discomfort, need advice

meliaanne · May 2007

Hi All,
I had a left mastectomy on Dec 11, don't want reconstruction. I think my prosthesis is fine, but I am very uncomfortable after wearing the bra/prosthesis all day, can't wait to tear them off after work. I have quite a bit of extra flesh under my arm, just to the side of the scar, and some swelling under the scar. I had the onc look at it again last week, and he says this is typical. Sooo .. I am wondering if my bra is too tight? I got the same size I wore before all this, and the prosthesis is the same size as my remaining breast. Should I get the next size up bra, or any advice you can offer me so that I can be comfortable?

Thanks,
Melia

caaclark · May 2007

Melia,

Just wondering if you went to a fitter or not. For me, I ended up with my bras being a cup size smaller. The band size stayed the same I used to be a 34B but for some reason most mast. bras that fit me well are 34A's and some are 34AA's (mostly the ABC bras since they tend to run very big).

Also, it really does seem to be a trial and error process. I have found that the MOST comfortable bras are made by Anita, but each person is different. For me, going to a fitter really helped because she seemed to know right away what style and brand would work best for me.

By the way, I love your name!!

bonny1963 · May 2007

Melia, You sound like me except that I had my mast on Oct 3,2006. I also have the extra skin under my arm. I really don't think it has a purpose. But I can't wait to take my bra and prosthesis off after wearing them all day. I went to a fitter for my bra and prosthesis. I don't know why it is that way and I really can't help you, but know you are not alone. Bonny

swimfan · June 2007

I too recommend going to a specialized fitter. My surgery was April 23 2007 for a RMast. I had never been to a fitter...my cup size ended up being a D instead of a C (the band size varied depending on the style and brand) the fitter had me try on about a dozen different ones until we found good comfort levels. Try a "seamless" design...it is by far my most comfortable...oh yeah I have the "extra stuff" too...my surgeon warned me about it...called dog ears...part of your back and not your breast! Who knew? I have learned soooo much...too much on this trip!

SoCalLisa · June 2007

I too tried on many different sizes and styles, til I found one that I liked..then just bought one to see if I really liked it well enough to order more..

wayover20 · June 2007

I HEAR you too....I have that "ball of flesh" under my arm and yesterday I noticed it was sore after wearing my bra/prosthesis longer than I usually do in 1 day. I do remember my surgeon saying that flesh would "involute" on its own in time so for me not to worry about it. I'm a full-figured gal and I think it's the way the incision was made (mod. radical mastectomy) and how it leaves extra skin bunched up on that side. I'd rather have it there than in front I guess. It has gone down alot since my January surgery, but i know what you mean and I was fine until I kept that bra on longer than usual. Not sure if it's something I need to change bras for yet. Hope you find some comfort.

Pat

DianeMarieWA · June 2007

I had a left breast mastectomy on June 8th and also have the extra flesh (dog ears!). I read somewhere in the last few days that it can be liposuctioned. I am not seriously thinking about that at this time, but just thought I'd mention it.

Binney4 · June 2007

Aaugh! Liposuction in the axilla sounds like a recipe for lymphedema problems! There's gotta be a better way...
Binney

meliaanne · June 2007

I ended up getting one new bra with a bigger band, and then just got some expanders to loosen the other bras. It seems to be working fine now. The prosthesis doesn't push so hard against my chest, and there is room for whatever the heck the surgeon left under my arm ... so it is much more comfy. Thanks all for the advice!
Melia

SusaninSF · June 2007

I also highly recommend a fitter. I found that I had been wearing the wrong size bras for most of my life! I was wearing a 34C or a 36B and I got fitted for a 32DD. Perhaps losing some flesh because of the mast made my chest measurement below my boobs smaller. All I know is the fit is definitely more comfortable and the tighter fit around the rib cage helps keep my prosthesis in the right place. I went to Nordstrom where they really take fitting seriously. I also bought my form there.

I have also found that I cannot wear an underwire for very long before becoming very uncomfortable. I finally found a Wacoal bra http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2906916/0~23...2373578&P=1
that is very comfortable and has a thick enough fabric that I can wear it with a t-shirt. It isn't a mast bra but it has enough coverage that it covers my whole prosthesis. I use a contact prosthesis and the thing doesn't budge through head stands, hand stands, and anything else I do in yoga class.
- Susan

OLBinNJ · June 2007

I was told never to wear an underwire after a mast. We don't want to put pressure on the area so the lymphatic fluid can flow freely. You do not want to get lymphedema! I take the underwires out of the bras.

