Adapting an old swimsuit

Eppie3

I thought I would share my adventures with a swimsuit, in case you were ever thinking of wearing one; my situation worked quite well.  (I have had a masectomy on one side)

 

I had thought I wouldn’t have to tackle this for quite some time, when suddenly it was decided I should go to our favorite vacation place—IN ONE WEEK!  So here’s what we did, with my old swimsuit.  

 

First, the swimsuit bodice was too low.  I bought a $5 spaghetti-strap top from Walmart.  It felt like swimsuit fabric and was the perfect color.  We just cut the top front of it out and tacked it into the swimsuit.

 

Next, the swimsuit had “soft cups”, which didn’t provide enough lift for the existing boob to bring it level to anything I might have as a foob.  So we took one of my old bras (this had solid cups and was underwire—similar to the Wonderbra).  I think you can purchase these very firm cups at Joann Fabrics too. 

 

We cut off the shoulder straps and then cut off the back side of the strap that goes around the body.  We tacked this into the suit as well.

 

Because it is such a solid form, it gives a perfectly shaped look.  So solid, in fact, that I almost would not have to put ANY fake boob into the one side at all.  The only time you would notice it was empty would be if I bumped against something; obviously, the empty cup would collapse.

 

I had purchased a $5 sewable foob pocket from my foob supplier and we thought I could tack that into the bra and then insert a foob, but that didn’t work well at all.  Firstly, the foob lady told me not to take my silicone foob into the ocean—since it is the only one I own right now, I wouldn’t want to risk damage or loss. 

 

She said I could use one of the earlier things I had been given, such as the foam boob or the cotton fluff one, but these were huge and just didn't fit into the solid-form cup well at all.

 

ACTUALLY, a lot of ladies online talk about just using the ultra cheap shower scrubbie!  (from Walmart)

 

I bought one of these, but it just wouldn’t work correctly in the sewable foob pocket.  The pocket was too roomy, and the scrubbie wouldn’t stay put into position.

 

So I took the sewable pocket out, and sewed a haphazard covering for the scrubbie itself, made of scrap material I had around.

 

Then I tacked the scrubbie right into the bra cup.

 

It REALLY worked.  I looked perfectly normal, and it simply did not shift around at all.  I spent a lot of time in the surf and the waves and even got tossed to the bottom a couple of times (ouch), but my boobs stayed right where they were supposed to be.  And of course, the scrubbie just shed the water so easily.

 

So that’s my story—hope it helps you!

 

Eppie

Claire_in_Seattle

AND you got to play in the waves!!!  Sounds like so much fun.  So glad it all worked out and is comfortable for you.  Except of course the landing on you butt part.