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All things bras & prosthesis

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Comments

  • ndgirl
    ndgirl Member Posts: 950
    edited April 2015

    Mel, I have been reading here and I also cannot wear the valetta cami, and it seems you and I are among the minority, I bought 2, but if I lean forward it falls too much and think I could scare someone!!SingingThey are nice quality but just cant get them to work, only wear them if I am sure to have something over that will cover, which doesnt leave me much choice.

  • mel147
    mel147 Member Posts: 291
    edited April 2015

    ndgirl - I agree, we seem to be in the minority! The quality is definitely nice - very soft. I really do need to do some Spring shopping soon...have just been too busy lately. At least it was on the chilly side today so I got to wear a sweater!!

  • anotherday2015
    anotherday2015 Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2015

    I hae a tumor sitting on my brachial plexus and other issues. Too uncomfortable to wear a bra. summer coming and need more than a cami.

    Been looking for a bandau type top with a front closure. Not tight...comfortable.

    Any suggestions?

  • metta
    metta Member Posts: 9
    edited May 2015

    Hi all, I'm new here ... just had my surgery two weeks ago. I wanted to say a huge thank you to all of you, especially Ariom and Erica (Moira and Barbara) for everything they do for all of us here. It was so reassuring to me to read your stories and know that other people have walked this path.

    So two weeks after a bilateral mastectomy I am feeling great about myself. Sure, I'm still sore and don't have full range of motion on my cancer side, but I forget that I don't have breasts ... and I realize I am myself without them. I don't like looking at my incisions or my flat chest, but I'm living my life, taking walks, going to yoga class, hugging my kids, and moving on. Right now I'm relieved to know that I don't have to have any more surgeries. This was the right decision for me right now. I can't say I'm not sad, but I do feel whole without boobs. (And hey, with a Coobie padded bra, I look exactly the same as I always did.)

    Anyway, thank you guys! You have helped me through a time when I would have felt quite lost.

  • mel147
    mel147 Member Posts: 291
    edited May 2015

    Metta - so glad you are feeling great about yourself - that is awesome!! I felt the same way as you...I was still myself without my breasts and it was great to feel that way! I hope your recovery will continue to go well! Take care!

  • KJSUN
    KJSUN Member Posts: 17
    edited May 2015

    Metta, so glad your surgery went well. It's great that you are doing so many things and getting back to normal so soon afterwards.

    I am now at 4 weeks post surgery myself, and doing pretty good. I have more pain than normal because of Fibromyalgia and an autoimmune disease, but am dealing with it.

    I am ready now to get some bras and am trying to set an appt. to be fitted for some. I don't know what I can wear, I need plus size bras and I know it will limit my choices. I can't have reconstruction until I lose weight so I have to find something that I will use for a while. Does anyone have any suggestions?

  • wren44
    wren44 Member Posts: 7,931
    edited May 2015

    If you can go to a place that specializes in mastectomy bras, I recommend it. Most of mine have been Amoena with a couple of TruLife. If I'm reading your stats correctly, you had a lumpectomy on the right side? So you might be able to use your current bras with some modifications. An expert fitter will have good suggestions. A pocket can be added to any bra. I added pockets to a couple of mine that still worked after surgery.

  • metta
    metta Member Posts: 9
    edited May 2015

    Thank you, Mel and KJSUN!

    So today I tried on my new black Valetta camisole, which was tight before surgery but fits perfectly now. I love it even though my port looks prominent. I'm not healed enough to be fitted for breast forms, so guess what I stuffed in there? Two bath poufs! And they look great, all for the low low price of $1 each. It's kind of fun having a secret.

    KJSUN, have you seen breastfree.org? It's wonderful. I found this comfy-looking bra on there that might work for you; it comes in plus sizes. http://www.metromedicalonline.com/abc114.html#.VUl... Happy shopping.


  • mel147
    mel147 Member Posts: 291
    edited May 2015

    Metta - glad the bath poufs are working! I may try those for when I go on vacation to Disney...I'm sure it will be really hot and I may not want to wear my regular silicone ones. I'm thinking I may just go flat, but it would also be nice to have a back up plan in case any of my shirts look better with a little pouf!! I grew up just outside of Washington DC in Vienna...rode the orange line in to DC!

  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 4,833
    edited May 2015


    also, try www.knittedknockers.org    They will send you free ones and they are very light weight.

