Bras

mrsziggy
mrsziggy Member Posts: 20
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Has anyone else out there, besides me, had a problem finding a bra to fit after reconstruction? I was a 34B before and now I'm not real sure what size I am. They tried to make me the same size but all I know is my bras do no fit the same. Not to mention that one boob is bigger than the other. The left breast had two previous surgeries before the mastectomy which made them have less skin to work with. Therefore I look normal on one side and slightly deformed on the other. Do they make such a bra?
Tracy

Comments

  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #2
    Tracy....
    I had a mastectomy, so have a prosthesis and bras for that.

    But my suggestion would be to go somewhere there are "professional fitters" to get a bra that fits as well as possible.
    A lot of the department stores (I guess there is still such a thing!) have fitters. Also stores that specialize in undergarments.

    CR
  • Ltalcott
    Ltalcott Member Posts: 119
    #3
    padded bras
    Those bras with molded cups can hide the fact that you aren't the same size.

    I kept trying to measure and figure out what size I was--didn't work at all. I tried on lots, bought one that I thought fit that turned out to hurt after wearing it for 15 minutes. I actually threw it away!

    I tried going to a store that advertised fitting help. The sales lady said she'd be glad to hand in different sized for me to try.

    Lisa
  • crazylady55
    crazylady55 Member Posts: 92
    #4
    Ltalcott said:

    padded bras
    Those bras with molded cups can hide the fact that you aren't the same size.

    I kept trying to measure and figure out what size I was--didn't work at all. I tried on lots, bought one that I thought fit that turned out to hurt after wearing it for 15 minutes. I actually threw it away!

    I tried going to a store that advertised fitting help. The sales lady said she'd be glad to hand in different sized for me to try.

    Lisa

    try a cancer specialist
    If you can't find a fitter at your local department store (Nordstrum's in my area does it). You can try a shop that specializes in breast cancer patients. My hospital has a shop where they fitted my prosthesis and bras.

    Good luck
  • piseminger
    piseminger Member Posts: 35
    #5
    If your in Jacksonville, Fl
    If your in Jacksonville, Fl you might try a store called Bloomers. They sell regular bras as well as prothesis bras and they fit you.
  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #6
    Special bras
    I have a right mastectomy. I like to go to boutiques for mastectomy products because they are small, specialized, and have fitters that understand. When I got my last bra and prothesis, the lady before me who had only had a lumpectomy was getting the same bra. She needed a partial prothesis to stick in her bra to even things up.I usually look on the internet using the terms "mastectomy"+the name of my state to find new shops. Then I call to see whether they just have a couple of boxes in the back for cancer patients or if they specialize in just breast cancer. Appointments help make for successful visits. Be aware that while insurance will pay part of the costs for special bras, they are more than twice what Wal-mart charges. Once you have your size, mail-order or cost comparison over the internet will usually find cheaper similar products. Consultation with a fitter may help you decide what size you need and whether you need a partial prothesis to look good in tight sweaters. Another friend of mine gets by with the silicon from a push-up bra. She puts two on one side and none on the other to look even. Since I got a right mastectomy, I need the real thing. You may only need a little something or maybe just a padded bra of just the right size. A fitter could certainly advise you the best. Insurance can also cover surgery to even things up in the states if you want to go that route. Good luck!

    C. Abbott
  • dbs1673
    dbs1673 Member Posts: 203
    #7
    cabbott said:

    Special bras
    I have a right mastectomy. I like to go to boutiques for mastectomy products because they are small, specialized, and have fitters that understand. When I got my last bra and prothesis, the lady before me who had only had a lumpectomy was getting the same bra. She needed a partial prothesis to stick in her bra to even things up.I usually look on the internet using the terms "mastectomy"+the name of my state to find new shops. Then I call to see whether they just have a couple of boxes in the back for cancer patients or if they specialize in just breast cancer. Appointments help make for successful visits. Be aware that while insurance will pay part of the costs for special bras, they are more than twice what Wal-mart charges. Once you have your size, mail-order or cost comparison over the internet will usually find cheaper similar products. Consultation with a fitter may help you decide what size you need and whether you need a partial prothesis to look good in tight sweaters. Another friend of mine gets by with the silicon from a push-up bra. She puts two on one side and none on the other to look even. Since I got a right mastectomy, I need the real thing. You may only need a little something or maybe just a padded bra of just the right size. A fitter could certainly advise you the best. Insurance can also cover surgery to even things up in the states if you want to go that route. Good luck!

