Hey, [@Silverdays]‍ , I've just seen one of your other posts and I notice you say you don't need other treatments. Does that mean you're not having radiotherapy?  I ask because that's the same as me ( chemo then Mx but no Radio) and if so, would you consider having an expander then an implant? That's what has been suggested to me by the breast care nurse since I didn't need radio, and skin will be strong enough. It wasn't something I'd considered but is an option. Then there'd be no need for a prosthesis for the rest of you life ( is that what you meant by a smaller prosthesis?)  Just a thought xx

I had masectomy followed by chemo then radio. I wasn't offered an expander at the time but was told that I could consider reconstruction after treatment. There is not enough skin as it has been affected by the radio so skin would be taken from my back leaving another scar. It is a major op. So I'm going to have the other breast reduced and the masectomy scar tidied up and then I can have a smaller prosthesis as I am a D cup and it's heavy. 
What decisions we have to make, it really has been a horrible journey! I'm on hormone treatment now for 5 years but just thankful I'm still on the planet! 
thanks for your reply hope everything goes well for you.

Silver 

Hi Silverdays,

I'm sorry to hear about this delay to your reconstruction. I too was a large D cup before I had a double mastectomy 10 years ago. I find that the silicone prostheses are far too heavy, even though they give the best shape.

Unfortunately, I am not a suitable candidate for reconstruction. I don't know whether or not you have come across the breast forms that Marks and Spencer offer. They are made of foam, are lightweight and easy to wear. They are not as expensive as other prostheses either.

I hope that this helps in the meantime.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Yes, thank you for that, I shall have a look.

Silver

Hi Jolamine

Thank you for mentioning the M &S prothesis that was a great help. I now have 2 and so much better than the heavy ones supplied by the NHS or sold in specialist shops. The bras are another story, I might try a sports bra from M&S. Do you know where to buy vest tops with pockets? I was thinking too about swimming in the Summer, I know Laura Jane do swimwear with waterproof inserts. 
 

Silver 
 

Hi Silver,

How are you getting on?

I'm glad to hear t morehat you find the M & S prostheses helpful. I wear mine most of the time now. They're so much lighter and comfortable to wear. M & S do post-surgery sports bras too. I use Nicola Jane, a mail order company for pocketed vest tops. They also have some 'nicer' looking underwear, but it's pricey. Their swimwear didn't fit me well, but I got a good selection from UK Swimwear. I have also found some mastectomy swimwear in M & S.

I haven't found any swimwear with waterproof pockets. I use knitted knockers a charity which supplies free knitted prostheses for post-masectomy ladies. They do a swim version and an ordinary version. These are filled with bath scrunchie material, which dries quickly and doesn't cause problems when swimming - the M & S prosthesis is also good for swimming.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks for all that info! I missed out as during and after my treatment McMillan was closed so I didn't get any of the after care. I missed getting the NHS prothesis so went to Laura Jane and paid over £100 for a heavy prothesis that I never wore, the bras were OK though. Then the hospital called me in for a prothesis and it was exactly the same as the one I'd just paid for. I was desperate as I only had the cotton wool ones that they give you after the surgery. So I was pleased to get the M&S ones. I looked at the sports bras at M&S but they have a zip at the front, is that comfortable? Swimwear I'll investigate later , wondering if we'll ever to get to go on holiday this year! Thanks again

Silver

Hi Silver,

I have only just been given a bra with a front zip two days ago, so am not sure how comfortable it will be. I shall be trying it over the next few days and will let you know, if that's ok.

I'm not too sure about summer holidays this year - guess that we'll just have to wait and see.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx