Implants do not fill out bra cup

Donna:

Have you considered getting a professional bra fitting?  I know these are offered to cancer patients and it could help you determine what size you are now post-implants.  I was barely an A-cup before my left mastectomy and wore a band 36-38-- not easy to find! I was used to never filling a bra and often had to shop around a lot to find a good fitting bra that didn't have "gap" in the cup.  I had augmentation on the right and am doing fills currently on the left, total volume should be about 350cc and they are high projection implants.  It's been recommended to me to get a fitting done after my exchange and I'm healed to figure out what size I'll be now as implants give you cc amounts, not cup size.  My PS said I'll be a full B or C cup that's not filled out.  Also, most women do not wear the correct bra size anyway, so a professional fitting could be beneficial to anyone.

This is a common problem.  I do know the silicone implants droop with time and even project a bit more to fill out the bra tips.  Also, there are shaped saline implants available which are probably a bit pointy-er than round.

However, you might look into a number of different bras to help camoflage this problem.  We had a discussion recently and some bras that can work are VS Ipex (come with or without underwire), Warner's Elements of Bliss molded, JCPenney Ambrielle.  It's surprising how well they can fit.

Good luck and don't give up hope!

Tina

Donna, it really does stink that you go through this surgery, just so you don't have to stuff.  And then you end up needing to stuff because it isn't the right shape.  I know.  I'm there too.  But give it time.  It really does change over the months.  Even when I was at 3 months out, I didn't think it could change any more, but it did by month 4.  I had my exchange in May. I don't know if the pointy part ever fills out, but give it time anyway.

I remember those first few days and weeks after my exchange.  {{{hugs}}}

I can't help with custom fittings since I haven't done it.  I wear stretchy sports type bras that are light, as in they fall into the sleepwear or loungewear category.  Not tight and binding.  So it flattens my other side out enough to sorta match the recon side.  When I need a "good" bra, I wear the Ambrielle from Penney's.  It stands out on it's own enough (even though it's empty air under there).

This is an idea I found a few years ago - before BC. I'm abut 5'11" and a bit heavy. I've had trouble with bra fit for quite a while. I found something on the web that said get cups that fit but with a smaller band size, then use a bra extender. They're just like the hooks on the bra, just make it longer; example:  http://www.amazon.com/Arabella-Bra-Extender/dp/B0002UE3EC. You can find them a sewing shops, good bra stores, probably also Target and Walmart. They have been most helpful for me. I have my exchange and a reduction/lift next week - and I expect to keep using them with whatever bra size I end up with.

I was going to say what MinAZ said. I found with mastectomy bras that the larger around the band, the larger the cups would be, even if the cups were supposedly the same size as with the smaller band (this just makes absolutely no sense to me). I ended up having to get a 34 inch band and then using two bra extenders....that was the only way I could get a larger band and have everything fit.  

Thank you all for your suggestions (Sherry, MinAZ). And, Donna, thank you for starting this thread.

The extenders does indeed sound like a good idea. And, patience is always prudent. What is wonderful abou this website is the care of so many ladies here to offer suggestions and share their experiences.

I will share my glass half-full:
- no more headlights (any bra I wore b4 bc showed my hard nipples which were always hard!)
- no more mammograms! (bilat mast)
- going braless really looks much better than it ever did (things are firmer)

-Anne

since my implant the only bras that fit are sports bras, i did get a professional fitting and would wear a 44 small A which is almost impossible to find.  My implants were the biggest they had.  Would hope someday to wear real bra again.  Did not know you get a bra custom made.  Don't know a company to contact.  Does anyone know the name of a company to custom make bras? Thanks

annme, I own a bridal website and we sell a ton of bras or bustiers.  Strange as it seems, it is correct that the same cup becomes a different size as the band size changes.  For instance, the cup of a 34C is the same size as the cup of a 36B.  

I'm 5 years out and for 3 of those years wore a leisure bra (I'm plus size) and also went with out a bra.  Did fine.

I tried some Penny's bras but was never really comfortable.  I was also fitted with a few VERY expensive bras.  Never really happy. 

I' d try on bra after bra and even after 3-4 years, I'd leave and get in the car with tears in my  eyes.  This is after havin done TWO recons and having a pretty good outcome with the second one.

I finally found a bra after a lady at the Legg's outlet of all places, knew her stock, and took the time to fit ME.  The bra fabric is streachy and conforms to each breast, so it fits each one differently but supports each breast, even tho they are different.

