All things bras & prosthesis
Comments
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So glad to get your feedback on the size 5 in the 611s Erica. I actually got some ABC silicone size 3 on ebay which feel great, I love the lightness which feels so much lighter and easier to wear than the Amoena essential light 4s which I got from the fitter. I will wear the Amoenas with the clothes that need more definition, and the ABCs for just out and about. Now I have a back up pair which I think will work in my cami well until I can get the 611s in the future.
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Never TMI here, Erica! LOL You nailed the problem, I hate it if the pocket gets damp, too. I have found myself in the bathroom leaning forward and pulling everything away from my chest and blowing on my skin, but I should say, that is not the norm, but it has happened when it has been really warm here.
I am sorry, but I don't have any answers as to how to deal with the perspiration, in this situation. I wonder if a spray or roll on antiperspirant would help, I will try it this week when we have some really warm days forecast and I will let you know.
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I have been wearing the Cosmetic daily for about a month. I love the way they fit snuggly against my chest (more so than the Natura Light and the 611's) and feel breast-like, extremely huggable. However, for some reason, I feel I perspire more in these than any other forms (I also wear the Amoena weighted foam and Trulife Aquaflow for exercise). I am perplexed because they should be cooler than the Natura Light due to extended Comfort+ cooling technology. I wonder if it's that they just fit very snuggly trapping more heat and that's the reason... As I mentioned, they are so comfy that I wear them out daily regardless of the perspiration.
Erica and Ariom, I appreciate so much all of your wisdom and sharing here - you have helped me to find solutions for many different needs. Thank you!
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Hi daisylover, You're welcome, glad to be of help! I have learned a lot, from Erica too.
I felt the same way about the Cosmetic, but really thought it must have been because I was trialing it, during the hottest part of the Summer here. That is really weird, isn't it?
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Thanks, daisylover. Your feedback on the Cosmetic is very helpful. It makes sense that the advantage of that form, that it fits nice and snug against your chest, would be the same reason that you're perspiring more in it. Maybe I'll stick to my Amoena Energy for now. At least that form allows a bit of air to flow, since it has raised areas on the back.
Ariom, I've thought about using an antiperspirant, but have been a bit squeamish about trying it on my chest. I asked my dermatologist and she said go for it, but I tend to be risk averse. Though I do use antiperspirant under my arms and realize that links to breast cancer were never shown, it still makes me nervous to put it right where the cancer actually was. But maybe I should consider it for special situations (like my son's wedding, coming up in May).
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Erica I use an organic, aluminium and paraben free, antiperspirant and I also have used the Crystal stick for under my arms which may work. I haven't tried the recipe below, but it may be worth trying. When I first had my surgery, I used cornflour with a few drops of essential oils in it, applied with a fluffy makeup brush, instead of normal deodorant for under my Mx arm, it helped with perspiration and the essential oils were antibacterial.
Recipe #1: Homemade "Antiperspirant" Cream (For very active users)
6 Tablespoons Organic Cocoa or Mango Butter
2 Tablespoons Unrefined Coconut Oil
3/4 Cup Arrowroot Powder
4 Teaspoons Aluminum-Free Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Lemongrass Essential Oil0 -
Thanks for the recipe Ariom. And I rarely wash my prosthetics, but I also do not store them in a box, they are either laid out in a drawer or on the bathroom shelf. I have the Amoena with the little bumpies on the back and I think that's my favorite, if I wasn't so lazy this morning I'd run up stairs and get the names and numbers, but.... For light weight I have a swim form that the fitter described as being kind of like whipped silicone, I wear that when I'm having more pain and a hard time tolerating a foob. I tried the weighted foam one that Erica and Ariom recommend, and both of them have collapsed, within a month they just flattened out, I returned the first one, then the second one did the same. So they are hard and very flattened, don't wear that one. Last year the fitter had me try a clear silicone swim form that kind off wraps around under my arm a little, and is concave on the back, I wish I had't used my insurance for it, it was inexpensive and now I have to wait to try something else, anyway, the clear one is ok, it works well in the bra she sold me, but I'm really sold on the Amoena Camis and wear them almost all of the time. I have had rib pain ever since rads 4 years ago, and bras can end up being really painful. (I did have a bone scan and the pain wasn't because off cancer. My two cents.
