Are breast prostheses necessary and for who?

Lisa-e,

 I have been thinking about consulting a plastic surgeon.  Would have to find out if my insurance would cover this surgery, thank you for the suggestion though.  What I worry about is not having enough skin left but maybe there are other alternatives for me.

I'm happy to see you like your forms and that they are comfortable.  It is something to get used to but it is good we have these alternatives too. 

Thank you so much for the information, I feel so much better already!  I appreciate your telling me about the different options, I have a bit of fat from about anywhere they can have.  I've been going thru all of these threads and find this all very interesting as I guess I had thought I was just stuck with what I had in my drawer.  It's great to see even if you don't have recon there are options for trying other things to be more comfortable.  Thank you ladies!!

Another problem I have with the foobs I always seemed to be adjusting, shifting them around, ducking into a restroom when I know they are off.  I notice other women saying they are going thru similar experiences.  Maybe it is the bra fit or the foobs but it doesn't help enourage me to wear them that's for sure. 

galnok, that's me............always the constant adjusting.  I had bilateral masts in July and unfortunately was left with a lot of excess tissue that shows through as odd bumps here and there, even when wearing rather large t-shirt tops, so I usually wear forms just when I go out.  Because of the excess tissue, strangely I feel as though I still kind of have boobs and am going without a bra.  Makes me feel undressed.  

I had Bilateral Mast. on 01/29/09, had 6 rounds of chemo prior to surgery. still healing. My Doctors recommended waiting abit prior to reconstruction. I was so sad and devastated to lose my breasts I am still mourning them, I thought for sure I would have reconstruction, now I am not sure. I hate that everyone told me that I didn't need my breasts my health was more important,and now they say you can have reconstruction. If I don't need them , why have reconstruction? I think I will get the prosthesis for now and wear them on the days I feel insecure and continue to debate reconstruction. 

I'm very conflicted. I had a left side mastectomy and might have done the implants, altho I didn't like the idea of being expanded while trying to heal. But my PS said I wouldn't have enough skin for the implants. The TRAM seemed bizarre and WAY too much surgery for me, altho for many it seems to really work well.

A girlfriend gave me her little prosthesis and altho it's a size too small I just put some fiberfill behind it and this is great, I haven't even gone for a fitting because this arrangement is not firm at all, and the healthy boob is floppy. So I have a matched set. The foobie goes into one of those flesh-colored pockets they give you in the hospital for the fiberfill, then I just pin it into a bra. I did sew pockets into a couple bras, but then got lazy :@*

At night I am lopsided. I'm not keen on this, but it's the only comfortable thing.

I might go flat though if my other boob goes bust. Ha! Ha!

I am 65.....had a left mastectomy in Feb. 06.  I wear my protheses daily. I have 2  what you would call a regular type- one lighter weight than the other + one swim form.  I feel "unbalanced" when not wearing one. I have never used one with a nightgown. I think if I had both breasts removed- I would not wear a protheses. I have a friend who had a double. she wears vests- does the layered look and is quite satisfied with the resulting look. I think you should do what makes you feel comfortable.

What about posture?

My posture has gotten terrible since my double mast.

Francine, I had a bilateral and later had to have one of my implants removed due to complications.  I've experienced a discomfort on that side.  It was tender and overly sensitive. I think some of it was an emotional discomfort for me as well. But both have diminished over the course of a few months. It's still a weird feeling when I roll over onto that side in bed.  I still feel the absence of a breast on that side I guess. And the lack of "padding" feels a bit weird. I'm pretty sure I've decided against further reconstruction, at least until they come up with better options for me, but lots of women are happier choosing recon.

I wish you luck with both your recovery and your decisions about recon.

Angela