Wanted: Triangular fiberfill forms (had a bad foob day)
I had a follow-up with my onco 2 wks ago, so I decided to stop by the mastectomy supply store on the way home. I wanted to find a couple more fiber-fill puffies like the ones they gave me when I went there shortly after my mastectomy.
It was quite an experience. The sales lady had no idea what I was talking about. First, she said I must be looking for an Amoena light “climate control” breast form. I told her I already had that exact form, plus two mast bras, I’d bought from their store a few months ago. What I wanted this time was a triangular, fiber-filled “temporary” form like the one I’d been given at the store a few weeks after my surgery. She dug around in a drawer and pulled out a foam rubber breast form--“You mean, like this?” I said no, the one I wanted contains fiberfill, and has a slit in the back so you can adjust the amount of fill. She dug around in the drawer some more and came up with one of those TLC oval-shaped forms stuffed with fiberfill. It looked like a large potato. I said I had one of those, but the triangle-shaped ones fit me better. She gave up and went to get a “more experienced” fitter.
The second fitter reminded me that if I didn’t wear a properly weighted form, the asymmetry would hurt my neck and back. I pointed out that my remaining breast was small, and the missing weight on the surgery side was trivial. She said she needed to give me their handout explaining the importance of properly weighted forms. I said I already had that handout, and I didn’t want another silicon breast form—I already had one. (By then I was getting irritated.) I added that I seldom wore the silicon form because my mastectomy bras didn’t fit—they were too tight. I wanted a triangular, fiber-fill “puffy” (or whatever it’s called), to wear with my regular bras. In exasperation, I reached into my bra and pulled out the puffy I was wearing, to show them.
Both women disappeared for a few minutes. When they came back, they were carrying mastectomy bras that they insisted I try on. I showed them how the bra bands cut into the soft tissue on my chest wall on the mast/SNB side. The older sales lady began to quiz me: “Have you seen anyone about that?” “Are you getting therapy for that?” “Why aren’t you wearing a compression sleeve and glove?” “What do you mean, you don’t wrap your arm?” “Has your therapist told you about diuretics?” [Edited to add: Don't worry--I've been dx'd and treated by a certified PT/LE therapist, who says I don't need to wear my sleeve & gauntlet, or wrap my arm, unless I'm symptomatic or if I'm doing something that puts me at risk of swelling.]
I finally conceded that they didn’t have the triangle-shaped puffies I was looking for, so I left. Here are some pics of the puffies I want. The top one in this first pic is NOT the right one—it’s the oval one sold by TLC. The bottom ones are the right ones.
Here's the back side of the two triangular ones. That's a garment label sticking out of the top one. These are both size 3:
Anyone know where I could find more like this? I don't plan to go back to the mastectomy supply store where I got these. The younger clerk did suggest I might be able to make them from jersey fabric, using these as a pattern. That would work, if my sewing machine wasn't in the shop for repairs...
otter
Comments
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There's a store nearby that has a link to "amoena." Maybe you can call and ask them. It looks like they might have what you're looking for. Here's a triangular cool pad..
http://www.amoena.com/us/Products/Accessories/TextileAccessories/CoolPad.htm
The store, http://www.wigsnmore.net/WigsPages/Mastectomy.htm has a catalog. Hope that helps.
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It's really hard to tell from pictures. Maybe some of the least expensive ones on this page are what you need? If I see the fold on the backside then I think that you could customize it.
I agree that mastectomy shops can be hard for the gal who knows what she wants and it isn't the strict 'party line'.
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I've had similar experiences with fitters wanting to sell me the expensive silicon jobs instead of the cheap comfortable ones I prefer. I think it's a question of profit for them. I've ended up giving away the useless heavy weighted forms that were foisted on me. And I have a drawer full of bras that I can't bear to wear that insurance was only too happy to pay for. On the other hand, I can't get insurance to pay for the pocketed camisoles that I actually find comfortable. So I just go flat for the most part. The foobs I've seen that come closest to your description are the Amoena 126s, but they are foam not fiber fill. Knitty titties are somewhat triangular, though, and you can make them yourself and be freed from dependence on the foob-industrial complex!
