Hot weather and sweating behind breast forms

Erica3681

It seems like one of the biggest complaints about breast forms, especially silicone ones, is perspiration between the form and the chest. Among women who have tried living breast-free but eventually opted for reconstruction, one of the major reasons they cite is how hot and sweaty they felt wearing breast forms.

I had my bilateral mastectomy almost four years ago and have made it my mission to find breast forms that are comfortable. I've found some great ones, but those that are the most life-like contain silicone and even the silicone forms that have a microfiber backing almost invariably cause some perspiration behind the form when worn in hot weather.

I have a friend who put her silicone forms at the back of her drawer and wears foam forms all the time to avoid this issue. I know that a number of women here are excited about the new micro bead forms, which are both lightweight and cool. If I'm going to be in very hot weather or exercising, I usually wear my Amoena 126s in a Still You camisole. But yesterday, I wore a really terrific all-cotton Elita mastectomy bra with my Amoena Climate forms (which have a pad on the back to keep you cool). In cooler weather, this combination works beautifully. Yesterday, however, it was hot outside and, after a long walk and a little gardening, my chest was sweaty and the pocket fabric was damp. I was a little sweaty elsewhere, but with my forms against my chest, there was no opportunity to cool down unless I litterally removed the forms and the bra.

Ironically, this issue has actually made me appreciate one good thing about radiated skin--the side of my chest that was radiated doesn't sweat! But I'm not planning to ask for radiation to the other side just to alleviate my sweating issue LOL. I am wondering, though, whether any of you have found novel solutions to the perspiration problem. Cornstarch? Extra cotton inserts? Anything?

I'd like to be able to put on my breast forms and forget about them. This is the main issue that prevents me from doing that. Can anyone else relate?

Barbara 

BreastFree.org

grandmotherextraordinaire

yes, put a child's sock or one of your own around the silicone prothesis and slip into the bra.  Really works.

aspen

Erica,

I had my bil. 5 yrs ago, this past April.  I had radiation on the left over 12 yrs. ago and radiation on the right 6 yrs ago.  These areas sweat now, but they didn't used to.  After working out, it is easily enough to make the areas of my sports bra wet even where there aren't forms.  Hope yours doesn't change like mine did. 

Grandmotherextraordinaire- I'm going to try the sock thingy.

Anonymous

First post here 

I have some data I can contribute. My Bilateral Mast was less than 3 mos ago, I'm undergoing chemo currently and won't have any Rads till Nov. No reconstruction plans. I live in the hottest of southern climates and, at least when I had energy, used to exercise in the heat a lot. I'm very familiar with perspiration!

I was recently fitted at a mastectomy shop close to me with the Amoena Energy Lite breast forms I LOVE them!!! They are amazing in the way they minimize, or in my case seem to eliminate perspiration in the chest and scar areas. I recently went for a walk where I was just dripping - my face, my neck, head, etc., and the area beneath and around my bra with the Energy Lites was dry. Granted, I use them in an Amoena Performance Mastectomy Bra that wicks away moisture from the body. I think the combination of the Energy Lites and a bra with fabric and pockets that wick away moisture (NOT cotton-that always stays damp with sweat and bacteria) is really important.

I also have the TLC size 5 microbead forms and I did an interesting experiment yesterday. I wore the TLC microbead forms in the Amoena Performance Bra for a few hours in the heat and humidity, then I switched to the Amoena Energy Lite size 5s in the same bra. The TLC microbead forms were at least 2X to 3X as hot as the same bra with the silicone Amoena Energy Lites. I was really surprised. It must have to do with the fabric and the hotness of the microbeads next to the skin in the TLC forms. I didn't perspire excessively with the microbeads in the Performance Bra as I think that bra still wicked away the moisture, but I was completely dry with the Amoena Energy Lites in the same bra and it felt so much cooler than the microbead forms. 

