Is there such a bra?

CeciliaVera

Hello! BMX coming up for me next month, no recon.  Glad to find this thread, though it is a little overwhelming in its scope and I admit I have not yet read through all nearly 1000 posts...

Is there a bra or cami with the breast forms built in?  Is there a way to just put on the foobs the way I put in my contact lenses?  Because I am having a bilateral, I don't need to worry about balance or back issues. 

If it helps to know this, I am not attempting to replicate a big bust.  I have a fairly lean, athletic build and am a 34 or 36 A-B.  I just want a little something under the clothes to help them fit.  

Thanks for helping me know where to start! 

Ariom

Hi CeciliaVera! I believe there is such a bra and I think it is a "Nearly You", if you can't find it, I think Erica from Breastfree.org knows about it. It may be on her website, if not maybe you could send her a PM to ask about it.

There is also another company I have read about, who do a custom bra with prosthesis built in. Perhaps if you google you'll find what is available. I haven't heard how these wear, I think I have only seen one member write that she'd tried this type of garment. I imagine they won't be as long wearing as a form that you can move from bra to bra, to camisole to, say a T shirt with pockets.   

There are many options for you, particularly being an A or B cup, you can wear Genie style bras and Camisoles with just the modesty pads that they come with or with small weighted foam forms, or even just the small silicone "chicken filets" which are available from department stores.  There are many women here who can get by with the Coobie and other similar bras because of their smaller size.

I wish you all the very best for your surgery, just keep in mind that you can't be fitted for bras and prosthesis till 6 weeks post surgery. If you decide to buy a soft bra and light foobs for the interim make sure you wash the bra before wearing. I made the mistake of trying on a bra without washing it first and I got an infection in my incision line. I'm fairly sure this was the cause, because I was so careful otherwise.

Take it easy and let us know how you get on.

glennie19

Hello CeciliaVera:

Just so you know, Ariom is our go-to person for all things bras and foobs!!  She has an extensive knowledge about them!

I will just add that in the TLC catalog there is a bra with the foobs already in it.  It is called the Especially For You bra. There are 3 different styles and multiple size ranges.  However, a bilateral with the foobs in it cost $100.  So for me, that's a lot for just one bra.  You can get less expensive foobs and switch them out from bra to bra.

Also Knitted Knockers will send you a set for free. They are soft knitted forms with fiber-fill inside. VERY SOFT. Just right for filling up a bra cup.  They also send the knitting pattern out for free and many wonderful volunteers across the country knit the foobs and send them to patients who have requested them. If you care to send a donation for postage and such, they greatly appreciate it. They are a lovely bunch.

Genie bras are wonderful. Nice and soft and easy to slip in a small form. I bought post mastectomy camisoles with drain pockets for after surgery. They came with soft fiberfill breast forms. I made them smaller and used them in the Genie bras. I got the camisoles at TLC also. Genie bras can be found at Target, etc or on-line.

After your 6 weeks is up, I recommend that you go to a fitter and get sized. Get RX's from your MD and hopefully your insurance will pay for a certain number of bras/year and forms.  You may want to have a "nice" silicon set when you dress up.

Best of luck with your upcoming surgery,  glennie

CeciliaVera

Thanks so much for these responses!  This is precisely the sort of info I was looking for. 

Lojo

After trying several traditional bras, I'm exclusively using the Coobie and Coobie-type bras that I can get at WalMart. They're not mastectomy bras, but pull ons with removable pads -- stiff enough to hold their shape and look real enough. It's the equivalent of an A cup (I was a small 34B before). I actually like the cheaper Walmart ones better than Coobie, but the straps don't detach completely. If I can get organized, I'll take some pics.

Anonymous

I would encourage you to try the less expensive options first just like the info above.  I went to a very expensive mast shop and was fitted by someone who had lots of experience.  I ended up with a size 4 and I am a small person who wore 34A.  The size 4 felt heavy and uncomfortable so I started wearing Amoena 126 which is really cheap and light.  After a few years, I ordered a size 1 and that is what I wear now.  I think that a lot of the fitters think that  we all want large breasts.  I am like you I just want something really small and easy to wear.  Please post if you find something that you like.  I am still looking.