Why do I "need" $$$ silicone breastforms?

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  • purplemb
    purplemb Member Posts: 1,542
    edited April 2010

    Well for those in need with no insurance you can see if I have any in my BC closet, free to those in need.. and yes I too only wear mine a few times a year, I made mine, knitty titty and love it, wahable and light weight,

    let me know if I can help.. I have a websit to help collect and distribute to those in need, its all free thanks to the kindness of others .. so if you have extras send them on, if you need let me know

    MAry Beth

    www.pinkstock.webuda.com

  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited April 2010

    lovemygarden,

    You might want to experiment a little more with the 126s before you send them back. Yes, they are "stiff," but what do you think about the shape? On me, they have a nice, natural-looking shape. I wear them in my Still-You camisoles and little Maidenform bralette and they look very natural. If you touch them, no, they don't feel natural like silicone, but they look fine and do come in handy when I want to feel as if I have virtually nothing on. Have you tried the form with various bras? How about with swimsuits? Some women sew them into regular swimsuits and don't wear mastectomy suits.

    That said, I've been dissappointed in the latest 126s (I discuss this on BreastFree.org), since Amoena replaced the latex filling with polyurethane foam. I believe they did it out of concern with latex allergies, even though the foam is covered, which is understandable, but the newer form doesn't lie quite as smoothly against my chest and is just a tad lighter. The tiny bit of weight before held it in place better.

    But my bigger point I guess is that I find that different forms work better with some bras than others, so over time I've built up a number of choices. The non-silicone forms are reasonably priced, so that didn't break the bank and, as I said, I did it over time. When I travel, I take my 126s and my Amoena Climates. But when I'm at home, I keep a few more choices handy.

    On the other hand, as I said, we're all different. For me, the hard feel of the 126 is compensated for by its comfort and its natural appearance. For you, the "stiffness" may rule it out.

    Barbara

  • lovemygarden
    lovemygarden Member Posts: 342
    edited May 2010

    Hi Barbara, I did try the 126 in both of my bras and the funny thing is, I was really bothered by the "hard" edges of that form, which I could definitely feel right through the thin fabric of the pockets. I realize that it's just overstitching but to me those edges were very annoying, and the hard feel of the form itself made me feel like I was wearing one of those old vintage Madonna cone bras. Surprised So overall I was far more aware of the 126 being there than I am with either the Comfort-Lite or the Amoena fiberfill. As for the shape, I actually thought it looked smaller (less projection) than the other two, which IMO didn't help shape my front very much. I can see that the fiberfill puffy will so far probably be my choice for wearing under the bulkier winter sweaters with which I used to wear a more padded bra anyway. 

     I haven't worn a swimsuit in more than ten years and don't intend to ever again, so that's not an issue with me.  Cool

  • robinlbe
    robinlbe Member Posts: 585
    edited April 2010

    Hey, guess what???  I brought home my "bumps" today!!  I did tear up during my fitting (initially), but the lady just kept right on going - not sure if she noticed or not.  It was just the two of us in the store.  All told, she spent almost an hour and a half with me.  I didn't like any of the bras she showed me - they were ugly (in my opinion) and they didn't feel right.  I would raise my arms, and the bras would crawl up.  Not good for a music teacher/flute player, etc. 

    I had brought one of my comfy bras, a couple of shirts, and pictures of my bare chest taken the night before my BMX.  I decided to try the forms with my comfy bra....and it worked!  The fitter thought my own bra was too big, but for me comfort is way too important. 

    Anyway, the store didn't have a whole lot to choose from the in the way of forms, but I ended up with the Amoena Natura Light 2s, in size 4 (style/number or whatever 390).  I didn't buy a bra, but did go ahead and purchase the pocket things to make it easier on me to sew into my own bras. 

    I wore the forms at supper - my husband watched me put them in/on, but my kids didn't know.  They looked so natural, that my daughter (age 17) didnt' realize it for about 30 minutes!!  And then she got really excited :)  She said the forms passed the "hug" test. 

