bilateral forms?

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meliaanne
meliaanne Member Posts: 682
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

Hi Everyone,

I had a mastectomy in Dec 06, and am having a prophylactic mastectomy on Oct 16. I just cannot stand the worry of it appearing in the healthy breast, and, not wanting recon, find the look of one breast and the scar kinda funky. I have extra skin on the bad side, so the prosthesis I wear (an amoena light weight silicone) bothers me. Once both breasts are gone, will I be able to wear just light weight cloth ones?  I am thinking that would be more comfortable. I have to wear something b/c of work, though around the house, I am looking forward to going flat. I could really use some advice!

Thanks,

Melia

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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited October 2008

    Hi Melia,

    Can you ask your breast surgeon to remove the extra skin and neaten up the area when you have your prophylactic mastectomy? If your BS won't do it, maybe a plastic surgeon could come in during the surgery just for that part. Then you might wind up with no extra skin on either side, which might be more comfortable for you. 

    Certainly, you could wear lightweight foam breast forms (covered in cloth), like the Amoena 126s and the Still You Illusions. I find that the bra is so important--you have to find the right one to comfortably wear these forms. I hate constricting bras, so I go for bralettes and camisoles.

    There are also some lightweight fabric-backed silicone forms that are soft against your skin and can be worn in a regular bra. Once you're healed, you'll be able experiment. 

    Barbara

    BreastFree.org

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  • joyful
    joyful Member Posts: 8
    edited October 2008

    Hi Melia,

    I had my first mastectomy in '02 and like you decided to remove the remaining breast last month. For the 6 plus years I had only 1 breast I wore underwire bras and Amoena breast forms (many versions and types over the years). Every night I couldn't wait to get the darn thing off. I am much happier now that I am completely flat. It provides me with a lot more freedom. I can go without a bra and either flaunt my freedom/flat chest or wear tops that sort of make it hard to tell. As my back-up (cause I know there will be occasions when I need to look "normal" I have purchased  "The not-a-bomber" bra (for size A & B cups only) from Title Nine and a set of softies from Bosom Buddies. I am hoping when they arrive that they work out. I too would suggest getting the extra skin removed. My chest wall is flat and smooth with no extra skin at all and I love it! Weird, I know, but after all I have been through it feels like I finally have some closure.

    Joi 

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  • jbau
    jbau Member Posts: 54
    edited October 2008
    • Joi,
    • Please let me know how the Title Nine bra works for you. I used to love their bras and I even asked the company if they could consider making a mastectomy sports bra but they referred me to those already being manufactured. The problem is they are so big, if you just need an A, you don't need to carry all that extra fabric around. Especially if you don't even have breasts! That one is not too expensive either.
    • Jennifer
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  • joyful
    joyful Member Posts: 8
    edited October 2008

    Hi Jennifer,

    I wore my Title Nine bra with my Bosum Buddy softies yesterday for the first time. The whole thing felt fine. They do shift a bit, but they are soft against my skin which I like. I love having the option now of going out flat or with just my little size A softies. 

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  • jbau
    jbau Member Posts: 54
    edited October 2008

    Joi, 

    Where do you get the Bosom Buddy softies? I've looked online and haven't found those. Would you be able to sitch or pin them in place in the bra?

    Jennifer 

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  • joyful
    joyful Member Posts: 8
    edited October 2008

    Hi Jennifer,

    I found the forms at www.bosombuddy.com. They cost 75.00 each and come with a pouch and 2 round little pockets for each pouch. You could pin the pouch's to your bra I guess. Hope this helps.

    Joi 

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