comfortable prothesis suggestions

mudd

I jut got my silicone breast forms and was wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a reasonably priced foam or light weight breast form for travelling and for the hot summer weather. The pair I got are sort of heavy and I want a few extra pairs to leave in my bras. This is all new to me and I have a feeling I'm going to spend most of my time in a tank under my sweater. Thanks for any recommendations.

Crazy-cat-lady

There is a charity called knitted knockers based in Washington state that makes knitted and crocheted prosthetics for cancer survivors. Volunteers make them in whatever size you need. They are stuffed with polyfill and left open at the back so you can add marbles or whatever wieght is comfortable for you.

Crazy-cat-lady

One thing I forgot to mention if you sew or know anyone that sews Ive found that I like the playtex 18 hour true suport bras better than the mastectomy bras. I use fleece and add the pockets myself. I've found fleece gives me more insulation from the silicone if I'm wearing that. Also true support bras have a widder side pannel which suport s the form better and takes presure off the lymph nodes if youve had any removed.

Snickersmom

I got a bunch of knitted knockers from our local office of the American Cancer Society. They are free to any survivor who needs/wants them.

Momine

I have a couple of summer dresses that fit snugly around the chest. In those I sew in a sturdy bra-shield. It is enough to create a small bump and means no bra or equipment. It may not work for larger people, but I am kind of scrawny, so it looks fine. I do the same in swimsuits.

KayaRose

After lots of trying, I now wear Coobie bras with micro-bead prosthesis exclusively. Most comfortable, non-irritating and lightweight combination I've found. Also a plus - since I switched to the micro-bead forms, have never once been patted down by TSA at the airports. Used to happen every single time with the silicone forms.

mudd

Thanks for all your answers . When it comes to flying, do you have to tell them in advance that you have prothesis and a wig? Do you have to take the wigs off? Also, what happens to the the "good" silicone ones when you fly. Are you better off packing them or wearing them. I'm counting the days until treatment is over and I can travel to a warmer place.

KayaRose

The wig is never a problem. The silicone is a problem because it's a gel. I've had my carry on bag checked many times because of the silicone gel. If you put it in a checked bag it's no problem at all. I've been patted down wearing the silicone gel but never the micro-bead. You don't tell them ahead of time that you're wearing prosthesis but do mention it if you get pulled aside for a pat down. I will say I have had very kind TSA agents who always apologize for having to conduct the pat down.

Really nothing to worry about. Here's hoping you enjoy your trip very soon.

Hogwarts

Hi Momine,

What's a bra shield? I just need a little curve in my profile and can sew, so wonder what this is and how you make it work.

Thanks!

Hogwarts

Melrosemelrose

You might try heading to the notions department of a fabric store/ Hobby Lobby to find breast enhancers. JoAnn's sells June Tailor Breast Enhancers made of silicon which can be placed in pocket bras, pocket sports bras, swimwear, etc. Here is the link so you can check it out: https://www.joann.com/search?q=june+Tailor+breast+.... JoAnn's also has bra inserts which can also be used. Here is the link : https://www.joann.com/search?q=bra+pads.

I purchased at Hobby Lobby a fabric covered foam "bust enhancers". I made a slit in the back of the enhancer and inserted one of those silicon breast enhancers. I use this in my pocketed sports bras.

Hope you find something that works for you!!!

bluepearl

Knitted Knockers...online for donation too.

bluepearl

I also buy padded bras that have a hole in them so you can take out the padding. You can get really cute ones at Walmart and the knitted knockers work very well. Some of the bras do not have a separation so I sew one in, as if not, you knockers end up under your chin and all in the middle.

Momine

Hogwarts, those triangular, shaped shields in many bras. The ones I have came from coobie bras. If they are sturdy enough, they can be enough by themselves, but I usually back them with a silicone bra filler, but a small knitted knocker would probably work too. I have a pair of silicone pads that are fairly rigid. The shield plus the silicone liner together make a small A-cup.

Erica3681

You might want to check out my non-profit website, BreastFree.org, where I have suggestions for Non-Silicone Breast Forms that women have recommended. My personal favorite is the Trulife Tri-Featherweight form, which is an unweighted foam form. Trulife also makes a lightly weighed Tri-Leisure form. I've had a bilateral mastectomy and wear the forms in a Still You Hope Tank (really a classic camisole), which has a very soft feel against my chest. They call the Hope camisole a "post-surgery" top, but I had my surgery in 2006 and I'm still wearing these camisoles! They're rather pricey, but I still have and wear the two original camisoles I bought all those years ago (and I've bought some newer ones since). They're incredibly durable. I wash them in the machine but then dry them flat.