    When I went to where my 12 y.o. son was , I asked him if he noticed anything...of course, he had known I had planned to go to that store....then he asked if I "got some"...ha!  Then he looked straight at my chest and grinned.,  Then he shyly asked if he could see one.  I grabbed it out of my bra and handed it to him.  I thought he was going to croak :)   But he was pretty amazed.

    Anyway, my husband and the two kids at home (college kid of course hasnt' seen them) all give their approval.  Our insurance doesn't pay as well as we had hoped/thought....argh, but at least it's better than nothing...

    Most of the time, I'll probably go without, but it's nice to know I have bumps now so I can wear all my clothes :)

    blessings....robin

    p.s.  Barbara, yes, I'll share my story...thanks for asking :)

  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited April 2010

    Robin....... you know that I'm always a few steps behind you.

    Thanks for the play-by-play.

    Helps me wrap my brain around that excursion.

    Maybe next month for me.

    Glad that your family has been supportive of this phase.

    Congrats!!

    xx00xx00xx

  • BoobsinaBox
    BoobsinaBox Member Posts: 550
    edited April 2010

    Hi, Robin.  I just wanted to say I'm really happy for you, and I hope you enjoy them very much. Sounds like you've got a great family!

    Dawn 

  • lovemygarden
    lovemygarden Member Posts: 342
    edited May 2010

    Robin, so glad things went well! I too wonder why shop fitters keep pushing the "bra's gotta be tight" thing despite our protests that it feels uncomfortable. In retrospect I wish I'd bought the 36A Classique instead of the 34A but hey, that's what those handy bra-band extender tabs were made for! Wink

    I have a question for Barbara and anyone else who has tried one of the microbead breastforms (either the Silique "1st Choice Microbead Triangle", or the Been-a-Boob, or similar): Do they work well in camisole pockets, or are they too "floppy/saggy" for that? Logically it seems as if they would need a fairly small/tight pocket to keep their shape. 

  • Faith316
    Faith316 Member Posts: 2,431
    edited April 2010

    lovemygarden -- I bought one of the Been-a-Boobs.  It really isn't floppy and soggy.  It is pretty full of the silicon beads so it is pretty compact.  You might be picturing a beanbag and how the beans in them roll all from one side to another.  But, the BAB isn't like that.  There isn't a lot of movement because it is full.  I don't know why it wouldn't work in a cami.

  • robinlbe
    robinlbe Member Posts: 585
    edited April 2010

    Update from Robin-no-breast who now has bumpsWink.....I sewed in my pockets on two of my bras tonight.  It was "sew" easy!!!  I may try wearing bumps tomorrow....first time in public.....I think I'm looking forward to it, and I already know what I'm going to wear to church on Sunday!!  A nice top that I haven't been able to wear since my BMX (because it needed bumpsCry)....but I tried it on with the forms last night, and it was perfect!!!  I even got the pockets sewn into my black bra tonight so it should work out fine!!  yippee.....(sort of, but you all know and understand...)

    blessings..robin

  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited April 2010

    Hopefully, after a while, you won't think of them as "bumps." The reason I like breast forms and continue to wear them (as opposed to going flat) is that when I have my forms on and am out in the world, I feel as if I do have breasts. I forget about them. They look natural, they move naturally, and they keep my body in proportion. Before bc, I used to put on my bra in the morning. Now I put on my bra with breast forms inside. Once on, they're part of me, until I take them off. Not bumps, breasts.

    But if "bumps" works for you, that's great. Having a sense of humor about the whole experience really helps!

