New Bra

Erica3681

Not to hijack this thread and turn it from a bra thread to a shoe thread, but a few of my favorite brands are Rieker for casual shoes and sandals, SAS for walking shoes, and I got a lovely pair of Magdesian sandals for my son's wedding this past May (and they were comfortable all night!).

luckeme, hopefully you won't develop sensitivity down the road.

Barbara

lovemygarden

luckeme, my underarm-area sensitivity appeared as the post-BMX numbness wore off .. which in my case was fairly quickly. I'd say that about 50% of any numbness I originally had was gone by about week 4 post-op and by the 3 month mark the rest of it had steadily disappeared until there was none left. Lucikily no lymphedema (knock wood), though I had just the 2 sentinel node biopsies, both on the same side. 

Thanks for the shoe tips, ladies!   I'm going to Google those up and see what they have in Wide and/or WW widths. For some reason SAS shoes have never fit me comfortably, and now with the 3/4 orthotic needed, every one of their styles are either too big (if the SAS insole is removed) or too small (if the SAS insole is left in). 

sharalou

????on these coobie bras. is there a slit to put the padding in? can you use your own prosthesis?  please explain. having another mastectomy, with no reconstruction on either side.  thanks so much.

nagem

Sharalou, Yes, it's a super-light-weight bra that's not marketed as a mastectomy bra but comes with little pads in pockets. You can remove the pads through slits in the sides and replace the pads with your own prostheses. It's not really suitable for a silicon form, though. Which is why there's so much discussion above about microbead forms, which are lighter weight. Good luck with your mastectomy! 

lovemygarden

Erica, did you ever get the Zeebra and if so what did you think of it? Are the armhole openings lower than the Coobie?

Erica3681

Hi lovemygarden,

Thanks for reminding me. I meant to post about the Zee Bra. It's quite different from the Coobie bra (and quite a bit more expensive - $40). For one thing, the fabric is altogether different -- silky smooth. Unfortunately, it doesn't work for me as a mastectomy bra. The fit just wasn't right. The band was a bit loose, which may have been my fault for ordering a 36 and not a 34 (I don't like to feel constricted, but in this case the 34 probably would have worked better). Also, the pocket openings are tiny and, unlike the Coobie bra, because of the design can't be easily enlarged. It was really hard to squeeze a form into the opening. I couldn't do it with the microbead forms.

It's hard for me to know if this bra would work for you or other women. It definitely didn't work for me. The Coobie bra wasn't quite right for me, but I could have used it in a pinch. The Zee Bra just wasn't suitable for any of my forms, silicone or otherwise. I wound up sending it to a good friend who has very tiny natural breasts and wears a 36AA bra. I hope at least that she can use it. (I could have returned the bra. It was my choice to pass it along.)

So, regretfully, I can't endorse the Zee Bra as a mastectomy bra. 

Lunakin

I finally got a real Coobie bra, not the Ilys version. It seemed really comfy for the first 1/2 hr. But then it felt like it kept riding up -- the band is not snug enough. I'm a 32 or 34 band, depending on the brand. Of course, if I lengthen the straps then I have no support. The straps and trim feel itchy on the mx side -- could be from my trunkal LE and neuropathy. Sigh. At least I didn't spend $$$ on it. I'm glad that it works for those that it does!

KathleenR

I too found the straps/clasps to be irritating to my skin. I'm "sewing challenged" but I plan on stopping at the fabric store to see what i can get to help with that.

Sizing worked out well for me - I'm a dress size 12 & usually 38 band in my mastectomy bras. FIt is similar to the barely there crop trop (size large) that i sometimes wear when i go without forms.

Got the beanbag type prosthetics in a size 5. It was a bit of a struggle to insert but once placed looked well.

All in all, i'm glad i tried it.

JanetinVirginia

OK, sorry, I need "Bra 101." Trying to get up to speed w/mastectomy coming up end of September.  Are you supposed to wear a "compression" bra after surgery and for what purpose?  Sounds awful. Where do you buy a "beanie" form and what is it made from?  Do you buy a form before surgery just so you have something after surgery for when you take the dressings off and can actually stuff that side of the bra with it?  Do you have to buy mastectomy bras from now on or will regular ones eventually be OK?

