I’ve just found that there’s a nice spa a mile up the road from me and would love to go for an evening. I’ve had a bilateral (double) mastectomy and am quite happy with my new appearance generally (didn’t go for reconstruction, didn’t want the extra surgery and can’t for a while anyway) but being this flat chested in a swim suit isn’t what I have in mind.
I’m getting my prosthetics next week (sticky back ameona natura’s) but I’m nto sure if I can wear them in a swimsuit.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Does anyone make swimsuits that have mouldings or something. I know you can get special swimming prosthesis but I don’t really want to spend a bomb on prosthesis just for the occasional spa visit.
I’d olve to go and can maybe handle being completely flat chested it’s hard to say until I’m there.
Thanks ladies,
Angie
HI
There are a couple of websites that you can order swimming costumes and I would say you can use normal prothesis’s in them… On non mastectomy suits the speedo range offer alot of coverage and I’ve just bought a Jasper Conran bikini from Debenhams which covers completely as it has larger moulded cup sizes in decent styles… also swim suit range is good…
Jane
Cheers Jane
Have you tried them in water yet?
I think I’ll buy a couple of the cheap swim prosthesis anyway because I believe chlorine isn’t great on the silicon ones and they are one £10 each. I figure £20 is OK to spend on top of a swim suit… because I’m worth it as they say (I don’t feel that way but I figure that’s why I need the spa visit).
Angie
Rats
anyone else looking at a bit of self indulgence may need to read the T&C’s of any spa too. Look what I just noticed:
"If you wish to participate in the Spa experiences and suffer from any of the following please consult with your doctor prior to your arrival and obtain written evidence of your fitness to participate:
* You are currently receiving radiotherapy or chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer
* You have had surgery within the last three months"
Off to the docs for me then for a nice piece of papier. Surgery 6 weeks ago. Healing nicely but I need some pampering.
Angie
Know your problem only too well. I swim a lot so it was worth it for me to get the swim prothesis , as a lot of seawater and chlorine wil damage your silicone one. Although if you are not normally a swimmer, should be ok for the odd dip - but rinse out very carefully afterwards. Otherwise have a look round all the shops, there are a lot of bikinis and swimsuits with moulded and padded cups , which may be ok and all you need to look good. I agree, the specialist shops do sell a good range, but soooooooooo expensive, I am spending a fortune on swimwear.
Hi,
I wonder if you have already seen the ‘Amoena’ ,‘The 2008 Collection’ magazine. It has some lovely swimwear, and also underwear and other clothes. Subscription is free by calling 0800 0728866.
I haven’t ordered anything but it is worth a look.
Lorna X
I think you have to be careful in spas and jacuzzis and saunas etc not only the risk of infection if having chemo or just having rads but also the risk of lyphoedema. Swimming is good for you and for lymphoedema but not recommnended on chemo or just finishing rads.
I bought cheap £10 swimming prosthesis as the silicone ones are Ok for occasional dip but not if swimming frequently.
I buy sale reduced swinsuits from nicola jane and amoena and M and S. My rads marks are so high up that I need mastectomy swiimsuits to cover the scarring.
Hope you find something rrelaxing to do. i have reiki,aromotherapy, facials and reflexology which is wonderful…
Take care and a happy relaxing time
Kate
i bought a lovely swimsuit from Marks and Spencer this morning
It was labelled as a ‘post surgery’ swimsuit so suitable for people who have had a mastectomy. It cost me £25 which is what i usually spend on swim wear
Jools
I wear two stick on prosthesis (they are my prosthetic puppies!!.
I bought a lovely swimsuit from nicola Jane - www.nicolajane.co.uk. It is navy poka dot (halter neck) and it has a belt in the waist. it is the best one I have bought in ages, and I wore it two weeks ago on holiday on Med Cruise. and well I am normally struggling to find swimwear to fit my prosthesis (Tria by Amoena). But I put my swimforms (by Amoena , the silicone ones, as they dont hold the water like the foam ones). And WOW, WOW WOW is all I can say.
Highly recommend it, and there were loads of ladies commenting on how much they loved the swimwear, I just said it was from a special mail order company.
It is the best one by far.
I got another one from Amoena, which is a drawstring at the side and cross over at the back, but it is still a good fit, and you can get swimshorts instead of the pants, and it too is good, but a bit pricey.
However I dont mind paying the price for a good one, that really fits and my confidence is grown.
M&S do good ones, but the sizes are limited, so if you are a small size or a large one, probably good to try on a few that might fit.
xxx
You can get some nice costumes and bikinis with very firm padded cups. If its just a dip no one would notice.
Sue
Last year I bought a lovely suit from Amoena and use a featherweight swim prosthesis from Trulife. I had spent months trying to find a swimsuit that fitted - 32A ( almost impossible) - as there are very few choices in my size.
Would recommend a swim prosthesis if you are going to swim regularly as I think chlorine damages the silicone.
Happy hunting!
Seren x
I just wanted to wish you well for your spa! Sounds wonderful.
My mum had a mastectomy and as a child i remember her struggling for swimwear and protesis. I can count on one hand the number of times she swam after surgery, yet she loved the pool before hand and grew up by the sea.
I’m relieved to hear times have changed and even the likes of M&S do ‘post surgery’ costumes.