Bra sizing and breast form questions

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otter
otter Member Posts: 6,099
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

Hi, all --

I am on the verge of ordering a microbead breast form from the TLC website (http://www.tlcdirect.org/products/sku-8139__dept-34__size-3.html), but I am still wondering about sizing.  I thought I'd start this thread, in case anyone else also has questions about the size charts and variability of mast bras and breast forms.

Before my BC diagnosis, I typically wore a 34A or 34A+ ("almost B") bra.  Since my mast/SNB, the band on a size 34 seems way too tight.  Depending on the bra style, I most often wear a 36B now (my favorite Bestform sports bra, for instance).  The local mastectomy bra fitter measured me and insisted I should be wearing a 34B, though.  In case I wasn't already confused enough, I measured myself and checked some of the on-line bra size charts and calculators.  They say I should be wearing a 38AA!!!  (Great -- I'm wearing training bras at age 58.)

I can compensate for the tight band by using a bra band extender; but I still need to know what size breast form to get. Based on my bra size, the on-line breast form size charts indicate that I should get a size 4 breast form, or maybe even a 5.  But, the mastectomy bra fitter tried a size 3 Amoena Natura Light on me and said it was too big.  She told me I needed a size 2.  To me, the size 2 ("shape" 2S?) looks quite a bit smaller than my other breast.

Anyway, I'm probably going to guess, and order a size 4 microbead form from TLC.  Did someone here say they tend to run larger than the regular silicone forms?

Thanks for your patience.  It seems like all I do is whine about bra discomfort these days.

otter

[Edited to try to shorten this, without much luck.]

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Comments

  • lovemygarden
    lovemygarden Member Posts: 342
    edited June 2010

    otter, I was exactly the same bra sizing as you, "before", and am just as sensitive to  bra discomfort now! From the past few months' experiments I can say that the only comfortable bra I found is the Anita Nastaja in a 36 band... any 34 band just feels too tight now, and the bra extenders aren't 100% perfect. But the 36 band feels perfect, even though that original PITA bra shop fitter insisted I "should/must" wear no bigger than a 34 even though I kept telling her I was uncomfortable in it! Bah humbug to her! Cool

    As to cup size I ended up getting the microbead forms in pairs of both the size 4 ( = A cup) and the size 5 ( = B cup) and I wear whichever size looks better with the top that I choose. They are equally comfy to wear. If I had to have only ONE size though, I would go with the 5 (the B cup) because that IMO looks better under sweaters and other bulky fall/winter clothing. 

    I wear my size 5 microbead forms with a 36B Anita Nastaja bra. I wear my size 4 forms with the 36A Nastaja bras that I originally bought. Both size forms work perfectly in the size Medium camisole from Target that's discussed in the other thread!

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  • LindaLou53
    LindaLou53 Member Posts: 929
    edited June 2010

    Hi Otter,

    Don't know if it helps or not, but this last couple of weeks since I have been playing with the TLC micro bead forms and also making my own I am learning some other factors that affect how the forms will look in clothing.  I used to wear a 38C bra before my mastectomies so I ordered the size 7 TLC microbead forms.  I also have a problem with my right chest being more concave than the left chest though, so I really needed one size larger on the right. I ended up ordering a sz 8 form also. I initially noted that the forms looked pretty flat in some of my tops and more projection in others. 

    The great thing about the micro bead forms is they are very adaptable to whatever type of "containment" garment you put them in.  If you have a supportive underwire bra with a wide gusset (center portion between breasts) the breast forms will be shaped more firmly and provide more projection in profile.  If you wear the forms in a non-shaped shelf bra type garment the forms will tend to spread out and look flatter.

    Otter I suspect you will do just fine with the sz 4 micro bead form and can adjust the look depending on the type of garment you wear it in.  I'm like you and hate tight constricting bra bands so always want my tops to be non-binding and comfortable.  That is why I really don't wear bras anymore but use tank tops and camisoles especially since I have been going flat anyway these last 4 years.  

    Now that I am trying to convert some of my old shelf bra tank tops to wear with the new home made micro bead forms, I have started adding more shape and structure to the tank tops with some extra rows of stitching to create better shape in the garment.

    Here is a pic of the inside of my tank top that came with a shelf bra.  I just had to enclose the shelf bra by stitching the elastic band in the front to the front shirt only and then make side slits for slipping the breast forms into the newly created pocket.  In order to define the breast shape better I stitched down the center of the top to create some separation between the forms and also did a few areas of stitching around the top and bottom of the cup area.

    I then just added my micro bead breast forms into the pockets.  I wear these tank tops as under garments since I don't want a tight bra band due to my lymphedema.  The top is loose and comfortable but the forms are secured in place and look pretty natural under a shirt or blouse.

     

      You will find with the micro bead forms that you can do a little "adjusting" by just using your hand to push the form one direction or the other to shape the look.  They are very moldable by hand but the type of garment you will wear them in is also a huge factor in the final appearance.

    Good luck with your new forms when you get them!  Hope you like them as much as I do.  They are so comfortable!

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  • Sher
    Sher Member Posts: 540
    edited July 2010

    Linda, what brand is your tank top?  It looks like a soft jersey or T-shirst type material and very comfy!

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  • LindaLou53
    LindaLou53 Member Posts: 929
    edited July 2010

    Hi Sher,

    I have a variety of brands in these tank tops, They are all a soft cotton knit 95% cotton / 5% spandex.  I bought these several years ago prior to my BC so don't know if the brands are still available but they are Gloria Vanderbilt Initimate Collection (have little lace trim at the neckline same brand as in my picture), Body Bleu and Esprit brands (both have plain necklines).  I used to buy them all at Sams Club but they stopped carrying them. The Body Bleu brand comes 2 in a pack for $9.99 and can still be bought at this website: (I haven't tried this website myself but just found them on a google search)

    http://www.frenchdressing.com/cami.htm

    They are all very comfortable, light weight and easy to launder.

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