Erica3681

JanetinVirginia,

No, you're not supposed to wear a compression bra after mastectomy surgery. I didn't wear anything other than a very soft unconstricting camisole or soft cotton or silk tee shirts over my healing surgical site for at least four weeks.

As for breast forms (prostheses), when you're ready for them there are many kinds of forms and we all react differently to them. It's a process of trial and error to figure out what works best for you. Some women love silicone breast forms and have no problems with them. Others find them too hot, or (in some instances) too heavy, although there are lightweight forms available.

In this discussion thread, women have been talking about a new kind of form which uses microbeads and has virtually no weight yet is soft. Many women are really excited about this form. I find it comfortable but have not been happy with the shape it gives, as I like to have the projection and shape of a natural breast and the microbead forms on me tend to flatten out. So, everyone's different. Over time you'll figure out what works best for you. But please be patient. It takes a while to heal and to learn about all the available products. Fortunately, new products are constantly being introduced, so breast forms are becoming ever more comfortable.

After my bilateral mastectomy, I started a non-profit website, BreastFree.org (http://breastfree.org), which tries to demystify the process as much as possible. I usually don't like to promote BreastFree too strenuously, but in your case I urge you to take a look at the website. I think reading through the various sections would be helpful. One section in particular, Post-Surgery Interim Solutions, would be a good place to start -- it tells you what how to prepare for surgery and what to expect. You also might enjoy looking at the Breast Forms section, where I describe a number of options for silicone and non-silicone breast forms which I and other women have found particularly comfortable.

Many women from breastcancer.org contributed their Personal Stories and Photographs to my website, plus their invaluable feedback on bras, breastforms, and camisoles that have worked well for them. I've become increasingly convinced that the bra you choose is as important as the form for insuring comfort and attractiveness. And, as you'll discover if you read the posts on this forum, quite a few women opt to go flat, preferring not to wear breast forms. It's certainly the ultimate in comfort. 

There's a lot for you to take in. This is a great place to come for advice and information. I wish you the best of luck with your surgery.

Barbara

lovemygarden

Erica, thanks for the update on the ZeeBra. I'm not too surprised to hear about the problematic foob opening, given that the bra was designed for extremely-small-cupsize wearers; perhaps in the future they might redesign that part of it to make the bra more versatile, especially if they get some feedback from users like yourself.

Having at first bought the Amoena 429 bra and quickly got fed up with the relatively small opening in that one (switched to the Anita Nastaja afterward) I can only imagine what a PITA an even smaller opening would be like! 

 Thanks for testing and reporting on the ZeeBra though!

luckeme

To JanetinVirginia,

I didn't wear a compression bra after surgery (double mx), but I absolutely did wear a "binding garment" which is like an elastic tube top that velcros on.  This was better for me than wrapping an ace bandage around and around since it went on with one shwoop.  I had my husband help velcro it in the back which was the most comfortable, but when he wasn't available, I just velcroed it in the front.  This garment kept the fluid from building up in one place and I think that had a lot to do with me getting my tubes out pretty quickly.  I don't know if you hare having a single or double, if it is a single mx, I don't know if the tube top would be as comfortable on your "keeper" breast.  Once my tubes were out, I stopped wearing the binder.

I also highly recommend the camisoles with the kangaroo pockets for holding your drain tubes.  I got two of them so I always had a clean one.  I got mine locally but they are available at a better price online - I think at TLCdirect.org - still a lot of money for a camisole, but in my opinion money well spent unless you can sew pockets onto cheaper camis yourself.  They do come with a lightweight breast form, but the forms that came with mine didn't have a realistic shape - they were okay but not a long term solution.

I haven't posted since I got my Coobie Bras and my microbead foobies, but I absolutely love both of them.  For me, the Coobie is super comfortable, but my armpits are still numb so I don't feel any discomfort there that some other women have posted about.  I got the original Coobie, but am also considering the Ebay knock offs for variety.  I got the microbead breasts in size 5 (about a B-C Cup) and I think they look great in the Coobie.  I like them so much that I am actually considering not having reconstruction.  These are so lightweight I don't even know I have them in, and my husband and daughter both think they look very realistic. It could be different in a different bra or in a different size, but these work great for me.

