What's the best prosthesis?

January 20, 2007

I am six weeks post bilateral mastectomy and have just about decided

that reconstruction is not for me. I was formerly a 36C, which I

always felt was too big for my small frame, but I would never have had

breast reduction on my own.

Now I am wondering what options I have as far as breast prosthesis.

So far I've been wearing tight camisoles that seem to be helping w/ my

swelling. I went to a specialty shop a couple of weeks ago, and was

very unimpressed by the mastectomy bras they have. They all seem like

old lady bras from the 50's w/ lots of support. They swallowed me.

I ended up w/ an underwire camisole that is not very comfortable as

the underwire fits right over a ridge of scar tissue. It also seems

very tight to me. The lady who fitted me for this said it has to be

tight, to keep a breast prosthesis in place, but it is so tight it

causes my swelling to get worse.

I never did find a prosthesis that was a size I liked. The lady kept

trying to make me back to a 36C, but I'd rather be more like an A cup

so I could wear the prosthesis when I needed to fill out certain

shirts and not wear it if I'm wearing something baggy.

I ended up buying some sort of silicone enhancers, the type of thing

small breasted women use to fill out their bras. I've only worn them

twice. They are not comfortable to me. They are hot and make my

chest sweat.

Can somebody help?

January 20, 2007

The lovely ladies at our local Cancer Council helped me with the

prosthesis fitting. It came with a cover and I ordered an extra

cover so that I could have one " in the wash " . If I ever end up

having the second mastectomy I would certainly look at scaling down

in size, but at this stage went with being equal. My visit to the

lingerie shop, with partner, was a joy. The ladies could not have

been nicer. The bras they showed me were soft cup or fitted non-

underwire and some even came with matching briefs. I am not sure

what the equivalent prices in the USA would be, but the prices I

paid were middle-range for Australia and really good quality. The

bras I ended up buying were NOT mastectomy bras, but they suit the

prostheis beautifully. The prosthesis is an Amoena Tria Basic 363,

according to the box the equivalent of a US/GB 38B.

I don't intend going back to an underwire for the same reason as

you. The scar is just in the wrong place :-( I have to admit that

I needed to check out a couple of lingerie shops before I found

women that understood my needs and were prepared to spend the time

with me. One shop had absolutely NO idea and I walked out in tears.

sooz in Darwin, Oz

>

> I am six weeks post bilateral mastectomy and have just about

decided that reconstruction is not for me. I was formerly a 36C,

which I always felt was too big for my small frame, but I would

never have had breast reduction on my own.

>

> Now I am wondering what options I have as far as breast

prosthesis. So far I've been wearing tight camisoles that seem to

be helping w/ my swelling. I went to a specialty shop a couple of

weeks ago, and was very unimpressed by the mastectomy bras they

have. They all seem like old lady bras from the 50's w/ lots of

support. They swallowed me.

>

> I ended up w/ an underwire camisole that is not very comfortable

as the underwire fits right over a ridge of scar tissue. It also

seems very tight to me. The lady who fitted me for this said it has

to be tight, to keep a breast prosthesis in place, but it is so

tight it causes my swelling to get worse.

>

> I never did find a prosthesis that was a size I liked. The lady

kept trying to make me back to a 36C, but I'd rather be more like an

A cup so I could wear the prosthesis when I needed to fill out

certain shirts and not wear it if I'm wearing something baggy.

>

> I ended up buying some sort of silicone enhancers, the type of

thing small breasted women use to fill out their bras. I've only

worn them twice. They are not comfortable to me. They are hot and

make my chest sweat.

>

> Can somebody help?

>

January 20, 2007

Hi ,

I found that you need a good fitting to figure out the right kind of bra

or cami that won't ride up. I ordered some things off the Internet

(tlcdirect.org) which were inexpensive, then ended up going to Lady

Grace, where a 'mastectomy specialist' figured out the right bra & form

for me. They handled the paperwork - it was free as long as your breast

surgeon writes you a script for a breast prosthesis & form.

Once I knew what bra & form worked for me, I ordered a cheaper version

on the Net. I think insurance covers a new forms & bras. I don't know

how often.

I'm small, so I can slip my form into regular bras, but I do have a

pocketed bra for certain times. Like for yoga where my form kept falling

out when I was doing some upside down things!

take care,

January 20, 2007

There are all different brands of prothesises. To the best of my knowledge if

you don't wear one of those fiberfill ones they rest are all silicone. I agree

the silicone ones do make you sweat.

Hugs

nne

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