New Bra

TO BE CLEAR, THESE AREN'T COOBIE, THEY ARE ILYS; MADE FROM SAME MANUFACTURER."

What the eBay photo didn't show is that the front band has white text saying "SEXY NICE" 1/2" high.  Hoo boy. The insert pads are round, not triangular. Feel like they're made of foam and might have enough projection to look like a gentle curve for those with b/l mx.  I'm a uni mx, and my silicone form was too heavy and my microbead form sorta ok. 

I found the straps itchy and irritating on both sides where the adjustment hardware is sewn on, especially my side with trunkal LE. This is the big drawback for me. Not worth it to send back. I may wash it several times, vigorously, and see if anything softens up. If not, it's going to goodwill.

And I thought it was hard to find comfortable bras before my mx!

Hi Lunakin, yeah I saw those ILYS bras listed also before I ordered my Coobies but I was afraid they would not be the same.  It looked like the bra band below the cups was narrower and the lines of the bra just looked smaller in general.  Sorry they did not work out for you.  You definitely don't want to wear a bra that irritates your skin.

I still like my Coobies bras very much but again feel strongly they will not be as suitable for women with heavy silicone prosthesis or single mastectomy due to the matchup problem with both sides.  For BMX women who wear lightweight forms they seem to work better.  I suspect there are a wide variety of very similar bras in the same fabric and style, but you would have to trial each one to know for sure how they will feel and fit when wearing.

I'm hoping the seller on Ebay may restock with the real Coobie bras again soon.  

LOL!  I just realized.....COONIE really likes her FOOBIES in her new COOBIES!! 

It had to be fate Coonie with those names! 

What a great thread! I'm 3 1/2 weeks out from my bilateral mastectomy. I've been quite happy with my target camisoles and TLC "bean bag boobs" as I call them but I'd love the option to have a comfy bra to use them in. I have size 5's, do they smoosh down too much in this bra or is the projection ok? They were a bit smaller than I was expecting but once in the small pocket on the Target camis I find they look big enough under clothes. The link that LindaLou shared for the eBbay bras has sold out but I did find some more. They're supposed to be official Coobie bras and they're only $4.99 each with shipping for $2.06 (for NY at least). I was able to get 2 black bras with shipping of $2.57 for $12.55! They only have colors left now, blue, purple or yellow. Here's the link...

http://cgi.ebay.com/One-seamless-bra-top-straps-smooth-sexy-colors-NWT-/360234194329?pt=US_CSA_WC_Intimates&var= 

I got my Coobie bras today which was really fast considering I just ordered them Friday afternoon. I loooove them! This was the first time wearing a bra since my BMX last month and I felt like I looked like my old self for the first time. The Target camis have been comfy and lightweight but I think the microbead forms look more natural in the bra. I really like the scoop neck compared to the deep V. My size 5 breast forms fit just right too. They didn't smoosh down at all and they're just the same size as my real breasts were. The bra itself is very comfortable. It's soft and stretchy and so far stays in place just fine without being tight or restrictive (just for reference I wore a 36B before). I like them so much I ordered 3 more from the same seller on eBay. I got a set of 3 (black, beige and white) for $16.59 with free shipping. If you're interested in these bras keep an eye on this seller. There are the ones LindaLou posted too.

http://stores.ebay.com/Brazilian-Explosion 

Also, I want to take a minute to thank all of you helpful ladies here in the reconstruction alternatives forum. It seems like many (most?) of the women my age get reconstruction and it just never felt like the right thing for me. I just wasn't interested in the added surgeries or putting foreign objects in my body. The advice, experiences and photos you've shared made my decision much easier to make. A month ago tomorrow I had my bilateral mastectomy and I'm feeling great and so far have no regrets about not reconstructing. I've been healing quickly and I feel almost normal now. I haven't needed pain meds for 2 weeks, am doing all my normal activities and can pick up my 2 year old daughter again.  

Though I'm happy with my decision I'm not very comfortable going flat (yet?). The recommendations shared here for affordable, comfy bras/camis and lightweight prosthesis have been priceless! It's made the transtion into my new breastless life so much easier. Thank you so much!!!