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Ariom, Does the Amoena Valetta have good lift for the remaining side? I got a camisole from Wear Ease, but I need a bra under it for the droopy girl. And not wearing a bra was the whole point.
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Hello Linda, so nice to see you again!
I must say, I haven't had a 611 go flat on me, my original, which I bought early in the first year, after surgery is a bit like an "old slipper" LOL It is what I call "well worn in", softer, but still very wearable. That's really bad luck, I'd be sending back that second one too, Linda, I am pretty sure the 611's have a 6 month warranty, where the silicone have 2 years, but I think that's definitely some kind of fault, in the ones you bought.
Wren, I have a D on my remaining side and I don't need a bra under the Valletta, I wear these Camisoles all the time, with either a silicone or foam form. The shelf bra inside the Valletta hasn't got a tight band like a bra, but a comfortable elastic band, there is some padding in the cups and the back is made of stretch mesh, I would describe the bra inside to be like the type of bra you might find, in a high end swim suit. As you know, I am in my 60's and I am certainly not what you'd call "perky", on that remaining side LOL, but I don't have any problem wearing the Valletta.
Wren, this pic, is the fit of the Valletta on me, with a 611 weighted foam form in the right side, there isn't any droop on the left and it feels really comfortable to wear. I adjust the straps fairly high, to conceal the concave part of my Umx chest, but I still have enough room under my arm, so the node area isn't irritated by the fabric. I hope this may help.
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Cute pic Ariom! I love your home made anti-perspirant. I am going to try it! Can you use any type of essential oil or is lemongrass a necessity?
I am a holistic nutrition and wellness counselor by trade and I'm loving that for my cancer gals. Interestingly enough, I was into wellness and nutrition long before my cancer so proof positive you can't beat yourself up about food and deodorant! I have bad genetics plus have had very high stress levels in my life which I think contributed greatly to me getting cancer. No one really knows... I use the crystal stick deodorant ( many years) and find that quite effective. If I am going to a special event or speaking or something like that, I wear the crystal stick, followed by Toms of Maine deodorant (free of of the bad stuff). Once in a while, if necessary I'll use a tiny bit of the bad stuff on top of all of that. You gotta do what you gotta do!
Best,
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I got the cosmetic back in October and I too find it makes me sweat. My old one didn't. Glad to know I am not the only one. I hate to see how bad it gets this summer. I did find that putting it in one of my old foam foobs covers helped. My question are can you be allergic to this form? Yes I am beginning to question if the new form is causing my hives. My pathology on the skin punch says HIVES and nothing by mouth or food is causing them. Dr. thinks just normal things that can happen on radiated skin. The good news is that I had clean scans this year and can celebrate 5 years on the 29th.
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Hi Kitty Dog,
Congrats on the clean scans! I wonder whether the sweating itself might not be the cause of your rash. One reason I'm always searching for breast forms that won't cause me to perspire is that when I do sweat too much I get what I've been thinking of as heat rash -- red, very itchy. Then I have to be extra-careful not to perspire behind the forms until it goes away. So, I'm guessing that it might not be that you're allergic to the form per se, but that the heat it's causing is giving you a rash.
After I get a rash, I wear foam forms with a folded Kleenex tissue between them and my skin, which helps me recover from the rash. I've found that simple solution so effective that I wrote a blog about it: A New Use for the Lowly Tissue.
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Hello kittydog, Congratulations on your clear scans and 5 years!
it seems that a number of us are finding this form is different to our other silicone forms and although it is supposed to have the gel backing to prevent the heat from being an issue, there is something else making us perspire, behind it.
