First Step Before Mx

Anonymous

Hello,

I will be having bmx in January, post chemo. What shold I do now to be ready?  I am a plus size woman with very large breasts.  should I have them measured by some special fitter now? What can I do to anticiapte any part of what will take place in January especially given my size? What is the best type and style of form/prosthesis for a large woman? Do I keep my bras or throw them away?  So unsure.  Do I keep my jackets or throw them away? Someone said that jackets no longer work for her and given my size 44ddd how iwll I be able to use a jacket after surgery?

Plese simply throw at me all the info you have.  I am so unsure of what is to come and want to try to prevent any problems givne the nep-adjuvant chemo has given me this time.

V

Ariom

Hello HVV!

I was very much like you, I wanted to be so prepared and ready for after my Umx. I didn't have the choices that you will have because you'll be starting with a "clean slate" so to speak. I have to have a match for the existing breast.

I have heard many women who have had a BMX say that it was wonderful to actually be able to decide exactly what size they want to be, there is no rule to say you have to be the same size after a BMX. Many enjoy the freedom of being flat and fabulous too.

I actually turned up at the local fitter a week after my Mx expecting to be fitted for a prosthesis and bras, only to be sent away and told not to come back till at least 6 weeks post surgery. I made do with the soft foobs that came with the bra that we are given here in Australia when we are Dx.

I now have a collection of lots of different types of prosthesis, and "Foobs". I don't believe there is just one perfect  "Foob". I also like to wear a firm shapewear tank without a prosthesis or Foob.

I didn't really start getting rid of any clothes till I had been fitted and knew just what I was going to need. A lot of V necks went to the opp shop, and I started looking for tops that sat higher on the chest. I have been wearing jackets with no problem.

It's all just trial and error, what makes you comfortable is right for you. The one thing I did do was get rid of all my old bras, as much as I loved some of them, because they had underwire. I read of a woman who wore an underwire after a Mx and because of the numbness after the surgery, she wasn't aware that the wire had broken through the bra and had actually stabbed her. She felt nothing, and got an infection from it. Awful story, but it totally put me off wearing them again.

I hope some of this may be of help for you. I am sure there will be others along to give you information on what worked for them.

I wish you all the best..Take care!

camillegal

Hi HVV--Arion gave u alot of info. I had D size breasts and now nothing. I didn't get recon so I just go and dress as I feel--sometimes I wear a bra with "falsies" and most of the time I don't wear anything but affinity scarves or other fun scarves and higher necklines. I wear shrugs and sometimes winter capes--My sister wears a lot of cape type tops and she looks great. Some ruffles tops are so cute. The good thing is all of these styles are in style so u can't go wrong. And wearing jackets is a good idea so I don't know why u couldn't. And depending on the top u can wear bigger jewelry and a little longer. It just depends on u'r taste but realy u can do pretty much with u'r clothes as u want.  Good Luck

Anonymous

Camille and Ariom, thank you both.  This is very helpful! V

Anonymous

I'd love to be able to find a seamstress in metro NYC though.