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All things bras & prosthesis

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Comments

  • Flounder
    Flounder Member Posts: 19
    edited May 2015

    Drains are out (since Monday). I went out today wearing the Valetta camisole with the fiber filled forms that came with post surgery camisole, and it looked and felt good.

    My question is do these absolutely have to be hand washed? I'm so used to washing everything in the machine (cold/delicate cycle), but am afraid to risk it. I hate hand washing though.

  • Chloesmom
    Chloesmom Member Posts: 626
    edited May 2015

    I have been machine washing with delicates. When done I hang carefully over a rack shaping the cups so they dry smooth

  • Flounder
    Flounder Member Posts: 19
    edited May 2015

    Thanks Chloesmom, I'll try it that way!

  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 117
    edited May 2015

    Congratulations Flounder!! I avoid hand washing if at all possible! I wash my Valettas on delicate in the machine. I have a mesh bag that I put it in for washing then I take it out and hang to dry. I may have even put it in the dryer on very low for a few minutes at times but that is not recommended. If you forget about it and leave it in there, I'm sure it would be a size smaller.

    Best,

  • Flounder
    Flounder Member Posts: 19
    edited May 2015

    Thanks Bettyboops, I have one of those mesh bags too.

  • Flounder
    Flounder Member Posts: 19
    edited June 2015

    Now I have a bra question.  I haven't gone for my fitting yet, but I'm back to work.  I have a few Amoena Marlena bras that I'm using with a foam form.  It's working well enough for now.  I like the Marlena in that it's similar to what I wore pre-surgery (which was the Title 9 24/7 bra).  My main complaint though is that it sits a little too high, similar to my sports bras.  I don't wear plunging neck lines, but the bra shows through a simple v-neck.  Can anyone recommend a similar bra, but with a lower neckline?

    Edited to add that now that I think about it, I ordered a weighted foam form last week, and it's possible that's all it needs to bring it down a little lower.  The bra is probably fine (lol).  I'll find out soon enough.


     

  • daisylover
    daisylover Member Posts: 173
    edited June 2015

    Flounder,

    My foam prostheses (used for exercise) ride higher than my silicone ones in every bra that I have tried them in... I like the Amoena Mona -- never shows with my scoop neck tanks -- but am not sure if it would work well with foam (my foam are too stiff and large to slip into my Mona's). The Lara looks to be cut lower on the website, and I remember someone singing its praises regarding comfort a year ago... Hope your weighted foam solves your problem though!


  • jkbrca2
    jkbrca2 Member Posts: 16
    edited June 2015

    Does anyone use the self adhering prosthetics? Does this kind only work well if you are really flat and smooth versus leave a little skin sparing? What if you are a little concave, is the backing flexible to stick to concave? And do you have reactions to the adhesive? Thank you!

  • suladog
    suladog Member Posts: 837
    edited June 2015

    Jk,

    I've been wearing Ameona forms since my first MX 25 yrs ago when I was in my 30's. I've been wearing the Ameona contact self adhesive firms since they came out with them and I love them. I used to get a rash from the other adhesive stick on thingies. So, I absolutely recommend them. I'm a 35 a, and I love the Coobies too which I order from Amazon. I also have always just bought bras at Victorias Secret which seems to work well with the self adhesive forms.

    I just bought a new Ameona self adhesivecontact for my other MX last year and my husband bought me some hot looking European bras that Ameona is now carrying . I was really surprised they had such pretty bras.

  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 277
    edited June 2015

    Would love to hear more thoughts on the foobs that stick to the chest. I met an older woman and she had some 8's stuck to her, it was impressive to see, but I don't think I could ever carry 8's around!

  • Chloesmom
    Chloesmom Member Posts: 626
    edited June 2015

    Can't imagine carrying heavy foobs. I occasionally wear 4 shallow silicones and can go all day but the 4 regular are just a bit heavier and aren't as comfortable. The extra weight is tiring

  • Flounder
    Flounder Member Posts: 19
    edited June 2015

    Daisylover, thanks for your response.  The Lara looks nice.  The weighted forms came and they do seem to solve the problem.  I'm finding them pretty comfortable.  I think I'll hold off on buying any more bras for now until my fitting, so insurance can pay for them.

  • FirstGrade2017
    FirstGrade2017 Member Posts: 12
    edited June 2015

    Thanks. I think at this time I am going with the flat look. Went to target today and got to try on some clothes. It was a different look but I like the look. It's been two weeks since surgery. Tubes are out and I'm trying to find out how to rock the flat and fab

  • wm1413
    wm1413 Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2015

    I'm very new, just had my mastectomy on Tuesday this past week. My post op appt is Wednesday. Hoping to get my drains out. I'm so clueless as to next steps as far as bras and forms go, and to top it off, I had skin sparing surgery and have a lot of skin on my chest. This was done to have implants put in later. I was a DD so when I say I have skin, I mean I have skin. I'm worried that I won't find a form to fit me. Should I get a camisole to start? I work mostly from home but will have to start up my travel schedule in between chemo. Need advice.

  • Chloesmom
    Chloesmom Member Posts: 626
    edited July 2015

    IMHO don't even think about forms. I was fitted in March 3 months post op and my $$$ mastectomy bra ended up too big a month later when the swelling went down. I'd get fiberfill poofs or Google knitted knockers to get something soft. I wear an Amoena Valetta camisole with poofs in the pockets -note they run small

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

    I couldn't wear a bra for 6 weeks after surgery. I agree get knitted knockers. They are soft and don't irritate. You will change sizes so best to wait.