  • avmom
    avmom Member Posts: 45
    edited May 2015

    I have seen recommendations to use bath poufs for swim prosthesis. Inexpensive, and the water just drains off. Lightweight, too. You can either use in a mastectomy suit, or sew it into a regular suit.

  • mel147
    mel147 Member Posts: 291
    edited May 2015

    avmom - I should give that a try in my regular suit before I buy the mastectomy one...it would be nice to save a little money and use what I have!

  • avmom
    avmom Member Posts: 45
    edited May 2015

    Mel147, it is what I plan to do. I'm not healed enough for a silicon prosthesis yet. My plan is to get a small piece of swimsuit fabric, and place the pouf in the cup of my regular suit, then sew it in permanently by sewing the swimsuit fabric to the perimeter of the cup, completely enclosing the pouf. I suppose you could use any fabric, as long as it dries quickly. I do wear a knitted knocker for everyday - a friend who can knit made me one from an internet pattern, but I think it would stay wet for a long time. Even carving up some nylon undies, or an old slip, would probably work.

  • mel147
    mel147 Member Posts: 291
    edited May 2015

    avmom - great idea about using an old slip - I know I have one I can use! I have some knitted knockers that my sister made for me, but I agree - I think they would stay wet for a long time. I actually almost gave away my two swimsuit tops last week when my friend was visiting. She decided not to take them since they were a little small for her and now I'm really glad I still have them. I will have to play around with this next week after I get back from my DD's graduation. Please let me know how yours turn out when you try it and I will do the same!

  • NatalieSA
    NatalieSA Member Posts: 2
    edited May 2015

    Dear All, My first post in here, after a failed recon I am going flat and feel so much better for it!


    I do not yet have a prosthesis and want advice form other petit /small busted ladies. According to my calculations am a size 1 or (34A / 34AA. I have been going flat or use the moulded cups in a bra, but still look wonky in some outfits.

    Any tips on small prostheses? especially for a young active person, just to fill to dent. Thinking stick on so i can wear racer back top?

  • mel147
    mel147 Member Posts: 291
    edited May 2015

    Hi, Natalie - Sorry I don't have any good tips for you - I am wearing a size 6 that is a 36B, so I'm not sure what to suggest for you, but I wanted to say "Hi" and so glad you are feeling better flat - that is great!! I'm sure some other ladies will come along with some info for you.

  • wren44
    wren44 Member Posts: 7,931
    edited May 2015

    Natalie, Have you seen the website breastfree.org? It's run by a woman here and has lots of ideas.

  • esklader
    esklader Member Posts: 25
    edited May 2015

    Hi Natalie - I did not do recon and I'm pretty small as well. While I have both regular silicone protheses and the weighted foam forms, what I use the most is a $12 set of "push up pads" that I found at Nordstrom (but they sell them on Amazon and lots of other places, too. The brand is Bravo, and here's a link. There are a couple of different shapes. I find the triangle one works well. Just gives a little form.

    http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/bravo-triangle-push-up-pads/3311554?origin=related-3311554-0-1-PP_4-Rich_Relevance_Recs_API-113&recs_type=related&recs_productId=3311554&recs_categoryId=0&recs_productOrder=1&recs_placementId=PP_4&recs_source=Rich_Relevance_Recs_API&recs_strategy=113&recs_referringPageType=item_page

  • NatalieSA
    NatalieSA Member Posts: 2
    edited May 2015

    Thank you ladies, I have taken the moulded push up pads from some other bras, think this is the best plan for everyday. Will check out breast free now.

  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 117
    edited May 2015

    Hi Ladies!

    I've been away...death in the family and we are just getting back to things...

    I wanted to share that I just received a pair of Impressions II silicon foobs from Trulife and they are great!! They are the new "breathable" material and come with a moisture wicking cover. I have to say that they are more comfortable for me than the custom silicon foobs I had made last year! My conclusion is that if you are a BMX, there is no reason to need custom and chances are, the shape of an off the shelf matched set will be fine. I can see if you are trying to match one side to the other there is probably much value in doing a custom but for a bi-lateral, I don't think so.

    I also got the Trulife 611 weighted leisure forms that many of the women here like. I have to say that I think I like the material in my ABC weighted First forms better. The 611 has kind of an old fashioned foam rubber feel and appearance. The ABC First Form is a little more dense and maybe durable? I will have to wear them and give another report! Maybe they are more comfortable when worn for long periods of time? I'm so delighted with the Impressions II that I've been wearing them non-stop in my Marlena bra. Very, very comfortable! I hope this info helps someone out there!

