Does anyone like wearing a prosthetic bra?

Sure thing Erica, here you go:  two bras I really like are

1.  Hanes Beyond Bare Invisible Seamless wirefree style BTT8 (available at Target for $14.99, though the exact same bra is also at Macy's as a Warner's bra for double the price!).  This is a very, very soft microfiber style fabric.

2.  Also like the Vanity Fair Body Caress Full Coverage Wire Free (style 72335), which I got at Macy's (full price is $32, but they had it on sale).  This is a lot like the Amoena Lara Mastectomy Bra but a bit more comfortable with softer straps.  The coverage on this bra is a bit more than the Hanes bra above.

For making the pockets I use a stretch fabric called "powermesh" which you can buy in fabric stores.  It is often in the swimsuit or dancewear section.  This is very silky stretch mesh fabric, kinda like panty hose fabric but it will not run.  It is very strong stuff.

Thanks from me, too, Beacon800. It's always helpful to learn what works for different women.

Barbara

anneflorida and Erica -Thanks for the help with this . I am making an appointment with a fitter next week. This is one of the things I need to check out as a part of my informed decision process. There is so much to this . You ladies have been so helpful. I went to see the breast care nurse in my surgeons office and she was not encouraging about my not wanting recon. I was surprised at her attitude. She said something about not waking up without a breast...pretty funny if you think about it.

Thanks to you gals who have been around the block and stick around to help newbies. We sure need it. I am still in shock at times

Erica,

I totally agree.  I told my BS upfront that I would NOT be having reconstruction and that if I ever did, it would be some kind of flap procedure, I would never do implants.  When she did my bi-mx, the right side needed a modified radical, so it is nice and tight and actually looks quite good but she left the left side with lots of skin.  When I told her I didn't like it, that it was ugly she said she left it for the PS as it would be easier for him to reconstruct that way.  This BS pushed hard for immediate reconstruction with implants, turns out I needed chemo and rads which would not have been good had I listened to her!

I'm 51 years old and I know my own mind.  I felt very much disrespected by her. 

didlydi, you sound very similar to me.  I wear them for dress up occasions but otherwise have gotten used to not wearing them most of the time, which has been easy over the winter.  They're comfortable enough when I wear them and I've found comfortable bras but going flat is just really comfortable.  I've recently bought some tops that I think will be cool and yet concealing for the hot summer weather and I've found scarves to be very useful.

I wish that you had found this site when you were diagnosed, but I'm glad that you've found it now. I didn't start participating here until over 4 years after my diagnosis. 

LiveFree,

I've been where you are (well almost--in my case I actually scheduled reconstruction surgery, then cancelled and went forward with just the mastectomy). Just remember, delayed reconstruction is always an option, so you aren't making an irrevocable decision. But it's worth noting that, like reconstruction, non-reconstruction is a process. So, it may take a while until you figure out what works best for you in terms of bras, breast forms, or going flat, and whether or not you want to stay breast-free.

Please let us know how things go.

Barbara

I have found my bras to be just as comfortable as my old ones were, well maybe more comfortable as I have gone down 4 cup sizes.. I would love to be braless but I have a belly that makes me look 9 months pregnant if I dont wear my forms.  Have other had this problem of a belly looking very large? I have lost 9 lbs since my surgery (not including the 9lbs lost as a result of BMX) but I fear it is going to take years befor I will be able to wear nice tops when braless and not look pregnant..

Kezzie

I was wondering about the prosthetics...do the feel like they are going to fall when you bend over? I know they arent going to fall out but will it feel like they are or do they stay pretty close to the chest wall?  I do alot of bending and lifting and wonder how it will feel. Is there a lot of strength loss in the arm? How long of a recovery should I expect to get my full strength back?  (I am having  some lymph nodes removed) I think sometimes the BS see so much they are so used to it and say a couple weeks.

I found this nice bra called "Coobie" where I place my microfiber boobs. They are very comfortable during the day, but as soon as I walk in from work I take them off. I wear tank tops and blouses and am very comfortable. I guess because I am 53 I don't care much about what people think>  Most of the time I don;t wear anything and am very happy.  Sometimes. I feel very sad  but most of the time I am glad for my decision!

I had a double mastectomy in March, 2011 and waited 6 weeks to be fitted for the prostheses.  I went to a place that specializes in breast cancer patients and they spent two hours fitting me.  I have no problem at all with the mastectomy bras (I bought 4).  They're comfortable and I mostly forget I have them on.  Before surgery I was a 34-C and I decided to go down a size to a B.  It's great.  I also bought a 2nd set of prostheses for the summer.  These are lighter weight and hollow and won't be hot like the silicone ones can be in the warm weather.  Frankly I'm surprised that it has worked out so well.  I was not a candidate for implants because of prior breast cancer, skin problems and radiation 9 years ago.  The plastic surgeon I saw said I could later have the DIEP flap surgery, but frankly at over 12 hours, I'm not up for any more surgeries.  Once in a while I take a day off and go without anything, which is nice too.  But I'm very, very happy with my new breast forms and mastectomy bras.  Good luck.

I like every ones information here.  I had BMX w/recon a year ago today.  10 days after I had a massive infection and had to take my right (tumor side) TE out.  Tried again in November and another infection so put the big stop on the recon.  Still have the left TE in and I am working with my PS office to get a surgery date at the end of the month.  I have been looking into prosthesis and like the idea of using a regular bra with the forms.  I have a foam filled one for my right side and I have just been using sports bras the attach in the back with it but moves too much.  Making my own pocket should do the trick.  I bought a mastectomy bra at the specialty store I frequent but did not like it since it was an under-wire.  Hate those.  Looking forward to more info in the future.