10-03-2011, 11:15
first nightly experience!
November 28 2007 at 5:08 PM jodi (no login)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
hey girls,
last night, i had my first time! lol. it was not soooo bad, but i had a couple issues. first of all, the right dome was hurting the skin right in from my right armpit. like it was too far over or something. so in the middle of the night, i moved it more toward the center and it helped for a little bit, but then after about an hour it was hurting there again. i felt the dome there and it felt like the silicone was mostly sucked into the dome. i know i gotta curl out the silicone when i put them on, but HOW THE HECK DO U DO THAT? i tried and mine will only curl out on the sides where i'm grasping them, not all the way around them. is there a special technique to this? lol. then, they felt like they were crawling up my chest. by the time i took them off after 6 hours, they were up by my collar bone! what's up with that? i thought i had them down 1 1/2 inches below my boob crease...do they move in the night? so, around 4am, i broke down and took them off and chucked this one up as a practice night! so, i'll try again tonight with all you lovely ladies great suggestions.
also, i really couldn't get comfy with sleeping on my back, even with the 41 pillows! so, i was trying to sneak and sleep half on back and half on side and i didn't break the seal, but it was only because of my right armpit hurting that i couldn't stay in that position. thank God i didn't have to work today...i just woke up at 11am!
also, i noticed when i took them off after 6 hours, there was very little to no swelling. i didn't expect a lot, but thought 6 hours would do SOMETHING. do you all see any swelling after only 6 hours?
oh! and one more thing....could u tell me your morning routines with the brava? like do you wash the domes in the morning and then leave them to dry in the rack adn put them in the box? it seems them in the box, they wont dry, but the instructions say to put them in the box so they have a lid and so lint or particles can get on them. also, do you dry clean out the sportbox every morning and for how long? i know a lot of you don't use the sportbox, but for those of you who do. it seems this would kill the battery in no time. is it really necessary to do that everyday??
ok, so that's it...i promise.
thanks again ladies
jodi
Author Reply
dandelion
(Login dandelion1) Re: first nightly experience! November 28 2007, 11:57 PM
hello! im in my first week, so not an experienced brava user, but i have the same problem of silicone riding up into the dome. i hold onto it while i suck, and then let go once i've attained enough suction. But even then the silicone might ride in and then i usually start over cuz if i try to curl it out i just lose suction. FOR SLEEPIN!: i usualy have no problems sleeping on my back, but if i do get restless i sleep on my side, copletely, with no aid of pillows for either side, and have not lost suction. I make sure to wear the bra when i do this though, and make sure you have enough suction cuz then you might feel the domes down. if this happens you can put a pillow under the dome and it helps. good luck!
Edit Message Delete Message
Alcest
(Login Alcest) Re: first nightly experience! November 29 2007, 12:36 AM
Also, it's a good thing you didn't go the entire night with Brava. You're actually supposed to work up to 10+ hours in increments. Start with just 3 hours, then 5, 6, 8, etc.
I jumped right into longer hours and got a horrible rash, so be careful!
Edit Message Delete Message
Louise
(no login) Re: first nightly experience! November 29 2007, 12:37 AM
I was told to dry clean the sportbox for at least 10 mins every morning but only used it for 5 weeks.
I used to religiously clean the domes every day but could never do it in the morning as would have to do it downstairs and didn't want to be seen so I used do it in the evening then wipe them dry with kitchen roll on the hard plastic part and wipe the worst of the water off the silicone with my hands. Now I only wash them approx every 3 days and having no problems as the sticky has now gone so they don't attract fluff. I've always stored them in the box in case the cat got them!
I only slept 1-2 hours per night the whole first week and was working in the days so felt like I was going mad. Eventually slept with no pillow under my head, one at either sidfe so I can't roll over and 3-4 under my knees so my legs were bent in to a sitting position (the first couple of weeks you'll probably get back pain too, but this position helps a bit). Then after a while I was able to sleep half sitting up with a lot of pillows behind me, one either side and none under the legs, now I have one either side and two behind me and I sleep half on one side and half on my back. I can also sleep on my front if I fold one pillow in half to make double thickness and put just beneath the domes then put about 3 under my face and stick the domes down the gap in between - this is also good if your shoulders get hunched and achey. Sleeping on the sofa or a recliner might be easier. You'll work something out - keep at it, and build up the wear time slowly. I got a little bit of swelling after my 3 hour trial session but didn't get big swelling for about 6 weeks so don't worry. You'll know if you lost the seal in the night and spoilt your session as the domes will actually be loose or fallen off.