    Barbara

  • lovemygarden
    lovemygarden Member Posts: 342
    edited May 2010
    "Bumps" works for me too, actually.  Smile  I am really amazed that I feel so much more comfortable going "flat" than otherwise; so, for me the only motivation to add any shaping in front comes from a desire to sometimes avoid making other people feel awkward when they're around me. And truly it only applies to certain people/certain situations, not everyday. Hence the forms don't really rate any higher priority in my life than being just "bumps, worn in occasional deference to societal expectations". As far as my personal physical comfort goes, they're something I'm willing to tolerate wearing occasionally for short periods of time; I can't see ever regarding breastforms of any type as being part of me, or even wanting to feel that way. My natural breasts were never all that big a deal to me anyhow! But of course we're all different and that's the great thing about people! Laughing
  • robinlbe
    robinlbe Member Posts: 585
    edited April 2010

    Barbara, I've been using the word bumps sort of jokingly.....I mostly have been calling them forms, prosthetics, or foobies...but I also resent them, too. I know it's not their faults, but I detest them.  I hate what they stand for , and I hate that I have to have them. 

    BUT, I did wear my altered bras today filled with my expensive silicone inserts (how's that for another termWink??), and I was playfully showing them off to those I feel closest to, and one friend said it gave me "curves"...which I thought was nice!!

     (of course, not very big curves, but just the right size for me ==very close to what I was pre-BC)

    I'm sure someday I'll get used to them....guess I"ll have to, as I'll have to deal with them the rest of my life....but I can see myself (at this point, anyway) going flat at times, and only using the forms for tops that need some filling out.....The forms aren't so huge that its extremely obvious, so I think this might just work....*but we'll see...

    blessings...robin

  • lovemygarden
    lovemygarden Member Posts: 342
    edited May 2010

    Maybe it's just me but I think "prosthesis" (although of course it's the "technically correct" term!) is such an ugly word for something that's intended to make a woman look feminine. Foot in mouth To me that word conjures up images of wooden legs and plastic arms...

    So I prefer either "foobs" (can you honestly say a word like that and not smile or giggle, at least mentally? Laughing ) or just plain old garden-variety "bumps"!

     p.s. to robin: You could also refer to the Expensive Foobs, computerwise at least, as the $ilicone ones, or The Big-Bucks Bump$ !  Cool

  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited April 2010

    "Breast forms" works for me.

  • robinlbe
    robinlbe Member Posts: 585
    edited April 2010

    ooh, I do like bump$$$...ha!

    I have to laugh and find jokes about this, otherwise, I'd be crying....I think it's my way of dealing with this right now....it's all still so new.

    I wore my foobies/bump$/form$ all day yesterday, and then today, too....but by late afternoon, the bra was really bothering and irritating my sides.  As soon as I got home, I tore that baby off!!!  I'm' still feeling that burning sensation, and the bee stings - that I guess are the nerves healing up.... I am three months post BMX, and even though I thought I was healed, the onc. I saw on MOnday, said I wasn't. 

    Maybe when I'm a pro like you, Barbara, I'll be more comfortable with all of this....it usually takes me a while to adapt, and I certainly haven't adapted to a flat chest in three months, and there's absolutely no way I've adapted to $ilicone breast replacements in two days....trying to, yes. 

    Have to work tomorrow....have about 175 students.....trying to decide if I'll go flat or try out the new things.  But if my sides feel the say they are right now, there's no way I can tolerate them :(

    sigh....

    One bright spot though, in all of this....I never have to worry about nipples showing if I get cold!!

    blessings...robin

  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited April 2010

    Robin,

    Believe me, I'm no pro. Like you, I'm figuring this out as I go. Starting BreastFree.org was one way I felt maybe I could turn lemons into lemonade. Unlike you, even after almost four years, I still haven't had the courage to go flat in public. So in that respect, you're way ahead of me.

    Sometimes I worry that my involvement with BreastFree has kept me too focused on breast cancer and particularly on my mastectomy. But it's not something I'd really forget about, even if I had reconstruction.

