Swimming forms

anamerty · January 2016

Im sure even i have posted about this already but here goes. I am now almost 3.5 yrs post bx mx and still havent found a good breast form for a swim suit. I just went to my post mx store to purchase a couple new bras .she showed me the swim forms that they sell and they are $65 for each form ugg $130 for both. And i really dont swim. I cant justify spending that much ,on something i might or might not wear. I bought a new suit last year and altered it for pockets but have not worn it has anybody here actually worn the swim prostetics and can really attest to how they hold up? Im afraid when i jump out of the water my suit will pull down due to the pressure of the water .as long as the bathing suite is dry I'm good ,I think but when its wet I don't know what it will do. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.. Thank-you

Kicks · January 2016

I use my 'regular' prosthesis for swimming - never tried 'swim pros'. I do not swim a lot (especially in chlorinated pools) but do a fair bit in lakes/creeks. Same 'look' rather in a wet or dry swimsuit. When going in the change, just wipe/dry off the pros like skin and ready to go.

Many 'regular' swim suits come with pockets that hold 'up lift pads' which are easily pulled out and pros slid in. I find takini suits work good - too old for bikinis and don't like 'one piece'. Also takinis can often be gotten in separate top and bottom to get the best fit.

Anniekay80 · January 2016

Hi all. I don't mean to offend anyone here just a suggestion, but have you considered a Speedo one piece like the ones competitors use? Everybody who isn't Dolly Parton looks flat chested in those....I know I have one from before my surgery. I was small chested to begin with but put on a tight Speedo and I looked like puberty hadn't hit me yet. That way no worries about forms or prosthesis.

avmom · January 2016

If you search the term "swimming poofy" on this site, there is a discussion about how to make a swim form from one of those net shower poufs you can buy almost anywhere for about a dollar. Somewhere else, I did see a comment that, depending on size, an unaltered shower pouf (regular or "mini" size) might do the trick just as is.

I haven't tried it, because my last swimming opportunity was only 3 weeks out from surgery, and I just went au natural, but it sounds like a good idea to me - lightweight, drains instantly, and the net fabric holds its shape.

I'm no good at making hot links, but I think a search will get you there.

jkbrca2 · January 2016

Anniekay, that's what I wore last summer when I was permitted to swim post July surgery. It was too late in the season to purchase a new bathing suit. Luckily I'm thin enough that if i remember to suck in my stomach and stand straight i can get away with just looking thin. I wore a regular LL Bean one piece and no one noticed! I think they were all too busy watching their own children and no one knew me either. This summer I might look for a tankini with a ruffle top. I'm thinking swim poofs or forms just aren't worth the hassle yet but I'll probably try those bath poofs turned forms, before I pay $130 for a heavier prosthetic pair.

theresa45 · January 2016

After a few years of struggling with regular bathing suits and using my normal forms or using bath poofs, I finally bought a mastectomy bathingsuit and Amoena swim forms for a trip to Hawaii. Unfortunately, I had to pay for the swim forms. However, they are lighter (hollow) than my regular breast forms and I now use them all the time, not just for swimming. They are also less hot in summer. Mine are size 3 which is a small B cup, so larger size swim forms may not work as well for everyday use. Now, if we could just get insurance companies to allow us to choose swim forms for reimbursement rather than the heavier normal forms!

exercise_guru · January 2016

Ladies have you been able to find a swim tank? I wondered if they all had to have breast forms or if they just had nice flat models of tanks? I suspect it would be challenging in larger sizes though?

badger · January 2016

hi, here's a link to an excellent non-profit site, started by a BCO member:

http://breastfree.org/

The swimsuit page has lots of great info!

http://breastfree.org/content.php?page=23

BarredOwl · January 2016

Before caving in and buying a pair of dedicated swim forms (Amoena, Aqua Wave, Style #149, size 2) for my Hapari tankini top, I looked around for flat solutions. I caved, because I am flatter than flat.

For going flat, as mentioned above, some Speedo racing tank suits, or other lined or reversible (no molded cups, or built-in bra) racing tanks might work. Amazon is a good place to see many brands.

Others have tried the "TuglessTank" from Land's End (lined version). Search "tugless" here to find many mentions of it on the boards.

As a back-up plan, I bought (but have not tried out) a reversible "swim bra" from Coolibar that was on-sale like this one. I would wear it under a swim shirt or rash guard with the bikini bottom from my tankini:

http://www.coolibar.com/product/Women/Swimwear/Swi...

I bought everything in complementary colors, so I can mix and match tankini top, bottoms, rash guard, and swim bra.

BarredOwl

[P.S., I tried to make swim poofy forms, but they were not very shapely and did not match each other well, because I am not very crafty. For swimming in natural waters, I wanted impervious, non-absorbent material (not foam).]

windingshores · January 2016

I posted on another thread about the Land's End tugless tank. They have a "mastectomy" version but that is not for women who are going flat. Instead you click on regular and there is a no bra, lined version.

Apparently some woman called and asked for this and they custom-made one for her, and then decided to carry it as part of their line.

I told LL Bean they needed to catch up on this!

I got mine from Land's End for $39 as I remember. I might add some cheap swim shorts because I have never worn a tank. My old version of bathing suit was Empire waist with skirt, which won't work anymore!

Gwright · January 2016

I live in Florida & a swimsuit is practically a necessity. I have one of those gel bead prosthetic that works. My breasts don't look even (only have right breast removed) but after some time of being self conscious I figured most people's real breasts aren't even. It works, handles water well

Swimming forms

Comments

Categories