Edit Message Delete Message
Louise
(no login) Re: first nightly experience! November 29 2007, 12:54 AM
Ok your other questions about the silicone pads - yes, they did used to feel like they were creeping up my body. After a few weeks the domes adapt a bit more to your body shape and you are less aware of them. Most of the problems with them fitting can be improved by attaching the tubing to the domes, use a lot of dome prep and don't let it dry (so your boobs slide in more easily). Put both domes on at once (left hand for left boob) and press quite hard so everything's in there. I find it easier to bring the domes toward the boobs from the outside gathering tissue and pushing onto the chest until you get to the cleavage area. Reach across your chest with your right hand and hold the right dome on with your forearm and left dome with your right hand. You now have the left hand free to put the other end of the tubing in your mouth - suck until the domes stay on and you can let go. Now fold the tubing double so no air escapes while you attach the box. The box will only run for a few seconds if at all as you have already sucked the air out, although it may suck more later to keep the pressure up. This allows you to get the domes on, get your hands free and go and do something else in about 30 seconds without waiting the full 10mins for the box. If you then want to put the bra on you can do or you can put it on before the domes, do it up then take your arms out and slide it down a bit so when the domes are in place you only have to slip the shoulder straps on. I prefer to wear a tight zip-up sweatshirt but just wear pjs most of the time at home and today was the first time one has fallen off for months (I was in a funny position reaching for something).
Edit Message Delete Message
livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: first nightly experience! November 29 2007, 1:05 PM
My routine is pretty boring and basic. I also feel like the domes move and end up by my collarbone, but I'm used to it now. I think as they're pulling against your chest they grip against you and the silcone expands and rises up. I also have some trouble at the armpit crease on left side but have pretty much solved that by pointing my elbows out at the sides after the domes are in place and then sticking the domes back down before I try to get a seal with the sportbox so that it's not pinching any skin when I move my arms. I used the Brava Orientation Checklist that was emailed to me when I bought the system. My domes are still tacky and the sportbox is still working perfectly. Between talking with the coaches, and using the orientation checklist and Brava customer support, here's what I do that works for me. Luckily I've never had a rash or skin problems except for that pinching and irritation near my left armpit area.
I use the skin prep wipes (a pack of 50 is $14 from American Diabetes Wholesale). I ordered 4 boxes from their website and with shipping it was about $60. That should last me the whole time.
I use baby shampoo or plain ivory bar soap to wash my chest BEFORE applying domes.
I use a moisturizing body wash AFTER removing domes
I use Eucerin Calming Creme after removing domes.
I use Brava Antiseptic Dome Cleanser (This is the only item I buy direct from Brava and buy 2 - 3 bottles at a time since shipping is $10. This should last me the whole time.
Applying domes:
1. Wash chest and armpit area with baby shampoo, dry thoroughly
2. Apply skin prep wipes around each breast where domes adhere, allow to dry 10 minutes
3. Leave bra with velcro straps closed and bra unzipped hanging around waist
4. Place bottom outer edge of each dome 1 1/2" below breast crease and then flare out silicone all the way around
5. Attach tubes to ports
6. Adjust domes at armpit area for comfort
7. Attach sportbox with filter and turn on
8. Lightly press against sides of silcone near ribs so no air escapes
9. Press domes against you lightly (too much pressure will force air into sportbox and damage it) while running hands along side where air may escape
10. Once sportbox shuts off, pull unzipped bra up over domes and zip
Sleeping:
Under head - standard or travel pillow
Under each arm from shoulder to elbows - a small travel pillow placed long ways (I sleep with elbows bent and pointing out to sides for less irritation at armpit area
Under each leg from below butt to knees a standard pillow placed long ways
Removing domes and cleaning:
1. Turn off sportbox - domes should begin releasing from chest
2. Remove tubes and wash domes with just warm water by lightly rubbing fingers over silicone rims under running water. Rinse entire dome inside and out.
3. Place dome in rack and throughly spray with Antiseptic dome cleanser. Allow to sit in rack for 15 minutes
4. After 15 minutes, rinse throughly, shake dry, and place back in racks in box (box has holes to allow to dry)
Skin care after dome removal:
1. Wash chest with a moisturizing body wash (not perfumed)
2. Apply lotion to chest area
3. If wearing a bra, make sure it doesn't compress your breasts
Dry clean sportbox at least an hour
I hope this helps. Of course, everyone has variations that work for them and Louise has quite a bit of experience and ideas.
jodi
(no login) thanks! November 29 2007, 10:29 PM
hey thanks ladies for all the advice/tips. i'm gonna try them out tonight again. i only did 3 hours last night. i accidentally somehow rolled or something and they ended up real far up my chest and i couldn't get comfy after that...so i had to take them off. cuz it was hurting. i'm gonna try again tonight.
