Wardrobe pics for boobless days

I agree Elaine, I just need a bit more of that confidence.

Hugs, Judy x

Just want to add a bit about that chest wall tightness since I've had it from the beginning as well as a bit of tenderness right along my scars. I just assumed it was related to the scars and have been massaging them and the surrounding tissue whenever I feel either tight or tender, usually first thing in the morning. Then I'm usually good for the rest of the day. If not, a quick reach under my shirt and some local skin stretching does it for me. Over the months, some of the tightness has gone away. It's kind of a bummer to think it will be with me longer.

Weight and belly fat must be the issue that never goes away. Well, maybe it would if the belly did. LOL My DH has been in and out of the hospital lately and some of the weight I had dropped came right back. Just popped right back on my belly and hips. Sigh. You ladies inspire me to keep working at it cause permanently pregnant doesn't look or feel any better at 61. Not to mention the consequences to our health of that extra weight.

Judy, an increasing sense of confidence is part of the bc process, I think, but it takes time and practice just like any skill. I've found behaving as if I have it works really well to actually make it happen. At some point I just stopped thinking about it and it became a part of me. Life is sooo much easier.

I have to wonder how similar this process is to adolescence when body image was so central to who we were. We didn't realize how gorgeous we were then (I sure didn't) and maybe we just need to remind ourselves that we still are beautiful. Now I'm wondering if there is any correlation with how we worked through those adolescent body image issues and how we work through the changes that MX creates. That would be an interesting study if it hasn't already been done.

I can relate to the horrible body image at 14. What a difficult time that is. I was so flat and stick thin I was teased all the time even though Twiggy was a top model then. I remained flat way into my late thirties when I quit smoking then gained 20 pounds and developed boobs. The only other time in my life I had boobs was when I was pregnant and pretty soon the belly overtook the boobs so they pretty much were a non event except for being sore and in the way. I've been thinking that probably is why losing them has been comparatively easy. I had already gone through 2/3's of my life without them so readjusting has been pretty smooth. I still think this would make a great study for a masters level nursing student.

Confidence is such an amazing thing. It's all interior and we get it from experience and how we process the world's response to our exterior. I agree absolute: fake til you make it!

Barbe, I sure can see why you do well in sales. You are really good at putting yourself out there, girlfriend. Thanks for helping me along on this journey we share. And I do remember those smocks. The first time I wore one in college, my boyfriend took one look at me and ran out of the room screaming it wasn't him. hee hee hee

Linda

Several years ago, I took off 60 pounds and managed to keep it off for 4 or 5 years.  Then last year...........a pretty stressful year (and I'm definitely a stress eater) I gained it all back.  Unfortunately, I now have this huge spare tire!  Maybe it was large before and I'm just not remembering correctly, but I did hear Dr Oz say recently that if a woman has a disproportionate amount of belly fat, it's likely caused by stress.  That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!  Anyhow, going comando would be a lot easier if I wasn't lugging around the spare tire.

I guess I am full of Corisol instead of ### HE HE

I can say that to Mum because we're meeting AGAIN next Friday for dinner.....we's be buds.

I'm only 5 4 3/4 inches! You'll start to stand differently Mum. I haven't lost weight but look like I have.

Amazing women! All of you! I am wearing my forms every day now.

Judy x

Great, Barbe!

Dawn 

Lucy, is this the TLC camisole you didn't like?  I have one and rather like it and the way the shelf bra is only on the front.

http://tlcdirect.org/products/sku-8067_dept-15.html

Hopefully I got the link right, but if not, it's the cami with lace across the top called Cool Comfort.

Bumping up this fantastic thread.

~elaine~

Molly, you may find that just the fact that the pockets are there is enough to cover your "flatness". I was pretty big, but have a T-shirt with flap pockets and no one seems to notice I'm flat!

Anything with an elastic waist is safe, too, as it puffs up and disguises both belly and chest.

Thanks, Latriciadawn!  My d-i-l started it when I took my boxes into her house when we were visiting.  She laughed, "boobs is a box"!  and then when I joined BC.org I chose that name.  My boobs - or foobs - are all in boxes now that I don't wear them again.  I hope your recovery goes quickly and smoothly and that you will find your own new normal and be happy again.  This is a great site, as is our bc sister Barbara's (screen name Erica) non-profit site www.BreastFree.org, which has all kinds of info to help in this process.

Dawn 

oh...mumayan...i'm so on the losing weight train!...that's the first thing i noticed when i got home from the hospital and had my wits about me...i was, "where on earth did that huge pooch come from?!?!"...interesting how much farther out it protrudes when there are not boobs to even the score!...mom2two - during the cooler weather i almost always wear a zipper hoodie over whatever i'm wearing when i go out...it seems to add a layer of dimension so i'm not self conscience...i haven't ventured out yet in just a single layer shirt, although i might wear just a sweatshirt...it just takes some getting used to...

Iinincinn,

I'm so glad the pics help.  Of course, time and healing help the most, but this site has been a big help.  And this thread has really been an encouragement for me! 

Dawn