Comfortable Protheses?

Footsox6
Footsox6 Member Posts: 102
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

I had a bilateral mastectomy in June. I am almost done with chemo and am ready to buy some sort of prosthesis. I want COMFORT. I am looking for the most comfortable prothesis there is. Can anyone give me any suggestions? I think I would prefer a prothesis that does not stick to you. That sounds really uncomfortable to me. Are there little foam inserts I can wear inside my existing bras? Something simple like that? Or can someone sugest a camisol-type thing with little pockets? Thanks everyone for your help. I really appreciate it.



Yolanda

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

    Yolanda,

    I've created a website which features lots of suggestions about exactly the type of breast forms you're looking for. It's called BreastFree.org. If you go to the Breast Forms section, you'll find both silicone and non-silicone options that I and other women find very comfortable. I personally particularly like three breast forms: the Airway Tritex, which is a silicone form with a microfiber back; the Amoena Leisure Form, Style 126, which is a weightless foam form and particularly comfortable in Still You camisoles (called "Tank Tops" by Still You); and the Still You Illusions non-silicone breast form. All these and more are described in detail on my website. You might also check out my Bras and Camisoles section, as I think the key to comfort is finding a good bra--that may be even more important than which form you use.

    Good luck!

    Barbara 

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  • caaclark
    caaclark Member Posts: 936
    edited December 2007

    Hi Yolanda,

    Definitely check out Barbara's site.  It gives lots of good information.  I just recently switched from the ABC form (which I still love) to the Amoena contact form(sticks to me).  I felt like you do.  I was certain that I would not like the kind that sticks to me.  However, I like it even more than the ABC form.  My fitter did tell me that I had to wait at least a year after my mast/radiation before going to the stick on kind.

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  • Footsox6
    Footsox6 Member Posts: 102
    edited December 2007

    Thanks Barbara. I will definitely check out your website, Breastfree.org. I welcome any other suggestions. Please post if you can recommend a particularly comfortable prothesis. I'll check back here and will probably post more questions in a day or so.... Thanks!



    Yolanda

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  • psage
    psage Member Posts: 4
    edited December 2007

    Hi,

    I have a silicone form and have worn it right next to my sking and it is comfortable.  It doesn't feel odd like you would think it would.  Only trouble comfort wise is that it tends to put pressure against the spot right at the crease of the arm.

    I've seen bras with foam forms already in them, sewn in, and that may be the simplest and maybe the most comfortable option for bilateral needs.  No fuss, positioning, etc.  Just fling it on and go. :-) 

    I've been having a lot of trouble finding the right bra/prosthesis combo. as they don't make a prosthesis that is big enough to match

    my remaining breast, which is a 56 G or bigger.  Had a right mastectomy with removal of 22 nodes.  They make a big enough bra

    cup but not the form.  Very frustrating.  So far the best I can do is wear a bra with a much smaller cup size and let the excess hang over so that the form will fit the cup and not slide all over.  Then it still doesn't look right as it is a perky firm form and I have a very soft and large breast.  Beginning to really wish I'd had the  bilateral.  It would be so much easier as I could just pick the size I wanted.

    Best wishes to you and hope you find one your really like,

    DP alias Psage. LOL

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

    Question for Carol--

    Were you able to try out your contact form? That is, if it hadn't been comfortable, could you have returned it to the store? I'd like to try one out, but am worried that it might irritate my skin, especially my radiated side.

    I would have sent you a private message about this, but thought others reading this might also be interested in your response.

    Thanks,

    Barbara

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  • caaclark
    caaclark Member Posts: 936
    edited December 2007

    Hey Barbara,

    I think I could have tried it and returned it if it did not work for me.  I did not really plan on getting one.  Just stopped into the store because my fitter and I were trying to create a strapless mast. bra (long story).  Anyway, when I was in there she brought one out and said, "Here, Carol, just try this."  I think she even said that if I did not like it I did not have to buy it.  Anyway...obviously I did like it. 

    My mast. side was also radiated and I was worried about it being sensitive but it is actually more comfortable than my other ABC form. 

