06-09-2010, 09:20
Help---Can't get a seal.
June 5 2007 at 11:52 PM Lucy (no login)
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Can you experienced ladies help me. Last night, I could not get my domes to seal. The only thing that I did differently was that I took a shower and did not use the Brava cleanser. Do you think that could have been it. I finally got a seal after about 30 minutes of repositioning. I reapplied skin prep, waited 10 minutes, tried everything! My seal only lasted an hour and woke up at midnight with it broken. I was so tired and aggravated that I didn't even try again. Now, I'm back to square one! These things cost too much to give up. I also noticed that my silicone rim is torn on the right side, but not through to the inside, from constantly tugging it down to trying to get a seal. When I get the domes in the proper front position, they stick out past the sides of my body at the underarm area. It seems we need tentacles to hold everything that needs help while suction is obtained! Any tips will be appreciated.
Author Reply
diana
(Login Diana1978)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Help---Can't get a seal. June 6 2007, 2:08 PM
I dont use any of the products brava makes. i jr bend over and press them on my chest and suck out the air with my mouth to create a good seal then hook up the box and zip up the bra. good luck
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lexy
(no login) Re: Help---Can't get a seal. June 6 2007, 3:50 PM
but be carefull with the sucction. too much can harm u on short and long term. good luck
Edit Message Delete Message
Seri_Flamehair
(Login Seri_Flamehair)
SENIOR MEMBER ripped domes June 6 2007, 10:06 PM
if they are less than a month old quickly call brava and get em replaced.
Edit Message Delete Message
livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: Help---Can't get a seal. June 13 2007, 12:19 PM
I had trouble at first too. I found that sticking and unsticking them makes it harder. Wait the full 10 minutes for the prep to dry. I actually took and pen and made a mark on my skin 1 1/2" below the crease. Then I leaned forward and placed the bottom of the dome there and flared out the sides and lightly pressed down on the rim. I then held the dome in place with one arm and attached one end of the T-tubing. I then did the same with the other dome and attached the other end of the tubing. At this point the bra is around my waist and not pulled up. I press again lightly on each side where they see to have air escape by my ribs and turn on the sportbox and attach to filter. Stand very still and while the pump is running look in the mirror and check if you need to press against the sides again while trying to hold the domes against you with your arm. You'll gradually feel the domes seem to tighten against you and when the pump shuts off, pull up the bra and slide your arms through. It's not exactly how Brava says to do it, but it worked for me. Sometimes is takes up to the 10 minutes. I mostly had irritation on my skin near my armpt area and found that when I kept sticking and unsticking the domes to avoid that area, it made it more uncomfortable. The rims expand and really move up and out after they've been on a while. Try to sleep with the pillows under you arms and you may need to point out your elbows or bend at your elbows to find a comfortable sleeping position.
Edit Message Delete Message
Lucy
(no login) Re: Help---Can't get a seal. June 13 2007, 7:35 PM
Thanks so much Livinonaprayer! All advice is appreciated. I had a coaching session yesterday, but it really didn't help much. They seem to think that every body fits into these little monsters the same way. WRONG! When I flare out the rims and press down on the domes with my elbows out, I have a gap large enough to fit my thumb in on each side under the arms. The only way I can get it to seal is to turn on the pump and alternately press my thumbs back far enough to sort of wipe the rims down while the pump is running. Eventually it will seal and will now stay sealed if I wear a sports bra rather than the Brava bra. The Brava coach insists that I shouldn't have to do this. I can wear it for only 10 hours, by then I am absolutely miserable. The domes get tighter and tighter as the night goes by and by the 10th hour my underarms are screaming for mercy. I suppose that is normal since it seems everyone has trouble in that area. I'm still hoping it will get easier in a few days. I'm averaging about 4-5 hours of solid sleep at a time now, whereas before I was awake all night with blown out seals! Thanks again, Lucy
Edit Message Delete Message
livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: Help---Can't get a seal. June 13 2007, 9:46 PM
Believe me, you will sleep better. I started out with only an hour or so of sleep at a time waking up constantly. I even had a panic attack and was shivering and all upset. My husband said chill out and quit holding your breath! I later started getting about 4 - 5 hours of sleep at a time and as the weeks went by I wouldn't even wake up except maybe once and then would fall right back asleep. Also, the more weeks you wear the domes, they seem to fit better under the arms and mold to your body better. I agree though, sometimes they feel really tight like they're pressing down on you. I just finished 11 weeks and wanted to do more but we're going on vacation and I'm not going to drag that thing along and ruin my vacaction. I want to wear my bathing suit without dome rings which by the way, the coach told me to wear sunscreen because where the domes make contact your skin will likely be easier to burn or tan and you don't want rings on your chest. It got really easy to wear and get a quick seal during my last few weeks. Too bad I had to stop. I am going to start another cycle in December or January when the weather is colder and I'm not outside as much in the evening. I would like to complete 16 weeks for my next cycle and hopefully build upon the little bit I gained the first time. It's worth sticking with it. I didn't get huge results by I am definintely more filled out and it's been 5 days since I last wore it. The sleepless nights and difficulty getting a seal are now a distant memory.
