How many?

Anne888

What: left MX

Forms: Always.  I'm only an A cup, so the form isn't big or heavy, and I have the perfect bra for me.  Contrary to a previous poster's experience, I felt that all of the bras at the mast. supply store were for large, big bosomed ladies.  I'm small and naturally flat chested.  But Barbara at Womanspersonalhealth.com,  who spoke to me by phone,  suggested an ABC bra that is marketed for "petite figures."  It's a t-shirt bra (molded cup) which looks just like a regular bra and doesn't overwhelm my torso.  I put it on in the morning and literally forget about it.  From the same website I learned about the Still You camisole, which I wear with pajama bottoms to sleep in.  The soft prothesis that is sold by the same company to fit this cami cushions my bony chest and actually feels better than sleeping without it.  So I'd have to answer that I wear forms 24/7 most days.  The key was finding a comfortable match for my body.

Age: 51 at diagnosis

djls

What:  right mast

Forms:  yes, every day, all day. Most of the time, I love my mast. bras and I love my Amoena Natura silicone prosthetic.  I'm a c-cup, so I prefer wearing a bra for my left side and if I don't wear a prosthetic, the bras tend to dig in a little where the snb was and that's uncomfortable. Sometimes I take my bra off in the evening.

Age:  40 at diagnosis, 41 currently.

mary625

I have more beautiful bras than I had pre-BMX. I had very little choice back then with DD breasts that needed wide straps, lots of hooks and underwires. I got some beautiful bras at Nordstrom, and they pocketed them. They were covered by insurance. My favorite style has molded cups with a lace overlay that comes straight across just like a camisole. I feel more secure with the lace overlay as far as being well covered, and I often wear a previously low-cut blouse over it with the lace showing. I have it in black, white and hot pink. I also am loving my Amoena camisoles in a spandex like material.

GottaloveNED

What : BMX in 2009



Forms: foam forms (lymphedema) for work, church, or dress up, rest of the time flat and I'm happy with it.

dmlenn1

What: Total removal! (talked dr into removal of both DD because I would tip over without something to balance the other)

Forms: I got some, but only because I bought my wedding dress before the mastectomy (yes... after 20 yrs, we are going to NY to make it legal in some state, even if NC won't recognize it!). The insurance covers Foobs, but not wedding dress alterations.

Age: 40 at time of removal (41 now)

natL12

right breast only. ER-, HR-. HER2-. No reconstruction, plastic surgeon was concerned about the possibility of a stroke because of my other health issues.

weety

I was not even quite a full "A" cup, so when I went for my bra fitting at Nordstrom, we ended up just looking at regular bras.  I had them sew pockets into one, but I actually found a few styles that would lie pretty much flat against my chest, so I just end up wearing them empty, without any filler.  (They are underwire/padded bras so they hold the shape.)  That "empty" side is smaller than my good side, but not enough to notice it at a glance.  If you really look, you can tell, but oh well.  Beats having to wear a form.

weety

Oh, and BTW, the smallest form they had is bigger than my good boob, so forms aren't really a very good option anyways.  EEk!

Starak

60 at diagnosis (62 now)

BMX (left affected, right for symmetry (even dr agreed, wayyyyyyy too large to consider a UMX - major parts of decision for mx over lumpectomy with radical reductions on both sides were to avoid radiation and to minimize time on table)

Forms: First 20 mos totally flat and strapped down with compression to control center dog ears.  Now, after center dog ear removal, forms are simply a day to day comfort and fashion statement like which shoes or color to wear.  My chest rules the day be it a work day or a leisurely day at home. Most days my chest "likes" the feedback.  Some days it doesn't.  Am now to the point, when I choose to wear them I wear them and when I don't I do not make the slightest effort to hide or camouflage the flatness. Mostly wear size 4 or 5 forms when I wear them, which as it turns out is most days.

Barbara

Flat_for_Life

WHAT:  BMX (cancer in right) removing left?    ....never questioned it!!!!  PEACE OF MIND!

FORMS:  I have some inexpensive silicone...a set from Victoria secret (given by a friend)...I put them in my Genie Bras ( which is the way to go when you feel you need to put them on)

AGE:44

RECENTLY:  Listened to a survivor who was the guest speaker at our annual Relay for Life....First diagnosis 1998 with colon cancer...then diagnosed with female organ cancer (sorry can't remember which) then cancer found in one breast...stage 3...she opted for BMX with recon....never healed  properly...due to chemo...so finally had to have recon removed...just finished chemo last March.  She is waiting to hear about her scan to see where she stands....long story short....she was there at the relay with no forms...flat chested!  She loves to wear T-Shirts that tell how she feels...for example (YES THESE ARE FAKE...THE REAL ONES TRIED TO KILL ME!!!!)  She was a huge inspiration to me....I thought to myself....IF SHE CAN STAND HERE...SPEAK IN FRONT OF ALL THESE PEOPLE....I CAN TAKE THESE STUPID BREAST FORMS OFF IN THIS 90 DEGREE HEAT!!!!!!!!  AND I DID!!!!!! 

Then the next day I went to town to do my grocery shopping....FLAT CHESTED.....LOVED IT!! 

This woman had an incredible attitude about life....I walked away totally changed.  She bought all types of T-shirts online and wore them to her chemo appts.  The nurses looked forward to what she had to say next.  I think the T-shirt idea is fantastic...advertise how you feel!!!!

barbe1958

What: Bilat mast (cancer in left - ADHP in right)

Forms: Not a chance!

Age: 54 (50 at diagnosis)

VERY happy with my flat chest. I'd had a reduction to a 42D years ago and find this reduction even better!! The arthritis in my neck and upper back is MUCH better and I find I look slimmer. Don't miss them too much....just sexually. 

nwest125

What : BMX Right side  ( IDC , ILC ) Left side to make me not worry so much

Forms: only to work or church, never at home I just can't make myself go without in front of my co-workers, they know but I still just can't

Age: 58 at DX

FernMF

bi-lateral, totally flat, surgery was 5/7/2012. . . no reconstruction

FernMF

purchased a "Fight like a girl" shirt from Hallmark, my 10-year-old-granddaughter wore it before I did . . . I made her leave it at my house!!! (ha ha)

FernMF

I (and insurance) purchased prosthetics, and 1 bra (which is in the goodwill bag - hated it, didn't fit).  The BEST thing for me is the AMOENA camisole and T . . . REALLY like them, feel like clothing, not prosthetics - wear them to work and church . . . have ventured out in shorts and tshirts without anything underneath to local stores and restaurants, and doing my morning 3-mile walks (why sweat up expensive stuff) . . . haven't braved going without to work, etc. . . (I was fairly flat WITH boobies, so, now, it's just incrementally flatter - unless someone is really looking, it's probably not THAT noticable) . . . definitely LOVE not wearing bras, which have always been uncomfortable!

vmk

Left MX April 2012, plus incision revision June 2012, I am 66 and do not want reconstruction.

Forms:  not yet, still too sore.  I will get one for special ocassions later on.

I wear shells with blouses on top.  I feel conspicuous in t-shirts. 

kt1966

What: R) mastectomy

Forms: silicon forms when 'out & about', nothing at home 

Age at diagnosis: 37

Trying to either get the courage up to remove remaining boob (& talk Drs into doing it) or to let go of the fear of BC in remaining boob (first not picked up by mammo)...I hate being lop-sided, but also like my boob enough to make it hard to just chop it off! 

pianopeace1

I am scheduled for bmx ( is that bilateral mastectomy?) on August 7... I had lumpectomy and chemo and radiation in 2008 and with a dcis recurrence I've decided on the bmx. I just don't feel like I want reconstruction, sobI am grateful to read about your experiences, dear and brave ladies. Sandra in Jupiter, Fl

Sandyflats

What: Bilateral mastectomy 2 weeks ago.

Forms: Nothing and I'm not planning to. I'm surprised to find that I like being flat. Who knew?

Age at diagnosis: 52. 

Ihopeg

Rt mastectomy 5 years ago. Still not happy with foobs. Losing weight and the only one that works now is the weighted foam one. As far as bras go, I have been using the ahhh bra. Its great and comfy, and has pockets. Most of the time at home I wear nothing on my rt side. Considering getting the left taken off, but scared of more surgery.

Granellie

What: BMX (left affected, right for peace of mind)

Forms: No, thanks to MT1's influence

Age: 70

MT1

(Granellie)

Awe! Nice.

maryah930

What: BMX (left affected, right prophylactic/peace of mind/symmetry)

Form: None yet, may use on occasion in the furture, but no desire to do so.

Age at Dx: 55

pamelahope

What BMX no reconstruction

Forms No way!

Age 46 now.

Pam

otter

What:  left mx

Forms: rarely at home; almost always when going somewhere

Age at dx: 55

I went to a professional fitter at a specialty mastectomy supply store 6 months after my surgery. The fitter insisted that I needed a form for the mast side, or else my spine would curve. (Oh, really? Does my remaining size 34B/36A breast weigh that much?)  I was naive:  I let her pressure me into buying 2 pricey mast bras and an absurdly expensive silicone form, none of which worked for me.

Since then, I've worn a regular stretchy cotton bra with a fiberfil form (a breast form cover stuffed with just the right amount of fiberfil to match the right side). This past spring, I discovered Genie bras, which I now wear exclusively. Last week I bought a properly sized silicone form (size 3) on line, and I can squeeze that form into the pocket of my Genie bra without much difficulty. So, now I'm all set when I do decide to go somewhere besides my back yard.

otter

barbe1958

Otter (and other's with one mx), doesn't the form side ride up? Isn't that what the weight is for? I can't imagine wearing forms (I'd need two) as I'm sure they'd end up somewhere around my ears by the end of the evening!! I had a gorgeous gown altered for my two kids' weddings; it had "stays" at the bust as it was strapless, so they bent the stays in and fit it to my chest which gave me a bit of a shape.

If the bra was on tight enough to not crawl to my ears, then it would exacerbate my LE or choke me off from breathing...wouldn't it?

Momine

Barbe, I usually wear fiber-fill or other very light and small forms in bra-cups I have stitched on to a close-fitting tank top. To my surprise, they stay put most of the time. 

I also recently bought a light stretchy athletic-type "bra" that looks a lot like a genie. I was concerned about the lymphedema issues I have in the trunk, but it was soft enough that it was OK. It too stayed put.

Galsal

What: Bilateral (left breast affected, bilat to avoid other side occurring and symmetry.) 

Forms: Yes, used now and then

Age: 52

Attempted reconstruction (diep) which was aborted during surgery.  Chose to do no more reconstruction.  Classique forms I (through insurance) obtained are too heavy for daily wear and bother LE.  Ordering some microbead ones hoping to be my go-to forms when I want to wear them, saving the silicone for specail times.

fluff

What: Bilateral mastectomy

Forms: No, I go flat. The only time I've even thought about wearing forms is for a fancy event.

Age: 54

Granellie

This is all still rather new. I'm for going flat ALL the time. However, my husband isn't comfortable with people taking notice that I have no breasts. Consequently, I wore a "little something" to pouf out my clothes for a long weekend gathering with five other couples. All the guys are long-time friends going back to grade school ... they're now 77 years old. Everyone knew of my mastectomy and I do think there was a response of gratitude that I wasn't "flaunting it." This realization saddens me. However, it won't stop me from presenting my flat-chested body in most social gatherings as well as in my everyday settings. I may continue to cater to my husband's comfort level when/if it's important to him when we socialize. He is, and has been surprisingly supportive of my decision not to be reconstructed.