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Has anyone gone wedding dress shopping having a berast prostheses?  I am getting married early next year and am having a unilateral mastectomy on April 14th with no plans for immediate reconstruction (that's not common here in Canada for a Stage 3er).  I plan on using a breast prosthese and was wondering how it will work with a wedding dress - and by that I mean many are strapless and I am assuming I will probably have to get a dress with straps.  just don't know how it will all work out - especially since I don't even have a prostheses yet or anything.

 Was hoping to get some tips before I venture out into the wild world of wedding dress shopping - which I am putting off until after my surgery!  Any advice would be appreciated.  Thanks ladies. 

Comments

  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited March 2011

    I haven't had to buy a wedding dress since my mastectomy, just a mother-of-the-groom dress, which was actually pretty easy. The nice thing about wedding gowns is that they usually have to be altered in a variety of ways, so hopefully the shop you go to will be able to help you find a dress that makes you feel and look beautiful and will make any alterations necessary to insure you feel secure in it. While many wedding garments these days are strapless, they aren't all--you may just have to look a little harder. FWIW, I watched the Oscars last week and noticed that many of the gowns were very conservative--not a lot of cleavage showing and very few strapless gowns. So, maybe this is the beginning of a trend that will also effect the bridal industry.

    Best of luck with your search and congrats on your upcoming wedding! 

    Barbara 

  • doingbetter
    doingbetter Member Posts: 117
    edited March 2011

    There are many beautiful wedding gowns out there.  While many are strapless, there are many other choices that will work just fine with a prosthesis.  We have been to several weddings where the bride has worn a very nice dress with sleeves and high enough front that a prosthesis would not be an issues.  Even though it's been a while and before my mastectomy, I could wear the exact same wedding dress today with prostheses with no problem.  So, I would not worry about it.  There are so many choices out there in dresses that you should be able to find something very nice after your surgery.  Just as an aside, I have been to many formal events since the surgeries and have always been able to find something nice that works with prostheses.

  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited March 2011

    Before I got BC I was very active on a wedding message board...so yea weddings!

    I actually am not a fan of strapless for most people. I think a sleeveless v neck,scoop,or sweetheart is a good style and gives a longer line than the strapless.

    This sounds crazy, but could they just sew the foobie in? That way you don't have to worry.

    Please post pics of what you like. I kind of like talking about dresses more than cancer!!

  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited March 2011

    congrats on getting to buy a wedding dress.  I'd take several bras with me for trying on.   There are SO many styles of dress.  I bet you can't wait.  (I like the foobie idea if you are small...(white or ivory of course).  I've successfully made several.  They are very easy to shape to what you need.

    I never reconstructed.  I bet you'll find the shopping attendents VERY supportive. 

    peace and love, apple
    Diagnosis: 5/10/2008, IDC, 5cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, 4/9 nodes, ER+, HER2+

  • Annie62
    Annie62 Member Posts: 1,081
    edited March 2011

    Bimmer - so wonderful to hear your happy news.

    I figure if you are going to spend $ on a dress have a prostheses sewn right in. If you find a dress you love that is strapless but is a little low and shows a lack of 'cleavage' area, you can get them to sew on a lace or other strip of material at the top. They can do anything you want. :)

    Strapless was just coming in when I got married and halters were big too. I wore a long sleeved sweetheart neckline gown that I could wear today. (well if I lost some weight!). I got a lot of compliments and comments that I didn't look like everyone other bride that year. My hairpiece and shoes were more on trend so it was a good combo. I know you will find what works for you.

     Have fun!

    Annie 

  • ayesha123
    ayesha123 Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2011

     congragulations ! getting to buy a wedding dress. I buy dresses also online shopps try it www.onlineshoppingavs.com

  • bimmer2011
    bimmer2011 Member Posts: 30
    edited March 2011

    Thank you for the encouragement ladies.  I have started to peruse to see what I like and will keep you posted if I select anything.

  • anonymice
    anonymice Member Posts: 532
    edited March 2011

    Congratulations!!! :)  

    No advice on anything as I have yet to have my mx without reconstruction in a couple of months.  But one thing I have found is the best product called "It Stays".  It's body glue, and works amazingly on bodices, wigs, straps, stockings, socks, and apparently various prostheses.  Seriously, it sticks my wigs so hard I have to be careful not to pull my hair.  It is entirely water soluble as well.  

  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited March 2011

    Congratulations!!  Have you considering looking at dresses with one strap?  Try a GOOGLE search as there are very pretty styles to view with single strap.

  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited March 2011

    when you get a chance post some pics of what you like!!! We can all chime in!!!

    I wish I could stick jpegs in here :(

  • Moissy
    Moissy Member Posts: 550
    edited April 2011

    Congratulations on the wedding and good luck with your upcoming surgery! I totally agree with CookieGal that, although common, strapless is often just not the most flattering on any woman once they see their actual wedding photos, so I wouldn't focus too much on having to exclude that style. I did purchase a formal gown last year and tried lots of things on. I had a unilateral mast. One thing I found was some of the bridal assistants didn't understand that I couldn't just add straps to a strapless. I needed a little more coverage. There are lots of beautiful gowns in other styles. I did end up with a one-shoulder gown...which depending on which side (left or right) the "shoulder" is on can cover perfectly. You will find just the right dress...and the fun thing will be having something positive to look forward to once your treatment is completed. Enjoy and focus on the beautiful! You will be a beautiful bride!  Good luck.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2011

    If you are not having any breast prosthese than you may purchase it as soon as possible, you may even try online. Talking about the dress there is no need to worry. After having the prosthese you may try any of the simple wedding dresses it would be comfortable.

    Best wishes for you wedding..Smile

  • topless
    topless Member Posts: 74
    edited December 2011

    Ever since Kate Middelton's dress there has been a big uptic in brides asking for that look.  Maybe sleeves are making a comeback and you could be a trendsetter.  I bet if you just start  looking around you will see more dresses like that.  Good luck and best wishes for your new life!

  • Sassa
    Sassa Member Posts: 1,588
    edited January 2012

    Is the TV show "Say Yes to the Dress" on in Canada? It is a show that has brides shopping  at Kleinfeldts in NYC and the problems they deal with in buying the dress (some physical, some the people in their lives).

    There was a recent episode in which one of the brides to be was a BC patient and did not have reconstruction.  She actually was not planning on wearing prostheses and the staff found her a beautiful gown that looked stunning on her. 

  • MiniMacsMom
    MiniMacsMom Member Posts: 595
    edited January 2012

    There are also prothesis you don't have to have pocket bras for.  Just got and amoena Contact breast form and I love it.  I had a UMX and I like my original "young person" bras.  I know there are cute MX bras but they just don't fit me right.  Anyway, as long as the dress is fitted well I think something like that would work just fine.  The structure of the dress holds it up, not the boobies!  I am sure a great salon will be able to help you find something to make you beautiful )

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