06-09-2010, 09:27 AM
Tips for sleeping with Brava?
November 12 2007 at 4:02 AM wind_ryder (Login wind_ryder)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
Edit Message Delete Message
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.
Edit Message Delete Message
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!
Edit Message Delete Message
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!
Edit Message Delete Message
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.
November 12 2007 at 4:02 AM wind_ryder (Login wind_ryder)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
Edit Message Delete Message
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.
Edit Message Delete Message
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!
Edit Message Delete Message
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!
Edit Message Delete Message
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.
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