Heatherbelle you were asking about bras...

lovs2decorate
lovs2decorate Member Posts: 44
in Breast Cancer #1
Hi there!

I just had my nips done on 11/11/2010.

I am wearing a smooth, lightly padded bra from Lane Bryant (can't remember the name of it & I'm @ work so I really cant take it off to see the label,Lol.). You can order on line and they have some pretty colors. I wore them before bc and have been able to wear them still. They have an underwire. I know they have styles w/o if you like those better.

My pc didn't want me in a sports bra for this phase because of the "top hats" I had to wear to protect my new nips.

I did have fat graphing done from my hips and placed in one breast. The other breast had to have additional reconstruction work done. I was told to bring my regular bra to the office the next day and was shown how to do the dressing. My regular bra was good to wear even after all that work. :)

I hope this helps. I find the problem with bras is when you find one you love the company stops making it. They seem to do that with lipstick too. :(

Justine

Comments

  • Dawne.Hope
    Dawne.Hope Member Posts: 823
    #2
    what i know
    Before breast cancer I didn't know fruit of the loom from freya bras. Not only has this last year and a half been a crash course in breast cancer, I've also learned a ton about bras.

    Here is what I know:
    If you have a Nordstrom's nearby, make an appointment and ask for a 'surgical fitter.' They are specially trained at Nordstrom's and they are a huge resource for us! As there are different of breast cancers, so we have different needs in bras for reconstructed breasts. Some of us need lateral support, some of us the foobs need separation in the middle. What is it you need? For most of us, we need REALLY good lateral support because the implants tend to want to drift to the armpits. Some PS's don't want you want to wear an underwire for three months after the exchange, some insist upon an underwire right after the exchange. They're all different. Some of us have short a short distance between our shoulder and foob and others of us need longer straps. So ... know all of that as I suggest a few bras.

    We all need good support at the bottom because gravity is not our friend. I've found the Freya bras work really well for me, especially the Eleanor, Arabella and Pollyana. Unfortunately, the Eleanor has been discontinued! :( Yes, just like our favorite lipsticks and mascara.

    Wacoal, Chantelle, Natori are all really good. I've found for my new foobs, Victoria Secret bras do not give me the lateral support that I need. Yes, these bras are more expensive but they are expensive for a reason ... the underwires and the materials are better quality and last longer.

    My favorite work-out bras are the Bendon Max Out Bra and the Lululemon TaTa Tamer. They keep the girls in place with no lateral movement. Herroom and Barenecessities are good places to order from online. They have good return policies too. Know that finding the perfect bra takes TIME! I've returned so many bras thus far it's unbelievable. I'll post a few links to some of my favorites bras.

    Do either go to Nordstroms (I had to travel 2.5 hours to the nearest one) or a masectomy store with an experienced fitter. Again, they will guide you to the bras you need. Note that you're probably going to be a larger cup size even if you don't have the projection of your natural breasts because implants are wider than natural breasts.

    Best of luck finding what works. Breast cancer has opened up a whole new world for me re bras I never knew existed. :)

    http://www.herroom.com/Bendon-73-408-Max-Out-Technical-Support-Sports-Bra.shtml

    http://shop.lululemon.com/Ta_Ta_Tamer/pd/c/520/np/520/p/1642.html

    http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/freya-pollyanna-261116-underwire-plunge-bra/3030207?origin=PredictiveSearch&resultback=235

    http://www.barenecessities.com/fantasie-elodie-underwire-side-support-bra-2182_product.htm?pf_id=Fantasie2182

    http://www.barenecessities.com/freya-arabella-plunge-bra-aa5721_product.htm?pf_id=FreyaAA5721

    http://www.herroom.com/Anita-5690-Alicia-Underwire-Bra.shtml?cm_mmc=google-_-her-_-anita-_-&brand=Anita&sku=5690&kwid=a5b4ad1c8a164224baad8cf878d37a91&gclid=CPjT3vncl6QCFQvs7QodZmqtFA
  • Dawne.Hope
    Dawne.Hope Member Posts: 823
    #3
    Dawne.Hope said:

    what i know
    Before breast cancer I didn't know fruit of the loom from freya bras. Not only has this last year and a half been a crash course in breast cancer, I've also learned a ton about bras.

    Here is what I know:
    If you have a Nordstrom's nearby, make an appointment and ask for a 'surgical fitter.' They are specially trained at Nordstrom's and they are a huge resource for us! As there are different of breast cancers, so we have different needs in bras for reconstructed breasts. Some of us need lateral support, some of us the foobs need separation in the middle. What is it you need? For most of us, we need REALLY good lateral support because the implants tend to want to drift to the armpits. Some PS's don't want you want to wear an underwire for three months after the exchange, some insist upon an underwire right after the exchange. They're all different. Some of us have short a short distance between our shoulder and foob and others of us need longer straps. So ... know all of that as I suggest a few bras.

