All things bras & prosthesis

Logang,

You are welcome. Feel free to PM me if you need a more specific answer! Request your knitted knockers here:

http://www.knittedknockers.org/

Maybe some are softer? They look softer on the website than mine??

I used Coobie bras (they have removable molded cups and a pocket opening). Before I got my silicone forms, I used the fiberfill forms sold by TLC (below). In my case, I needed to remove some fiberfill (even though I've had bilateral mastectomies) to get the look that made me comfortable. I have no experience with the foam. Coobies come in 2 sizes, 32-36 and 38-42.

You may find the Coobies useful as you proceed on too. My best wishes to you.

http://www.shopcoobie.com/?gclid=CKT6wMH9_soCFQkta...

http://www.tlcdirect.org/Mastectomy-Non-Silicone-L...

I also love the Trulife 611. I also like the unweighted version, the Trulife 616. But just wondering, do you have any insurance? Most insurance is required to cover breast forms and bras, either once a year or once every other year, and that would apply to the more expensive silicone forms as well as cheaper non-silicone ones. I tend to use my insurance for the more expensive forms and then pay for the foam forms out of pocket. Honestly, though, these days I mostly wear the foam forms, as they're so comfortable, and the shape looks very natural. (I wear mine with a Still You camisole, mostly under fitted tee shirts.)

So just starting to experiment with different form options and have one and some soft forms but I really want to try one that is self sticking to your skin. Does anyone have a favorite brand they use. I had a uni so I do have the problem of matching to my good side but willing to try so I can continue to wear some of my own bras. The mastectomy bras I got ride to high under my armpit and gets very uncomfortable by the end of the day. I am only 2 week out from radiation and my skin is still healing at the scar area so that might be part of the problem. But I would like to have some different options to try.

Thanks for any input - Connie

Connie, usually contact forms aren't recommended for quite some time after surgery and especially if you've had radiation -- at least six months, possibly a year. You should be able to be fitted for regular silicone forms around 6-8 weeks after surgery and radiation is finished.

the amoena Frances looks like an old lady bra but is the softest and most comfortable. I love it!

Genie bras are great,,, just plan to size UP from your usual size. Try Target or Wal-Mart for them. And if you want a nice soft lightweight, breast form, contact Knitted Knockers. Volunteers knit them and will send you a pair. They ask a small donation if you can manage to help offset postage.

Just an fyi, the knitted knockers in bra and under a plain tshirt or any shirt with no pattern on it will make you look like it's REALLY COLD, haha! And they are HOT!

I think it's soft and smooth. Could be you're allergic to some component. One woman says she wears her bra outside a camisole to keep it from irritating. Or perhaps it's loose enough that it's rubbing. I would check with my doctor to see if they have any ideas.

I like the Tru Life 611 foob but it tends to ride up a little bit. One day I added a quarter to each side at the bottom and now it doesn't ride up. I can't decide whether to sew a pocket into the cover or glue the quarter to the foam. Once it got out and into the bra pocket, but usually they stay in the cover.

Duzy, I didn't wear bras at all for about a month after radiation. I also peeled badly, and it peaked at about two weeks post rads. Give yourself another couple of weeks. Are you using a cream of some sort on the burns. I used silvadene where it peeled and aquaphor everywhere else. It's been three months, and I'm still using a lot of body lotion there, and it is still pretty itchy. I wore coobies starting at about the one month mark for six weeks or so, then switched to seamless mastectomy bras after that. Give yourself a little time and use lots of cream! I hope it feels better soon.

Duzy, glad you're using creams. Yes, the itching doesn't always really correspond to the areas of damage. It's as if the nerves can't make up their mind!

glennie19, Erica and rainnyc - thank you for the advice on the genie and coobie bras. I have been wearing them with my form for the last 2 weeks and they are very comfortable while my skin is still healing. I can actually make it through a work day without wanting to rip my bra off and dig at my skin. I am not sure I will want to switch to a mastectomy bra. I have 2 of them I was fitted with before radiation started just haven't tried to wear them yet.

Now I want to find some lighter weight silicone forms. I think for the summer something breathable would also help. Not sure if they make anything like that as I am still learning what all is out there. I have just been looking at the different types - tear drop, oval and so on. So much to learn and find a good fit for me.

It is nice to read what others like and are using

Have a great Friday and weekend.

Connie

Wren. Love the 611 too but it does ride up. I need to try the quarters! The Amoena Frances looks like an old lady bra but being cotton is the coolest most comfortable I have found. I tried to get 611s from my insurance and my copay was almost as much as metro They are the best especially if they have a sale

metro has free shipping this weekend!