Absolutely, you could be allergic to the material the form is constructed from. When I worked in the cosmetic industry I discovered that you can have an allergic reaction, to just about anything, the strangest I have ever seen was a woman allergic to washing, in water, she had to wash herself in a special cleanser. I am not sure what the difference is in the material this form is made of, it certainly feels more natural and soft than the others I have.
I sent an email this morning, to Amoena here in Australia to let them know about this heat reaction. I will get back to you if I hear anything.
Hi Bettyboops, thank you! I love my Vallettas!
I am sure you could use any blend of essential oils in that recipe. I use essential oils every day, both burning in my home and topically on my skin as a massage medium and perfume. I like the crystal too!
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Erica, I hadn't even thought of that. Of course the perspiration could be causing the rash and the heat, is just keeping it going.
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Thanks Erica and Ariom. I will do a test and wear my old foam one and see if it gets well completely. If so then I will try the Cosmetic and see if it comes back.
We had a colder than normal winter here and spring has been back and forth. Today it was 53...yesterday 86. When I was sent to the dermatologist, I had rash even on my arms and legs. He said that he thought because the chest was so inflamed, it just took over my body. It also doesn't help that the nurse gave me the wrong samples and I had another allergic reaction. I am allergic to lanolin and she gave me cream instead of ointment. I put that stuff on religiously for 9 days before I decided...hum can I be allergic to the new medicine. Sure enough after researching it, I found the cream had lanolin in it. Lesson learned hard...research everything before using it. They knew I was allergic to lanolin. Currently just a few spots breaking out but the worst of the reaction is over.
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Ariom, do you remember what type of cleanser the woman with the water allergy could use? I have a niece with this allergy and she has not found a solution at this point, other than keeping water exposure to a minimum and taking Benadryl on the days she bathes.
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RiverRat, I am so sorry to hear your niece has this same, water allergy, it must be so difficult for her. I am sorry, I have no recollection of the name of the cleanser, just that it was waterless and she had to use it all over. This was back in the 80's and she was a customer of mine, when I worked for Clarins. She could use our skincare, on her face, but used this other cleanser, on her body.
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Hi KittyDog,
Wow, a rash that spread to your arms and legs doesn't sound like heat rash! Unless it was the lanolin that caused the spread. But still, you'd think that if the rash was from the Cosmetic form itself, or from sweating behind the form, it would only be on your chest. And putting lanolin on that area shouldn't cause it to spread, should it? What a mystery! I hope you figure it out, but it definitely does seem best to discontinue using the Cosmetic form for now.
Good luck with this. Please let us know how it goes.
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Ariom, Thanks so much for the deodorant recipe. And your pic is lovely! If you wouldn't mind, could you tell me what size 611 you are wearing in that photo? I don't want to be as large as I was, 7, so I order 5's, and now the 611 5's seem to have an even smaller footprint.
I need a bigger footprint as the smaller ones just sort of slip into my concave places. Hard to describe. So far the First Form by amonea seems to have the biggest footprint and doesn't get lost on me.
I am also having a hard time remembering where my breasts used to be. I am never sure if they are too high, too far apart and such. They seem to have too much movement in the cami's and I can't wear bras because they ride right on my lymph node place that *still* hurts almost 5 years later.
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Hello crystalphm, you're welcome, I hope the recipe turns out to be useful.
I am wearing a size 9, 611 in a Valletta size 16US. I am not usually a 16 in US sizing which is different to Aus sizing, but I find the Valletta to be a bit on the small side. I am kind of between a C and full D cup, depending on the brand and being older, I need a form with a bit of a "ski jump" projection, not too "perky"if you know what I mean!LOL The size chart says I should be a 10 or 11, in these forms, but that was much, much too large for me. I haven't tried any smaller than a 9, because the 9 does smoosh down a bit, with wear. Also, I don't find I have any problem with the form slipping around in the Valletta.
