I've always used quite expensive high quality post-mastectomy silcone breast forms but if you use them constantly it doesn't take long (often in just 12 months) before they start to break down, going very soft and out of shape so that once they've warmed up you start looking like the Hunch-Front of Notre-Dame.

So this time I looked around to see if there were any better alternatives and I found a number of stockists offering Divine Collection's 'Aphrodite' breast forms, a new type of silicone form, made in Canada, that is strong enough not to require an outer skin. They are self-adhesive to a little extent but you can go bra-less without risk if you use medical adhesives. They are strong enough to withstand the pressure of being worn in bed, can take make-up to hide the joins if you want to show cleavage but above all, they are super-realistic and give a wonderful profile through close-fitting clothes.

Unfortunately they are extremely expensive (£500+ a pair) but are projected to last, if treated with care, much much longer than the silicone forms so in the long run they should actually be cheaper.

I took the plunge and am now the proud possessor of the best breasts I've ever had. Worth every penny!

But a word of warning. My previous forms needed a D cup to my bra size of 42; but despite my ordering the required size ('extra large' according to their chart) to give me a 42D, these babies are much larger - they've probably taken me to E cup, possibly even F ! What I think I didn't account for was the effect of my natural 'man-boobs' which are quite substantial and I now realise I should have ordered a smaller size because of this. Unfortunately they are non-returnableturnable because "they are individually hand-made to order". The 'made to order' bit is just hype as clearly stocks are held in the UK but I suppose once you've tried them on, their adhesiveness means you've got bits of your skin and body secretions on them even after they've been washed.

I will happily live with my larger boobies (day and night!) as I'm a large-framed 6'3" and they don't look stupid on me but they have caused problems with quite a lot of my wardrobe which is all based on dress size 20. The closer fitting items don't look right and I'll probably have to make a few new acquisitions. Certainly I'll have to buy new bras. This is a shame as I've been on a bit of a shopping binge over the last few months. I can of course always fall back on my old forms when neccesary. They will also make new purchases difficult as my increased bust will need a dress size 22 or 24 whereas my waist and hips are still size 20.

What my new bra size actually is is impossible to ascertain. I used numerous companies' calaculators on the net and based on the same figures these give a range from 40DD to 44F, including every size in between! I've arranged a bra-fitting session at Evans to try and sort it out!

So if you're tempted to buy Aphrodite forms which I do recommend as they are absolutely super, then do very carefully consider your required size if, as the saying goes: Size is Important to you. I suggest you measure yourself first without any forms in place (just under your bust and then across your nipples) to see what 'natural' cup size you are (with some pecs or man-boobs most of us are probably an 'A' or possibly even a 'B' cup already) and then take this into account when looking at the Aphrodite size chart.

Has anyone else bought a set of these little wonders? If so, do you have anything to say?

For more info go to http://www.divinecollectionbreastforms.com/ (the makers) or to the usual UK suspects like the Breast Form Store UK, Breast Forms 4 U, NICEnNAUGHTY etc.

After spending time on the net using various bra-size 'calculators' and getting 10 different results ranging from 40DDD to 44F (!) I popped into Evans (the out-size people) today and asked for a bra fitting consultation to sort out precisely what bra-size I now need. In their fitter's opinion it is only a slight increase from 40D to a new size of either 42DD or perhaps 44D depending on make & style. So don't be put off by my earlier comments about increased size. She also confirmed my natural man-boobs were between an A & B cup which certainly accounts for why I now need the next cup size up.

Oops! I should have said "slight increase from 42D to a new size . . . ."

I think the North Americans use different cup sizing to the UK so their D can be an E or F. Maybe thats why your new boobies are bigger?

Like you I am a 42 band size - you should look on line at Marisota or any of the JD Williams catalogues. They sell bras up to an L cup and right now they have lots of bras on offer - under £10 which is a good price. See the link below

http://www.marisota.co.uk/shop/end-of-season-sale/1/_/N-1ytvdwv/products/show.action#/shop/bra-back-size-42/bras/lingerie/end-of-season-sale/1/_/N-1z13pisZ1ytv2pf/products/show.action?Ns=P_PriceFrom%7C0&Rpp=24&hnid=519977735&spv=true&type=cmr

Plus the advantage is that you can buy several band sizes and cup sizes to see what fits and send those back that don't fit. Postage is an extra £4 and returns are free. Worth having a look online in my opinion.

The other thing you can do is look on line and buy some spare boobs for your older bras. Try Special Trade on E Bay - they have auctions every week for different cup sizes and postage is only £4 if you win http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291190481192?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1426.l2649

I bought some really big ones earlier this year from them - I suppose a G cup - and they are more for indoors than going out in. I like to be able to change my boob size depending on my mood, so sometimes a B or C cup, others a D or E and other times a K cup !!

One of the pluses of being a Tgirl is you can choose your bust measurement.


hugs



Pauline xxxx
This post was edited by Pauline Smith at July 17, 2014 6:14 PM BST