Keep mastectomy bra from riding up

Puddin',

There are regular non-mastectomy bras that will stay in place, even with unweighted foam forms, though you may have to experiment to find the right one for you. I found a little Maidenform bralette that works well for me (and I've written on these boards ad nauseum about how much I like wearing the Still You camisole with foam forms). I can wear the Maidenform bralette with unweighted foam forms, but I tend to prefer something with a little weight. A weighted foam form would work, or something like the Still You Illusions, which has a little weight.  Unfortunately, my particular bra has been discontinued, but there are a number of others out there like it.

More important, I want to reassure you that you will be able to wear your favorite tight-fitting shirts. I pretty much live in tight tees. Not only do I look fine, but I actually feel more secure with the tight fabric hugging my chest. I wear them over both foam forms and silicone forms. The foam forms don't feel as natural to the touch, but they create a nice shape and I don't ever get a second glance (note, I don't wear the fiber-filled puffies, rather I choose a molded form like the Amoena 126 to get a nice shape).

Glad you have a sense of humor about it. Much better to laugh about all this--and feel glad to be alive.

Barbara

When I had my mastectomy (25 year ago) I was told about the elastic that you pin to your underpants and bottom of the bra.  Once in a while I do this. (Makes going to the ladies room pretty difficult though.

I don't use mastectomy bras.  I find that they're too expensive and very limited in styles.

I like either a non-padded bra or a softly padded one.  Each is for different occasions and clothing.

I purchase very nice, regular ones, and pin my breast form into it. (Small safety pins.)

After so many years it's just second nature to me, and I have the 

choice of many different bras.

Hi, Erica;

I use the cover that comes with the forms.  I just make sure that I'm not puncturing the breast form. I use the forms that cost about $300 nowadays!

I'm an expert at it...it's been 25 years!

Oh, my goodness!  I've really started something, haven't I!

I pin the cover of the form at the top,  bottom and both sides, to the bra.  If you just take a small bit of the material it won't show on the outside of the bra.  (It actually doesn't make much difference..the pins are small and I don't have anyone who's going to see it.

There's no way I can show you other than say you'll just have to experiment.

    Good Luck!! 

So sorry about your neuropathy. 

We all have so much to contend with...don't we!

It's only 3-4 pins.  If the small ones are difficult for you you can use any size....no difference.

River Rat,

I often wear my breast forms in regular bras without pinning anything. I've NEVER had one fall out. Occasionally, in certain bras, they migrate either toward the center of my chest or to the side. If that happens, I don't choose that bra. But if you find a bra with good coverage, it should work for you without resorting to pins.

I don't tend to wear all-silicone forms in unpocketed bras. I don't like the feel of silicone against my skin and I find when I put on the covers, it doesn't result in a smooth look. But if you're not wearing tops that are fitted, covers might work fine. Silicone forms that work well against bare skin include the Silique Comfort-Lite, with a microbead-microfiber back (also sold at TLC as Comfort-Lite) and the Anita 1055X, with a soft microfiber back. I also wear non-silicone forms in regular bras.

It sounds like Nokomis has found a great solution for her, but you may be able to do without the pins and still find a way to wear regular bras and camisoles. Please let us know how the 2-sided tape works.

Barbara

BreastFree.org 

When i went to get fitted for a mastectomy bra and prosthetic (one breast only), they gave me what they called a "puff" which is basically stuffing inside a cotton pocket.  that is great because it's very lightweight.  However, despite them giving me this two-sided elastic clasp that you clip one end to the bottom of the bra and the other to my panties, it still rode up my chest throughout the day.  so i pretty much stopped wearing that.  i do use my prosthetic inside my mastectomy bra but those bras are pretty expensive.  i have so many pretty Victoria Secret underwire bras that i would love to wear again but i'm not sure how i can get my prosthetic to fit nicely in it.  Even though my prosthetic has weight to it, sometimes i do find that i have to pull down the right side of my bra just a little.

hi gals.. there's a thread under the reconstuction or prosthetic forum.. shows you how to make a "foob".. a micro bead one. they're pretty nce when finished, and, there's a video on how to make a pocket (out of a tee shirt) in any bra that you like.. check them out!!     3jaysmom

My problem is not with it riding up but riding towards the centre when inside the bra, thus showing the lining of the bra as well as the prosthesis.  I was originally told to purchase the same size bra as I usually did and when I first had this trouble was told to go for a fitting - which I did - and was given a size larger and a cup smaller and was told this would solve the problem.  The 2 bras cost me almost £80 but I still have the same problem - I give up - unless someone can help with any ideas.  I now only wear a bra when it is absolutely necessary as it is too much hassle.  Another problem is that I am now on my third kind of cancer (skin) and at present have another large scar going upwards towards my neck - so have also to be careful about necklines.

I have had one bra that did this with my first prosthesis but have not since then with that pros or the new one. All I did was be sure I always that bra when I wore higher necked or 'turtle neck' tops so it didn't show. Different bras - styles/cut/material - will fit us differently as we are built differently. Not all prosthesis have the same shape exactly either. My second one is more designed to be a better fit to the outside where it's a bit more 'sunk in'.

Did you see a Certified Fitter for your prosthesis? It might not be the bras that are the problem but the wrong pros. There are so many different ones and a certified fitter will (at least should) know the products and how they fit different builds, sizes and the result of surgery.

My fitter always orders in several bras of the type I like (underwire) for me to try on and pick the ones that fit the best. Some do not fit at all right. She also orders some in 32 or 34, some A, some B as she knows how they are cut and how I'm built.

I have actually found some very inexpensive ($5), really cute, pretty colored bras at Walmart that work. They are ones that are designed as push ups and have little pads in pockets that can be taken out and pros. put in. When I'm out doing sports I prefer the mast. bras as they feel better to me when riding, fishing, mowing, etc. but for less active times the cheap are fine - and they are bright colors and cute though they don't seem to last/hold up as long either but as cheap as they are - so what. Don't know if they would work as good for someone who is larger.

Just had an idea that might help - can you sew? If you can, taking a tuck or 2 in the material that creates the back of the pocket it is snugger so that it would be harder for the pros to move over.