What's involved with a fitting?

 I had my surgery,bilateral mastectomy on the 21st of August.I'm still having drain problems so havn't been fitted yet.They said it's better to wait til all the swelling is done,and i stop having this fluid build up.

I had the drains removed on the 5th of sept,but since then i've been going twice a week to have my chest drained.At least it's not in my arm,which i'm thankful for and the draining doesn't hurt for the most part.Although this past friday(yesterday) the needle insertion for the left side did hurt,so he said they will anesthise(sp) that side the next time.

Does or did anyone else have this problem.

Kathi

wishiwere,

I can't remember the source of my information, but I'm pretty darn sure that in most states, even if you use insurance to purchase breast forms (prostheses) and bras, if at any time you want reconstruction, insurance will cover the cost. Some women can't have recon right away for medical reasons, so use a breast form and mastectomy bra until their recon--insurance should certainly cover all that, and I think in most states it does.

A breast form may cost several hundred dollars, but recon costs many thousands. I suggest you check with your insurance company. In the interim, there are a number of inexpensive breast forms which you might prefer to wearing nothing. You can wear them in your regular bras (if you have underwire bras, you may want to remove the underwires). Check out other threads on this board for ideas. Also, you might look at the Breast Forms section of my non-profit website, BreastFree.org. Among the inexpensive options I recommend are non-silicone forms like Pals, Still You Illusions, and Amoena Style 126 Leisure Forms. Many women like these forms so much, they use them even though their insurance covers more expensive silicone forms.

Barbara

Wish, I've told lingerie sales women that I had a mastectomy and was having trouble finding the right bra.  Most of them just clucked at me in sympathy, shook their heads, and wished me luck.

Don't assume that if you go for a fitting for a prosthesis and/or mastectomy bra, the fitter will ask you to take your shirt off.  That's part of the problem, from what I've heard; and it's one reason why this thread has been so popular.  Some really sorry, lazy fitters will ask you what size bra you wear (or wore?), and bring you something in the ballpark.  They'll hand it to you, tell you to try it on (as they leave the room), and come back in a few minutes asking you whether it fit OK.

That's NOT the kind of prosthesis/mastectomy bra fitter you want.  Well, it's not the one I want.  More than likely, if that's all the fitter does, I'll walk out empty-handed in a huff, or I'll be carrying something as inappropriate and poorly fitted as most of the bras I currently own.

I think I mentioned this already:  I went to the regional American Cancer Society office a few months ago (about 2 months after my mast/SNB).  They attempted to do a fitting, but it was just as I described a few paragraphs above.  When I showed the women how the top of the cup on my "good" side was completely empty, so the bra obviously didn't fit, they smiled and shook their heads and said they had no clue what to do about that.  One of them said maybe I could just stuff something in there to fill it out.

That is NOT what I wanted.  I'm hoping for better if I ever get around to a REAL fitting.

otter 

[Edited:  Wish, I see you found the thread!] 

Wish,

I hear you about the ordeal of a fitting--I gritted my teeth and have done it a couple of times, but I still don't find it easy. That being said, I've heard good things about Nordstrom's fitters. You need to make an appointment with them, since not everyone in the department is qualified to do the fitting. They only carry Amoena forms and bras, but Amoena makes lots of styles and shapes. You might ask to try the new Natura forms, which have a substance in the part of the form that rests next to your skin which is supposed to keep you cooler. 

If the fitting doesn't work out, what about ordering something online? I know insurance is an issue online, but maybe one of the inexpensive non-silicone forms that will give you some shape without a lot of weight.

I think I'm giving you too much advice! I can just so much empathize with what you're going through. I'm glad you have an understanding DH and a supportive DD. Please let us know how it goes.

i was fitted on Sept 23rd. I took my sister with me . I made appt and she was on time. We went into this nice room filled with bras/swim wear and prosthesis. The lady asked what size bra i wore i told her 36c. She then measured me and i was a 36b. For many , many yrs i was buying 36c. When i tryed on the bra ...i was so surprised on how it fitted. The fitter was all smiles...she said no one is going to know what breast was removed....after picking out the prosthesis ..we went to the other room to do the paper work. I live in Canada so, MSI pays for 150.00 and my insurance covers the rest. I can buy a new Prosthesis and 2 bras a yr (with insurance) . I'm very lucky!

I plan on buying a water prosthesis next visit...as you know theres a sticky one as well....i thought it was too much work. you would have to stick it on then put your bra on...so, the changes of it fitting are slim?  I can see after doing it over and over again it would fit...you dont need their bras. A $8.00 bra would be fine.

They were very good with me and remember to phone them and set up a appt. Ask if they have your size on stock...tell them your cup size.. they will order some in before you get there.

Their swim wear wasnt to "old fashion"..but, i didnt try them on.. If you knew of someone who can sew you would save monry that way too.

Prosthesis was different getting use to..it felt like a rock/heavy.. They say just to wear it a couple of hrs untill your back gets use to it....but the look girls...no one would know that i had surgery

My HMO is sending me to Nordstrom's to be fitted for my prostesis (one every two years is covered) and my alloted three bras per year.  I can't have reconstruction until my treatment is finished (sometime in 2010) so I get to at least have a prostesis and some nice bras (up to $43 each is covered apparently). I am thankful for the good insurance coverage on this one.