I understand what you mean, about things riding up into the lymph node place, that still hurts for me too, over 2 years out. I find the Valletta Cami to be about the most comfortable clothing item I have, because I can tighten the straps to keep it high and flat against my chest, there's no tight band and it doesn't irritate under my arm.
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Yesterday tried to wear the silicone foobs in my Valetta for first time. Got a little too heavy for my BMX. Made those bead ones from Mary's pattern. Much better today.
Will be sticking with the bra with the silicone forms. One comment on Amoena Performance, as it is a sports type bra it has a minimizing effect. Makes me look a size smaller. My DH was sure I was wearing smaller foobs in it than my Trulife bra. just love the TruLife Lily the best. Am going to try the Ella next.
They must be pretty good fitting. The assistant at the doctor's office asked if My breasts hurt. Was thinking I should have pulled them out and dropped them on the floor to see if they said ouch
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I can't find the Cosmetic. Could you please tell me who sells this, or am I reading something wrong?
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Dana Farber sold me the Amoena Natura Cosmetic. It looks like Lady Grace sells it as well:
http://ladygrace.com/320/p/320/
I would call and confirm before driving there.
Hope you can locate it!
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For all you Valletta camisole fans, Metro Medical now has two new colors - Jade and Orchid! As I've become obsessed with these and wear them just about every day, I've already placed my order. Remember to use Hithere10 to get 10% off, too!
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Chloesmom, ha ha about the PS office and asking about your foobs being sore! Too funny. Yes, the silicon customs are too heavy for the valettas' I find the best are the weighted foam leisure forms. Ariom recommended that a while ago to me and that has been the best.
Esklader, I also just ordered the new new valetta colors!! I ordered a size up since I figured I'd be wearing and washing them a lot this summer - to account for a little shrinkage. I hope they are not too big. I usually take a 10 and ordered the 12. I do have some 10's which fit fine but they are a tad snug after wearing them for a while. Good in some situations but not in others. We'll see. I am also obsessed with the foob pocket clothes. So much fun to get that package in the mail! I love the new colors!!
I also got the 10% off code. It's like they want everyone to have it, it pops right up when you log in. I also did a couple of reviews for several products that I bought. You are supposed to get points to use for money off. Has anyone done this? I didn't see any account of what my points were or if I have any but I should have accrued some.
Can't wait for summer to wear cami's as a casual top and not as underwear under many layers of clothes!
Best,
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Betty. I wear a 10 top and got the 12 Valetta. It is very comfortable but my band size on a bra is 31 in so the elastic part was a little loose. I turned it inside out and just pinched the sides in on the shelf bra part and sewed up the sides. Fits great now as a blouse
If I was going to wear form fitting under something I'd get the 10 I donthave leisure forms yet so put in the modesty pads from my Genie bra and fiber fill poofs
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Hi ladies, I have to smile Bettyboops, you sound just like me "Oooh, new Valletta colors!" LOL I too, love clothing with pockets and just found another Amoena tunic top, at a lingerie shop a few weeks ago. I think there is a new seasons range of clothing on the Amoena USA website. More leisure stuff, but quite nice.
Although I do seem to lean toward wearing my weighted foam form, most days, I can wear the silicone form in the Valletta too. I wear a size 8 which has a bit of weight in it, but I find the bra in the Valletta, when I tighten the straps, can hold flat against my chest.
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Bettyboops, I have used my "rewards" at MetroMedical once and should have more after buying these two camisoles. You can see what you have available by signing in and going to your account, then looking under the "My Rewards" tab. Enjoy!!
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I have rewards too, but I have found that most times the 10% discount, which they seem to give you every time you shop there, can't be used with rewards and is often about the same amount, so I haven't bothered to use my rewards yet.
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Itmight be because I'm bilateral that the 2 silicones seem to drag the Valetta down. Don't have a boob on the other side to keep the and stable
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