Foobs, Projection & Bras...

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Tanzie
Tanzie Member Posts: 161
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

Help!  I tried shopping for a 'real' bra today and ended up with my feelings hurt. 

Any suggestions on bras that would work with me and not against me? I'm a 40 C and almost every bra I tried on ends up with negative space at the ends of the cups.  (Some more, some less) Am I alone in this?

I am only  4 weeks out from exchange, is it too early to be looking for something other than sports bras?

I'm not really sure if this is the correct forum for this question, so please let me know if I should repost elsewhere!

Thanks!

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  • car
    car Member Posts: 492
    edited December 2008

    Has your PS given you the OK to buy a "real" bra? I was in zip-up sport bras for longer than 4 weeks post-exchange. I first check w/your PS.

    Else, it might be a matter of fit. This is probably going to sound stupid, but once you are OK'd for the land of real bras, I'd go to a lingerie dept. in a large store where there are trained fitters who work w/BC pts. These often are more expensive stores (in our area Nordstrom or Bloomingdales have done good fitting for me), but once you learn your correct size and bra type, you could shop anywhere. That was what worked for me...and I'm waiting for a confirmation of size after Stage II of my DIEP (I'm on my 3rd bra size in 2 years)!

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  • Tanzie
    Tanzie Member Posts: 161
    edited December 2008

    Umm... No, he hasn't. *sigh*  But I see him next week and will ask.   I have been in zip up the front sports bras until now.  It's just that the straps on these run in close to my neck and are therefore visible in a lot of my clothing.  There were just too many good after Christmas sales for me not to look!

    I am pretty soft now, but am hoping things will soften up even more.   It's an adjustment.  Before my breasts would work with me.  And now I'm having to work with them.  

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  • car
    car Member Posts: 492
    edited December 2008
    Tanzie, my bet is that you're still settling in. I worked last year in sport bras due to problems w/my first reconstruction. I just pretended that I was trying to pull off a layered look. But I know what you mean. I've developed a real bra fetish after all of this surgery!Sealed
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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited December 2008

    I totally agree that you will need to settle for several months before you'll find comfort in "real bra land".  The first few times I went, I left in tears and vowed to never go again.

    I spent a couple of YEARS in leisure bras (I'm plus size) because I just needed a little support.  I agree with working with someone who knows what they are doing with a fitting as well.  It makes a world of difference---they know their stock and belive me, one C will looked like a double AA, and another will look like Dolly Parton---and all marked the same size.

    I found that Wacol has wider fitting underwires for we women with curves.  I wound up at a Leggs, Hanes outlet with a lady who took almost an hour and probably 25 bras until we found one that did the trick.  I bought 3 to try and then ordered 4 more.  (you know how they always discontinue the one you love!)

    Please, please give yourself a lot more time to find a good bra.  The ones that either have molded foam, etc, will leave a space at the nipple, but you won't care.  The ones with streach fabric cups wind up fitting better since they streach or unstreach to match your boob as the fabric warms up to your body.  But nipples Do show more with them.

    Leisure bras (some are nursing bras) are really comfy and leave no space in the nipple area.  You feel you are wearing a bra and still are comfortable and feel some support.

    good luck!

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  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 1,710
    edited December 2008

    Check out what I posted on the Oct & Dec reconsruction thread about the ipex bras from VS

    I even gave a link to get them for $24.99

    I just love them

    go to the store to figure out your size than order them on line for 1/2 the price : )

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  • Tanzie
    Tanzie Member Posts: 161
    edited December 2008

    Thanks gals! 

    It helps to know that I might just need to be a little more patient.

    In the meantime... I'll be 'window shopping' at VS online.  ;)

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  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited December 2008

    Ditto on the VS Ipex bras.  They have a little bit more at the nip than other molded/lined bras so tend to work better for flattish foobs. 

    I like the IPEX without wires but some like the ones with.  Also, your ps may okay the ones without wires before the others so you might want to buy just one or two to wear for "outside the home" for a while, waiting for foobs to settle in.

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