Silicone breast forms okay for swimming?

mason204

Hi all:

After 4 years, I've decided to finally "get fitted" and buy some proper breast forms.  I've made an appointment for a fitting and mentioned that I'd also like to get some swim forms, too.  I've decided to "treat" myself as I've been using plastic "scrunchies" for swim forms for all these years.

The fitter said that as long as I'm not swimming too often, I CAN use silicone forms in the pool.  This is the first I've heard of this.  Is it true?  I mentioned that I'm going on vacation in 2 weeks and will be in the pool pretty often.  She stressed that this was okay.

Have these forms come a long way in 4 years?  I was always told it was a "no no". 

She did seem very knowledgeable in other areas during our discussion so I tend to think her advice is credible but I thought I'd check here with the "experts".

Thanks.

Cheryl in Toronto

Erica3681

I've been told that it's okay to swim with regular forms, too, and have gone swimming with my silicone forms on occasion. But I prefer to use my swim forms, which are made of clear silicone with a hollowed-out back--lighter weight and the water drains easily when you get out of the pool. They tend to be less expensive than regular silicone forms, so maybe you could treat yourself, or perhaps you could even get insurance to pay.

Here's a link to a photo of the Nearly Me Freestyle swim forms that I use: http://www.womanspersonalhealth.com/pictures/228c/Nearly-Me-Breast-Form-For-Swimming.jpg. Amoena and others also make swim forms.

Barbara 

LorenaB

I just got fitted for a prosthesis for the first time yesterday, and was told I could use the regular silicone form for swimming.  However, for me the form is a temporary measure, since I am planning on having reconstruction in the spring, and I don't expect to be swimming much, if at all, after the summer ends.  I think that if it was going to be permanent I would look for a lighter swim form to use regularly.  My new form looks GREAT but it certainly is heavy!

pinklemon

I would say it is OK if you don't swim too often, and if you rinse your form, it is not a problem. The reason to have a swimming form is too extend the ''life'' of your regular one, which is also more expensive. (Here in Quebec, the regular forms are 3 times more expensive then a swimming form, so why take a chance to damage your regular one?) I prefer to have the two. Also, as erica said, the swimming one is not as heavy and drains the water well.

For vacations, you will be in the pool and\or the sea a lot. Then i think it would be a good investment to have a form especially for that.

yellowrose

Just returned from vacation and thought that I would share my experience.  My fitter had told me that I could swim with my form.  I was a leery but thought I would give it a shot during this trip. When I removed the form after swimming, I noticed that the form wasn't as supple as usual.  The "skin" felt different.  I rinsed and cleaned my form immediately after swimming in the pool. It seems to be ok now but I decided that before my next vacation, I will purchase a swim form to protect this form.

SoCalLisa

My fitter told me NOT to use mine..if I had to wash-- it off right away..

so I bought a clear swim form and I have had it for seven years..I must say tho that it has discolored, but who sees it anyhow

For emergencies, I have used shoulder pads..they work too..

OLBinNJ

I use Amoena 126 leisure forms for swimming as you  can wear them in a hot tub as well.  The silicone forms can't be worn in a hot tub, and the regular swim forms are heavy, and have a hollow back which leads to "boob farts" if you lie on your stomach or someone hugs you.  The leisure forms soak up a lot of water, so when you get out of the water, wrap a towel around yourself, cross your arms over your chest, and hug yourself to smoosh all the water out of the form.  They are also inexpensive and can be used in a mast bra so you can have a back up for your regular form.  They are concave, so I have to put something behind it for projection, but after years of trial and error, this works best for me at this point.

Sher

Good tip on using the Amoena leisure 126 with the cross and hug method following swimming!  Does all the water they soak up seem to be a bother swimming?  They do take quite a while to dry completely though, so make sure you have a back up.  I know this little tidbit cause I washed mine for the first time last night and they still weren't dry this morning.

OLBinNJ

Sher,

     You're right, the leisure forms do take a long time to dry. I actually have 4 of them, 2 in a size 5, and 2 in a 6 because I use different sizes in different swimsuits.  I don't have an issue with the soaked up water being a problem, maybe if it were a bigger size, but not my size.