Now, all isn't perfect yet, but I'm working on it. The Amoena Performance Mastectomy Bra is extremely comfortable and supports the prothesis well, but since I have no more cleavage from the bilateral it has a piece that comes up high in the front that chaffed me a little on my sternum, while exercising, when it was new. I hope I have softened it enough with washings, but I will probably have to find another wicking mastectomy sports bra that is cut different in front? And the Amoena Energy Lites, size 5 have a little weight to them. I haven't found this a problem while exercising or wearing in general, but I have considered going down to the size 4 Energy Lites, the shop is ordering those for me to consider also? Background: I was a 32DD before the bilateral so lots of tissue and weight was removed from my small rib cage frame. At 8oz each I don't find the Amoena Energy Lites size 5s very heavy (compared to where I came from) but, the size 4s will save me roughly 3.4 oz for the pair total (1.7oz ea), so that might be significant for comfort, and it might not? I'm not sure, I'll have to see. The Amoena Energy Lite size 5s are a nice size, much smaller than I was, but nice. The Amoena 4s will be really small, compared to what I'm used to, but might be more comfortable? It doesn't really matter how small I am as all my clothes are hanging off of me from surgery and chemo weight loss anyway, and I wasn't heavy to begin with - aaargh...

I will just see which are more comfortable the size 5 Energy Lites (which I have now and I really like) or the size 4s that I will compare soon. Regardless, the Amoena Energy Lites seriously rock! (No, I am not affiliated with Amoena, I just like these prosthetics).

Does anyone know of a good sports mastectomy bra with wicking fabric that might be cut differently in front than the Amoena Performance Bra? Maybe it won't contact my sternum as much? I have also been using "Body Glide" anti-chafing stick which has helped a lot, but I still think I might need a different mastectomy sports bra.

Thx! 

Sher

Hi Barbara,

I've not had much luck with silicone and generally wear Still You forms - the fiber fill ones are my favorites - which I always wear in a pocketed bra/cami.   But the other day I was browsing in the lingerie department at Penney's and came across some nursing bras.  Since then I've been wondering if maybe the support part of a nursing bra just might be enough to secure a breast form?  Now after reading your question,  I'm also now wondering if nursing pads might work for summertime perspiration when forms are worn without a pocket.  Designed to absorb leakage as well as provide comfort, they could be quickly changed as needed and might even add an absorbent layer in a pocketed bra.  

Erica3681

Sher, 

Nursing pads! Now that's an interesting idea. I'll have to give that a try. I like the Still You forms, too, both fiber-fill and "creme" filled. And they do feel soft and somewhat life-like, unlike the foam forms.

aspen,

It's been seven years since my radiation (I had a lumpectomy & rads three years prior to my bilateral mastectomy). So far no perspiration on that side. But in your case, on the positive side, I would think the fact that your skin now perspires is a sign of that it has recovered really well.

grandmotherextraordinaire, 

When you use a sock, are you able to get the front of the form to look smooth? I like to wear fitted tee shirts, so can't look lumpy. But I like the idea and will experiment with my smoothest socks. Thanks!

watergal,

Thanks so much for your thoughts and welcome to the boards! I've actually tried the Amoena Energy form and found it quite nice (because I run a non-profit website, BreastFree.org, on which I recommend comfortable breast forms, I try to sample all the new forms that come out). It didn't entirely prevent perspiration, though. However, I didn't try it in a bra that had really good wicking capabilities, which might have made it work even better. I've wondered why, when so many women complain about perspiration, companies don't fashion all their pockets from material that would do the most to alleviate the problem. Regarding the Amoena Performance Bra, I tend to find most front-closing bras irritating, so I'll have to look for back-closing bras with the right kind of fabric.

Barbara

grandmotherextraordinaire

Hi Erica,

 Yes, the small ankle socks work very smooth.  My adult granddaughter who works in the health field taught me this neat trick.  It beats spending money and can be removed for washing whenever.