    C. Abbott

    what size?
    Oh how I can relate. I had bilateral mastectomy with implants. I was a 34 A-B. My previous look was more "tubular" as the surgeon described. The implants have me fuller but heck if I know what size. When I talked to the surgeon about this he kept talking about implants in cc sizes. I have to keep reminding him that bras are only sold in C for "cup" sizes. I have to admit it takes alot of will power for me to gather up a sampling of bras and go into the dressing room. I threw out all my previous bras so now I guess it comes down to trial and error.

    dawn
  • bfbear
    bfbear Member Posts: 380
    #8
    dbs1673 said:

    what size?
    Oh how I can relate. I had bilateral mastectomy with implants. I was a 34 A-B. My previous look was more "tubular" as the surgeon described. The implants have me fuller but heck if I know what size. When I talked to the surgeon about this he kept talking about implants in cc sizes. I have to keep reminding him that bras are only sold in C for "cup" sizes. I have to admit it takes alot of will power for me to gather up a sampling of bras and go into the dressing room. I threw out all my previous bras so now I guess it comes down to trial and error.

    dawn

    I'm right there with you...
    ladies. I'm still wearing a sports bra 8 weeks out of surgery (bilat. mast w/implants), don't fit in my old bras, and haven't gotten the courage up to shop for new ones. One side is definitely smaller and a different shape than the other...it's just one more thing to deal with...eventually.
    It's all very frustrating!
    Debi
  • jk1952
    jk1952 Member Posts: 613
    #9
    bfbear said:

    I'm right there with you...
    ladies. I'm still wearing a sports bra 8 weeks out of surgery (bilat. mast w/implants), don't fit in my old bras, and haven't gotten the courage up to shop for new ones. One side is definitely smaller and a different shape than the other...it's just one more thing to deal with...eventually.
    It's all very frustrating!
    Debi

    I'm so thankful to hear

    I'm so thankful to hear other women talk about bra fittings and how frustrating they are. And, the fact that even with bilateral reconstruction they aren't the same size. I've been disappointed that, after the DIEP reconstruction, the side where I had a lumpectomy and radiation 9 years ago is still smaller than the other side. I should be thankful that they were able to do the reconstruction on that side since the blood supply had been damaged by the radiation. There wasn't surety that the blood supply could be reconnected, but so far, all is well. I really should be thankful about that and not disappointed about the slight difference in size.

    I'm sure that when I get a good-fitting bra, things will be better. After all, I never would have thought about going out of the house without a padded bra before I had cancer, but now I was expecting perfection. You have all helped me to put this in perspective! Thank you!

    Joyce
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #10
    jk1952 said:

    I'm so thankful to hear

    I'm so thankful to hear other women talk about bra fittings and how frustrating they are. And, the fact that even with bilateral reconstruction they aren't the same size. I've been disappointed that, after the DIEP reconstruction, the side where I had a lumpectomy and radiation 9 years ago is still smaller than the other side. I should be thankful that they were able to do the reconstruction on that side since the blood supply had been damaged by the radiation. There wasn't surety that the blood supply could be reconnected, but so far, all is well. I really should be thankful about that and not disappointed about the slight difference in size.

    I'm sure that when I get a good-fitting bra, things will be better. After all, I never would have thought about going out of the house without a padded bra before I had cancer, but now I was expecting perfection. You have all helped me to put this in perspective! Thank you!

    Joyce

    Joyce
    I had to sort myself out.....I bought a Dollar Store Dogs' Toy and took some of the stuffing (and of course the Squeaker) out. It gave me a matching shape BUT the nipples point in opposite directions........embarassing as hell. Anyway I purchased a padded bra last week and on my first outing got Oggled (leered) at I was mortified! Oh No, Has my padding slipped and I look weird?.......I checked when I got home........Nope, Looked like a nice matched pair...........It was an old perv!......How would he feel if he knew the objects of his desire were actually a Squeaky Dogs Toy?......Maybe I should have left the Squeak in and given him a tweak? :o)))))

    OMG!

    Hugs Jxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • jk1952
    jk1952 Member Posts: 613
    #11
    tasha_111 said:

    Joyce
    I had to sort myself out.....I bought a Dollar Store Dogs' Toy and took some of the stuffing (and of course the Squeaker) out. It gave me a matching shape BUT the nipples point in opposite directions........embarassing as hell. Anyway I purchased a padded bra last week and on my first outing got Oggled (leered) at I was mortified! Oh No, Has my padding slipped and I look weird?.......I checked when I got home........Nope, Looked like a nice matched pair...........It was an old perv!......How would he feel if he knew the objects of his desire were actually a Squeaky Dogs Toy?......Maybe I should have left the Squeak in and given him a tweak? :o)))))

    OMG!

    Hugs Jxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    J, you go girl!
    Before I

    J, you go girl!

    Before I had my mastectomy, I had the same issue that you have, and it didn't bother me too much (I did always wear a padded bra). But, after the mastectomy and DIEP a/k/a tummy tuck and boob job, I expected perfection. After all, everyone raved about my plastic surgeon's work. Women covet him for their cosmetic surgery. How could I be disappointed?

    It's a game for me to look around the plastic surgeon's waiting room to try to decide who's there because they've had cancer and who's there for cosmetic surgery. It's the quietest place in the world...most of the women there for cosmetic surgery don't want anyone to know that they aren't perfect, and you're never really sure in which category anyone fits. I assume that anyone that looks up from their magazine or Blackberry (and will make eye contact) is a cancer patient.

    There are so many ways that I'm not perfect..I don't want to be the person with their nose buried in the magazine because their boobs aren't perfect. I'm now on a mission to find a good bra and end this insanity!

    Joyce

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