Does anyone like wearing a prosthetic bra?

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  • Faithroad
    Faithroad Member Posts: 432
    edited May 2011

    I used to wear underwires before my DMX and loved em.  But now with the implants (soon to be taken out)  The underwires are very painful.  ahh well.  Can't wait to be implant-free!  They're not all they're cracked up to be.  Hope I like the prosthetic bras.  I"m just assuming I will.  I know I don't like the implants.  But I know nothing is perfect, trying to stay realistic.

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  • walker2222
    walker2222 Member Posts: 558
    edited May 2011

    Faith it is nice to know I am not the only one going through getting TE/implant out. My surgery is scheduled later this month. I am with you it is not worth the pain and discomfort. I am just having the left removed, the right was removed in December.

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  • flannelette
    flannelette Member Posts: 984
    edited May 2011

    I just bought 3 mastectomy bras, having waited - or not been able to be bothered - since 2008 (I work for myself, at home) Lo & behold, the one I started wearing (a black sports bra, no underwire) fits me perfectly, because it is the first time I've had professional help buying a bra - and is the most comfortable bra I've ever worn. And I HATE bras. When I did wear themafter MX,  I've used foobies, rolled-up socks - you name it - in my regular padded underwire bra and of course did not look the best but they were for informal situations. Now I look perfect under a t-shirt, and can wear that bra all day. what a surprise! why did I wait??? ps that is not me in the picture LOL

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  • Faithroad
    Faithroad Member Posts: 432
    edited May 2011

    flannelette, It's so nice to hear from you.  I've started feeling sad about my decision to have the implants taken out.  I want them out so bad, but the reality of it was scaring me a little bit today.  I hope it will be ok.  Reading your experience flannelette helps a lot. Especially today.  I needed to hear that. 

    Some ladies I know are questioning my desicsion to take my implants out (except my mom & sister, yaay family!)  My PS tried to talk me out of it, other ladies with BC that have implants are telling me I look fine, they can't tell they are two different sizes. But they don't have to shop for bras with me. My Onc looked shocked when I told her.  It makes me feel guilty, like I'm not appreciating them like I should.  Some ladies CAN'T get implants, and here I am, wanting mine out.  But they aren't me.  I don't like them.  They are uncomfortable. I just don't think they are for me.  Am I being ungrateful?  Plus I dont' want more surgery when they need replacing, and I dont' know what my insurance will be like 10-15 years down the road.  I feel more financially free without them.  Like I only have to take care of me....not me and my implants.

    mbj, let us know how your surgery goes.  Praying it will all go smoothly for you. I guess you're doing one at a time.  Entering it slowing.  Is it going ok so far?

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  • lauralu
    lauralu Member Posts: 100
    edited May 2011

    faithroad

     I am feeling sad an dfinding it hard to come to terms with the need to have implants removed. Need to question the PS more about how he intends to do it.and what kind of out come to expect.

    I sometimes feel just sick about having to make the decision.I do not want tto anything stupid and regret it later.

    Oh My What To Do!!!!

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  • lauralu
    lauralu Member Posts: 100
    edited May 2011

    Opps lost my post...Faithroad. I am with you on the sad and wondering what to expect. I need to get more questions ready for the PS on Tues. I do not want to make another mistake like the last one. I cannot even express how difficult it has been going through the process and then having to revisit the whole mastectomy decision again.

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  • Faithroad
    Faithroad Member Posts: 432
    edited May 2011

    Lauralu,
    I understand completely.  I don't want to make another mistake either.  The implant part has been far harder than the mastectomy part.  That was a no brainer!  And it was much less painful than the recon.

    Hoping your next appointment goes great.  It's a good idea to have questions written out.  I do that too!Laughing

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  • lauralu
    lauralu Member Posts: 100
    edited May 2011

    Ditto

    I am revising my questions every day. Just need to organize my thoughts and try to keep my emotions in check. This is serious stuff. I don't think some surgeons get it at all. We have to live with the results no matter what the out come.for the rest of our lives. They make it sound so simple..I guess that is part of the reason I went for the surgery the first time around they made it sound so easy. ..

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  • McBella
    McBella Member Posts: 2
    edited May 2011

    Hi faithroad,

     I had the same problem after my mastectomy last year, but I found a wonderful website that supplies beanies with micro-beads instead of prothesis. http://www.aboutthegirl.co.uk it's based in the UK but they send stuff overseas and they have a really lovely selection of mastectomy bras.