Mercedes

Houndmommy

I love the nursing pad idea!   I just got rid of a whole bunch of nursing pads too - bummer!  I'll be anxious to hear how they work.  I'm still new at this and just got my prosthesis and bras in late June and then started rads in mid-July so I only had a couple of weeks to wear my stuff (I'm not wearing anything while doing rads).  I can see I have a lot to learn!  Thanks for sharing!

Kim

Anonymous

Yes, Barbara. The Amoena Performance Sports Mastectomy Bra 2658 totally handles the sweat problem with me. My Amoena Energy Lite forms and the pockets in that bra are always dry, even in our record heat and humidity. It is such a comfortable bra, it is just that one little piece - just the top of if in front - that can contact my sternum. I haven't had problems with chafing lately, so maybe it softened up? If so that will be my bra of choice for the silicone Energy Lites.

I tried something else yesterday which will confirm your suspicion that a bra with good wicking properties will take care of sweating with silicone forms. I have a cotton pocketed bra that I got, early on, from The American Cancer Society. I wore it yesterday during 5 hours in 93 degree heat with 90% humidity. The pockets of the cotton bra with the Amoena Energy Lites in them were half damp. Still not bad for 5 hours in the oppressive heat, but I wore the Amoena Performance Bra in the same conditions with the Energy Lites and the pockets were totally dry when I took it off. It was also one of the coolest and driest parts of my body.

I think I'm going to try the Anita Care Irina Mastectomy Sports Bra 5321 next and hopefully the top of the front material will be softer of my sternum. By the way, both bras are recommended for lymphedema - which I have the early stage of. I can concur the Amoena Performance Bra doesn't make me swell like some other mastectomy bras do. It is cool, comfortable (except for the top of the sternum piece) and not tight at all. Both these bras are back closing. I too, do not like front closing bras.

So from what I've discovered it really depends greatly on the bra worn in the heat and how well it draws perspiration away from the body. Of course, I think the Energy Lite forms help too, because even when I wore then with a cotton-pocketed bra the sweating wasn't bad. I also like that the Amoena Energy Lite forms are so easy to clean, dry instantly with a towel, and are so sanitary. I do not like material or pads of sweaty material against my skin in the heat at all.

 Thx! 

Erica3681

watergal,

My mistake about the Amoena Performance bra. I actually tried it and should have remembered that it hooks in back. Like you, I don't like bras that are too built up in the sterum area, even if they fasten in back. Please let us know how you like the Anita Care Sports bra. I love Anita bras but haven't tried that one.

I also can relate to your preferring breast forms that clean easily. The Amoena Climate forms come with an extra set of pads, so they can be changed out, but it's one more added thing. 

Like the rest of life, I have a feeling there's no perfect solution. But I'll keep looking!

Barbara

Anonymous

Yes, Barbara, I agree there may be no perfect solution - but at least we have solutions! 

I will let you (and everyone who is interested) know about the Anita Irina Sports Mastectomy Bra when I try it out. I think it might be of interest to any other gals who used to have a lot of weight on a small rib cage frame, i.e. big boobs, that it is possible to have a bilateral mastectomy w/o reconstruction and find some comfort. I must say though that my posture is so "humped" now as my body really seems to "freak" at the loss of so much tissue weight off my front. So, for me, one who lived in Bali underwire bras since I was 15, I like the feel of a comfortable bra and the weight of lightweight prothesis - my PT noticed my posture actually improves wearing the Amoenas and the Performance bra vs. being flat...

So, finding solutions to the sweating scenario was top of my list too, so I can wear them while exercising in the heat if I like. I learned a lot about sweating and different fabrics that worked from technical divers I knew who taught me how to stay as dry as possible while zipped up for a whole day in my scuba drysuit (that is like a big ziploc baggie). First and foremost rule was no cotton as the base layer!!!

