Question regarding mast bras

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mthomp2020
mthomp2020 Member Posts: 1,959
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for bras.  I absolutely hate most of the ones I've seen.  To quote my hubby, they make you look like you have cone "space" t*ts (think Star Trek).  I'm looking for seamless, preferably with molded foam cups.  I'm unilateral, and my uniboob is larger than an A , but smaller than a full B - which means I'm really hard to fit.  I'm quite round, but I don't stick out very far!  So I guess the bra has to run on the small size B-wise.

I haven't been fitted with a form yet, I was just checking out bras and tried a few to see how they were.  The fitter kept putting me in A's, which were really uncomfortable and squished me pretty good!  They made me look conical, which is the last thing I want!  I guess all these bras were designed back in the 50's, and haven't changed since.  The ABC T-shirt bra was a pretty good fit, but the straps were uncomfortable, and the strap rubbed the edge of my port.  I went online and they make a petite version of that bra, which might work.  Anyone have one, and do they like it?

I have a deep appreciation of what woman in their 30's and 40's deal with when they have a mastectomy.  I'm 54, but I still like to have a soft, rounded look.  I don't want to look like I'm going to poke someone's eye out with my points!

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.  And to think I hated bra shopping before!  Ain't it an adventure??!!

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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited October 2007

    I like that ABC bra. But maybe you'll have to wait on that until your port is out.

    You can have pockets sewn into regular bras, so you might able to get a foam lined bra from Bali or Barely There and use that. I think the Barely There bra runs a bit smaller than Bali. They have a softer look. Generally I've found that mastectomy bras have all that seaming to provide a more symmetrical shape.

    Have you been fitted with a prosthesis yet?  I found that I was wearing the wrong sized bra (band was too big) and when I got the right size there then things uptop worked out better.

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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited October 2007

    Hi,

    You can check out my website, http://breastfree.org . I have a section on Bras and Camisoles. Many of the suggestions there were contributedf by women I "met" here at breastcancer.org. Like you, I favor seamless bras. I know how hard it can be to find comfortable, non-constricting mastectomy bras. I have several suggestions on the site which might suit your size and preferences (with links, so you can see what they look like). And I plan to continually add new options, to highlight the best of what's out there.

    I never could stand wearing the cone look (or fit into it) when I had breasts. I certainly don't want to start now! 

    Barbara 

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  • mthomp2020
    mthomp2020 Member Posts: 1,959
    edited October 2007

    Actually, I had been wearing Barely There bras for the past 5 years or so - I absolutely loved them!  I wore the underwires, since they helped to shape/fill out the cup.  And I love that stretch foam - helps to make up for defficincies.  Unfortunately, I won't be getting the port out.  I'm Stage 4, HER2neu +, so the port's not going anywhere!  So I definitely need a strap that won't bother it.

    I'm getting kind of tired of restricting my wardrobe to my "training bra"!  The form has a seam right down the middle, and the knit tops I have won't look right in it until I can wear a real bra, so I'm getting a little bit impatient.  Oh well!  Things could be worse!

    I actually picked up a Maidenform bra that's made in an "almost a B" size with foam cups, and it fits and feels very comfortable.  I hope it'll work with a form.  It looks like it should.  It has a little extra foam in the bottom of the cup so it helps fill it out even more.  I put my fiberfill temporary form in it, and it that could even work with a little more stuffing in it.  My surgery was 8 weeks ago Friday, so I'm not quite up to wearing a bra for very long, but it doesn't bother me to try them on, so I thought I'd get started on that before form shopping.  I still have some puffiness under my armpit, so I'll have to wait for that to subside before getting a form.

    It didn't make any sense to get a form until I can find something to wear it in!  I'm thinking I'll buy a cheap foam form, too, and see how that works out for sports.  I own a horse, so I want something that I can ride in comfortably.  Also walk my dog regularly, so I want something that won't make me sweat.  I might even be able to get by with a foam form, since I'm obviously not buxom!  If I'd had both girls removed, I just wouldn't bother wearing anything.  Beginning to think I should have gone that way!  Life would be so much easier - and cheaper!  Mast bras are EXPENSIVE! 

    Thanks for the feedback.  I think I might order the petite ABC and see how it fits.  The local providers don't carry it, so i can't try it on there.  The petite model has narrower straps, and the cups run smaller, so I've got a feeling it might actually work for me.