Edit Message Delete Message
Louise
(no login) Re: Help---Can't get a seal. June 14 2007, 4:28 PM
What are your underbust measurement and are you using the wide or the narrow domes?
I put my measurements into the US site and it said I was borderline, I've been repeating my measurements all week as I get up to 1 inch variation (I finf it really hard to keep the tape measure at the same level all round)and didn't want to give the wrong info when ordering. I phoned Brava today as I was worried about measurements being unreliable and the lady advised me the underbust measurement is the most important and up to 29 ins should use narrow domes otherwise they don't seal properly under the armpit.
Edit Message Delete Message
Lucy
(no login) Re: Help---Can't get a seal. June 15 2007, 1:04 AM
Louise, I need to remeasure as I didn't have a tape measure when I ordered. I used a ribbon, then stretched it onto a yardstick. That may be my problem, domes too wide for my chest. I am 5'8, 125 lbs and 12 inches across from armpit to armpit. I normally am a barely B cup, so I do have small boobs, not entirely flat. I have the wide large domes. I will definitely try to remeasure this weekend. Thanks and good luck to you.
Edit Message Delete Message
Louise
(Login Louise1982)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Help---Can't get a seal. June 15 2007, 11:05 AM
Also, the measuring instructions are different on the UK and US sites and so are the dome size categories. Where are you based?
Ordering mine this afternoon - fingers crossed x
June 5 2007 at 11:52 PM Lucy (no login)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can you experienced ladies help me. Last night, I could not get my domes to seal. The only thing that I did differently was that I took a shower and did not use the Brava cleanser. Do you think that could have been it. I finally got a seal after about 30 minutes of repositioning. I reapplied skin prep, waited 10 minutes, tried everything! My seal only lasted an hour and woke up at midnight with it broken. I was so tired and aggravated that I didn't even try again. Now, I'm back to square one! These things cost too much to give up. I also noticed that my silicone rim is torn on the right side, but not through to the inside, from constantly tugging it down to trying to get a seal. When I get the domes in the proper front position, they stick out past the sides of my body at the underarm area. It seems we need tentacles to hold everything that needs help while suction is obtained! Any tips will be appreciated.
Author Reply
diana
(Login Diana1978)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Help---Can't get a seal. June 6 2007, 2:08 PM
I dont use any of the products brava makes. i jr bend over and press them on my chest and suck out the air with my mouth to create a good seal then hook up the box and zip up the bra. good luck
Edit Message Delete Message
lexy
(no login) Re: Help---Can't get a seal. June 6 2007, 3:50 PM
but be carefull with the sucction. too much can harm u on short and long term. good luck
Edit Message Delete Message
Seri_Flamehair
(Login Seri_Flamehair)
SENIOR MEMBER ripped domes June 6 2007, 10:06 PM
if they are less than a month old quickly call brava and get em replaced.
Edit Message Delete Message
livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: Help---Can't get a seal. June 13 2007, 12:19 PM
I had trouble at first too. I found that sticking and unsticking them makes it harder. Wait the full 10 minutes for the prep to dry. I actually took and pen and made a mark on my skin 1 1/2" below the crease. Then I leaned forward and placed the bottom of the dome there and flared out the sides and lightly pressed down on the rim. I then held the dome in place with one arm and attached one end of the T-tubing. I then did the same with the other dome and attached the other end of the tubing. At this point the bra is around my waist and not pulled up. I press again lightly on each side where they see to have air escape by my ribs and turn on the sportbox and attach to filter. Stand very still and while the pump is running look in the mirror and check if you need to press against the sides again while trying to hold the domes against you with your arm. You'll gradually feel the domes seem to tighten against you and when the pump shuts off, pull up the bra and slide your arms through. It's not exactly how Brava says to do it, but it worked for me. Sometimes is takes up to the 10 minutes. I mostly had irritation on my skin near my armpt area and found that when I kept sticking and unsticking the domes to avoid that area, it made it more uncomfortable. The rims expand and really move up and out after they've been on a while. Try to sleep with the pillows under you arms and you may need to point out your elbows or bend at your elbows to find a comfortable sleeping position.
