All things bras & prosthesis
Comments
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Thanks! I'm not crazy about shopping at stores, but I do all right with the internet. I think just having the surgery date (and being done with the testing and waiting) helps a lot as well.0 -
Flounder - glad you found some new clothes and you are feeling all set with things to wear after surgery! I tend to shop in stores more than the internet since I like to try everything on, but I don't really like shopping, so I am also one like GeorgiaRai who will wear the same things for a long time. I did buy a new dress from DressBarn last week and wore it for Easter and that was really nice. But, in the whole store, I only found one dress! I am thinking of branching out and trying internet shopping, too. I've had fun looking up the cami's this week and I think I have figured out the style neck line I want to try, so hopefully that will help me.
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Oh I don't think I'm all set at all! The only things that arrived are the bathing suits and rash guard and I don't think that qualifies as business casual at my office! It's been slow at work so I am working my way through this whole thread (on p.21 now). I feel I'm getting quite a good education, but I can see how there will be a lot of trial and error.
I always bought a lot of my work clothes at Dress Barn and I go to the store and try on as well. I guess it's more my active wear that I buy on line. One thing about shopping on the internet, you have to be prepared to return stuff. Even though it's not recommended, I ususally just put stuff in an envelope and send it regular mail, so it's not expensive to return. It's a risk though. So far so good.
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Hi Flounder, sounds like you are well on your way to a great wardrobe of things! The Valletta look really nice under a crisp white shirt or any kind of shirt or jacket and the comfort factor, makes them great office wear.
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Well, Flounder, if you do go to work in your swim suit and rash guard, please post photos!
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Yes, I do like Dress Barn! I have a coupon to use later in the month, so I will go back and see if I can find something else then. Thanks for the tip on being prepared to return things when buying online.
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I am like GeorgeRai, I hate, hate, hate to shop!!!! I hate to shop so much, I buy gift cards from different places when I am at Walmart and give them out for Xmas presents. I am a larger woman so I have to buy my clothes at Dress Barn or a lot of my work clothes come from the Woman Within site.
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"Well, Flounder, if you do go to work in your swim suit and rash guard, please post photos!"
Sounds like a challenge - I like my new bathing suit so much, this might happen!
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One thing about returns: If you buy from Land's End,, you can return at your local Sears store and not have to pay postage!0 -
Good to know about using Sears to return to Land's End...I don't have one in my town, but there is one about 25 minutes from here, so that would be a good option!
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I can see I'm going to have to be more careful returning things now that I'm buying mastecomy items that have forms. Obviously I can't just stick them in an envelope or they'll get squashed. I just bought a couple post-surgery camisoles from Amoena (they seem really nice), but I tried a couple different sizes so I'm going to return the smaller one.
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Ariom,
Thanks so much for the pic of your closet system for Valatta's! I've amassed enough pocketed cami's/tanks to warrant a new closet plan. I've got to get rid of some of the old to bring in the new. It's been so much fun shopping for foob clothing! I can't wait to utilize them all this summer as something more than an undershirt.
Flounder, welcome and keep us posted on your progress. Also, Lands End is great for mastectomy top bathing suits. I did the same as you. I had bottoms and just ordered coordinating mastectomy tops. They are so substantial, I don't even bother wearing a foob in them. I'm a B cup but at the beach, no one is looking at me! ha ha. In any case, the plastic bead/water foob does look perfect in them. Last summer was my first summer being flat so I am looking forward to this summer since I am now in the know about all the clothing. I was clueless last year but the ladies on this thread helped me through it!
Mel, don't hold your breath on the blowout sale cami's at Metro. I also missed the sale (last year it started!) because I wasn't ready to commit to buying them - I could kick myself now! I actually called them and asked them if they would get more and they said no, and that those colors are discontinued. I think there is some kinda marketing strategy going here... The moral is, if you see a blowout sale and you like the price and item - buy immediately! ha ha.
Chloesmom, yes I totally agree about the Valetta sizing. I am the same size as you and have both 10's and 12's and they both look good and serve a purpose. The 10's are great undergarments. The 12's are great as anything and don't hug my back as tight. Better for me as I get older I don't want things so tight.