Hope this helps,

Jennifer

JanetinVirginia

Thanks, Jennifer.  Yes, that helps a lot!  I had  fluid buildup just with the excisional biopsy so I'll definitely ask the surgeon about a binding garment.  Did you get yours from the surgeon?  I'm having a single.  My breasts aren't big to begin with so I don't think it would be too uncomfortable and maybe the support would actually make moving around easier.  Do you have a link for the microbead foobies or what stores carry them?

luckeme

My surgeon did not provide the binding garment, the hospital gave me a big Ace bandage, but it had to be wrapped around and around, not easy right after surgery especially without help.  I got my tube tops at a local shop called The Essential Woman, in Spokane WA.  They do have a website, but I bet you could find them closer to you.  I looked for those on the TLC website, but they didn't have them - and when I googled breast binders, it brought up a lot of things for tomboys or transgender and I decided not to look there.  See what your surgeon says and whet they may have to offer.  I would think it wouldn't be too bad if you are small chested.  The TLCdirect.org does carry the microbead foobies under "mastectomy products" then "non-silicone lightweight breast forms".

I see you were diagnosed on Sept 1st, my birthday.  I got the call about my abnormal mammogram on Sept. 1, 2009 - a birthday I will never forget.   Starting a web page on Caring Bridge.org saved my sanity!

Good luck, let me know if I can help any more.

Jennifer

JanetinVirginia

Jennifer.  When I got on the TLC site, I found the microbead products!  Looking at coobie next.  Having myself a little shopping spree:):)

Is this the binder you are talking about on this page - the expand a band binder?  It actually looks cute.

http://essentialwomanboutique.com/products.asp?Cat=3#

JanetinVirginia

Jennifer.  and ps - HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY for THIS year!!   Wish I was a year out from all this.  All started a few days before my birthday in July when I went to annual gyn apptmt.  A mammo in March was totally clear but he didn't like a 'thickening' area and ordered an ultrasound.  It's been all downhill since.  But I guess you just pick yourself up and make the best of it.  Thank you for your help.  I'll pay it forward one day and think of you

luckeme

JanetinVirginia - yes that is the same binder, and I thought it was cute, too.  I got one in pink and one in light blue so I would always have a clean one on, I just had to do a small load of laundry each day, but since you aren't supposed to lift anything heavy after surgery a small load is perfect.

Isn't it crazy how many of us plan our annual appointments around our birthday - I guess it is easier for us to remember that way, but boy can it ever change up your celebration.  A year from now, you won't believe how fast it actually all went.  I remember thinking 8 rounds of chemo 3 weeks apart, followed by surgery, followed by 6 1/2 weeks of radiation all sounded like an eternity, and yet here I am hardly believing how quickly it all passed by. 

My advice, read up on the potential side effects of each treatment so you are prepared for them to happen, but don't sit around waiting for them to happen or dreading them because your mind is a powerful thing.  Not to say if you suffer from side effects it is all in your head, but for me, being prepared made it all less scary for me - sounds like you are off to a good start getting ready for surgery.  Good luck to you.  I will be thinking of you at the end of the month.

Jennifer

Erica3681

Hi,

Bumping this thread to mention two other bras that people interested in the Coobie might like. One is the Handful Bra, a sports bra originally designed for smaller-breasted women (though sizes actually go up to a 38C). The company said that post-mastectomy women have tried and liked it, so I ordered one to try. This is a more supportive bra than the Coobie or the zee bra, so could be used with lightweight silicone forms. It's very well-made. The size wasn't quite right for me and came up higher under the arms than I like, but many women like bras that come up high there (the Coobie does, too), so I think it's a bra that some of you would like. I've reviewed it on BreastFree.org, in the "Bras" section of the Bras and Camisoles page, under the heading "Zee Bra, Coobie Bra, Handful Bra."

Although the zee bra, which I tried, didn't work for me and its pocket openings were small, I think it might be right for some women, so I included it in my review. 

Another bra I don't think I've ever mentioned is the Elita 8868 pocket bra. It's silky-soft and comfortable. I frequently wear it as an everyday bra. Lately, I've been using it with lightweight size 4 silicone forms, so though it's a totally unstructured bra, it can support that weight. It could also be used with non-silicone forms, I think. I've reviewed the Elita bra, too, in the "Bras" section on BreastFree.org.

Hope this helps someone!

Barbara

sam52

Erica

We are so grateful to you for putting together this comprehensive site.

Thankyou.

