Can anything be done?

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Lilly622
Lilly622 Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Good morning, 

First let me start off by saying that I am new to this board, and still finding my way around.  Please forgive me if this topic has already been posted, but after multiple searches, I am coming up empty handed. I will also post this question under the reconstruction board, as I am not sure exactly where to post this. Thank you in advance for you feedback.

I had a lumpectomy early 2013 followed by 6 weeks of radiation, 5 days a week. I wasn't a very large breasted woman to begin with (B cup), but after the lumpectomy I feel a good chunk of my right breast was taken out leaving me with a pretty decent sized indent, that is (at times) painful and tender from what I am told is from the radiation. Of course the radiation didn't help, making my breast feel more firm, and maybe even a little smaller than it already was. 

I now feel very lop sided with being uneven in a bra.  I am not sure I want to use implants, as I am comfortable with my left breast size, but I am not happy with the different sizes. I am wondering if any of you have heard of other options besides implants and the success on that?

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  • SelenaWolf
    SelenaWolf Member Posts: 1,724
    edited January 2014

    There are some women's lingerie shops that sell pads to put in your bra that help bump you up a cup-size or so.  Perhaps this may be an option for you?

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  • fd1
    fd1 Member Posts: 239
    edited January 2014

    I have no idea if this is possible, but maybe fat grafting? 

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  • DawnCT
    DawnCT Member Posts: 143
    edited January 2014

    I think that fat grafting may be an option for you.  When I met with my plastic surgeon (I had an oncoplastic reduction with my re-excision), he showed me photos of a woman that had had a lumpectomy and he used fat grafting on her to fill in an area in her breast.  She had already had radiation.  

    My PS told me that fat grafting is the way of the future and that artificial implants will likely be phased out.  Interesting.  

    Perhaps you should have a consultation with a plastic surgeon or two?  Mine was an oncoplastic surgeon which I think would be your best bet.  

    Good luck!

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited January 2014

    I know of someone else who had  the same situation and she went to a post surgery fitter and they fitted a bra with the pocket for a partial prosthesis. I have a catalogue for Amoena that shows these partials.

    Worth a look!

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited January 2014

    As Ariom said see a certified fitter.  You will then be able to try on to find the one that works best for you.  Looking in a catalog and thinking that looks like what I think might work is not a very good idea.  I had a UMX but in a way it's the same as not all pros. are the same shape/size, different styles within the same manufacturer are somewhat different in fit.

    I have found some very inexpensive bras at Walmart/Kmart/etc. recently that have push-up pads in them in 'pockets' (pocket similar to MX bras) that I've bought some of 'cause they were pretty colors and cheap.  I take the pads out and put my pros. in.  So far, they're doing fine for just 'everyday' wear but I much prefer my MX bras when I'm going to be very active.  I'm a 34 B but I've found in the 'el cheapo' ones I pull the pads out of, a 34A is often better.  Just thoughts.  You might be able to just ake the pad out of the non surgery side and be 'even'.

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited January 2014

    Great advice Kicks, but meant to mention, being really careful with normal bras. I read of another member on here who had a nasty accident while wearing a normal bra with and under wire. The wire came loose and stabbed her where the numbness was after her surgery, she didn't feel it, and ended up with a bad infection from it.

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