30-08-2010, 08:37
Suction problem and other newbie questions
January 16 2008 at 9:06 PM Woolly Sheep (Login yingster1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello,
I am a new Brava user. Just a very quick question. I have had trouble getting adequate suction to seal domes properly. Some days are very easy, but some days I have the hardest time and the smartbox keeps going off.
I have a small frame and measured borderline narrow/wide, so I went with my measurement (27.5-28 inches under breast) and got a Wide-Medium. I am wondering if a smaller size will give me a better seal, or if I get the Boticelli airlock system with better suction will solve my sealing problem. Or is it because I cleaned it at night and did not dry the domes properly.
Another issue - poor skin between breasts get so irritated from the domes pressing on it. I have followed one advice and put panty liner on it and it helps but still gets these marks on it in the morning. Will anyone have any great suggestions?
Last but not least, is it worth it to buy the skincare and the dome antiseptic? I have been cleaning with baby shampoo and use Eucerin Calming Lotion and Benadryl cream on my irritation.
Love to hear your advice!
Author Reply
Louise
(no login) Re: Suction problem and other newbie questions January 17 2008, 6:28 AM
Did you buy direct from Brava? When I placed my order they told me my underbust was too small for narrow and I may have trouble getting a seal but I risked it and have been fine, they told me 28 minimum (but to measure standing normally not breathing out fully). They also told me that less than 29.5 should use narrow which is probably why you're having trouble. I was loose 32B (probably nearer A) and outgrew the narrow large in 6 weeks, but still used them on and off as they are more discreet than the XL. Really can't use them now though. I've now lost weight and my underbust is 26.5 breathing normally and I'm still ok but I use home made airlock which is stong (Boticelli is a total rip-off! You can make your own for £2!), there's loads of posts here on how to make an airlock. If you can send them back to Brava try to get narrow large instead, if not try to make an airlock. The airlock gives a lot better suction so now I only bother with the big bra if I'm working out.
I've only ever used baby shampoo for my domes and they're fine, I also don't bother with the dome prep or any of the other stuff I just slap on a lot of body lotion to lubricate (my skin gets itchy and dry easily). You'll probably find you're more comfortable if you don't wash before putting them on but do wash after with warm water and no soap. I found using different skin creams made it worse so just use whatever you used before. Using incorrect products causes the sticky to come off the domes, after this they are much more comfortable. Sticking anything to your skin and peeling off will irritate so it's best to leave alone or I sometimes tuck my t-shirt into the silicone (but you'd need them on pretty tight to do that) or otherwise grease proof paper isn't bad (I think they call it baking parchment in the US).
Good luck x
Edit Message Delete Message
livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: Suction problem and other newbie questions January 17 2008, 1:50 PM
Make sure your domes are straight and not flared too much at the bottom. I was tipping my domes in at the top to avoid the armpit area but found that the bottoms stuck out too far on the sides for a good seal. Also, I usually fire up the sportbox and the lean over slightly and lift and then flare out the sides and then lightly press them down again and it helps the sportbox pull them in against my ribs. Don't press hard on the domes or silicone or they'll breakdown faster. I don't pull the Brava Bra over the domes until I get a seal and can make adjustments if necessary Louise has success with various products without using Brava products. I faithfully use the Brava Antiseptic Dome Cleaner (green spray) on the domes AFTER removing them. Also, AFTER removing the domes, I wash my chest with a moisturizing body wash and then apply the Eucerin Calming Cream. I also wash my chest with baby shampoo and then apply the no sting prep wipes BEFORE putting on the domes (I buy prep wipes from American Diabetic Supply (50 ct. box is $13.49 + shipping). I ALWAYS wash off the moisturizer with the baby shampoo before applying the domes or I can't get a seal. It's a pain to wash your chest twice a day, but so far I've had no itching or rashes. I do have a "footprint" from the dome outline that takes several hours to fade, but it's winter and I'm covered up anyway. The only problem I had was the edge of the dome near my armpit left an irritated area, but I solved that by adjusting my pillows at night so my shoulders weren't curved up and could lay flat on the bed. If you're using the sportbox or smartbox you can't have any residue on your skin. If you're using the airlock, I don't think it matters if the domes are sticky or not or if there is a residue. Personally, I only use the sportbox because it is more controlled and I don't want huge