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I have two brand new triangle puff pads size small still in package you may have if you are still looking. I got these pre mastectomy but ended up inflated to 300cc during surgery and never needed forms. Let me know.
Kris
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Here's a thought. You can buy covers for silicone forms. I'll bet you could just take one of those and stuff it with fiberfill from a craft shop. Did you get a cover with your silicone form? You could just fill that up with fiberfill and see if it works.
Also, TLC and Amoena both have the puffs in sort of a triangle as well as an oval, but they aren't as triangular as yours. Your puffies actually look like they're just the regular covers from a silicone form. That's what my cover looks like. Check the garment lable and see what brand they are, and you could probably get them on-line.
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mthomp,
That's a great idea. And if your prosthesis didn't come with a cover, covers can be purchased separately. I just checked the Park Mastectomy site and in their section called Mastectomy Accessories, they sell a number of different prosthesis covers and some are triangular. I'm sure they're available at other online sites as well and, presumably, from local fitters.
I have a bra that came with a little packet of medical grade fiberfill to use if needed, so I'm guessing that you could even purchase fiberfill that's "medical grade" if you were interested.
Barbara
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OMG, that's IT!!! Here, all this time I thought I was looking for a fiberfill foob, and it's actually just a breast-form cover that someone had stuffed with fiberfill!
The reason I didn't recognize those triangular fabric-things as breast form covers is because my $300+ Amoena breast form didn't come with a cover. They just plopped it into a plastic "dish"-shaped base that isn't even the correct size, put that into a zippered storage box that isn't the correct size either, and slipped the zippered storage box into a fancy Amoena cardboard box. No fabric cover at all.
So, imagine my excitement, when I took your advice and googled "breast form cover." Here's an example of what I found:
http://www.metromedicalonline.com/amoena160.html
Here's a pic of some Amoena "covers", in 2 different colors:
And, here's a pic of someone slipping a prosthesis into one of the covers:
Plus, the covers cost around $10, which is way cheaper than almost everything else I had found. That makes sense, because the nice ladies at the mastectomy supply store had given me two of what I thought were "fiberfill puffies" for free, when I stopped there one day after my surgery. If they were really breast form covers, there must have been hundreds of them lying around--since they weren't providing them with the breast forms they were selling.
Thanks, everybody!
otter
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Those sew into a swim suit bra things are useful if your reconstructed breast isn't quite a match to your other side. They can add a little shape when you really don't need a terrific amount of volume.
I'm glad you found your solution! There are all kinds of things on the market but I think they tend to get overdone. Sometimes you just have to improvise.
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Otter,
Just yesterday I went through all of the garments I wore post-mastectomy and during the expansion process. Initially, I wore an Amoena camisole with drain pockets but never inserted the fiber-filled forms that came with it. I put these two forms aside thinking someone could use them. The camisole was #2106, size medium, and the forms have 2106 on the inside. They look more triangular than round. I just took a picture and am trying to figure out how to post it.
Let me know if you would like them! I would gladly send.
Tina
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You know, I never thought of stuffing a foob cover with fiberfill until you posted the picture of what you were using. That's really a good idea. My silicone foob didn't have a cover, but the shop gave me one that would fit it. See, ya learn something new and useful every day!
I do still have the puffy from my post-op cami - I never actually even wore the cami - and I used that in tanks with shelf bras until I could wear a bra. It's somewhat triangular, but not as much as the regular foobs.
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Otter, I sent you a PM. Couldn't figure out how to post a pic.
Tina
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I didn't get a cover for my amoena prema I bought two years ago. I didn't even know they existed until now. Do you slip the cover on and then put it in the bra? That sounds much more comfortable.
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Ilene,
Yes, it enables you to wear the form comfortably in an unpocketed bra.
Barbara
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This site provides a wealth of information--and some good laughs as well. Thanks all, for both.
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The triangular puff form that I have is ABC Triangle Puff Form 910. I like its shape much better than the oval shaped fiberfill forms.
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otter, I'm so glad you started this thread. I never went and got protheses (I hated the thought of wearing TWO) and have just been using the TLC puffies stuck in my old bras. I even bought a bag of fiberfill to make my own puffies using old panyhose, but they ended up looking like hamburger buns.
I think the triangular shape is more "fitting". I'll be ordering a few covers soon to see how they work.
