How long after surgery were you fitted for prothesis?

GointoCarolina

I had my final surgery 10 days ago,I now am bilateral mastectomy.When I had my first mastectomy,the breast surgeon had me go to the fitter about three weeks after surgery,which I know now was way too soon.Just trying to get a general idea of what worked for others.Would also love to hear particular brands of bras,etc that anyone can recommend.Thanks!!

Erica3681

I would say realistically, six weeks makes sense, maybe even eight weeks. I went at four weeks. My chest was basically healed but was still somewhat sensitive. Whatever the reason, I chose breast forms in a size that I later realized was too small. I'm not sure why, but somehow in my semi-healed state anything bigger than a size 2 didn't feel right on me. By the time eight weeks had passed, though, I realized that a size 3 or 4 would be a better fit for me. Unfortunately, just over 30 days had passed, so I could no longer exchange the forms and had to live with them for a while.

The process of being fitted and trying on bras can be irritating to still-healing skin. So, bottom line, I'd suggest letting your own body guide you. I know a few women who were fitted at two weeks, others who waited three months. As far as the fitting itself, let your body guide you there, too. Fitters seem to universally believe that the bra band needs to fit very tightly in order for the breast forms to be properly supported (I think fitters of non-mastectomy bras tend to feel the same way about supporting actual breasts). I, for one, can't stand tight bra bands and never could. I now routinely use bra extenders to make them really comfortable. I've never had a problem with my bras riding up or with pressure on my shoulders. Also, remember that now that you're bilateral, you don't need a heavily weighted form to provide balance. This is another myth that some fitters perpetuate. You can wear lightweight silicone forms, unweighted foam forms, or, if you choose, nothing at all. If you'd had a unilateral MX, you might need to balance the weight of your natural breast, but since you've had both removed, that concern is irrelevant.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

Barbara

Celtic_Spirit

Six weeks for me. I wore the temporary puffy forms that came with my camisole until my silicon forms arrived.

Diane1960

My mom was given the ok to be fitted 6 weeks after her mastectomy.  She was still a little tender after 6 weeks so she waited another couple of weeks before she started wearing it.

Faith316

I went at 4 weeks.  I only had a uni-mx and my remaining breast is large.  I could hardly go out in public with one side big and one side flat.  The puffy came nowhere near matching my remaining breast.  I had to have something or else not be able to go out so i went at 4 weeks.  If I had had a bmx, I think it wouldn't have been such a problem because a puffy on each side would have matched.  The uni-mx made it a different situation.

GointoCarolina

Thanks so much.I am thinking I will plan to go early July,my birthday!My best friend is going to go with me,so we will also do some other shopping and of course, go out to lunch!!

CarylC

I'm at 6 weeks and still haven't gone.  I bought some from the TLC website to put in regular bras but just haven't felt the need to get anything other than the little puffy ones or the foam ones.  

sespebadger

Hi Pandazancar,

I had a BMX last July. It's been long enough that details are fading (Yay!) but I think I started wearing the lightweight microbead forms from TLC about two or three weeks after surgery. I put them in soft sports bras from Target. Right after surgery I wore camisoles with very light puffy forms.

I have never gone in to get silicon prostheses. I drive by the shop ocassionally and think about it, but the microbead forms work fine for me. I wear the lighter puffies when I exercise. I enjoy picking out clothes to wear and I think I am looking just fine. 

Good luck to you!