Kate:  I'm so happy the bras are working for you!  I'm also glad to hear that you are doing and feeling so well one month post BMX....that is fantastic!  You still need to take it easy when it comes to lifting and returning to your normal work load.  Post operative healing takes many months so treat your body gently! 

I totally agree that for some of us reconstruction is just not that enticing.  I have never regretted my decision and find it actually affords so many more options.  I go flat anytime I like at home or at the gym or shopping etc., but I still have a huge variety of choices for bras, camisoles, sports tops and prosthesis whenever I feel like "dressing up"  or just need a piece of clothing to fit better.

I really am having a ton of fun with the new Coobie bras and lightweight microbead forms. I just experimented yesterday with laundring a Coobie bra with the microbead forms still in the pockets.  I threw them in cold water on the gentle cycle and then gentle fluff dry for about 30 minutes.  They came out great!  The microbead forms still felt slightly damp but were plumped up and not damaged in anyway I could tell.  I just let them air dry in the sunshine the rest of the way.  The Coobie bra helped protect the forms and it saved me the trouble of having to remove and re-insert the forms each time.  I did remove the little elastic straps on the bras though before throwing them in the wash.  I was afraid they might be a tangled mess if I didn't.  You could also throw the bras and forms in a regular netted laundry bag too to keep them separate from the rest of the laundry.

Patty:  So glad you found the Coobies now before your surgery!  That will give you a nice option for the tender healing period when you wouldn't want anything heavy on your chest anyway.  Be sure to check out the TLC lightweight microbead forms to use with the bras.  There are many of us now wearing some version of those forms and loving them even years out after surgery!

Best wishes for your upcoming surgery and be sure to let us know how you are doing.

Nagem,

You can try Jo-Ann Fabrics or Hancock Fabrics online to order your microbeads and have them shipped to your door if that is easier.

 They are on sale now at Jo-Anns for $14.01+ Shipping and Sales tax.  Just do a search on their website for Poly-Fil Micro Beads.

 The only problem is that it is a HUGE bag of microbeads and will be much more than you need unless you decide to start crafting other projects or breast forms.

The microbeads are the trickiest part about making the breast forms and will easily drive you nuts as they float all over your work area.  I suggest trying to fill the fabric covers outside.  Leave as small an opening as possible to fill the beads so you can contain them better and have less whipstitching to do after the covers are full of microbeads.  Also make sure the fabric covers are a tight weave and won't let the tiny beads push out.

Good Luck!

Has anyone ordered the Coobies with the lace trim?  Just wondering if they are the same in fit, material, insert pads, etc?

Wow. A thread that combines all my recent and longtime favorite topics: eBay, bra-shopping, comfort!   That "one size fits all" part made me scoff, but I see that it stretches to 46"!  Maybe this is one "one size fits all" item that is true....and you all seem to love it. I'm still in my apres-surgery compression/torture device. Comfort sounds awful nice.... 

I'm glad so many of you like the Coobies. Once again, though, I'm learning that we're all different. Unfortunately for me, I'm one who doesn't find the Coobie very comfortable. It comes up too high under my arms. I know some people like that feature, but that's the area where I'm sensitive and it bothers me.

I recently heard about another bra, called the Zee Bra (http://thezeebra.com/). It's more expensive than the Coobie ($40) and is only for AA-A cups, but the general idea is the same -- a seamless bra made out of stretchy, comfortable material. It has removable inserts, so pockets into which forms can be inserted. I ordered it direct from the company, but saw that it's also for sale at the same price from Women's Personal Health Resource, a mastectomy supplier. I'm hoping the material will be silkier than the Coobie and less irritating to me.

For me, the most comfortable solution I've found is still the Still You Tank Top camisole, worn with a foam or microbead form. I find the fabric of the camisole so soft and soothing. It never irritates my sensitive skin. It's more pricey than some camisoles ($68), but I've been wearing mine for four years, constantly, and they're still going strong, so I consider them a good investment. I machine wash them but let them dry flat.

Barbara 

Being able to sew would be a tremendous asset when dealing with garments for breast forms. I just checked online in my area and actually found several sewing classes. Do I dare? . . .  The last time I took sewing was in home ec in the 7th grade.

