Breast prosthesis now and future reconstruction

udpt82

Hi ladies, 

I had BM in 2/09 with TEs and exchange surgery 12/09.  Unfortunately, the reconstruction failed on the radiated side.   I will be using a breast form until another reconstruction procedure near the end of the year.  I have been reading through many of the threads, but still have some questions I hope people can answer.

First, I know everyone is different but I am curious if anyone knows which reconstruction procedures (other than implants) tend to be most successful after radiation.  At this point, I am considering a lat flap.

In the meantime, I have gone for a fitting for a prosthesis and hope to have it next week.  The person fitting me said I can use the regular form when swimming unless I swim often.  I rarely am at the pool, but will be in Hawaii for two weeks before my next surgery.  Do other people use the same form for all activities, daily, gym, beach/pool and then wash it?  I hate to spend money unnecessarily, but want to have the products I need.

Also, I tried on a number of different bras and she is ordering some in my size to try.  Some didn't work, especially with puckering on the opposite breast (without nipple or projection).  I also prefer seamless bras, which seemed to limit my choices.  I have seen many different sites online, but am curious if people could recommend sites that are good to work with, especially returns if I am not happy with the fit.  I also would like to order a couple of bathing suits and am afraid that will especially difficult to order.

Finally, the fitter has asked for prescriptions from the doctor for one prosthesis and four bras.  If I order online, can I send the bill to the insurance company for some reimbursement?  Would this also apply if I only buy a couple from this fitter and order more online (up to the 4 ordered by the surgeon)?

Any advice people can give me would be appreciate.  I really like coming to this site and reading what people have to say from their own experience.  

Thanks,

Patti 

BoobsinaBox

Check breastfree.org, which is a site begun by our bc sister Barbara (screen name Erica).  It has lots of info about trustworthy sites and good options for prostheses.

Dawn 

tory

BoobsinaBox,

Thanks so much for posting the link to breastfree.org. I had been looking for info on prosthetics (need to heal a bit more before I venture out to shop) and was sitting here irritated by the post-op cami form and realizing the only reason I'm wearing the stupid thing is to not scare my little girls  (while at the same time thinking they'd probably be less fazed by it than adults).  I'm less than 2 weeks past a unilateral mastectomy, but I'm already thinking maybe I don't want to go through the reconstruction rigamarole.  I'm finding lots of good info and confidence boosters on breastfree. I'm not claiming that it hasn't been difficult and challenging to my self-esteem, but probably the strongest thing I'm feeling is that now I just want the other one gone too. I'm lucky enough to be in a very supportive, long-term relationship and don't feel the need to reconstruct for him, so maybe I won't for me either!  Or maybe I will, but at any rate it's nice to see such a positive approach to going without.

Thanks again, 

Tory