cover, but as I said, I haven't ever washed the actual foam forms, but they are always in their cover and in a pocket.

Erica

Hi Moissy,

Great to see you back here! Glad you've found a camisole/breast form combo that's comfortable for you. Comfort is definitely my bottom line. I do think silicone looks the best, but mostly I wear 611's or other foam forms. I still love the old Amoena Leisure form, style 126, from back when it was made of latex. That form is unweighted and has a great natural shape. Fortunately, I have several pairs in different sizes, which I'm careful to wear in a pocketed Still You camisole, so that I rarely have to wash it. Amoena ruined that form, IMHO, by substituting polyurethane foam for the latex, and ultimately they discontinued it. I do now like the 611's a lot, and appreciate the slight weight, which holds them nicely in place. I agree with Ariom that they have a very realistic drape. Also, they're softer than some other non-silicone forms, so I feel more "huggable" when I'm wearing them.

Bettyboops,

I haven't tried the weighted ABC memory foam form, but my issue with the unweighted version is that it feels very hard against my chest. I had hoped that the memory foam would mold to my chest more and feel softer, but it's probably the hardest-feeling form that I own. On the plus side, though, the shape is nice and the smooth cover is very nice as well. I do wear it sometimes.

Betty, I'll be very interested to hear how you find your Impressions forms when the weather warms up. That's one of the big issues with silicone -- it can get very hot against the skin. That's why companies are always trying to come up with new gels or other substances to use on the back of silicone forms so they'll remain cooler.

I like the Amoena weighted foam form, Style 132, but the problem with the version I have, which is a couple of years old, is that the cover isn't removable and it's hard to wash. I like to wear it in a regular unpocketed bra, so not being able to wash it easily has been a problem for me. I'm tempted to order one of the newer ones, which apparently has a removable cover.

This is a great discussion. It's always so helpful to hear what works for other women and why.

Edited to add: I notice that MetroMedical Online still lists the Amoena 126 -- it's been discontinued but they still have some sizes. However, their description says that it's made from latex foam (with covering). This is almost certainly NOT correct. That's the original product description. The remaining forms currently being sold are most likely the newer version with the polyurethane foam, which isn't as good.

moissy

I see some 611's in my future! After I bought my Silique Comfort Lites a few years back, I was pretty well set on forms and hadn't bought any for a few years. So I really appreciate everyone's input on your new favorites.

Erica - I know TLC still sells Silique Comfort-Lites online, but I'm wondering if they are still sold under Airway label as they were a few years ago? Do you happen to know? You were the one who first got me interested in them, and I still really like them. It would be an easier insurance transaction for me to make an Airway purchase though. I bought one online and one through a fitter via Airway in past, but don't have the Airway model number and I'm not finding much about Airway models online.

Bettyboops - I second what Erica said about the ABC Firstform. I have the "lightly weighted" 916 with memory foam. I like the shape a lot and I use it during exercise, but it is a harder type form, so I'm assuming the weighted version is probably similar.

Erica

Airway has pretty much fallen off the map. I'm not sure if they're literally out of business, but they don't seem to be carried by any of the online sites, other than TLC. I had been told a few years ago by a mastectomy product retailer that Airway was very hard to work with, so perhaps a lot of retailers just dropped them. It would certainly be worth checking with your local fitter. I still have my Comfort Lites. In fact, I just wore them the other day!

Bettyboops

thanks ladies for the input about forms. My next step is try my custom with covers and see about them. I will check out the Tru life 611s next year when I am ready to order another pair of leisure forms. I do like the ABC weighted leisure but it's good to try different brands.

My fitter said that the foam leisure forms are only supposed to last around 6 months with every day wear. Do you all agree with that? That explained the little tears in the back of my ABC form but they are still very wearable at this point.I'm still learning! I'm just glad we do have so many options.

Best,

Chloesmom

Have been wearing the Genie cami shaper for gentle compression and my trunk swelling under the arms looks better. Thought I'd try one of my old Genie bras on to see if it would work. It felt great at first and wasn't pressing on anything sensitive. Boy was I happy. ThenNo Go! It is a medium and is small enough, but after an hour it was crawling up my chest. . I've been wearing them the last 2 years before BC as I'm very active and hate straps digging in and all the torture of regular bras. Can't imagine a mastectomy bra would be as comfortable and stay anchored down. Any thoughts on where to start and what to ask for at first appt

Am not due to go to the fitter till late Jan as she won't see people before 6 weeks to be sure the swelling is gone. I was hoping to start with a pair of microbeads. My boobs only weighted a pound each so don't want a lot of weight. I'm wondering if I'm going to have to stick with camis That would get pretty hot under my shirts come summer. Thoughts?

