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

Hmmm...

"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?"  I don't know, because I've never had a bra that went all the way up into my armpit.  My breast surgeon and my LE therapist both said I should try to find a bra that goes up that high -- they suggested "sports bras" -- but I haven't had any luck.  My bras are stretchy and have fairly wide side-bands.  Anything narrow or with a sharp elastic band leaves a distinct "track" in my side; and my LE therapist said that's a very bad thing.  (More about that in a moment.)

"Wouldn't it be more logical for something that's tight to cause swelling by pressing on sensitized spots, than to prevent it?"  Not necessarily.  For me (and for most people with lymphedema, I think), the issue isn't "sensitized spots" -- it's disrupted lymphatic drainage channels.  I had 3 nodes removed, but only 1 of them was all the way up in my armpit.  The other 2 sentinel nodes were farther down, where they would normally be covered by the side-band on my bra.  In addition to the surgery involved in taking out those nodes, things got messed up by the drain tubes that went through that area.

It's not the pressure directly on that damaged area that's causing a problem.  It's anything narrow (like the elastic along the edge of a bra) that cuts across just above that point.  Think of it sort of like something cutting off the circulation; only in this case, it's cutting off the lymphatic drainage that's trying to find its way to my remaining nodes.

Something that provides wide, even pressure over the area (like a lateral Swell Spot) doesn't restrict the flow of lymphatic fluid and cause swelling.  Instead, it keeps fluid from accumulating there, just as an LE compression sleeve does in an arm or compression stockings do in someone's legs (or an Ace bandage does on a sprained knee).

"Or is it that the pressure from a lower cut bra is on the 'wrong' (lower) spot rather than the 'right' (higher) one?"  Well, something like that.  Again, it's not pressure on a particular spot that causes me a problem.  It's the restriction of fluid flow by a narrow band of fabric or elastic that cuts across my chest wall.  That narrow band of elastic would cause trouble no matter where it was.  So, what I need is a wide, stretchy fabric that doesn't have any firm edges.  

"So having either zero pressure (no bra) or lots of pressure (tight high-underarm bra) are the safest options?"   I guess so, unless the bra is too tight or has narrow elastic bands (see above).  I really am not happy with anything I've tried so far, except for addition of the Swell Spot as needed.  It's thick and gray, though, so it doesn't look so good under a white blouse or light-colored tank top...

I wouldn't necessarily call those the "safest" options, anyway.  This is just a trial-and-error process, to find something that is comfortable and that does not trigger or worsen the mild swelling I get sometimes. YMMV, as usual.

otter

lovemygarden -- Thanks for the suggestion.  Yes, I think the bra-band extenders would help, especially for the soft bras I really liked pre-BC.  (I never have been overly fond of bras, and with my 34B/36A size, I usually wore them only for formal occasions, like buying groceries and going to WalMart.  It was hard enough to find a bra that was comfortable and that fit properly when I wasn't dealing with a missing boob and a sometimes-puffy chest wall/armpit.)

I actually bought a package of bra band extenders at Dillards a few months ago, only to discover that they didn't work with my bras.  Duh!  Turns out, I have 2-hook bras, and 3-hook bras, and bras with "narrow" bands (hooks are closer together) and traditional "wide" bands.  So I have to find just the right hook/band arrangement for the bra(s) I intend to wear.  I did Google them and all the various widths/hooks are available on-line for a cost that's less than the cost of shipping.

Oh, how I WISH we had a Jo-Ann's here, for a variety of reasons.  We did, but I didn't know it was there until the store had already gone out of business.  <sigh>

otter

I can't imagine not wearing my forms. It must be vanity or an image thing with me. This is not to fault those that go flat. I just can't do it, I have tried. Noting fits and I feel naked. I really can't see how you can do it with one breast. I removed one of my forms and felt so unbalanced and couldn't conceal the fact I had a breast missing. I admire those that can go flat either with one or both breasts removed. I guess I haven't gotten over the fact I don't have my breasts. 

I agree completely, Suzybelle.  

Franie, you have been through one of the worst nightmares of women.  Now you can do whatever makes you feel the best!

Dawn 

Lovemygarden, don't toss them away!  I bet there is an organization close to you that will recycle them and get them to a breast cancer patient who can't afford to buy bras.  The American Cancer Society will recycle them for you as well. 

 I had no idea going into this how many women have to struggle with the bras, forms, etc., because their insurance won't cover it, or else they have no insurance.

I had to laugh when I read your last post...you are a mastectomy bra/form EXPERT.  I certainly never thought 6 months ago that I would know so much about that topic!!!!!