Bras and breast forms you love

wishiwere

Just an FYI, but I know when I called around to get information on who does fittings and has bras and proths, the ACS said that they had some new, and some 'slightly used' in their office that they give to people.  Have you called them.  I'm just starting out so can't offere more info, but I'm sure the ladies in the 'know' will be by soon   Good luck!

patm

I love the Grace A/B sports bra by Moving Comfort.  I just posted at more length about this in the "sports bras with pockets?" thread.

Pat

wilsope

Hi Ladies. I had my bi-mast in July and so far I haven't worn anything. With winter coming on I wasn't sure I would even bother, but with winter comes Christmas and parties and I can't wear any of my "fancy" dresses with out something. My peer support volunteer  (canadian cancer society finds you a match) said she just wears her old bras and stuffs them with nylons. they are soft and shapeable. I was just wondering if there is something else. Not $400 a piece like prosthetics and a little more "genuine" looking than old nylons?

Sandra56

http://www.tlcdirect.org/subcategory/FormsForImmediatelyAfterMastectomySurgery.html

Hi Wilsope, the above URL address at TLC shows the forms that I wear the most even 2 1/2 years post mastectomy.  I had bilateral surgery and don't have to worry about matching sides.  The thin layer of foam in the front of the form gives a smooth look, and you can even weigh them down with weights if you want a saggier look.  I don't put any polyester fill in the top part, just shake down into the lower, wider portion.  These are very inexpensive and I just throw the inexpensive filling away before washing, although you could certainly wash the filler separately.

For weights, I use the little weighted pillows from my Bosom Buddies, (although, I think you can get regular weights for this purpose?) and just embed them into the filler at the bottom.  Very, very comfortable, and cool!  And I wear them to work and they look just fine.  Lightweight and no leaking.  (I have a pair of Silicone ones, too expensive to wear everyday...I have cats!!!)

 I also wear my "round" Bosom Buddies and like them.  www.bosom buddies.com.

I also wear T-shirts, but I am overweight and don't wear them super tight.  I think what I like about Bosom Buddies is that you can put as many of the little pillows as you need to get the shape you want.  Plus you can get the unweighted pillows to mix with the weighted ones.   I never notice a seam from the outside of my bra or shirt.  And if you load the pillows right, there really isn't any lumpiness that I noticed.  But actually, I use polyester fiberfill in my Bosom Buddies also, because I have yet to order the unweighted pillows and don't like filling my D size with all the weighted ones.   They are certainly less expensive than the silicone ones,  and as lightweight as one prefers.  They told me that you should put the lacy part up where the brastraps are, they also said I could wear them in a regular bra, but they fit fine into my M-framed mastectomy bra,  

The Bosom Buddies are easy to transport in you luggage, don't look like forms and can put the pillows in a separate little bag and nobody would even know what they are, if looking inside your luggage.

But, for extreme comfort, sure can't beat those little TLC  forms, you can get different shapes, but I like the triangle.  I can mold the fiberfill to fill in just enough to smoothly link up with the lumps under my arms (dog-ears) and not leave a gap. There is a vertical slit in the forms where you stuff the desired fiberfill.    I have to be outside in the orchard a lot in the summer, and I never notice being hot from these forms, just have to wash them after sweating into them!  They are affordable enough to have several of them at $22 per pair. Oh, and you can stack them, unfilled, inside each other in a drawer.

Hope this helps when looking for less expensive forms.  

Sandra

jbau

I recently tried a new bra that I found very comfortable. It is the pocketed bra made by Elisa and sold at herroom.com. It is very soft and thin, a pullover type, good for a small prosthesis. I've been using it with the amoena 126's. It wouldn't work well for a heavier prosthesis but for exercising and leisure with a small one it is fine. It's not expensive either, $21.00, I think.

Jennifer 

Erica3681

Hi Jennifer,

I recently tried a new bra, too, called the Elita, which sounds just like what you're describing. Could that possibly be the one you mean? Here's the link at herroom: http://www.herroom.com/Elita-8868-V-neck-Camisole-With-Pockets-Bra.shtml.

I was due for new breast forms on my insurance, and decided on the Amoena Climate Light 2S in a size 3, since I'm always looking for the coolest possible forms and my fitter said they would be cooler than the new Amoena Natura and Individual forms with Comfort+. But what really sold me on the forms was when I tried them in the Elita bra. They're light enough so they don't weigh the bra down too much. 

