Lets talk mastectimy bathing suits

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mustlovepoodles
mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
edited August 2018 in Share Your Experiences Of Life After A Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Okay, ladies. Its been 2 years since the BMX. Two years with no swimming because i refused to invest in a swimsuit. I kept thinking i would have recon, but the timing just hasn't been right. So here we are, going toward another summer and its time to get off the fence and buy the fricking bathing suit. Somehow, it feels like I'm throwing in the towel. So...final...

Buying a bathing suit is pretty high on my stress list on a good day, being pooh-size and all.. But trying to find one that will hold my prostheses seems daunting. So. Tell me what you've found?.

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited April 2018

    Does no one have a bathing suit??

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  • cse70
    cse70 Member Posts: 43
    edited April 2018

    So...Lands End has some. I got mine at the medical supply company that fit my prosthesis. At home, when swimming alone I use a tank top with swim bottoms. Good luck!


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  • TWills
    TWills Member Posts: 679
    edited April 2018

    I saw them at the mastectomy shop that I got my prosthetics and mastectomy bras from so I’m sure other store like that have them too. Some “regular”swimsuits have vanity padding in them so that pocket could hold a prosthetic as well, might have to be a light weight one though.

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited April 2018

    How do you feel it fits on the top? I am very wary of anything with a wide neck or V-neck, because my upper chest is concave. When i bend forward you can see clear to my belly button, if I'm not careful.

    Also, are the cups lsrge enough to hide the form completely?

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  • Icantri
    Icantri Member Posts: 93
    edited April 2018

    For swimming laps, I use a Speedo suit with Hydrobra. It has a bra in it that I slice open and slide my prosthesis into. There are different styles, just make sure it has the Hydro bra. Swimoutlet.com is where I buy mine.

    For beach suits, I have had to just try different styles, and again I look for one with a bra in it that I can cut open and wear prosthesis. There are some cute high-neck tankinis that also come up high enough on the sides that my scar doesn’t show.


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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited April 2018

    Not sure if you are plus-sized, but www.swimsuitsjustforus.com has really nice mastectomy suits that fit my huge prosthesis (UMX). It stays up, stays close to my chest, and is far better for me than anything else I have tried.

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited April 2018

    I am plus sized, as are my prosthetics. I want a suit that will keep them reined in, not look like I'm carrying puppies in a sack around my neck. I'll look at these sites.

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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited April 2018

    This particular issue was a huge psychological thing for me. After my umx, I focused on my happy place being on a beach swimming in the ocean. It became my point of reference for being myself again. I would tell myself I must get through the DIEP to obtain this goal. It sounds so superficial but it sure was important to me.

    Good luck to all of you. Cancer takes away so much, anything we can do to feel better again.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2018

    Lands End has good mastectomy swimsuit tops that you can pair with whatever bottoms you want. I have found that they last well.

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited April 2018

    meow, this has been so much harder than i thought it would be. I was supposed to have DIEP in Jan 2017, but my mom got sick so i had to reschedule for April 2017. She got sick again, really sick with stage 4 cancer, so i cancelled surgery and just took care of her until she passed. Since then I've been so busy selling my house, selling her house, settling her affairs. In the past 12 months i have lived in 5 places, i kid you not. I still want to get the DIEP, but now my DH needs his knee replaced.

    I haven't really thought about all this before. But i think this is about so much more than a yard or two of spandex...

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited April 2018

    For all my sisters looking for a swimsuit that doesn't yell, "Breasts are gone here!" -- wouldn't it be nice if you could just forget about it, buy a Speedo, and enjoy the water?

    In another reality, women who have lived through cancer treatment and endured amputations to save their lives would not have to hide their bodies or camouflage their losses.

    But I get it. I lived it for a year, waiting for reconstruction. God bless you. SB


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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited April 2018

    poodles, one good thing is you can do it anytime. My good friend got her DIEP 16 years later even after radiation she looks good. She want all her kids grown first.

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited April 2018

    That's good to know, meow. Gives me hope.

