Bathing suit season soon

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  • purplemb
    purplemb Member Posts: 1,542
    edited May 2007
    Ok I solved this by at first using a stocking to make a pouch and then forming it.( i even added a little weight to them )..then I found that if i bought some extra material, or used a second one I could make a little pocket for shaping out of that, one actually was make from a tube form of the material..so I saved that for lots of little pouches for my swimmies...lol..good luck, its a trail thing as we are all trying our own ideas...
    PM if you have any questions...
    MB
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  • marshakb
    marshakb Member Posts: 1,664
    edited May 2007

    OK That is just tooooooooooooooo funnnnnnnnnnnnny. All of a sudden it got real complicated. Hell, I got $40 I think I'll just go buy a REAL suit and put my water proof, rubber, protisis in it. ROTFLMAO Marsha

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  • purplemb
    purplemb Member Posts: 1,542
    edited May 2007

    Marsha be careful if you are in a chlorinated pool or spa...MB

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  • AlaskaDeb
    AlaskaDeb Member Posts: 2,601
    edited May 2007
    Marsha- I think it depends on what type of fabric the suit is made out of and if your poof thing is made out of the soft scrubby stuff or the stiff scrubby stuff...LOL...how is that for descriptive???

    The first puff I bought was too stiff, and it looked lumpy in both my suits. The second time I bought softer puffs, and they looked good in both suits. One of my suits has a cup liner thingy that makes the puffs look more "boob shaped", than the other one. Since I am a size 3X 43-year-old mommy type person, I doubt I would get too many people checking me out at the beach...LOL After the first trip to the beach in Hawaii, I quit worrying about it and just had fun. I never felt conspicuous or out of place.

    Hope you find some swim-boobs that work for you :
    Did you EVER, in your wildest pre-cancer dreams, think you would be having a conversation like this???
    LOL
    Deb C
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  • Sandra56
    Sandra56 Member Posts: 9
    edited May 2007
    Hello!
    I went out to Wal-Mart and found very soft scrubbies that were a peachy, very close to skin color. They were only 98 cents each. I grabbed 4 in this particular color. I'm Alaska Deb's size and have been looking at these scrubbies thinking I will need 2 for each side, especially after trimming.

    Someone mentioned to cut one side flat and trim the rest of it. Somehow, I just can't get it into my mind how to do this without it all coming apart. I thought of using thread to do a running stitch through two scrubbies thereby attaching them together and perhaps shaping them somewhat and lessening the "bumpy" look. So, which sides are considered the front or back? The things are tied in the middle with a cord which is locked with a little plastic disk. So, maybe that to create the flat back, you would cut one of the ends opposite the tie to make that end flat, but the material could then slip out of the tie easier because that side would then be like a short "pony tail?"...Or maybe, it would be better to cut down both sides to the tie. That's probably it?

    Even that sounds confusing for a simple thing, I'm not good at describing!
    I guess I need to just cut one up and see what happens.

    Maybe one of y'all can explain a little more about the procedure again, for my Arimidex mind!

    I think this is a really great idea! I'm thinking to put them also into a knee high stocking, as someone mentioned would help the bumpiness.

    I know I looked funny picking all the peach-toned scrubbies out of the vertical tube display at Wal-Mart, they probably thought I was trying to match my bath decor!

    Sandy
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2007

    I've been to Mexico twice this year, and used my inexpensive gel filled "enhancers" in my bathing suit tops, swam all day, every day, and they worked great! I like to wear two piece suits and found that the tops that have the band around the bottom work best, but you have to make sure that the top has a lining. I cut a slit into the lining of each side and just squeeze the gel pad into the slit (don't cut the slit too wide, or they'll fall out if you bend over LOL).

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  • marshakb
    marshakb Member Posts: 1,664
    edited May 2007
    Deb, the answer to your question is a big NO I would never in my wildest preBC days thought I would be stuffing my bathing suit with bath scrunchies!!

