any tips on getting prothesis

maglets

hello from the snowy north again.  It is now nearing six weeks post surgical removal of right breast.  During my recovery time I haven't had much luck wearing a bra to support the other breast....basically I have been wearing a tank top with a fibrefill breast form pinned to it....then another tshirt to hold in place.....thne shirt and sweater.

Tomorrow I have an appointment for a bra and prothesis fitting.....I know this is going to be very expensive so I would like to get it right. I would really appreciate any tips or thoughts.....I have felt the silicone forms and they feel very heavy.  I have never worn a bra with an underwire so I know that's out.......help and thoughts would be so much appreciated.....

mags

button2

Dear Mags

My story sounds just like yours. I also have had a radical mastectomy on the right side. Since I am D cup on the one side, I have had lots of experience in buying prostheses. The main thing is to take your time and get help from the assistants in the shop. Every time you try on a different size, put a T-shirt on over it and then step outside of the changing room and look in a full body mirror, not forgetting to look sideways too. It helps to have a good friend who will tell you the truth to come along with you. Make sure you take a T-shirt because a buttoned shirt will not allow you to compare your real breast with the silicone. I was worried at first too, about the weight. Now I have come to appreciate it because only the good silicone insert makes me feel balanced as I walk. I wear foam in the evenings sometimes after my shower, but it always feels funny. At night, I wash the silicone with warm water and handsoap and put it in a fresh bra so that I am all ready when I get out of bed in the mornings. I feel very happy with it, it feels like the real thing. Even my husband said he could only tell the difference because he knew what side was real. I also wear it to go running every morning. I now have three different sizes because I was very thin after chemo and my breast grows according to my weight. I also have a swim breast that I put in a special swimsuit so I can still enjoy the beach. I have adjusted so well to my surgery that I have decided not to get reconstruction. I hope some of this helps you at your appointment - good luck. Hugs, Anna

maglets

Anna

Dear Anna......oh that all helps so very much.....thank you for taking the time.  I would never have guessed the tshirt trick but it is a great suggestion.  I love tshirts.....soft wonderful cotton.....a shirt just isn't the same so I am really hoping to be able to wear them again. I will also try very hard to take my time......have you ever bought a pair of shoes thinking they were comfortable only to find they really were NOT?  

thank you so very much, maggie

maglets

maglets said:

Anna

Dear Anna......oh that all helps so very much.....thank you for taking the time.  I would never have guessed the tshirt trick but it is a great suggestion.  I love tshirts.....soft wonderful cotton.....a shirt just isn't the same so I am really hoping to be able to wear them again. I will also try very hard to take my time......have you ever bought a pair of shoes thinking they were comfortable only to find they really were NOT?  

thank you so very much, maggie

haha did not go so well

Well Anna I cannot say that went so well.  The fitter did not realize I was coming.....she had not looked at her book and she was quite flustered and almost angry that i was there.  I did not take my time .......there were very few prostheses.....small city.....and now I wish I had waited and gone to a bigger centre.  I think the size is too big for me so for anybody else about to purchase .....heed Anna's advice and take your time.  The government in Canada will pay 195.00 towards the 400.00 cost but only every two years.....so I guess I will just get along with this one and try a larger center next time....

best to all, maggie

TraciInLA

maglets said:

haha did not go so well

Well Anna I cannot say that went so well.  The fitter did not realize I was coming.....she had not looked at her book and she was quite flustered and almost angry that i was there.  I did not take my time .......there were very few prostheses.....small city.....and now I wish I had waited and gone to a bigger centre.  I think the size is too big for me so for anybody else about to purchase .....heed Anna's advice and take your time.  The government in Canada will pay 195.00 towards the 400.00 cost but only every two years.....so I guess I will just get along with this one and try a larger center next time....

best to all, maggie

So sorry, Maggie

Maggie, I'm so sorry your fitting didn't go well!  But 2 years is a long time to live with something that doesn't fit well, and for heaven's sakes, you have cancer, you should NOT have to settle!  

Have you checked out ACS' online store?  www.tlcdirect.org  Of course, meeting with a professional fitter in person (preferably one who pays better attention to her appointment book! ) is the best way, but tlc has a wide selection of forms and bras for women who don't have access to a professional fitting.  Maybe take a look there, or give them a call and speak with one of their reps?

I'm a year out from a double mastectomy with no reconstruction (yesterday was my 1 year anniversary!), and was just fitted with breast forms a few months ago.  I was able to get a small, very lightweight pair of silicone forms that are specially designed to absorb heat (I have hot flashes from Tamoxifen, so this was key for me.).  While I don't wear them every day, they're perfect for me.  

But I totally get that a double mastectomy gave me many more options, since I'm not trying to fit or match the opposite side.  Fittings and forms for a single mastectomy are completely different.

Please don't settle, Maggie!  There are SO many breast forms now, there IS one out there that you'll feel comfortable and beautiful in!

Traci

 

maglets

ahhhhh

ahhhh Traci you are a sweetheart.....thanks.....been feeling kinda down today....I know it will be better when I know about chemo and can just get on with it. I am so glad you got forms that suited you Traci and to tell truth it is soooo flippin cold here right now I had not thought about heat and hot flashes and sweat.  I really hope your new prostheses work for you.....haha tonight it is about 10 below and the silicone kinda warms up.....when you take it off at night it feels like a little heater......of course you would need something very different.  Sorry the tamoxifen is giving you the sweats.....

I will have look at the ACS......thanks so very much.....

mags

linpsu

prostheses

I wear a prostheses on my left side.  While I agree that a prostheses feels heavy when holding it in your hand, it actually doesn't feel that way at all when it is in my bra.  I don't even notice that I'm wearing it; it is very comfortable.  It is important to have a great fitter who takes the time to get it right.  And she would always have me put on a t-shirt with each bra I tried to see how it looked.

Hugs,

Linda

button2

maglets said:

haha did not go so well

Well Anna I cannot say that went so well.  The fitter did not realize I was coming.....she had not looked at her book and she was quite flustered and almost angry that i was there.  I did not take my time .......there were very few prostheses.....small city.....and now I wish I had waited and gone to a bigger centre.  I think the size is too big for me so for anybody else about to purchase .....heed Anna's advice and take your time.  The government in Canada will pay 195.00 towards the 400.00 cost but only every two years.....so I guess I will just get along with this one and try a larger center next time....

best to all, maggie

Oh Maggie that's too bad

I live in Europe and we get 2 free bras and one (single mast) or two (double mast) prostheses every year. I didn't realize how lucky I am. I'm sorry your fitting didn't go so well. Yes, definitely go to a big city next time. My town is so small that we don't have a shop at all and I have to go to our capital city. I wonder if there is some way you could exchange it, since you weren't happy with the size? I think it is a common mistake, since I also ended up with a too small one at first. Next time, for sure you will have more experience and get a better fit. Anyway, concentrate on your chemo now and good luck, Anna