swelling anyway. I get about full C swelling with just the sportbox so that works for me. My goal is to try to maintain most of it. My domes have 8 weeks on them from this cycle and 3 weeks from my first cycle (I sent back the first set because the port hole where you attach the tubing on the right side was blocked with plastic and very small, but I used them until Brava sent me a new pair. My domes are still very tacky and the silcone has not broken down. They are like new except for mild pilling on the tacky surface. I am hoping they will last the full 16 weeks I plan on using Brava. This is my last cycle. I am not doing a third cycle. I don't want to spend money on new domes and I don't even want to outgrow the wide-large since the XL sounds huge. I hope they'll last. Also, make sure you run the dry cleaning cycle on the box daily. It's worth the effort so everything lasts. I will put up with my "plastic prison" the full 16 weeks and then I'm done. My husband says he'd rather have me with small boobs then not having access to them. I have lost about 5 lbs. and have about 5 - 10 more to go so I don't want to quit Brava now and lose it all off my boobs. I'm working on exercise and eating healthy so that even if I keep small boobs, I can at least have a decent body otherwise. Brava has helped fill out my breasts from breastfeeding and pregnancy. Implants are not an option so I'll take what I get and then move on. I'm tired of being "boob obsessed" and feeling insecure about their size. I'm learning to accept what I have and make the most of the things I can change. Good luck!
Edit Message Delete Message
Woolly Sheep
(Login yingster1) Re: Suction problem and other newbie questions January 17 2008, 10:18 PM
Louise,
Thanks so much for your time to answer me.
Do you think if I use the airlock, even it's not perfect seal, I will get enough suction? I cannot imagine you get enough suction on the domes that you can work out with them on. I practically have to lie flat or I lose suction.
I bought the system from a friend who's allergic to silicone. So maybe I will get the domes from elsewhere. Are anyone selling their narrow-large domes?
I think my skin irritation is caused by pushing them too hard on my skin when I try to get a seal. I will follow your advice.
Thanks again.
Edit Message Delete Message
Woolly Sheep
(Login yingster1) Re: Suction problem and other newbie questions January 17 2008, 10:21 PM
Hi livinonaprayer,
Thanks for your kind response. My armpit area hurt too, but so far no irritation. The cleavage area is much worse.
I will try some of your tips. Thanks again.
Louise
(no login) Re: Suction problem and other newbie questions January 17 2008, 11:14 PM
The irritation is just your skin getting used to it, keep the hours short for the first couple of weeks. I definitely found the domes more comfortable if I either used a lot of skin prep or a lot of body lotion then put the domes on before it dries so the skin is kept lubricated, when the silicone started pilling (which was in a few days with the second set) I spent about an hour rubbing all the sticky off, they irritate a lot less if they're smooth. I'd advise you to make the airlock as a backup now but stick with the smartbox for the first few weeks as it's more gentle, then you can use the airlock and as the weeks go by you can do it harder. I've always found it easier to get a seal by attaching all the tubing but not the box, then put the tube where you're going to attach the box in your mouth, have one dome in each hand (right hand for right breast), press both domes on hard and suck the air out until they stay on and you can remove your hands, you can then attach the box or the airlock, as you have already sucked air out the box will only run for a few seconds or may not run at all - it is working fine as long as they continue to feel tight. I only started working out at around week 16 and by then I was already airlocking hard because as time goes by your body adjusts to the suction (you'll see less swelling) so I had to do it much harder, the swelling I get now is scary huge! When you have them on tight you can really get your life back and do everything in them, I can also sleep on my side or on my front if I use a cushion under my stomach to raise me a bit, watch out though because if you move around and lose the seal it makes a big fart noise (and yes, I have done that in public!). I read a few posts here and had one brief look at the instruction booklet then pretty much ignored it all and did what I thought best, just do what you find helpful, you'll soon get used to it.
p.s. I have a small cut near the armpit (not sure if this was originally caused by me scratching an itch one night), I'm pretty resigned to it not healing fully now until I stop but I'm nearly done anyway, just to let you know it's much more comfortable if I put a lot of lotion on the sore bit then use a small strip I cut from a plastic bag (about 1 inch wide and about 2.5 long) to protect the sore bit, this means the domes rub and press on the plastic not on my skin and the lotion keeps the skin moist to help healing.
