Breast forms AFTER reconstruction?

jakm5

Hi,

I've lurked here forever, but now I don't know where else to turn. Does anyone know if it's possible to get breast forms to wear after you've already had reconstruction? Mine was completed 6 yrs ago, but I've gained weight and the fat has gathered inconsistently around the implants. I went small on the implant so I wouldn't look any different than before, but now without extra padding it doesn't look good. It looks crooked and too small for my size. So I was wondering if anyone has found good breast forms that would fit around existing implants? Is that even a thing? I've just been using a couple of cut out push up pads from old bras. Sigh. Always cutting corners . . .

Thank you for any help!

Betrayal

Hi jakm: There is a volunteer organization called Knitted Knockers (www.knittedknockers.org) that makes "breasts" for those who need a prosthesis or just some extra help in filling a cup. I am one of the latter due to a poor outcome post lumpectomy. They are knitted or crocheted by a group of volunteers and they ask questions such as bra size and cup size. The "breasts" are filled with a polyester filling that can be adjusted to meet your needs (there is a hole in the back so you can remove material) and they do have a "nipple" so that can solve that issue, if needed, as well. They do ask for a donation but do not mandate an amount. The breasts are washable so it pays to request extras so you can wash them. I would take a look at their site to see if this is a possible solution. It is much cheaper than the Amoena prosthesis I have seen online. Good luck.

jakm5

Oh wow, those look perfect! The thought of something soft is so nice. And I love the charitable aspect. I don't need them to be realistic in any way other than under my shirts!

Thank you Betrayal, and hugs to everyone here(((())))

Beaverntx

jakm, if you are handy Knitted Knockers also has patterns to either knit or crochet a "knocker". I downloaded the crochet pattern and found it easy to follow. Perhaps the best thing about them is the flexibility provided by the ability to add or subtract the filling.

exercise_guru

Yes Finally someone asks this question!!!! yaya a sister who understands.

I have ordered mastectomy bras from the local Mastectomy shop I like to use these to stuff them with and they work perfectly . I just double them up.

6 Pairs Large Bra Pad Insert for Sport Bra and bikini tops 5.9x6.69 Inch (Beige)

They also have prosthetics you can get from the shop that are hollow in the back. I will look at the ones I like but they are higher projection so they balance out both sides and make things look bouncy and not pudgy. I can not wear a bra without empty spots so I use one of these two solutions.

They also have liners for Swim suits.

jakm5

I know!! I felt guilty because I did have reconstruction, and they looked ok at first, but after gaining 50 lbs (#%%@!!!!) there's no way any clothes fit. All my shirts hang long in front because apparently all clothing manufacturers think a larger size means larger breasts, too. NOPE. Forget about wearing a suit coat!!! (I work in a bank) I'm sure everyone at work would notice if I come in one day all perky and "full", so I think I'll move up gradually. They all know about the cancer so it's not a secret, but I don't want them to think I'm vain now when I've not been before. I think the "proud to be a survivor" attitude has worn down and now I just want to look normal.

The pads on Amazon look like what I've cut out of old bras. Add a push up and full pad to the left, one full pad to the right, double sided tape . . . blech. Are they soft around the edges? Mine leave rub and scratch marks that I don't always feel until I take them off and see them. Or I feel it in one spot that won't stop itching. I've never even been to a mastectomy shop.

It's weird to me that after 6 years I'm finally needing support, but wow, I do. Dang - thanks for being here!!!!

jakm5

Haha! Handy? Yes, I can change my oil, build a wall, plant a tree, and even sew a gown. But knit or crochet even a scarf?? noooooooo. I think I'm more of a large motor skill kind of girl. hahaha!!

exercise_guru

I don't think it is worth feeling guilty. Thats just wasted time and energy . The Mastectomy shop that I got my prosthetics from has lots and lots of reconstruction, half construction, misconstruction you name it .

They even scan breasts and make very expensive breast forms that fit like a puzzle on the breast to fill in dog ears and what not. Also there are women who have had Lumpectomies that need balance as well. the brand I have of prosthetics are Amoena VD high profile. They say they sell a ton of them . So rest assured we are not the only women in the world who have this challenge.They also have mini chicken cutlet fillers for empty spots. I use those in certain dresses if needed.

I have the largest implant they make and it only brought me to a AA. Life is too short to stress. My insurance gives me two bras and a set of prosthetics a year. there wasn't a restriction on women who have had reconstruction . Some shops are better than other so shop around,.

A Good Mastectomy bra is around 40 to 80 dollars. There are a lot in the 40 dollar range.

The liners that I linked to are more like a foam liner than the scratchy ones you are referring to. My skin gets irritated so I only wear them in a bra pocket. Alernatively you could just have a seamstress sew you a pocket for these to fit in and add the stuffing where you need it. OR sew a cover on them that fits around the bra. Look at the online stores as they have a lot of stuffing for mastectomy patients that might work for you. So far the ones I linked to have worked the best. I found them after cutting up quite a few bras in the past to find something that worked and these are the best. I take really good care of my bras because they are big expense. Then I bought enough of those liners to put in each bra and only remove them when washing.

Those KNitted Knockers would be great too just ask that they sew the kind that you can take the stuffing out of as needed that way it would be concave in the back .

slh1952

Thank goodness for the search function -- I would never have thought to look in this topic! I only had a lumpectomy, but the surgeon had to take quite a bit of tissue -- goose egg sized at the bottom of (formerly D cup) breast -- one of those women Exercise Guru mentioned. It's not just that the difference in size is noticeable, but that I feel like it really pulls on the remaining breast tissue. I have two sports bras with padding that feel like they give me enough support, have been discouraged from wearing my underwires during radiation, and would need to roll up a sock or something to fill them anyway.

So, I got a prescription from my surgeon's MA, but it is great to talk to ladies who have experience with breast forms. How do you find a really top-notch shop? (I live in Salem, Oregon but go to Portland for treatment.)

Actually, I do crochet and can do basic knitting, so the Knitted Knockers thing is appealing, but I don't know how to shape one for a part of a breast for myself. Should I wait until I get a form that works and use it as a pattern? Any other bright ideas for me would be very welcome!

exercise_guru

I thi k if you search for cutlets braw suffers you could find something that works. I called shops. My insurance actually covered one in an adjacent state by my mom's. They were way really helpful. I find the mastectomy bras with the Amazon liners work icely to. Smooth out the lines and then use a cutlet or. Partial they even have ones that are really thin and hollow in the back

slh1952

Thanks for the ideas. My Medicare Advantage will cover prosthetics, need to call and make an appointment with the local shop, see how I like them. (LOL, I was doing SO well, was determined not to have fatigue from radiation, but I hit me anyway. I'm making myself go to the pool, at least walk around in the water for a bit.)