Thanks for all your help. BTW, your site helped inspire me in my "dark days" near diagnosis that there were workable options for me, besides painful reconstruction. I'm glad I took the path I did. My magnificently wonderful and experienced breast surgeon inspired me too and he and I talked at length about how, with a bilateral, I could get back into scuba and freediving again (probably with foam forms considering depth compression and such) and not have to worry about implants or weighted prothesis problems underwater (if I had kept my healthy breast), etc. I can't wait to be done with chemo/rads and get back to my life! 

melissa-5-19

I don't wear any- just donated the silicone ones as they increased my LE and I do have some foam ones from TLC but only wear those to important dressy events- otherwise I am just out there with my flat-chested self and when/if anyone brings it up i use it as an opportunity to educate about BC. I only came to this decision in the last month and thought about it for a while- feel really free and it makes dressing faster......each to their own but this is an option.

Erica3681

I'm bumping this to see if anyone else has suggestions about how to avoid perspiring behind breast forms. What works best for me are non-silicone forms in a Still You camisole. I can go all day with no problem! 

But I'd love to be able to wear my silicone forms in hot, humid weather for extended periods without worrying about sweating. Like Watergal, I find the Amoena Energy forms quite good, especially in a bra with wicking fabric. But if it's really hot, I will still eventually perspire on my non-radiated side. I'm in Miami right now and the weather has turned warm and summery--I really feel the difference on my chest.

I tried the nursing pad idea posted earlier. For some, it might work well. I didn't find the pads very comfortable, though it could be the brand I tried. 

So, anyone have any new ideas?

Barbara 

Edited to add: Thinking about it, when I perspire it's behind my form but also in the area between where my breasts used to be (sternum area), where no tissue was removed. So maybe I'm complaining about normal hot-weather perspiration? But I don't remember it bothering me before the way it does now.  

franie

Erica, I haven't found a good solution either. The silicone forms seem to stick to my skin like they are glued and I have gotten use to that. If I wear a bra with pockets it is much better. 

BoobsinaBox

Barbara,

I've been thinking about your added comment about normal hot-weather perspiration.  What I've come up with as the difference is that when we had breasts in bras, the skin was very close to the surface and got a lot more air, with just a bra and clothing between skin and air.  When we put a bra with a prosthesis in it on top of our skin, between our skin and the air, it is a LOT of stuff between our skin and the air, which is just layers of insulation, keeping the heat inside.  The more heat that is kept inside, the hotter we become inside, and the more we sweat.  Furthermore, silicone is in a completely non-porous bag, and that adds even more to the sweat factor.  Microbead forms are less hot, at least the tiny ones I have used, but any time we add 2 or 3 or more inches of anything onto our chests, we'll get hotter and sweat (perspire, glisten) more.  At least that's my take on it.  One more reason for me to live without forms for the most part.

Dawn 

Erica3681

Thanks, Franie and Dawn. I guess I will continue my current practice--wearing non-silicone whenever I'm exercising or will be in hot weather conditions for extended periods, and silicone for the rest of the time. Except when I'm hanging out at home--then I go flat!!

Barbara 

NancyJE

I use Certain Dry Clinical Strength roll on behind both prosthesis and it works great.  Form still get warm of course but at least sweat is not running down my chest. The Amoena ones with cool gel bumps I currently have are  like wearing a water heater blanket.

I will try a new brand this time.  Any one have cooler brands they really like? I live in So. California. I put mine in the fridge overnight, they stay cool for an hour or two when I wear them They were hot before they were ever refrigerated so that is not the cause.

One odd thing,when we went to the Grand Canyon,the boobs developed little black dots  on them. After several days of being home with much lower elevation they went away.

Ariom

Hi Erica, I have just been through a really hot Summer here in Australia, and I have collected and tried a lot of Foobs and Prosthesis. I was also involved in a trial over the Summer, for a new Amoena Prosthesis which had the clear silicone back to regulate the heat. it worked quite well.

