All Topics
→ Forum: Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
→ Topic: What to expect?

Topic: What to expect?

Forum: Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy — Discuss prostheses, swimsuits, bras, and other options for women not having reconstruction or waiting for reconstruction.

Posted on: Nov 29, 2020 01:16AM

Georgia Joined: Oct 2020 Posts: 16 Latest activity: Dec 19, 2020

Hi,

I just had BMX last week. I was wondering what to do after I heal? Like do I go get fitted for a mastectomy bra, or just buy a bra with padding?

I'm ok with going flat, I'm just worried about how clothing will look.

Black woman, 33, child 4yr old F

Page 1 of 1 (5 results)

Posts 1 - 5 (5 total)

Spookiesmom… FL USA Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 8,989 Latest activity: Jan 24, 2021

Nov 29, 2020 03:10AM Spookiesmom wrote:

I’ve been flat for 8 years. No more bras for me. Some ladies do wear them, there are special shops that sell them. Your surgeons office staff should be able to tell you where.

I never was much into clothes, jeans and t shirts kind of girl. So not much help there, sorry.

Reoccurrence 3-19. Dx IDC, Stage IIIA, Grade 3

Jaybird627 Georgia Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,100 Latest activity: Jan 24, 2021

Nov 29, 2020 08:21AM Jaybird627 wrote:

Your insurance should cover most if not all mastectomy bras. Special bras with pockets for the foob(s). My insurance covers 6 bras/year (and it's not the best insurance) . There was no specialty store near me and insurance wasn't going to cover a prosthetic but the store I went to knew how to code the request so that I could be covered. I believe there is a law concerning MX due to BC about prosthetics being covered. Say you want to dress up and you can't find anything you like while 'looking' flat - the bras/foobs help you look 'normal' without questions/stares/etc. I've been lopsided for over a year and still work and felt better being 'equal' on both sides rather than a protruding C on one side and flat on the other. Just my take on the situation. Hope this helps someone anyway.

Jaybird. My hopes are not always realized, but I always hope - Ovid. Surgery 3/4/2005 Lumpectomy; Lymph node removal; Mastectomy; Prophylactic ovary removal; Reconstruction (left): Silicone implant; Reconstruction (right): Latissimus dorsi flap, Silicone implant Dx 3/5/2005, IDC, Right, Stage IIB, Grade 2, ER+/PR+, HER2-

Lehua Joined: Nov 2020 Posts: 1 Latest activity: Nov 30, 2020

Nov 29, 2020 12:46PM Lehua wrote:

Does medicare cover special bras. If so where do I find the codes. I am new to breast cancer. Had a mastectomy Nov 4. My oncology appointment is next week. I am 78 and I have lobular stage 2.

LivinLife Joined: Aug 2020 Posts: 454 Latest activity: Jan 23, 2021

Nov 30, 2020 01:09AM LivinLife wrote:

Give your insurance company a call to see what they will cover - mention the pocket bras and prosthetics - both may be covered tho there may be limits per year.

I'm with Spookie... My BMX was the end of August. I've been going flat. I wore a sports bra the first 4 or 5 weeks after surgery for the compression or whatever it did - it just seemed to help how I felt in the chest area. I switched that up to a camisole for a few weeks after that - once I could put non-button up shirts on. Then I just went to wearing whatever top I planned on wearing - nothing underneath. I had large breasts and it feels so comfortable and free-ing not to have to worry about a bra or especially a bra and anything else added to it (e.g. foobs). I wear a lot of mock turtle necks and honestly they do look a little odd without boobs... I'm working from home now due to COVID - I do wonder at times if I'll be as comfortable when I return to the office. I run cold though and even during summer months always had to wear a light sweater over my top - I think that is all I will do....

You have to do what you're comfortable with. Just try different things to see what feels best to you... you may decide for some situations you will switch things up.... do it b/c it works and feels best for you though...

Dx 7/2020, DCIS, Left, 1cm, Stage 0, Grade 3, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR+ Surgery 8/31/2020 Mastectomy: Left; Prophylactic mastectomy: Right

Terricka Georgia Joined: Oct 2020 Posts: 16 Latest activity: Dec 19, 2020

Nov 30, 2020 07:28AM Terricka wrote:

Thank yall for the response. I will check with my insurance this week.

Black woman, 33, child 4yr old F

Page 1 of 1 (5 results)

↑ Back to top

We are 219,622 members in 84 forums discussing 161,608 topics.

Topic: What to expect?

Forum: Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy — Discuss prostheses, swimsuits, bras, and other options for women not having reconstruction or waiting for reconstruction.