    Laura, those gels. ARe you the one who found those at WalMart? If not where did you find them? I really want to find something inexpensive and sew them in all my suits so I can just put the thing on and go. Nylon knee highs sounds like it may work. It would dry quick. The scrunchies I got are stiff so maybe I just need to find the softer ones. Marsha
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2007
    Hi Marsha -
    Dear...I have it all figured out! LOL Yes, I was the one who found them at Walmart - but sure enough...they discontinued them! Arghhhhhh...but low and behold, I found them on line at Lingerie Solutions.com. They call them Enhancers - $49. for a set of two! These are the ones I wore in the pool and out of the pool (in a bra). The cup size is b/c - so if you're looking to be the next Anna Nicole - these won't do the job! At the same website, they sell a lace pocket bra. It's FAB. Very comfortable - very light weight - and the enhancers fit into the pockets really well...but I had to sew the pocket closing it a little more with a few sewing stitches, because when I bent over they fell out! My dh and I were dying laughing - good thing it happened at home! PM me if you have additional questions. Best wishes to you...also...in the bra, the enhancers should be positioned horizontally, but in my bathing suit top, I position them vertically (because of the shape of bathing suits). Good luck, sister!
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  • marshakb
    marshakb Member Posts: 1,664
    edited May 2007

    Thanks Laura, I'll check those out, sounds simple! And good lord, what else can we do but laugh??? hahaha Marsha

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  • caaclark
    caaclark Member Posts: 936
    edited May 2007
    Hi Girls,

    Just wanted to let you know that I just ordered one of the Anita bikini mast. swim suit. They say it takes 4 weeks to get here from Germany so I will not have it until June. Ok, so here is the funny part...I told my daughters that I ordered a bikini. My two younger ones (almost 8 and 6) thought it was cool. My 10 year old daughter said, "Yuk, Mom." The funny thing is, is that I seem to have more confidence now, after the mast. than I ever had before. Maybe it is sort of a "I don't really care what people think and if I look good in a bikini, why not?" I am sure I will embarrass my daughter but I choose to think it will build character for her.
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  • marshakb
    marshakb Member Posts: 1,664
    edited May 2007

    Carol, you go girl!!!! Don't worry about those kids, they get embarressed easy anyway. Strut your stuff LOL Marsha

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  • tos
    tos Member Posts: 376
    edited May 2007

    Carol I think that is fantastic! Let us know how you like the bikini when it gets here,

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2007
    Marsha -
    Have you had a chance to check out the enhancers at lingerie solutions.com?

    Carol -
    Same here - pre-bc I was much more conservative. Post-bc I'm of the mindset...do what makes you happy! I wore really cute bikinis to both of my Mexico trips this year, and it felt great! Good for you - I'm curious about the Anita Mast. Bikini! I used regular bikinis and they worked great. Will check it out...let us know if you like yours when it arrives.

    Oh...and btw...our village just built a huge aquatic park - water slides, connecting pools and a Culvers rest. in the middle. I plan on spending a lot of time there this summer with my gal pals (and their kids)...best wishes!
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  • marshakb
    marshakb Member Posts: 1,664
    edited May 2007
    Laura, went to the enhancer site. Did you get the nipple one? I wasn't sure about size, they only had 2, a/b or b/c. I am a B cup, small C if I have weight on me. And since I have one real boob I am a little unsure what to get. I hate buying things I can't try on! Marsha

    Oh PS: Carol and Laura, you can bet your ass I am putting on a bikini! At 46 I thought I was too old but at 46, post bc, I have lost all my previous inhibitions. ha I even sing OUT LOUD now!
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  • OLBinNJ
    OLBinNJ Member Posts: 236
    edited June 2007

    I found enhancers at both Wal Mart and Target for @$16. They are best if your remaining boob is small. I can use two enhancers to make a boob. I have an assortment of "cookies" and enhancers that I use to make a boob. Will have to try the shower scrubbies to fill in the hollow space.