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Otter and all:
Well, as usual, I have to add my two cents here, on two somewhat related matters:
Another option for those of us with A and B sized booblets: One site recommended just buying regular fibre-filled padded bras, and then just removing the padding from the non-mastectomy side. I suspect that would work for little-ole me, though honestly I really love my Size 4 Amoena silicon form and don't feel comfortable without that little bit of extra weight there.Just a thought though for those of you who don't like weighted breast forms.
My other contribution is this: I've been trying to figure out how I could convert my old Bali bras, assorted bathing suit tops and camisoles-with-a-ledge so that they would have a secure pocket to hold the breast form. Don't like the feel of the silicone directly against my skin, and worry if the puppy isn't held in place by the pocket. True, I could buy those ridiculously over-priced sew-in pockets that are available through various mastectomy sites, but come on!! $8 for a little square of fabric? Forget it. Well, I was sorting out some old clothes for the Goodwill, when I was hit with inspiration. If you take a pair of old, soft cotton undies (mine are the hi-rise bikini style). Cut along the seam that attaches the front of the panty to the crotch. Now, turn the panty upside down so the cut seam is at the top, and the front of the bound leg holes is at either side. See how the shape would fit in a bra, and those bound leg holes could form already bound slits for the pocket? Brilliant. Cut a semi-circle at the bottom and secure the top and bottom to the top and bottom of the inside of the bra cup. I'll let you know how it comes out but it should work good.
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JO,
It works fine. I just whipped up four of them in nothing flat. It could be done by hand, but with a zig zag machine it took just minutes and it was easy to ease in the fullness at the bottom of the bra. Thanks for the complimen! (Sometimes I amaze myself)
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That really is a great idea! Certainly saves you a bunch of work. I've got some underwear that I never really wore, and they're now too small, so that would be a great use for them!
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So, Sandra, ... are you gonna post some pics of your handiwork?
otter
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I would be happy to post a picture of my handiwork, but here's where I need some help: I've never been able to figure out how to post pictures on this site other than the profile shot--which I keep changing. Maybe one of you braniacs could explain how it's done. The pictures might prove fairly amusing/instructional for all.
Sandra
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Anybody know where to purchase "medical grade" fiberfill? And is it polyester or cotton?
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While searching for "medical grade" fiberfill, I found fiberfill forms by Amoena - Priform 206.
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Great thread and great laughs!
Otter, glad you figured it out! My form came with a cover and as soon as I saw your pics I thought........that's it!
The underwear is brilliant and a good chuckle too, too bad I'm a lousy seamstress or I'd be raiding the panty drawer! I ended up taking my swimsuits to a local person who removed the inner liner from the good side and used the itty bit of fabric to sew it into the MX side to make a pocket. Worked out well and no concern about bitty boobs floating to the surface to deflate my dignity!
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Pictures for the panties conversion would be great!
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Well, I can't for the life of me figure out how to insert photos and the help instructions on this web site are useless. Here's the URL where I posted the picture:
http://picasaweb.google.com/RPOandSLO/SewingProjects#5310202035854566002
I'm embarrassed by this picture for a number of reasons: a) small cup size; b) dubious lingerie choices, and c) sloppy workmanship--remember it was just an experimental model. The picture shows the bra without the breast form inserted. It's a triangular model and the corners poke thru at the top and sides. The stitching is all along the bottom and at the top corners only. Hope the link works.
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All I can say is : OHHH, I get it!!! I didn't understand from your instructions, but now I know what you are describing. Brilliant!!
Tina
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Here's the closest triangle to your description:
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You ladies inspire me every single day! Although I don't need any prothesis right now...........believe it or not, in my teen years I was so small busted (AA cup) that I resorted to making my own padding to fit into bathing suits. This was back in the day when there weren't any padded bras. So I do understand your frustration a little bit!
For anyone wishing to post photos in their thread - while you are composing your reply, next to the Yellow Smiley icon there is an icon that looks like a green tree with a blue sky - click on that, then put in your URL, and click INSERT - and oila! Your photo will be posted within your reply!
Hope everyone is having a nice Saturday - the weather is FINALLY spring-like here!
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Yup! A picture's worth a thousand words.
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