New Bra

luckeme, my underarm-area sensitivity appeared as the post-BMX numbness wore off .. which in my case was fairly quickly. I'd say that about 50% of any numbness I originally had was gone by about week 4 post-op and by the 3 month mark the rest of it had steadily disappeared until there was none left. Lucikily no lymphedema (knock wood), though I had just the 2 sentinel node biopsies, both on the same side. 

Thanks for the shoe tips, ladies!   I'm going to Google those up and see what they have in Wide and/or WW widths. For some reason SAS shoes have never fit me comfortably, and now with the 3/4 orthotic needed, every one of their styles are either too big (if the SAS insole is removed) or too small (if the SAS insole is left in). 

Sharalou, Yes, it's a super-light-weight bra that's not marketed as a mastectomy bra but comes with little pads in pockets. You can remove the pads through slits in the sides and replace the pads with your own prostheses. It's not really suitable for a silicon form, though. Which is why there's so much discussion above about microbead forms, which are lighter weight. Good luck with your mastectomy! 

Hi lovemygarden,

Thanks for reminding me. I meant to post about the Zee Bra. It's quite different from the Coobie bra (and quite a bit more expensive - $40). For one thing, the fabric is altogether different -- silky smooth. Unfortunately, it doesn't work for me as a mastectomy bra. The fit just wasn't right. The band was a bit loose, which may have been my fault for ordering a 36 and not a 34 (I don't like to feel constricted, but in this case the 34 probably would have worked better). Also, the pocket openings are tiny and, unlike the Coobie bra, because of the design can't be easily enlarged. It was really hard to squeeze a form into the opening. I couldn't do it with the microbead forms.

It's hard for me to know if this bra would work for you or other women. It definitely didn't work for me. The Coobie bra wasn't quite right for me, but I could have used it in a pinch. The Zee Bra just wasn't suitable for any of my forms, silicone or otherwise. I wound up sending it to a good friend who has very tiny natural breasts and wears a 36AA bra. I hope at least that she can use it. (I could have returned the bra. It was my choice to pass it along.)

So, regretfully, I can't endorse the Zee Bra as a mastectomy bra. 

I too found the straps/clasps to be irritating to my skin. I'm "sewing challenged" but I plan on stopping at the fabric store to see what i can get to help with that.

Sizing worked out well for me - I'm a dress size 12 & usually 38 band in my mastectomy bras. FIt is similar to the barely there crop trop (size large) that i sometimes wear when i go without forms.

Got the beanbag type prosthetics in a size 5. It was a bit of a struggle to insert but once placed looked well.

All in all, i'm glad i tried it.

JanetinVirginia,

No, you're not supposed to wear a compression bra after mastectomy surgery. I didn't wear anything other than a very soft unconstricting camisole or soft cotton or silk tee shirts over my healing surgical site for at least four weeks.

As for breast forms (prostheses), when you're ready for them there are many kinds of forms and we all react differently to them. It's a process of trial and error to figure out what works best for you. Some women love silicone breast forms and have no problems with them. Others find them too hot, or (in some instances) too heavy, although there are lightweight forms available.

In this discussion thread, women have been talking about a new kind of form which uses microbeads and has virtually no weight yet is soft. Many women are really excited about this form. I find it comfortable but have not been happy with the shape it gives, as I like to have the projection and shape of a natural breast and the microbead forms on me tend to flatten out. So, everyone's different. Over time you'll figure out what works best for you. But please be patient. It takes a while to heal and to learn about all the available products. Fortunately, new products are constantly being introduced, so breast forms are becoming ever more comfortable.

After my bilateral mastectomy, I started a non-profit website, BreastFree.org (http://breastfree.org), which tries to demystify the process as much as possible. I usually don't like to promote BreastFree too strenuously, but in your case I urge you to take a look at the website. I think reading through the various sections would be helpful. One section in particular, Post-Surgery Interim Solutions, would be a good place to start -- it tells you what how to prepare for surgery and what to expect. You also might enjoy looking at the Breast Forms section, where I describe a number of options for silicone and non-silicone breast forms which I and other women have found particularly comfortable.

Many women from breastcancer.org contributed their Personal Stories and Photographs to my website, plus their invaluable feedback on bras, breastforms, and camisoles that have worked well for them. I've become increasingly convinced that the bra you choose is as important as the form for insuring comfort and attractiveness. And, as you'll discover if you read the posts on this forum, quite a few women opt to go flat, preferring not to wear breast forms. It's certainly the ultimate in comfort. 

There's a lot for you to take in. This is a great place to come for advice and information. I wish you the best of luck with your surgery.

Barbara

To JanetinVirginia,

I didn't wear a compression bra after surgery (double mx), but I absolutely did wear a "binding garment" which is like an elastic tube top that velcros on.  This was better for me than wrapping an ace bandage around and around since it went on with one shwoop.  I had my husband help velcro it in the back which was the most comfortable, but when he wasn't available, I just velcroed it in the front.  This garment kept the fluid from building up in one place and I think that had a lot to do with me getting my tubes out pretty quickly.  I don't know if you hare having a single or double, if it is a single mx, I don't know if the tube top would be as comfortable on your "keeper" breast.  Once my tubes were out, I stopped wearing the binder.

