Advice please on breast forms

GointoCarolina

I had my mastectomy in Septembr 2008 and have just gotten to the point where I am not too sensitive to wear a bra. My remaining breast is large enough that I need the support.But I cannot wear a bra without a form as the bra then rubs and irritates my mastectomy side.Right now I am wearing a cheap little form with fiber in it,but it is not big enough,by that I mean it doesn't poof out enough to keep the bra away from where I am sensitive..I would love input on what everyone wears.My main concern is comfort,I don't care if it feels real and I am home most of the time.I am fairly active.I like wearing my old sports bras,but find this form moves around,are there any that can be worn that don't? My insurance only covers 50% and we are a little strapped for cash right now,so need to try to keep costs down,but if someone feels a more expensive one will really be best,will try to get that.Glad I have this forum to ask about this!!

BoobsinaBox

Pandazankar,

Check http://breastfree.org.  It is a site started by a bc sister Barbara (screen name Erica) and she covers most of the options.   I would suggest the Silique Comfort-Lite, which you can read about there, as it is light weight, has a cloth backing, and is less expensive than many other forms, but go there and read about the many options, then come back here and ask who has tried the ones that sound good to you.  Blessings on your search!

Dawn 

GointoCarolina

I did go to the site and with so many options,I am more confused than ever.If the fitter was closer I would go there and get advice,but she is about two hours away.So I hoped to have some idea of what I might wnat before I get there.But I know it is very personal and different for everyone. I am wondering if I will ever be able to wear a form,this one I have on now is very light,but my chest is so sensitive,even it is uncomfortable.I never thought I would consider reconstruction,but I think I am going to do more research on that too.Jackie

BoobsinaBox

Jackie,

I also had a great deal of sensitivity for a long time after my bilat.  That was the main reason in the beginning why I went form-free. I wore tight cotton tank tops or shelfless camis under EVERYthing, and I really got used to seeing myself flatter and slenderer.  I could not stand to have anything move across my chest, but as long as something touched all the time, I was all right. When I did finally try silicone forms after 6 months, the bras were not comfortable, even though I stuck with it for about 4 months, and I was very self-conscious wearing the forms.  Then I quit for about 16 months.  After that I tried the forms that worked for me, which were PALs, which have an oily surface that stuck to my skin.  You might think that would hurt, but actually, it was soothing to my skin.  I was able to wear them (small size) in a shelf-cami, and they stayed fairly well in place with minor occasional adjustments.  I wore them at night as well as all day, and by the time I stopped about a year later, my chest was finally not sensitive any more...3 years after surgery.  Last year I stopped wearing forms again, and my chest is still not sensitive, so I am able to wear a wider range of things against my skin. 

Some of us are either more sensitive or had a more severe job or less skilled surgeon, and it takes longer to get past the sensitivity.  One trick my PT told me was to use a rough wash cloth when I showered and to rub my chest with it gently.  He said that was what they recommended to other amputees.  I hadn't thought of myself as an amputee, but he was absolutely right.  I think that helped, as I could hardly stand to do it at first, but it got easier and easier.  I also credit the PALs with helping to desensitize me.  

I know our situations are different, since I had a bilat, but PALs come in pairs (as I remember) and are much less expensive than other forms (so you would have a back-up).  They have some give and feel fairly natural, and so they may be worth trying for you.  I really hope you find something that helps you through this hard part of the journey.

I really thought there would be lots of other people responding to your question, as you and I are certainly not the only ones to have this problem!   

Dawn 

janincanada

One relatively inexpensive form to try is Beenaboob by Janec Sportswear. It is a beanbaggish thing with silicone beads in it. It forms to the bra shape and if you like sportsbras it compresses like your natural boob. I liked it for sportsbras as then both breasts had a similar shape not one compressed and the other fake one not. They only cost about $ 50. and were created by a BC survivor. Search for Janec Sportswear and you will be able to findout if they are available in your area. You might also want to check your Cancer centre.  I live in Canada, but we have some formsavailable to donate to women in need.