options for balance?

imgonnamakeit · December 2007

imgonnamakeit · December 2007

Hi Ladies -

The gals on the Breast Recon page suggested I post here as well...

I recently had surgery (10/5) to cover up a huge wound left after implant removal, post radiation damage and a nasty bacteria infection.

My doctor said he does NOT want me wearing any breast forms or pads against my skin on the right side - nor sports bras :-(. It's kind of concave so when I went to the gym last night (for the first time in a long while - boot camp class), I had on a man's t-shirt and it was exceedingly HOT. There is a HUGE difference - and I think noticeable - in that the left side still has an implant is is a large C and the right side is concave so I'm really self conscious. I wondered if anyone can suggested anything else (other than a miracle) for me to wear. My PS said it will be a very long while before we can reconstruct the right breast do to so much damage from past radiation and the wound that he was able to finally cover. It feels like hard bone underneath and he's hoping it will soften up but I wonder....

Any options you might suggest or websites would be extremely helpful.

Thanks,

Nancy

Oceanlvr · December 2007

Hi Nancy,

I am probably not the right person to give thoughts on your question but here is my 2 cents for what it is worth.

I wouldn't worry about it! Wear what is good and comfortable for you!

I have a large concave area on the right side as well and a C cup on the left. My expander did not work so it was removed. I tried using a prosthetic but it just didn't work out for me while I was exercising. If I am sitting down and not being active it is fine, but move around a lot and pretty soon it is under my chin or my arm pit. So I just don't wear it.

I wear loose big shirts and get down to business. If someone notices ... I don't pay any attention to them. I am sure people have noticed but that is on them and not me.

I use a round scrubby to wear pinned in my suit when I swim and I am not sure why? Mostly because I put it in there a long time ago and I just never took it out. But at the gym, I am commando as they say.

You are to be commended for being back at the gym and working hard. Don't worry that it is lopsided, just keep patting yourself on the back for working out!

Chris

petjunkie · December 2007

Nancy, I hear you! This is driving me nuts.

I chose not to do any reconstruction after a unilateral mastectomy. I don't have a breast form yet-- I think at some point I'll get one, but I'm still way too sensitive and healing from the surgery.

So-- I have a D-cup on the left, flat (well, kind of a dent) on the right. I actually have found that the look of it doesn't bother me so much-- and people really don't notice as much as I thought they would. But I am SO FRUSTRATED trying to figure out how to support my remaining breast.

Chris, I'm dying to know how you go to the gym-- do you wear a sports bra? When I've tried that the fabric on the flat side bunches up under my arm and it doesn't fit right across the chest so my left breast isn't supported enough to be able to exercise comfortably.

So far I've been wearing camisoles and tank tops and layering-- but it's not going to be winter forever! I have asked so many people about this and called all of the mastectomy bra fitters around here, but no one knows anything about one-cup bras. People look at me like I'm crazy for asking-- I guess the assumption is that women have reconstruction or wear a prosthetic. I can't be the only one that made a different choice, though. If anyone has suggestions, I would LOVE to hear them!

Thanks!

Karen

Erica3681 · December 2007

Karen,

On my website, BreastFree.org, in the "Going Form-Free" section, there's a link to a clothing designer, Jaqueline Skaggs, who creates clothing for women with unilateral mastectomies. You'll find the link to Rebel1in8 in the second to last paragraph of the section. When you get to the site, click on Jaqueline's "Guestbook" and you'll find a way to email her. She might have some suggestions about a one-sided bra, or perhaps she's even designed one!

Barbara

Erica3681 · December 2007

Nancy,

Sorry you've had so many complications with your reconstruction. From what you're describing, it sounds like your best bet would be one of the Softee camisoles, with a very soft fiberfill form inside. You might try the "Original", since you don't need the drain pocket in the Softee Two. But either one is about as gentle an option as I can think of. Be warned--the puffy form won't look exactly like a breast. But with judicious dressing, it should be much better than nothing.

Barbara

BreastFree.org

roseg · December 2007

Nancy - I think I'd experiment with a front-fastening bra at the gym.

Your "C" side should keep the fabric from smooshing the tender side.

A back fastening one will smoosh everything down, but the front isn't quite as tight.

Sunshine99 · December 2007

Ooh, I never thought about the flat side of my bra (or whatever) riding up. I'm only a few days post op (unilateral - small B, large A on the remaining side). Just wearing a camisole (Amoena) or layering loose long-john type tops. I bought some inserts at Victoria's Secret a few years ago just to augment my small figure. Haven't yet tried them post-mast and I haven't tried the inserts that came with my Amoena. I do like the Amoena top, so far.

SusaninSF · December 2007

I had a wound that wouldn't heal for a long time but I wore a front-closing, post-op mast bra (here's an example but there are several manufacturers who make a similar bra http://www.tlcdirect.org/products/sku-7373__dept-14.html) with a light foam form (Amoena Leisure 126). Under the form I had lots of bandages so the form didn't rub. Don't know if that would work for you. You could also try the post-op mast bra just stuffed with pillow fluff which would be even lighter.

Oceanlvr · December 2007

A camisole with a built in bra works great for me. I am so concave the fabric never touchs my skin on that side. The weight of my other breast keeps it from riding up or bunching up. Most times I am wearing a camisole under a large t-shirt so the extra fabric seems to cover up the lack of a lump on one side.

If I am wearing a bra, it is one that hooks in front. They seem to have more give and stay down better.

You just have to experiment and see what works best for your own body and how you move. But most of all what is comfortable for you!

imgonnamakeit · December 2007

Hi Ladies,

Thank you for all the great suggestions. The problem with a front closing bra - or any soft bra for that matter is that the bottom part of it is going to hit the exact area where the PS had to stitch my skin down over the wound. I wish I could post a photo of it here so you could see what I mean. I think a soft cami with a pocket or pinning the form over the top of it might work. I'm going to give that a try. I really appreciate all of your suggestions.

A BIG HUG to everyone!

Nancy

Chelee · December 2007

Karen, I'm not sure this will help but it might? When I have my first MRM I went to a shop in my cancer center that sells prothesis's, bra's, wigs, scarfs, etc. I was on the larger size breast wise. So here I had one REAL boob and one missing.

The fitter in this shop was EXCELLENT. She picked out a bra for me that is made to put prothesis *inside* them. Since I am larger...she gave me a *weighted* prothesis for the ONE side and that way the weight of it holds it DOWN. It never rides up like the foam ones do. I tried the foam and light weight ones and they end up under my chin and its embarrassing to me. I am all lopsided with those. But I LOVE the weighted ones because again....they fit NICELY INSIDE the bra...very comfy...and they stay put! So you might want to ask around and see if you can find a shop that knows something about these weighted ones. I can't imagine going back to anything else after having these. Hope that helps. Good luck to you.

Chelee

options for balance?

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