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  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited December 2007

    I have the Amoena that comes with velcro attachments and pads which stick on the skin. I thought I would want to wear it to bed, for effect,LOL. I didn't...

    After several months I stopped wearing the skin part and covered the velcro over. I slip the prosthesis into my old bra and it never budges. My bras have underwire and that seems to hold it in place. It is very comfortable and provided a perfect match with my other side.I wore it every day for 2 years and it is still in great shape.

    The mastectomy bras were so expensive and so, well ugly, I was happy to get back to my old bras.

    I just did a Lat flap reconstruction 2 weeks ago. To the outside world I was more matched with my prothesis. I have started using my prothesis again as it gives just the right fullness and shape.I do like my new breast for bed though.lol. The space I had before was just not a visual I got used to.

    Good luck with your hunt.

    Fists up!

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  • Footsox6
    Footsox6 Member Posts: 102
    edited December 2007

    Thanks for all your help everyone. I have ordered just two foam inserts and hope to wear them with my normal bra. They were $30 each! Wow. That's quite a profit they are making. Nothing like ripping off a cancer patient.....



    I just tried on my normal bra, and that might not work -- I have horrible incisions and "dog ears" so the bra doesn't exactly fit right anymore. I am going to try to find a comfortable bra in the next couple days online..... At least I have the foam inserts coming. I think they will be a start and then I will probably order another type in a few months or something. Thanks for all your replies. Keep them coming. If you have any other suggestions, I will certainly appreciate it and I'll keep checking this thread.



    Thanks to Barbara and the www.breastfree.org website. It is wonderful. It so nice of some people to put out information just to help us all. You are to be highly commended! Thank you.



    Yolanda

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  • nagem
    nagem Member Posts: 353
    edited December 2007

    psage, where did you see the bras with foam forms built in? those sounds great! nagem

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  • SusaninSF
    SusaninSF Member Posts: 1,213
    edited December 2007

    Yolanda,

    I think it will be difficult to find yourself the right bra on-line. If you can go to a fitter, you will have a much better chance of finding something that matches your needs. I don't know where you live but if there is a Nordstroms near you, I highly recommend it. Most people don't know it but Nordstroms sells prosthesis and mast bras. They will also sew mast pockets into a regular bra. They very carefully train their fitters to not only find the right products but to be patient and make their clients feel at ease. There are also many good specialty medical supply stores that sell mast products.

    Susan

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  • psage
    psage Member Posts: 4
    edited December 2007

    I think I saw the bras in an Amoena catalog, either that or the TLC catalog.  I am terrible about remembering the name.  They sell basically the same bras as the ones with just pockets but they have the foam forms sewn in.  They did look convenient.

    Psage :-)

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited December 2007

    I think the best way to get a comfortable fit is to go to a fitting place..I tried on all kinds at one til I found one for me and I have used the same type for six years now...( I get new ones of course)..my insurance pays for a couple a year, and one prosthesis every two years...

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  • LizFL
    LizFL Member Posts: 377
    edited December 2007

    I used to go to a small boutique that accepted my insurance, but they are only open certain hours and I find it difficult to arrange a good time to go.  Nordstrom's has now been added as a provider by my insurance company.  The Amoena rep happened to be there when I stopped in and both she and the other fitter were very helpful....I agree with Susan...it is best to work with a certified fitter.  I found I have been wearing the wrong size bra.  The bras and form I purchased at Nordstrom's are the most comfortable I've had in the 2 1/2 years since my single mast....and the form looks and feels very natural.  I had to pay for the upgrade on the form and the bras....but it was well worth it just to be comfortable as possible. 

    Liz

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  • Footsox6
    Footsox6 Member Posts: 102
    edited December 2007

    I got my prothesis! I just wanted to start with something, and I ordered a couple of foam forms from the TLC catalog. I will try to wear them inside one of my existing bras and see what happens. I have sort of played around with them and they look just like I looked before the bilateral mast. ...maybe a little perkier, but not too much. I have definitely decided not to have reconstruction - I just don't want to deal with it all, and I have no problem without them.



