Breastless Swimwear??

I think that maybe nike or some other athletic suit might work. Who knows, after I get my tattoo I might even try a string bikini top.

Speedo makes a whole line of "racing" swimwear that I think are what you are asking for.  Their website is http://www.speedousa.com/family/index.jsp?cp=3124324.3128417&categoryId=3131376.  You can also find them year round in most sporting goods stores.   

Wal-Mart usually carries some Catalina suits that are racing style with a simple shelf bra starting around February in the northeast, although they may carry them year round in warmer climates. 

After trying so many different bathing suits and none working for me, I started just wearing cute sports bras as tops - they are called camisole type sports bras. I but bikini bottoms and wear the sports bra as a top. I never tried a mastectomy suit because I couldn't find one my style, so I'd go with the regular bathing suits with poofies for boobs which would invariably sneak out, be lumpy, etc.Tried a bandeau top without a poofy and it slipped way down almost showing my scars. Hello! How embarrassing. Might as well had not even worn a top.  Sports bras don't slip, they don't move. Perfect for me.

My question is this year I want to wear breast forms under the sports bras, but have no clue what type to get. I don't want to wear my regular Natura forms for fear of ruining them, but this year is the year to get new forms. Any ideas? Barbara/Erica? Thanks all.

Baywatcher - I love the idea of your tattoo! It sounds beautiful. I've always wanted to get one on my scar or near it, but the ps's have told me not to until I am positive I don't want recon. I am to the point where I am almost positive: too many risks and no guarantees. I was thinking of a heart with an arrow through it.

Hi Barbara.

Again, I want to thank you for your help! Very good idea keeping one pair of Naturas for swimming and one for everyday wear. I will ask the fitter if the Naturas are good for swimming; as you mentioned, it sounds as though they would be fine. It will be nice to have some "boobies" this year on the beach.

Concerning your newly ordered one piece, I don't think working well and looking good are too much to ask at all! That is the way it should work. Easier said than done, of course. What type of one piece did you get, if you don't mind me asking. I typically wear two pieces, but was at a friend's last year and didn't have a suit and borrowed a one piece from her. It really was quite flattering. Have you tried a tankini?

Yes, I wear the Jada and do love it (have two in ivory, two in black and one in burgandy), but as we've talked about before, it is a lot of bra and doesn't look so hot in the summer with a tank top on with those big ole straps showing. When I get my new forms and I am going to look for another bra with slimmer straps.

Now, I wear 34A and just measured my side seams and I believe that they are 3 inches, but I could have measured incorrectly, because my bra comes up very high as well and is about 1/2 - 1 inch lower than my underarm. ?  

Raye

Terry,

If there's a social worker who works with breast cancer patients at the hospital where you were treated, she may know where you could donate your forms. At my hospital the social worker there takes them and gives them to women who need them.

That's a great idea to test the swimsuit/forms in the shower--I wish I'd thought of that! So glad you're finally feeling good and "whole" again.

Raye,

Well, here's the link to the suit I ordered: http://www.womanspersonalhealth.com/products/1209/Anita-Mastectomy-Swimsuit.htm. As you can see, they only have a B cup in stock. It's a pretty basic suit (that is, a bit plain), but there wasn't much to choose from that came in an A cup. I haven't received it yet, but it should be here soon. I do have a couple of suits that I think look okay, but aren't as comfortable as I'd like--one's a tankini from Land's End, great for going to the beach if I'm not going to be swimming much. The best one for swimming is another Anita suit, with a B cup. Here's a picture of a suit that's a lot like it, but in a different print: http://www.womanspersonalhealth.com/products/1535/Anita-Mastectomy-Swimsuit.htm. The tie on the leg lets you raise or lower the rise. Since the suit comes up pretty high on the chest, at least I can show a little more of my legs! You'll notice that the suit pictured in the link won't be available from that website (Women's Personal Health Resource) until April, 2009. Most of their Anita suits won't be available until then, which is why my selection was very limited. I chose to order from them because they allow returns if the suit doesn't fit, which many places don't with swimsuits. Most mastectomy suits (like virtually all the Amoenas and some of the Anitas) seem to be B/C cups at the smallest. 

Thanks for measuring the Jada. If it's only 3 inches (compared to the 4 inches of the 36A), that would make a big difference to me and would be worth a try. I agree that the straps don't work with everything. For tank tops, I wear my Airway Tritex forms (with microfiber back) in an unpocketed little maidenform bralette with very skinny straps. So far so good--I haven't lost a form yet!! They actually stay put quite well, but sometimes I still like the extra security of a pocketed bra, which is why I asked about the Jada.

Barbara 

Hi everyone,

         I am off  today to a place called a Private affair to see what they offer, I have to buy BEFORE my surgery because my deductable rolls over jan 1st, my surgery is Dec 29.

      You all sound at peace with your decision thats great.................I am only having one removed I hope I don't wish I did both at the same time??

                   I am trying not to think about the date or count down to it........................today with the fitting will be a big step to the real world I will be facing!!

                       Have a great day! Pamela

Raye,

The color in the photo is the one I ordered--I hope the actual color is the same and, most important, I hope the suit fits!

Thanks a lot for your input.

Barbara

I found the best company for swimsuit and swim wear and prosthesis for swim and sports and other styles of life is:   http://www.amoena.com/us/

Club Amoena has great swim forms

AMOENA® BRINGS MORE "COMFORT" TO THEIR COMFORT+ BREAST FORM COLLECTION Even more comfortable to wear: Breast forms with Comfort+Take a fresh look at TheBreastCareSite.com 

 Amoena swimwear gives women the confidence to show off their figures and be active again,whether on the beach or in the pool. Clever tailoring translates into high quality swimsuits that are both stylish and comfortable to wear. Each suit features pockets that hold a breast form securely in place.The Amoena collection includes a wide selection of styles, organized into three lifestyle segments: Feel, Style and Move.

 
Move
Be sure with every move you make
For women who enjoy swimming as exercise, the Move collection offers the most advanced fabrics together with great colors and designs, for the ultimate in function, fit and visual appeal