I’ve given up trying to get a bra that feels really comfortable - now I settle for ‘will do at a push’ fit.
i’ve had a lumpectomy , Lymphs done and rads and am still struggling to get a bra that is comfortable around the lymph area - whats the secret - sick off doing a hatchet job on some really nice bras.
Post surgery bras seem to concentrate on the ‘boob’ area with no attention given to the underarm area. Needless to say underwire is out of the question have tried persevering with these cos they give a nice support to my 40DD but all they do is give me swelling and extreme soreness. So am back to soft bras but they are cut too high under the arm - I cannot be the only one with this problem. Anyone know of a bra designer who could do us all a favour?
There’s another thread that mentions “About a girl”, if you look at their website the designer is actively looking for suggestions, comments etc, so that could be the perfect place to start!
Yes A great idea.Had blinking ‘very generous WLE’ according to surgeon. And am FF too but quite little around the back. Am having to stick with Bravissimo at the mo inc. the underwires. Great’about the girl’ lovely site but not for big cup gals and don’t even go there with the axilla Jxx
Agree that most post surgery bras do not seem to cater for the more generously endowed of us (FF/G cup and above) esp.under a 40 back measurement. Would really like to see M&S give more thought to larger ladies re size, colours and styles in their post surgery range. I can only get a flesh coloured bra in an under wired style and like Lazydaisy I find the wires leave me with some swelling after more than a couple of hours wear. Must have spent almost £200 on underwear since dx.July 09! Marli
Sorry Chocomuffin abit thick today cannot find the link you mentioned need your help.
Marli dont know where your based but if your near Cambridge try M S there and ask for Maggie in the fitting rooms 2nd floor she spent ages with me on Thursday and really tried to get the ‘best fit’ not her fault these bras come up too high under the arm. I used to be FF/G and have managed to lose some weightand gone down to a D/DD but really sympathise with this problem
Try royce-lingerie.co.uk/. I’ve had several very comfy bras from them, intended as post-mastectomy but comfortable for anyone post-surgery and they haven’t irritated my SNB scar.
Sarah x
I was told to go to M&S but being a 38F their mx bras were no good!!
I’m not sure where you live ladies but I ended up going to a small lingerie shop in Melbourne Derbyshire and they stock a really good range of mx bras. I was fitted by a lady who had had an mx so really understood my problems. My bras are by Anita and they do have a website, they are not cheap but are good because they fit are comfy and actually hold the other one up so no need for wires.
Hope this helps…
Fluffy xx
Hi All,
I would reccomend Women Zone to any of you in the Warrington area, the ladies are fantastic and spend time to ensure you have the right stlye and fit of bra. I was anywhere from a DD to an F depending on who measured me and they managed to fit me with some nice bras. They also helped me to choose the right stlye of swim suit and made one to fit me for a very reasonable price.
Happy bra hunting!!
Jano xx
HI there, Royce were the best for me for the underarm pain - but also in the “COnfident Choice” BCC leaflet there are suggestions of bra suppliers that I had never heard of on the back page - one might be just what you are after,
bw Nicola
i feel like i have moved to bra hell!.. before my MX i was 34 A/B depending on style, I wanted to try on a post surgery bra before i brought one . Local M&S doesnt stock post surgery, so went from weymouth to exeter to try! On taking some bras to the M&S lingery fitting rooms and asking for help i was asked if it was for maternity, so had to point out in front of queue that no i was post surgery…then got told off because i wasnt yet 6 weeks post surgery anyway found a bra i like that was sim to what i would have worn before, but they didnt have my size. size was out of stock on website, but found bath M&S had one in stock!!! so another trip and a £30 fine for going in a bus lane! BUT i do now have 2 bras!!!
I had an hour in town to myself this morning as my OH had a lengthy dental appointment. I’ve been meaning to get measured for ages as I’m another who is struggling to get comfy bras without wiring (I seem to spend all of my time in sports bras). I went to a shop that sells really good makes and the fitter was really patient. I’ve been wearing a 36C for years, but I now have the problem that the breast I’ve had cancer in is a bit higher than the other. Anyway, I’ve now established I should be wearing a 36D. I asked for bras with decent straps and a deeper side so I’m not hanging over.
