prostheses for physically active

Worn in the right kind of bra with a pocket, the prosthesis will not move around much more than a real breast. Should be fine.

Hi Beth,

I agree; a properly fitted bra is very important. You will have no problems with the prosthestic moving around. My prostheses don't move when I run (actually I look like I have implants because they do not move), when my 95 lb Lab jumps on me. You will be fine.

Best of luck to you.

Raye

Beth, I just want to emphasize what everyone else has said. I wore a prothesis for more than a year before I had reconstruction. I had bras that were fitted at a local mastectomy shop that had pockets for the prothesis. I also just put the prothesis into my well-fitting sports bras.

I've gone hiking, rock climbing, running, chased after my kids and worked with my two large dogs and NEVER had a problem with the protheis getting out of place.

You just have to find good bras that fit properly. Mine were covered by insurance. 

Yes, the bras are great - you'll will not feel as though you've lost a breast - I mostly forget. I also have a variety of Sport Bras - with a prosthesis - which are very comfortable. One is like a "beany baby" made in dry fit fabric. I'm also very active as a teacher of young children (sometimes have to pick them up too! and as well, I'm a runner. My favourite provider gives/sells me all the latest - which I'm able to claim through my extended health insurance in Canada (employment). I even have a leopard skin bra! Whoo hOOO!

Sunshine, What is the name of the "beany-baby" pros? Sounds intriguing ...

I went to the site. They don't look very "breast-shaped." What's the fabric like? And what are they filled with? Wish they were in stores here so we could see before we bought.

Thanks for the link to the Janacs Sportswear!  I was wondering what I was going to do this summer, since I sweat like the dickens and a regular prothesis wouldn't have worked well.  My exercise is done outside - horseback riding and walking - so I really need something that's going to be comfortable, and the been-a-boob looks like it could be just the ticket, as well as the sportsbra.  I have a single mastectomy, so it's harder to find something light that will reasonably match my remaining breast.  I've been trying on various sportsbras, but not having much luck.  The bras are pricey, but may well be worth it just for the comfort factor.  Plus, the prothesis can be used for swimsuits, so that's a big plus as well. 

Well - I can tell you that this prosthesis is tried and tested regularly - the creator is a member of the  "Knot-A-Breast" dragon boat team in Hamilton Ontario and they all wear it (if needed) I gather.  Yes, it doesn't look like a breast shape - it's meant to squish like your real breast against your chest wall, in a sports bra.   If you're kids have any of those beany babies around still - pick one up and imagine the feel.  The fabric cover is super-soft - dry-fit (like an exercise shirt) I agree - you need to try it on before you're sure it's right for you.  You could probably e-mail her and ask about returns or American suppliers.

Crazy Daisy -Re mastectomy products 

 I travel 50 km - to a place in Brampton - off the 407 - because she has way more "up-to-date" fashions.  She might be able to reccommend someone in your area as she's in touch with other suppliers.

Her site is "dianne's Mastectomy"

My favourite items were a camisole, a leopard bra, a "denim & lace" bra - very pretty!   She also has lots of others.

Good to ask around - "breast cancer support services"  doctors etc.  I found out about her by word of mouth.

Janet 

Hi Beth--

I don't have any answers, but I just wanted to comment because I saw that you are a veterinary technician.  I can understand your concerns because I'm a veterinarian.  I don't have to struggle with the pets quite as much as my technicians do, but I still worry.  I had tissue expanders put in after my double mastectomy, but I hate the way they feel and I had so many surgical complications that I'm planning on having the expanders removed and not moving forward with the reconstruction.

Anyway, I'd be interested in hearing how you make out with the prostheses and would appreciate any tips you have once you've figured out what works best.  I'm having my expanders removed sometime over the summer and I'll be definitely looking for some suggestions!

Best of luck to you.

--Linda

Another thumbs up for Nordstrom here!

I went right after getting my drains out, spoke with the fitter, and bought a camisole.  

The fitter was wonerderful.  I don't have enough good things to say about her!

I was back there today with IPEX bras from Victoria's Secret; they added mastectomy pockets to them for me; that's a $15 charge.  If you buy their bras, the alterations are no charge.

And - this works really well.  In underwear, I look completely normal.  The bra is a lot prettier than the regular mastectomy style.  I was an "A" cup before surgery and my prosthesis is size "2".  So - I look the same in my underwear.  There's only a very tiny bit of scar that is not covered by the bra.

They don't ride up and they've very comfortable.  The first thing I did when I tried it on was to make motions like I was serving a tennis ball - everything is comfortable and nothing moves out of place. 

I had a bilateral.  When I'm exercising, I don't wear the prosthesis.  Too annoying.  I'm flat, lovely, and "athletic".  It's one thing to wear prosthesis to an office to look normal; it's quite another to be out sweating in the hot sun on a bike for 5 hours.  The prosthesis just aren't worth it to me then, so I don't wear them.  But, I'm pretty sure you can buy sports bras with pockets too.

Also try the Amoena 126 Leisure forms.  They can get wet, when you get out of the water, jsut wrap a towel around yourself and squeeze your chest to get the water out.  And don't lie down on your chest!  They take a while to dry, but they are inexpensive.  I paid $20 for mine!  They are probably best if you are small.  I wear a 34 A/B so I use a size 5 or 6 depending on the bathing suit.

Question for those of you who are runners and had unilateral mastectomies (now, there's a specialized supgroup for you!): is it possible to just wear a regular running bra w/out a prosthesis?  Or does it ride up and/or chafe?

I had a left mastectomy last week, and am eager to get back into running.  I think I'll be comfortable with a lopsided appearance, since I'm not all that big to begin with (esp. with a running bra squashing me flat), but am wondering about the practicalities.  Seems like a prosthesis would be just one more thing to get all gross and sweaty (I sweat *a lot* when I run), and that the sensation of it bouncing/rubbing against my chest would be annoying. 

The beanbag bra that sunshine2003 mentioned sounds intriguing, if I do find myself wanting/needing balance on my left side.

Linda

Right now, Metro Medical on-line has a really good deal on the Amoena 126 - I think about $26 each, and an even better deal if you buy two of them.  I think I'll get a couple for exercise so I'll have a spare while one is drying.  They've also got good deals on the regular silicone prothesis, and on bras.

Do sizes vary within a companies line? If I wear a certain size in one type, can I buy the same size for all styles as long as I stay with the same company?