Sam

Erica3681

Sam,

Thanks. I really appreciate your support. I was just wondering whether you're able to get most of the same products in the UK? Or maybe better ones? Just curious how transferable the information is. 

Barbara

Dara_Diverse

I am so glad to have found this topic, I just ordered three coobie bras. I have Elita's now but they do not have the inside padding which I need to stuff them.  I have used forms, foam and pantyhose, yes panty hose.  I find that I am able to use a full leg of the hose on my concave side (had expander removed due to infection) and a smaller piece for the side I have the unfilled expander.  With the padding, they look very nice and I find them more comfortable that the alternatives. 

Peace and love to all of you!!

DorothyK~~

nagem

Dorothy, How do you arrange the pantyhose so it provides bulk and doesn't just unravel? 

River_Rat

I just wanted to bump this up as I found it very useful.  I got several of the Coobie bras online and also found one in a boutique.  Another comfortable solution I have found is the double layered Barely There bras.  I cut a slit in the inner layer and reinforce around the hole with a bit of stuff to stop fraying.  I've found that I can fit the cup from the Coobie and my microbead foob in there.  The cup from the Coobie isn't too stiff and it really helps the microbead foob hold a good shape.

PinPDX

I,too, wish I had found this conversation long ago!  I am also post bilateral mastectomies and until recently discovering the ZeeBra, had given up finding anything that didn't feel too tight or irritate my scars.  The ZeeBra works for me, even slightly better with the heavier silicon forms which prevent riding up.  It is amazingly comfortable.  I had been using Handful bras for the gym and still do.  What I wanted to tell everyone is that if you like or want to try ZeeBras, they are coming out soon with a beige model which will have bigger openings to fit prostheses into.  Once I try one, I'll let you know how it works!  Thanks especially to Erica, for your web site, I am so happy to find it and it is very helpful.

JanS

PinPDX:  Do you like the Handful Bra for the gym?  I had a unilateral mastectomy and I'm looking for a sports bra to wear to the gym and for spinning.  I see on their website that it comes with pads, but can it accomodate a prosthesis?  Thanks for any info you can share.

PinPDX

Hi JanS, yes I wear my handful bras exclusively for the gym.  I actually bought the first one at a running shoe store that sold sports bras, which was nice because I could try it on.  I am a 34-36 and found the medium size a good fit.  I find that it looks just like my old compression bra made me look, i.e, a bit flatter than with a real bra but definitely passable for the gym.  The openings for the inserts are big so I am sure you could fit a bigger form in there if desired.  They come with a little mesh bag and I just put the bra in there - don't even remove the pad sometimes - and wash in the machine but hang to dry and let the pads air-dry on top of the dryer.  They wash up very nicely and they never seem to smell after exercise so I wear them several x before washing!  The inserts are sturdy as well with a little more padding on the lower side.  Hope this helps!

PinPDX

Oh but I meant to mention also that I have had bilateral mastectomies so it was easy to look symmetric in the bra.  I was also not super big before.  If your remaining breast is large, it might be more of a challenge so perhaps seeing if you could find a sporting goods store that sells them to try one on would be worth a try...

JanS

PinPDX:  Thanks for the info.  According to the Handful Bra website, a running store in my city carries it! If this snow ever stops, I'm going to go try it on.  My natural breast is not very big, so maybe the pad on the left side will be enough.  If not, I have a lightweight foam form that might work.  It sounds like a great bra from your description, so I sure hope the sizing works for me!  Thanks again.

PinPDX

Jan: I would love to know if it works!  One other thing occurred to me.  During the year between my first mx and the 2nd one (when I had one breast) I continued to wear my compression sports bras to work out (They are the ones made by "Champion") and I would just slip one of those triangular foam forms in on the mx side and it look for all the world "normal" and never seemed to budge.  So if the "Handful" bra doesn't fit, that might be something to consider...

beacon800

A bra I recently purchased must be a cousin of the Coobie.  It is the Apostrophe Sears bra. Here is a link: 

 http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_018J1472000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

This is a very soft, unwired and unstructured, pocketed bra that comes with removeable pads.  I am experimenting with it for both my micro bead and comfort lite breast forms.  I have sensitive skin and this one is not irritating.  Like the coobie it does come up a bit high on the underarm, but I don't find it a bother.  It's a cute looking bra that could even be used as a layered look under a tank where the bra shows a little.  They have a range of colors from natural beige to some brights.