breast cancer = $$$ forever

I completely agree with you, especially since not all BC patients have insurance that will pay for things like breastforms (and of course even insurance has limits on what they will pay for; I believe it is one pair of breastforms every 2 years, and two mastectomy bras per year? Something like that? I am one of the Great Uninsured and so I don't know the specifics, since every $ comes out of my own pocket).



Just one more upside to choosing to "go flat" (although that did not figure into my decision at all, it IS a "side benefit": No need for pricey "mastectomy wear"!).



I will probably be slammed for this but I do NOT donate to any BC organizations. First of all, I have "issues" with the entire Pink Ribbon industry. As for other organizations, there was a big news story just this past week about a breast cancer organization in our area having taken over NINE MILLION DOLLARS in donations over the past five years but only passed on a mere $364,000 of all that money to any BC research or service programs. These scum (I don't know what else to call them!!) kept the rest of the donated money for themselves, using their registered charitable organization (a "Coalition Against Breast Cancer") as their "personal cash machine" according to the charges filed against them by the local DA. It took FIVE YEARS for these people to get caught, and now of course all that money is gone with the wind. And I'm sure there are many others of the same ilk who have not yet gotten caught profiteering in the same way.



That is yet another reason why I don't donate. First, because as you say, I don't have the money to spare. Secondly, I object to the whole Pink Ribbon merchandising concept. And thirdly, I have very little confidence that much of the money donated to most of these organizations is used to benefit any current BC patients. They certainly didn't help ME one bit (I wasn't quite poor enough yet -- and that is a direct quote from one of them, LOL!)



The manufacturers of mastectomy wear are all just grabbing a piece of the healthcare industry "pie" by pricing their stuff the way they do (just like hospitals charge different prices depending on what the traffic -- meaning the insurance company or Medicare or Medicaid or the uninsured patient -- will bear for that service, and the uninsured always pay more than anyone else). They are just taking advantage of someone's medical condition for their own gain. You can't tell me that the difference in construction of a "mastectomy tank top" warrants a $40 higher pricetag than a similarly constructed garment sold in Macy's, Target, or Wal-Mart. Odds are that both are made in China too, LOL!



Maybe it's time for a new bumper sticker: "Fight high BC-wear costs: Go Flat!" ;-)



(of course I realize that this is not something everyone would choose to do but it works for me)

yea I only own 2 bras and my insurance paid for them so I have to wash them every day I really need more but the ones I picked were 55.00 apiece, that is alot of money for 1 bra but I really need to break down and get a couple of more. It is ridiculous.

Nancy

Bravo Susan! I agree with you regarding the pink industry. We should start a champaign about how different industries are ripping off BC patients.

I think all you have to do is get your doctor to write out at prescription and you take it to a  mastectomy store and they fit you and they bill your insurance company at least that's how my is insurance works.. I did have to use the shop that was in my network which was at the hospital.

Nancy

For anyone who is uneven, have you tried silicon inserts for pumping up less endowed women?

One is called Takeouts, and I saw them a few years ago.  I don't need them, but was prepared to get some if I needed to go that route.  That is, use one on my smaller side.  I don't. 

They are designed to slip into regular bras.

I am just a bit noticeable if wearing a sheer cup, but not at all if I wear something molded.

Reading this thread, I am glad to be back to my collection and to normal problems.  Like what size/shape/color works best under my summer Ts.  Good luck.  I can only imagine this one.

I got through the post surgery expense by saying that was what a couple of friends could get for me as opposed to flowers.  I used a modified sports bra.  I have since recycled for that purpose...sports. - Claire

joann, do be aware that if you limit your shopping to just the brick and mortar stores you will be limited to what they will carry. For instance Nordstrom's carries only the Amoena brand and nothing else. An independent shop might carry Amoena and maybe one or if you are lucky perhaps two other brands but there more brands than that out there than just those. You are lucky that the lady said she is willing to order a model that isn't one she ordinarily stocks, just so that you could try it on, with no obligation to buy; the shops in my area would not do that. Their attitude was "we have plenty of things in stock here, I'm sure you can find SOMETHING that suits you" --- the implication being that I was being an unreasonable fussy nitpicking pain in the butt because I was not happy with the stuff already on their shelf. But the problem is that if you want a different BRAND (not just model) than they normally carry, the shop may not be able to get it from their distributor, or to get it for a price as low as are they are willing to pay (unless they plan to mark it up significantly!). Not an issue if insurance is paying for it of course. But if not, even if the store gets one in and you do like it, be sure to compare with the online prices. No sense paying more than you have to. Also you might want to stock up on a style at your own expense, if you really like it, in case the manufacturer decides to discontinue it in a year or two or three. That's why I bought more bras than I am ever likely to need. (I do that with shoes too ..... I've learned my lesson, LOL!!!!)



Also, online prices are lower than the brick and mortar stores, 90% of the time!! Not an issue if insurance is paying for them but a big big issue if not. The difference is far bigger for breastforms than for bras but there is still a difference. You can return a bra that you aren't happy with as long as it's within a certain amount of days (usually 7) and it still has all its tags and has not been washed or otherwise damaged. You will pay for return postage though but honestly it doesn't cost much to send something as light as a bra by First Class Mail.



I got my bras from Metro Medical, they are very reliable and have good prices. The picture of the white bra is a better one because it shows the straps better. I think the black one must be a larger size, or maybe the color just makes it look "bigger" than it really is. Oh and it has a decent size opening for the foobie which I found to be a big issue in other bras (opening not quite bit enough).



http://www.metromedicalonline.com/anita5362.html



If your shop can't get this model for you to try, it might be worth ordering one from them to try on.

RiverRat,

Thanks for bumping the pocket thread. I sew, so this is going to be any easy fix for me.

Nagem,  I tried the Ahhh Bra and it didn't offer enough support for me.  I am a 34D and have a unilateral mastectomy.  The Ahhh Bra didn't offer enough support for my sylicon breast form or my natural breast.  I can see where the bra would work if you use a lightweight small form.  It doesn't come with pockets.

~elaine~

Advertising (which is what you are doing by posting your link) is not allowed on this site (see Community Rules).

Susan,

Guess I'm just spoiled with thinner bra straps. Most of the MX bras I have tried on have these big clunky straps or are padded.  Why do the MX bras have to look so matronly? I know I shouldnt expect Victoria Secret stuff but what they charge for a bra with pockets is obscene! I take that back, we do deserve Victoria Secret like bras since we pay thru the nose for them. The supplier I have been working with said they are only reimbursed $25 per bra. I thought that was fair since I can buy Bali non MX bras for $15 on sale.

I agree.  So many in it for the buck and their own personal gain from someone else's pain.  I'm also irritated with those "I love boobies" bracelets.  The teenagers all wear them because they are "cool".  And the manufacturers make everyone believe their marketing efforts are all for a "good cause".  That would be true if the "good cause" were in regards to supporting their own personal high fallutin lifestyles.  Shame on them all!  It makes me SO angry.