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Losing sleep! Help!

#1

Tips for sleeping with Brava?
November 12 2007 at 4:02 AM wind_ryder (Login wind_ryder)

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I'm new to brava (this is my fourth night with it) and I'm having a hard time sleeping amongst other things. Actually, maybe I'll list my concerns and if you are going through something similar or have advice feel free to respond; it would be much appreciated. I'm a 25 mother of a 17 month old. I had small breasts to begin with (very small B at best). But after breastfeeding I've deflated to less than an A cup. It feels like there is an emptiness on my chest; as though I'm a child. I don't feel sexy and I hate when my husband touches my breasts. So I decided to look into breast augmentation and found out about Brava online. I got a crazy deal on ebay (I'm talking about only $200 Canadian). I'm very excited about this. I'm not hoping for Pamela Anderson/ Porn star boobs; I would be happy with Bs.

Anyway, here are my problems so far with Brava. I am a small frame (5'3 105lbs if that and I carry most of my weight on my lower half). It's hard to get the domes to find enough skin to suction to. Any other women out there with small frames found a working position? So far it seems to work when I have the domes up high, but that also causes a lot of pressure on my chest and back pain. The second thing and biggest concern is sleep. I normally sleep on my tummy and find it hard to get comfortable on my back. How likely are these things to lose suction if I lie on my side? Or is there any segestion to keep comfy and to stop waking up through the night with these things on? Another problem I have is they get incredibly itchy. Last night I gave up mid-morning and took them off and had to scratch madly at my chest. It was awful. What can be done about this?

Other than that I have no real complaints. They definately make tasks and socializing difficult but with a toddler who has time for that stuff anyway.

I'd love to have a Brava buddy/Friend to email about this. I'm really just hoping this improves my self esteem and makes me feel more feminine.

Thanks for the help.



Author Reply
Judith
(no login) Re: Tips for sleeping with Brava? November 12 2007, 7:42 AM


For many women difficulty in sleeping is just part of the Brava experience, but eventually you sleep out of sheer tiredness. Some women say you can arrange pillows in a way that makes it easier to sleep. They say putting pillows under your arms helps. If you start to get skin lesions or blisters you will realise that difficulty in sleeping is not the worst problem you can have with Brava.


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Louise
(Login Louise1982)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Tips for sleeping with Brava? November 12 2007, 9:07 AM


Hey! The only reason I didn't bin mine in the first week was the money I'd spend on it! I got about 1-2 hours sleep per night for 3-4 days and I work full time so felt like I was going mad.

A few questions first:

1) Are you just itchy with the domes on or are you itchy with them off too?
2) What is your bust and underbust measurement?
3) What size domes do you have?
4) Were the domes brand new with a plastic sheet that needed to be removed from the silicone cusihion or second hand? Are they still sticky?
5) Did you build up the wear time slowly or go straight for a full night?
6) Are you using the smartbox / sportbox or an airlock where you suck with your mouth?

I am 25, 5'1, 106 lbs (was 135 a few months ago, 120 when I started Brava). I look pear shape as I deposit fat around the thighs but haven't actually got big hip bones so hoping to change this. To sleep I found the only way to keep me on my back was to put one pillow along each side under my arms, about 4 pillows under my knees and none behind my head - like a sitting position but on my back. Then I got to a point where I could put a few behind my back to sit me up and one under each arm and none under the legs. Now my body's used to it so I can suck them on pretty tight either sleep on my side rolled back a little, on my back or on my front with 2 big pillows for my face and two under my stomach with the domes in the gap in between. Also if you have a reclining chair some people find that easier at first and it all gets more comfortable as your body gets used to it - don't scratch! Or if you can sleep on the sofa on your back but slightly turned towrds the back of the sofa so your face is tucked in a bit.

The skin problems should only be there if you overdo it but once the skin is broken you'll have loads of trouble. I've had one bad round of itching when I first started as I jumped straight in with long hours - to fix this I left it off for 4-5 days (which does put you back to where you started but better to do that at the beginning than later). I had one bad red rash, not really itchy but more than 60 individual red spots mainly where the silicone goes - that came from wearing them almost constantly for 5 days so won't be doing that again! I'm a few weeks ahead of you (week 19, averaging 15 hours per day) but do think it's working even though I've lost more weight than they advise. Make sure you eat a lot of protein, try omega oils for good fats and drink a lot of water - all of this is helpful to booby building. I'm in the UK so a few hours ahead of you I think but you can try emailing me on optom1982@hotmail.co.uk if you get stuck. I'm on the forum / internet a lot as it's one of the things I can do with the domes on.

