NEED ADVISE

Living with secondary breast cancer Supporting each other and sharing experiences
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Hi, I am new to this site but do relate to everyone who has or had breast cancer. I went through 8 months of chemo in 2019, then had my double mastectomy in January 2020. Afterwards I went for radiation treatments then covid hit and because I was stuck at home I never thought about getting prosthetic breasts. Within the last couple of months I bought the heavy ones and the softer ones for in a sports bra because I need to finally get out and I feel very self-conscious not having any shape in my t-shirts. I have researched over and over again on how to wear my 2 sets but there really is no advice to be found.

They lay OK in my bras when I am standing up but when I sit down the bra moves up my chest and so do the breasts. It’s so unnatural looking. I am so depressed because I thought after everything I went through this would be the easy part but it is embarrassing. I am 71 this month and I want to get out wearing my tops again instead of hiding my chest behind loose sweater and vests. I don’t know if I am in the right forum or not or even if you deal with this kind of thing but I don’t know where else to look. Have any of you gone through this and know what I am doing wrong. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you. 

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Hi TheresaB - before BC, like many, I bought my bras from M and S or supermarket and would just pick up the size I thought…  Again, like many, I had a drawer full of ill fitting undies!  I did the same when having to adapt to wearing a prothesis.  Like you, found that nothing was quite right.  Was really reluctant to spend a fortune on any underwear - as I’m not going to be showing it to anyone else!  However, was persuaded by a pal to go to a proper bra shop that specialised in mastectomy bras.  I went to Betty and Belle in the north west.  I bit the bullet and allowed myself to be properly measured, spent more money than I’ve ever spent on a couple of bras but the transformation was worth every penny!  I skipped out of that shop and haven’t looked back.  I roll around with my grandchildren, swim and do yoga with comfort and confidence.  In a nutshell, my advice - get yourself measured and advised by a specialist, then treat yourself to a couple of well fitting bras.