    Barbara 

  • annamari
    annamari Member Posts: 82
    edited April 2010

    I do have a Breast form  but there are other options.  One is a product called "Been-a-boob"  they are about $65.00 in Canada.  If you are a Knitter there is instructions to something called Tit Bit and I found it through a friend It is available at WWWcanadianliving.com/october.  I am going to try to make one for myself.  the Breastforms here cost about $450.00+.  I even had problems finding a cotton mastectomy bra.  I get itchy with nylon and polyester.  Good luck finding something reasonably priced

  • lilith
    lilith Member Posts: 543
    edited April 2010

    For at least 2 months after my mx, I went around with... ahem, a ball of cheese cloth on the mx side. I even wore it in the swimsuit!

    eventually, I was fitted with an amoena, and I hated the poor thing. it felt as a dead body part (sorry for the gross factor), it irritated my skin, and it stuck to my scar. yuk. I was wearing it sometimes, using one of my normal bras (I cut off the underwire from those). at home I was going 1/2 and 1/2... and sometimes I would even forget to use it inside.

    I guess it was good to have - if I didn't I would have wondered if that would have helped. but I know it didn't.  

  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited April 2010

    I can imagine that if you wore a silicone Amoena form directly against the skin, it would have been awfully irritating. There are much more comfortable ways to go.

  • robinlbe
    robinlbe Member Posts: 585
    edited April 2010

    Barbara, I have to say I have learned SO much from you.....you have always been so willing to share everything you have tried and I have so much respect for you.  You are always so willing to help all of us out, and I am forever grateful.    I have made so many notes from your website and from what you have written as replies regarding these forms/bumps/curves :)

    I'm trying to get used to them....and I DID wear them all day teaching.  But do you know, not only does my side feel irritated, my chest (like one of the rib bones) is sore now.  It's weird.

    I don't like it, though, that I don't feel as if I can have one of my cats climb on my chest while I"m wearing them, though.....that's the LAST thing I need....is for one of their claws to puncture this baby.....(even though I keep their claws clipped close.)

    I don't know...even though I never got upset about the BC, and I've never questioned "why me?", I  guess the forms just remind me even more about the BC and it bugs me.  Guess I haven't really totally accepted it all yet.

    I need a new swimsuit (I know, that's a different thread), but I get so discouraged looking at those in the store.  I really don't see a need to buy a mastectomy suit....because I wouldn't mind (too much) going flat.  But I don't want to wear $600 worth of forms in a pool...and definitely NOT the lake....

    blessings..robin

  • arby
    arby Member Posts: 126
    edited April 2010

    Hi, I thot I'd share what has worked for me as the silicone is going to stay in the box as the weather heats up above 75.  I can already tell it will be hot and uncomfortable as well as irritating to my compromised skin.  So since I'm an A/B cup, I've gotten along fine with the camisoles from Target or Shop-Ko.  They are double layered at the bust, so are easy to slit and voila, a pocket for a light foam, form.  I've been wearing this camisole because it is not tight around the rib cage and therefore, my skin doesn't get irritated.  I have cammi's in white and black, and one I cut shorter just for a neater look.  They are modest and make me feel confident in most of my clothes, except for light plain t-shirts. (then I'm self conscious if my straps aren't even and I'm assymetrical!)  SO I choose patterned tops and get along fine.  The mastectomy bras for us smaller sizes seem to be brutal hardware!!!  The TLC magazine has good products, very reasonable.  Best to each of you on this thread as we all try to enjoy spring and adapt our wardrobes to look our best and feel good.  love, arby 

  • lovemygarden
    lovemygarden Member Posts: 342
    edited May 2010

    Robin, so sorry to hear that you're still so sensitive/uncomfortable 3 months out. Frown  Guess I was very lucky to have had all those issues disappear permanently at 5-6 weeks post-op!

     Barbara, my Fabu-Forms came yesterday and although I expected them to feel comfortable I was disappointed. Apparantly I do not like the feel of anything either solid or weighty; it's hard to describe other than to say that I feel as if I'm putting on a piece of armor (whether it's in a bra or in a cami). It just feels very very annoying. 

     So I'm going to try one last time and will exchange the Fabu-Forms for Silique's 1st Choice Micro-Bead forms. Since they are completely flexible I shouldn't have any "solidity" issues and since they weigh less than an ounce they won't pull a cami down. In fact I haven't even decided whether I like wearing a cami/form combo! I know I don't like it with any of the several forms I have so far tried with them. If I still don't like them when tried with the micro-bead forms then I'll just say the heck with the entire cami idea; but at this point I don't know whether I dislike them because I haven't found a form that feels right for me when used with a cami, or whether I just don't like the cami thing period.