    I am just going to use these until after my plastic surgery to smooth out my horrible incisions. I'm not sure when that will be. My main problem now, is the humpy blumps under both armpits and LOTS of wrinkles near my armpits. I will definitely have plastic surgery to smooth out everything.



    Thanks for all your advice and support. These foam forms are fine for me. I may get something more "official" after I get through the plastic surgery, but for mow I am happy just looking a little normal again. Thank you for all your replies.



    Yolanda

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  • Chelee
    Chelee Member Posts: 513
    edited December 2007

    Footsox,  I have a little shop where my cancer center is that sells prothesis, wigs, scarfs, etc.  Two women work in there and its really nice and private.  One women there took me in back and fitted me with a new bra and prothesis.  I have these weird lumps on the front where my incisions are and dog ears to deal with so I wanted to be comfortable IF that was possible.

    The women there did an excellent job.  I ended up with what they call a *weighted* prothesis that actually FITS INSIDE the bra.  That way they DON'T stick to the body and they stay in place because of the weight.  (I know most women would think the weighted ones would be un-comfortable...but they aren't.)

    They prothesis slips right inside the bra and it stays down on the body and DOESN'T lift up with you raise your arms and move around.  I've been very pleased with mine.  I thought I was going to hate these weighted ones but there are great IMO.  Just throwing another option out there.  :)  (One last thing, my insurance company DOES pay for the prothesis's and bra's...once per year.) Take care.

    Chelee

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  • scoutmm56
    scoutmm56 Member Posts: 22
    edited December 2007

    I was fitted with a prosthesis-wore it once and never again-it felt like a bowling ball was down my bra.  I wear the " Bosom Buddy Breast Form"-I like that it is fabric-it has weighted pillows inside the form so you can adjust the weight.  Another thing I discovered -along the lines of a makeshift comfortable prosthesis-get one of those yoga eye pillows that are filled with flax seed-if you put it in your bra it conforms to the shape of your bra-on some of the eye pillows  you can unzip them and pour out some of the flax seed.  It also gives you a little weight-not alot of weight.

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  • NieceNellie
    NieceNellie Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2008

    After more than 20 years, I haven't found one yet!  It's just one of those things -- life goes on.  But I learned a difficult lesson I think everyone can laugh about. 

    I used to just pin the cover with the prosthesis inside to my regular brassieres.  While cleaning out a deep-freezer after dishing up ice cream samples all day, I leaned down so far in the freezer that BLOP! the whole package just flipped out in front of the folks waiting in line to be served.  There was nothing I could do but quickly tuck it back inside my blouse.  I can laugh now, but it definitely was not funny then. 

    Lesson learned:  spend the money and get the appropriate apparel. 

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  • Footsox6
    Footsox6 Member Posts: 102
    edited February 2008

    Hi everyone - I'm still searching for a comfortable bra. I am talking REALLY comfortable -- like a sleep bra. Does anyone out there know of something like that with pockets for prostheses? Thanks for any suggestions.



    Yolanda

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  • pinklemon
    pinklemon Member Posts: 26
    edited March 2008

    Amoena and Trulife both have a leisure bra. It attaches at the front, made of cotton, wide straps so they are comfortable. Look for the 2128 from Amoena. They also have one with lace (2132).

    The one from Trulife is the 326.

    Anita also makes one; 5315, but it is more expensive. They specify it is for post-op, leisure and sleeping. It's called Isra.

    Hope it helps!

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  • LizFL
    LizFL Member Posts: 377
    edited March 2008

    I have found the Jodee 500 soft and lacy mastectomy lounge bra to be quite comfortable and reasonably priced....If you are large busted it doesn't give much support, but depends on what you are wearing how much support you need.  I hope I posted this link correctly.

    http://www.parkmastectomy.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Jodee_500&Category_Code=Jodee_Bras

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  • LizFL
    LizFL Member Posts: 377
    edited March 2008

    I have found the Jodee 500 soft and lacy mastectomy lounge bra to be quite comfortable and reasonably priced....If you are large busted it doesn't give much support, but depends on what you are wearing how much support you need.  I hope I posted this link correctly.  If you look for Jodee under bras you will find this one and it is priced at $19.78.

    http://www.parkmastectomy.com

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