How many?

MT1

Revel in your forms Mary625! And Happy Birthday?

dusterella

What: double mastectomy (right was affected, left profylactic and because I possess a BRCA1 mutation...and for symmetry)

Forms: I will probably get at least one pair, but I think I will only wear them with certain clothing (still trying to make up my mind; my surgery was just done on June 15th)

Age: 34 

badger

What: BMX

Forms: No

Age: 52 (50 at dx)

Cussot

What: Right MX

Forms: Silicone one in public, usually the kind that adheres to the chest wall. My first was a B-cup, but I've gradually moved up to an E-cup. I'm looking into having a LMX or a drastic reduction for symmetry so that I can chuck my prosthesis for good.

Age: 58 (42 at dx)

Sian65

What: Left MX

When: Feb 2012

Forms: NEVER at home; weighted foam for swimming training and running (to keep muscles working symetrically); silicone if I'm feeling self concious when I'm out or am worried about others (e.g. students at school who have relations with BC)

Age: 46 (47 coming Sunday )

LynnME

What: left mastectomy, considering right this year. Feeling lopsided



Forms: only at work, wearing t-shirts and work in healthcare setting. Not when I'm at home or just around town.



Age: 47, dx at 46

mary625

MT1--thanks for the birthday wishes.  yes, it was my birthday this past Monday, 6/25.  I turned the big 5-0.  I see that we had someone else with a birthday on 6/24 as well. 

mary625

And I finally uploaded a picture...from when I used to have hair...about 4 years ago.  Sigh. 

caaclark

What: UMX-right side only.

Forms: All the time except sleeping.

Age 40 at diagnosis

riley702

What: BMX L-sided BC, R prophylactic



Forms: I bought the nice pricey ones (I'd already paid my yearly out-of-pocket and insurance would have to eat it.) Last worn - last fall at my uncle's funeral. Prior to that, it had been so long that my sister looked at me funny. I leaned over and said, "I told the family I'd drag 'em out for weddings and funerals, so I felt obligated..." Then we both sat there trying not to giggle.



Age: 51 (49 at dx)

TKSit

What: Right breast affected, left removed for peace of mind and was pretty dense tissue.

Forms: Yes, except when hanging out at home. Not much flatter than before mastectomies!

Age: 40 (38 at dx)

River_Rat

Riley, too funny!

BarbaraJo50

What: left mx

Forms: wore size 14 (!) heavy prosthesis in ugly old lady bra for maybe two occasions, so mostly I went flat. I did have a foam form which I put into my old regular bras if I didn't want to be lopsided. After a year and a half of the lopsidedness right breast removed...and so glad to be "balanced" again. I have smaller forms and prettier bras now but still go flat 98% of the time.

Considering DIEP, if that doesn't work out; I am staying flat.

Age @ dx 49, will be 53 in July

BarbaraJo50

Mary...you look 20 years old in that photo! Happy b-day.

Riley...my "SIL" aften asks me "when are you guys getting married?" I always say, "after I get my new boobs". We are together 13 years this summer...wow, actually it's this week! 

Momine

Whoa! 14! I feel kind of extravagant wearing a size 4

Jo5

What: BMX



Forms sometimes

Age: 52

FernMF

I am totally flat (before and after bi-lateral)

Only 7 1/2 weeks post-surgery - still figuring out what to do - during morning 3-mile walks - just wear t-shirt, working outside, washing cars, etc. - just wear t-shirt.  At work, wearing camisole with very expensive (even with insurance $$) forms - feel "fairly" normal . . the bras with pockets I've tried (and purchased, ugghh) are NOT for me . . . .

I'm "old" . . . . 56 . . . .  

BarbaraJo50

Fern, 56 is not old...it's ALIVE!

I have some pretty "bras with pockets" but having to put the boobs in the pockets is just too much trouble!

overjoyed4life

What: right mastectomy

Form: Yes, but only on special occasions

Age:  49

venaba

BarbaraJo-I ordered the same size I was before the BMX.  I think it's an 11.  Hotter than a chili pepper on the sidewalk in Oklahoma in July.  And the big old ugly granny bra that they fit into!  Fugly!!

I chunked it in the back of my underwear drawer where my other lonely bras are.  Don't know if I will ever get to wear one again. I remember as a flat chested 12 year old picking out my first 32AA training bra. It must have worked!

I am considering DIEP.  Sigh, more needle sticks, surgery-and drain tubes=yuk!

riley702

Wedding and funerals, Sharon? <gigglesnort>

My forms are on top of my dresser - I call them my 'boobs in a box'.

Gotta agree about the MX bras. Good Lord, could they be any bigger and uglier? Hot, too. And right now, it's way too hot to wear boobs if you don't have to. I told a friend that, and she said, "I can't take mine off!" and I said, "I can! Neener neener!"

Erica3681

There really are some small, pretty mastectomy bras. Not sure why fitters don't carry them. For example, the Anita Nastasja, the Amoena Lara. And you can sew pockets into almost any regular bra. 

Not trying to be contrarian, but some nice bras really are out there, especially if you're willing to order online.

alexandria58

Just want to let everyone know about Flat Fest 2012 in NY - a get together for women choosing to go flat.  We're still in the planning stages, but check out the Facebook page

www.facebook.com/FlatFest2012 

Erica3681

So, this is a gathering for women who haven't had reconstruction AND don't wear breast forms? Or for anyone who's chosen not to have recon, whether or not they wear breast forms?

alexandria58

It was originally conceived as for women who are going formless - but I don't know why not to include all women who've chosen not to reconstruct. 

BarbaraJo50

Erica, The first fitter I went to had a wall of bras. I mean 8 x 8 drawers filled to the top. She had two bras for big breasts. I remember saying to her "I cannot be the ONLY busty woman to ever have breast cancer"! I did find another fitter in the area that ordered some beautiful bras for me..they are 38C. Still, I hardly ever wear them.

Erica3681

Alexandria,

Not meaning to change the "mission" of the gathering. Just clarifying. 

Barbara

Dutchie

I'm the same as caclark....



And we live 20 minutes apart!



Right mastectomy



Forms: all the time in my bra except sleep.



Age: 44 (39 at dx)

alexandria58

Well, since we're still in the planning stage, not really a change of mission, just a thinking it through kind of thing.  I actually think that it should be for everyone who has not done recon, but I'll put it out on the other thread and on Facebook.

suzfive

What: BMX



Forms: Have them but rarely wear them.



Age: 56 (50 at diagnosis)