November 28 2007 at 5:08 PM jodi (no login)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
hey girls,
last night, i had my first time! lol. it was not soooo bad, but i had a couple issues. first of all, the right dome was hurting the skin right in from my right armpit. like it was too far over or something. so in the middle of the night, i moved it more toward the center and it helped for a little bit, but then after about an hour it was hurting there again. i felt the dome there and it felt like the silicone was mostly sucked into the dome. i know i gotta curl out the silicone when i put them on, but HOW THE HECK DO U DO THAT? i tried and mine will only curl out on the sides where i'm grasping them, not all the way around them. is there a special technique to this? lol. then, they felt like they were crawling up my chest. by the time i took them off after 6 hours, they were up by my collar bone! what's up with that? i thought i had them down 1 1/2 inches below my boob crease...do they move in the night? so, around 4am, i broke down and took them off and chucked this one up as a practice night! so, i'll try again tonight with all you lovely ladies great suggestions.
also, i really couldn't get comfy with sleeping on my back, even with the 41 pillows! so, i was trying to sneak and sleep half on back and half on side and i didn't break the seal, but it was only because of my right armpit hurting that i couldn't stay in that position. thank God i didn't have to work today...i just woke up at 11am!
also, i noticed when i took them off after 6 hours, there was very little to no swelling. i didn't expect a lot, but thought 6 hours would do SOMETHING. do you all see any swelling after only 6 hours?
oh! and one more thing....could u tell me your morning routines with the brava? like do you wash the domes in the morning and then leave them to dry in the rack adn put them in the box? it seems them in the box, they wont dry, but the instructions say to put them in the box so they have a lid and so lint or particles can get on them. also, do you dry clean out the sportbox every morning and for how long? i know a lot of you don't use the sportbox, but for those of you who do. it seems this would kill the battery in no time. is it really necessary to do that everyday??
ok, so that's it...i promise.
thanks again ladies
jodi
Author Reply
dandelion
(Login dandelion1) Re: first nightly experience! November 28 2007, 11:57 PM
hello! im in my first week, so not an experienced brava user, but i have the same problem of silicone riding up into the dome. i hold onto it while i suck, and then let go once i've attained enough suction. But even then the silicone might ride in and then i usually start over cuz if i try to curl it out i just lose suction. FOR SLEEPIN!: i usualy have no problems sleeping on my back, but if i do get restless i sleep on my side, copletely, with no aid of pillows for either side, and have not lost suction. I make sure to wear the bra when i do this though, and make sure you have enough suction cuz then you might feel the domes down. if this happens you can put a pillow under the dome and it helps. good luck!
Edit Message Delete Message
Alcest
(Login Alcest) Re: first nightly experience! November 29 2007, 12:36 AM
Also, it's a good thing you didn't go the entire night with Brava. You're actually supposed to work up to 10+ hours in increments. Start with just 3 hours, then 5, 6, 8, etc.
I jumped right into longer hours and got a horrible rash, so be careful!
Edit Message Delete Message
Louise
(no login) Re: first nightly experience! November 29 2007, 12:37 AM
I was told to dry clean the sportbox for at least 10 mins every morning but only used it for 5 weeks.
I used to religiously clean the domes every day but could never do it in the morning as would have to do it downstairs and didn't want to be seen so I used do it in the evening then wipe them dry with kitchen roll on the hard plastic part and wipe the worst of the water off the silicone with my hands. Now I only wash them approx every 3 days and having no problems as the sticky has now gone so they don't attract fluff. I've always stored them in the box in case the cat got them!
I only slept 1-2 hours per night the whole first week and was working in the days so felt like I was going mad. Eventually slept with no pillow under my head, one at either sidfe so I can't roll over and 3-4 under my knees so my legs were bent in to a sitting position (the first couple of weeks you'll probably get back pain too, but this position helps a bit). Then after a while I was able to sleep half sitting up with a lot of pillows behind me, one either side and none under the legs, now I have one either side and two behind me and I sleep half on one side and half on my back. I can also sleep on my front if I fold one pillow in half to make double thickness and put just beneath the domes then put about 3 under my face and stick the domes down the gap in between - this is also good if your shoulders get hunched and achey. Sleeping on the sofa or a recliner might be easier. You'll work something out - keep at it, and build up the wear time slowly. I got a little bit of swelling after my 3 hour trial session but didn't get big swelling for about 6 weeks so don't worry. You'll know if you lost the seal in the night and spoilt your session as the domes will actually be loose or fallen off.