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  • lauri
    lauri Member Posts: 267
    edited June 2007

    Just got back from vacation, where I stuffed my swimsuit with shower scrubbies until the last day when I realized I had walked to the pool without mine -- so I just put on my non-stuffed suit and went in lopsided. (The advantage of being 60+ ... nobody's going to look at you anyway.)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2007
    Marsha -
    I didn't get the one with nipples...didn't want headlights on all the time! LOL You should go with the b/c size - I think the a/b would be really small jmo. Don't forget to check out the lace pocket bra there. It's really comfortable! And it's light weight for the hot weather. The b/c size gels fit great in it (I ordered a size 34c).
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  • SusaninSF
    SusaninSF Member Posts: 1,213
    edited July 2007
    I ordered a Lands End mastectomy swim suit but I had a couple of problems with it. First of all, the pocket for the prosthesis stops very low down on the chest . Since my swim prosthesis is hollow, kind of like a cup, it just squashes down and gives me a funny squashed down breast shape. Secondly, the leg openings are very low on the leg which makes my legs look even shorter than they are and the overall effect is very matronly. Does anyone else have these problems? Does anyone have a mastectomy swimsuit that doesn't have these problems?

    I looked through all the mastectomy swimsuits I could find on-line and they all looked so matronly. In particular, I couldn't find any that had higher cut legs. I tried a couple of ways to put a prosthesis in my regular suit. First I made a pocket between the lining and the suit but that made the front of the suit pucker in a funny way. Then I cut up an old mastectomy bra and sewed the cup into the inside of the suit but it showed through the arm hole.

    Anyone have any suggestions?

    Thanks, Susan
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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited July 2007
    Hi Susan,

    I already posted earlier on this thread, but noticed that the link I used no longer works. I have two suits, one by Anita and the other by Classique, both European manufacturers. The Anita suit I have has little strings that allow you to adjust how high-cut the legs are. Anita doesn't seem to be making that particular suit anymore, so that's why the link doesn't work. But I still think their suits look higher-cut in the leg than other mastectomy suits. I bought print suits from both Classique and Anita, though I normally favor solids, since that's what my fitter had in stock. I think both print and solid options are available online. You can check out the current Anita suits at http://womanspersonalhealth.com/categories/57/1/Anita-Swimsuit-Collection-.htm and the Classique collection at http://www.parkmastectomy.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=MS (scroll down past the Jodee suits to see the Classique suits). Unfortunately, Park Mastectomy won't allow bathing suit returns, but at least you could take a look and if you liked something possibly ask a local fitter to order it for you.

    Thanks for letting us know about the problems you had with the Lands End suit. I've been thinking about ordering one, but have never had much luck with the fit of their products, so was hesitant.
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  • OLBinNJ
    OLBinNJ Member Posts: 236
    edited July 2007

    Try the Lands End tankinis. You can mix and match tops and bottoms to find what you like. You can get bottoms with higher cut legs and a top that works for you. Don't limit yourself to mast suits either, find a top you like and have someone sew a pocket in for you. Also, as for the breast form being hollow, I deal with that by putting a small piece of foam rubber in the hollow space (others have used shower scrubbies). It prevents a squished boob and "boob farts" when you lie down or someone hugs you.

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  • SusaninSF
    SusaninSF Member Posts: 1,213
    edited July 2007
    Thanks to both of you for the helpful advice!

    Erica, The Anita and Classique suits are very cute! My only concern is that they seem to start at size 8. Did you find that they ran small? I wear a size 4 for normal clothes though usually wear a size 6 swim suit because I don't like swim suits tight. The Lands End swim suit I bought was a size 6 and the legs were a bit tight so I'm thinking a size 8 could work as long as the torso's not too long. I'm only 5'1" but my torso is relatively long.

    OLBinNJ, Great idea to fill the hollow space with a scrubby or foam rubber. I know what you mean about "boob farts"! A dead give away they're not real!

    It's amazing the stuff we mast sisters have to deal with that others can't even imagine. Thanks goodness we have this board to share with each other!
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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited July 2007
    Susan,

    I so agree with you about these Discussion Boards. I think my experience would have been completely different (and much less positive) without all the helpful advice here. Plus, it makes me feel so much less isolated than I would otherwise.

    Regarding the Anita and Classique suits, the ones I bought are size 8's. I'm quite slim -- 5'4 1/2" and about 106 pounds -- and they work for me. I have a short torso for my height. Since you have a long one for your shorter height, hopefully that size would work for you, too. Unfortunately, it's so hard to tell without trying the suits on. I feel that way about bras, too, both pocketed and unpocketed. I find a lot of cute-looking ones on the net, but it's a pain to order them and then have to send them back if they don't fit. Not to mention discouraging.