Edit Message Delete Message
Louise
(no login) Re: Suction problem and other newbie questions January 17 2008, 11:16 PM
One more thing - the only important thing to do with dome care is to never leave them with the silicone cushion turning inwards, after a few weeks they'll stop trying to turn in but in the meantime it's really important to make sure the silicone is pointing outwards otherwise after a few weeks it tears off and you need new domes.
Edit Message Delete Message
Woolly Sheep
(Login yingster1) Re: Suction problem and other newbie questions January 18 2008, 2:24 PM
Louise,
Thanks once again for your detailed description of "procedures". I am now pumped to give it another try tonight :-).
For reference, here are the dimensions of WIDE-medium vs. NARROW-large.
Wide-medium is 7" wide by 8" height (I didn't measure depth)
Narrow-large is 6 1/4" wide by 7 5/8" height, depth 6" (from outer rim to nipple).
So Narrow vs. Wide is 1.5 inches width wise which might make a hugh difference in terms of sealing.
One question about silicone edge "turning in". I have not paid close attention to it, does it mean the edge "curls in" like a cooked shrimp can prevent sealing????
Thanks in advance.
Monica
Louise
(Login Louise1982)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Suction problem and other newbie questions January 18 2008, 7:06 PM
I'm veggie so I don't know how to cook shrimp!
Basically when the domes are on, the silicone should form a rubber ring that lies almost flat on your chest outside the perimeter of the domes. If the domes are new the silicone may stand more upright but it's important that the bit against your chest is further outwards (away from the nipple) than the bit that's attached to the dome, if it curls under so the part against your chest is inside the dome of even if the silicone is upright but the bit against your chest points in toward the nipple (so it goes further in than the silicone that attaches to the dome) then that'll start to pull it off. The silicone should slope outward from the plastic not inward. Not sure if this clarifies it or just gives you more words - let me know and I can always take a pic using a table to show how they should go on the chest.
p.s. thanks for including measurements, I'll have to have a measure of the sizes I've got so we can have these all together in a post for everyone's reference.
January 16 2008 at 9:06 PM Woolly Sheep (Login yingster1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello,
I am a new Brava user. Just a very quick question. I have had trouble getting adequate suction to seal domes properly. Some days are very easy, but some days I have the hardest time and the smartbox keeps going off.
I have a small frame and measured borderline narrow/wide, so I went with my measurement (27.5-28 inches under breast) and got a Wide-Medium. I am wondering if a smaller size will give me a better seal, or if I get the Boticelli airlock system with better suction will solve my sealing problem. Or is it because I cleaned it at night and did not dry the domes properly.
Another issue - poor skin between breasts get so irritated from the domes pressing on it. I have followed one advice and put panty liner on it and it helps but still gets these marks on it in the morning. Will anyone have any great suggestions?
Last but not least, is it worth it to buy the skincare and the dome antiseptic? I have been cleaning with baby shampoo and use Eucerin Calming Lotion and Benadryl cream on my irritation.
Love to hear your advice!
Author Reply
Louise
(no login) Re: Suction problem and other newbie questions January 17 2008, 6:28 AM
Did you buy direct from Brava? When I placed my order they told me my underbust was too small for narrow and I may have trouble getting a seal but I risked it and have been fine, they told me 28 minimum (but to measure standing normally not breathing out fully). They also told me that less than 29.5 should use narrow which is probably why you're having trouble. I was loose 32B (probably nearer A) and outgrew the narrow large in 6 weeks, but still used them on and off as they are more discreet than the XL. Really can't use them now though. I've now lost weight and my underbust is 26.5 breathing normally and I'm still ok but I use home made airlock which is stong (Boticelli is a total rip-off! You can make your own for £2!), there's loads of posts here on how to make an airlock. If you can send them back to Brava try to get narrow large instead, if not try to make an airlock. The airlock gives a lot better suction so now I only bother with the big bra if I'm working out.