I know this sounds really matronly, but I bought 2 Triumph Doreen’s (wish they’d change the name lol!). Years ago, I worked with a lady who swore by this bra and she would buy them by the armful every time Selfridges in London had a sale. Got to admit, this bra has given me a really nice shape and is very comfy and supportive. The fitter said they are recommended for mastectomies as you don’t need a pocket for a prosthetic with them (her colleague has had a mastectomy). I was so comfy that I’ve ordered one in black and one in nude. I also now know the style of bra I should be looking for is one with a fuller cup and have been searching the internet for some alternatives that look a wee bit more sexy.
The downside is they are about £27 each, but I’ve had Triumph bras before and they are really good. This model doesn’t have anything matching, but they are easy to match up with plain knickers or boy shorts. I’ve also found a soft cotton version and some in colours like dark purple. The fitter told me they don’t sell the colours to shops, they are produced for catalogue companies.
Must say I was impressed with the service at John Lewis, very understanding and sympathetic. Apparently they have a fitter at each branch, trained to help post-surgery ladies (and no I have no connection whatsoever with J.L.!) It was they who put me on to Royce post-mastectomy and comfort bras and I haven’t looked back since. I now have several pretty AND comfortable bras - hooray!
Sarah x
I get the Amoena magazine sent to me, also a copy of the catalogue and am thinking about treating myself to a couple of bits from there. I’d really like something pretty for when I’m dressed up - most days my work wardrobe is just jeans and shirts or tops as I’m working from home. Sadly, I have a drawer full of frothy undies from before BC. Some still have the price tags on and I can’t wear them
I have had the same problem - had a lumpectomy and SNB and left with lopsided dented boob and underarm scar. Now two years on and had exactly the same problem with getting a bra which didn’t aggravate the SNB scar and had to be low cut underarm.
I wouldn’t bother with M&S - not found them very helpful so far. I went to my local old fashioned independent department store where they have a lingerie department and got myself measured and fitted. I was shocked that before surgery I was wearing a 36C, during surgery a baggy soft 38C and after surgery a 36DD - not quite sure how that happened and didn’t believe her when she said I was a DD but she was right! I explained the problem and she went out into the department and selected a whole range of bras and helped me fit them correctly and select the best. Being a lingerie department I had a whole range of different brands to choose from and I have now a couple of Triumph and a Passionata - lovely lacey things and not the huge ‘boulder holders’ I was expecting. They are underwired but the wires are low on the sides and don’t aggravate the scar. Also slightly padded to hide the dent and the nipples pointing in different directions! I’ve just had the SNB scar re-excised and two days after surgery I was back in the bras with no trouble.
Didnt’ even cost too much cos the lady even selected bras which were on offer and then deducted 20% for having them fitted. I went back to get a basque for my wedding fitted last year - she was just as helpful in finding something which looked really good and was comfortable.
All the pre-surgery bras have been binned. Expensive but necessary.
Well it’s not just me then! I’m seeing my surgeon in a months time and will raise the subject of SNB scaring and the on going problems some of us are still having. Dont really see the need for most bras to be cut quite so high but hey ho thats just me. I’ve also looked at the recommeded site Jo BCN has advised but predictably it doesnt address the issue of the SNB cut sooooooo I’m now on a mission!!
Happy hunting girls - Steph
I always had problems getting a bra to fit “flat chest” but since my op last August I find it impossible. I had wide local excision to left breast where I’d had op 20yrs previously thus changing shape considerably. I want to know can odd shaped breasts be catered for in a bra and who do I get I get in touch with?
I came to terms with the fact that I was less well endowed than most but I am now having problems with the fact that I now feel l
Any advice please? I have one misshaped left breast due to surgery and a large over weight middle due to med s/e of hormone treatment, can I purchase a bra which will help me feel normal? and where from? I live in Shetland and attend hospital in Aberdeen
