Does anybody like using a prosthetic bra

Faithroad

Ok yes, I'm serious.  I,m deciding to take out my implants but want to find out what ladies think of the prosthetic bras.  I hear most ladies say they don't use them and just go flat.  I think I'm too chubby for that.  my tummy would stick out.  and I work full-time and need a little shape up there.

My implants are heavy, sore, and tight and different sizes.  I've heard bras are heavy and hot.  But at least you can take them off at night whereas I can't take my implants off at night.  I could be the same size on each side and that would be a plus.  I'm also in a situation where due to financial changes I need to find the lowest maintenance way of handlling the DMX. implants require further operations  and money down the road when they wear out. 

So are the bras so terrible?
I want to hear good things about them, but also need to know the truth.

I posted about this somewhere else but I'm looking for replies from people who use them.  I can't find anyone who uses them. Hmmm...

NJMarilyn

I had a mastectomy in February and I now have a prosthesis and mastectomy bras.   I had heard that they were awful and hot and women couldn't get used to them.  Well, I don't mind it at all.  I do think the key is to find a place that is reputable and does alot of mastectomy bra fittings.  I mentioned to them that I feel the heat alot in the summer and they suggested a different prosthesis.  I'm very happy with the way the bras feel and the fit of the prosthesis and bras.  I must say that the prosthesis feels heavy in your hand and when putting it on and off, but oddly it doesn't feel heavy when it is on.  I totally forget I'm wearing it.  I can relate it to wearing contact lenses.  They feel a bit different when you insert them but forget about them when you have them on all day.  Hope this helps.

Binney4

Faithroad, happy prosthesis user here! You can get prostheses in various weights -- the "beanie baby" ones are light as clouds. Good website for complete information, about prostheses, bras, lingerie, swimsuits, shared experiences, even pics, here:

http://www.BreastFree.org

The site was started by one of the women here at bc.org. Her screen name is Erica, and she's a great resource if you have specific questions. There's also a whole forum here called "Breast Prostheses and Reconstruction Alternatives," and if you ask your questions there you'll get loads of answers from experienced women.

Best wishes to you as you make your decision!
Be well,
Binney

Faithroad

I'm so relieved to hear some good things about them. So relieved It made me cry.

I'll look for the forum "Breast Prostheses and Reconstruction Alternatives,"  As of yet, I hadn't found it.  Thank you for the guidance.

Thank you NJMarilyn and Binney4.  I'm so appreciative of you sharing your thoughts on prosthetics. I'm so in the dark on this stuff and desparate for information.

Thank you!  Thank you!!

NJMarilyn

To find that forum, look under Tests, Treatment and Side Effects.  I believe it is listed under that topic.  Good luck  to you.

NannaBaby

I have a left mastectomy and I wear prosthesis.  It's really not that bad! The bra needs to be fitting properly and you can barely feel the prosthesis! The silicone "heavy" one looks, feels and bounces around like the real breast   I can't wear low cut tops, but I don't care.  I also have light "cookies" that I can pin into sports bras when I relaxing at home.  They are fabulous for excercising too, they don't get hot.  I haven't worn the silicone prosthesis yet in hot weather... i am also getting a new prosthesis for bathingsuits.  I has grooves in the back, so the skin can dry out and breathe.

Faithroad

NannaBaby

Thanks for your reply.  Sounds like you are working with the bras ok.  I'm starting to feel encouraged to go ahead with taking the implants outs.  I need to find out what "cookies" are.  They sound wonderfully light.  I'm all for them being light. Thanks for sharing your experience with me on what you use for everyday, exercise, and even bathing suits.   I'm just starting to feel less stressed  about it all.

I felt like I was freaking out earlier today.

Parentof1

  I had a bilateral mastectomy 7/09.  I have both prosthetic breast forms and bra's.  I love my breast forms and bras.  They are light, hollow and do not reatin much heat except on extremely humid days.  (Some days in Minnesota can be awfully humid in the Summer.)  But my own natural breasts retained more heat than my forms do now..lol!

  I got mine at Heides in Edina, MN.  Heide was wonderful, patient and kind about working with me on this.  Our insurance covered this. I believe they covered one set of breast forms (prosthetics) and 2 bra's every year.  They also carry swim wear and other apparel. Heide herself is also a BC survivor.

  The link for Heides is: http://www.heidesmastectomy.com/  Heide is also a BC survivor herself:)

   However if you have a cat/dog or other animals in the house...ummm when your not wearing your forms keep them put away.  They are not poisonous to animals, but expensive to replace when a cat or another animal decides that they make a good toy, scratching post or whatever...!  (We no longer have animals so, this is not an issue.)  Sometimes companies that sell prosthesis and bra's forget to mention this-.

   My mom had a friend several year's back that was DX with BC and, my mom made her breast forms (prosthesis) to fit her friend's bra's that she wore prior to her DX with BC.  Her friend had a cabin up north and they spent a lot of time in and on the water, and in the winter months went to the club swimming.  Her friend didn't want to buy gel forms (prosthesis) only to wear them in the lake and get the green algae on them, and she didn't know if the chlorine in the club pool would hurt the gel forms.  Gel forms are too expensive for this!

  So my mom made forms from some very soft cotton t-shirt material, with quilt batting for padding.  My mom's friend loved them...they were light, were not hot and could be thrown in the wash machine and dryer on a delicate/low setting.

   However my mom is now in her 80's and not in such good health herself.  She's had heart issues, her eye sight is not what it once was and things of this nature.  So I didn't ask her to make me any though, she has offered to even with her own health issues, and being the main caretaker of my step father who had a stroke about 8 year's ago.  Like mom has nothing better to do...lol!  But it will not surprise me that she does this anyway...last time I was home she wanted to measure my bust- and, I forget what else.  But I have no doubt that she will come up with breast forms, that can be used in my current prosthetic bra's now.  Especailly since she wanted to measure me when I was home last time.

   My mom has a gift of sewing and knows how to make her own patterns.  I do own a sewing machine and can sew baby blankets/quilts and hem anything that needs hemming with my machine but, I am not quite as gifted as mom-!  But if she makes me forms, I will use them also for swimming, and everyday wear also.  Then when they need to be washed I will throw them in our wash machine and dryer in a hosery bag, until I need to use them again.

  Have a great day! 

   

Faithroad

parentof1,

Thank you so much for the information. I live a couple hours from the Twin Cities.  Not that far away!  I've googled that area looking for prosthetic shops but it's hard to know which one are good or not and they all want you to make an appointment.  I so appreciate the link to the store you went to.  Thank you!!!!

Below is a link on this website where a lady shows how to make your own pocketed bra from a regular store bra.  I don't sew either, but I do own a machine.  I might try it some day.  Thought you might be interested in watching the video.  Your mom sounds like a wonderful lady.  A real blessing.

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/82/topic/754654?page=1#idx_14

Thanks again!  BTW, I grew up in Lakeville MN 30-some years ago.  I also have a friend who lives in Eden Prairie. 

Faithroad