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• jojo

  

  • 51 posts
  February 23, 2012 3:35:13 PM WATime

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  Hiya, 

  
  I've had a lumpectomy with axillary clearance, no need for mastectomy but I had chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
  
  I've now got two very different sized boobs. One's a large B and one's a very perky (because of the scar tissue) A. I'd like some advice on what others have done if you're in my situation.
  I just wear a padded bra - can't wear underwire as it rubs on the scar feeling awful. I go specifically to Myer in the city to buy the Amoena brand. I noticed they have inserts for prosthesis but I'm not 100% keen on getting one, it just doesn't feel right.
  
  Does anyone have a great bra brand they can recommend? I've tried the Ahh bra for home and I love it, but because of the unevenness I wont wear it in public. I miss out on wearing sleeveless tops because of my scar, and I wont wear low cut tops because you can see my radiotherapy tatoo and possibly my sensible padded bra underneath...
  
  And does anyone know if I was to look more into a prosthesis first of all, who do I contact, and secondly are they covered under medicare since I didn't have a mastectomy?
  
  Many Thanks xx 
  
  Oh and I'm not going to have a reconstruction - I feel I've had enough surgery and hospitals for a long time... 

  Dx May 2005 aged 25, Triple Negative, 25mmx18mmx20mm grade 3 invasive atypical medullary tumour, Axillary Clearance 1/15 lymph nodes positive (sentinal node only), Lumpectomy, Chemotherapy (FEC), Radiotherapy, LB only, now Mama to Patrick born 12/6/2013.

• Cynthia

  

  • 124 posts
  February 23, 2012 6:50:38 PM WATime

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  Hi Jo Jo, Welcome to the forum. I am sure someone who has this information you require will post once they get on line. Good luck with the search. Cynthia xx

  the Click Researcher
  

• Glenys

  

  • 162 posts
  February 24, 2012 12:05:31 PM WATime

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  Hi jojo
  I am certain MUCH more can be done to help in your situation.
  As I know you are located in WA and can access the city (having been to Myer city store), I am recommending several places in Perth that specialise in this type of 'after breast surgery' garments. They also offer low cost or free home visits (within metropolitan area), although attending salons often allows you to view full range of products. The places are:
  
  >> Breast Care WA - (Angela)
  Tel: 1300 791 137; (08) 9361 1300
  website: www.breastcarewa.com.au
  location: 31 Teddington Rd, Burswood
  
  >> femme de femme (Lorraine)
  Tel: (08) 9355 5444 or 0433 190 066
  website: www.femmedefemme.com
  location: Suite 23, 328 Albany Hwy, Victoria Park
  
  >> Four Seasons (Carillon City)
  Tel: (08) 9322 2907
  website: www.fourseasonslingerieandswimwear.com.au
  location: Upper Hay St level, Carillon City, Perth
  
  The 'bra-filler' prosthesis is covered for the medicare rebate per 'Breast Prosthesis Reimbursement Program' as it is classified as partial mastectomy surgery for breast cancer.
  
  Other places in the city are: David Jones Hay St city store (08 9210 4000) & Myer city store - as you know (08 9265 5600).
  WA Country locations: Albany - Satin & Lace (08 9841 1606), Lingerie on York (08 9842 2777); Bunbury - La Femme (08 9791 8651); Geraldton (08 9964 4277); Mandurah - Nite Magic Lingerie (08 9535 3026); Port Kennedy - Bratown (08 95934210).
  For more information or locations in other states, your local breast care nurse, support organisation or the Cancer Council (131120) would be able to help.
  
  For anyone who did want to consider possible surgery options (which can happen if ever you felt you'd like an opinion jojo on what could be done), a referral to a Plastic Surgeon would be recommended to discuss. Any procedure would be covered by medicare.
  