    By way, FYI on the weight of a size 4 Fabu-Form: it's 2.4 ounces. So here are some weight comparisons between the different kinds of forms in the same size (4):

    Amoena 126 poly foam: 0.6 ounce; Amoena fiberfill puffy: 0.8 ounce; Silique Fabu-Form Triangle weighted foam: 2.4 ounces; Silique Comfort-Lite (lightweight silicone/microbead combo): 4.2 ounces. 

    If after trying the microbead forms I still don't like the sensation of "foreign objects" against my chest, I may just see if wearing a standard firmly-molded-cup bra (without anything stuffed inside it) works best for me. I'm not a "social hugging" person anyway, so the only reason I would wear a bra in the first place is solely for 'visual effect'. From what I've read, the problem with wearing an empty regular bra is that the front will ride up; is that correct? If so, I'm wondering if some creative sewing ideas might result in some way to weigh down the front band area (not the cups themselves) just enough to keep the bra front in place; I'm going to give it some thought. 

    arby, thanks for the tip on the camis; there is a Target near me so I will take a look next time I'm up that way. I did order one of the TLC camis plus a Luisa cami  at about twice the price from another source; I was surprised to find not much difference in quality even though I expected the TLC one (from disappointing experiences with their headwear) to be  something I wouldn't like. The fit is different (the TLC medium runs a bit bigger and thus doesn't fit quite as snug as the Luisa, which for me is an advantage for the TLC) but visually the two look almost identical. 

  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited April 2010

    arby,

    I agree about most mastectomy bras -- brutal hardware is a good way to put it! And so many mastectomy bras come up very high under the arm, my most sensitive area. My skin is also easily irritated. I have found a few bras that work, though (two by Anita), and I also use little Maidenform bralettes with lightweight microfiber-backed silicone forms -- very comfortable.

    It sounds as if you've arrived at the same solution I have for everyday comfort--soft camis with lightweight non-silicone forms. In my case, I use the Still You Tank Top (really a classic camisole), since the pockets are already there. But it's rather expensive, so I'll have to look into your Target alternative!

    lovemygarden,

    Sorry the Fabu-Forms didn't work for you. I agree that it's all about finding the combination of the right form with the right bra or camisole. Not always easy. Glad you're slowly figuring out what works best for you. Hopefully, you'll wind up with a few comfortable options. I've not liked the bra-with-no-form option for myself, but I know of other women who wear little padded bras with nothing else. Please keep us posted on what you figure out.

    Robin,

    Thanks for your kind words. I've been feeling a bit "preachy" on this thread, so I appreciate the positive feedback. 

    I can totally relate to the soreness you're feeling. As I said to arby, my skin is easily irritated. Like you, if I constrict the area too much, I feel a soreness in my ribs. I'm impressed that you actually wore the bra all day teaching when you were already feeling sore from the day before. I have a few alternatives that I use when I need to give my chest a rest -- the cami/unweighted forms is one. That gives my chest a chance to recover and looks fine. In your case, since your surgery was fairly recent, you'll hopefully continue healing and be able to tolerate bras better over time.

    I haven't heard people talk much about cats. I have a small dog who often sits on my lap, but he doesn't use his nails the way cats use their claws. The only time I ever punctured a form was with my own fingernail, while trying to stuff it into a pocket with a tiny opening. I think it would be hard for a cat to do damage if the form were protected by your bra and top, but I suppose it could happen.

    For me, the swimsuit issue has been the greatest challenge. But I don't swim that often, so haven't really tackled it head-on. I find the mastectomy swimsuits tend to have bigger cups than I want. I have a cute Land's End suit and a nice Anita one. But I'd really like to have a regular suit modified with pockets. Here's a new site from the U.K. with very cute suits: about the girl. They do ship to the U.S., but it's expensive. If you come up with any good solutions, please let us know.