I've only ever used baby shampoo for my domes and they're fine, I also don't bother with the dome prep or any of the other stuff I just slap on a lot of body lotion to lubricate (my skin gets itchy and dry easily). You'll probably find you're more comfortable if you don't wash before putting them on but do wash after with warm water and no soap. I found using different skin creams made it worse so just use whatever you used before. Using incorrect products causes the sticky to come off the domes, after this they are much more comfortable. Sticking anything to your skin and peeling off will irritate so it's best to leave alone or I sometimes tuck my t-shirt into the silicone (but you'd need them on pretty tight to do that) or otherwise grease proof paper isn't bad (I think they call it baking parchment in the US).
Good luck x
Edit Message Delete Message
livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: Suction problem and other newbie questions January 17 2008, 1:50 PM
Make sure your domes are straight and not flared too much at the bottom. I was tipping my domes in at the top to avoid the armpit area but found that the bottoms stuck out too far on the sides for a good seal. Also, I usually fire up the sportbox and the lean over slightly and lift and then flare out the sides and then lightly press them down again and it helps the sportbox pull them in against my ribs. Don't press hard on the domes or silicone or they'll breakdown faster. I don't pull the Brava Bra over the domes until I get a seal and can make adjustments if necessary Louise has success with various products without using Brava products. I faithfully use the Brava Antiseptic Dome Cleaner (green spray) on the domes AFTER removing them. Also, AFTER removing the domes, I wash my chest with a moisturizing body wash and then apply the Eucerin Calming Cream. I also wash my chest with baby shampoo and then apply the no sting prep wipes BEFORE putting on the domes (I buy prep wipes from American Diabetic Supply (50 ct. box is $13.49 + shipping). I ALWAYS wash off the moisturizer with the baby shampoo before applying the domes or I can't get a seal. It's a pain to wash your chest twice a day, but so far I've had no itching or rashes. I do have a "footprint" from the dome outline that takes several hours to fade, but it's winter and I'm covered up anyway. The only problem I had was the edge of the dome near my armpit left an irritated area, but I solved that by adjusting my pillows at night so my shoulders weren't curved up and could lay flat on the bed. If you're using the sportbox or smartbox you can't have any residue on your skin. If you're using the airlock, I don't think it matters if the domes are sticky or not or if there is a residue. Personally, I only use the sportbox because it is more controlled and I don't want huge swelling anyway. I get about full C swelling with just the sportbox so that works for me. My goal is to try to maintain most of it. My domes have 8 weeks on them from this cycle and 3 weeks from my first cycle (I sent back the first set because the port hole where you attach the tubing on the right side was blocked with plastic and very small, but I used them until Brava sent me a new pair. My domes are still very tacky and the silcone has not broken down. They are like new except for mild pilling on the tacky surface. I am hoping they will last the full 16 weeks I plan on using Brava. This is my last cycle. I am not doing a third cycle. I don't want to spend money on new domes and I don't even want to outgrow the wide-large since the XL sounds huge. I hope they'll last. Also, make sure you run the dry cleaning cycle on the box daily. It's worth the effort so everything lasts. I will put up with my "plastic prison" the full 16 weeks and then I'm done. My husband says he'd rather have me with small boobs then not having access to them. I have lost about 5 lbs. and have about 5 - 10 more to go so I don't want to quit Brava now and lose it all off my boobs. I'm working on exercise and eating healthy so that even if I keep small boobs, I can at least have a decent body otherwise. Brava has helped fill out my breasts from breastfeeding and pregnancy. Implants are not an option so I'll take what I get and then move on. I'm tired of being "boob obsessed" and feeling insecure about their size. I'm learning to accept what I have and make the most of the things I can change. Good luck!
Edit Message Delete Message
Woolly Sheep
(Login yingster1) Re: Suction problem and other newbie questions January 17 2008, 10:18 PM
Louise,
Thanks so much for your time to answer me.
Do you think if I use the airlock, even it's not perfect seal, I will get enough suction? I cannot imagine you get enough suction on the domes that you can work out with them on. I practically have to lie flat or I lose suction.
I bought the system from a friend who's allergic to silicone. So maybe I will get the domes from elsewhere. Are anyone selling their narrow-large domes?
I think my skin irritation is caused by pushing them too hard on my skin when I try to get a seal. I will follow your advice.
Thanks again.