It has a side support and comfy underwire. 

At Last!

Hey it took a while, but it was worth the wait and I ordered several.  If I ever want more they will naturally no longer be made, but at least I will know that I did have them for a while.

Good luck on your searches !!!  It does take a while!

I guess I wonder what factors come into play that give women vastly different outcomes when expanded to similar amounts...Body shape/type probably only accounts for part of it...

Do you think muscle development/strength is a factor?  I have a very small frame - even if I worked out *excessively* I would never build much muscle mass.  Perhaps those with developed pecs have a harder time achieving good projection?  If so - it would be nice to have that disclosed so women could factor "likely outcome based on body build" into their decisions!

I am switching my saline for silicone next month.  My PS gives *everyone* saline first, then if you opt for silicone, it is an additional procedure.  I was leaning towards silicone from the beginning, and having "test driven" saline, I really want something softer...I asked how the change in shape will affect my cosmetic result (which is really excellent @ this point - I want softer - but not if I have to sacrifice appearance!).  I currently have teardrop saline, and will be switching to round silicone.  My PS said it is the shape of the breast "pocket" that determines the shape of the "breast mound" (don't you hate that term?) - *not* the shape of the implant.  The implant is pliable, and merely fills in the space.  He prefers the firmness of saline for the first exchange so he can shape and countour the breast, then if swapping for silicone, he says the breast should look the same - but be softer because of the materials involved.

Working with my PS I realize this whole process is more an *art* than a *science* and there is a not "one size fits all" chart.  I guess it would be nice if they had a computer program (like those housepaint color-choosing ones) where you could input your relevant stats and get an approximation of what implants would look like on *you*!

Pardon my ramblings - just some thoughts banging around in my head!

Mary

Yes, breastimplants4you does have good info on the types of breast implants that are available and it may very well be a great site for women who've had augmentation surgery, but it hits on a raw nerve for women (or some women, at least) who've had their breasts removed due to cancer.   

cco1, the reason that the chart doesn't work for us here is because there's a huge difference between having an implant inserted into a breast that has breast tissue vs. having an implant as your whole breast.  There's simply no comparison and the sizing that results from using an implant for augmentation would be quite different than the sizing that results from using an implant for reconstruction.   I know this from experience.  I have one breast that's been augmented (to help with symmetry following reconstruction) and another breast that's been reconstructed.  Although my breasts are pretty much the same size, the size of implant that was used in each breast was hugely different.  And my natural breast looks and feels natural, while my reconstructed breast is much firmer and more flat.   The same bra does not work equally well on both, which is why finding a bra is such a struggle.

Beesie, This is such a scary thought. You would think a HP or Very HP and much larger implant would work. I was small before augmentation so it's not like I have a llot of natural tissue. I am mostly implant now; so I was hoping that if reconstructed with a larger implant I would look similar. Mine are under the muscle now too. I have a hard time understanding how with the small amount of natural tissue I have it could possibly be that much different if a larger HP implant is used. Does it not make a difference how much natural tissue you start with?

I tried the breastimplants4you chart and I came out a 34 full C.  I wear (and was measured as) a 34D.  Go to one of the better department stores and get measured.  Wearing the right size can make all the difference in the world.  I second the IPEX by VS and also Sweet Nothings (by Maidenform).  The only bras I have found that I can't wear and it's because they are too pointy and I feel ridiculous in them are Vasarette (sp?).  They remind me of a bra that my aunt wore (think Madonna) when we were kids that was stitched around and around and around and came out to this hideous point.  I think I forgot where I was going with this................

Donna, I know exactly how you feel.  Don't feel like a cry baby.  Breasts are important and you deserve to have the best.  I had implants after my mastectomy and was very disappointed.  You'd think after implants, we shouldn't have to use a prosthesis, right?  I had another surgery to help with the symmetry and a new kind of implant that is supposed to be shaped more like a breast, but I can't tell much difference.  I bought some of those ol' matronly bras at the cancer shop, but they are awful.  Last week I found a GREAT bra at Belks.  It's the Platex Side-Support bra.  It looks sexy and has a little inside rim that holds my prothesis perfectly.  I actually feel and look normal in it.  Still, I am planning to have the DIEP procedure though.  I hope I am making the right decision.  Check out that Platex bra.