Ariom

My fitter shooed me away, and told m 6 weeks was the minimum time she'd do a fitting, when i showed up wanting to be fitted a week after my Mx.

The weighted foam forms do only have a 6 month warranty, which is why I have a few going at once and spread the wear.

My first foobs were the ones that come in the Berlei Bra that everyone here in Australia is given, when they are Dx. It has adjustable softees with extra filling and has hooks at the back and the front. Then I purchased Micro bead foobs from Mary at mastectomysolutions.org. Mary is a great lady who has a site full of great information and the pattern to make your own micro bead forms, or if your a bit sewing challenged as I am she will make them for you, for a very nominal cost. These micro bead forms can be worn in a Genie type bra or cami or a normal bra and can even be worn for swimming.

I personally have a bit of a problem with unweighted forms, but I think it is because I still have a D cup on the other side, so unweighted forms just ride up on me. I had one exit through the neckline of a T shirt and under my chin once when it worked its way out of a genie style bra. The micro bead forms can have some fishing weights inserted, to give some weight to it. I tried that with some fishing weights sewn into a little pillow and inserted into the side seam of the form. not as good as a weighted foam form, but it works to a degree.

I really can't recommend real Mx bras enough, but it has to be the right one, for your needs and it should be fitted for you properly. These Mx bras, are a completely different cut, to a normal bra. The thing I love the most about my favorite Mx bras, is the way the straps are cut, so they "never" fall down and the arm holes are cut to avoid irritation to the area where nodes have been removed. I also have several with a padded section in the straps, at the shoulder. Some are made from fabric that is wicking, and some in fabric that is designed to stay cool.

You also have much less chance in a good fitted Mx bra, of having what I consider to be the most irritating dilemma of Mx surgery. I speaking of the dreaded, "Fall Forward", which is when you wear a weighted, usually silicone form and you bend forward, the bra and the form fall away from your chest exposing your flat chest down the front of your top. It happened to me in the supermarket in the early days, which was embarrassing and it sent me into a frenzy of disposing of everything that had the wrong neckline, the moment I got home. I rarely ever wear normal bras now, other than when I wear a Contact form, that adheres to my chest.

Chloesmom

WOW Ariom what a wealth of information!

Ariom

Haha Chloesmom, Thank you! I didn't mean to write a novel, but I just kept remembering things, to add!

blownoffcourse

Thank you, Ariom, for the help. I sent it back today for the 10.  Unfortunately the only decent fitter near me is over an hour away and doesn't carry the Trulife in stock, though she said she'd order it for me to try.  I figure by the time I pay for gas to drive over and back I'd be ahead to just return them until I find the right fit.  

I was so excited whenI got it in the mail I immediately put it on - it was so comfy, just lopsided lol.

Ariom

You're welcome SDM, I hope the 10 works for you. They do flatten down a bit with wear, so don't worry if it is a little different at the start, it will soften down, a little bit.

I know it is hard when you haven't got a fitter close by, but if you get an opportunity some time, when you are in the area, go and have a fitting done and try on lots of things so you know what you like and the sizes that fit you. Then you can take advantage of great sales and Ebay, if you shop there.

I live in a small coastal town and my fitter, which is lingerie shop that also caters for Mx surgery, is in the next town. I have bought quite a lot from there, but I buy most of my things from the internet, mostly from the US because the prices are so much better than ours. I am careful about brands that we can't get here and haven't tried on, but I buy Amoena for extraordinary prices from Ebay and metromedicalonline.

moissy

Thanks for the Airway update, Erica.

crystalphm

I sure do read every word here...Thank you for all the thoughts and opinions!

Can anyone wear silicone forms in a cami? If so, what cami, what size are you wearing and please tell me details.

Bras are not working for me, chest LE, and the bra band is just too snug. They also hurt. I am a 38 c  (LOL, or was)  and

they always fit me with a 38 and the pain is not do-able. My doctor believes my pressure nerves create the sensation of pain in my brain. Anyway, I would love to try my silicons but don't know where to begin.

Oh, and I sure do love my 611's Trulife when I wear foobs, because they are "huggable".