10-07-2012, 00:27
Ok, when I first got my domes, 1 of them was not in perfect condition on the sticky part either with some lumping of the sticky stuff, and mine also had silicone plugging one of the air holes. I never contacted Brava, although I thought about it, and just unplugged the silicone from the hole and tried to ignore the problems with the sticky part of the dome. After 10 weeks of Brava my domes aren't very sticky, they don't even stick to my chest when I put them on, but once I add support and then the suction, I don't have an issue with losing suction.
I have the wide large domes and my measurements were 29 under the breasts and 33 inches around the breasts across the nipples. I had nursed 6 children and they were very deflated. After 10 weeks of wear I still only fill up my domes maybe halfway, and quite honestly the amount of swelling for me hasn't changed much at all from week 4 to week 10. They do swell though, but it isn't very noticeable at the beginning of the wear time, just when it is time to remove the domes after 10-11 hours of wear. At that time I swell to 36-37 inches around the breasts depending on where I am in my monthly cycle. So it seems kindof weird for them to say that you should be filling the large domes in the beginning. What are your measurements, if you don't mind me asking?
I also dealt with rashes and scapes and sores from Brava. For me part of the problem resulted when the outside edge of the dome (the thin flared plastic area with the little layer of sticky) would fold under and stick to the sticky part of the dome that was on my skin, and it would rub and irritate the skin. I found that the only way I would get those sores and scrapes to heal was to put a barrier over them to allow them to heal. What worked for me was a piece of gauze folded to cover the area that was bothered, then I would hold it in place with a piece of clear medical tape. Then I would put my domes on, and I had no problems with the domes touching the tape. It took about 5-7 days of doing that for the problem areas to heal. I had one sore that bled and hurt so much near my armpit, and I was afraid it would scar, but I can't see anything now after it has been healed for about 3 weeks.
I also found that the skin prep seemed to encourage the problems (rashes, sores, etc), and I discontinued use of it once I ran out of them. Now I just make sure my skin is freshly clean and very dry to put the domes on. Everyone is different though, so what worked for me may not for you, but this has been my experience anyway.
Another thing that helped me was as soon as I turned the smart box on, I put as much pressure on the domes, pressing them hard with my arms onto my chest all the way until the smart box achieved pressure and turned off. It creates the best seal and I don't have problems with the domes losing suction unless I really twist my body around.
Brava has definitely worked for me as I retain 35 inches even after missing a day. The breasts feel much fuller, and have greater substance.
Any other questions you have, I'll do all I can to help. We ladies need to stick together and help each other through our journey to get or recover our breasts.
I have the wide large domes and my measurements were 29 under the breasts and 33 inches around the breasts across the nipples. I had nursed 6 children and they were very deflated. After 10 weeks of wear I still only fill up my domes maybe halfway, and quite honestly the amount of swelling for me hasn't changed much at all from week 4 to week 10. They do swell though, but it isn't very noticeable at the beginning of the wear time, just when it is time to remove the domes after 10-11 hours of wear. At that time I swell to 36-37 inches around the breasts depending on where I am in my monthly cycle. So it seems kindof weird for them to say that you should be filling the large domes in the beginning. What are your measurements, if you don't mind me asking?
I also dealt with rashes and scapes and sores from Brava. For me part of the problem resulted when the outside edge of the dome (the thin flared plastic area with the little layer of sticky) would fold under and stick to the sticky part of the dome that was on my skin, and it would rub and irritate the skin. I found that the only way I would get those sores and scrapes to heal was to put a barrier over them to allow them to heal. What worked for me was a piece of gauze folded to cover the area that was bothered, then I would hold it in place with a piece of clear medical tape. Then I would put my domes on, and I had no problems with the domes touching the tape. It took about 5-7 days of doing that for the problem areas to heal. I had one sore that bled and hurt so much near my armpit, and I was afraid it would scar, but I can't see anything now after it has been healed for about 3 weeks.
I also found that the skin prep seemed to encourage the problems (rashes, sores, etc), and I discontinued use of it once I ran out of them. Now I just make sure my skin is freshly clean and very dry to put the domes on. Everyone is different though, so what worked for me may not for you, but this has been my experience anyway.
Another thing that helped me was as soon as I turned the smart box on, I put as much pressure on the domes, pressing them hard with my arms onto my chest all the way until the smart box achieved pressure and turned off. It creates the best seal and I don't have problems with the domes losing suction unless I really twist my body around.
Brava has definitely worked for me as I retain 35 inches even after missing a day. The breasts feel much fuller, and have greater substance.
Any other questions you have, I'll do all I can to help. We ladies need to stick together and help each other through our journey to get or recover our breasts.