    We all need good support at the bottom because gravity is not our friend. I've found the Freya bras work really well for me, especially the Eleanor, Arabella and Pollyana. Unfortunately, the Eleanor has been discontinued! :( Yes, just like our favorite lipsticks and mascara.

    Wacoal, Chantelle, Natori are all really good. I've found for my new foobs, Victoria Secret bras do not give me the lateral support that I need. Yes, these bras are more expensive but they are expensive for a reason ... the underwires and the materials are better quality and last longer.

    My favorite work-out bras are the Bendon Max Out Bra and the Lululemon TaTa Tamer. They keep the girls in place with no lateral movement. Herroom and Barenecessities are good places to order from online. They have good return policies too. Know that finding the perfect bra takes TIME! I've returned so many bras thus far it's unbelievable. I'll post a few links to some of my favorites bras.

    Do either go to Nordstroms (I had to travel 2.5 hours to the nearest one) or a masectomy store with an experienced fitter. Again, they will guide you to the bras you need. Note that you're probably going to be a larger cup size even if you don't have the projection of your natural breasts because implants are wider than natural breasts.

    Best of luck finding what works. Breast cancer has opened up a whole new world for me re bras I never knew existed. :)

    http://www.herroom.com/Bendon-73-408-Max-Out-Technical-Support-Sports-Bra.shtml

    http://shop.lululemon.com/Ta_Ta_Tamer/pd/c/520/np/520/p/1642.html

    http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/freya-pollyanna-261116-underwire-plunge-bra/3030207?origin=PredictiveSearch&resultback=235

    http://www.barenecessities.com/fantasie-elodie-underwire-side-support-bra-2182_product.htm?pf_id=Fantasie2182

    http://www.barenecessities.com/freya-arabella-plunge-bra-aa5721_product.htm?pf_id=FreyaAA5721

    http://www.herroom.com/Anita-5690-Alicia-Underwire-Bra.shtml?cm_mmc=google-_-her-_-anita-_-&brand=Anita&sku=5690&kwid=a5b4ad1c8a164224baad8cf878d37a91&gclid=CPjT3vncl6QCFQvs7QodZmqtFA

    P.S.
    Once you get fitted at Nordstrom's and buy a couple, you know your size and you can order that bra on ebay at a greatly reduced price! That's what I do now. But it took a lot of experimenting and trying on bras before I could do this!

    Also know that you don't want the underwire pressing on the medial sides of the implant (in the center)because that can make the implants migrate over to the armpits too. It's crazy! Who knew finding the perfect bra was such a science!

    VickiSam - add this to the chapter of your book! ;)

    Much love and have fun, ladies! :)
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    #4
    Dawne.Hope said:

    what i know
    Before breast cancer I didn't know fruit of the loom from freya bras. Not only has this last year and a half been a crash course in breast cancer, I've also learned a ton about bras.

    Here is what I know:
    If you have a Nordstrom's nearby, make an appointment and ask for a 'surgical fitter.' They are specially trained at Nordstrom's and they are a huge resource for us! As there are different of breast cancers, so we have different needs in bras for reconstructed breasts. Some of us need lateral support, some of us the foobs need separation in the middle. What is it you need? For most of us, we need REALLY good lateral support because the implants tend to want to drift to the armpits. Some PS's don't want you want to wear an underwire for three months after the exchange, some insist upon an underwire right after the exchange. They're all different. Some of us have short a short distance between our shoulder and foob and others of us need longer straps. So ... know all of that as I suggest a few bras.

    We all need good support at the bottom because gravity is not our friend. I've found the Freya bras work really well for me, especially the Eleanor, Arabella and Pollyana. Unfortunately, the Eleanor has been discontinued! :( Yes, just like our favorite lipsticks and mascara.

    Wacoal, Chantelle, Natori are all really good. I've found for my new foobs, Victoria Secret bras do not give me the lateral support that I need. Yes, these bras are more expensive but they are expensive for a reason ... the underwires and the materials are better quality and last longer.

    My favorite work-out bras are the Bendon Max Out Bra and the Lululemon TaTa Tamer. They keep the girls in place with no lateral movement. Herroom and Barenecessities are good places to order from online. They have good return policies too. Know that finding the perfect bra takes TIME! I've returned so many bras thus far it's unbelievable. I'll post a few links to some of my favorites bras.

    Do either go to Nordstroms (I had to travel 2.5 hours to the nearest one) or a masectomy store with an experienced fitter. Again, they will guide you to the bras you need. Note that you're probably going to be a larger cup size even if you don't have the projection of your natural breasts because implants are wider than natural breasts.