    Regarding swim forms, lately I've been wearing my Still You forms (called Illusions) a lot. They're soft like silicone but very light and non-perspiring (and much less expensive). I haven't used them for swimming, but the manufacturer says you can. The only caveat--once wet, they dry somewhat slowly. If you want to try them, you can find them at Park Mastectomy, A Fitting Experience, or Still You (all on the web). I found that the size A's are really large A's, small B's. The B's (which I ordered first) are closer to C's, for me at least. Just another idea to add to the list!! (I used to think I needed to find the one perfect solution. Now I find that different alternatives work for different situations.)
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  • ddd
    ddd Member Posts: 82
    edited July 2007
    Well, I've given up on swimsuits for this year. I am a Size 2 in normal clothes, so only if Anita or Classique would come out with a Size 4, could I even consider ordering somthing. I really love the look of both brands.

    I will just avoid pools and beach outings. Maybe next year I can figure out some option.

    I've seen they make some bras now with built-in forms. Wouldn't it make a whole lot of sense if they made swimsuits the same way? But then again, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of "sense" when it comes to marketing.
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  • JustOne
    JustOne Member Posts: 226
    edited July 2007

    ddd, don’t give up. I just received my tankini from Land’s End and it fits great. I’m also a regular size 2 and ordered a 6 in the top and a 4 in the bottoms…the smallest sizes they came in. I figured I’d take my chances and I could always send it back. Their suits must run very small.

    The only problem I’ve found is, the right breast side, my ‘real’ breast side, is a little lumpy from the extra fabric of the cup insert. I may try to cut that out though.
    Now if I just had an exotic vacation planned!


    ~Pam
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  • SusaninSF
    SusaninSF Member Posts: 1,213
    edited July 2007
    ddd, I agree with JustOne. Don't give up. I've also seen on the same web site mentioned by Erica, mastectomy swim tops you can wear under any bathing suit. They look just like a sports bra. If you have a mast sports bra you like that fits you, you can always wear that as a top or under a regular swimsuit. Tighter fitting sports bras should be able to hold a prosthesis even if they aren't made for them. Not perhaps the most chic option but at least you will be able to swim.

    JustOne, I had the same problem with my Lands End suit. Forgot to mention that one in my earlier entry. I don't know if the same thing happens with other mast suits.

    I order two swimsuits from Woman's Personal Health. One Anita and one Carol Wior. They looked great on the web site. I'll let you all know how they turn out!
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  • ddd
    ddd Member Posts: 82
    edited July 2007

    Thanks girls. I may still give up for this year, just not in the mood anymore. But I will keep looking for options. I just get easily discouraged and depressed. Takes a while to get motivated again.

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  • SusaninSF
    SusaninSF Member Posts: 1,213
    edited July 2007
    So I got the suits from Woman's Personal Health yesterday. One Anita and one Carol Wior. They are really great! Both are a tiny bit too long on my torso but they will work fine. I can always take in the straps a bit. Unlike the Lands End suit, the prosthesis pocket goes higher on the chest so my form fits without being crushed. The legs are cut higher so they are much more flattering and the side with my real breast looks smooth and not wrinkly. Both suits look sexy, not matronly. I mean, I'm not going to turn any heads or anything but everything's relative!

    I was also really happy with the service at Woman's Personal Health. www.womanspersonalhealth.com. The order was shipped out the day I ordered it. They also offer free shipping for orders over $100 and a free pareo for orders of two suits.

    ddd, I know how you feel. I felt like that last year when I was looking for an evening dress. In the end, I dug through my closet and found a dress I had forgotten about. In my pre-mast days, I never wore it because it was too conservative. Now, it is perfect. I hope things will eventually work out for you too. We're here for you.
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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited July 2007

    So glad you found suits you like!

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  • JustOne
    JustOne Member Posts: 226
    edited July 2007

    Thanks for the reviews and the link Susan. I’ll definitely be checking them out. I wore my Land’s End suit this weekend and overall I like the fit but, oh my gosh, the breast area is so lumpy looking! I mean, that’s why I bought it in the first place so it would look natural. Ugh

    I’m on the hunt again…

    ~Pam
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