Although I wear a silicone prosthesis, I have the Amoena Energy, Classic and a Contact if I am dressed to go anywhere, but I am finding I am leaning toward the weighted foam foobs most of the time, during the day.  I really like the weighted Tru Life. I wear it in a cotton and elastane sports bra, or the Amoena Valletta Camisole. I don't have a problem with excessive perspiration, as such, but I do try to have a cotton or wicking fabric next to my skin so I feel dry. I wear a size 8, and have a D cup on the other side. I always dust across my chest with Cornflour. I have been using cornflour as an antiperspirant since my Mx.

Erica3681

Hi Ariom,

I'm pretty much where you are at this point. I mostly wear foam foobs (in my case mostly in the Still You camisole). I have a pair of the TruLife weighted foam forms and like them. In fact, I've been wearing them quite a bit recently. I wear a size 4, which gives me the look of a large A/small B. I also like the Amoena Style 132 weighted foam form, which I wear in a little cotton Maidenform bra (it's a totally unstructured bra, which works for me since I had bilateral mastectomies, so don't need any support). Unfortunately, that bra was discontinued a while ago. When I realized that it wouldn't be available, I bought several. I'm hoping they'll last for a while! 

Regarding the Amoena Comfort + forms (am I assuming correctly that the one you tried during the summer was part of that line?), I have the Energy form. I find it works fine in cooler weather and better than other silicone forms when it's hot, but I still wind up perspiring behind the form at some point. When I'm dressing up, if the fabric is particularly revealing, I like to wear silicone forms, since they look more natural. But mostly I find the foam forms are just fine.

As far as NancyJE's comment, my dermatologist told me it would be fine to wear an anti-perspirant on my chest. I would be nervous about doing that on a regular basis, but for a special event (like a wedding) I may try it.  

Ariom

Hi Erica, yes, I am glad I discovered the weighted foam foobs, they are definitely my first choice these days.

I don't know what the form was that I trialed for Amoena, they just ask you to wear it and to answer the sheets of questions after the trial is over. It was very similar to the Comfort that I have, but I don't know what changes had been made to it.

I don't have the access to all these brands you speak of. I have bought most of my collection from the US, your prices are much more reasonable than ours, and although I would like to spend locally, to keep my money in my region, it is just not possible, with the huge differences in price. I have made a few mistakes in sizing, but considering what I have saved it hasn't been too bad. 

Thanks for all your input and for Breastfree, it is a very valuable resource. I will have those pics to you soon. M x

solsticegirl22

Hi Girls?

Does anyone know of a truly weighted foam form?  I work outside all summer in a garden centre and have tried every combination of forms and bras, silicone and otherwise, to prevent the sweating problem.  The silicones are out!  I bought Ameona Style 132 last summer....love the way they look and fixed the sweating problem but unfortunately they ride up to my neck when I lift my arms.... and in a garden centre you lift your arms above your head often.  I was hoping they would be a little heavier.  I bought Size 4 but I should have got 5.  Do the Trulife's have more weight?  Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Ariom

Hi Solsticegirl, I love my TruLife weighted foam form. It is made of foam and has a center that is weighted. The cover is removable for washing. I should say that these forms are actually suggested for leisure wear, as they are a bit more fragile than the silicone forms. I have had a little bit of damage along the edges of mine from putting it in and out of the bra.

Metromedicalonline has the best price I could find, and they do a better price if you buy 2. Here  in Australia they are $88.00 each and I got mine from the US for 2 for $72.00.

One of our members here, Erica, has a great website called breastfree.org where she has done a lot of research into different forms, you may find some more info there about other types. Good luck!

Erica3681

Hi Solsticegirl,

I have both the Amoena 132 and the TruLife weighted form. There's not much difference in weight that I can detect, nor in the Still You Illusions form, which I also like (similar in weight to the other two). Another different kind of non-silicone form that is heavier (and you can adjust the weight) is called the Bosom Buddy. The problem I have with it is that it's not as smooth a profile as the Amoena, Trulife, or Illusions. But some women love the Bosom Buddy form. You can check out the website FAQs, which show how it's made and how you can adjust the weight. If you wore it in a molded bra, I don't think you'd see the the from through it and I bet it would solve the riding-up problem.

