Hi GoonerGirl,

I don't like to upset people, but I would rather be honest with them, as most of us want to be prepared for whatever lies ahead. I hope that your friend's bras fit you when they arrive. I know that I found it hard to find a soft bra in my size. It's interesting that you mention the weight of the prosthesis. When I went for my first fitting, I commented to the nurse about how heavy they were and asked if I would be better going for a smaller size, which weighed less. She was insistent that I should have one of the same size as my natural breast and said that it was important to have one of similar weight - all very well when the weight is attached to the body, but not so good when it is held there solely by a bra! I like the M&S forms because they are so light, that you are hardly aware that you are wearing them.

You shouldn't have to pay VAT on your post-surgery bras, as these are all VAT free. I forgot to mention that the way I get round some dresses with a lower cleavage is with a lace modesty panel. I have a few of these in different colours. I sew a small popper at the two top edges and these pop around my bra strap. If I can add a discreet popper in the middle at the at the bottom, this ensures that it stays in place, if not I've just got to keep a discreet eye on it, to ensure that it stays put. I think that there have only been about 3 dresses that I had before my diagnosis, that I didn't feel happy with a prosthesis in. I even went to my nephew's wedding in Italy last year, in a strappy dress and felt perfectly comfortable.

There area number of mail order companies that sell post-surgery bras and prostheses. Some of these are more feminine looking that the majority of bras that you'll see in the shops, but they tend to be more expensive.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx