Mastectomy clinics in Vancouver

anamerty

I had double mastecomies 3 weeks ago, and wondering when I would need to see somebody about mastectomy bras.I have a list from the cancer clinic, but I've also read posts from here about different types of pads etc, some people are happy with them ,others not,but these are all from the usa, I need to get some advice from gals in Vancouver.I will eventually be going back to work,but not tl sometime chemo starts and ends, but my job is extremely physical, I am a cashier at Richmond Costco, (the buziest in north america) so I will be moving quickly. I need the bra and pads to be really comfy and stay in one place if you know what I mean!!. ......Thanks

She

Ana, go to The Bay downtown. One of the ladies in the bra dept is an expert fitter, and a lovely, helpful person. She's the best I've found in the lower mainland. If you can't find anything you like at The Bay there's a specialty shop in Langley (gumshoe, help me out with the name please...) and the ladies there are also pretty knowledgable.

anamerty

thanks for the info she,also wondering about the place in Langley too. What about the place called alavi ene rose? Have you heard of it? I was going to go to a mastectomy clinic but the prices seem outrageous to me.Maybe you could help me with the info ie: the cost of a bra at the Bay, how long should I wait after surgery to get fitted, how long does it take to get one of the bras?Right now I'm 3 weeks today post surgery and still have a lot of discomfort, and I have a huge muscle I'm guessing sticking out  where my pec muscle is on my right side, don't have it on my left and there is a noticable difference. Could this be because the nodes were taken on the right? I'm not sure if this is going to be a new normal for me .Lymph nodes taken when I had bc before was done direstly under my arm right in the arm pit, this time further over maybe because now they do the sentinal nodes they didn't 13 years ago.Also when I go out I've been wearing a sports bra with the pads that the cancer clinic gave me.I have been doing this since about 1 week post op and maybe its causing a problem I don't know.

She

Hi Ana, it might be a little soon to get fitted. It takes time for our bodies to adjust. When is your next doc app't? I'd ask about the difference in muscle. It could be related to your tumor location and amount of tissue or muscle that had to be removed. If you think the bra the hosp gave you might be irritating, try wearing a cami and baggy shirts for a couple of weeks. I had immediate DIEP recon but I think there are some common issues we go through.



Have you checked out the no-recon thread? There are some good bra discussions. Bras are an issue for me too, just from the opposite perspective. I found the Langley shop on the expensive side. La Vie en Rose didn't have anything that worked for me, but it's worth a try as I've read their mast line is good. Go to the Bay downtown. The lady there will measure you correctly before you try anything on and if nothing there works at least you'll be properly measured. She really is an expert at it, training and experience. And patience lol. I'm a tough customer. (No foam cups, no wires and don't ever show me an old lady bra lol.) Prices there are reasonable. I'd offer to meet you for moral support but I'm out of town until late Oct.



The CDN thread has a mast bra discussion a few pages back, I think Cher just got some so it may be worth looking for or send her a PM.



Hugs ... I know this isn't a lot of fun. In many ways the second time around is easier, and in other way a lot harder. You can PM me any time

Jill1962

Hi Ana... I go to the Fitting Place in Surry just across from Surry Memorial, they have a good selection and you don`t have to pay taxes on Mast Bras and new Foobs!  I also went to the Swimco Store and they have foam pads for swimming and I got 6 of them and use 2 or 3 a side depending on what size I feel like on a particular day.

I use them in my Bras and Bathing Suit as they are light and don`t move around and in the pool or hot tub they don`t droop or bring down the bathing suit.   I also found some bathing suits (Tankinis that had some slits in the top that I can shove these puppies into)  I found two bathing suits in Macy`s `Seattle`last year.. The Original Arizona Jean Company` and St John`s Bay Brand both had slits wide enough to use the foamies.  I do have silicone Foobs and Swimmer Foobs but prefer the foamies for swimming and wearing in my bras on `light days``  I am in Utah on vacation right now and they dry really quickly and I feel secure in them!  I tried to find some decent Mast Bathing Suits in Vancouver but most of them are UUUUUGLY and way to flowery for me and not to mention the expense... 

Hope this helps get you started! 

I am in the process of getting fat graphs where they suck out my body fat and inject it into my chest, I have 3 more to go and then hopefully won`t be needing these foobs anymore!   I had my double mast in 2007 and have managed to make it work as far as appearances go so hang in it will get better as time goes on!

Jill 

whaevah

Hi Ana,

Google THE HOUSE OF MISS ROSE, Langley. Gumshoe had a good experience there.

tabfirmagirl

Hi! I would recommend the TAB custom-fitted bra.  No underwire and no elastic.  It is not just a very good mastectomy bra but also an everyday bra.  I would also recommend Janac been-a-boob.  The Been-A-Boob is a unique breast prosthesis which is made of soft fabric with a special filling which imitates a natural breast. It is lightweight, comfortable and cool. It will fit into any regular mastectomy bra, and swimsuit. After surgery many women find their chest area is uneven. The Been-A-Boob will fill in those areas and help to make them look like they did before their surgery. 

 If you are interested to be fitted you can contact me.  I live in Burnaby but would be happy to meet you and hopefully help you with your bra problems. 

Daphne 

Edited by Mods to remove member's personal email address.