  • wm1413
    wm1413 Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2015

    thank you for answering. I requested the knitted knockers today

  • wm1413
    wm1413 Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2015

    thank you for your reply it was very helpful. I requested the knitted knockers and I ordered some light foam type inserts and a couple f camis to start. Will only need something when I have to go out or travel. Have to talk to oncologist about chemo , waiting on that appt, before I can talk about implants.

  • Chloesmom
    Chloesmom Member Posts: 626
    edited July 2015

    If you have an old Genie bra the modesty shields can give some shape to a cami and you can fill in the space with fiberfill or net pot scrubbers

    Wishing you the best with follow up treatments!

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

    I bought a Fruit of the Loom bra similar to the Genie bra. It seems to be wider in the back, which is what I need for back pain triggered by bra bands. I think it was 2 for $10. Comes with pockets that can hold microbead or foam foobs. I didn't try my silicone. Too hot right now.

  • netrajkr
    netrajkr Member Posts: 10
    edited July 2015

    Its 5 weeks past my unilateral masectomy..I have been reading and searching this site and all other mentioned here..From where should I start for my bras prosthese after my 6 weeks post surgery ..Nordstrom,Dillard's or my local Masectomy fitters..Can I just go first and see my options and don't buy.? Like in Nordstrom ... Are they more expensive there ??what are my other options until I got fitted ?? I bought coobie bras but the straps are very narrow..?I was 34 D before surgery..

    Thanks all for comfort and support ..

    Love and hugs


  • Erica
    Erica Member Posts: 237
    edited July 2015

    If you have insurance, breast forms and bras will be covered, usually every year or every other year. If not, I don't think there are any bargains at any of the retail stores. You can certainly just go and try on things. If you find something you like, but think it's too expensive, check out online sites, which are generally cheaper but don't accept insurance.

  • netrajkr
    netrajkr Member Posts: 10
    edited July 2015

    Thanks for the quick reply Erica..I do have insurance ..do the retail stores have more varieties or options.?? Is there anything that I can wear until I get fitted ?? Like sports bra with pocket....my post surgery bra is useless...Is there any brand I can look for??

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

    I'm lucky to have a really good mastectomy store here. I went there for my prostheses and bras originally. Now for everyday bras I wear Genie or the Fruit of the Loom copy cat. Sports bras look OK but my neck and shoulders don't like them. If you go to Nordstrom, I think you should call ahead for an appointment. They probably have a few fitters with extra training. I have a silicone, a weighted foam, and a microbead form. I'm not wear the silicone much right now because it's a bit hot. I like the weighted foam. They are available on the internet.

    I suggest you check to see where your insurance will cover. They might have a preferred provider.

  • NY2TXbaby
    NY2TXbaby Member Posts: 113
    edited August 2015

    Wren44 - you mentioned weighted foam inserts on the Internet. Can you recommend a brand or website/company and any guidance on sizing. I got a set of foam fobs after surgery which really only feel good in my Valletta tops. When I wear them in a bra they seem to ride up cause there is no weight. I always feel as if they are under my chin! Or maybe after all these years I forgot what it felt like to have perky 20 yr old boobs! lol. I just got a set of silicone ones from Anita - and a few new bras and definitely like the feel of the weighted one better. And what is microbeads? Again suggested places to search or purchase is so welcomed. Thanks ladies for all the great sharing. The one tip I picked up that worked so well was using the bath poofs in my swimsuit - fabulous. I just had to make sure they didn't shift around too much but it really helped when I went on vacation last month!

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

    I think the weighted foam are from Trulife and available on Metro Medical. Microbeads are the little tiny beads used to stuff some toys. Look at mastectomysolutions.com. The site is run by a member here and has all sorts of suggestions as well as a pattern for making your own form. The weighted foam foob rides up a tiny bit, but nothing like unweighted forms.

    I know what you mean about sizing. I lost 10lbs after dx and I don't know what size I am now. Plus I am old and saggy which does not help. They don't seem to make saggy foobs.

  • netrajkr
    netrajkr Member Posts: 10
    edited August 2015

    Wren44, from where I can buy genie and fruit of the loom ? I already bought coobie bra & I'm not very happy with that ..does genie look okay like symmetry wise.. What kind of breast forms you wear with genie and fruit of the loom?

  • Chloesmom
    Chloesmom Member Posts: 626
    edited August 2015

    they have Genie bras at Bed Bath and beyond. I wear the silicone or microbead in mine.

    It really held to get fitted for foobs. Mine are size 4 which equates to a 36A and I have 4 shallows which are a AA. But the microbead 4 were too full and I had to open the seam and let out some of the beads. They feel like sand bags when they are too full but are good for swimming I understad. I prefer to swim flat so haven't tried them in bathing suits


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

    Netrajkr, I found both at Wal Mart. I bought some Genie at Bed Bath & Beyond but they were cut different than the one I had. The full coverage one is called Classic and should say that on the package. I have worn the silicone in the Genie, and the weighted foam in both. I use the modesty pad on the real side to improve symmetry. I made a net thing to put in my bathing suit. Microbead forms can be used for swimming, but they float so must be in a pocket or pinned.

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


    netrajkr:  I sent you a private message.

    You can find Genie and Fruit of the Loom at Target, Walmart.  It does help to get fitted for the prosthetic and bras. Then once you know your size, you can usually find it cheaper online.  But definitely check what your insurance will pay. They could have a preferred provider.  I know if I buy online, it is an "out of network" provider, but if I buy at my local shop, they are "in-network".  So I would check with your insurance and also check with your local shop and Nordstorms to see if they do billing and if they are "in-network" for you.  Your insurance "should" cover a prosthetic and a certain number of bras a year.  It will vary with insurance.  If they will pay, go for it.

    You have Nordstorm's in Jax?  **jealous** we don't have them in Gainesville and that's so close, dang it.

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