Forum Discussion

lisboy's avatar
lisboy
Member
10 years ago

Breast Prosthesis

Hi there,

This is a call out to those women who have had a mastectomy and no reconstruction.

I have had a unilateral mastectomy. I initially had an immediate reconstruction with an expander but this failed and I now have lumpy bumps and scars where my breast used to be. I am into my second week of radiation and so at this point I am not using a prosthesis. I was hoping for some advice on a nice soft prosthesis to use until I can manage another type post radiation.  I have the ones from BCNA but unfortunately i think its the wrong size and makes me look really lopsided.  

Also  wondering if anyone can recommend somewhere in Melbourne to get a prosthesis that would be suitable for exercise, swimming etc.

thanks heaps

Lisa

 

 

7 Replies

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    Not applicable
    10 years ago

    Hi Lisa, my skin was not too bad during rads, I had 24 zaps. It was the weeks after I finished rads that the skin broke down. I contacted the rads unit and they advised to use solagel with a non stick dressing. That worked really well, but there were patches that were slow to heal. At the very least it teaches you patience, it helps to have a sense of humour as well. All healed now, then onto the next bit. ????????

  • lisboy's avatar
    lisboy
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Trace

    Thanks for your reply. I am glad you are through the rads and now healed. I was sorry to read that you had trouble with your skin including weeping and skin breakdown. I am experiencing a lot of redness this started only 7 days into my treatment.  Did your skin problems start early on with redness?  My rad oncologist thinks it isn't due to radiotherapy but due to my skin being traumatised after the recent expander debacle. 

    Glad you are able to go ahead and get fitted for a breast form.

    thanks again

    Lisa xx

     

     

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    Not applicable
    10 years ago

    Hi Lisa, I've finished rads about 1 month ago, and I was unable to wear any type of bra during rads. For 3 weeks after my treatment, I had to deal with peeling and weepy skin that required dressings until it cleared. I told my friends and family that I was unable to wear a bra during this time, and wore loose comfortable clothing, so mostly people couldn't tell anyway. Today, after clearance from my surgeon and rads oncologist, and advice from my breast care nurse, I was fitted for my first breast form and bra. Give yourself time to heal, and you'll be much more comfortable. I know that it can make you self conscious, I also purchased myself a huge handbag, that I put on my mastectomy side, so people didn't notice. Like the idea of the knitted knockers, they sound super. Sending you a big cuddle, Trace ??????

  • Ann-Marie's avatar
    Ann-Marie
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Lisa,

    Ann-Marie BCNA Online Community Coordinator here. I just wanted to jump in to say if you give our member services team a call on 1800 500 258 they will be able to get you another size.

    We also have an online group "Breast Reconstruction"  that you may like to join, if you are not a member already.

    ~ Ann-Marie

  • lisboy's avatar
    lisboy
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Rowdy

    thanks heaps for following this up for me. I will ring them. It sounds like the sort of thing I'm looking for.

    Lisax

  • rowdy's avatar
    rowdy
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Lisa just looked it up site is knitted knockers australia

    There is a address and number 1 Church St Burwood Vic 3125

    Phone is 03 9808 6292

  • rowdy's avatar
    rowdy
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Lisa not sure if this will help but there is a site where you can get knitted knockers ( this is what they are called) There was a article on sunrise about these and apparently very popular. If I remember you order and you only pay the postage. I will look it up