Found: Inexpensive Gel Prosthesis

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
I had a Mastectomy without reconstruction and recently saw gel-filled prosthetics at - of all places - WALMART. I think they are $15 for a set of 2. I have seen some as high as $180! Just FYI...
Laura
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  • Sam91
    Sam91 Member Posts: 193
    edited October 2006
    Laura,
    What department in Walmart did you find these? - I would be interested in getting a spare one for that kind of price. My original cost $400.
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2006
    Hi Sam -
    They're in the underwear/bra section. They're in a display with the strapless bras and those adhesive bras that you can wear with backless dresses. I would call it a specialty bra section in the underwear department.
    Laura
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  • starzhere
    starzhere Member Posts: 162
    edited November 2006

    I think those are bust enhancers. I wonder if they would be large enough to use as breast forms? My friend told me about them and thinks she will try them, but she's very small busted.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2006
    starzhere -
    Yes, they're definately not for really large breasted gals. But for me and - possibly up to a C cup - they'd work. I guess it's cheaper to be small chested!
    Laura
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  • 2kids5pets
    2kids5pets Member Posts: 4
    edited November 2006

    I just bought the gel ones, they work great!!! I bought a sports bra with it and it lookes really good under sweaters, not perfect with a tight t-shirt but hey more comfy than my 600.00 ones. They don't have them at the wal-mart in Canada but I went down across the line to pick them up.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2006
    2kids5pets -
    I'm so happy they worked for you!
    Laura
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  • Lovin_Life
    Lovin_Life Member Posts: 39
    edited January 2007

    I've seen the breast enhancers and am a C cup - would never work for a C cup.

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  • marshakb
    marshakb Member Posts: 1,664
    edited January 2007
    Laura, my goodness thanks for this post! WalMart of all places. I'm heading there today! Marsha
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  • newvickie
    newvickie Member Posts: 3,939
    edited January 2007
    Ok...dumb question but I don't want to buy these and find that they aren't going to work.
    I had a bilateral mast. Are these "hollow" breast enhancers or "filled" and will they work for me. My prosthesis is a AA cup which really disappointed me as I was a B cup before mast and they refused to give me a B cup so I look like I have no breast even with my prosthesis. I lost a lot of weight and would like to look like a girl again!
    Thanks and hugs
    Vickie
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  • AlaskaDeb
    AlaskaDeb Member Posts: 2,601
    edited January 2007
    What the h@ll? They wouldn't give you the size you wanted Vickie? That is just flat stupid! What do they care what size your boobs are? Stuff like that makes me nuts. We don't get very many perks from a bilat mast...at least we should be able to pick what size WE want. Grrr...I would go back and make them exchange for the size you want.

    Deb C.
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  • newvickie
    newvickie Member Posts: 3,939
    edited January 2007
    Hi Deb...I really argued with them about it too and got nowhere AND...they charged a total of $800.00 for two prothesis's and four bras...supposed to be three white and one black...got two white and two black...won't go back there!
    If I hadn't been so distract just looking in the mirror I would have fought harder than I did but I ended up leaving in tears...did they care...nope.
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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited January 2007
    Vickie, you should file a grievance with the Better Business Bureau and state what you want (replace with the size you want, exchange for the color you ordered or full refund and you'll go elsewhere). I had to do that with a boutique in my area. I also filed a grievance with my insurance for listing them as an acceptable provider. I got what I wanted (money back and a different provider -- because I never wanted to go back to that fitter again), but what's even better is that made it easier for women coming along after me to get decent treatment. The smaller stores may feel more one-on-one and personal, but they're sometimes trying to unload certain stock on you, either because they're stocking space is limited or because your insurance has negotiated a low price with them so they don't want to sell you anything they'll take a loss on.

    Just a thought anyhow -- I know it takes a lot to appeal these things. At least look them up on the BBB website and see if others have had problems. The woman at our BBB told me never to buy anything like this without checking the place out first with them, because with things like this the emotional cost of mistreatment is so high. Yes indeedy! Sure was for me!

    I hope you can undo this rotten experience and move ahead with confidence.

    Binney
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  • starzhere
    starzhere Member Posts: 162
    edited January 2007
    It sounds like they were trying to unload merchandise.
    There is no reason you can't be the size you want.

