Help Needed For Women who have undergone Mastectomy

I haven't really given a lot of thought about swimwear, and I have a swimming pool.  I had a single mastectomy back in August.  I actually have 2 bathing suits that I'll be able to wear still.  I think a lot depends on what type of surgery a woman has and how extensive it was.  The neckline has to be high enough that it won't show scars, and can hold the form/prothesis in place without showing.  I think the age of the woman can also be very important.  A woman in her 30's and 40's will want a different bathing suit than someone in her 50's and 60's.  I think it's a very individual thing.

You might want to get in touch with your local American Cancer Association Wellness Community support organization.  They might be able to help you with contacts.  There's probably women who would be glad to give you feedback.

What I would like to see addressed is the styling of mastectomy bras.  Most are styles that seem to date from the 50's, with horizontal seams and geared toward a lot of support.  They give you a very conical shape.  I'm 54, but I don't want to look like a grandmother.  I like a rounder, more natural look.  Also, I'm not large - between an A and B cup.  Currently, there's only a few mastectomy bras out there that are like that. 

I haven't given much thought to bathing suits either, other than I don't want to wear one until I have reconstruction!  So, that said, my concerns with wearing a mastectomy bathing suit is similar to what mthomp2020 said about the neck line being high enough to cover scars and hold the prosthesis in place without showing.  It also needs to cover the scars on the sides as well since my scars are somewhat near my arm pit.  At the same time, I would also like the suit to be stylish.  I am in my late 30's and don't want to wear an "old lady" style suit.  Prior to this, I would wear bikini's (nothing revealing), tankini's, and some one piece's as well that were on the stylish side.  I would like to wear the same type of bathing suits, that are flattering for the rest of my body (I'm an average body type, thin but most of my weight is in my butt and thighs).  I looked once on-line at mastectomy suits and they were all one piece suits, no patterns, very high neck line (the type of swim suit I wore when I was about 13 or 14 and didn't want to be noticed by boys yet - , basically just very plain).

I actually like the mastectomy bras I have, they're not overly stylish, but not too plain either, it has some lace and flowery pattern on part of it, not matronly.  They cover up the scars pretty well, but not completely as my scars are a little higher on my chest, due to wear the tumor was.  The problem that I have with it, should I ever be walking around in front of anyone (I haven't, but I'm just saying this would be a problem if you took this design and turned into a bathing suit) is that from the side you can see a little bit of the prosthesis.  So there needs to be more material around the outside to cover up where the pocket for the prosthesis is. 

Hope this helps, good luck with your project!

If you have not yet checked out the breastfree site, there are some suggestions for cute bras and bathing suits.  I have posted before about bras and bathing suits but Anita makes great bras.  And...I do have a mastectomy bikini made by Anita.  It is not the one on the breastfree site but is similar to that one.  All of my mast. bras that I wear are cute and sexy.  Try Amoena also.  They have some nice ones too.

I think that for some reason, the designers of mastectomy bras/bathing suits think most of the women are in their 50's or older.  After looking at the thread that asks how old you were when diagnosed, there are really a good number of women in their 40's, and even 30's, who have had mastectomies without reconstruction.  I'm 54, and even I don't like the bathing suits they have for mastectomies.  I'll be sewing pockets into 2 suits I already have. 

The fashion industry really ignores women in my age range.  Clothing is either designed for 20-30 year olds, or is very matronly (think Alfred Dunner/Sag Harbor).  Baby boomers tend to have more discretionary income.  Why aren't our needs being addressed by the industry?  I used to like finding nice clothing.  Now I hate clothing shopping because it's so hard to find something that looks fashionable but appropriate for someone my age.

oops.  I mean breastfree.org.

I just bought a swimsuit at my local mastectomy shop.  The only downside I notice is there is too much room for the forms inside the pocket, and they tend to sink down lower than they should be.  I'm thinking of doing some stitching to hold them more in place.  I've been pleasantly surprised at the necklines I'm able to wear and my underarm incisions were pretty low also.  I can still wear some tank tops, I just can't wear deep v's. 

I would like to find some pretty nightgowns--I don't want forms in them, just wishing for something feminine without being too low-cut. 

Hi,

I am one of those Size 2 girls who can't get a suit.  Really depressing.  I still have a fairly good figure and would like to go to the beach one of these days.  It's been more than a year.  I just haven't had the energy or time to get something and try to put pockets in it, etc.

Also the bra thing...geez I ordered one beautiful looking seamless bra via internet, size 34 A.  Not only did my Size 2 A/B prosthesis not even fill it out, but the proportions were all wrong for a petite woman.  My husband saw me  after I tried it on and said "You can't wear that!"  It really looks comical on me.    I have so far only found one mast bra that fits well enough, not great, and that I can tolerate. 

I am now using the Amoena Tria Plus attachable breast form so I can wear normal bras.  Of course not all bras work, but I can find more non-mast bras than mast bras that are comfortable and attractive and make me feel good.  Something is wrong here!!!

Yes, a pet peeve of mine too.  I thought I was the only one who noticed that the mastectomy swimsuits are modeled by women with 2 boobs and cleavage.

I just want a swimsuit that looks attractive.  I hope to be done with all my treatment -- chemo & rads by Christmas and my husband and I have booked a trip to Mexico in January to get away and relax.  I am not too worried about having a swimsuit that I will spend much time swimming in, I just want something that looks nice and I can feel somewhat normal in.  I found some okay suits by Anita, but was completely put-off when, as others have pointed out, the models had cleavage!!! How is that going to look with a concave chest on one side?  I am reluctanct to buy anything on-line but finding anything in stores will be very limiting.  I guess I will just have to keep looking.

Linda

I am interested in what all you women think of a new product for women who have undergone a mastectomy and are unable to wear low cut necklines....what if you could buy a fabric insert that you could add to all your clothing...like bras, shirts, dresses and even bathing suits....it would be for v-neck like clothing.  Do you think that this would help/solve your clothing problems?...this would be something that easily attaches without having to sew it in?

Would love to hear all comments...thanks so much...

There are so many pretty v-neck tunics out now and I can't wear any of them.  My only option right now is to wear a camisole underneath but its pretty warm in Texas year round.  Layering isn't feasible most of the time.  An insert from different textures and fabric might work.  A pretty, tight lace would be nice.  I just wouldn't want an insert too high on the chest.

Marie what size are you?

What size are you? I have an amoena form to offer in size 6 . I wore it for several months and now since I have lost weight since treatment it doen't fit and I am getting a new one. I am outraged thet you have spent so long "breastless". If you want it I'll send it to you.

I really wish someone would design a swimsuit for unilateral women who are large breasted.  Land's End only fits up to a DD.  Some women need ladies suits built for a larger bustline.  Prothesis bras are another problem area.  The largest size is DDD and those are 36-44.  Noone addresses 32-34 with a large cup size.  If the prothesis are made up to size 15, shouldn't mastectomy bras be available to fit?