     Hope this helps 

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  • Faithroad
    Faithroad Member Posts: 432
    edited May 2011

    Hi McBella,

    I went to the website but I couldn't find beanies with microbeads.  Just swimsuits and loungerie.  Hmmm...maybe that is what you meant.  I thought you meant they soldl microbead prosthetics.

    Gee I get confused so easily. (sorry)

    Thank you for the website, I have it listed now in my "favorites"!

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  • Faithroad
    Faithroad Member Posts: 432
    edited May 2011

    Lauralu,
    I agree, they made it sound easy schmeezy.  Like, this is what everyone does. They never metioned NOT having recon. or even waiting to have recon. Or other options of recon. The recon was soooo painful.  And disappointing results.

    Aww...well.  I'm trying to let it go.  Trying to move on emotionally.  letting go of the past hurts, the past bad PSs and all the mistakes I made in decision-making.  All the  "woulda, coulda, shoulda's. Trying to forgive so that bitterness doesn't take over.  The recon has been such a bumpy road.

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  • River_Rat
    River_Rat Member Posts: 1,724
    edited May 2011

    Here's a link to the micro-bead forms that TLC sells:

    http://www.tlcdirect.org/products/sku-8139__dept-34.html 

    And here's the ones that have a layer of silicone, a layer of the micro-beads and a fabric backing:

    http://www.tlcdirect.org/products/sku-8116__dept-12.html 

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  • Faithroad
    Faithroad Member Posts: 432
    edited May 2011

    Oh River_Rat, you are awesome!!!!!!

    I am very interested in those microbean forms since they sound so light.

    You are very thoughtful to post them here for me.

    Thank you!  ((((HUG))))))

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  • LeapFrog39
    LeapFrog39 Member Posts: 101
    edited May 2011

    I just wanted to mention something (as I learned this the hard way), your silicone prosthetics will last longer if you wash them (according to manufacturers instructions) regularly with mild soap and water and store them in the box they came in at night. if you do this and they wear out (lose their form or get too mushy) too soon, I know Anita will replace them, at no cost. Hopefully, the other companies would too. 

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  • Faithroad
    Faithroad Member Posts: 432
    edited May 2011

    Leapfrog,  Thank you that is so good to know!   The ABC shop in town told me the same thing, so there must be something to it.  I wasn't sure if it was really necessary.  But it sounds like it its.  Thanks for confirming that it actually does make a difference.  I would want them to last as long as possible.

    Thank you!!!!!Laughing

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  • TokyoSing
    TokyoSing Member Posts: 140
    edited May 2011

    Hi Ladies, I also use the TLC microbead forms in my exercise tanks.  My favorite one though, is a Silique comfort form that is 1/3 microbeads, 1/3 silicone (so you get a nice shape in front) and a confortable microfiber backing .  I find the purely mibrobead form bunches up and at the end of my yoga practice, I look like I have a lopsided,wide uni-boob, a little higher on my mastectomy sight.  The silique form with just enough silicone stays put. You can see all this in Erica's www.breastfree.org website. 

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  • River_Rat
    River_Rat Member Posts: 1,724
    edited May 2011

    TokyoSing, I think that others here have said that the micro-bead forms that TLC sells are the Silique ones.  The second link in my post about five posts back goes to the silicone/micro-bead/fabric back forms from TLC. (Oops, just read that the TLC ones are made by another company but that they are comparable and less expensive than the Silique ones)

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  • Sher
    Sher Member Posts: 540
    edited May 2011

    I just checked the Comfort LIte 3 layer forms and assuming they are the same thing...........at TLC they are $169 each and at TrueKare Style MBT/MVT $110 each which is quite a difference. 

    http://www.truekare.com/silique_comfort.htm
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  • Faithroad
    Faithroad Member Posts: 432
    edited May 2011

    TokyoSing, - That is good info to have on the microbead prosthetic.  Bunching up would not be good.  I like the idea of the 3-layer Slique one too.  I'll be checking into all these hopefully in the near future.

    River_Rat - It's good to know that TLC makes them as well as Silique!

    Sher - Thanks for the website.  I've added it to my "favorites" in my web browser!! 

    Laughing Hope you all have a fabulous day!!!!

