How to dress during reconstruction???

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Grammieshell
Grammieshell Member Posts: 56
edited June 2017 in Breast Reconstruction

I am 2 weeks post BMX with immediate placement of expanders. Yesterday I had my first fill and they do look a bit better, but it's still very odd looking. I'm going to go back to work next week and I have no idea how to camouflage some of the strange!!

I work in a office casual setting in a small town, so everyone knows, while that's ok, and I've been pretty open about my cancer, I'd still like something to hide me a bit so I don't feel like the bearded woman at the circus. If it was winter I'd just wear a sweatshirt or sweater, but it's nice out.

I ordered a couple cute vests, any other ideas??

🎀

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  • VegGal
    VegGal Member Posts: 507
    edited May 2017

    www.knittedknockers.org. Get you a set of these to put in your bras. You can remove the filling as your expansion progresses.

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  • TrmTab
    TrmTab Member Posts: 832
    edited May 2017

    Well, I live in southern Virginia, had my MX on Friday June 3rd and went to the office the following Tuesday -- crazy, but I wanted out of my house and I have a private office so was able to hide some.

    At any rate, I had drains for two weeks while going to the office in HOT Virginia. Typically wore a sleeveless shirt with a light sweater over it -- a drapy sweater, not a form fitted one. I did buy a couple of sleeveless tops one size larger than my usual size as I wasn't sure how much extra room the drains would need.

    I also padded my bra until I was at 700 or so...as a UMX wanted to have some symmetry

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  • Jezikah
    Jezikah Member Posts: 93
    edited May 2017

    How about light scarves? I wear silk or gauzy scarves year-round, you can just drape them around so they hang over your chest, or there are many different ways to wear them (just google). I got a few cute, lightweight ones from Walgreens for pretty cheap...

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  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited May 2017

    I wore tops with busy patterns. Nobody noticed especially during the early days of being lopsided.

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  • BringOn2017
    BringOn2017 Member Posts: 101
    edited May 2017

    Hi I wore light blouses and light scarves, and managed to get through ok! Also did cheat and add some soft wadding when I went out. Scarves coupled with costume jewellery as in long necklaces, pendants and make up do a lot for a good image!! 

    Then before you know it, your expansions are over and you're awaiting exchange. I've just bought a new swimsuit, new bras and some lovely summer tops. Retail therapy does one no end of good!! 

    And yes I've had my bad moments too, but then like a phoenix you rise again from the ashes, and hey  it's a good day again! Take care and sending you lots of hugs.

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  • Grammieshell
    Grammieshell Member Posts: 56
    edited May 2017

    how can anyone stand to wear a bra??? O my goodness, way too irritating, way too confining, feels terrible on, if I could it would make this uneven thing way easier to deal with, but they physically hurt me. I even asked my PS, she said, most people with expanders don't, unless they kept one natural breast. Maybe it's a Montana thing lol



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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited May 2017

    I cannot stand to wear a bra either. I was small before and look Betty Boop now and I'm only filled to about 260ccs! Omg. I know that sounds crazy. I guess I could try a really large bra. <?> I've been tank-toping it but had nipple-sparing and need something to hide them. ;)

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited May 2017

    I wore the Genie type bras - very soft with just a modesty panel and no underwire or extra padding. I wore a size larger than I would usually, and wore bras throughout since I had bi-lat nipple sparing BMX. I also took advantage of busy patterns, ruffles, loose fitting boho style tops and gauzy looped scarves.

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  • Grammieshell
    Grammieshell Member Posts: 56
    edited May 2017

    Have you tried the petals that you stick on just the nipple???

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited May 2017

    grammieshell - if your question is for me, I have not, and I no longer have nipples on either side, but I still wear a bra every day - long story....

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited May 2017

    I did not reconstruct after my BMX, much to my regret. Hiding my flat chest, and the wound vac that went with it (oh, the complications!) was Job #1.  I wore loose fitting tops with small pattern and lightweight scarves anytime I left the house. I could not tolerate any sort of bra or prosthetic for about 7 months post-op, due to extensive scarring.  Not even soft Knitted Knockers.  So I got pretty good at hiding my chest.  The only time it was a problem was when I went swimming.  It was hard to hide my concave chest. I wore a light cover-up, both in and out of the water.

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited May 2017

    Grammieshell:

    Funny thing about nipple covers -- YES. I have tried them because in my Pre-C life, they were a staple. I had very small breasts but nipples (TMI, I realize) with what I've now come to know were largely projected. So I used them all the time instead of bra. And now with the nips standing at attention 4-ever -- ugh, need those nipple covers again! However, the TEs are so damn round, the nipple covers peel off. They need a little less slope and some give to stick I think. These baseballs (and I'm only filled to 260cc, guys) just don't work with them. I bought new ones last week thinking I had solved my issues but alas, petals and the nice silicone kind I love did not work.

    However, I did try Walmart for bras. Got wireless adequate T-shirt bra and Sports zip-up-front that are fine. In sizes larger than I've ever tried on in my life. I could NOT wear them longer than a couple of hours. think. My skin and the TEs just not that accepting. But for workout, etc., it's okay.

    Hugs to all of you!

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  • codilaine
    codilaine Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2017

    I got the 3 pack of Fruit of the Loom Tank Style FT696 Sports Bras at Wal-mart for about $10 total. I LOVE them. I was direct to implant reconstruction 500CC each side. These held the girls in place and also were t-shirt soft so my skin was not freaking out all the time. I am 12 weeks post op now, and I don't bother with bras anymore, unless the material I am wearing is almost sheer. I still have one nipple, and one Barbie boob. But the nipple side is not prominent so I can get away with it pretty much.