Edit Message Delete Message
Woolly Sheep
(Login yingster1) Re: Suction problem and other newbie questions January 17 2008, 10:21 PM
Hi livinonaprayer,
Thanks for your kind response. My armpit area hurt too, but so far no irritation. The cleavage area is much worse.
I will try some of your tips. Thanks again.
Louise
(no login) Re: Suction problem and other newbie questions January 17 2008, 11:14 PM
The irritation is just your skin getting used to it, keep the hours short for the first couple of weeks. I definitely found the domes more comfortable if I either used a lot of skin prep or a lot of body lotion then put the domes on before it dries so the skin is kept lubricated, when the silicone started pilling (which was in a few days with the second set) I spent about an hour rubbing all the sticky off, they irritate a lot less if they're smooth. I'd advise you to make the airlock as a backup now but stick with the smartbox for the first few weeks as it's more gentle, then you can use the airlock and as the weeks go by you can do it harder. I've always found it easier to get a seal by attaching all the tubing but not the box, then put the tube where you're going to attach the box in your mouth, have one dome in each hand (right hand for right breast), press both domes on hard and suck the air out until they stay on and you can remove your hands, you can then attach the box or the airlock, as you have already sucked air out the box will only run for a few seconds or may not run at all - it is working fine as long as they continue to feel tight. I only started working out at around week 16 and by then I was already airlocking hard because as time goes by your body adjusts to the suction (you'll see less swelling) so I had to do it much harder, the swelling I get now is scary huge! When you have them on tight you can really get your life back and do everything in them, I can also sleep on my side or on my front if I use a cushion under my stomach to raise me a bit, watch out though because if you move around and lose the seal it makes a big fart noise (and yes, I have done that in public!). I read a few posts here and had one brief look at the instruction booklet then pretty much ignored it all and did what I thought best, just do what you find helpful, you'll soon get used to it.
p.s. I have a small cut near the armpit (not sure if this was originally caused by me scratching an itch one night), I'm pretty resigned to it not healing fully now until I stop but I'm nearly done anyway, just to let you know it's much more comfortable if I put a lot of lotion on the sore bit then use a small strip I cut from a plastic bag (about 1 inch wide and about 2.5 long) to protect the sore bit, this means the domes rub and press on the plastic not on my skin and the lotion keeps the skin moist to help healing.
Edit Message Delete Message
Louise
(no login) Re: Suction problem and other newbie questions January 17 2008, 11:16 PM
One more thing - the only important thing to do with dome care is to never leave them with the silicone cushion turning inwards, after a few weeks they'll stop trying to turn in but in the meantime it's really important to make sure the silicone is pointing outwards otherwise after a few weeks it tears off and you need new domes.
Edit Message Delete Message
Woolly Sheep
(Login yingster1) Re: Suction problem and other newbie questions January 18 2008, 2:24 PM
Louise,
Thanks once again for your detailed description of "procedures". I am now pumped to give it another try tonight :-).
For reference, here are the dimensions of WIDE-medium vs. NARROW-large.
Wide-medium is 7" wide by 8" height (I didn't measure depth)
Narrow-large is 6 1/4" wide by 7 5/8" height, depth 6" (from outer rim to nipple).
So Narrow vs. Wide is 1.5 inches width wise which might make a hugh difference in terms of sealing.
One question about silicone edge "turning in". I have not paid close attention to it, does it mean the edge "curls in" like a cooked shrimp can prevent sealing????
Thanks in advance.
Monica
Louise
(Login Louise1982)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Suction problem and other newbie questions January 18 2008, 7:06 PM
I'm veggie so I don't know how to cook shrimp!
Basically when the domes are on, the silicone should form a rubber ring that lies almost flat on your chest outside the perimeter of the domes. If the domes are new the silicone may stand more upright but it's important that the bit against your chest is further outwards (away from the nipple) than the bit that's attached to the dome, if it curls under so the part against your chest is inside the dome of even if the silicone is upright but the bit against your chest points in toward the nipple (so it goes further in than the silicone that attaches to the dome) then that'll start to pull it off. The silicone should slope outward from the plastic not inward. Not sure if this clarifies it or just gives you more words - let me know and I can always take a pic using a table to show how they should go on the chest.
p.s. thanks for including measurements, I'll have to have a measure of the sizes I've got so we can have these all together in a post for everyone's reference.