    Belizebeth, i wouldn't even consider going out flat chested. I shudder at the thought! Now that my breasts are gone, my big ole belly is out there front and center.


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  • amygil81
    amygil81 Member Posts: 165
    edited April 2018

    Poodles, good for you getting back in the water. I'm a UMX with a D cup remaining breast. I had to have my pectoral muscle out for a chest wall recurrence 9 years ago. I call it my upgrade surgery, upgrading me to a full radical. To cover all my scars and concave chest, I wear a Penbrooke Krinkle High-Neck Mastectomy suit, and I've been happy with it. This year I'm thinking of trying a T.H.E. Mastectomy Galaxy High Neck One suit. It looks like it has a little more coverage under the arm. I usually get them online at swimoutlet.com . Hope this helps.

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  • JoyceA
    JoyceA Member Posts: 829
    edited April 2018

    I am a newbie and haven't gotten prostheses yet. Does chlorine pool water take a toll on them?

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited April 2018

    I was told to just rinse them and pat dry after exposure to chlorine

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  • JoyceA
    JoyceA Member Posts: 829
    edited April 2018

    Thank you, Mustlovepoodles. This week’s goal for me is to go to a specialty store near me and check out bras and prostheses.

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited April 2018

    Good luck. I've been fitted twice and although it was upsetting, especially the first time, the ladies were consummate professionals. I was able to try out different types of bras & camisole, and different prostheses sizes & shapes.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited April 2018

    I recognize that most or all of the people in this thread are talking about women's-style suits, but I do want to say that I've done just fine with a Speedo board shirt and swim trunks or leggings. There are cute women's board tops and matching leggings at Big 5, so I assume you can find them elsewhere as well. If you're happy going flat in the pool but want something feminine to wear, they may be a good option, or something like these:

    image

    Image result for Kanu Surf Women's Plus Size UPF 50 Active Rashguard and Workout Top

    image


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  • Amelia01
    Amelia01 Member Posts: 266
    edited May 2018

    Help! This summer I will have my C cup TE on one side and my real A+ (B-?) on the other. I will also still have my port in (ugly ugly ugly) that is extremely visible. Does anyone have any ideas of bathing suit companies that have removable padding (my padded Victoria's Secret top is padded, but I can't remove it). I'm looking for two pieces but could settle with a one piece. Or where can I buy a swimable insert to plump up the little boob? Then I could try a mastecomy suit.

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  • 70charger
    70charger Member Posts: 963
    edited May 2018

    Some women use a bath puff instead of using their prosthetic. U could even sew it in place.

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited May 2018

    Ack! I tried the bath pouffie. It excoriated my skin something terrible.

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  • mumito
    mumito Member Posts: 4,562
    edited May 2018

    I am an avid swimmer snorkler and travel a lot. After my DMX just buy regular one piece suits and don’t really worry what other people think. Don’t even bother with a bath poofs or prosthetics when I swim.

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  • mumito
    mumito Member Posts: 4,562
    edited August 2018

    a recent photo of me in Jamaica in a reg suit I bought at Marshals. And I am no skinny mini 😂image

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited August 2018

    Beautiful Mumito!

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  • Dhanno
    Dhanno Member Posts: 104
    edited August 2018

    I had my UMX on 14 Aug ,My DCIS was extensive so BS told me to get done with UMX first and do construction later depending on my path report ,I may need radiation .Initial one week without breast was very hard for me .Felt so low and depressed But after the drains were removed I am feeling better .I have long hair which fall on my chest .The hair is doing a good job of hiding the missing breast .But yes definitely I will go for reconstruction later . I am now thankful to God that he is giving me strength to live without breast .Never thought life will take this kind of turn .But still good .I could have died in a terrorist attack or accident. Atleast God is giving us a chance to survive ,

    I will meet the breast care nurse next week ,She is very nice .She told me most of the ladies I see in the waiting room wear prosthetics .She will be showing me a variety of mastectomy bras next week . Looking forward to meeting her

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