Best,
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Bettyboops - yes, I really should have bought some the first time I looked, but I tend to think too much about my purchases before I make them, so I missed out, too. I'm not going to let that happen again!! I think you are right and there is a marketing strategy to the whole thing and I need to pay more attention to it!
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I hope I'm not asking a question that has already been answered in this long thread, but I'm just about finished with radiation and will be making an appointment with a fitter to get my first "real" forms and new bras.
I have some questions about how insurance works for this stuff:
1) My script was written by my breast surgeon and covers both forms and bras. I found that my insurance will cover 1 set of forms every 2 years and "unlimited" bras.
2) I am leaning toward going to a fitter that is located an hour away because they have the best reputation, but if I give them my script, how does it work if I want to order a bra later from somewhere else like Metro Medical Online? (Or should I go to a place closer for more convenient ordering in the future?)
3) Do I need to contact my breast surgeon every year to get a new script for bras/ every 2 years for forms?
4) Do you recommend getting swim forms as well? I know these will be out-of-pocket. I don't swim often but wondered if most women get them just in case or wait till an occasion comes up that they need them.
Thanks for any advice!
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If you are seeing a fitter for the first time,,, I would recommend going to the "best" fitter that you know of. As far as the RX is concerned,, you could make a copy of it,, just to have for reference, or when you file your claims from other places,, you put on the form: "RX already on file". Or you can attach your copied RX to the claim form. Be aware that some online places may be considered "out of network" and you might have to meet your "out of network " deductible first. (happens to me) If you go to a different store,, you can have them bill with the same message: Rx already on file,, or give them the photocopy too. I recommend keeping a few photocopies.You will need a new RX every year. You can get it from any doctor who is willing to write it,, your surgeon, your MO, your PCP,,, doesn't matter.
As far as swim forms,,, you might want to try some suit w/o them. You may find you look just fine cuz of the way the suit fits. Alternatively (and much cheaper) there is a way to make a swim form from a bath poofie. There's a thread on how to make it that was recently bumped up, so you should be able to find it easily. Let us know if you don't see it.
Ask away! We are here to help. Ariom knows how to find all the good sales!! She has her own Foob-moire! I just love that
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glennie - good info! I just recently found out I did not have complete info from the place I got my forms from back in early December. My insurance company originally told me I should file for an in-network gap since all the stores around me were out of network. When I originally went for the fitting I was told all about how they didn't need that, they filed with a third party (called it multi-plan) and said it was fine. I didn't order from that place, but went to the second place and went through the same routine. The owner of the shop came in when I was talking to the fitter and she confirmed with her that oh, yes, we have a contract with UHC, do it all the time, don't need the in-network gap, etc. Guess I was stupid listening to them because I just found out they do have a contract but it is for out of network and I would have to meet my out of network deductible before they will pay anything. I stupidly assumed when they said they had a contract that it was in network. I don't even know if they realize it isn't since they don't file it. I definitely made my in network deductible in 2014, but not my out of network one, so I'm expecting to have to pay the whole thing. Of course, this place is crazy...they still haven't filed anything with insurance for it. I've been walking around wearing $600 worth of forms for all this time without giving anyone a dime. Not sure how they stay in business. They did the same thing when I bought compression hose from them a few years ago. I thought for sure with this bigger ticket item they would file more quickly. Kind of makes me nervous...want it over and done and I will find someplace else to go the next time!
Hi, labbieb - you're smart to get all the info before you buy! As you see, I thought I did, but messed it up anyway! Good luck with your new purchases!
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Before my appointment, my fitter contacted my surgeon's office for a prescription & confirmed what my insurance would cover (which was 100% since that was my year of treatment and I'd met every deductible known to man...) Since then, I've just paid cash for bras I've ordered, and have not yet had to replace my one set of trusty foobs. I haven't come anywhere near meeting my deductible since 2012, so I figure I will just have to pay full price when I need new ones. I can't seem to get a clear answer from my insurance company about what they might cover (pre-deductible) or if they can get me a discounted rate -- their answer is always that I need to file the claim first, then I'll know what they cover. Geez... thanks! lol
Good luck, labbieb!
