I haven't a clue

Hi Maryellen,

You might also check out my non-profit website, BreastFree.org. I created it to address the kind of issues you raise. In the Breast Forms and Bras and Camisoles sections, I recommend forms that I and other women have found comfortable and attractive. Not all forms are hot and nowadays most are not heavy (light and ultra-lightweight silicone and non-silicone forms are available) and a number of the forms I recommend are designed to minimize perspiration behind the form. After you check out the sections I mentioned, go to the Helpful Links section of BreastFree.org and take a look at online sites that offer mastectomy products. That will give you an idea of the vast range of products available.

Then, you'll be informed and ready to visit a local mastectomy shop and work with a fitter to find the best forms for you. Unfortunately, local fitters don't always have a huge selection, but armed with knowledge, you won't be talked into something too hot or too heavy. Despite what some fitters say, even if you only had a unilateral mastectomy, you don't need to exactly match the weight of your natural breast. You just need enough to achieve balance. And if you had a bilateral mastectomy, you don't need any weight at all (some fitters will tell you that you do need weight, but they're wrong!). I often wear unweighted foam forms in a pocketed camisole. They aren't as soft as real breasts, but the shape is great and they look totally natural and I feel as if I have nothing on at all! 

As for nipples, I like to have a little nipple protrusion on the forms I wear (the silicone forms have them, foam forms usually don't). They feel more lifelike to me that way. When I'm intimate with my husband, I sometimes wear them and he loves them! Plus, believe it or not, when I touch the fake nipples, my brain somehow experiences them as real and it has an erotic effect. Weird, but true. No kidding!

I had my mastectomy in 2006 and I've learned that finding the right forms is a process of trial and error, but if you know what's out there to begin with, you'll have a better chance of finding forms you like right from the start. If you have insurance, forms and bras should be covered.

Hope this helps.

Barbara

Maryellen, I live in Greece, so when I saw those silicone clumps, all I could think of too was how hot they must be. 

The need for weighted forms is, as best as I can make out, completely bogus. My shoulders did not collapse when I was a child, and my posture was fine. I am now 6 months out from a BMX without recon and my posture is still fine.

Right after the surgery (in the hospital) I got a set of fiber-filled foobs, the very light, soft things meant for the immediate post-surgical period. Thing is, I just continued wearing them. I prefer wearing a camisole, because of some LE issues in my armpit/trunk, and the fiber things are perfect for that. I also got some light foobs from TLC that are filled with little styrofoam balls. They work well too, for me that is.

Don't let anyone talk you into anything. try things and experiment till you find something that works for you. 

Hi, I'm a fellow BMX woman. I also found all the shapes and options overwhelming. I used microbead forms for the first year, then found a good fitter. I think she just looked and me and picked the shape that worked. So, my suggestion is to try another fitter. There's always Phoenix!  Mine are some kind of leightweight silicon made by Amoena. My bras are the same. They feel like real breasts. I bought "B" size although I had previously been a "C" or "D". I think I look much more youthful with smaller breasts. And they weigh less! By the way, I go totally flat to yoga and while exercising and just anywhere if I feel like it. It's nice to have options!  Good luck to you!

Yes, I remember feeling like people were looking at me and could somehow tell I had had surgery. That self-conscious feeling lasted for quite a while actually. Having a BMX is very dramatic for a woman I think, so it's no wonder. And we get to look at our strange looking new chest every day. But really, truly, people don't care. The ones who know about your surgery probably do look, but they get used to it too. I am almost two years from surgery and I am over worrying about it. Mostly because I am thrilled to be two years away from treatment! My advice: If you feel up to it, while you are in Phoenix, buy yourself a new blouse or earrings or something you like. I seem to remember that feeling like I was well pulled together helped get me through the initial awkward stage. And now that I am comfortable with the big change I am afraid I'm spending a little less time on pulling together nice outfits! 

Good luck finding a GREAT fitter!!

MaryEllen, you have me laughing, go for the pierced knitted bamboo foob! :-) I love it!!!!!!!