Fitting an A and a B in a bra without using fillers?

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linn56
linn56 Member Posts: 210
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

After a lumpectomy and re-excision my breasts are 2 different sizes. Left side B and surgical side A. To top it off, I have to wear bra back extenders to make any bra fit: I have a large back and I'm a 40 B. Or was. (No one makes a 40 B, much less a 40 A) I am still wearing my post surgical "Squeeze ‘em flat" sports  bra because a regular one looks really bad. But when I stop wearing sweaters I will have to find an answer. I have been reading a couple of threads on this subject.

I have read here that you can get forms or fillers but I would imagine they are all some kind of foam or silicone. My problem is...as soon as winter is over, I can't stand to wear anything but cotton next to my skin. I work outside, in all weathers, and get really hot. Yet I still need to look presentable, nice clothes, jewelry, etc. Nylon or synthetic fabric bras are out, so I already know I would not be able to stand a sweat-trapping foam insert. I can just see myself tearing it out and tossing it at work. I can't go braless-I get too achy.

It's hard enough just finding cotton bras.  Even the ones that are cotton on the outside are often lined with nylon. None of the pretty ones are cotton. :(

I'm good at sewing...I could take in the now A side but seams are always hard to hide in a bra. It's an odd place to put darts in too; I think it would pull the nipple part over, which would not conform to my shape.  

Actually, you can see my scar in any bra except a sports bra. It's right where the plunge part of the bra is. So I'm not sure how I could either take some fabric in, or pad this out either. I can't figure out why a divot way on the side makes me, overall, a size smaller in the first place.

I thought of buying 2, one in a B and one in an A, cutting them apart in the middle, and stitching the left B together with the right side A. That could get expensive fast, but if it worked....

Does anyone else have this problem, and how did you solve it?

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited January 2010

    I had the same problem you are having now after my first lumpectomy, I was a 40C cup on one side and a 40A cup on the other. I did use the filler silicone prost (similar to a chicken cutlet in shape) to fill out my a-cup side to match my c-cup side prior to my bilat mast with recon. Please don't give up just yet. Check out your local mastectomy shop and look at the bras. Many of the specality bras do come in non-standard sizes (40A 40B) and I am now a 40B. My bras had cotton knit or microfiber pockets lining the bras that the prost fit into. Some of the bras linings have a 'moisture-wicking' properties that do help keep you cooler. Also check out www.breastfree.org for ideas to help you.

    Sheila

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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited February 2010

    A lot depends on how fussy you are about looking even.If you can tolerate some unevenness then you should do just fine. 

    But do try a foam insert before deciding it won't work for you.  I have a filler from Janac Sportswear that's got some kind of little pellets and isn't hot. It doesn't give me the look I want so I don't wear it but I did try it. 

    I think the whole process of dealing with unevenness is an exercise in trying things out to see what works for you. Some women have knit prosthesis - the knitty titty Surprised and they're happy. 

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  • linn56
    linn56 Member Posts: 210
    edited February 2010

    It's not being uneven that bothers me...I doubt anyone else would ever notice, IF each cup fit each side. What draws the eye is the partly collapsed looking B cup on the surgery side. It folds right over.

    I found a thin, sew in bra cup at the fabric store; I have been trying that the last few days. One thing I find is that, after a while, it rides out the side!  I find it floating around in my negligible cleavage. I think I will have to sew a ribbon on to tie or pin to my strap. Haven't figured out the right solution for that yet. It's not the right shape either.

    I ordered some fabric covered foam forms from the American Cancer society TLC site yesterday. I'll give those a try. I can always use them as a model to try to sew my own from 100% cotton to use when the weather is hot.   

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited February 2010

    Also, know that with time your breast will shift the fat around and fill itself out some. After a year you might be suprised to see that you've evened out quite a bit. I started out with a partial breast form, and then eventually was suprised and thrilled to find out that I didn't need it anymore. I did buy some really good padded push up bras (a good slice was taken from the bottom my boob), and also wear sports bras with some padding; because if I get cold, the nipples are pointing in two different directions (so much for a 'Sports Illustrated Swim Suit' contract, Laughing!) Good Luck!

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  • ananda8
    ananda8 Member Posts: 2,755
    edited February 2010

    I have a D cup on one side and a B-C on the other.  Most days I don't wear any enhancement.  I figure that people don't notice the difference even when I wear a T-shirt. 

    On the days that I wanted to even things out, I used to stick two of these silicone foobs on the smaller side.  I arrange them to overlap so I am equally full on both sides.  Now I only use one because I found a bra with a firmer cup and it holds the D side in. 

    http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=50475&CatID=51860&GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=1573a9f&attrtype=&attrvalue=&CMID=50475%7c51093%7c51860&Fltr=&Srt=&QL=F&IND=6&cmVirtualCat=&CmCatId=50475|51093|51860

    I live in Arkansas and know all about hot sticky weather.  The silicone is so comfortable that I forget that I am wearing it.  It is also about as heavy as normal tissue.  I have gardened and done aerobic exercise while wearing the foob.  I never felt sweaty or hot. 

    I wear the silicone next to my skin and buy regular bras. 

    I hope you find something that works for you.

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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited February 2010

    Linn - One thing to consider is whether you'd be happy in a mastectomy bra. Now the very thought "mastectomy bra" is enough to send most people running, particularly if you didn't have one! BUT, they are often structured which can help even out sides and they've got a pocket sewn into them. That solves the problem of the bra-form migrating.Since you are an odd size this may or may-not be an option for you. I will say that seaming in a bra can make a big difference in evening up two different sides.

    http://ladygrace.com/fashion-forms-comfy-cups/p/10273/ 

    This is one that i've used a lot. Sometimes I wear my silicone enhancer (I had implant reconstruction and have a dent on that side I don't like), but when I'm doing something where I don't care about perfection, say going to the gym I use this to even out the dented side.   A bra with pockets keeps it from sliding. 

    I found several helpful things on the TCL and the makemeheal.com sites. One thing I'll say about a mastectomy bra is that a professional fitter will often squish you into something that is tighter than you want. SInce you mentioned that you're a 40B and already have fit issues you may or may not want to go at this with a fitter. A mail order place with a liberal return policy may be more to your liking. 

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  • linn56
    linn56 Member Posts: 210
    edited February 2010

    Thanks for all the suggestions.

    notself, that link did not work. Just a message form Penney's saying "Product not available".

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  • ananda8
    ananda8 Member Posts: 2,755
    edited February 2010

    linn56,

    Go to JCPenney and look up Fashion Forms Silicone Enhancers.  They are found under bras and then bra accessories.   The ones that Penny's are selling now have "nipples" which are new. They come in A/B and B/C. 

    Half and Half Shaping Pads brand is the one I use.  I guess JCPenney's isn't carrying them anymore.  I wear them next to my skin.  I don't need a special bra because they don't slip around. Once they are at body temperature, I don't notice I am wearing them.   Because two of them weigh about the same as the tissue I lost,  I find I don't have back aches any more.  These do not come in sizes but I think they may still work for you.  I wish they had these when I was a teenager.  Tongue out

    http://www.freshpair.com/Fashion-Forms-Half-and-Half-Shaping-Pads-8900.html

    I bought two pair because I didn't know how they would hold up. Well, it has been over a year and I have yet to use the second pair.  I work up some face soap in my hands and gently wash them after every use.  Make sure that the pad is thoroughly rinsed in warm water.  I pat it  completely dry and put it back in the box.

    Best wishes

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