1st proper bra fitting

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KatyJoy
KatyJoy Member Posts: 181
edited April 2018 in Community news and events
Hi all, not sure if I should post this here or in the choosing breast reconstruction group but here goes. In March 2017 I had a double skin sparing mastectomy with immediate silicone implant reconstruction followed by 25 shots of radiotherapy to my left breast. My result was great initially but due to the radiotherapy, my left breast is smaller and sits a bit higher than the right. I am told its not too noticeable but I’m self conscious about it. It can be improved by further surgery but I’m just not ready for that yet. I have been wearing the kmart seam free crop tops since then because they were comfortable but I now want something a bit prettier and more feminine so I can look and feel as good as possible until I’m ready for more surgery. I tried the usual places like Myer and David Jones but no one seems to have proper bra fitters any more. I spoke to my breast care nurse who sent me to a place called femmeline in Croydon. (I live in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne). I met a lovely lady called Jasmine who fitted me for some beautiful new bras. I also bought a partial breast form which fits inside the bra on the left and evens them up. I didn’t realise this but Jasmine told me we can be reimbursed up to $800 every 2 years through Medicare for breast forms! My breast form was $169 so I will be fully reimbursed. I also have extras cover through Medibank private so I was able to get almost all of the cost of my bras back too! I feel so much better now that I am able to look “normal” again. Anyway, I thought someone else might be interested with this info because I didn’t know about it before

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  • kmakm
    kmakm Member Posts: 7,974
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    @KatyJoy The best bra fitter I have ever come across is Heather at Myer Eastland. I recommended her to friends who all love her, and she fitted my daughter for her first bra. So kind, gentle, and good humoured, she has the knack of making what can be awkward, comfortable. In fact my lovely BreastCare nurse reminds me of Heather.

    She used to be there all the time but took a redundancy when it was offered a couple of years ago. However she was still working there part time last year. When this whole BC shenanigans started and I realised a new shape was coming my way, I immediately thought of Heather. She is the only one I want near my foobs when the time comes for some new bras.

    Let me see if I can find out if she's still doing some hours there, I'll let you know. Thank you for posting about Femmeline. I will definitely be checking it out!

    @Finch, this store might be something you could be interested in depending on what happens next with your treatment. 
  • KatyJoy
    KatyJoy Member Posts: 181
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    @kmakm I tried Myer Knox and David Jones Glen Waverley who only have bra fitters that come in occasionally, in David Jones case I was told only once every two weeks and you had to book in advance! Really sad. Femmeline were fantastic though. They are just a normal bra shop but have specialist bras too. Mine are amoena brand
  • kmakm
    kmakm Member Posts: 7,974
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    And they wonder why they lose customers...
  • Afraser
    Afraser Member Posts: 4,371
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    I have used Essentially Woman in Melbourne for prostheses and bras. Judy fits at your home. She's recommended on the BCNA services list too. Assists with claims and high quality, long wearing products. 
  • kmakm
    kmakm Member Posts: 7,974
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    Thanks @Afraser
  • KatyJoy
    KatyJoy Member Posts: 181
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    Thanks @Afraser and @iserbrown, it’s great to know where to go, that’s why I made this post because I struggled. We should all get to feel beautiful if that’s what we want after everything we’ve been through