Living Without One Breast
Comments
-
I am following for answers cfrank. Have you tried/looked into handful?
I’m too new to help. Just picked up first prosthetic yesterday.I’ve got a large breast (DDD-H depending on brand) and have always had a hard time finding bras I liked. (I never owned a sports bra before yesterday). Having only one breast doesn’t make it easier.
Swimwear is going to be my next challenge.
0 -
Hi My dears...sorry you are here ..hope I can assist like you 10 years ago now.... I considered why not to have rads so chose mastectomy
My surgery was over done n dusted.
Just retired .....got on with university degree travellin and camping .
some are lucky ..no pain and quick healing and no lymph involvement
First couple of years and some times in cold winter I wear a compression singlet to stop lymphoedema on chest wall
Heavier boob does need to be fitted from a specialist fitter for a good bra and In Australia the breast protetheis is gov claimable each two years
Livein beach area some humidity..
At home no bra just cotton loose tops
Beach walking/ swimming lightweight foob insert gel
Some swimmers I have sewn in my own fibrefill and no need to remove
I found that I had to remove the side seam plastic boning from bras as it rubbed side where I had Lymphedema
Had to use massage to chest wall
Winter have wear wool vests and foob more often as chest gets tooo cold
All the best
Bright in hope
ps
At present making my own lace and soft cotton camisoles
0 -
I never heard of handful..but I will look into it.. The only prosthetic I like is knitted knockers..but they dont last that long.
0 -
Mastectomy bras and prosthesis are covered by insurance and Medicare. I got them for years from Liberator medical supplies, they processed the claims,contacted the doctor for the order etc.
They decided to close that department and I am looking for any other that will provide mastectomy bras and process claims.
Anyone knows of any other supplier? It was very convenient. By the way because I had mastectomy in one side I ended with adult scoliosis as a result.
0 -
dreaming - are you looking for local or online
0 -
Same position - flat on one side, and a large healthy breast on the other side. I have found some good swimsuits on Amoena website. https://www.amoena.com/us-en
They also carry prosthesis and bras.
0 -
Just to share: While I have a prosthesis and two pocket bras (paid by insurance), I really prefer sports bras. To my old sports bras, I sewed in soft cotton to create a pocket for the prosthesis. Not perfect but works pretty good.
Often I go without the prosthesis, as I no longer care if anyone notices there's only one breast, and wear a Champion Performance sports bra. It's tight-fitting and comfortable.
Thank you, Carpe_Diem, for the website link. I really need to figure out a swimsuit.
0 -
I feel like this is one of those situations where the trans community helps everyone out! cfrank, if I were in your shoes, I'd do what I just did and google "trans binder"...and see if any of them appealed! I'd also probably ask the company/your doctor if there is any reason not to wear one in cases of a UMX, just to be safe.
0 -
I'm going to have a mastectomy next month. I can't have reconstruction due to awaiting radiation therapy and there is already a risk that the mastectomy wound could be quite tight. My concern is that because I am big busted, I can't find any mastectomy bras in my size. I'm a 36H (UK size) which I think is a 36K in US sizing. I asked the consultant about having a double mastectomy because of the significant size and weight difference, but he advised against it. Does anyone have any advice or recommendations about life with one huge breast, or where to find mastectomy bras in my kind of size, please?
0 -
Interesting. This could be differing philosophies across the pond, or from doc to doc, but my surgeon voluntarily brought up the option of considering a proactive double mastectomy, even though I was BRCA- and just needed one side removed. She said that some women are more comfortable being symmetrical, and the weight difference of having one breast on one side can cause back discomfort. I'm not huge, so I chose just the single mastectomy.
You might want to pursue a second opinion, or at least ask about breast reduction on your remaining side. In the States, insurance is obligated to cover a second mastectomy to "create symmetry" if a woman later decides to have her other breast removed.
0 -
too ticky - I don’t know where to recommend, since I’m a few letters smaller and have a hard time finding what I need.
Some women are sewing pockets into regular bras… I’d be bleeding on them if I tried that 🙄
I can say this - if you go the single route, and you decide to wear a prosthetic- it took some doing to figure out the correct size…. We actually went down a size or two from an exact match to my solo breast. It makes sense, since it starts in a different place. But you have to try it in a bra, more than one if you find bras in different styles. And try moving with it. It reminded me of shopping for pants with a little kid…. Ok, they might fit if I’m standing still, but what if I’m bending this way? Or running?
Does your hospital or breast care center have someone who can help with this
0 -
Thanks for your advice. I don't know yet if my hospital has someone who can help with this. I think they're quite understaffed, I don't yet have a dedicated breast care nurse, let alone anyone to discuss prosthetics or bras with. I hope that once my drains are out they might put me in contact with somebody.
Great advice about moving around and bending before deciding on which prosthetic fits best.
0 -
i have mbc and had a mastectomy on my right side about 8 years ago. No reconstruction. I very rarely think about it anymore. There are two stores in my city that offer prosthesis and mastectomy bras, they are certified in fitting for the mastectomy bras which is very important. There is a department store also that just recently had two employees certified in fitting for mastectomy bras. The insurance will pay for 3 bras each year and one prosthesis every two years, i believe.
Good luck everyone and God bless you.
0 -
btw i have been running each dayfor the last two years with the prosthesis with no problem.
0 -
hello friends. I am new - right side mastectomy 4 weeks ago. I am trying knitted knocker and purchased prosthetic in my own bras (no consult yet). They are comfortable but lopsided. I am 69 years old so left size C cup breast is much lower than prosthetic side. Anyone have any suggestions?
0 -
Hi, I have the same question. My mother had a unilateral mastectomy at 80 yrs old. Three years later she is still struggling to find a comfortable solution. She wishes she had known how uncomfortable she would feel with the weight imbalance and would have opted to go flat had she known. She wears a knitted knocker out in public because the extra weight from the prosthesis causes her bra to chafe her skin. She has tried several different bra styles with no luck yet. Anybody have any input? Thank you!
0 -
Hello, zuri and Irene! Sorry you are here, but wanted to say welcome to BC.org! Hope you find answers and good advice from our community members. Please keep us all posted as to how things go for you, and let us know if we can be of help.
Warmly,
The Mods
0 -
Please ensure you are being fitted by a specialist. I only purchase through a certified prosthetic specialist. Lop sided is unacceptable and knitted items are no better, but serve a very temporary purpose especially while healing. Also, it really helps to ensure that you are fully healed as any weight or pressure can irritate skin. I also received radiation to the chest wall. But now I don’t even think about it. But it has been 8 years. I achieved comfort within the first year, so do not settle for anything that further affects your quality of life. This is solvable.
0 -
Please ensure you are being fitted by a specialist. I only purchase through a certified prosthetic specialist. Lop sided is unacceptable and knitted items are no better, but serve a very temporary purpose especially while healing. Also, it really helps to ensure that you are fully healed as any weight or pressure can irritate skin. I also received radiation to the chest wall. But now I don't even think about it. But it has been 8 years. I achieved comfort within the first year, so do not settle for anything that further affects your quality of life. This is solvable. And the quality of the bra is just as important.
0 -
Please ensure you are being fitted by a specialist. I only purchase through a certified prosthetic specialist. Lop sided is unacceptable and knitted items are no better, but serve a very temporary purpose especially while healing. Also, it really helps to ensure that you are fully healed as any weight or pressure can irritate skin. I also received radiation to the chest wall. But now I don’t even think about it. But it has been 8 years. I achieved comfort within the first year, so do not settle for anything that further affects your quality of life. This is solvable.
0 -
Irene, check with your Mom's surgeon and/or insurance. When I got my unilateral mastectomy, my doc said that insurance companies are legally obligated to cover "any surgery that will create symmetry". For me, that meant that I could still opt for reconstruction in the future, or go fully flat. If your Mom would be willing to go through it again, going flat may still be available for her. Good luck!
