Hi everyone, this is my first posting. I’ve been on tamoxifen for 7 months or so, and I’ve put on weight and am bigger busted as a result. I called my hospital and they fitted me with a new bigger prosthesis, it’s an amoena light like my old one. But it feels different, very solid, and I am aware of the difference between my real boob and the false one. My old one felt like like part of me apart form the size! What should I do? Should I just put up with it and get used to it, or are there better options out there? Thanks. Ellie.
Hi Ellie… i think prosthesis thing is v individual. i have an amoena natural…size 9 - it looks huge and then it looks normal but no i wouldn’t say it feels like the other one…
maybe u need to give it time?
Thanks, you’re probly right, I’m a bit fed up about it all today, having just tried on a mountain of m&s bras and only keeping a couple cos I’m desperate! When I think how much all those now too small ones cost…Doesn’t pay to spend too long looking at yourself in the mirror does it!
I think my prothesis is too big. when its in my bra with clothes ontop it looks the right size, but I feel more of it with my upper arm than I do with the other. I am overweight just now but have lost a bit of weight since it was fitted (during chemo when I put on 1 1/2 stone). I phoned BC Nurse about getting a smaller one as losing weight (then not now!), and she said I would have to make do as my NHS hosp only replace them when they wear out! Some hosps replace every 2 yrs regardless. I think if you loose weight thats a good thing and you should be healthier and this should be encouraged. I can’t afford to replace it but have just bought a foam one for swimming which is smaller and a much better fit.
Irene
Hi Ellie - Everything new takes a bit of getting used to and I wonder how long you have had this new prosthesis? Having said that, no please don’t “put up” with it if it really feels wrong, and you know that you have had a prosthesis before that felt right and suited you better. Please talk to the clinic again, and let them know how you feel. They want you to be happy and confident. Even if it means that you have to spend out to get this right, it is probably worth it. After all, this is an “all day every day” kind of a thing and a very big part of your life, and the foundation layer for everything you wear. You have to get it right, so don’t accept not feeling comfortable about it. Good luck and let us know how you get on. I do realise (Irene’s posting) that cost can be an issue - I am wondering whether this is something that MacMillan or one of the other cancer charities might help with - I am sure they might. Good luck everyone. Sarah
Try buying your bras on E-bay.They seem to do all major makes. I got some super mastectomy bras from them before I decided to put my prosthesis (2) on top of the cupboard and forget all about them - what a relief!
Sharon
I had a similar problem with being unhappy with my original prosthesis. My bcn had told me to go back if I had any problems - I only got the first one 7/8 weeks ago - and I’m on my third now !! The lady who fits them has been wonderful and keeps telling me to keep going back till I find the right one.
In actual fact some of the problems I was experiencing were down to my bra not the prosthesis - the pockets tend to allow the prosthesis to ‘ride’ towards what would have been cleavage area forcing the pocket to shift outside the cup of the bra. Bcn showed me where to put a couple of stitches in the pocket to stop this happening - and I’ve had no problems since!
Margaret
Thanks for everyone’s comments - Irene, I’m a bit shocked that you can’t get a replacement - mine is on the nhs, I just called the hospital department direct and they invitied me in for a new one when I put on weight - that was after only 1 year. Why don’t you try it too? I’ve examined the problem more closely (!) and although it looks the same with my clothes on, I think the new pros is too big for my new bra - I’m going to have to get guidance on whether to change the pros or the bra size - I’m going to try the hospital again, and if no joy then I’ll mount an expedition to one of the specialist shops.
Ellie
Margaret: where do I put the stitches, I have the same problem. Also, my whole bra tends to “walk” sideways towards my remaining boob, and I have to discretely adjust myself…is this just me, or has anyone else had the same thing?
Silversue
Hi Silversue
Wih mine I had to pick up the middle of the pocket vertically and pull this to the right (my prosthesis is on right) and then stitch about an inch down vertically - hope this makes sense lol if not pm me and I’ll try drawing pictures lol - it’s hard to explain !
Margaret
Hi Ladies
I know this is from May but I just noticed it. I have found that I am better to wear a sports bra as it stays in place better. I send off for pockets from the internet and sew them in myself as best I can. I have lost count of the Mastectomy Bras I have tried and never been totally happy with. I find they move or ride up or across etc. My good old sports bras are not the prettiest but are so much more secure and I find give me a better shape too.
If I want to wear pretty bras then I wear my Contact Light prosthesis, mainly for special occasions of if I need to wear a strapless bra, but nothing beats my sports bras for support and fit and security, I have even taken to buying clothes dye to change the colours of them as I have found they only usually come in white or black or natural.
I hope this may be of some help to someone as I know how hard and dissapointing the bra shopping experience can be for lots of us.
Neenie xx
Hi Neenie,
Just checked in on the off-chance - it’s never too late to give advice, it’s always welcome! I went back to the hospital (surgical appliances dept, what a cuddly title) and the lovely lady double-checked my size. The one I’ve got is the closest match, but I’m probably between bra sizes now and as she explained it, there’s not so much tolerance in the fit with a prosthesis as for a natural breast, so I got on the phone to Amoena and ordered lots of different styles in lots of different sizes and cups. They were also incredibly helpful, and happy to send them and for me to return any or all that don’t fit. Can’t say fairer than that, just wish they were cheaper.
I may well take your advice and try a sports bra as well, Neenie - and dying them is inspired, I’d never have thouight of it!