Does anyone like wearing a prosthetic bra?

TokyoSing,

I haven't read about a lot of people who like PALs as much as I do, and I don't know why.  My favorites are the smallest size they have, which give me a 34A.  I also bought the next size up, which made a 34B or 36A, and they are just enough heavier that they don't stay in place quite as well, so maybe that it is.  They don't stick like contact forms, but they are made with mineral oil, as I understand it, and if you don't put powder on them, they can be quite "tacky".  I powder the fronts but not the backs, and I store them in 1-quart plastic bags.  i understand the oil can damage furniture if you let them lie out.  My silicone forms were also size 5, and they were just a little bigger than I wanted.  I wear my smallest PALs in size small Barely There bras I got at Macy's.  I can also wear the next size PALs in the same bras, but as I mentioned, they can pull away from my chest more because of the extra weight, so I'm not quite as secure.  We're having weather in the 80s where I live, and I have not found them to be uncomfortable in heat.  I have had hot flashes for over 15 years, so I'm kinda used to sweating, and they don't seem to make things worse.  In fact, I believe the oil in the forms really helped me heal better, and the fact that they stay on my skin helps me forget I even have them on.  I'm more aware of the larger ones, but that's partly because of the extra width and depth, and the fact that I don't wear them very often.  When I first got my PALs, I wore them in a shelf-bra camisole, and they worked well, though they were more likely to shift toward the middle, requiring occasional rearranging.  This bra is a seamless knit, but the space between the cups is firmer, and the cups are looser, so the forms seem to stay in place pretty well.  If this isn't clear, or you need more info, feel free to ask.

Dawn 

I tried the mircobead forms from TLC and sent them back. At first I liked them but by the end of the day they didnt hold there shape at all. I am now 5 mos out and started trying to wear my prosthetic bras. So far I made it all of last week at work.But didnt wear them at all this weekend. One step at a time for me.  I will get there.

Nancy

Just got home from the BC survivor cruise and on the ship I was fitted for a pair of Amoena free form breasts.Will let you know what they are like when I get them in the mail.

That is a lovely picture in your avatar by the way!

I had a dbl mx.. no recon.. finally got some prosthesis... just the soft ones.. you slip in the bra and they also make real soft t camis that I use.. sometimes I wear them sometimes I do not...

wearing a nice scar with a sweater.. no one knows the difference.. It is all up to how you feel about yourself... thats all

relax and enjoy which ever way you go.

Dawn,

It's interesting how we are all different -- I ultimately found the PALS too sticky/sweaty against my skin, but I don't mind the Comfort Lites, though if it's hot outside, I'll choose to wear them inside a pocket.

Kathleen1966,

Land's End swimsuits don't come with forms inside, to my knowledge. The company does make suits with pockets for forms, though. Those suits are usually modified to be higher in the neckline and under the arms. 

I hope your reconstruction goes well. I, along with many ladies on this thread, would rather live with my flat chest than undergo more surgery to obtain fake breasts. I don't consider my chest deformed -- it's smooth and flat and in breast forms I look as good (or better) than I did before.

Barbara

BreastFree.org

I found a bra at Sears tonight that I think I will like and it was on sale for $14!  It's Apostrophe brand, slip on (no hooks) microfiber, comes in lots of colors and has the little pads in it - which means I can also stick my little poofy foobs in the pockets behind the little pads. It's also easy to turn into a racer back bra if you wear tops that need that kind of bra.  I haven't tried to stick my microbead forms into it yet but I think I can get those into it as well.  I haven't worn them yet but maybe with this bra I will like them.  

We my surgery got pushed back to June 23rd, wished is was sooner but I have waiting this long.  Love the ideas on the bras and swim wear cann't wait.  I will have to wait at least 6 wks after surgery though.  More waiting.

There are times I don't wear a bra either but wearing t-shirts and tank tops give me problems.  I'm not nicely flat, I'm bumpy and lumpy and ridgey and I have a really large rib cage which all look funny in a clingy type top.  I'd like to figure out something that doesn't involve foobs but haven't been able to do that yet.

Faithroad, Caryl C,

I have an office job and have gone flat just about every day for about a year. It's not too hard since everyone knows my situation anyway.  I had chemo/baldness a couple of years ago. 

 I have wierd lumps around my scars, and lower ribs that stick out so anything clingy is not an option. Also yes my belly is more obvious so has to be taken into account

 I find that wearing layers is best for me. A nice button down cotton shirt over a tee, tank or cami works well for the office. It's like a light jacket. In cold weather I wear cardigans over tees and sometimes add a scarf. Those "drape" cardigans that were in style this year are Really great for going flat.

Some folks say to avoid bust darts-- but that limits your choices.  I have been wearing my LL Bean 3/4 sleeve blouses (they have vertical darts) but not buttoning them, maybe just 1-2 lower buttons, letting the tank shirt underneath show. Dark colored tanks are best at hiding lumps/bumps.

 If I really want to wear a fitted jacket needing foobs, I use a cami with fiberfill puffies pinned into the shelf bra of the cami. I find the camisoles much more comfortable than the mx bras.

 Hope this helps, and I hope that you find a style that works for you! It does take time to figure it all out as other folks have also said.

 Sue

I just read online that with the fleece removed, it makes a great partial form.

Sher, I found mine in a store. It is a favorite of the fitters at my mastectomy shop.

I fully expected to wear prostheses after my bilateral mastectomy, but I've ended up using them sort of as an accessory - when I want to look normal in a dress. If it weirds people out that I'm flat one day and not the next, that's their problem.

I had a double mastectomy in Dec. 2009 (no cancer this time but decided to have them "off") due to family cancer concerns.  I totally HATE the prosthetic bra!! I wore it once only, so even with insurance paying part of the cost, it was $50 wasted. I also have a drawer full of "foobs." The silicone ones are hot and heavy, but the other kind are too light and ride up. Also, there is no such thing as a comfortable bra. Like you, I have too much tummy, but I am learning to live with it. I wear a lot of lightwt. caftan tops, very loose so the flatness on top doesn't seem so severe.  None of the bras deal with the "flaps" left under the arms following a mastectomy. No support there. I continue to look for something with lots of ruffles but haven't found the right thing for me yet.  One person said she made her own "foobs" from body poofs, but, you would still have to wear a bra to hold them in place. good luck. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with the reconstruction. A friend of mine had it and its totally pleased with hers.

I called Nearly-Me and they gave me a web site. www.shopnational.com. I was able to get 2 weighted foam forms for 81.86 . Lucky me today.

Nancy