    If I could design clothes, I'd be so tempted to develop a line of mastectomy bras that were more modern in type.  Women with A/B cups don't need the massive support of a larger woman, yet all the bras are designed with large-breasted women in mind.  I don't want or need a 1" strap, or heavily constructed cups with ugly seams.  These designers need to go out and look at what's out there - they might be surprised at how well a more modern, stylish bra would sell!

    By the way, Erica - love your website!  Excellent information, and very well laid-out - good job!

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  • OLBinNJ
    OLBinNJ Member Posts: 236
    edited October 2007

    I have the ABC petite bra and I love it!  It's the first mast bra that has worked for me and it's been ten years!  The foam cups are great so there isn't a problem with a "headlight" on my real breast.  I use the Amoena 126 leisure form or an old Amoena contact light (with the backing on).  With both of them I have to use a "soft cup" behind it to give it more projection.  I am a 34 A/B and the A fits me.  The band is a little tight at first, but stretches out quickly.  If the band is tight enough, you might not need to have the straps tight and pressing on your port.  I had a port and believe me, I understand the discomfort, especially being thin and not having much skin covering it.  If you use the leisure form, sweating won't be an issue.  Good luck in your search.

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  • caaclark
    caaclark Member Posts: 936
    edited October 2007

    Yes, the breastfree site is great!  A bunch of my suggestions are there.  My absolute favorite mast. bras are made by Anita.  I know lots of people like the ABC bras and I do have one of those that I like but I am not that thrilled with them.  Amoena makes some great ones too.  All of the mast. bras that I wear are very cute.  I have been able to find a lot that I like but it did take time. 

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  • mthomp2020
    mthomp2020 Member Posts: 1,959
    edited October 2007

    Thanks for the feedback!  I think I'll go ahead and order the ABC bra and see how it works. All my Barely There bras are underwire, so I may not be able to use them - not sure if they'll be comfortable now.  Plus the cups are cut a little too low for a form to fit in them. 

    I've checked out the TLC site before, and they do have good prices.  The camisoles are really nice, and cheap compared to everyone else.  I've been making do with a $7 White Stag tank with a built-in shelf bra from Wal-Mart.  I just pin my form into it.  It actually has worked out great for the time being.  I just throw a blouse over it, and noone can tell the difference, and it's really comfortable.  Just wish they made them in more colors!

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

    FYI...the lady at "www.womenspersonalhealth.com... is very helpful and you can send it back if you don't like it... give her a call..she was great for me...

    MB

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited October 2007
    At Nordstroms you can pick out any bra you want and they will sew in the pocket...
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  • 3boys4me
    3boys4me Member Posts: 319
    edited October 2007

    I got fitted at Nordstroms.  You can purchase most any bra and they will do alterations to put in a pocket.  They can do bathing suits, too.  They also carry prosthesis and can fit you, too. 

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  • Kessala
    Kessala Member Posts: 189
    edited October 2007

    I've had awful luck with mastectomy bras.  The ones I've tried left a ridge of seam across my natural breast.  Most of them even had extra fabric along this seam so the cup looked like a duck's bill.  Since I'm small breasted I see no need for me to buy a mastectomy bra.

    I wear an "A" cup bra and have had marvelous luck with the Playtex Thank Goodness It Fits Passion-Net wire free bra.

    The cups are lightly lined with foam so there's no nipple show-through.  I tuck my fiberfill breast form into the cup and it stays in place all day.

    This is not a mastectomy bra.  I do not have pockets sewn inside the cup. 

    I've been buying these bras from Kohl's.  The bra is Playtex #4024 and comes in pretty colors in addition to the basic black and white.  Retail is $28.00 but I've always gotten them while sales are running.  Some I've gotten for around $15.00!

    The bras are machine washable (in a lingerie bag). 

    They work great for me!

    Kessala

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited October 2007
    Hi Lisa!!
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  • OLBinNJ
    OLBinNJ Member Posts: 236
    edited October 2007

    mthomp2020,

         Take the underwire out of your Barely There bras because it can cause lymphedema.  Just cut a small slit in the fabric covering the wire, and pull it out.  You can then wear the bras you like. 

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