Prosthesis and running/swimming

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mamaoftwo
mamaoftwo Member Posts: 267
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

I'm looking into my options for upcoming surgery, and wondered if anyone here is a runner or swimmer and has a prosthesis, what is your experience with that?  Are there prosthesis that can be worn in a jog bra without moving around?  And during a swim workout?  I race and sports are my passion but would like to have some breast lumps if possible rather than going flat.

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited December 2010

    I am a swimmer and have had a prosthesis for over nine years with no problems, I have a swim form but I do wear a mastectomy swim suit, as it is made stronger to hold it in...

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  • caaclark
    caaclark Member Posts: 936
    edited December 2010

    I use a swim form (Amoena) for exercise and swimming.  I always put it in a sports mast. bra and have never had issues with it moving.

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  • mamaoftwo
    mamaoftwo Member Posts: 267
    edited December 2010

    I notice that you both were diagnosed a while ago - SoCalLisa was diagnosed 10 years ago.  I was just wondering if having a mastectomy without reconstruction is a constant reminder of cancer, leading you you continue to come to this site?  Or are you still dealing with cancer in other ways?

    I am debating open tissue flap reconstruction versus no reconstruction at all (I have no interest in implants), but am concerned about my own body image and whether no breasts will change my sex life with my husband and, less importantly, be a constant reminder.

    If you have any thoughts on that, I would be so happy to hear them.  I hope these questions aren't too personal.

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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited August 2013

    Hi mamaoftwo,

    If you go to the Breast Reconstruction forum and other forums on this website, you'll notice that many women continue to check in and post long after their original diagnoses. For most of us who have had breast cancer and mastectomies, whether or not we've had reconstruction, we may move on but the experience becomes part of who we are. That's not necessarily a negative thing. 

    I had a bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction four years ago. Since then, I started a non-profit website, BreastFree.org, for women who are considering not reconstructing or who have already chosen not to reconstruct. I continue coming here to learn about the concerns of women like you and to try to be helpful by answering questions if I can.

    I particularly want to address your question about whether not having breasts will change your sex life. I think it's a very individual thing. If you're comfortable with yourself and your partner is supportive, it shouldn't be a problem. In fact, in some instances there's a greater tenderness that grows between couples and makes the experience even richer. 

    Although my husband was very comfortable with my decision not to reconstruct and I never felt mutilated by the loss of my breasts or shy about having my husband see my chest, I nevertheless felt self-conscious about having him touch my chest when we were intimate. It didn't bother him at all. It was really my issue. Lately, I've found that if I wear my soft silicone breast forms (prostheses) during love making, I enjoy it more. Incidentally, so does he -- weird though it may sound, he's turned on by their realistic feeling. I expressed surprise at this and he said he thinks men are just hard-wired to be aroused by breast shapes, especially when they feel so real.

    So, I want to assure you that your sex life can continue to be great after a mastectomy, whether or not you reconstruct. By the way, some women who reconstruct also report feeling self-conscious about their new "breasts," so sexual issues aren't confined to those of us who don't have reconstruction.

    Barbara

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  • caaclark
    caaclark Member Posts: 936
    edited December 2010

    I agree with what Barbara wrote above.  I am almost 5 yrs out and coming to this site has nothing to do with whether I have breasts or not.  (I had a single mastectomy without reconstruction).  My story is on breastfree.org so you can check out my reasoning there as far as how I made my decision. 

    I do think about cancer every day (still) but not in an obsessive way.  More of a feeling of disbelief like I can't believe I had cancer at age 40.  I was stage III when diagnosed and because of that I do not take for granted that I am still here to see my kids get older.  When I was diagnosed they were 8, 6 and 4 yrs. old.

    Most of the time I check in here is because I feel I have something to offer others who are not as far out as I am.  When I was diagnosed in 2006 I was terrified and desperate to read or hear about women who were ok many years out.  I continue to appreciate the women who are long term survivors-it is what helps me when I have an upcoming appt. or test.