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Thanks so much for all this great info! I had no idea that some places could be out-of-network and I've never seen where you can verify what is in network. (I now know based on Mel's experience to ask if the vendor's contract is in-network.) I also didn't think about the deductible in future years so I guess this is the year to stock up on bras! Good advice on making a copy of the RX...probably would not have thought of that either!
I'd read about people using those bath poofs on bathing suits and wondered if anyone had actually done this. I'd be willing to try that first before buying swim forms!
I sure appreciate all the help! Can't wait till I'm healed up enough to wear this stuff!
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Labbleb, I tried the directions for making the net poof foob and couldn't follow the instructions. I took the bath poof apart and coiled the netting and sewed it together like a rag rug for the base. Then coiled another piece of netting to build it up into a boob shape. I've mostly used it hot tubbing, but I can swim in it fine. Microbead foobs can be worn to swim, but in a pocket because they float away otherwise. I looked at the swim forms but decided not to buy now. Maybe if I go to Hawaii. They are enough cheaper that I can afford to just buy them. My insurance allows new forms every 2 years and 2 bras every 6 months. My MO renews the prescription every year. Personally, I don't know why the Rx needs renewal. Are they expecting me to grow new ones?
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I am now officially "flat" and very happy about it. Now I have a lot of catching up on this thread. I did purchase three mastectomy swim suits last fall and all three have the pocket for foobs so once I heal, I'll go in for a foob fitting for my swimsuits and camisoles which also have pockets. Can't wait to get back into the land of pain-free living! Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this thread. There is so much to read and learn, I'm excited.
Amy
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GeorgiaRai - sounds like you went to a good fitter! If we still have this insurance then the next time I buy some I will have to do the in network gap first since they basically did not have any in network providers within 95 miles of me. UHC searched and searched and made lots of calls and nobody was in network. Yea, it's that stupid, "file the claim first" thing that got me with my physical therapy, too. It seems like this week has been the insurance week of torture!
I stopped by the shop today to ask about the status of my claim. I was very polite and just explained my concerns based on the info I was given at the time and what is coming to light now from the insurance company. Would you believe one of her first comments was about how she doesn't do anything with insurance??? I was flabbergasted and did not say what was going through my head which was all sorts of crazy!!! Why on earth would she have told me I didn't need an in network gap and they had a contract with UHC, etc, etc. if she didn't do anything with insurance and really didn't know? She did say if they are in-network and didn't file in time then I wouldn't be responsible for anything and did seem a little surprised it hadn't been done yet since I've had them for so long. At this point, I'm expecting it will be out of network and I will have to pay, but am hoping because of the confusion that they will take pity on me and give me a discount. I forgot I bought the bras there, too, so that's another $100+ and I did also mention that I really needed to know the status so I can figure out when I can get more bras through insurance. She is passing my info along to the owner, who is out until next week, and they will be in touch.
labbieb - Yes - please learn from my mistakes and get as much info ahead of time as possible! Hope your recovery is going well!
AmyQ - Glad you are happy about being flat and are looking forward to being pain-free!
Wrenn - I agree - very weird that you have to renew the prescription. I'll have to google the microbead foobs...I haven't done much looking yet for anything to put in the swimsuit. I'm really hoping I will be good without using anything.
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Insurance is seriously broken in this country! I'm always terrified to see how the claims will turn out despite trying to be careful about following the right processes (if you can figure them out)!
Wren44 - I doubt I'll be able to make the swim foob either but I'll give it a try!
AmyQ - I'm happy to be flat too! Can't wait to get through this radiation. I completed 27 of 30 and had to take a break for 5 days due to a big mess under the arm pit. Currently doing the domeboro soaks and Silver Sulfadiazine and am supposed to go back Monday but it sure isn't looking good today. Can't wait to be done with that!
Glennie19 - thanks for the advice to go to the best fitter...that was what I was thinking. I think I saw some references to Axiom's Foob moire, like maybe there are pictures of it somewhere? That's hilarious!
GeorgieRai - it's kind of bizarre that you can only find out what your insurance will cover after the fact, but I bet mine will say the same thing. Very hard to get information on what is covered sometimes!
