Going for first prosthesis

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snowing
snowing Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

I had a left mastectomy 6 weeks ago (with a previous lumpectomy on the right) and soon will be going for my first prosthesis.  From the blogs here, it seems that things don't always go perfectly as to fit.  Are there certain questions that I should be asking?  How many do you buy to start and should you buy one of their mastectomy bras at the initial fitting?  Do you assume that the prosthesis will fit in a adapted regular bra?  A number of the replies say that they received ones that were far too big, not suitable, not wearable etc.  And bras were sized too tightly.  Everything seems to be trial and error???  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  Thank you.

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  • starbeauty
    starbeauty Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2011

    I took someone with me so that they could look at the "size" comparison with my other breast -  I think that was helpful.  Our insurance covered the bras and the foob.  The bras were sized ok - but I interchange them with my old bras whenever I feel like it - and just drop the prosthesis in.  A couple months ago - I followed the directions somewhere on this site and made my own "foob" from the little pellets you can buy in the craft section of Walmart.  The new foob was actually one full pound less than the first one... so I use it more often.  My recommendation would be not to "over-buy" on the bras... you may want something different - or gain/lose weight in the next 6 months.

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  • Houndmommy
    Houndmommy Member Posts: 377
    edited March 2011

    I have found the prosthesis/bra fitting to be frustrating.  I would only get 1 prosthesis to start and wear a tight shirt so you can really see how it looks.  Try it in several bras (your own or ones you are going to buy).  Don't let the fitter tell you your bras have to fit REALLY tight.  I was wearing a 36 B before mx and she put me in 34 C's.  I now have 4 expensive bras which are unbearably tight and the cups don't fill out on my remaining breast.  Neither of my proshtesis will fit in my regular bras - my old bras are cut too low and the prosthesis hangs out.    Nordstroms will sew pockets in regular bras for you.  I am going to do that soon.  Good luck! 

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

    I found that the prosthesis fitter knew what was what...

    the bra and the prosthsis were so easy to buy and they billed

    the insurance...they just need an RX

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  • Awimom
    Awimom Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2011

    I bought one prosthesis and five bras....I had never worn "good" bras before, so I found the whole experience fun, actually and have ended up with really nice bras.  I went to Nordstroms and my bras aren't mastectomy bras, although they said they would sew in pockets if I wanted.  I've found that just popping the prothesis in my bra works just fine, however.  Maybe because I'm very small (34A)...I don't know if it would be different with a larger size.  Good luck!

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