All things bras & prosthesis

Just wanted to share my post bmx bra shopping experiences....

Went to Nordstroms for a fitting and w/ Mentor 500 cc round implants I'm a 34 D. I bought Natori bras and was pleased.

I'm 10 months post-op and a few months ago went to Soma and tried on one of their 'Enhancing Shape' bras and was blown away by how much I loved it. It has slight padding in the upper pole of the bra and it fits like a glove. I've since bought several.

I've recently noticed Soma is doing TV ads for this exact bra.

They offer free shipping (also free shipping on returns) if you don't have a Soma shop in your area.

I am so pleased with this bra...

Btw, am 5'5, 120 pounds.

Just wanted to share how much I like this particular bra.

Size 4 Tru life swim forms are 14.5 com wide and 12 cm high. Mine are also 3.5 deep but I removed some beads. They fill my Amoena 36 AA cup nicely but the a little corner 3.0x0.5 cm hangs out of the edge of the pocket at the 2 o'clock position. If I had to do it again I'd get the size 2 or 3. Unfortunately they order the, and don't keep in stock at fitter The 3 would be about the same as my size 4 shallow silicones that fit in the same bra. DH likes the future of those as it look so Iike my old regular A size before BC. Since I had the BMX I like the choice to go smaller if the clothing allows. But one of my sun dresses needs the silicones Plus a Genie form to fill it out.

haven't been wearing the Trulife Aqua forms much. As I stated they were a bit much for over filling the cups for me. Well today I put on a sundress that needed a suggestion of foob. The Genie bra with the Aqua forms with the sz 4 footprint were perfect A soft mature curve not too perky A smaller would have been sliding around. I will get a smaller pair for in the regular bra

Can anyone tell me if a size 4 round, silicone breast form will fit inside the pocket of a padded Genie bra cami? I plan on removing the pads and inserting the silicone form in one pocket.

Good to hear as I already ordered a 3 pack. Thank you for responding!

I've added a cut along the seam to enlarge the opening on some of mine. The knit doesn't ravel or run, so no need to stitch after cutting.

HAve never posted on here before but have this thread bookmarked for regulare reading!

Just wanted to let you know the mods are making a slideshow of BC sisters from all over - it will be lovely!

If you would like to take part or even just see some of your BC sisters

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/135/topic/834934?page=1#post_4494722

Thanks so much, ShortyRN! I just ordered a pair to try

Thanks for the link, I also ordered them.

I just wanted to say thanks to all you wonderful ladies for providing such helpful info to the newbies. I've been going crazy trying to figure out this new body of mine, and this thread has taught me SO much. Went for my fitting today, and thanks to all of you, I went in prepared and was able to tell the fitter what I needed, and what I felt comfortable with. I let her figure out what sizes I needed, and then we worked together to get things that I feel like I can live with. Without all that I have learned from you, I would have been totally lost and would have come home with a bag full of things to stuff in a drawer and never wear. I'm going back to work next week, and instead of huddling inside a jacket trying to hide, I'm going to strut into that office feeling, and looking, great!

Hi Sherrie,

Regarding your question, I'm not exactly understanding what's going on with the forms. The Valance form is an attachable form. It sounds as if you'd be better off with forms that you wear inside a pocket. Then they can't creep out. If you're already wearing the forms in the pockets, how do they creep out of the top of the bra?

There are so many breast forms available, in different sizes, shapes, and styles, that you really should be able to find the perfect fit. It sounds as if the mastectomy shop you use, like many if not most, has a rather limited stock. Sometimes, the fitter will try to sell you what she has, even if it's not the ideal fit for you. That being said, it's really helpful to try things on in person. I wouldn't hesitate to return to the store and describe your issue to them. If they don't treat you well or if they can't work with you on this, another option is for you to check out the much wider variety of breast forms available at online sites. The disadvantage is that you have to order before trying on, but most good online sites allow you to return the forms if they don't work out. You might check out the range of things available by going to the Helpful Links section of my non-profit website, BreastFree.org.

Also, you didn't say if this was true in your case, but some shops won't order forms that aren't in stock unless you promise to buy them, so that's at least as much of a problem as ordering online. The downside of online retail sites is that you almost always have to submit your own insurance claim, whereas most mastectomy shops will handle that for you.

It sounds as if you like the people at the Healthtique shop, but I hope you're getting good advice. You might go for a "second opinion" if there are any other mastectomy shops in your area.

Sherrie, this is what I found when I searched for pictures of the specific form you got: Anita Care Valance Vario Breast Prosthesis 1052 XV. If yours looks like this, it does seem to be an attachable, but since you weren't aware of that, I assume you've been wearing it with the adhesive strips covered. If this is the form you have, that's terrible that the fitter sold you an adhesive form without telling you that's what it is, and when you hadn't requested one. Here's the description of the form at the MetroMedical website, where I found the picture:

The Anita Care Valance Vario 1052 XV Breast Form is an adhesive form that adheres directly to the chest wall. Other features include:

• Can be used on either side of the chest wall
• Comes with 2 Valance adhesive strips and 4 cover films that adhere to the back of the form, covering the adhesive so that it may be used as a traditional breast form in a bra pocket
• Only a portion of the back of the form is adhesive which creates a more natural movement
• No slipping or flapping away from the chest wall
• The elastic, dermatologically-tested adhesive strips move with the body without pulling on the skin and can be easily removed under running water
• Valance prostheses have a smooth, snug-fitting back made with special SoftLite silicone
• Perfect shaping and fit even without the adhesive pads

sgabbert, mine does that too sometimes. After I get the bra on I reach inside the side opening and adjust the form. It never seems to end up in the right place.I can't tell from the photo...is it sticking out too far in the center part of the bra or the part under the arm?

I have been wearing the amoena contact light form for years (25) , they stick on directly to the skin ( because of the pearls) with no adhesive. If you're on the small side (I wear a 34A) I put my bra on and then stick the forms on my chest so the bra pockets cover the forms. It's a very natural fit and if you take a small size they're very light. One can also go without a bra with these as they stick on quite well. I got these forms as soon as they came out after my first mastectomy 25 yrs ago. I was in my 30s at the time and they were perfect for me and allowed me to keep wearing my regular bras.