My first breast form

BlueHeron

Hi ladies. I am scheduled to get fitted for my first form next week, on 3/4. I was supposed to go this week but I wanted a little more healing time, not quite ready.

My question is.... Is there anything you think I should know going in, about various forms and fit and such? I know nothing about this, so I don't really know what questions to ask, or what to watch for, etc. Anyadvice for this newbie?

Thanks!

Kicks

Be sude the fitter is a Certified Fitter.

SpecialK

I had an unusual situation as I had reconstructed but then lost one implant so was trying to match a reconstructed side with a flat side.  My advice would be to find the bra first that fits your natural side (you are a uni, correct?) and then find the form that matches best, and is most comfortable.  I imagine that your fitter would do things in that order naturally.  After wearing the prosthetic for a while I found that weight mattered to me - I wanted the lightest form I could find, and because I live in a hot and humid climate, how hot the form was also mattered.  Try on different forms to see if feeling evenly weighted seems important - for me it wasn't, mainly because I have no feeling on the side with an implant.  Also, make sure that the side with the form does not ride up and that you can wear the bra with your clothes, some of mine showed too much under some necklines, etc.  I would actually put your clothes on with the bra and form on so you can see how it looks also.  Good luck!

BlueHeron

Thanks, specialK, those are helpful suggestions! Yes, I'm a uni . I hadn't considered being thoughtful about what clothes I wear to the fitting, it's a good idea. I've been just going out without any form or pouffe thing, just dressing in clothing that is less obvious. But the whole point of getting one is the more form-fitting t-shirt so I will wear one that day.

I mostly (always except for dressy occasions) wear sports bras. I'm hoping they can help me match my right side as it is in a sports bra, not as it would be in very "formed" cup type look. I'm active, and comfort is most important to me.

SpecialK

I personally found the official mastectomy bras to be somewhat confining and not comfy.  I ended up putting prosthetics in a wide variety of regular bras that had pockets - Champion and Danskin had sports bras that had a modesty panel in them, so had a pocket that a form could be either dropped into from the top, or fitted into from the side.  Walmart had a wide selection.  Also, I used Genie bras in a size larger than I normally wore, and did purchase a Coobie full coverage bra at the mastectomy store, then purchased more of them online for less cost.  There are usually percentage or BOGO codes for Coobie in the backs of women's magazines, but they average around $20.  I found that a lighter and more "squishy" microbead type of form worked better in this type of bra, rather than a foam or silicone type.

BlueHeron

That's a good point.... Maybe having one microbead form for everyday / sports bra use, and then one more structured for dressier times that call for regular bras?

Erica3681

Hi BlueHeron,

For a general overview, you might find the About Breast Forms page of my website, BreastFree.org, helpful. Also, in the rest of the Breast Forms section, you can see a sampling of breast forms and bras that other women (many of whom I met at breastcancer.org) have found comfortable. (My site is totally non-profit, so forms are recommended only because I and other women have liked them.)

Also, when you go for a fitting, be aware that brick and mortar stores sometimes have a limited selection, so the fitter may try to sell you a form that she has in stock even if it's not an ideal fit. Checking out an online source to see what's out there before you go may equip you to ask questions. And if there's a form or mastectomy bra that interests you, even if the store doesn't stock it, maybe they would special order it for you. If you go to the Helpful Links section at BreastFree.org, you'll find links to a number of websites that sell mastectomy products. A good place to start would be Metro Medical Online, which has a great selection.

Hope this helps! Let us know how it goes.

BlueHeron

Thank you, Erica!!! Off to investigate your site!!

Sam2U

Another thing to keep in mind is that as a uni actually trying on the bras with the forms are important. Unfortunately, most of the bras & forms I have purchased online have to be returned. Sometimes that's not a problem, but check with the retailer first, because sometimes it is.

If you have insurance, they may pay for bras and forms, ask the fitter how they handle payment.

Some of the camisoles with built-in shelf bras with a light weight form are great.

I don't know your bra size, but as a uni you will have some unique issues. The weight of the natural breast may not match the weight of the form which will allow the bra to move around your chest, with lighter forms and sports bras they may ride up on the form side. You just have to try different forms to see what works for you.

After living with on-line stuff for 2 years, I worked up the courage to go to a "real" fitting. The difference was amazing, hope you have the same experience!!

Erica3681

One more thought -- when I was first fitted, the fitter told me that I needed to wear my bra very tight to support the breast forms. Even before my mastectomy, I'd never been able to tolerate tight-fitting bras. At first I tried, but then I bought bra extenders and have found that having a comfortably loose bra band has never caused my forms to ride up or create any problems. It's really a process of trial and error until you figure out what's right for you.

