Does anyone like wearing a prosthetic bra?

Faithroad... no they are not terrible... go to a store that specializes in fitting us... and try on as many as it takes to find a good one.  Then... if this works for you - keep your current bras... get some micro beads - make a couple of bead bags to put into your old bras when you don't feel like wearing the heavier prosthesis.  I was a 36DD - and I only had a right MX.  So I can't go flat - I still have one side at 36DD... a tad conspicuous.  The bag weighs 1 pound less than the prosthesis - and sometimes it is all I am in the mood for.  I had no recon... I wanted it... but was told no implants due to burned skin of rads - had to have a flap if I wanted recon and needed to wait awhile for that... probably a good thing to wait - now I read all the trials some women go through to get a "foob" and I'm just glad I am done with those MDs at least.  Hope that helps.

I had a double mastectomy in January and just got my prostheses a few weeks ago.  I too was concerned that they would be uncomfortable, but I have found just the opposite.  Having a little weight where my breasts were feels very natural, and they are totally soft against my chest wall.  They look and feel completely real - no one would ever know.  I got very simple bras with pockets for the prostheses, and they too are comfortable and attractive.  I actually forget that I'm even wearing them most of the time and often don't bother to remove them even when I'm home alone!  I do agree with starbeauty that it's a good idea to go to a place that specializes in this and will give you some 1:1 attention.  Good luck! 

Hello faith road

Sorry to hear about your are thinking about having your implants removed.. I am in the same situation and am seeing a PS on the 26.. I know what you meant about being uninformed and naive. I felt just plain supified through the whole process.I will also be looking for good info on prothese and bras of course. There seems to be lots of info here. Erica/ Barbara has a Webb site called Breast Free you may have already seen it. There is lots of info there as well.

 I am beside my self about making the decision to deconstruct.

Hugs

Laura

I am sure you will get lots of good advise here

Thanks Erica for posting this up for all of us - do you know where I can find a swim suit that is quite high along the neckline... my chest caves in "early" on the right side.

I have just been fitted for my prosthetics and bras.  I went to a special fitter who was recommended by my BS, I took my Mom along with me as I wanted a unbiast opinion as to how everything looked.

I was very plesantly suprised how nice the bras are and the range available.  I was able to pick what size I wanted to be, I used to be a 42 DD but I wanted to be smaller so we tried diffrent sizes until I found the size that I feel is good for me, so I am now going to be a 42 B+.  I too am a bit chubby and hated that my tummy looked like I was 7 month pregnant but with the prosthetics I know look just like before the BMX but a bit smaller.

I left 2 hours later with my prothetics and 2 white lacy bras 1 skin tone satin bra, 1 white excersize bra and 1 back lacy bra. My insurance has cover the cost in full, I also bought a takini swim suit so I can swim this summer. Both my Mom and myself were very please with the service and styles that I was able to choose from.

Kezzie

Faithroad, will keep your mom in my prayers.  My husband also had a false alarm for lymphoma.

I like my prosthesis. I wear Amoena, Nicola Jane and Anita mastectomy bras.  I had a single mastectomy in Feb 2010 and was fitted with a silicone form 5 weeks later.  I really recommend Erica's website. It has so much useful info.  I also have a microbead form I use with my sport bras.  The one I like most is a Silique light weight form which is made of a silicone front ( for a realistic shape), microbeads in the middle and a microfiber back where it comes in contact with our skin. I am a size 5 (36B) so the Silique form fits into regular tank tops like Lululemon and and in Japan, Muji tanks.

I am a size 16 and had a BMX I versy seldom wear my bra because I enjoy the f freedom.I wear looser tops the pretty linen smock like tops are everywhere this spring.I am going to be living in them.I did find a strapless bra with po ckets at winners which I have filled with the microbead forms which I use for dressier ocassions or tighter fitting tops.

Kerry mac,  Please tell me what a "cookie" is.

Hi Starbeauty,

I'm replying to your post above asking about where you can find a swimsuit that's high along the neckline. You're in luck! Many mastectomy suits are constructed high in the front and under the arms to conceal areas that may have been affected by surgery. If you have a mastectomy shop in your area, that might be a good place to start looking. There's a bigger selection online, though. For example, MetroMedicalOnline has lots of Amoena suits and Women's Personal Health Resource has a good selection from several manufacturers. Also, Land's End has a number of mastectomy suits, which are adaptations of their regular suits with higher necklines and pockets. Nowadays, many online sites allow you to return swimsuits. I've had good success ordering online, though I've had to return a few, too.

Occasionally, regular swimsuits have necklines that work and sometimes they even have removable soft cups, so there's a pocket for your breast form. Because removable cups are becoming very popular, I'm hopeful that more and more regular suits will be adaptable as mastectomy suits without the need to sew in a pocket.

Good luck in your search. Some women find mastectomy suits easily. For me, this has been the hardest item to find post-mastectomy. I don't like suits that come up high under my arm, so most mastectomy swimsuits don't work for me. I've had to really search to find styles that fit comfortably and look good. Hopefully, you'll have an easier time.

Barbara 

 I am so glad I just found this thread. I will be having a mastectomy on my right breast and am so uninformed about prosthesis. I had no idea that insurance would cover stuff. That is great. I,too, am so torn about recon. I have decided to wait,(if at all) and though I would just be stuffing my bra with tissues or the like. I didn't know that they were "comfortable"or you could forget you have them on!

THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!

I am very happy with my protheses though several people tried telling me that it wouldn't work because of my size.  I wear size 14 clothes but my bra size is 40DD.  After my right sided mastectomy, I opted for no reconstruction.  For me to have reconstruction, my left side would have needed to be reduced and I like my body the way it is even with the masectomy.  I live in Florida and there has been no issue with it being hot and though I was warned that because my protheses is large that I would have shoulder pain that has not been the case.  I look very natural and wear my protheses in my swimming suit also and it does not hinder my swimming.  Overall, I couldn't be happier with my protheses and bras.  I did go to a breast cancer boutique and they were excellent in fitting me and showing me several models.  Good luck.

Gaynorl,

The current medical advice about the need to wear a breast form to prevent shoulder and back issues is that if you have had a unilateral mastectomy you should wear a form to create balance. It doesn't necessarily have to be as heavy as your natural breast, but some weight is advisable.

For those of us with bilateral mastectomies, no forms are necessary, since we are symmetrical. My posture has actually improved since my B/C cup breasts were removed. Some women, though, prefer replicating the size and weight they had before BMX surgery.

I had my surgery over four years ago and none of my breast forms have worn out, neither silicone nor foam. But I don't wear my silicone ones every day and I wear the foam ones in pocketed camisoles much of the time, so they don't sit against my skin and don't have much wear and tear.

The silicone forms are usually under warranty for two years, but they can last longer. If you wear them every day, though, you might be ready for replacements in two years. Most insurance allows replacements every one or two years. Mine allows replacements once a year, so I've amassed a little collection by now!

I wear my silicon forms all day, every day. My insurance pays for a new pair every two years. I've now had one pair for three years. My fitter took a look at my older pair last year and says they're still doing good. That's amazing, considering what I put them through! Hot weather, cold weather, athletics, and cats walking across them when I'm laying down!