Edit Message Delete Message
Louise
(no login) Re: first nightly experience! November 29 2007, 12:54 AM
Ok your other questions about the silicone pads - yes, they did used to feel like they were creeping up my body. After a few weeks the domes adapt a bit more to your body shape and you are less aware of them. Most of the problems with them fitting can be improved by attaching the tubing to the domes, use a lot of dome prep and don't let it dry (so your boobs slide in more easily). Put both domes on at once (left hand for left boob) and press quite hard so everything's in there. I find it easier to bring the domes toward the boobs from the outside gathering tissue and pushing onto the chest until you get to the cleavage area. Reach across your chest with your right hand and hold the right dome on with your forearm and left dome with your right hand. You now have the left hand free to put the other end of the tubing in your mouth - suck until the domes stay on and you can let go. Now fold the tubing double so no air escapes while you attach the box. The box will only run for a few seconds if at all as you have already sucked the air out, although it may suck more later to keep the pressure up. This allows you to get the domes on, get your hands free and go and do something else in about 30 seconds without waiting the full 10mins for the box. If you then want to put the bra on you can do or you can put it on before the domes, do it up then take your arms out and slide it down a bit so when the domes are in place you only have to slip the shoulder straps on. I prefer to wear a tight zip-up sweatshirt but just wear pjs most of the time at home and today was the first time one has fallen off for months (I was in a funny position reaching for something).
Edit Message Delete Message
livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: first nightly experience! November 29 2007, 1:05 PM
My routine is pretty boring and basic. I also feel like the domes move and end up by my collarbone, but I'm used to it now. I think as they're pulling against your chest they grip against you and the silcone expands and rises up. I also have some trouble at the armpit crease on left side but have pretty much solved that by pointing my elbows out at the sides after the domes are in place and then sticking the domes back down before I try to get a seal with the sportbox so that it's not pinching any skin when I move my arms. I used the Brava Orientation Checklist that was emailed to me when I bought the system. My domes are still tacky and the sportbox is still working perfectly. Between talking with the coaches, and using the orientation checklist and Brava customer support, here's what I do that works for me. Luckily I've never had a rash or skin problems except for that pinching and irritation near my left armpit area.
I use the skin prep wipes (a pack of 50 is $14 from American Diabetes Wholesale). I ordered 4 boxes from their website and with shipping it was about $60. That should last me the whole time.
I use baby shampoo or plain ivory bar soap to wash my chest BEFORE applying domes.
I use a moisturizing body wash AFTER removing domes
I use Eucerin Calming Creme after removing domes.
I use Brava Antiseptic Dome Cleanser (This is the only item I buy direct from Brava and buy 2 - 3 bottles at a time since shipping is $10. This should last me the whole time.
Applying domes:
1. Wash chest and armpit area with baby shampoo, dry thoroughly
2. Apply skin prep wipes around each breast where domes adhere, allow to dry 10 minutes
3. Leave bra with velcro straps closed and bra unzipped hanging around waist
4. Place bottom outer edge of each dome 1 1/2" below breast crease and then flare out silicone all the way around
5. Attach tubes to ports
6. Adjust domes at armpit area for comfort
7. Attach sportbox with filter and turn on
8. Lightly press against sides of silcone near ribs so no air escapes
9. Press domes against you lightly (too much pressure will force air into sportbox and damage it) while running hands along side where air may escape
10. Once sportbox shuts off, pull unzipped bra up over domes and zip
Sleeping:
Under head - standard or travel pillow
Under each arm from shoulder to elbows - a small travel pillow placed long ways (I sleep with elbows bent and pointing out to sides for less irritation at armpit area
Under each leg from below butt to knees a standard pillow placed long ways
Removing domes and cleaning:
1. Turn off sportbox - domes should begin releasing from chest
2. Remove tubes and wash domes with just warm water by lightly rubbing fingers over silicone rims under running water. Rinse entire dome inside and out.
3. Place dome in rack and throughly spray with Antiseptic dome cleanser. Allow to sit in rack for 15 minutes
4. After 15 minutes, rinse throughly, shake dry, and place back in racks in box (box has holes to allow to dry)
Skin care after dome removal:
1. Wash chest with a moisturizing body wash (not perfumed)
2. Apply lotion to chest area
3. If wearing a bra, make sure it doesn't compress your breasts
Dry clean sportbox at least an hour
I hope this helps. Of course, everyone has variations that work for them and Louise has quite a bit of experience and ideas.
jodi
(no login) thanks! November 29 2007, 10:29 PM
hey thanks ladies for all the advice/tips. i'm gonna try them out tonight again. i only did 3 hours last night. i accidentally somehow rolled or something and they ended up real far up my chest and i couldn't get comfy after that...so i had to take them off. cuz it was hurting. i'm gonna try again tonight.