Good luck!

p.s. try some zinc based cream for the rash like you'd put on nappy rash (see my post on miracle skin cream) - it will make a white mess on the domes but you can rub it off and the build up on them will protect you a bit. I think it's the sticky that causes irritation.


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livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: Tips for sleeping with Brava? November 12 2007, 2:19 PM


I finished an 11-week cycle in June. I am not a lot larger - just fuller and perkier which is great for me because after nursing two children my breasts were pretty sad and empty looking.

The first week I felt a bit overwhelmed and wanted to quit, but I was able to adjust. I had my husband help me get everything in place for the first week and then I was easily able to do it myself.

Sleeping on my back during the first week was difficult. Brava suggests placing pillows under your legs and arms to relieve pressure points and prevent you from turning over. The pillows worked well and I never rolled over or lost the seal. You feel as if you are in a hammock with the pillows. I used small travel size pillow under my head and arms and a standard pillow under each leg.

Don't press too hard on the domes to try to get a seal. The sides are where you may have trouble with air escaping but once the pump is on a few minutes, the sides will hug against your ribs and when the pump shuts off, the domes stay put. Be patient. I had my husband lightly press against the sides and hold them in place the first week.

Don't get discouraged if you don't see the results you want when putting the system on again each day as the weeks go by. My growth didn't exactly follow the Brava graphs. Take pictures because at the end of your treatment, even if you don't think you got a lot of lasting growth, you'll be surprised where you started and how far you actually came. Try to at least complete a cycle. Compliance is the key.

Also, check out this website my doctor told me about for photos www.bravaresults.com. The women here are not a lot larger but look filled out.

Good luck!




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dandelion
(Login dandelion1) Re: Tips for sleeping with Brava? November 13 2007, 7:30 AM


hello! im on my fourth day as well, and i have trouble keeping a seal at night. I am using the airlock so i dont know if thats the problem. I did try sleeping on my side but i could feel the domes sliding down (they are too heaving to sleep completely on my side i think). this morning i woke up to a broken seal which was frustrating.....i plan on doing a 20 week cycle and today is my first offical day (i am considering it as my first cuz so far i keep breaking a seal at night). good luck!


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Louise
(Login Louise1982)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Tips for sleeping with Brava? November 13 2007, 6:51 PM


Dandelion - see my tips above about pillows, it feels weird to sleep on your back with your knees up but at least you can't move. After a while you will sleep regardless of the weird position because you're knackered! I felt like I was going mad the first week going to work every day after 1-2 hours sleep but I'm up maybe 1-1.5 inches and I've lost 15 lbs, I'm nearly 2 cups bigger than I was the last time I got down to this weight, so stick with it even though it's a horrible little plastic prison! Maybe suck the airlock tighter say every hour if you can stand it, I do this and it keeps it tight and gives good swelling without pain or bruising. The smartbox is weak compared to the airlock so it's not the airlock that's the problem.
#2

Losing sleep! Help!
April 26 2007 at 7:06 AM E (no login)

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So..I started wearing Brava about 2 nights ago..and I can NOT sleep a whole night with that thing on. I have slept on my tummy for my whole life..so trying to sleep on my back or side isn't working. Will I get used to it eventually?
I usually put it on at like 12 at night...will fall asleep for a few hours...and get woken up by it!
The sticky stuff drives me crazy...it almost hurts. I don't have rashes or anything, but it's just uncomfortable.
Can anyone give me advice?



Author Reply
Leanne
(no login) Re: Losing sleep! Help! April 26 2007, 7:33 AM


What you describe is just a typical Brava experience, that's just how things are. The good news is that you will get used to sleeping on your back eventually.