    Opting out of recon has been one of the best decisions I made.  But, many women choose to do recon and feel the way I do about opting out.  A personal decision for each woman that only she can make.

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  • LoriL
    LoriL Member Posts: 185
    edited January 2011

    mamaoftwo-

    Hello! I'm a runner and cyclist, have had bilat.mast. without reconstruction, and choose to not wear my prosthethes when working out. I used to wear a little "pre-teen" type of bra (without my prostheses) under my shirts while running outside and at the gym just to give the appearance of wearing a bra. But now I don't even do that anymore- I just go "flat" and LOVE the freedom. No boobs flopping around, and no sweaty bra sitting on top of my chest.

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  • mamaoftwo
    mamaoftwo Member Posts: 267
    edited January 2011

    Thanks so much for the reply.  It was a hard decision but I'm opting for the DIEP (abdominal tissue flap) reconstruction rather than no reconstruction.  It's a personal choice and am nervous about the procedure on Wednesday, but no backing out at this point. 

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  • NannaBaby
    NannaBaby Member Posts: 510
    edited January 2011

    How about hot tubs and saunas? Is it ok to wear prosthesis? Or should I get a bean-a-boob?

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited January 2011

    NannaBaby, hot tubs and saunas are problematic for another reason. Once nodes are removed we're at risk for lymphedema and the high temps of hot tubs and saunas is a big risk for us.

    Sorry I have to be the one to break this news. This disease takes so much from us and learning about yet another restriction is so hard.

    All the best.

    Leah

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  • JanS
    JanS Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2011

    For exercise, I spin (indoor cycling) and go to the gym to lift weights.  I had a left mastectomy in July.  I'm now trying to find a prosthesis & bra for exercising.  I'm small breasted so I thought a foam form of some type will be okay.  My problem is that I don't think they don't look like my natural breast - which is really quite compressed in a sports bra.  Also, there is a bit of nipple showing through on the natural side.  Going formless is not an option for me as it is too lopsided looking.  Any suggestions?

    Also, do you gals wear a mastectomy sports bra ...  or just a regular sports bra.  If you use a regular sports bra, how do you keep the form in place?

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  • nagem
    nagem Member Posts: 353
    edited January 2011

    I had a bilateral mastectomy, so my situation is a bit different. However, many of the Lululemon yoga tops (not designed specifically for mastectomy) have pockets with thin, removable pads. You could put a form behind the pad on the mastectomy side, and the pad on the nonmastectomy side would cover your nipple. Just a thought. I've had good luck with these tops, which I find more natural looking than mastectomy garb.They're expensive at full price ($52), but I shop the sale rack and get them for about $25 each.

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  • JanS
    JanS Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2011

    Nagem, thanks for the tip about lululemon.  I just checked them out on-line and they have a retail store in the city I live.  I will be there this weekend to try some on.  Thanks!

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited January 2011

    mama..just saw this come up again, I never answered your question

    no I hardly ever really get reminded about my cancer with the mast.

    It is just routine to put on my bra with the form in it in the morning. I guess

    if I were changing at the Y in front of people it might bother me..but I

    just avoid that situation..

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  • goldlining
    goldlining Member Posts: 1,178
    edited February 2011

    I'm late to the party, but I currently have a unilateral mast and still have to accommodate the DD on the other side. I run -- or "run" if you're a purist about speed being a requirement ;-) --  with a Lululemon "The bust stops here" bra which comes in lovely colours and is excellent for immobilizing the bounce. It doesn't have interior pockets for the optional cups like some other Lulu bras, but the structure has sort of a framework that creates a retention slot for the form. While the Amoena form will fit into it fine, I think it would be beyond sweaty in any sport activity. I have a "been-a-boob" that I got from the same fitter as I got the Amoena stuff. It is squashable into a shape resembling the natural side, is covered in a nice wicking type microfibre jersey, and has a weight that is reasonably balanced for running. Haven't tried it in a swimsuit yet but supposed to be swim-friendly.

    To connect with other running fans, check the "Running 2011" thread in the Fitness and Getting Back Into Shape forum too. Cheers !

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