Edit Message Delete Message
Lucy
(no login) Re: Help---Can't get a seal. June 13 2007, 7:35 PM
Thanks so much Livinonaprayer! All advice is appreciated. I had a coaching session yesterday, but it really didn't help much. They seem to think that every body fits into these little monsters the same way. WRONG! When I flare out the rims and press down on the domes with my elbows out, I have a gap large enough to fit my thumb in on each side under the arms. The only way I can get it to seal is to turn on the pump and alternately press my thumbs back far enough to sort of wipe the rims down while the pump is running. Eventually it will seal and will now stay sealed if I wear a sports bra rather than the Brava bra. The Brava coach insists that I shouldn't have to do this. I can wear it for only 10 hours, by then I am absolutely miserable. The domes get tighter and tighter as the night goes by and by the 10th hour my underarms are screaming for mercy. I suppose that is normal since it seems everyone has trouble in that area. I'm still hoping it will get easier in a few days. I'm averaging about 4-5 hours of solid sleep at a time now, whereas before I was awake all night with blown out seals! Thanks again, Lucy
Edit Message Delete Message
livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: Help---Can't get a seal. June 13 2007, 9:46 PM
Believe me, you will sleep better. I started out with only an hour or so of sleep at a time waking up constantly. I even had a panic attack and was shivering and all upset. My husband said chill out and quit holding your breath! I later started getting about 4 - 5 hours of sleep at a time and as the weeks went by I wouldn't even wake up except maybe once and then would fall right back asleep. Also, the more weeks you wear the domes, they seem to fit better under the arms and mold to your body better. I agree though, sometimes they feel really tight like they're pressing down on you. I just finished 11 weeks and wanted to do more but we're going on vacation and I'm not going to drag that thing along and ruin my vacaction. I want to wear my bathing suit without dome rings which by the way, the coach told me to wear sunscreen because where the domes make contact your skin will likely be easier to burn or tan and you don't want rings on your chest. It got really easy to wear and get a quick seal during my last few weeks. Too bad I had to stop. I am going to start another cycle in December or January when the weather is colder and I'm not outside as much in the evening. I would like to complete 16 weeks for my next cycle and hopefully build upon the little bit I gained the first time. It's worth sticking with it. I didn't get huge results by I am definintely more filled out and it's been 5 days since I last wore it. The sleepless nights and difficulty getting a seal are now a distant memory.
Edit Message Delete Message
Louise
(no login) Re: Help---Can't get a seal. June 14 2007, 4:28 PM
What are your underbust measurement and are you using the wide or the narrow domes?
I put my measurements into the US site and it said I was borderline, I've been repeating my measurements all week as I get up to 1 inch variation (I finf it really hard to keep the tape measure at the same level all round)and didn't want to give the wrong info when ordering. I phoned Brava today as I was worried about measurements being unreliable and the lady advised me the underbust measurement is the most important and up to 29 ins should use narrow domes otherwise they don't seal properly under the armpit.
Edit Message Delete Message
Lucy
(no login) Re: Help---Can't get a seal. June 15 2007, 1:04 AM
Louise, I need to remeasure as I didn't have a tape measure when I ordered. I used a ribbon, then stretched it onto a yardstick. That may be my problem, domes too wide for my chest. I am 5'8, 125 lbs and 12 inches across from armpit to armpit. I normally am a barely B cup, so I do have small boobs, not entirely flat. I have the wide large domes. I will definitely try to remeasure this weekend. Thanks and good luck to you.
Edit Message Delete Message
Louise
(Login Louise1982)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Help---Can't get a seal. June 15 2007, 11:05 AM
Also, the measuring instructions are different on the UK and US sites and so are the dome size categories. Where are you based?
Ordering mine this afternoon - fingers crossed x