I also highly recommend the camisoles with the kangaroo pockets for holding your drain tubes.  I got two of them so I always had a clean one.  I got mine locally but they are available at a better price online - I think at TLCdirect.org - still a lot of money for a camisole, but in my opinion money well spent unless you can sew pockets onto cheaper camis yourself.  They do come with a lightweight breast form, but the forms that came with mine didn't have a realistic shape - they were okay but not a long term solution.

I haven't posted since I got my Coobie Bras and my microbead foobies, but I absolutely love both of them.  For me, the Coobie is super comfortable, but my armpits are still numb so I don't feel any discomfort there that some other women have posted about.  I got the original Coobie, but am also considering the Ebay knock offs for variety.  I got the microbead breasts in size 5 (about a B-C Cup) and I think they look great in the Coobie.  I like them so much that I am actually considering not having reconstruction.  These are so lightweight I don't even know I have them in, and my husband and daughter both think they look very realistic. It could be different in a different bra or in a different size, but these work great for me.

Hope this helps,

Jennifer

My surgeon did not provide the binding garment, the hospital gave me a big Ace bandage, but it had to be wrapped around and around, not easy right after surgery especially without help.  I got my tube tops at a local shop called The Essential Woman, in Spokane WA.  They do have a website, but I bet you could find them closer to you.  I looked for those on the TLC website, but they didn't have them - and when I googled breast binders, it brought up a lot of things for tomboys or transgender and I decided not to look there.  See what your surgeon says and whet they may have to offer.  I would think it wouldn't be too bad if you are small chested.  The TLCdirect.org does carry the microbead foobies under "mastectomy products" then "non-silicone lightweight breast forms".

I see you were diagnosed on Sept 1st, my birthday.  I got the call about my abnormal mammogram on Sept. 1, 2009 - a birthday I will never forget.   Starting a web page on Caring Bridge.org saved my sanity!

Good luck, let me know if I can help any more.

Jennifer

Hi,

Bumping this thread to mention two other bras that people interested in the Coobie might like. One is the Handful Bra, a sports bra originally designed for smaller-breasted women (though sizes actually go up to a 38C). The company said that post-mastectomy women have tried and liked it, so I ordered one to try. This is a more supportive bra than the Coobie or the zee bra, so could be used with lightweight silicone forms. It's very well-made. The size wasn't quite right for me and came up higher under the arms than I like, but many women like bras that come up high there (the Coobie does, too), so I think it's a bra that some of you would like. I've reviewed it on BreastFree.org, in the "Bras" section of the Bras and Camisoles page, under the heading "Zee Bra, Coobie Bra, Handful Bra."

Although the zee bra, which I tried, didn't work for me and its pocket openings were small, I think it might be right for some women, so I included it in my review. 

Another bra I don't think I've ever mentioned is the Elita 8868 pocket bra. It's silky-soft and comfortable. I frequently wear it as an everyday bra. Lately, I've been using it with lightweight size 4 silicone forms, so though it's a totally unstructured bra, it can support that weight. It could also be used with non-silicone forms, I think. I've reviewed the Elita bra, too, in the "Bras" section on BreastFree.org.

Hope this helps someone!

Barbara

Sam,

Thanks. I really appreciate your support. I was just wondering whether you're able to get most of the same products in the UK? Or maybe better ones? Just curious how transferable the information is. 

Barbara

Dorothy, How do you arrange the pantyhose so it provides bulk and doesn't just unravel? 

I,too, wish I had found this conversation long ago!  I am also post bilateral mastectomies and until recently discovering the ZeeBra, had given up finding anything that didn't feel too tight or irritate my scars.  The ZeeBra works for me, even slightly better with the heavier silicon forms which prevent riding up.  It is amazingly comfortable.  I had been using Handful bras for the gym and still do.  What I wanted to tell everyone is that if you like or want to try ZeeBras, they are coming out soon with a beige model which will have bigger openings to fit prostheses into.  Once I try one, I'll let you know how it works!  Thanks especially to Erica, for your web site, I am so happy to find it and it is very helpful.

Hi JanS, yes I wear my handful bras exclusively for the gym.  I actually bought the first one at a running shoe store that sold sports bras, which was nice because I could try it on.  I am a 34-36 and found the medium size a good fit.  I find that it looks just like my old compression bra made me look, i.e, a bit flatter than with a real bra but definitely passable for the gym.  The openings for the inserts are big so I am sure you could fit a bigger form in there if desired.  They come with a little mesh bag and I just put the bra in there - don't even remove the pad sometimes - and wash in the machine but hang to dry and let the pads air-dry on top of the dryer.  They wash up very nicely and they never seem to smell after exercise so I wear them several x before washing!  The inserts are sturdy as well with a little more padding on the lower side.  Hope this helps!

PinPDX:  Thanks for the info.  According to the Handful Bra website, a running store in my city carries it! If this snow ever stops, I'm going to go try it on.  My natural breast is not very big, so maybe the pad on the left side will be enough.  If not, I have a lightweight foam form that might work.  It sounds like a great bra from your description, so I sure hope the sizing works for me!  Thanks again.

A bra I recently purchased must be a cousin of the Coobie.  It is the Apostrophe Sears bra. Here is a link: 

 http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_018J1472000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

This is a very soft, unwired and unstructured, pocketed bra that comes with removeable pads.  I am experimenting with it for both my micro bead and comfort lite breast forms.  I have sensitive skin and this one is not irritating.  Like the coobie it does come up a bit high on the underarm, but I don't find it a bother.  It's a cute looking bra that could even be used as a layered look under a tank where the bra shows a little.  They have a range of colors from natural beige to some brights.