How to Choose Prosthesis

I would say to choose a good fitter.  The patient navigator from the ACS recommended the place I went to and I am very happy with my prosthesis.  I am a D cup and I have to say it does feel heavy in your hand, but I forget that it's on all day.  I have never had such a well fitting bra.  I did choose one that is meant to be a bit cooler.  I think that was the right choice for me.  If you have any specific questions that I can answer, I would be happy to do so.

I had a uni-mx and my other breast is large (D). I am also very hot natured.  I always say I could be hot in a snowstorm!

I have an Amoena Light prosthesis and it is very comfortable.  I put it on in the morning when I get dressed and never give it a moment's thought all day long.  It came with one cloth cover but I went online and bought several extras so I could always have a clean one each day.  They were pretty cheap.

I also bought many bras and returned many bras before I finally found one that gave enough support and was comfortable to me.  The one I finallly found that I really do like is called an Amoena Ava bra.

I like my Amoena bras and prostheses...I have been using them for over ten years..

you need to get fitted properly..

I had a BMX 4 months ago, and I wear either the soft pillow foobs I got for right after surgery or microbead ones I just ordered from TLC. I do not plan on getting silicone "proper" ones. From what I read, it seems that they are heavy, expensive and uncomfortable.

Momine,

Although silicone can feel heavy (particularly if you wear a large size breast form or don't use a lightweight silicone) and can be uncomfortable (some women find them hot), many women love their silicone breast forms. Yes, they are expensive, but if you have insurance, you will almost-certainly be entitled to new breast forms at least every two years. There's federal legislation that requires coverage for this. Equally important as the breast forms themselves is the bra you wear them with (also usually covered by insurance). Some mastectomy bras are like iron maidens, but others are comfortable and attractive. A good fitter could help you with this.

Even though I often wear my non-silicone forms, I love the lifelike feel of silicone, which is soft and huggable. When I wear silicone, I look and (sometimes) feel as if I have my own breasts back. I'm writing this not only for you but for other women who might be reading this thread. I think at the very least, it's worth going to a good fitter and trying on some silicone breast forms. For those who have had a BMX, you can be any size you wish, so smaller forms will be even lighter in weight.

Barbara

I have been looking at TLC for a pocket camisole, just wondering if the #8067 is comfortable. Has anyone tried this one?

I'm glad I read this. I'm going tomorrow with a friend to get my new set of 'girls'. We're making a day of it, going to the fitter she used when she had her mastectomy, and then on to lunch. I'm really excited to maybe be able to find something to 'fill the void'.

My only concern is how they might feel against my scars. I still have lingering pain there (BMX was only 7 weeks ago) and certainly don't want to aggravate it and/or cause more pain. I don't plan on getting really heavy ones, nowhere near the size I was before surgery. I'll be happy with something in the neighborhood of a large B/small C. (I was a DDD) Hopefully we'll be able to find something that is a lightweight silicone. I'll just have to pray it doesn't cause more pain than I already have.

Crystal, I'm not sure what it feels like to them, but I'm certain they aren't thinking about that when they're giving a hug. If the person doing the hugging truly cares about you, that won't even be on their mind.

Erica, I am sure you are right, and I didn't mean to "put down" silicone forms. It is just that where I am (Greece) you are shipped straight to amoena, and they only have silicone forms (here at least). So it was only by perusing sites in the US that I discovered that there are other options. I already have a 600-dollar wig sitting idle, so I would hate to have a 600-dollar set of boobs sitting in a drawer on top of that. My insurance does not pay for either.

Barbara:  Seeing if you have any words of wisdom on fitting.  I have a little more tissue over my ribs on one side than on the other.  It makes one side have a tiny bit more projection than the other.  One of those, you really have to look close to notice it and who looks that close anyway, things.  Is there some simple little fix out there already?  Being the queen of improvising, I could come up with something if I want to be that OCD about it but even then no sense in recreating the wheel.

Barbara

Starak,

I have the same situation, and the side with less on the side is also more indented on the chest.  When I got my silicone forms over 5 years ago, the fitter suggested a form for the left that has a special little pocket on the back with what looks like a cream or lotion that helps it fit into the spaces and keeps the projection much more equal.  I have wondered about having a form like that in a different shape, one of those with the slight extension over the side, but like you, I'm not that worried about perfection.  And that area on my left side is where the surgeon did a very lousy job and I still have occasional discomfort, so I don't want to put anything else over it.  I still remember that when I wore horizontal stripes before my BMX, the nipples were never on the same stripe.  I don't think anybody is perfectly symmetrical!

Dawn 

Crystal, I ordered the microbeads in size 5, and although they fit in my bra (as promised by the chart), they seem too big to me. My bras are size 36B. Do you think the 3s would fit in that bra? I am debating whether to order 3s or 4s, you see. Because I am in Europe, it is a bit of a pain. I order the things to a US address, then has the lady in my US office forward them by mail. It means I can't really return things.

Thanks. According to that, I got the right size. I guess I should get some smaller bras if I want smaller foobs.

Momine: I have 36B bras (just got my new prosthesis after a lb mastectomy, rb reduction) and Amoena size 4s fit perfectly. The bras are really comfortable too. I was really happy that I could get bras that look "typical."  Don't think anyone would guess I have a prosthesis.