As you may know, I now have symmastia (or synmastia) and will be soon facing my THIRD complete reconstruction surgery. My problems are rare, but I believe that if I had purchased this bra after reconstruction I would not be facing symmastia. I believe that with everything I am.

The Thong Bra basically is a specialty bra that works much better than athletic or underwire bras. I have heard of women being told to wear both types of bras 24 hours a day after reconstruction, basically to keep the breasts from moving while allowing the scar tissue over the breast bone develop to create a nice ‘pocket’ for the implants. The Thong Bra goes one step further and has a firm section that presses down on the breast bone, keeping the muscles and skin where they should be, which reduces the risks of symmastia.

I received my thong bra a little over a week ago, and although I have already developed symmastia, I can tell you that every time I put the bra on I hate to take it off. Wearing the bra is the first time I have been comfortable in months. It relieves the pressure and tightness I feel over my breast bone. It forces my implants that are too close together because of the torn pocket into the proper place and it’s a feeling of ‘ahhhhh’ to have my breasts in the right spot! I LOVE MY THONG BRA!

The bra arrives in a beautiful package that is obviously wrapped with love by the creator, Judy. The package and accompanying letter are adorned with little hearts and special touches that let you know that this is more than just a bra.

Every Thong Bra is handmade. Judy created the Thong Bra after struggling along her own journey, 13 years ago she also experienced bottoming out and symmastia. I thought my journey was tough, but I can’t imagine going through these problems 13 years ago when they were truly unheard of. She went through 3 failed surgeries and countless doctor appointments and created this bra so that you and I don’t have to face the same struggles.

And, again, although I found this bra after developing symmastia, I wish I had found this bra earlier. I believe it would have made all the difference in my recovery, and would have prevented having to go through yet another surgery.

I wore the Thong Bra to my appointment with my surgeon to discuss my symmastia repair, and he suggested that after my next surgery I should wear the Thong Bra continuously during recovery. I would anyway. It’s the best I’ve felt in months.

The Thong Bra isn’t invisible. It’s not going to hide quietly under a tiny tee. But that’s ok. I’m just going to boldly accessorize with scarves. I’d rather wear a scarf here and there than risk going through this again. Recovery seems like forever, but it’s just a few months. I will happily wear my Thong Bra every day!

Check out photos of my Thong Bra below. Want to find out more about this wonderful bra? Visit http://www.thongbra.com/

Beauty and the Breast is a photography project showcasing powerful, provocative, and artistic images of women who have had mastectomies, to challenge and explore the role of breasts in relation to beauty and sexuality in modern culture.

The women in these portraits, by revealing this private and vulnerable side of themselves, are also exemplifying pluck and valor. Boldly proclaiming that they are no less beautiful or feminine as a result of cancer’s impact on their bodies. Cancer may have taken their breasts, but they will not let it strip away their spirit, or their joy, or their sexuality.

These images are purposed to reveal not only the physical outcome of mastectomy, but also to illustrate that a woman can still be and feel sexy with scars across her chest, or with one breast, or with no breasts at all. That beauty and breasts are not mutually exclusive. You can have one without the other.

Maybe these images give you hope and encouragement as you face your own surgery.

Maybe they help you understand some of the fears your partner, sister, friend, or coworker is grappling with.

Maybe the scars are difficult for you to look at. They are distressing for me, too. I am vexed that breast cancer persists on leaving it’s indelible mark on the lives of so many women.

Maybe seeing breasts with no nipples, or women with one breast, or with no breasts at all, is disturbing for you. I hope you are equally unsettled that breast cancer continues to have such an invasive impact on our lives and bodies.

I have seen that breast cancer often leaves a wake of mutilation, destruction, and fear.

Beauty and the Breast is a tribute to women who have walked this path. Strong, amazing, empowered women, whose scars are not tragic – but rather evidence of courage, of hard choices and heavy burdens, and of hope for what lies ahead. Women who are not victims of cancer, but celebrants of life.

Women in whom beauty prevails.

Good title, huh? Wish I could claim it as my own, but I’m not that creative!

I recently searched on YouTube for other breast cancer videos and found an amazing and heart breaking video called Crazy Sexy Cancer. It was a promo for a tv series from a few years ago about a young woman that had liver cancer and was expected to die soon as there was very little anyone could do for her. It was even more sad to watch because it was from a few years ago and I was certain that she didn’t make it. You can see the video here: Crazy Sexy Cancer

Her name is Kris Carr, I searched her name on line and was wonderfully shocked to find that she’s alive and well, took her health care into her own hands and has become a survivor. She has written books and also has a website for other women about changing her life and surviving cancer, and I think is an amazing example of Courage and Strength. I am posting this information because I know a lot of you are either going through this yourself, or know someone who is, and the Crazy Sexy Life web site is a great source of information and support. Please check it out or send this post to someone you know that might need it. If you join Crazy Sexy Life, make sure to find me and add me as a friend!

You can find the website here: Crazy Sexy Life Website and the blog and support group is here: My Crazy Sexy Life