As you said, the Elita is a pullover and a really comfy choice for exercising and leisure. I haven't tried it yet with my 126s, but I will! Thanks for mentioning the idea.

Barbara

BreastFree.org 

jbau

Sorry, Barbara, I'm a little dyslexic. It is the elita bra.

Jennifer 

Binney4

Hi, Barbara,

I told my fitter about the Silique Comfort-lite forms, and the rep came out to see her last week. The fitter's so excited about them -- light, cool, comfortable, and "huggable" (I told her I'm a hugger and want my hugs to feel real!) She's ordered some for me to try and I'm really excited too. She also found a new compression bra for me to try by Wearease. It's here:

http://www.wearease.com/Compression_Bra.php

Do you know anything about the company? This one looks workable, but of course you never know until you try it, so I'll let you know when I get to try it. Praying it'll be comfortable, come up high enough in the axilla, and not aggravate the area at the front of the axilla that always bothers me.

There's another compression bra that looks good called the Anita Care Compression Bra #1094. Haven't tried that yet, either, but it's good to have a back-up in case the first one doesn't work out.

Onward! One of these days I'm gonna hit the perfect combination!
Binney

Erica3681

Hi Binney,

I'm glad you'll get to try the Silique. I hope you like it. I think it's a wonderful form. As I mentioned in my prior post, since I hadn't bought any new forms with my insurance for well over a year, I decided to try the Amoena Climate forms. They are nice and give me another option, but I still love the Silique Comfort Lites and suspect I'll be wearing those more. I also really like the Airway Tritex, with the microfiber back. I think I have enough forms!! Somehow, having no breasts at all, I feel more secure having several breast form options. 

I don't know anything about Wearease. I checked the link. It looks nice, but I agree that you never know until you try it. If it doesn't work out, I've had very good experiences with Anita Care mastectomy bras. They make very nice products. But I don't know about their compression bra.

Barbara

SandyinSoCal

Here's a site that does custom work:

http://www.new-attitude-inc.com/

Binney4

Just had to report on my fitting today -- didn't end up with the right sizes, so I didn't bring anything home, but I LOVED both the Wearease compression bra and the Silique Comfort-lite prostheses. The Wearease is exceptionally well made, the fabric is silky and the bottom band is super-soft. The dainty front zipper has a soft fabric backing to protect sensitive skin, and the shoulder is adjustable with discreet hooks instead of stiff Velcro. So I can wear it right up under my axilla, where I need the compression for my lymphedema. It's pocketed, with really easy-to-use pockets. ABSOLUTELY COMFORTABLE!

As for the Silique prostheses -- the reason I couldn't take them home is because they're sooooo light and lovely that I ordered them two sizes larger with no fear their weight is going to make my lymphedema painful. Really looking forward to being back to my pre-surgery size without pain! I can hardly believe the feel of them -- the backing is so soft and adjustable to my contours, and the front is silicone so it looks great under my clothes and also let's me give and accept hugs without being nervous about what it feels like to the "huggee". Can't tell you how thrilled I am to find both these products, Barbara. And my fitter is about as ecstatic as I am. I have a feeling a LOT of her customers are going to be walking out of there with Siliques!

Whew!
Binney

mthomp2020

Now I'm tempted to get another form after reading how comfortable the Siliques are, though my insurance only covers one every 2 years.  Unfortunately, my insurance only seems to cover certain forms and bras, very limited.  I've had my current one a year.  My big problem so far has been that the form weights the bra enough that it hangs lower on that side, and that's with being an A, so the form isn't all that heavy.  Plus it's supposed to be one of the lighter ones.  I've got the straps on my bras hiked up as far as they can go without having them pull up too much when I lift my arm.  Sounds like a good form to try.

I've gained weight since I got my form, and now it's actually a little small compared to my remaining breast.  Maybe I can get another RX from my surgeon so I can get a form that matches it.  Always something, isn't it?

caaclark

According to my fitter, if you gain or lose 20 lbs or over your insurance will cover new forms.  My insurance covered new forms for that reason but I needed the script from my doc to say 20 lbs + or -.