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diana
(Login Diana1978)
SENIOR MEMBER hi April 26 2007, 2:43 PM


Cushion yourself with pillows. one under your head, one on either side of your body under your arms/shoulders and one directly below your butt under your thighs. that helps me sleep.


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Roxanne
(no login) yeah, pillows April 27 2007, 5:31 AM


The pillows help a LOT. I was surprised.


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minhina
(Login minhina) FELT ABSOLUTELY THE SAME BUT IT GETS BETTER April 27 2007, 5:20 PM


god, i can relate so much to what you say!
First night i took the system out at 3am...I was going mad. it hurt, it hurt and could not sleep...i have all my life slept face down, and whenever i cannot sleep, i know this is the right position..i can always sleep face down...
so it was hard
and also it was painful
progresively i got used to it..i did no longer hurt (tho occasionally it does in my sternum area, and hurts hurts...but hey you kind of try to move it slightly, untie the bra, change back position and gets better)...
but what was magic as you have already been recomended are PILLOWS
i do not do the normal thing, but works for me..i have one long pillow from head to bottom almost (no t quite so) and then one in my back and another in my head, so that like my weight falls in my bumb not in my back so much...and then a pillow under my legs like in a V (not quite so)..the thing is, my back does not hurt since i have found this position, and the my head is really held by pillows, so i am comfortable enough to sleep now 12 hours in a row, whenever i have time to do so..
work out your way...
#3

Back pain
March 4 2006 at 3:19 PM Julie (no login)

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I have just started using Brava and as I usually sleep on my back I thought wearing Brava during the night wouldn't be a problem. But in reality I get really bad back pains and it's got worse to the point where my sleep is being badly interrupted. Is it just me or does anyone else have this problem with Brava?



Author Reply
Trudy
(no login) Re: Back pain March 4 2006, 4:37 PM


Yes it's common, don't worry about it. Most women experience backache when they first sleep with brava on as it forces the body into a very stiff position. Sometimes the body just gets used to this and the backache stops by itself. If not, you can help avoid any pain by not using a pillow under your head and putting one under your knees instead, as this presses the lower back into the bed. Some women find that putting a pillow under each arm as well is a big help, as raising your arms makes the back's position less rigid and less likely to ache. You can also keep a pain killing spray next to the bed, as if you have problems during the night a quick spray will make the pain bearable enough for you to try and fall back to sleep.



Cathy
(no login) Re: Back pain May 9 2006, 9:45 PM


I had a lot of back pain to start with but I think I just got used to wearing Brava and it went away.



Bridget
(no login) Re: Back pain November 15 2006, 7:44 AM


Back pain is to be expected with brava. It's a normal part of the experience, don't worry about it. It's just something that comes with wearing brava.



Bella
(no login) Re: Back pain November 18 2006, 11:54 AM


I had really awful back pain at the beginning and honestly wasn't sure I could go through with wearing the system - but it really does get better over time. I would say that it took me about 2-3 weeks of wear before the back ache went. I think that a lot of this has to do with the fact that I found a way of supporting my back while I slept that worked for me - I use two pillows under my back so that I am lying at about a 45 degree angle (or less) when I sleep and I find that that helps with the back ache and that it also seems to help reduce the number of times that the seal breaks at night. I hope that your back ache improves soon!
#4

First Day with Brava
January 19 2009 at 8:21 PM Rox3 (no login)

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Hi veteran users. Today is my first day - just put the domes on. It took me about 2 hours to read all the booklets and figure it out. I'm starting with 8 hours today and tomorrow I will sleep in it. Any advise for new users? I'm excited but I know it will be a slow process. It feels heavy on my chest but it's during the day and I'm hoping I can get some sleep and not notice it as much.



Author Reply
CousinRose
(Login CousinRose) Re: First Day with Brava January 19 2009, 9:49 PM


Welcome to the Brava-club Smile I am halfway through my 3rd week and it's all getting better. Just remember that it WILL get better. You will probably not get much sleep the first nights. I was miserable the first week but now I sleep all night no problems Smile Just get by this first week and the rest will be easier.

I know how anxious you are to start but it is much better to slowly build up the wear time. I started with 2 hours,then I did 4,6,8,10 and then 12. Jumping straight to long hours can give you skin problems that might set you back.