Mel147 - can't believe that you are just now hearing they "don't do anything with insurance"! Yikes!
Does anybody think I should wait longer than 2 - 3 weeks after radiation to get fitted?
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Very frustrating getting foobs and bras from Medical suppliers. I appreciated the fitting skill which they are well entitled to be paid for. Just the same the bra was $52 (MSRP)
Since I met deductible my Insurance paid 80% of $26. So I had to pay almost $30 out of pocket for a bra. It was less than than online. If I meet an additional $3500 out of pocket they will pick up the $5.20 for the next bra. Big deal
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Mel: I found out the hard way with buying lymphedema sleeves on-line,, oops,, they are out of network! Grrrrrrrrr. That shop you went to sounds seriously confused!! Hope you get that straightened out. My local shop told me that Blue Cross didn't pay for sleeves, so I bought them on-line cuz they were cheaper. Then I submitted the claim, so I could get a rejection to send it to my Flex account to get reimbursed (sooo complicated) and turns out that Blue Cross DOES cover sleeves,, shop was WRONG about that,,, but since on-line place was out of network,,, it just went that deductible.Insurance is seriously weird. You never really know what they will pay until the claim is filed and then it's too late. It really sucks.
There are pictures of Ariom's Foob moire,,, maybe scroll back a few pages here,,, I think it is on this thread. She just recently posted one too,,, but maybe it was on another thread,,, I can't remember.
labbieb: I did not have rads,, so I can't really advise on that. Hopefully someone else can. If you are sore and hurting, it would seem a good idea to wait. Hope the soaks and Silvadene work quickly for you.
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chloesmom - yikes...did I read that correctly? An extra $3500 paid by you to get them to pick up an extra $5.20??? Crazy, indeed!
glennie - oh, wow...you must have been really peeved!! I agree, insurance is really weird and I seem to get a different version of "reality" depending on who I am talking to - nobody seems on the same page! Don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful I have it, but I honestly think there were times over the last year when my stress level has been higher over insurance craziness than it was over cancer. Something about that just isn't right! Must have driven you crazy, too, to realize they told you the wrong thing. One thing I know for sure, I have to learn to let this stuff go and not let it rattle me. I started rapping on Monday after stressing over one of my other insurance issues where I'm also paying $$ I didn't expect. What did I rap? "Put your hands in the air like you just don't care" and I told my family the next time I get stressed about this stuff, they all need to start rapping that verse for me to snap me out of it. Don't remember what song that is from, but it was appropriate!
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yes they pay 100%for what they determine is a reasonable cost of a bra but only after I pay $3500 out of pocket. Until that point they pay 80% after you have met $1100 out of pocket. . But they don't sell bras at the fitters that are that cheap as they think reasonable is $26 She said I could pick out any bra that I wanted but had to pay the difference.
This year I met the s1100 but next year hope not to have the expense so my insurance will be worthless to get foobs and bras. For this I pay $1000 a month in premiums. On the other hand I guess I shouldn't complain and be glad I have insurance as they paid for my Neulasta shots and they are around $8,000 each!
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chloesmom - that's amazing...it's such a confusing maze to figure out the ins and outs of insurance. And $8000 per shot!!! Double Yikes!! I guess when you put it that way, it is better to be paying for the foobs and bras rather than the shots! Of course, that makes me wonder about that stuff, too...what is the REAL cost of the medicine and the shots? Kind of like genetic testing - does it REALLY cost over $10,000 to complete those tests? I'd love to know the answer to that, but have no idea if there is any way to find that out. It just seems like it's all over inflated to me, but maybe it isn't and I just don't know because I have no experience with it.
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For the cost of the 4 Neulasta shots I had after each chemo I could have bought a nice car! On the other hard if they didn't provide them and my WBC as so low I got sick the cost is priceless
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chloesmom - that's very true - priceless, indeed!!
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Got some Aquaflows. Was excited as they were just what I wanted for hot weather, but they were much too stiff. They felt like rocks against my ribs. They were also more perky than my silicones of the same size. At my age don't need perky.
Opened up the seam and squeezed out a tablespoon of beads so they were looser. Now they conform more to chest and are comfortable.
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