Implants do not fill out bra cup

Hello Ladies,  I have discovered a bra that works great for me, as I have one breast a great deal larger than the other one.  It is wireless, large comfortable straps, molded just right, and very comfortable.  It is the Bra-llelujah by Spanx. available at Saks, and Bloomingdales.and probably on line.  Unfortunately it is very expensive, but I am not in pain anymore.  Hope this helps.

I'm so glad to be reading this. I had my exchange 1/24/11 and was devastated. I knew I wasn't going to look like a centerfold, but my PS asssured me that 800cc silcone implants would work well on my 5'3" 185 lb body.   He said I'd be perky... So I come out of surgery and am advised that basically my body swallowed them up. He suggested I get fitted for mastectomy bras and get the inserts to fill them out...really!! Like you ladies, I chose recon to avoid prosthetics.I was looking for basically a 40aA-B which is pretty much impossible.  I also didn't need chemo or rads and I agree with you Diane losing my breasts was quite enough.I finally found a Hanes stretchy "bra" that at least covered me but I looked like I had a pre puberty chest. I must say I have improved. I've been able to wear a couple of my old bras with a little space in front, just to get by. I'd rather not wear a bra sometimes because of the poor bra fit, but I'm uneven enough that I'm uncomfortable when I see myself. I'm trying to lose weight which may help with some bra fit, but I know I'll have to get used to the new normal. I've put off nipple recon because I wanted to make sure there wasn't something more my PS could do. I don't think going with a flap procedure will make me any happier so time to move on. I've heard great things about Nordstroms and how awesome their bra department is for fitting mastectomy  issues and reconstruction as well. I just want to look and feel more like I used to and be comfortable in what I wear. I truly felt like I was alone and that it was just my body that betrayed me. I'm gad to know I'm not alone, but sad that we have to go through this after having to deal with BC. I will say I'm thankful to be alive and have an awesome husband and friends that support me, but sooo thankful to come here and KNOW we share this and truly understand what each if have gone through

mawhinney:  I too use old shoulder pads (the thin circular type) in my old bras--I pinned them to the inside of each bra cup so they don't slip and then just wash the bras inside a lingerie bag.  I even bought new pads at a sewing store when I needed another set.  Still, I'd like to be able to just use a regular bra with no pad.  I had my exchange in Dec 2010, but I've put off nipple reconstruction because they say it can make you even flatter. Does anyone know about the possibility of fat grafting to give a little more fullness to the center of the breast?  Seems that would solve a lot of our problems.

Don't worry about the large size of your nipples. I know it's odd, but they shrink in size with time. My reconstruction was complete a little over a year ago and my new nipples are considerably smaller than they were to begin with. The implants are still not perfect but they're much better looking than they were. They have dropped over the last year and rounded out more. At first mine were very "pancaked" looking and I felt exactly as you do, but as time passed they fell and fluffed. I tried many bras, had many fittings at various retailers and ended up being the most satisfied with the full coverage Victoria Secret bra with memory ?? (can't remember the exact term). It sort of cradles and pushes the implants together and molds them into more normal looking boobs with better projection and actual cleavage! They come in the invisible lace design in pretty colors..makes you feel more feminine. It's really strange, I was never one to care what my bra looked like before, but after the bmx I feel the need to have more girlie things. Someone told me just the other day, they hardly recognized me because my hair is long now (I've had short hair the last 20 years) my response was, you know the funniest thing, who knew, when you have your boobs cut off you suddenly feel the need to grow your hair long

DJL, I felt the same way maybe have nicer breasts as a consulation prize for BC. You're right though cancer free is the best part of all this  I was a c before not a full c but push up bras were great. When my PS said I'd be perky i was like awesome these will be better then my real ones! I'm now a better shaped  C feel so much better now.  I also thought wow I can were spagetti strap tops and not wear a bra now and then.  I realize I was over focusing on my expectations.  So 10/28/11 I go for my nipple reconstruction. He's doing the C-V flap. I heard about  them being over sized so that at least that's one thing I will be prepared for.  thanks for sharing your experience.  All the best to you. will love to hear how you feel after the nips settle down! Will share what happens with my nipple recon.

Susie123

I totally get the wanting to be more girly. I want frilly lingerie and add soft curls to my hair. I wear my hair chin length but am thinking longer as well. I've never been frilly but now i lean that way.

Fighter_34

I have considered checking into lipo/tummy tuck. I know it'll make a difference. but I know my PS will say Lose 20 pounds first then of course theres the money issue I'm happier now that 8 months since reconstruction I am a C but since I'm apple shape the mid section is the worst. Also being 51, hysterectomy.... yeah weight loss very difficult!

I am excited, this Saturday I go to Nordstroms for a proper bra fitting, something sexy, and comfortable is that possible in a bra?  It's great to hear others experiences. Ladies enjoy the rest of your week !

 Barbara I agree Ps' do seem to gloss over some of the realities of outcomes. I'm sorry you've had a rough time. Being a plus size woman, had my dr said well, we hope for full C's but because of your size there maybe challenges I would have been better prepared when my body swallowed 800cc implants. I'm better now. my size has improved 8 1/2 months later.  I am having nipple reconstruction  10/28/2011 and I just pray that will turn out well. As far as being whole, I wonder about that as well.  physically and mentally we are changed forever and the "new normal" doesn't thrill me. but everyday I'm thankful I get to see another day and i just keep going. I hope you're able to go for consult and possibly look into revision . even though our breasts or the cancer doesn't define us ...it does and will for as long as we let it. Best to you I hope and pray things will turn around.

Lynda

Just wanted to follow up from my post yesterday - my "huge" nipples look better already! Yesterday the PS took the plastic protectors off of the nipples from surgery and by the time I got home from work they had already "settled down" a bit. The thing he said that made me think,"What???" was when I told him I thought they were really too big, he said, "Oh, did I forget to tell you that they would be huge but they will shrink on down." I just thought to myself - that is a pretty important thing to tell someone who already has lost part of their body and is in th process of trying to look "normal" again.

I have researched and read everything I can get my hands on as I move through this process but it seems like there is nothing to really prepared you for what you are going to see when the bandages come off. I think even the pcitures you can find look different because of the angle - they are taken from the front and when you look down on your own chest you see things differently.

But wanted to share that I feel MUCH better today and wanted to tell everyone to hang in there - I saw several of you who are having your nipple reconstruction in the next couple of weeks.

DJL, So glad you're seeing improvement and that you're feeling better! Your  PS was funny oh didn't I tell you?! .  Good thing about these posts is that maybe someone can read before they go through the experience and know what to ask about!

DocBabs, it is amazing about sizes,  I'm 5'3" 185 sz 14  I have a 39 " chest. So your 5 " taller make a difference, and I'm sure your not as broad around as me. 

JYG I hope I won't have difficulty with my bra fitting on Saturday. I guess this is just an ongoing adventure we have to endure and perhaps we'll eventually find the right thing that works!

Hi Donna, thank you for your post! I am struggling with this also and have been searching the web for any info. I am also feeling frustrated as this was supposed to bring back breasts and mine look like two implants sitting on a table, round and flat. My ps says they will drop but it’s been 8 weeks since surgery and they look exactly the same. I see him again next week so I’m curious what he will have to say. I had chemo and radiation on the left side and that one looks more normal but it is hard as a rock so not sure if there’s anything to do to help that, the other is still swollen. Has anything changed for youyet? Keep me posted and I will also let you know when anything changes. I’m told to have a lot of patience because it could be a while. The body cannot be rushed! Take care & please don’t feel guilty, we are not super hero’s, we are survivors. xo