expander to come out

Ishobie,thinking of you as you go through this additional trauma.  Please check breastfree.org, which was established by our sister Barbara (screen name Erica) for just this kind of information.  She has all kinds of information on bras and forms and others have written their impressions of all these items.  You'll get more good info there, then come back here to see if you can get comments on specific bras and forms that you are considering.  It will be your most efficient way of getting the information you deserve and desire.

Dawn 

That's a great site. Also, some hospitals - especially larger ones with cancer centers - have "boutiques" that cater to cancer patients. They will usually have people trained to fit prostheses and carry a variety of them and also bras.  I've also found Nordstrom to be a good place to shop as they will sew pockets free of charge into any bras you buy there.

Hi, Ishobie.....I had BMX and recon w/TE's 6 weeks ago. Have had one fill. Will start chemo this coming week. I was wondering how the encapsulation was detected? I was told that the TE's are hard, not soft and pliable. And that is how I feel. I have no pain but they are definitely NOT comfortable. Is there some sign I should be looking for to detect encapsulation? I am so afraid of facing yet more stuff. This has not been an easy time, as we all know here. Any info is appreciated. And I am so sorry you had to go through this on top of everything else.

Isabel, thank you for your reply. My chest looks so weird I have no idea how other ladies looked. But the PS has examined me twice post-surgery and he said all was going well so I guess I look "normal". I still cannot have a good night's sleep, though, because these things are so hard, and I used to sleep on my right side before surgery and now I cannot do that...I use lots of pillows now to wedge myself and that is what works best. I hope that after all I have been through since December, I can get some relief in the near future. Not counting chemo, of course !!  Thank you for your words. We really do draw strength from our fellow sisters..Ana Maria

ishobie, my PS mentioned after my exchange surgery that he had to remove some scar tissue that had formed around the expanders. I had the most incredibly painful expansion process. I never thought about it being because of scarring; I was just told it was because of the pressure. Most of the other ladies thought their exchange surgery was a breeze, but mine was almost as painful as the first one. I now have capsular contracture of my right implant and beginnings of it on my left. I am having my implants removed but not replaced since I have researched and learned that there is a high risk for recurrence of CC with new implants once you've already had it. I guess I'm just prone to it. Wish I had never gone through the expansion/implant process. It's been nothing but misery for me. I guess certain people don't do well with foreign things in their body. Cannot wait until my surgery on Apr 5.