Help, I can't find a bathing suit

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gshoemate
gshoemate Member Posts: 190
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I leave for a cruise in less then 3 weeks and I can't seem to find a bathing suit. I have gone to many sites but the smallest I can find is a size 6. Depending on the store, I am either a 2 or a 3/4. I'm afraid I am going to have to buy a regular bathing suit and have someone sew a pocket in it for me, which is hard because I don't know anyone that sews

Thanks
Ginger
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Comments

  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited May 2007
    This isn't very helpful, but I think getting a regular suit and having it customized is the best idea.

    You're small. I found that the mast suit I got was way too baggy in the top.

    Try a swim shop or a lingerie store that caters to mastectomy patients -- beware -- it won't be inexpensive. Otherwise head out to Marshall's or someplace like that with your prosthesis and try on until you find something that will work. If they have a shell bra in them already you can put your fluffy in with safety pins or something.
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  • Doc
    Doc Member Posts: 56
    edited May 2007

    get the Lands' End catalog edition for swimwear. They have hundreds of styles and many go up high in front. They will ship very quickly too. Good luck shopping! If you don't get the catalog you can easily shop online.

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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited May 2007
    Land's End has mastectomy bathing suits, though not sure if they run small enough for you. If you live near a Nordstrom's, I've heard they'll sew pockets into regular suits for you.

    Where are you in Florida? The Fitting Experience (which sells online as mastectomy.com) has bathing suits. It's in Hollywood. I just checked the site and most of their suits seem to start at size 8, but you might call them and see what they suggest. I've gone there in person and dealt with them on the phone and they're very nice. The fitter, Lucy, is particularly helpful.
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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited May 2007
    Size 2/4 is pretty small if you aren't a runway model or Hollywood move star!

    The couple of suits I looked at on the LE web site only went down to size 6.
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  • gshoemate
    gshoemate Member Posts: 190
    edited May 2007

    Thanks guys, I think i've looked on every site possible. I went back to Land's End and clicked on every single suit and I finally found a Tank suit that came in a size 4, it was way more then I wanted to pay but living in Florida I'm sure i'll get alot of use out of it.

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  • ddd
    ddd Member Posts: 82
    edited May 2007
    Hi,

    I am a Size 2 also. I have been looking for almost a year and haven't found anything either. So far I have avoided any situation where I have needed a bathing suit, but one day I do intend to find a Nordstroms and see what they can do for me. I also have a hard time finding acceptable mastectomy bras for my frame size. Seems like the small people are more discriminated against by manufacturers than the larger ladies. Really sad that manufacturers can't cover all sizes of women when it comes to breast cancer. Very depressing.
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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited May 2007
    ddd,

    Nice to see you on the boards again. I agree--so many of the mastectomy bras are like armor. I need something small and light. Nordstroms might be helpful for you, since I understand they'll put pockets in any bra or bathing suit you buy from them. Some fitters will do that, too. There's a local chain of lingerie shops in my area and they'll put pockets in regular bras. Plus, some women buy the sew-in pockets at http://www.tlcdirect.org/subcategory/sewinbrapockets.html and sew them into regular bras. I'm a bit challenged sewing-wise, so haven't tried that yet.

    Good luck. With such a nice small size, I'm sure you'd look great in a bathing suit!

    Barbara
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  • ddd
    ddd Member Posts: 82
    edited May 2007
    Hi Barbara,

    I have been here, just don't often have time or energy to write in. I don't live anywhere near a Nordstroms, so I will have to wait until a vacation period. I also don't live near a fitter, so have to rely on the internet. I haven't had time to experiment with sewing pockets myself and am somewhat reluctant just because of the "hassle factor". I feel like I have enough hassles already and shouldn't have to hassle with this.

    I have purchased two pocket bras. One looks just OK, and the other-my husband saw it on me and said "You can't wear that!" He is as disgusted as I am that there are almost no options. (Really now, what's wrong with manufacturers? A Size 1 or 2 breast form DOES NOT need 3 or 4 inch wide side panels!!) Mostly I use my forms in non pocketed bras at this point. Not ideal, but it certainly looks the best.
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  • gshoemate
    gshoemate Member Posts: 190
    edited May 2007
    And it fits, I am so happy I found one before our cruise. It covers up my incision but it slips low enough that my port shows:( But I need to get used to it.

    Did have a bit of a breakdown by myself in the bathroom when I was trying it out. I just want my old body back but that's not going to happen. And no way am I going through another surgery to have reconstruction. I just can't wait to get fitted for my breast prosthesis then hopefully I will have fewer breakdowns.
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