Hi All ,

I am having my surgery on 10/17 (bilat no recon), my BS gave me contact info for a Boutique" close to me, and BS has recommended forms called Radiant Impressions (you can wear them in your own bra),  anyway I have a couple questions.

I have wanted to go over to the boutique before surgery (the 3 ladies who own it are actually BC survivors) but I have been fighting a cold and did not want to pass my germs on to anyone in the shop with low resistance. 

Question #1 how soon after surgery do you get fitted, how soon can you start wearing the forms?

Question #2 - does insurance have to cover a certian percentage  -  I have BCBS.

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. 

Cathi, my surgeon said to wait at least 8 weeks after surgery before being fitted for a prosthesis.  I also have BC/BS, and they told me my allowance is one "breast form" (prosthesis) per year, or two per year for bilateral surgery.  They also cover 4 mastectomy bras per year.  Apparently they will consider additional prostheses and/or bras if they are deemed "medically necessary."

I did find out that the "per year" allowance is per calendar year, not for the year following the date of your surgery.  That means if my surgery had been late in the calendar year, I would need a new prescription after January 1 of the next year.

I believe the coverage is under the "Major Medical" part of my plan.  Once I've met my deductible in a particular year, my plan pays for 80% of the cost.

Not all BC/BS plans are the same, though.  You should call your customer service rep and find out what yours covers.

otter 

Hi Cathi,

Good luck with your surgery. I agree that it's good to wait about 6-8 weeks before getting fitted. I went after 4 weeks and that was probably too soon. I felt healed but really wasn't able to wear the breast forms comfortably for a few more weeks.

Just a thought about Radiant Impressions. They are custom made to fit your chest, but they are silicone. Many women don't like the feel of silicone against their skin, so although you can wear the forms in a regular bra, you may not find them that comfortable. Some women love them, but some are disappointed. See if you can try on (or better yet, borrow) a "sample" and leave it on for a while, so you can see whether you find it comfortable or sticky. When I inquired about Radiant Impressions, my fitter told me that they're good for women whose chests are left very uneven after surgery, but unnecessary for most women. If you have a simple mastectomy, a non-custom breast form may be perfectly fine for you.

The good news is that there are non-custom breast forms designed to be worn in regular non-mastectomy bras. One is the Airway Tritex Triangle, which is silicone with a soft microfiber back. Another is a new form by Silique, called the Comfort-Tex, also made of silicone with a fabric backing that feels good against the skin. 

Also, some women buy regular bras and sew pockets so they can wear their silicone forms comfortably. There are many options out there these days, which is great, but sometimes it can be confusing. You might check out my BreastFree website--I have links to lots of comfortable breast forms and bras. Many of my recommendations are based on feedback from women on this forum.

Hopefully, your fitter will be good and she will guide you well. 

Barbara

Cathi,

Please keep us posted on what you decide and how it works out.

I just wanted to mention a new form that I learned about the other day. On BreastFree, I mention the Amoena Natura forms, which now have a "Comfort Lite" feature, which is supposed to help prevent perspiration. I was thinking of buying a pair (I'm due on my insurance). I went to the fitters on a day when an Amoena rep was visiting, so I could get her advice. She showed me another form--Amoena Individual (formerly Amoena Prima). It has a white backing which really molds to your chest. The new part about it is that they've just added the Comfort Lite feature to this form. For now, it's only available in the asymmetrical version. It felt quite good and the promo says it can be worn directly against the skin. I would have bought a pair, but they only had one in my size and I need two!

Just another option to think about.

Barbara

The place I go has a little top you can wear so you are not baring all to see...the fitter there, will help or let's you do the putting on...then afterwards she takes a look at the fit..so find a place where you feel comfortable and be assertive on how YOU want the fitting to go!!!

I just had a soft form at first...very soft so it wouldn't itch or bother

the skin, the only trouble is it can ride up and I couldn't feel it doing

it..so my husband had a phrase "the moon is rising" so I knew to

pull it down.. 

Thank you all so much for your help/suggestions.  I wish you all much  good health, happiness and sunshine daily.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

P.S. Lisa -I love "the moon is rising"  your hubby sounds like a cool guy.

I got fitted yesterday.I was sent to a place called" "scope" where they do all sorts of prosthesis.The lady had called me last week and spoke to me about what size i was b4 the mastectomy and what size i want to be now.Then today i went and she measured me,tried different bras on me with either "b" or "C" size cups.Then after i had them on with her help and adjustments,she had this t-shirt that had been cut down the center back,so you just slip your arms through the sleeves,then you can really see how your new boobs will lookunder clothing.

Once i was happy with te fitting etc,she put one on me,i got dressed and came home with 2 new bras,and a set of prosthesis.

She made me very comfortable during the whole process.Insurance pays for it all.

Kathi

I have an HMO,Secure Horizons,and Tri Care for Life.

Scope is a place where they do all sorts of prosthesis,legs,arms,etc.Any thing that one would need to replace that which had to be removed for whatever reason,ie,amputations etc.

My best friends son who was a double amputee had all his prosthesis made through this place and was very happy with the end results as well.

My surgeon is the one that gave me the consult to see them,and he told me my insurance would cover them.I didn't even have a co-pay.

Saw the oncologist today,looks like i'll probably be starting the chemo the week of the 20th of this month,give or take a day or 2.Even the thought of it makes me sooooooooo nervous.

Wishiwere,good luck,i hope your insurance covers everything.

Kathi