Hogwarts

Hi all,

Do those of you that wear them have any recommendations on micro bead forms? I see the ones in the TLC catalog, but think I've seen some via ABC's line. No clue on other lines.

For summer weather, I need something that breathes. Seems like anything next to my chest wall holds the heat/moisture and any fabric then irritates over time.

Thanks! Hogwarts (Judy)

Momine

Hogwarts, I wear bralettes with pockets in summer. I put 2, rather than 1, "modesty pads" in the pockets, no actual prosthetics. It is just enough to give a small bump, but is comfortable even when it is hot. I am sort of skinny and had small boobs to start with. I realize it might not work well for a bigger person.

I do have a set of microbead forms, but I ordered them too big, so never wear them anymore. They are less cumbersome than silicone, but do get hot.

Hogwarts

Momine,

Thanks for the idea. Question: don't those modest pads/cookies flatten out with any pressure of the bra on them, let alone clothes?

I've used the foam with poof forms in the past and the edges were very irritating. I got some foam forms from TLC yesterday but even the size 2 was too large. Thinking of returning them for a size 1 while I wait to hear back from my fitter for an appointment. I like the idea of a flat surface against my chest wall as the nerves are beginning to heal, possibly a mixed blessing.

Thanks for your thoughts, Hogwarts (Judy)

Hogwarts

Hello all,

My fitter just told me about a new form that she is ordering for me as she knows how much the heat affects my chest with just about anything sitting next to it. Fingers crossed, y'all!

http://jillianna.com

Cheers, Hogwarts (Judy)

Momine

Hogwart, no, they don't, to my surprise. You need the sturdy, full-cup kind and you need minimum 2, but it works fine for me.

Laural136669

I have used forms from Swim Outlet for quite some time now, one set for in the water and another with my tanks from Luisa Luisa tank. The forms are lightweight fiber fill and around $64 for a pair, so much less expensive than some options. I throw mine in the wash after swimming and then air dry them. Swim Outlet also has a very comprehensive collection of mastectomy swimsuits. I wear forms just with swimsuits and dressier clothes, preferring flat for everyday as forms tend to aggravate swelling for me.

Hogwarts

Hi all,

Any recommendations on breathable beaded form brands?

Saw my fitter yesterday and tried the Julianne beaded forms. There are no exposed seams except at the top where the beads are poured in, and the seams are straight stitched, not serged. So that's good. Also, the back is a soft knit jersey, another plus.

I tried both the tear drop and triangle shape in a sz. 1 and 2 and didn't like the shape and how close they hugged my chest (holds in the heat). Even the sz. 1 was too large in profile. We are going to try a sz. 0 and see how it goes.

This brand is really stuffed with beads so that, in profile, the back is as full as the front. It would be easy enough take out some of the beads and stitch up the top opening, if the smaller size is a better fit.

On bras, we did try a Classique 722 bra that was about ± 80% cotton and the rest a stretchy synthetic fiber. It's a lovely bra and well designed, if anyone is interested. If the cup pockets had been 100% cotton it might have been comfortable.

Thanks for any recommendations on beaded forms! Hogwarts (Judy)

Aussie-Cat

Hogwarts, I haven't tried it myself but I was just reading about the TLC breathable Micro-Bead Lightweight Breast Form for $68. I hope it may help you:

https://www.tlcdirect.org/Micro-Bead-Lightweight-Breast-Form-Mastectomy-Prosthesis-American-Cancer-Society-TLC-Direct?did=42

Hogwarts

Aussie-Cat,

Thanks for the response. I have looked at that beaded form as well but I'm wary of trying it and then the cost of sending it back. Might see if my fitter can get it for me to try. Maybe I'll reach out to them to find out what they think makes it 'breathable.'

Hogwarts

Aussie-Cat

Hogwarts, you're welcome. It would be great to get the beaded form to try on so you don't have to worry about postage. It's also a great idea to email the company who make it to find out more about it.

Jamie48135

Crazy Cat Lady isthere any chance you can post a pic of one you have modified? I would love to try this

sherrmue

Hi, mudd,

Had bilat masts in 2010. Due to the extent of surgery and rads, my chest skin has remained quite sensitive. For the first several years after I wore silicone boobs. They were so heavy and hot. They would shift and bounce which irritated my skin.

A few years ago I decided to try TLC micro bead inserts. They are great! They give me some shape when I want it and are light and cool. They are machine washable, inexpensive and last a long time.

Good luck on your hunt for the right insert for you

Aussie-Cat

sherrmue, I'm glad you find the TLC micro bead forms work so well for you.