Going to be fitted for my first silicone prosthesis

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CLC
CLC Member Posts: 1,531
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

Hello, all.

I am going to be fitted Friday for my first silicone prosthetic and mx bras.  I have read Barbara's site for info...but really, I am overwhelmed by the sheer number of things to consider.  I am assuming that since I am matching a size D on the other side, I will want a lighter weight prosthetic.  But...it seems like there are so many choices to consider...those that reduce sweating, for example.

As I try different forms, what should I keep my eye on?  What should I be thinking about? 

With a $300 deductable and only 4 bras a year, I really would like to make some good choices...  Any advice you all have to offer is welcomed...I just don't know what I should be most focused on while I am there...  And, truthfully, I have always been a lousy shopper...

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  • BoobsinaBox
    BoobsinaBox Member Posts: 550
    edited November 2011

    CLC,

    If you find the perfect foobs on your first try, I will be impressed!  Many of us have tried a lot of options, some of which were paid by insurance and some not.  I have my original heavy silicone foobs, two sizes of PALs, two sizes of Silique Comfort Lites, and two pairs of tiny microbead forms. I generally wear either the larger SCLs or the smaller PALs, but today I got out the originals, and remembered that they are heavy, but they do feel a lot more like my original equipment.  I also have gone totally flat (concave) for about half of the 5 and a half years since my bilat.  In short, I probably won't ever find the perfect foobs for me, but I have lots of options in my closet, and I hope your first prosthesis truly is the best one for you.  Just don't be surprised if you find yourself looking for other options over the years!  Good luck!

    Dawn 

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  • CLC
    CLC Member Posts: 1,531
    edited November 2011

    Thanks, BoobsinaBox, for the good luck wishes...

    I know I won't get it just right.  I will be happy if I can get just something I am actually willing to wear-nevermind perfect...:) 

    I am only 5.5 weeks post op and already, I want to ditch even the lightweight form...but I am umx...so that really isn't an option at work. 

    I just don't even know what I should be thinking about while I am trying them out...

    sigh...really...i just hate shopping...

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited November 2011

    I  have been wearing a prosthesis for ten years...it helps to find a fitter you like and is willing to experiment..it took three different places until I found the shop I liked. We are all different so not one fits all..hope it is easy for you..hugs

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  • Faith316
    Faith316 Member Posts: 2,431
    edited November 2011

    I also had a uni-mx and my remaining breast is size D.  I have an Amoena Essential Light prosthesis and it is very comfortable.  It comes with one cloth cover but I went online and bought 5 or 6 extra ones because I wanted a clean one each day.  They were pretty cheap.    I also like the Amoena Ava bra.  It is a good for full figures.  It took me a long time to find that bra.  I ordered and tried on and returned probably a dozen others before I found that one.  It provides good support and is comfortable.  Good luck.

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  • CLC
    CLC Member Posts: 1,531
    edited November 2011

    Thanks, ladies. 

    Faith, I will keep the Amoena Essential Light in mind and be sure to check it out, since you and I are both umx, size D.  I imagine I will want a lighter prosthesis...

    SoCalLisa...I found a fitter that I loved.  But they don't accept my insurance.  So I am going to a place I didn't like as much...we will see...

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  • charliedog
    charliedog Member Posts: 6
    edited November 2011

    I had a unmx inJan/11 (was asking for a bilateral mastectomy but was denied) Could hardly wait for e verything to heal so i could wear a bra with a silicone foob. I am a D cup. All is well lealed and have been wearing the bra and foob of and since march. I hate it. It is way too heavy and i can hardly wait to get home and take it off. Am on the wait list for an elective mastectomy and hope to have it before christmas and then i am going "commando" and can hardly wait,.

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  • CLC
    CLC Member Posts: 1,531
    edited November 2011

    charliedog....I could be writing the same exact words in a few months...  I hate dealing with the lightweight foob...and tear it out of my bra the second I can.  I am hoping that I will like the silicone one better.  Part of my annoyance is the fact that the lightweight foob doesn't hold a bra down so the fake side rides up.  I am hopeful that the weighted foob will work better.  Really, all I want is to stop thinking about my chest during the day. 

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  • Faith316
    Faith316 Member Posts: 2,431
    edited November 2011

    I don't even think about my prosthesis all day long.  It is very comfortable and I never even give it a second thought all day long.