Anonymous · August 2007

I just found this thread. I have the same problem with the "fat" under the arm. My onc advised against lipo. She said it's not as simple as it sounds. I HATE the feeling of carrying around this stuff. However, I'm inclined to believe the funny feeling is also due to my numbness. I JUST HATE IT!
Shirley

OLBinNJ · August 2007

I don't think lipo is a good idea since as Binney said it can further stress the lymph system and increase risk of LE. Don't know what else can be done.

DianeMarieWA · August 2007

Hi Ladies,

My comment above about the possibility of liposuction was made before I was diagnosed with mild lymphedema myself! Now that I have been diagnosed and read quite a bit about this condition, I see that liposuction would not be a good thing. Sorry.

I might add that the lymphedema physical therapist I see commented that what I was calling "dog ears" was actually a build-up of lymphedema fluid. The area is quite large and is rock hard. She works with Gwen White in Portland and is very knowledgable about lymphedema so I have a lot of confidence in her. Again, I apologize for the post about liposuction. My bad!

I have just been diagnosed and have only had three sessions so far. I will be getting a sleeve next week.

scs · August 2007

I am writing this because I have had a positive experience with liposuction of dog ears and plastic surgery. I had bilateral mastectomies June 2005; no lymph node involvement. And I had the dog ears, yuck. In November 2006 after deciding against re construction, I had plastic surgery to revise the scars. The dog ears are gone and she re contoured my pectoral area to give me a little more fullness around the upper chest. What she called mastectomy deficits are still prominent (inverted cone shaped "dents".) I am very happy that I had it done. That said, I still have some discomfort; it feels like nerves are still regenerating. Had I had lymph node involvement, I probably would not have had it done. The liposuction was no where near the axilla on me. It was 3 to 4 inches below my armpit. Now, don't ask me about the Lifeport scar. It has been redone twice and gets worse each time. It is sensitive and quite red. The plastic surgeon called it hypervascularity; my body is fighting against something it perceives as not right. My onc and breast surgeon both said, "I have no idea what that is; I've never seen it before." Each doc has his own agenda! As always, each one of us needs to do what is best for us. Good luck.

OLBinNJ · August 2007

Diane,
No need to apologize for your post. This forum is a place where we can share concerns and information and provide support. Much of the medical profession isn't completely aware of the implications of LE, so we need to help educate ourselves, each other, and the medical profession as much as possible. My new mission is to have as many women as possible share info about LE with their fitters. The fitters are in a great position to spread the word to their customers.

janniexy · October 2007

I have the "dog ears" too. It seems like displaced fat and skin. Sometimes I wonder if there's some lymphdema there, but I don't know. I usually have to adjust my bra clasp to a looser fit during the day. My fitter said that sometimes people go to a plastic surgeon to have some of this excess skin repositioned or removed. Definitely feel that the bras aren't as comfortable as they should be. I'm going to try some different styles and try a different fitter. I can't wait to get out of my bra at the end of my workday. Also it seems to make my back and shoulders very tired.

It seems like they removed all the fat and "cushioning" and it feels like skin over bare bones (although I know there's muscle there), but that's what it feels like--no padding!

Jan

Jennifer1295 · October 2007

I can relate some what to everyone is talking about. I have a little extra-ness as I call it. Mine however is a little lymph fluid I have to move as well as a Latissumus muscle that was moved around front. Now if this was not enough this muscle was left there (they can't be put back) when I had my second attempt at reconstruction with a DIEP flap. Now I developed lymphedema a few days of a my mastectomy and node dissection (which was 3 weeks after my lumpectomy and SNB). So worrying about getting lymphedema from having reconstruction was not a concern for me. Now of course every so often I feel the "divit" as I call it and get concerned but then I realize what I am feeling. I used to always do that with my port scar to.

Binney in all honesty the dog ears that plastic surgeons correct is actually part of the reconstructive process. Usually after the patient has healed from the first stage of reconstruction the plastic surgeon will smooth out any excess skin.

Jennifer

discomfort, need advice

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