BlueHeron

You ladies are great, this is all hugely helpful!!

BarredOwl

Hi BlueHeron:

If your insurance has coverage limits on the number of prostheses and/or specified limits in terms of time (e.g., once a year, every two years), you may wish to consider applying any such coverage to the most expensive option under consideration, such as a silicone prosthesis (~US $250 or more).

BarredOwl

BlueHeron

thanks, I will do that, good advice.

amygil81

Here's another thought: first fittings especially can get emotional. I remember crying at mine, realizing that my beautiful breast really was gone, that an empty left bra cup was my new normal now. I'd suggest bringing a good friend if you can. And plan on going for a good stiff drink afterwards. Best of luck to you.

BlueHeron

aww, amygil, thanks for that.

Itzy

BlueHeron,

My experience with 3 different breast form fitters is that they work from a very limited stock. The place where I bought my forms had 4 bras to show me, all of which were completely unappealing choices.

If you are fortunate enough to have a Nordstrom in your area, they will show you everything they have, plus everything they have on line. They will also order in what they don't have, with no charge for returns.

I just looked at their website, and Nordstrom is the only seller of mastectomy products that offers free shipping and free returns. So, if there is not a physical store in your location, ordering from them online is a great advantage.

I did get my lightweight silicone forms from a local company, but the bras and camisoles from Nordstrom.

BlueHeron

great to know, itzy. I've heard good things about nordstrums!

Momine

Erica, I can't get that to work for me. Almost no matter what bra I try, the form sinks down into the pocket, and weighs the pocket down so the form "sags" and sometimes even wedges below the bra band. Since I had BMX, I have switched to bra liners, which make a A- cup or something, but at least they stay in place.

Erica3681

Hi Momine,

Nice to hear from you! Sorry you've had that problem with sagging forms, though. Have you tried wearing a molded bra?

Personally, even though I can wear silicone forms in a mastectomy bra with the band quite loose and the forms will stay put, I find by far the most comfortable combo for me is a non-silicone (unweighted or lightly weighted) form in a Still You camisole. It's what I wear almost every day.

amygil81

BlueHeron, can I ask if you are done with your treatment? You list your surgery, I was just wondering if you were having chemo or reads after? Best.

BlueHeron

hi amygil,

i have PTSD from the whole rads decision, ugh! I had a very small locale of low grade DCIS close tothe anterior margin (<1mm) of my mastectomy (clear margins at the invasive disease which was 6mm tumor). I saw two ROs (both experts in mastectomy margins) and ultimately after much back and forth, both recommended against rads. And MO says no chemo, given low grade and size and tubular/cribriform features. I just started tamoxifen today, I should update my profile.

Kristentaylor

this might sound like an odd question but do you still have the bras y I u don't kneed. I'm having a double nipple spairing mastectomy on the 29th and in out area there's nothing around here to get any. I can't afford 60 dollars is there a way or a page that help with girls

Moderators

Dear Kristen, Welcome to the community. Check our the BCO free cycle forum and post your request as a new topic. There is also information that may be helpful to you on our site about Prosthetics. We hope this helps. The Mods

BarredOwl

Kristentaylor:

Please ask your hospital if they will provide you with a post-surgical bra or camisole, or if you need to get your own. If they do provide something, that may ease your mind regarding short-term solutions. If not, please ask them what kind of bra or camisole they recommend you use after surgery.

Once you have a better idea about the type of bra or camisole you need, you can post that information, along with size information (size (S, M, L, XL), band size, cup size).

Or, you can also ask the nurse navigator or social worker at the hospital to help you figure out where to order what you may need, if your insurance will cover the cost, and how to obtain reimbursement.

BarredOwl

Momine

Erica, hi back! I am not sure what the problem is. At this point I just stick with the braliners and it seems to work fine. Maybe if I have a chance one day I will go somewhere I can try different stuff. I did go to a mastectomy shop once, but I had to have the woman with me, and I had to try to explain to her, then wait for her to bring something, etc. So I left without trying anything

BlueHeron

I'm back from my fitting! I got an amoena energy light silicone form. So far it's sooo comfortable. I hardly know it's there, already forgetting about it. Bras had to be ordered for my size (small) so right now I am trying it in a genie bra and it seems fine, I don't think anyone but me could tell. Yay for technology and insurance

BlueHeron

Also, I am grateful every single day that I don't have anything inserted under my pec. In the bra seems so much more comfortable

Erica3681

Great news, BlueHeron! So glad you found something comfortable. Thanks for letting us know.