    One thing I've felt a little "preachy" about is my conviction that there are ways to feel and look good without needing reconstruction. NOT that there's anything wrong with having reconstruction. It's clearly the preferred choice for many women. But, some of us feel best with the minimal amount of surgery and rearrangement of our bodies. So, while I don't in any way object to reconstruction, I do get upset when women who are leaning toward reconstruction give breast forms a brief try, don't like them, then write about how awful they are. I believe Lilith, who posted above, went on to have reconstruction (I've seen her posts on another forum). Sometimes, if women are leaning toward recon, they don't invest the time and effort to make breast forms work. That's fine and understandable, but when they post about their experience here, it gives the impression that one can't find comfortable solutions.

    Okay, I'm off my high horse! Have a great weekend!

    Barbara

  • lovemygarden
    lovemygarden Member Posts: 342
    edited May 2010

    arby!!!! Thank you SOOOOO much for the tip about the Target camis!!! Laughing  I went there today and looked in the sportswear, activewear, and intimates sections at all the cami-type tops, not knowing which one you meant. At first all of them with a shelf bra were open at the bottom (so a foob would fall out.. not workable) but then I saw the camis on one of the bra displays. They had one style by Gilligan & O'Malley that has "removable cups" (which are no more than thin fabric shapers) but they are in actual "breastform pockets"! Tada!  Laughing Better yet, it was the fabric I wanted (96% cotton). Even better, it has adjustable straps. BEST yet... only $12.99. So I bought one to bring home and try with my fiberfill foob (since I haven't received the Silique microbead ones yet)...

    OMG, not only does it fit perfectly and is light enough to wear under all my tee-tops but.... because of the ultra skinny straps and v-neckline, the entire  cami clears my port area! LaughingLaughingLaughingWhich is something that my Classique bra does not do, and my Anita bra just barely does (depending on how I move).

    I am so ordering more of these online, since they only had 1 white in size M in the store (I wish they came in more colors than white, black, and fuchsia though).

    Thank you so much!

  • robinlbe
    robinlbe Member Posts: 585
    edited April 2010

    Hey ladies, I have a question for you.....

    As you know, I have only had my forms for a week now.  I have worn them all day long for about five days.  I noticed today, when I took off my bra, that under both arms that fluid had gathered and both underarms were extra puffy....is this normal?  My BMX was 1/6/10. 

    I'm not wearing a mastectomy bra, as I didn't like the ones the store had - they were ugly, and very uncomfortable.  So, I'm using my old bras where I had sewn in pockets.  I know the lady at the store said that the MX bras' sides went up higher to give more compression to aide in the body's ability to absorb the fluid, so I don't have that advantage, but I certainly didn't expect the fluid to increase....

    Anyone else remember this happening???

    blessings..robin

  • dancingneedles
    dancingneedles Member Posts: 18
    edited April 2010

    Robin,

    You may want to check with your doctor about this...

    My personal experience:  I had surgery about a year prior to yours (A total of 4 lymph nodes removed).  And, I had chest wall and underarm swelling that would dissipate an hour or two after removing my lingerie.  At the time, I wondered if it was lymphedema and was evaluated medically. 

    With time, the swelling has been less and less.  I cannot remember the last time I had swelling after wearing forms all day. 

    I would recommend being checked for lymphedema because there are several good therapies to help it from progressing further.  Binney on the Lymphedema board is very knowledgeable if you have lymphedema-related questions.

  • Suzybelle
    Suzybelle Member Posts: 920
    edited April 2010

    Erica/Barbara, I love your posts - you've helped me so much!  You never strike me as preachy.

     Don't know if anyone is interested, but I found some great camis at Walmart for 3 bucks each.  They do NOT have pockets, but I'm not wearing forms at all and I use these under my clothes.  They're super soft and made from organic cotton.