    Best,



  • FirstGrade2017
    FirstGrade2017 Member Posts: 12
    edited May 2015

    Ok I'm looking at having my surgery to remove my breast. I do not have cancer but due to genetic testing results I am hosing this radical surgery. My question is does anyone just go without bras or padding? Does anyone just go around flat? I'm 32 years old, already beat bone cancer once. I know this choice is the right choice I'm just trying to plan for after its done

  • Erica
    Erica Member Posts: 237
    edited May 2015

    Bettyboops,

    Thanks for your report on the Impressions II forms. I've been wondering about them for a while. My son is getting married next week, so I decided to wait until afterward to check them out. Now I definitely will!


  • wren44
    wren44 Member Posts: 7,931
    edited May 2015

    PreKteacher, A lot of women go around flat. There is a facebook site called Flat and Fabulous. You have to ask to join. Also Erica's site in the post above mine is wonderful. Some go flat, some have a wardrobe of forms in different sizes. Personal choice.

  • esklader
    esklader Member Posts: 25
    edited May 2015

    Prekteacher, I had a double mastectomy and went flat for a while. I found more recently that I have a sensitive skin area now that some of the nerves are coming back, so I usually wear a sports bra or the valletta camisole with very light foam inserts, and that bit of pressure against the area is helpful. But going flat totally works, too!


  • Flounder
    Flounder Member Posts: 19
    edited May 2015

    Bettyboops, thank you for the Impressions info. I'll look into that when I have my fitting. Surgery was just last week, so I'm waiting patiently (not!). For now I'm living in my Amoena post-surgical camisole. The pockets come in handy being that I still have four drains in...

  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 277
    edited May 2015

    Prekteacher...I choose to be flat mostly all the time. Like someone else said, ask to join Flat & Fabulous on facebook, a very supportive group of women who choose to go flat. All ages. It is a very valid choice. You can disguise yourself with scarves, or just be comfortable with who you are now. Sometimes when I have to deal with the public,. I will wear a breast cancer ribbon necklace, it sorta answers everyone's questions. But honestly I seem to find very few people notice, they just think I am "very small" LOL.

    Being flat can be very freeing, it can open up a new acceptance to yourself you never quite imagined.

    And of course if the clothing feels wrong, or if you feel emotionally uncomfortable,  you always have a choice to wear fluff :-)

  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 117
    edited May 2015

    Your welcome Erica! I think they are a good find. I did wear them on a couple of warm days and they seemed very comfortable - I didn't think about them at all. However, for hanging around the house, I like to wear a weighted leisure form in a pocketed tank top. I think that is a throwback to my old habit of not wearing a bra around the house! Let me know if you get the Impressions 2 and what you think.

    Best,


  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 117
    edited May 2015

    Hi Flounder,

    Oh yes, you have a ways to go yet! Just concentrate on getting those darn drains out and taking good care of yourself! You probably might want to start with a nice first form or leisure form, as they call them, in a pocketed top. You have to get rid of a lot of the swelling and let yourself heal before you start wearing bras with prosthesis. I bought a nice colorful tank top and put unweighted ABC forms in it and wore the heck out of it after my surgery at this time last year - that is, once the drains are out. Let us know how you progress. Congrats that your surgery is over!!

    Best,

  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 117
    edited May 2015

    Prekteacher,

    Yes, of course it's fine to go around flat!! This nice thing about being flat is that you can go that way or you can use foobs. It's your choice! It doesn't have to be a black and white decision. You should do whatever feels good and that might change over time. I wear pocketed cami's and tanks at home and I wear prosthesis in a bra for work/going out. That is just me. I have older kids at home and that makes me comfortable around them and their friends. Again, a personal decision. Maybe I'll go flat all the time when it is just my hubby and me. Who knows. There are plenty of women who go flat all the time so don't think another thing about it. Do what resonates with you once you have your surgery. Let us know how things go.

    Best,

  • Chloesmom
    Chloesmom Member Posts: 626
    edited May 2015

    For me I wear foobs when I wear makeup. They are for dress up. Otherwise flat is so comfortable. Have both anABC size 4 shallow that feel great in my 36AA or Amoena light size 4 that fit a 36A depending on the outfit

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