Hi ladies, I kind of stopped checking this thread after learning that the Coobie is step-in type (no back closure) because I've always disliked those; I like to be able to tweak the band-fit of any bra. But I'm happy to see that it works for many of you!

I'm like Erica, VERY sensitive in the underarms since my BMX ... even to the point that several of my tops made from heavier fabrics (fleece, terrycloth, etc) are now unwearable because their underarm seams are "too bulky" for me to wear anymore! I've also given away a few summer tanktops because the underarms were cut too high for my post-BMX comfort (even when going flat) although they never bothered me before. I've learned that everything now needs to have a generous/low armhole area and have flat seams there to boot, otherwise it's too uncomfortable for me to wear.

I also hate anything with an elastic band under the boobage area, but that's nothing new. Eliminates 90% of the camis out there. The one in the Target cami is so thin and loose that it doesn't bother me but anything either tighter or wider definitely would.

I admit it, I'm just a FPPITA (Fuss-Pot Pain In the...    )  when  it comes to stuff worn next to my skin; would you believe I've always cut the neckline tags out of all my tops ever since I was a teenager?!   "The Princess And the Pea" had nothin' on moi, LOL!

LOL, it almost bit me in the butt one time though: My son gave me a pretty top one year for my b-day and he bought a "Petite Small" (I normally wear a standard Medium). So I said "I appreciate the compliment of the tiny size, but I'm going to have to see if I can exchange it for a larger one." Upon which he said (rather defensively   ) "It's not my fault -- I looked in your closet to see what size you wear, but none of your clothes have any tags in them so I had to just make my best guess!"  LOL

The top only came in Petite sizes but luckily they had it in a Petite Large which depending on the manufacturer can often end up the same size as a standard Medium (depending on style and cut). 

So there is that one gift-related risk for us Sensitive-Neck Gals but oh well!

LindaLou, thanks for the sewing encouragement. I watched the YouTube video -- I thought it was well done and helpful. It actually sparked some memories! Of course, first I'd need a sewing machine . . .

Regarding the Zee Bra, I emailed the creator and she sent me some closer-up pictures. I don't feel I should publish them here, but she said she's re-doing her website and will include better photos soon. In the pictures, it does look like the insert is rounded at the top. Unfortunately, the enlarged photos didn't show the back of the bra. I'll let you know what I think when I receive mine.

I guess I'm not alone, after all, in being sensitive to bras (or other garments) that come up too high under my arms. I agree, Anne888, that it's truly wonderful to come here and get support and advice. 

Edited to add -- I'm a member of the sensitive club, too. My husband has been known to compare me to the princess of princess and the pea fame. And even before my mastectomy, I had a hard time finding comfortable bras.

lovemygarden,

You sound like you have my feet! When it comes to shoes, if I find a comfortable pair, I tend to buy more than one. Now, I've become equally obsessed with bras . . . 

Happy Monday!

Patty, I got my breast binder tube tops at a shop here in Spokane, WA called The Essential Woman.  I don't know where they get them from, but they have a website and you could order or call them, they are super helpful.

I have a question for everyone who says they are having armpit sensitivity issues, when did that come on after surgery?  I had my double mx surgery in April and am still completely numb in both armpits, but especially the left side where I had over 20 lymph nodes taken, too.  I am worried now that anything I buy now is going to bug me in a few months.  I love to shop, but don't love bra, jean or swimsuit shopping either, so I would be disappointed to have to replace my new Coobies - at least the Ebay ones are cheap.  I don't love low or loose armpits because I don't want to give anyone a scar peep show. 

I have a sewing machine in my basement that hasn't even been used - my last experience was also 8th grade - but the way all of my clothes fit differently now has tempted me to break it out of the box and see what I can do with it.  You ladies have inspired me, and now I can check out YouTube for help - I had no idea!

I know shoes aren't really the thread we are on, but I love shoe shopping and I also have very high arches and suffered from plantar fasciitis a few years ago and the Josef Seibel brand has become a favorite of mine for comfort shoes, even their flip flops are comfy, but their clog and slip on styles were all I would wear around the house and on weekends.  Unfortunately they don't look the part for my office wear - I wear a lot of Sofft brand shoes at work. 

I should be getting my Coobies and my foobies this week - I am so excited!!!

Jennifer