I am sure Lousie will reply to you as well but she is our expert in suction devices Smile She has been through it all and has solutions to everything.

Good luck and keep us posted how everything is going.
Rose



Rox3
(no login) Sleeping Position January 20 2009, 1:18 AM


Hi- do people sleep on their back like Brava recommends with the two pillos on the side, one under the butt or any other suggestions that have worked for people? How about on side slightly with pillows behind your back?



roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: First Day with Brava January 20 2009, 5:47 AM


Hi! I am in my twelfth week. The first few weeks were rough, with the worst part getting used to irritated skin and sleeping on my back. I have been very careful with my skin since Day one and have not had any problems other than irritation. I always put Desitin baby ointment (the kind that contains zinc oxide) on the irritated skin which sits under the rims as soon as I wash up after taking the domes off. I then just wear a loose women's tank top/undershirt to let my skin breathe.
Sleeping on my back has definitely been hard. I never get a full night's sleep. I don't use all the pillows. I also don't roll onto my side since it tends to loosen the suction on the side of the domes (for me, at least.)
Lastly, I will have to stress utmost patience. I left the domes off for fourteen hours today, and barely had any gains left when I put them back on. That is frustrating, but I am still very hopeful. I plan to go about 30 weeks and I am hoping for the best.
Keep looking forward and just set your initial goal at twelve weeks, at least. Get a calender and mark off your hours each day. It will make it easier if you simply accept that this is what you will be doing each night for several months.
Stay with us and lets all keep each other going!



StacyEllen
(no login) lots of patience! January 20 2009, 12:09 PM


To concur with all the girls....patience is the key to success with Brava. I have used it off and on for 4 years...I am on cycle 4 now. I have had great lasting success with Brava, but it has taken alot of commitment and self discipline. I remember at first feeling like a crushing weight was on my chest...that goes away. Eventually you are used to the feeling. Sleeping is very tough...I don't do anything fancy with pillows...I just get up after the tossing and turning starts. If I get up and have some tea and read for an hour, when I go back to bed, I can fall asleep.

Take Brava one week at a time....if you are having a bad night and thinking "how will I do this for another 3 months?" you will never make it! Just concentrate on getting through one night and remember that tomorrow night will be better. You do learn to adjust to sleeping, even though it isn't the same as being able to roll around how ever you want. (I am a tummy sleeper)

I am on week #3 of cycle 4 and I still am tempted not to put the domes on at night....I just keep telling myself that I almost have the breast size I have always dreamed of, and how good I will look in my tshirts this summer! Incidentally, years ago I was a small 34A (looked like a kid waiting for puberty to set in) and now I am working towards a full 34C(I am a small 34C now).....it was lots of work and itching and tossing and turning....but I am so much happier with my body!

Keep up the good workSmile



Rox3
(no login) Thanks Ladies! January 20 2009, 11:51 PM


This encouragement is great. I have made up my mind to try to do this until my vacation to Florida at the end of May - 18 weeks to go. Hopefully I can get to a full 34B (I'm a 34A now after breast feeding 3 kids!). Tonight is my first night sleeping in them for 8 hours. Did 7 hours yesterday during the day - it was hard. Felt like I had an elephant laying on my chest. My husband and I have a sense of humor thank God! But I'm keeping the positive attitude. I'll post later this week. I'm gonna try the three pillows and see if I can get any sleep.



Vee
(no login) Re: First Day with Brava January 27 2009, 11:27 AM


Hi - I am in my 8th week and I also have found sleeping on my back one of the worst things to get used to. I find that I wake up after a few hours and my butt is sore. I have 2 small pillows on either side of me and I push one slightly under my back / bottom on one side. It just props me up slightly and a little on my side, but not enough to lose suction. It really relieves one buttock. After a couple of hours I change sides. I find this helps me. Good luck.



roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: First Day with Brava January 27 2009, 5:32 PM


I have not slept through the night in 13 weeks! I hate it but if I can come out the other end with a breast, I will be happy! From no breasts to a bump is my goal! I plan to go 30 weeks and I am in week thirteen right now. Not really seeing any lasting results yet. I think either Louise or Stacy said they didn't start seeing any real growth until about this time so I am trying to remain optimistic.
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