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  • CLC
    CLC Member Posts: 1,531
    edited November 2011

    Thanks, Faith...that is encouraging...:)

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  • CLC
    CLC Member Posts: 1,531
    edited November 2011

    Yeah!!!  I found the Amoena Essential Lite and the Amoena Mona bra...and I like them.  I cannot believe how much it feels like I have a breast.  The texture is different than my remaining breast..(My remaining breast is 44 years old and the prosthetic feels like a 20 year old breast...lol)  But...I like having the weight there and I like how it moves when I move (like jump).  It looks as much like my remaining breast as my now long gone breast did (maybe moreso...I was never the same size on both sides...)

    My shoulder did feel tired after an hour or so and there was pressure on my incision area.  So I am assuming that I will need to build up to it each day, since I am still only 6 weeks post op.

    I think I have done okay for a first shot...  I won't wear it at home, or even much during the summers when I am not teaching, but soon I will be able to wear any clothing to work without considering camouflaging the awkward lightweight foob.

    Thank you all for your input...Smile

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  • Faith316
    Faith316 Member Posts: 2,431
    edited November 2011

    Glad you found it and like it. 

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

    Congrats! I remember that feeling of being amazed how like a real breast the forms can feel. I hope you adjust quickly and can soon wear your new form comfortably all day while teaching.

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  • CLC
    CLC Member Posts: 1,531
    edited November 2011

    Thank you Faith!

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  • CLC
    CLC Member Posts: 1,531
    edited November 2011

    Hey, Barbara...I missed your post...we must have posted at exactly the same moment last night.  I so appreciate all you do.  This all has been made way easier by your website, email and posts here.  Thank you!

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  • caaclark
    caaclark Member Posts: 936
    edited November 2011

    Just joining in late but I just started wearing the Amoena Essential Light.  I had a single mast. in 2006 so I am much further out but I needed a new breast form and this one seems like a good match for me.  Also: try the Amoena Angelina mast. bra.  I think it is a newer one and I really love it.  And, some of the Anita bras work with the form too but it was sort of trial and error on those.  My previous form worked well with Anita but the Essential Light is not as good of a fit with Anita.

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  • bingbing
    bingbing Member Posts: 82
    edited November 2011

    Has anyone heard of the radient impressions breast prosthesis? There are custom made and don't need a mastectomy bra. they cost about 2700 dollars, but if medicare pays for them I would consider them. I have the amoena natura lite and really don't mind them, but custom made sounds even better.

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

    Hi bingbing,

    Radiant Impressions says that no mastectomy bra is needed, but many women find it uncomfortable to wear silicone directly against the skin as it can cause stickiness and perspiration behind the form. The Radiant Impression forms are silicone, just like your Natura Lite, although it's a different formulation. I've never worn Radiant Impressions but I've seen them and touched them and spoke with a fitter who fits them and she confirmed that sweating could occur. I'm not particularly a booster of the Natura, but it does seem to mold nicely to the chest, so I'm not sure what advantage you'd have with Radiant Impressions, unless you're trying to match an existing breast and have had a problem with that. That's my take. Hopefully others will chime in who have tried both Radiant Impressions and non-custom breast forms and can compare.

    Barbara

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  • CLC
    CLC Member Posts: 1,531
    edited November 2011

    I'm soooo happy!!!  My first day at work with the new form...:)  Just made my day.  I felt like I had two breasts.  I wore a regular, plain shirt that didn't camouflage anything for the first time in 6 1/2 weeks.  I could take my sweater off and not worry if I was straightened out...

    I was already sure that I'd made the right decision to forgo recon, but, this whole silicone form thing is just a big old bonus!

    Just had to share!Cool

    I hope this post finds each of you having a good day-Claire

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  • Dukes_Up
    Dukes_Up Member Posts: 149
    edited November 2011

    So happy for you, Claire!  Wonderful news!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  • path49
    path49 Member Posts: 2
    edited November 2011

    I just got my 4 bras and 2 prosthesis earlier this month and I went to a Women's Boutique and she was so experienced she just fitted me exactly with what I need. She recommended different bras  to try on and then we decided together if they worked well or not. She also tried a couple different size of prostheses and recommended one of those too. My suggestion is to call some shops that sell these and let them know you will be coming. This woman was so great that the whole process was so much easier than I had expected. Good luck! You'll do just fine.

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