  Hope to hear an update soon jojo! Would love to know how you go and good luck!! Hope you are feeling a lot more comfortable soon!! Cheers, Glenys xx

  The Click Breast Care Nurse 

• jojo

  

  • 51 posts
  February 24, 2012 3:42:53 PM WATime

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  Thanks Glenys! I'll check out those places for sure :)

  Dx May 2005 aged 25, Triple Negative, 25mmx18mmx20mm grade 3 invasive atypical medullary tumour, Axillary Clearance 1/15 lymph nodes positive (sentinal node only), Lumpectomy, Chemotherapy (FEC), Radiotherapy, LB only, now Mama to Patrick born 12/6/2013.

• DebbieM

  

  • 4 posts
  February 24, 2012 5:30:06 PM WATime

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  Hi Jojo, it sounds like you have had a very similiar surgery to myself. I had a right breast lumpectomy in 2007. My breast looks quite unattractive having one lot of surgery to try and make the scar a little better and another surgery to remove the necrotic tissue. Not good having surgery after radiation. This was all done by my surgeon. I was supposed to have an operation on the 20th December by a plastic surgeon and he was going to do a procedure where he takes fat from my but and puts it into my breast but after talking to him just before they wheeled me into the operating room we decided that he could do a better job and nicer job by doing a mastectomy. I fought for so long to not have one but the way my breast looks now and how it will look I have had enough. I cant bend over because my scar sit right to the side of my nipple and you can see everything. The photos I have seen of what it will look like are amazing. It is really good to speak in detail about what the procedure is you wish to have and if you aren't sure question it. Debbie
• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  February 25, 2012 6:56:46 AM WATime

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  I read all this and am so very glad that I'm at an age where I truly don't give a toss about being lopsided. I often don't wear bra at all in Perth's blistering hot summer. So far it hasn’t drawn looks at all – at least that I notice. If I do wear a bra and I want to look even, I use one of those little silicon looking inserts that just sits in the bra with my boob. It does the job for me. However, I have always been relatively small in the boob department and understand it is more of an issue for some women. I find if I smile a lot and look people in the eyes, they don’t notice much else. I will be having a mastectomy in a few days time and have also decided not to have reconstruction – for similar reasons Jojo. Although I will take advantage of the prosthesis available, I suspect I will still be wearing no bra often in summer – Perth heat has a way of dissolving my inhibitions.  The beauty of this site is the different perspectives and experiences of the women who contribute here.

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..

• Glenys

  

  • 162 posts
  March 5, 2012 6:53:45 PM WATime

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  You're so right Sue - every woman has her own personal reactions and feelings about how comfortable she is with her appearance after surgery. And age is not always a determining factor in that - some people think it would only matter to younger women or those seeking a new relationship! I have met young women who are not at all concerned, and older women for whom the appearance after surgery was absolutely critical to their decisions.
  
  Generally speaking, though, cosmetic appearance usually does have a greater impact on younger women. Every person deserves to feel comfortable with herself and her body – as much as possible. Whatever it takes to achieve that - having corrective surgery, wearing a good bra-filler, or just being able to reach a point of accepting her body as it is now, is a goal worth striving for.
  
  NB: Sometimes attempting to ‘fix’ the physical aspects may not resolve the problems as much as some women may be hoping or expecting. As with many stressful situations in life, it’s easier to focus on the physical or ‘surface’ aspects as they are more visual and readily identified, but if we just fix the surface we may only ‘cover up’ other aspects and not find the contentment we hoped for. Sometimes talking with a breast care nurse, counsellor or psychologist may help clarify where the main concerns are and help lead to the right solutions.
  
  Talking about it here is a great start! ... xx

  The Click Breast Care Nurse 

• Judyth

  

  • 1 posts
  April 3, 2013 8:27:40 PM WATime

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  Hi jojo, just found your comments so this is a belated reply. The uneven sizes worried me at first but I now think to myself if anyone notices that's their problem. I can't wear an underwire anymore but have found a Playtex Style P4745 very comfortable all be it having one side a little "baggy". Also have been wearing those miracle bras available at Big W and various outlets. They are inexpensive and hold you firm for doing things around the house...no glamour needed!. All the best, Jydyth