Erica3681

Binney,

Thanks for reporting back. I hope the larger size proves to be a perfect fit for you!

mthomp,

Hopefully you can get insurance coverage, as Carol suggests. If not, the Silique forms sell online for quite a bit less than other silicone forms. At TrueKare.com, a single Comfort Lite sells for $134. I don't know how much more this form would cost through a fitter. I once purchased a form from TrueKare and was able to return it when it didn't fit me. So that might be an option if you can't get insurance to cover it.

Barbara 

sarabhealed

Bumping...

mthomp2020

I took the plunge and ordered the Silique Comfort-lite - the one with the beads? - from Trukare and received it today.  It's amazing how much lighter it is then my Airway form, which is supposed to be one of the lighter weight ones.  Now I won't have a low-rider!  It's very comfortable and it does adapt very well to my chest contours, as I have a lovely dent across it.  I'm going to really appreciate it come summer when it gets hot!  Plus I got it on sale for $112 - how can you beat that?  At that price, I'd be tempted to get another one so I don't have to wait for it to dry out when I wash it. 

Once again, I thank  Barbara for all the research and feedback.  I'd never even know about Silique forms if it wasn't for you! 

Erica3681

mthomp,

I'm so happy that it fits and that you find it comfortable. It is amazingly light, isn't it? Thank you so much for letting me and everyone else know.

I've gotten more from you and other women on these boards than I can ever give back. I'm delighted that my research has been helpful.

Barbara

OLBinNJ

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Cami-T-shirt bra (N4007) from Trulife!  I am very concave on my mast side which puts extreme limits on what tops I can wear to hide the unevenness.  This bra is wonderful, it's like a regular bra, but with lace across the top so that it hides the unevenness.  It is also good for those who are concerned about the form/bra pulling away from your chest when you bend over.  The band runs small, so go up a size.

wishiwere

Tried this one and absolutely loved it, but the place I was at only had it white and I wanted the nude.  thanks for jogging my memory to get it!

lilums

I am an A too and have that problem with some pros - I found it's not just the bra straps but the band - I sometimes have to wear a smaller band size or use a different hook and then the pros sits better/higher. Might not be same for you but a thought.

Also I've become more aware of small differences in the two sides since the surgery - then I realize folks with 2 boobs often have one sitting lower or whatever so I try not to worry about it too much. 

mthomp2020

lilums, I really can't wear the band any tighter then I already am without it being very uncomfortable after a while.  I think one of the problems is that my chest/rib cage under the band starts to narrow, so the band can slip down even when tight.  I wish I could wear one of the adhering forms, but would sweat too much, plus my chest is too uneven, as I have a nice indentation across it.  I always wonder how some women seem to end up with such a nice, smooth chest after surgery.  Do they leave some breast tissue behind? 

lilums

mthom2020,

 I see re the band - I noticed today that when I wear the silicone pros (right now a TruLife/Camp one with moldable back) in mast bra, by end of work day, the moldable part really has "molded" to my chest wall/shape and kinda hurts on that side on the bra band - when I take bra off once home, it's all red where the band was but the other side (w/breast) isn't.  When I just wear a foam pros or even just a couple of bust cups, I don't have that problem. Only thing is those options don't look as good or even vs my remaining breast but I'm starting to think: who cares!? comfort as I get older (just turned 50 and loving it!) is more important - probably no one's looking anyway and if they are, they need something better to do  :-)

 Sorry I can't think of what you can do except maybe try foam, polyfil/bust cups? My chest is concave too ......

carol1949

Thank you Erica and everyone else for all the feed!  I had a very frustrating experience today with a "fitter".  She was pushing the Trulife on me... didn't even offer to allow me to try the Amoena... and didn't have any others in my "size" to try!  Though it was "ok", once I got the estimate for the form and 1 bra... after my insurance... I was still going to owe $120.00

I decided to do a bit more research... came home and on the website for the exact store I visited, they offered the Trulife form for $100. less than what they had on my invoice!  When I called they gave me the run around that it was due to filing insurance, etc.  This is soooo crazy.  How can they sell the exact form on line for $100. less?  It makes me crazy!

So,  now I am doing more research b4 deciding anything.  I called my insurer and they gave me another few names of providors in my "network"...so will see what happens.

Very frustrated!

carol1949

Has anyone heard of the new massage breast form by ABC?  It is supposed to help with lymph flow.

Would be interested to hear.

Sher

I hadn't heard of it before this Carol1949, but would also be very interested to hear.  I looked on the ABC website and watched the video, but I would still like more information than they give.  Product information states that the form has channels of silicone gel, but doesn't say what the rest of the form is made of.  Is it a contact form?  Also, I gathered that it is made for either right or left because of the way the lymph flow is supposed to be directed, but what if you need both?  Would the forms work together or not?

Erica3681

I also checked out the site after reading Carol1949's post and watched the video. There's another place on the website where they say that the form uses silicone gel "channels" to create the massage effect, so the form seems to be made entirely of silicone. They also say the form is cooler than regular smooth-backed silicone, since air can get behind the form. I'm dubious about that claim (maybe a little cooler, but it's hard to imagine much of a difference), but the massage claim is interesting. Still, truncal lymphedema tends to move around on the trunk and the form is only in one area. One woman in the video said her upper arm lymphedema was helped by the massage action on her chest. Hard to see how that would happen, but maybe just getting things flowing in one part of the torso improves the flow generally.

I hope Binney weighs in on this. It certainly seems like a form to check out if you have truncal lymphedema. I have one spot (about 1 inch in diameter) of radiation-induced edema on one side, which is usually only partially compressed by my breast form, so I'm wondering if something like this would help this area finally drain. 

Barbara

OLBinNJ

     I checked out the site and am very confused.  In theory, massaging the chest wall may help open the pathways for lymph flow, however, it doesn't say if the form is a contact form or you wear it in a pocket.  If you wear it in a pocket, it's hard to imagine any real massaging happening.

carol1949

It is not a contact form... and my understanding is that with many of the newer forms.. you can wear them without a pocket.  I also saw where there are pockets for many of the forms... that are just like covers... but not sewn to the bra.  I still am just trying to do my research and be as informed as possible. 

I think the real deal is that most of these "fitters" are trained perhaps in a specific company or not!!!  I hardly felt that the girl who did my "fitting" knew anything other than trial and error.  She could have let me loose in the stock room and I could have done exactly the same thing.

I had some nice feedback from the ABC company and the lady said actually, the bra is the most important thing when wearing a breast prosthesis!  More important than the form itself!

Also, I asked the weight of specific forms and rightly so... it depends on the size of the form... so when they say % less than other forms... the only way you can get an exact weight is by size.

GrandmaWolf

Well ... the beat does go on.  It's been awhile since I have last checked in to see what is going on.

My bilateral was last spring... I had "foam" forms first, then a couple of pairs of "Pals" and now some ultra light ABC 1042 forms,  In trying different places, I think you are right Carol1949.  It seemed to me the fitter was trained with one company's products, and while the shop sold other brands, the fitter wasn't as knowledgeable, and tended to steer me toward the Amoena she was trained for,

I learned Amoena was developed here in the states, but later sold to a company in Germany. After a while the originators of Amoena later decided to open another company that is now the ABC down in Georgia I think.  I do like their forms that I have now, but with all of the different sizes, shapes, features and companies how do you know what would be best? You can drive yourself crazy trying to find out.  You pick the best you can...but have to wear it for awhile.  If you picked wrong, it is an expensive mistake. Well at least this time I can say they were made in the USA!!!!  Chuckle chuckle.....

Jeez, I have never thought so much about my boobs since I didn't have them..

I enjoyed reading all your comments.

Grandma Wolf aka Dakota

carol1949

The beat does go on !!!!  lol 

I am very interested to hear that ABC was an off shoot of Amoena!  Very interesting!  Yes, they are in GA and she also told me the new "massage" form is available in limited areas currently!

Having said that... I have seen reference to a few other forms that say they have massage action.

I actually ordered a "lia" form off ebay!  for 10 bucks!!!  How can I go wrong!! I figure worst case scenario is it will be a decent part of a soon to be "boob wardrobe"!!!  I also have an Amoena that a lady gave me... and it is a little too big, but under a loose button up shirt looks fine.  It will probably be used until I get my real deal and then I will donate it to the Cancer Society.

Insurance aside... so far it looks like we should go to these places and find the bras that we like and then just order them for half off the internet!  I have even found clearance Amoena's for like 70% off!  So, they're out there.

Thanks Grandma Wolf!!  You look too young to be called Grandma!