It's interesting that you've had this riding-up problem. When I wear the TruLife  or Amoena 132 forms in a Still You camisole, they don't move at all (I can even use unweighted foam forms), and I use them for exercise and every other activity. Just shows our unique anatomies can really make various forms behave differently.

Edited to add: If you decide you want to try the Bosom Buddy forms, the ordering process is a little confusing, but the company does appear to be accepting orders. Click on Place Order, then on the left-hand side, click on "Help Me Select the Right Breast Form," and then continue through the process from there. 

solsticegirl22

Thanks Ariom & Erica,

It's so nice to have input from others on these matters.  God knows I've spent (and wasted) so much money on breast forms - even those fitted by a professional fitter didn't always work out.  To be fair - most of the problem is me - not the form.  I suffer from severe nerve damage pain (caused by radiation) often and I can only handle a really snug bra for only a couple of hours at a time....when I loosen it, I get the ride up.  I go flat and free in the house and in winter with my coat on, no one notices.  But in the summer with a T-shirt on I get too many people staring at my chest (trying to figure it out) and since I work with the public, and in a small town...well you get the idea.  I tried the micro-bead filled forms but half way through the day I would have to "remold" them into shape.  I'll definitely look into the options you've mentioned including the Bosom Buddy - sounds interesting.  Here's a question:  Why doesn't somebody come up with an all-in-one fully padded bra for mastectomy women?  My mom said they had them in the 1940's for flat-chested girls - you just popped it on and you were good to go.  All I can find is semi-padded or push up bras, so I still have to put a form in them.  Sigh.....how frustrating is this...!

Erica!  Love your website.  You have obviously put lots of work into it and it's extremely helpful.  Thanks so much!

Ariom

Hi Solstice girl, glad to help! Have you tried any of the camis with the Mx bra inside them? I find they are much gentler on the chest than a constructed bra, and the crop top sports bras are jut as comfortable.

I hope Erica will come back and may be able to help with your question about the already fitted bra. I have seen them, but can't remember where, maybe TLC, not sure, but Erica is the guru of all things Mx for me. I too, used her website extensively.

Erica3681

Ariom, you are right! TLC does sell a few Customized Mastectomy Bras, i.e. bras with breast forms built in. They use non-metallic micro-beads for the fill. Not sure if this would alleviate the problem of the bra riding up. Jodee makes a Perma-Form bra, with a foam form sewn in. This bra has a thick band, which the company says prevents the bra from riding up. It's expensive, though. I haven't tried any of these.  

River_Rat

Just wanted to mention that Jodee makes the Perma-Form bra in several styles.

Erica3681

Hi River Rat,

Have you tried any of the styles? Do you like them?

River_Rat

No, I haven't tried any of the styles. I just recalled seeing that they have quite a few.

I haven't worn forms in quite some time, other than in swimsuits. I'm just more comfortable without them and nobody seems to notice with the styles I tend to wear. But I still haven't found a swimsuit that I feel confident enough to wear without forms, and I refuse to give up swimming so I wear foam forms or shower scrunchy foobs in those.

I have thought of getting a Handful camisole/tank as it looks like it might be something that would be both comfortable and give me more clothing options - just not sure of what size to get as I don't like anything tight.

solsticegirl22

Thanks again for the input.  I found a local shop that carries the Jodee Perma Form bras, so I'm going to go have a look at them.

I'm definitely going to invest in some camisoles for every day - sounds like they're much more comfortable than bras. 

farley58

I know lots of companies sell good breast forms but why are they so expensive!!!?? All I want is small rounded pieces of foam rubber I can sew into my bras and as much cotton as I can find in the bra and cover without going to the poor house. I bought a pillow form and tried to cut out my own but they weren't thick enough. I'm going to keep shopping until I find the right pieces of foam and they will be cheap and wonderful. Goodbye to all those companies who want to make us survivors feel like they care about us while they are fleecing us.