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  • alexanjb
    alexanjb Member Posts: 304
    edited May 2011
    I'm not sure if someone already mentioned it but Lands End.com has a large selection of mastectomy swimsuits at very reasonable prices.
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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited May 2011

    Actually, TLC doesn't make anything. They are the American Cancer Society's website, run by a woman who purchases from various purveyors. So, the TLC forms with 3 layers are the same as the Silique Comfort Lite, just not using the Silique name. That's my understanding. And yes, the TrueKare price is a lot better. I ordered mine from them and got excellent service.

    Barbara

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  • Faithroad
    Faithroad Member Posts: 432
    edited May 2011

    Alexan - wow, I'm surprised to hear that Lands End has mastectomy swimwear!  That's good to know!

    Erica - It's good to know you like the Silique comfort light.  You are like a connoisseur!  Laughing

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  • alexanjb
    alexanjb Member Posts: 304
    edited May 2011
    faithroad-I was surprised about Land's End having the swimwear too.  I think I found them by googling mastectomy swimsuit and they came right up.  TLC has a couple of swimsuits too but Land's End actually makes you feel like you have options.  It's not like you can try them on the store or anything but they are pretty good about returns.  I make sure to read the reviews to see if people are saying certain styles run true to size or not.
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  • Faithroad
    Faithroad Member Posts: 432
    edited May 2011

    alexanjb - thank you so much!

    Hope you are having a good day!Smile

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

    Faithroad,

    Not so much a connoisseur as someone obsessed with breast forms LOL. The Silique Comfort Lite is definitely one of my favorites, for its lightness, softness, and wearability in hot weather. Plus, I can wear it against my skin in a regular bra (I like the Barely There Crop Top) or in a pocketed bra (like the ABC T-Shirt Bra Style 114).

    Now I sound like an advertisement . . .

    Barbara 

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  • TokyoSing
    TokyoSing Member Posts: 140
    edited May 2011

    Like Erica,I use my Silique form the most.  Since it is much more flexible, I can fit it into tanks that just have a little opening (normally for "shapers and boosters"),  I also got mne from TurKare and they're very good.

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  • Faithroad
    Faithroad Member Posts: 432
    edited May 2011

    Erica and TokyoSing - That The Silique Comfort Lite sounds like the best to me.  I checked with the prosthetic shop in my town and they mostly sell ABC styles.  They don't have Silique. Bummer. I wonder if she would special order them.  This shop takes perscriptions so my insurance would pay this year.  I might have to get the Silique on my own.  I wonder how you know what size to get?  Maybe they go into that on their website.

    Thanks gals!!  I really appreciate it Laughing

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  • Faithroad
    Faithroad Member Posts: 432
    edited May 2011

    Erica, I think I will have a tendency to become quite obsessed as well!! haha!

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  • BoobsinaBox
    BoobsinaBox Member Posts: 550
    edited May 2011

    Faithroad,

    It you want mastectomy bras, you need to be fitted by someone who really knows what she is doing.  In that process, you will probably be given several options for prostheses, to see what cup size you want to be.  You can order the bras from them and then, armed with the size you want, you can go online and order the Silique Comfort-Lites from TrueKare.  The SCLs are $110 each or $210 if you order two form TrueKare.  That is less than most silicone forms are individually, usually over $300 each, and sometimes much more.  I don't know if your insurance will cover the entire cost, or if you have a deductible or co-pay, but I got silicone forms from the hospital boutique, my insurance paid for them and 3 bras in 2006, and I don't wear any of them.  Only wore them for about 4 months, and they were too heavy, bigger than I wanted, and uncomfortable on my sides.  I'm still working on finding what I want to wear, and I usually wear PALs right now, which you can read about on Barbara's (screen name Erica) website BreastFree.org.  I do like the feel of SCLs and PALs both, but I really like the weight of SCLs.  Still, for unpocketed bras, PALs stay in place very well on me, they are practically indestructible, and they wash and dry in a minute or two.  And PALs are $50-$60 a PAIR in my sizes (an A or B cup in a 34).  I have gone flat much of the time, and I have worn very small microbead forms as well, so I'd say I qualify as obsessed also!  Good luck.

    Dawn 

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  • Faithroad
    Faithroad Member Posts: 432
    edited May 2011

    Boobsinabox, first I love your name!!!

    I will check out PALS too.  The word "indestructable" is appealing to me!!!!  LOL!

    Thank you!

    Michelle

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