Can't wear bra anymore, need suggestions

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nickythebean
nickythebean Member Posts: 50
edited May 2016 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

I am post BMX w/o reconstruction in 2013. I have been wearing nice prostheses in very nice and pretty mastectomy bras ever since. In the past year or so, my bras have been giving me rashes along where the bottom of the bra sits just below my mastectomy scar on my left side. I have been going without everything (flat chested) but I look disproportionate because my belly is bigger than it used to be.

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on tank tops or camisoles that I could put my prostheses in, but that wouldn't have a big seam or elastic under where the prostheses would go. Hope this makes sense. Thanks!

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  • JAN69
    JAN69 Member Posts: 947
    edited May 2016

    Nicky, So sorry for your troubles with a rash. It must be very uncomfortable at minimum. I'lm also flat after 2 separate mx. I don't wear bras at all any more. At first I felt very self conscious, but now I just go everywhere, and don't even think about it. I'm a retired teacher, but if I were still teaching, I'm pretty sure I'd have to stuff a bra, or something. Over the last couple of years I've discovered what kind of tops seem to work best for me. Basically I wear knit tops with variable patterns or loose button up shirts. I have a fairly large collection of tanks and camis from Target to wear underneath. They are so cheap that I can buy and use as many of them as I want. My tops are usually multi-colored, so I might wear a green cami one time and a black one the next. I know, such cheap thrills! lol. I'm soon to be 74. It's easier to be a "crazy lady" when you are my age. I wish you well. Let me know how things go for you. I care. Jan

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited May 2016

    Nicky, have you tried Genie bras? They are very soft.

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  • SkiQueen
    SkiQueen Member Posts: 10
    edited May 2016

    I LOVE my Urbanology jog bras from Shopko. There are pockets on both sides and removable cups. I am a "Uni" so I fill the one side with either a foam form or just some "fiber fill" cotton.

    For around the house with nothing ( just going flat on my one side) I LOVE my soft 'Kirkland' camis from CostCo.

    I highly recommend both of those. Hope it helps

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  • SuC
    SuC Member Posts: 55
    edited May 2016

    Have you tried Amoena camisoles? They have pockets and were the only things I could tolerate for about 4 months after my first mastectomy. I don't wear any prostheses -I see it as someone else's problem if they get upset - I have had enough to deal with


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  • Scwilly
    Scwilly Member Posts: 489
    edited May 2016

    I'm originally from the UK, now living in California. After my UMX, I bought a few Bra's from Marks & Spencer when I was on a visit back to England. These were fantastic and I still wear them today even though I have now had reconstruction.

    I have used their UK website as they do ship to the US, however they now have a US website which is priced in dollars. As it US based, returns are easier if required.

    The link to their bras is : http://www.marksandspencerlondon.com/us/l/lingerie/all-bras/post-surgery-bras/#page:1

    Sarah

    Sorry - just realised you were asking for tank tops - rather than delete Ill leave for others

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  • BarredOwl
    BarredOwl Member Posts: 2,433
    edited May 2016

    Hi nickythebean:

    The camisoles I tried are noted favorites here and at breastfree.org, but they both have an elastic: Amoena "Valletta Pocketed Camisole Top" (available from metromedicalonline.com, search "Valletta"); and Still You Fashions "Hope Tank Top" (available from makemeheal.com, search "Hope Tank" (expensive but well-made)). The elastic on these camisoles seems to contact the body a little lower than a bra band would and the elastic has a cushy feel, so they might be okay.

    For a petite person (band size 36 or less), the "Zee Bra" has no elastic at all and works best for me. It is designed for smaller cup sizes (AA, A) and the largest band size is 36. It has nice smooth fabric, simple styling, is nicely made, and has no clasp. Check the sizing information here:

    http://thezeebra.com

    I wear a size 36 Zee Bra with the Size 1 microbead forms from the American Cancer Society (TLC Direct # 8139, size 1). The TLC microbead forms are sort of expensive ($60.00 each, $120 per pair), but wear well. The bra and forms are hand washable.

    https://www.tlcdirect.org/Micro-Bead-Lightweight-Breast-Form-Mastectomy-Prosthesis-American-Cancer-Society-TLC-Direct

    I got rid of a bumpy red rash on the front of my hip by moisturizing after showering with coconut oil. I just found a "cold-pressed" (as opposed to extracted with solvent), organic food-grade brand at the local supermarket ("Nutiva" brand) near the flax seeds.

    Good luck!

    BarredOwl

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  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited May 2016

    I remember my post-surgery days (BMX and recon) and the times where a bra was just too irritating to wear.

    I solved that issue by wearing a slinky, soft nylon camisole over my skin. 

    Then I wore my bra OVER that. The slinkiness of the cami kept the bra from rubbing and irritating my sensitive skin.

    I'd think you would be able to wear any bra you wanted to this way....

    Just a thought!

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  • Shorty101
    Shorty101 Member Posts: 2
    edited May 2016

    I wear a soft surgical with knitted and crocheted forms from here.

    Awesome Breastforms is a year old and growing.

    Our very active group of volunteers have filled 2600 orders in the last twelve months.

    The regular forms are lighter and cooler than the silicone forms to wear and are made using soft 100% cotton. They are available in cup sizes from AA to DD. We will take special custom orders such as larger sizes, lumpectomy forms, on requests. You are welcome to choose forms in light and dark skin tones, pastels or go really funky with wild & crazy ones, nipples or no nipples. Because we crochet and knit the orders as they come in, we do our best to give you your colour choice. We do send them around the world so don't be afraid to ask if you want your curves back.

    We now make swim forms and you are welcome to order both kinds.

    The forms are totally free....you will NOT be asked for a monetary donation. Our volunteers pay for the cost of materials and postage. Please drop by and visit our website and read what others have said about our forms on the Loving My Curves section of the website.

    http://awesomebreastforms.org.

    Please check us out. The instructions for ordering are on the website.

    Awesome Breastforms

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  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited May 2016

    Did you see a doctor? Could it be a yeast or heat rash? There are treatments for both.

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