    Elaine
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2007
    The Walmart by my house doesn't carry them anymore but I found them on the internet. They are a little more expensive than they were at Walmart, but they're still reasonable. And they also sell the bras that have the pockets in them. I just ordered some and will let you know how they are. Here's the linkie:

    http://www.lingeriesolutions.com/

    Vicki -
    No, they're not hollow. There's a slight indent, but for the most part, they fit flush against the chest.
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  • truthseeker
    truthseeker Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2007
    LauraGTO,

    I looked at the site you provided. Thanks! Could you tell us which one of the inserts you ordered. I am confused as to which one to try.
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2007
    truthseeker -
    I ordered the ones called Enhancers. Good luck, I hope they work for you!
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  • Sam91
    Sam91 Member Posts: 193
    edited March 2007
    Laura
    Just wanted to say thanks for the info on the enhancers. I ordered the same ones. I am a 34A on the one I have left so the enhancer works great. I don't think I will ever go back to the bulky one I got first. I can't imagine someone with breasts to use these as an enhancer when it works as a complete substitute for one for me. I think I paid $50 for the pair, nice to have a spare boob laying around!!!
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2007
    Sam -
    I'm glad it worked for you. I recently used them in my bathing suit on vacation. The water didn't affect them at all. I also ordered their lace bra with pockets...very comfortable!
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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited March 2007
    Laura and Sam,

    Do you sometimes wear the enhancers right against your skin in a pocketless bra? I saw the picture of the lace bra with pockets, but wondered whether you also find the enhancers comfortable in regular bras. It seems some women are able to tolerate silicone against the skin better than others. I wish I could, but so far I find it very sticky and uncomfortable. Just wondering.

    Barbara
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2007
    Barbara -
    I have worn them in a strapless bra without pockets - and I agree it is sticky and uncomfortable. But I don't wear strapless bras that often - only a few of my shirts necessitate it. On a daily basis, it would be too uncomfortable for me.
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  • Sam91
    Sam91 Member Posts: 193
    edited March 2007

    I wear it in my regular old bras. It seems to suction itself to my chest. I wore it next to my skin when I mowed the lawn last week and yikes was I full of sweat afterwards. My oldest son is getting married in Sept and I found an off the shoulder dress I fell in love with. I guess I will have to do the strapless bra - do they make a pocketed strapless bra?? Would hate to loose something on the dance floor.

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  • Brendatrue
    Brendatrue Member Posts: 1,830
    edited April 2007
    Thanks for the resource! I am still fighting my insurance company over their insistence that I drive 340 miles round trip just to see the network provider for breast prostheses, and I am happy to find an affordable product that might be useful for me. I hate the fiberfill stuff, and I have been increasingly aggravated lately with the Jodee foam form that I bought for temporary use. How hot are these enhancers from lingerie solutions? Now that it is getting warmer, I am often tempted to rip off the foam form!

    Thanks again--
    Brenda
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  • cheryl58
    cheryl58 Member Posts: 182
    edited April 2007
    Hi Sam! Here is a link for a new strapless bra being offered by ABC. I have their t-shirt bra and I love it! I am going to get this strapless bra in hopes that once again I can wear tank tops, etc.

    http://www.metromedicalonline.com/abc112.html

    I hope that you have an incredible time at your son's wedding in Sept!!
    Cheryl
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  • Sam91
    Sam91 Member Posts: 193
    edited April 2007
    www.davidsbridal.com/accessory_detail.jsp?stid=2209&prodgroup=59

    Thanks Cheryl- just might have to order one. Here is the dress - what do you think??
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  • cheryl58
    cheryl58 Member Posts: 182
    edited April 2007
    Sam, that dress is absolutely gorgeous! I think you should go for it! My oldest son is 21, and I can only imagine what a wonderful, exciting time this is for you. Enjoy every minute, and I am sure you will look beautiful!

    Cheryl
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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited April 2007

    I have that ABC t-shirt bra. It's nice and looks really good. But it is a little hot.

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  • caaclark
    caaclark Member Posts: 936
    edited April 2007
    I am so happy to see a mast. bra that is strapless!! Finally!! I just ordered one. I do have the ABC t-shirt bra and they seem to run very big. In other mast. bras I am a 34A and in the ABC I had to get the 34AA! No, I am not really that small but the mast. bras all seem to run a little big. The smallest size in the strapless is an A so I hope it fits me.

    Anyway, thanks for the link!!
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  • 2curvy
    2curvy Member Posts: 183
    edited April 2007

    I just bought these at Taarget in the bra sedtion. They were $15.00. I also bought some lightweight water-filled ones. I'm using these now; have yet to try the silicone because they are so heavy.

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  • kimmymacbu
    kimmymacbu Member Posts: 18
    edited May 2007
    My Walmart in Western WI still carries these water filled ones -- in lingerie section, in bright pink boxes. Mine stocked 'em on an endcap. I am finding them nice in addition to a puff in my lighter bras cuz they have weight like a real breast, so they give me a more natural 'sag', like my other 46 year old, nursed 2 babies, former B cup. I haven't gotten around to getting a pros. yet -- finished treatment in April, been wearing puffs. I got a set of waterfilled clear sacs and beige nylon covered waterfilled -- might wear 2 on one side.
    kim b
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  • WandaG
    WandaG Member Posts: 27
    edited May 2007

    Has anyone tried Breast Illusions by Still You? They are cream filled, just a slight weight and not expensive. Park Mastectomy is the least expensive place I found them. I just had my 2nd mastectomy and I've been wearing the Breast Illusions and everyone thinks they look very natural. My daughter-in-law just laughs at me says every time she looks at me she thinks of cream filled donuts, so she calls them my krispy cream donuts.

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