Flat on one side w/ no prosthesis and large breast?

Hi Leila,

In those business situations, where you're wearing a bra anyway, you might consider an unweighted breast form (like the Amoena Leisure Form, Style 126) or a slightly-weighted non-silicone form (like the Still You Illusion--you'd probably need the oval shape for the D projection--they run large, so probably a B or C cup for you, since you're only 34 band width).

There's a new company called Silique, which is introducing some exciting new options in lightweight forms. I'll report more after I've had a chance to try them.

I had a bilateral and even though I'm symmetrical, I've been too self-conscious to go without forms. I admire you for doing it. I hope you'll hear from others who have made that choice and found clothing and other options that work.

Check out my non-profit website, BreastFree.org--in the Going Form-Free section, there's a link to a designer who makes clothes for women with unilateral mastectomies.

Barbara

Leila,

I haven't tried the one flat side myself but I have a friend who works with a woman who does. He said it took him a while to notice since he thinks it's rude to look at a woman's breasts. When he did notice, he didn't think it was any big deal. He said her remaining breast is very large but that she wears loose tops so it isn't immediately noticeable. Anyway, he said that no one who works with her seems to care.

- Susan

One suggestion I have is the unweighted breastform I use for athletic activity (I'm a bilateral)--Amoena Leisure form style 126. I know people who sew these forms directly into their swimsuits, so I'm thinkiing that you could perhaps do the same, unless you feel you need some weight to balance your D side.

Don't throw out your clothes yet! I wear everything I wore before (though if I'd had much cleavage-showing stuff, I suppose I would have been in trouble).

Barbara

BreastFree.org 

I went to breastfree.org and it is a very helpful site. The photos really help me and are not unlike what I already have with my lumpectomy. I have an appointment with the plastic surgeon July 31st. I just want to hear what she has to say. Today I told my surgeon I was definitely having mastectomy and considering not having reconstruction. I also told her I think being lopsided will be a challenge. She then said the plastic surgeon would want to reduce my "good" breast. Now I am leaning more towards bilateral mastectomy. This forum has really helped me to think through all the options.

I just met with my surgeon today and she laid out the plan which is a mastecomy with radiation - so no immediate recon option.  I am a saggy 36DD and hate the thought of being lopsided. (also hate the thought of BC...)  It seems like the only downside is loosing sensation and frankly a good foot rub turns me on...  This discussion helps - I asked about a bilateral and she said more people are voicing regret after doing it and she suggests waiting til after the rad and letting the PS do it.  The thought of ending up with 2 matching B cups sounds heavenly - just trying to understand the next 6 months.  I am an outside sales rep - and don't want to be the awkward rep that no one wants to see...  Loose tops for 8 months seems manageable.

I was a DD, and when I was lopsided my back hurt all the time. I tried the breast form that had weight...(Silicone) But I lost it all the time. After 2 years of fighting with a flat boob, I went for the reconstruction by a PC.

I'm very happy with the results and don't have to remember to put a body part on before walking out of the door. I would lose my head if it wasn't attached.

Isafarin, do you have trouble with swimming or running with the mismatch weight?  I know depression is a big problem and excercise is an obvious help - how much does the lopsidedness effect you? 

Also, my radiologist just told me that mas patients tend to have more problems with skin irritation - obviously I can't go to my office without a bra - was wearing one manageable?  I'm scheduled for 6 weeks of daily rad.

I also have one large breast (DD) & hate wearing my breast form. I find it irritating still (I get rashes) & it's been nearly 2 years. My bras all ride up on the mastectomy side even though my form is weighted & it looks really goofy with it higher than the other. I'm allergic to adhesives so was thinking of making something to hook the bottom of my bra to the waistband of my jeans, but mostly I just go formless & wear a sports bra.

Aponi,

In addition to SusaninSF's idea about trying the Amoena Contact form, have you thought about trying one of the non-silicone options? The Still You Illusions form has a little bit of weight so might help hold your bra in place, but is soft and comfortable against the skin. 

I often wear an Airway Tritex form, which has very soft microfiber fabric on the back of a silicone form. Like you, I have sensitive skin prone to rashes. I've never had a problem with the Tritex, or with the Illusions, which I also use. Another form to consider is the Pals, which is a non-silicone gel, very soft against the skin. Also, a new company, Silique, makes a silicone form with a microfiber back, similar to the Tritex, but presently less expensive. It's called Silique Comfort-Tex. I've tried it and find it much more comfortable than regular silicone forms.

I think you can probably find a solution if you're willing to experiment a bit. All the forms I mentioned are reviewed (with links) in the Breast Forms sectionon of my BreastFree website (I'm currently updating that section and will add the Silique form to my list of recommendations in the next couple of days). 

SusaninSF,

Hope you had a good month doing something fun. I agree that your situation and Aponi's, with one large remaining breast after a unilateral, is less common and more challenging. It's wonderful that you've found the Tria Contact. I can totally relate about not wanting more surgery. The idea of trying reconstruction gets less and less appealing to me the further out I get from my bilat surgery.

Barbara 

hi Leila what a pretty name. I am a 34D and had a right masectomy in mar 08. Someone from the american cancer society visited me while in hospital and gave me a masect bra and a form(not sure what its made of). But its a soft puff thingy-that you can add or remove the stuffing as you like. I ended up liking it so much. Its all I use. It light and comfy-like a little pillow. And in this hot summer I just couldn't wear one of those breast forms. I also just stick in my regular full figure underwire bras. And it does me fine. It stays in place, and looks fine.The breast form I have is still sitting in its box on my dresser.I also could't get into wearing a wig. Scarves do me fine. I searched around for cotton scarves that were 26x26 or so. And found some nice ones that were cool. My sister had a right masectomy five years ago, and she was very large breasted. She chose to go without any type of prothesis. She also never wore a wig or a scarf. She was just a joyful soul and cared not about the thoughts of others. I also commend you for being brave in that way. I myself have always suffered from vanity.