    Best of luck finding what works. Breast cancer has opened up a whole new world for me re bras I never knew existed. :)

    http://www.herroom.com/Bendon-73-408-Max-Out-Technical-Support-Sports-Bra.shtml

    http://shop.lululemon.com/Ta_Ta_Tamer/pd/c/520/np/520/p/1642.html

    http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/freya-pollyanna-261116-underwire-plunge-bra/3030207?origin=PredictiveSearch&resultback=235

    http://www.barenecessities.com/fantasie-elodie-underwire-side-support-bra-2182_product.htm?pf_id=Fantasie2182

    http://www.barenecessities.com/freya-arabella-plunge-bra-aa5721_product.htm?pf_id=FreyaAA5721

    http://www.herroom.com/Anita-5690-Alicia-Underwire-Bra.shtml?cm_mmc=google-_-her-_-anita-_-&brand=Anita&sku=5690&kwid=a5b4ad1c8a164224baad8cf878d37a91&gclid=CPjT3vncl6QCFQvs7QodZmqtFA

    Thank you so much! I can't
    Thank you so much! I can't wait to get a few new bras. I'm having fat grafting on March 1st, then my nipples done (FINALLY) about a month after that. The cancer center that has helped me out has a professional fitter come in once a month and I'm going to make an appointment there once I'm done healing from this next procedure. They're taking fat from my abdomen & putting it in my boobs! yeeeaaah!
    But this thread is a great resource, I'm going to print it out. And once I find some that work well for me, you bet I'm going to get them on ebay! i LOVE ebay! Both buying and selling!
    Thanks again ladies for chiming in with your info & experience!
    *hugs*
    Heather
  • Dawne.Hope
    Dawne.Hope Member Posts: 823
    #5
    Heatherbelle said:

    Thank you so much! I can't
    Thank you so much! I can't wait to get a few new bras. I'm having fat grafting on March 1st, then my nipples done (FINALLY) about a month after that. The cancer center that has helped me out has a professional fitter come in once a month and I'm going to make an appointment there once I'm done healing from this next procedure. They're taking fat from my abdomen & putting it in my boobs! yeeeaaah!
    But this thread is a great resource, I'm going to print it out. And once I find some that work well for me, you bet I'm going to get them on ebay! i LOVE ebay! Both buying and selling!
    Thanks again ladies for chiming in with your info & experience!
    *hugs*
    Heather

    yay!
    Congrats on the fat grafting! My PS isn't big on doing it, but I'd love to find another PS who would because it can really provide a natural slope for the foobs and then getting rid of some extra fat on the belly is an added bonus! I so wish I could do that too! Bikini's here we come! :) I'm so happy for you, Heather! So glad too that you're going to get your nips!

    That's awesome that your cancer center has a surgical fitter come in. You're on your way, girl! Congrats! And keep us posted on the grafts ... I'm researching all that out ... wanna know how it works for you.

    Hugs back at ya! :)
    dh
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    #6
    Dawne.Hope said:

    yay!
    Congrats on the fat grafting! My PS isn't big on doing it, but I'd love to find another PS who would because it can really provide a natural slope for the foobs and then getting rid of some extra fat on the belly is an added bonus! I so wish I could do that too! Bikini's here we come! :) I'm so happy for you, Heather! So glad too that you're going to get your nips!

    That's awesome that your cancer center has a surgical fitter come in. You're on your way, girl! Congrats! And keep us posted on the grafts ... I'm researching all that out ... wanna know how it works for you.

    Hugs back at ya! :)
    dh

    It's so funny, because after
    It's so funny, because after my exchange surgery & my initial disappointment about them not projecting enough, I was whining to my husband "can't they just suck the fat out of my **** and put it in my boobs??"
    Fat from my belly - even better!!! I will definately post about the grafting. As far as bikinis - i HATE the feeling of material on my belly when I'm in the water, might be some weird quirk I have or something but I always wear a 2 piece. Last week I posted a bunch of older pics to my facebook account and a few of them were pics of me in my bikini 3 days before I gave birth to my youngest daughter. Nope, I have no shame!
    *hugs*
    Heather
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #7
    Dawne.Hope said:

    P.S.
    Once you get fitted at Nordstrom's and buy a couple, you know your size and you can order that bra on ebay at a greatly reduced price! That's what I do now. But it took a lot of experimenting and trying on bras before I could do this!

    Also know that you don't want the underwire pressing on the medial sides of the implant (in the center)because that can make the implants migrate over to the armpits too. It's crazy! Who knew finding the perfect bra was such a science!

    VickiSam - add this to the chapter of your book! ;)

    Much love and have fun, ladies! :)

    Yot gotta it, Girlfriend .. alll acknowledgement .. will
    also to to you, dear Friend! Can't wait to show you the finished product .. in viva Las Vegas, later this year!!!!!

    2nd book .. 7 chapters and counting!

    Hugs, Strength, Peace and Joy - for you!

    Vicki Sam
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #8
    VickiSam said:

    Yot gotta it, Girlfriend .. alll acknowledgement .. will
    also to to you, dear Friend! Can't wait to show you the finished product .. in viva Las Vegas, later this year!!!!!

    2nd book .. 7 chapters and counting!

    Hugs, Strength, Peace and Joy - for you!

    Vicki Sam

    If you have a specialty shop
    If you have a specialty shop in your cancer center, they should carry something. And, there are usually specialty shops in most areas that actually cater to women with breast cancer. Their bras are expensive, but, well worth it.


    Good luck!

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