anyone comfortable going without prostesis?

[Sue2001]

I had a single mastectomy and often go without a bra or prosthesis. Like Lolly, I have trouble with lymphedema and a bra causes problems after a while. I felt uncomfortable at first but now I don't care. No one has ever said anything to me about it. If I had a double mastectomy I don't think I would ever wear a bra again! I say, do whatever makes you feel the most comfortable.

Sue

[Barbara2]

I have a double mastectomy (55 yrs), and am very comfortable going without a prosthesis. I will wear one for dressy occasions, otherwise, forget it!

It is GREAT! One drawback, though. I need to loose about 20 lbs, and my belly looks bigger with no boobs to help smooth things over. I can see why overweight men look the way they do. Oh well, it still feels good not being strapped up with a bra.

[RobinTN]

Hi I am new here.Today is my first day.I have been reading and reading all day all of your posts and am so thankful to find this board.How I admire all of you ladies.

I am 44,an RN and was diagnosed at 42 with inflammatory bc stage 4,w/mets to nodes and liver in 2 areas even my onc didnt give me much hope.But I had chemo,herceptin,double mastectomy,radiofrequency ablation on the liver and just finished rads friday and am on arimidex and have a repeat PET for tuesday and how I pray that goes well.

I just wanted to give a little background of myself.I have never worn porsthesis.
When I go out I am flat and I to have a tummie buldge,but I am as comfortable as I can get for just finishing rads.I have to wait for 6 months before having recon and have no intention of wearing a bra ever again unless I have to.
I also stopped wearing hats,wigs,ets as soon as I got a 5 o'clock shadow.
With all I have been thru I could care less if people stare at me.
I read a saying once from someone on another board that said "I may be fat,and I may be fat,but thank God I am alive".That quote changed my whole outlook on life.

I am honored to meet all of you and cant wait to share and learn from all of you.

[Monique M]

After all we have been through we can do whatever we feel comfortable with. I had a double mascetomy at the age of 39. While I had prosthesises (please excuse my spelling), I wore them when I wanted to and did not wear them when I did not want to. It all depended on how I felt and my activity.

On a similar note, as soon as I had some peach fuzz on my head I looked at my husband and said I will never wear that wig again. That was on a Sunday morning before church. I could tell that it bothered him. He told me he did not want people staring at me. I told him it was their problem not mine. I was proud of what we had been through and that I was alive, hair or no hair, breasts or no breasts.

After 1 1/2 years of no breasts, I had reconstructive surgery (my expanders were implanted exactly 4 weeks ago today). It was time and I was ready. But it all comes down to what you are comfortable with.

Peace and Blessings,
Moniqeu

[margaret]

Hi,

I had a single mastectomy almost 5 years ago when I was 38 yrs old. I hardly ever wear a prostethis. I do yoga and it often is obvious that I only have one breast. I'm proud of myself and proud of my body just as it is. I'm reminded of the legendary 'Amazon women' who supposedly removed a breast so that they were better able to shoot with a bow and arrow. I just consider part of my battle scars and I'm just grateful I didn't have to lose a limb like a leg or an arm.
My yoga teacher was so impressed that she asked me to participate in her yoga video. So now there's a yoga video with a one breasted woman in it.

I'm proud of my survival and now I never have a 'bad hair' day. After being bald, I'm grateful to just have hair. It's all in the perspective and how you carry yourself.

It's all about attitude.....and I sure do have Attitude!
Live, love, laugh,
Margaret

[Odette]

Great Question Kimberly!

Thanks for sharing your stories Amazons!

Here is mine: I had my mastectomy (left side) in November. At first I was horrified to even look in the mirror to see myself so lopsided. (kinda large breasted - but no way will I get it reduced unless medical need arises.)

In time I figured out the right thing for me: I wear a tight little undershirt and stuff some rolled up gauze in the place of my left breast, (it is so light it stays where I put it and it is non irritating cotton). I joke about it in front of my 19 year old daughter that I have one round and one square breast. -you guessed it is not even a close match, but good enough for around the house.
When I go out I wear a blouse or a cardigan sweater over this and do not feel self conscious about it.

Only for a very formal occasion will I wear my prosthesis + bra.
For swimming I stuff a super light prosthesis in my regular suit, once in the water no one sees it anyways.

I hope this might help someone some day.

Odette

[tousled1]

I had a bilateral mastectomy, got fitted with the prothesis adn think I've only worn them twice. I am quite comfortable going without anything. Also, the bra strap on the left side rubs right against my port. After all I've been through and still going through, I really don't care what people say. I want to be comfortable and I'm most comfortable not wearing my protheses.