Breast Form Wants To Ride Up

Sonshine

Breast Form Wants To Ride Up

Sonshine

Has anyone had this problem?  I recently got my first mastectomy bras and prothesis.  I really like everything but I have a problem with my prothesis riding up and showing out the top of my bra.  Does anyone have any ideas on how to prevent this or have had this same problem?  Did my fitter not fit me right?  She spent a lot of time with me.  I have tried sewing the pocket smaller but it still shows.  Thanks!  Sonshine

Desny

Hi,

I have the same problem with my prothesis is some of my bras.  Also, sometimes I am lopsided and continuely have to adjust myself. 

I don't know why this happens - is the prothesis to large for the pocket?  Is the waistband on the bra to loose/or a poor fit?  I'm glad you posted, I thought it was something just I was doing.

Take care Sonshine

Erica3681

Hi Sonshine,

I think you should definitely go back to the fitter and hopefully she'll help you resolve the problem. That really shouldn't happen. I'm small so my breast forms are pretty light, but they don't ride up. They also can't possibly come out of the pockets--I'm wondering how that could happen. What type of form and bra do you have?

One possibility--when I was first fitted, over a year ago, my chest was still sensitive and sore. I really couldn't hook my bra on the tighter hooks, so I tended to wear it somewhat loose. This made me sometimes feel as if the bra was riding up (and sometimes it probably was!). Also, I became very sore and tired after wearing my mastectomy bras for only a few hours. Only very recently have I been able to tolerate much more pressure on my chest and my bras don't irritate me anymore. Perhaps my nerves have now calmed down. I'm not sure why, but now I can tighten the band so that it contributes to supporting my bra and breast forms, so I feel more secure--nothing seems to be riding up.

I definitely have found this to be a journey--lots of trial and error along the way. But it does get easier!

Barbara

BreastFree.org 

Sonshine

Hi Again,

              Actually I think maybe the problem may be the pocket is too big.  I've tried sewing the pocket smaller, it helped slightly.  The fitter is aware of it and since the bra fit me well and my prothesis she thought I could just do some sewing and it could take care of the problem of it riding up.  I wear my bra on the tightest hooks and that doesn't see to make any difference.  I stayed with my bras and prothesis anyway because of everything I tried on me these fit the best.  As long as I don't wear anything too low in the front no one would notice.  I am not an expert when it comes to sewing so I was wondering if anyone would have any ideas.   Thanks Again,  Sonshine 

SusaninSF

Sonshine,

You might want to get a second opinion from another fitter if there is another one in your area. I first went to a specialty mast store and she didn't do a proper job of fitting me. After going to Nordstroms I found that I was wearing a bra that was four inches to big around the chest and 3 cups sizes too small! I agree with Barbara that the prosthesis shouldn't ride up if the bra fits you well.

The issue of the prosthesis showing at the top may not be something separate from the "riding up". When we have a mastectomy, they remove breast tissue all the way up to the collar bone so the prosthesis need to go up pretty high to replace that. I can't wear many tops because they are too lowcut to wear with a prosthesis and I even have to button up my blouses or you can see the prosthesis through the open neck. Perhaps this is exacerbated because I am very short (5'1") and wear a size 8 form.

- Susan

OLBinNJ

Susan,

     I have the same issue with not being able to wear anything too low.  And by too low, I mean anything more than @ two inches below my collar bone.  Button down shorts don't work very well for me as the fabric above my form lies too flat on my chest.  T-shirts are my best friend, as well as the high neck tankinis from Lands End.  I agree that if the bra and form fit properly, the form shouldn't ride up.  I would try another fitter.  The original one I went to just wanted to sell me what they had in stock.  The one I go to now will order many forms/bras for me to try on until we get it right.