    Robin, I'm sorry you're having some swelling.  I went to the LE therapist to get a compression sleeve to wear when I fly as a precautionary measure...she told me my surgery arm is 9% bigger than my left arm.  I was so upset.  So apparently, I'm having some issues as well.  Frown

    I'm trying to keep a smile on my face, but this is kind of sucking. 

  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited April 2010

    Robin, do check with your doc about that swelling, although I think it's probably not uncommon for that to happen.

    Two years after my mast/SNB, I still get swelling/puffiness under my left arm after I've worn a bra for a few hours.  I only had 3 nodes removed (all negative), but it turns out that's enough to get lymphedema.  Mine is very mild and transient; but I notice it after wearing a bra.

    I have a silicone foob ($$$) that I never wear, and two mastectomy bras that I hate.  FWIW, neither one of those bras goes high enough under my arm to help put pressure on the area that swells.  Some mast bras probably would, but not mine.  I've had people suggest that I get one of those full-torso "shaper" bras, but that doesn't work either because they squish all the fat on my ribcage up toward the armpit area.  <sigh>

    So what I am doing (as I've mentioned elsewhere) is wearing my comfortable, soft, stretchy cotton bras (pre-mast) and a fiber-filled "form" that apparently is just a breast form cover.  It's triangular-shaped and flat on the back, with a slit to allow adjustment of the amount of filling.  It is a perfect match to my right (normal) side, size-wise; and it passes the hug test because it's soft and squishy (unlike some of the foam forms).

    But, what to do about that underarm puffiness?  I ordered a "lateral Swell Spot" from Solaris.  I think it's the one they call a "Lateral Bra Swell Spot" on their website:               http://solarismed.com/store/cart.php?m=product_list&c=4

    I slip that Swell Spot under my bra on the left side and adjust it so it reaches from the edge of my bra pocket (where the form is) around to the back of my armpit.  In the pic on their website, they are showing the "Lateral" running vertically; but I turn it horizontally so the edges stick out just a little bit above and below the side band on my bra.  You do need a stretchy bra to make it work (or one that's a size too big I guess).  It keeps the swelling under control and it feels good.

    There are other sizes and configurations of Swell Spots (see the website) for other applications.  They aren't expensive, although I think they were even cheaper when I bought mine last year.

    Binney (Binney4) on the Lymphedema forum knows lots about this swelling business.

    otter

  • lovemygarden
    lovemygarden Member Posts: 342
    edited May 2010

    otter, that's really interesting (but what a bummer Frown) about the swelling from bras. I had 2 negative sentinel nodes removed on my left side, with my BMX almost 3 months ago and have had no swelling (knock wood); but.... other than for brief fittings/try-ons, I have not been wearing a bra of any kind. I prefer to go flat whenever I can, so I hope I will only "have to" wear a bra on rare occasions and for no more than a couple of hours at most. That's why I'm now so happy to have found a workable alternative (cami) for casual social wear otherwise.

    As I understand what you said, the swelling only occurs when you've worn a bra that does NOT press tightly on the underarm area? Wouldn't it be more logical for something that's tight to cause swelling by pressing on sensitized spots, than to prevent it? Or is it that the pressure from a lower cut bra is on the 'wrong' (lower) spot rather than the 'right' (higher) one? 

    So having either zero pressure (no bra) or lots of pressure (tight high-underarm bra) are the safest options?

  • robinlbe
    robinlbe Member Posts: 585
    edited April 2010

    Yeah, see that's something I don't understand either.....that's what the lady at the store said.  That the higher and tighter sides of the MX bras offer the compression I needed to keep the fluids down....I don't get that.  When I took my bra off yesterday (it's my old one that I sewed pockets on/in to hold the forms), even my husband could see the swelling/fluid-build up and he *really* got concerned.  I wore it again all day today, but didn't notice it quite so much....but it's still there.

    I just don't understand how the body is supposed to absorb the fluid.  I've had little fluid pockets from the beginning that are STILL there.....

    (if you're thinking I'm not a very patient person, you're thinking right...<grin>)

    blessings..robin

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