anyone comfortable going without prostesis?

[Lolly]

I sometimes go without, it just depends on the situation...I've had double mastectomy/no reconstruction.
If I go without, I usually wear loose things, and most people don't even notice; if they do they usually have an "understanding eye", as in our area many women have gone through breast cancer treatment without disguising the fact. Benefit of living in a university town, I think. I always go without around the house and doing yard work, because of lymphedema; the bra/prothesis aggravates it if I'm constricted for more than a few hours at a time. Good luck!

<3 Lolly

[StephN]

Great question.
I have a friend who is in her 60's and had a mast then a second one due to more tumors a couple of years later. She is a winemaker in eastern Washington. When she travels to wine competitions or consumer gatherings, she is very nicely dressed - just has a FLAT chest and a little roundness in the midsection.

I also know of at least two other women from my survivors exercise group who rarely wear a prosthesis and the difference IS noticeable but they dont' care.

Guess we all have to do what feels right for ourselves and individual living situations. There are lots of people around who are not "normal" in any number of ways and they tolerate being stared at by people who did not listen to their mother's "dear, it is not polite to stare."

[Sandy H]

I have had a double and have never gone out in public with out my prostesis or wig. Guess, I must be a vain person! I don't wear them at home unless I have company. I have cami's from TLC catalog that I wear because of my lymphedema instead of bras. I get the foam weighted inserts from TLC and they are more comfortable then the silcone ones-not heavy. I attended an IBC (inflammatory) support, most of them have had double mastectomies and no one was wearing anything and they stood/sat straight and proud. Even though its not me I have to applaued them for doing it. Most people do not know I have had a double or most of the time no hair!! I like to keep it that way. I have to share this with you. One time I had just enough hair to highlight and it was very short but cute. When I went to one of my group gatherings an 85 year old fellow looked at me and said, "I never thought you would cut your hair that short"! I simply said, "oh but I have changed". Another lady sitting beside me looked at me and smiled and afterwards asked me if he really didn't know and I told her, "guess not" and I wasn't going to embarrass him by saying anything. hugs, Sandy