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  • Herculesmulligan
    Herculesmulligan Member Posts: 175
    edited May 2017

    I used the silicone nipple covers under a cami under a work shirt. That seemed to work when my TEs were in place. I just could not stand the band of a bra under my breasts where the incisions are.

    Now that I've exchanged for implants I guess it's back to the drawing board until I can stand a bra. I have no idea what will work

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  • Grammieshell
    Grammieshell Member Posts: 56
    edited May 2017

    o man, I was hoping the nipples covers would work. Maybe ill rethink this and just get tattoos. I have lots of time to think about that, still in the fill stage right now. Not fun at all. Man my breasts, if that's what you call them at this point, are so deformed and strange. Embrace the strange is what my PS told me, they'll get worse before they get better. Ugh.

    Still can't wear a bra or even a tight tank, just too uncomfortable. I've resorted to lose fits with distracting patterns. Only a few more months to go. 475cc currently, haven't decided how big I'm going yet.



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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited May 2017

    Embrace the strange! I love it. They are so weird (TEs) but I guess I'm getting used to them -- to the point that I wonder what "normal" breasts when I go through exchange are going to look like. God, what an odd journey we're on.

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  • PNWBCHgirl
    PNWBCHgirl Member Posts: 115
    edited May 2017

    I wore cami's that had pockets for softies that were adjustable as you expanded . Sleeveless / short sleeve tops with coordinating light scarfs in various ways to drape over my breast area. Took away from the obvious.

    Another favorite item was draped ( cowl neck) tops that helped with any unevening .

    Also oversized utton down front collared shirts work well as light weight jackets and draw the eye away. Especially with warmer weather coming.

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  • sunnyjay
    sunnyjay Member Posts: 238
    edited June 2017

    Need some advice... I am 3 weeks post-UMX and have had 2 fills in my left TE. I am so lopsided right now and want to know what I can use to lift my right breast. I just bought a silicone push up abhesive bra that goes under the breast and holds it but I'm afraid it could slide off if I get sweaty.

    PS said no bras for another week. I have a cami with a shelf bra so I guess I can stuff it. I have to attend a wedding this weekend so unless I can find a dress with a loose-fitting top it will be obvious.

    What can I use to mask the difference in size & shape? I am a B/C so the difference is not dramatic, but the non-TE droops a lot in comparison.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2017

    sunnyjay - I would loop a lightweight patterned scarf if possible, in a dressy fabric like chiffon or a thin gauzy cotton, like this:

    image


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  • sunnyjay
    sunnyjay Member Posts: 238
    edited June 2017

    SpecialK - That's a cute idea! I do this all the time during winter... Most of my scarves are pashmina-type so they're heavier. But I will definitely invest in some lightweight scarves for summer!

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited June 2017

    I wore what's called a "bralette" with my TEs. After reconstruction & recurrence, I now wear light compression 24/7 because of LE. I wear the Sydney Bra, but Wear Ease has lots of things that will work.

    http://www.wearease.com/wear-ease-products


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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2017

    sunnyjay - I live in Florida (but I'm a California native!) so I do this all the time since it is warm here almost all year. Over the last 6 years I have had any number of recon configurations - two TEs, one TE and nothing on the other side, two implants, one TE and an implant, flat with an implant on the other side - so I had to get creative, lol! The good news is I currently have two implants again - yay! Good luck with your wedding outfit!

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  • BG46TN
    BG46TN Member Posts: 286
    edited June 2017

    I am back at work after a double mastectomy, I found some great padded sports bras that I wear every day now, My expanders are filled a bit, but I had to stop for radiation, so i am still pretty flat....the padded bra helps me feel "normal" while I work...

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited June 2017

    Not sure of anyone's size and saying upfront I'm small with TE expansion, but one thing I've done (besides tops with prints or ruffles that hide) is padded tank tops I got at Walmart. I will say that the shelf piece did not work for me the first few weeks -- but now is fine. I have to hide the nips, which are I guess going to be erect for the rest of my life. TMI, I realize. Anyway, I've worn more tank tops than bras the entire time. Also got a sports bra, zip up front, at Walmart. That is easy and works well, too.

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  • klix
    klix Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2017

    I wore bralettes with my TE's. I also wore cardigans and short sleeve kimono's to cover up sometimes.

    I am one week out after my exchange surgery and still wearing the band my PS put on after surgery. I see my PS today and am hoping to find out what I can wear now.

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  • BUUZBEE
    BUUZBEE Member Posts: 6
    edited June 2017

    I feel the same Grammieshell... the sensation of fabric is driving me insane ! Its even worse now that it's heating up!

    I am 3 weeks post surgery and have my first TE "fill up" tomorrow

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  • Grammieshell
    Grammieshell Member Posts: 56
    edited June 2017

    o, good luck to you. I had my last fill Monday, it's been a long few months, but I made it through. I can tell you it gets very awkward along the way, I've been through several sizes of clothes and have mostly stuck with button up shirts with tanks underneath. The awful sensation of clothes touching has gotten much better. My biggest struggle right now is I look and feel ridiculously huge and strange. My doctor just keeps saying, embrace the strange, it'll get better. My swap surgery is scheduled for the 25 of July, so one more month of strange.

    Best of luck on your journey!!

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