0 -
Zuri and Irene--I have the same problem after my single mastectomy and found a product on Etsy that helps. They are called "SuspendHers" and are small suspenders that clip to the bottom of my bra and to the waistband of my pants. This holds the lightweight (or empty) side of the bra down and keeps it from "creeping." Here's a link to the product; I have no interest in this other than a satisfied customer. LINK
I ordered the "shorties, 1 1/2" size and they work well for me.
0 -
It's my understanding that 3 weeks is the accepted protocol for early stage BC radiation therapy. Does your center offer that? If time is your only concern, that might be worth looking into. On the other hand, I think aesthetic flat closure and a prosthesis or poof work great as long as your anatomy doesn't dictate otherwise. I can imagine for women with larger breasts it might be uncomfortable. I had two lumpectomies (years apart) and ultimately a mastectomy. I didn't have a lot of pain with it, but one is left with a certain amount of tightness and potential impact on range of motion in that shoulder. I also have no feeling in that area, something I wasn't really prepared for. But aesthetically it doesn't bother me at all. I had a flat closure since I would never want reconstruction. I am about 10 weeks out and though I wasn't planning to get a prosthesis, I decided just this week to do it and am really happy I did. I won't wear it all the time, but there are lighter weight alternatives, and in a pretty bra no one can tell I had surgery recently. Eventually I want to have a flat closure on the other side. It is a hassle dealing with the foob and for casual living I personally wouldn't feel the need to have a visible breast line.
0 -
LW422: "SuspendsHers" is such a great idea! For a long time I could only wear a Knitted Knocker, and something like this would have been wonderful for those times when the Knitted floated up quite a bit.
Concur with others that a fitter is very important.
0 -
Jules--the SuspendHers work great and are a real help for me when I use my knitted knocker. I tried using a giant safety pin but that didn't go so well.
I can't wait to get done with radiation so I can have a prosthesis fitting, but I will probably still use my knitted knocker and SuspendHers for comfort.
0 -
LW422: I ordered a pair! I don't always wear my prosthesis, and my sports bra tends to ride up, so I thought I would try. So thank you again for the suggestion.
Sending you a virtual hug through radiation treatment. Patience with healing was something I had to be reminded of over and over.
0 -
I hope they work well for you, Jules. Be sure to post when you get them. The only "problem" I've had is that I forget I have one on when I go to the bathroom, lol. I'm finally getting used to unhooking, though!!
Thank you so much for the good wishes. Radiation terrifies me (just like chemo did and surgery did), but hopefully it won't be too bad. Take care.
0 -
Hi,
My breast implant ruptured after open heart surgery last year and they removed it. I get occasional back pain when I am simply standing and not wearing a bra. Is that because my left breast is about a 38 D and maybe not having a right breast causes me to be out of alignment. My plastic surgeon has recommended not to get reconstructive surgery because of all the problems I had after open heart surgery and then the implant removal. I did not think about this until I start reading the posts. If so, does that mean I should be wearing a fairly heavy prosthesis even when I am home alone? . Grateful to be alive . Any advice appreciated regarding reducing back pain and what type of prosthesis to get. .
0 -
serenity- really holding back my opinion for you to check with your medical team. Some things to consider - is it covered by insurance? By getting matching size the weight should be relatively similar to what was taken.
Back pain is sooo tricky.
0 -
hi Serenitywisdom
I can totally recommend..if you are large breasted..To be fitted for a prothesis by a professional fitter is so important for bra fit as well
In Australia my one prothesis is paid by medicare rebate every two years and my health fund will rebate the bra
I have a natural look Foob.... lightweight summer gel pale flesh coloured... which I prefer to wear when shopping and socialing
For beach and swimwear my other is one is beads in mesh...good for body boarding
Also good for strenuous exercise
At home I prefer to go mono boob but important to have a fitted cotton lycra singlet
I do get back ache so have to remember to wear bra with foob for part of day
All the best bright in hope
0
