Number of bras!

I am the same, I think my advice now would be to google mastectomy bras and get one second hand. I had a reconstruction and I don’t wear a bra now.

Seagulls

I am a mere novice - have just bought my first post op bra, my mastectomy is planned for early Feb.

So, last week I began the search for the post-op bra. Got a very nice comfy front fastening one from Nicola Jane. I did like the look of their mastectomy bras and swimwear (can’t believe I just said that) for the future - some pretty and quite nice styles. But for now I need to concentrate on the post op wear, thanks for the recommendations here, I am inspired to shop !

1 Like

I hope it’ll be really comfy and you won’t need any more :pray::hugs:

Thank you for the chuckle :hugs:. I have lymphoedema and a bra that is comfortable in the morning is agony by late afternoon - 3 years in I am still trying to find The One. And don’t get me started on compression sleeves - they don’t even offer black in my size so my arm looks like Laura Batty’s legs :rofl:

Well… I tidied my undies drawers as I have a new chest of drawers with more room.

I’ve put 6 soft magic bras in a charity bag. Never liked how they made my boob look and my silicone falsie is not supported so heads to my belly button.

Then there are 2 gym bras.

Then 5 mastectomy bras with pockets on both sides from Amazon from a brand I liked before BC.

The beige ones are getting a bit tatty after nearly 3 years so I’ve just bought 4 Amoena bras in their sale (refuse to pay full price). 2 of them are nearly as good as wired bras - some of my pre-BC ones (the most comfortable) I got pocketed. I’ve also bought 3 M&S soft-style wired bras and got them pocketed too.

Phew! I’ve not run put of fingers and toes totting that little lot up. It equates to 1 bra every 2 months.

:rofl: nearly as many as me, and I’m only 4 weeks post op.
I stuffed all my “normal” pretty wired bras in a drawer so I can’t see them every morning :disappointed:

1 Like

So true about the end of the day. By evening I can only bear super soft pyjamas and minimal bra idge :rofl:

Sloggi zero feel, very comfortable and have removable cups so you can insert prosthetics. They also have matching knickers😀

Cancer Research mastectomy bra absolutely brilliant. Soft and comfy.

I bought ridiculous amount of bras and tops , one or two were great post mastectomy . I spent a fortune . One year later I discovered boost a lightweight silicon prosthesis that fits into my normal bras and is great for swimming . No more heavy inserts .
I have resurrected my old bras and bought new “normal” bras :blush:

1 Like

That’s bad luck but I always hated my breast conservation surgery it looked worse than the reconstruction I have now. I had 36A breasts at least I thought I had - when I went to a bra fitting at a specialist shop I was 34B most common size I believe ! Seagulls

1 Like

I have 4. 3 from Amazon, no underwire or seams on the bottom, $25 ea. I wish there were no seams at all. So I bought one from Knix. No more comfortable and 3x’s the cost at $77. So I returned it.

As a mastectomy bra fitter I hear/see this a lot & have fitted ladies over the years who have come to see me, equipped with a carrier bag full of varying sized and styled new bras ….
The trick is to get a good fitting & try to follow advice, as there are various stages to the bra fit cycle.

Surgery - 6/8 weeks
post surgery bra -
as bulky as they are, they give you the best start, which is so important in the early days of surgery. (3 compression types depending on medical need)

6/8 weeks to 16 weeks (if healed well, no complications)
First fit bra -
still needing wide sides ( to offer support to help reduce lymphoedema risk) ,
no lace ( to not irritate scar tissue or sensitive areas),
wide straps for comfort & good fabric support at this point is still highly important.

16 weeks - onwards ( if healed and no complications)
Fashion bra -
thinner straps
Sides not so wide
lace and prettier designs with varying fabrics can be Introduced.

I know from my ladies in the past that the wait for fashion bras can seem huge … but it really is the best way to give your body the best chance of healing the scar tissue.

6 months but preferably wait a year ( unless you have been advised that you can’t return to wire by your medical team)
Underwired fashion bra -
Good quality Mastectomy wired bras are made of silicone, they offer the same effect as wire but are much gentler, they offer a more familiar feel & style to pre surgery.
Both wired & non wired fashion bras have many designs that come with matching pants too :slight_smile:

I hope that gives a little insight :slight_smile:

Miss match bra & breast prosthetic fittings

7 Likes

Hi I am just coming into my 4 year Cancer free. I had a double Mastectomy Jan 2020 and found getting bras to fit was a nightmare. I now live in ones from Sainsburys, zip front with nice wide shoulders and a comfy stretchy band under the bust. None of my bras are post surgery as they were so uncomfortable.
I spent a fortune on trying to find ones to fit.

1 Like

Your post made me chuckle…I’m on bras 6 and 7. I’ve gotten all mine from M&S - the front fastening post-op bra (£20 I think without VAT). They are really comfy and gave me enough clearance from my scar under my armpit from axillary clearance. What I’ve found is that after about 4.5weeks (when you’re wearing them 24hrs) the velcro starts to not work. Hope that helps :slightly_smiling_face:

1 Like

There’s a gap in the market! Invest in good looking lymphoedema wear and make people a bit happier maybe a lot happier.

Seagulls

2 Likes

Love this, thought it was just me!!! After bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction all the old pretty ones are out and In with the challenging smaller ones!!! Tried several before during and after, still waiting to see what happens when I get inflated again!! What fun!!

Having tried several and going down quite a few cup sizes it’s been challenging!! Found pink Ribbon lingerie the best fit for post surgery front fastening. Since healing a bit more managed to find a cpl of soft bras but have gone up a band size due to shape of reconstruction but only a b cup and the two are really hard to find!!! Hoping to go up to a c after the chemo. Never needed a padded cup before and the b was too big!!! Oh the fun of it all…, hang on in there ladies, I think we need to create our own website bra swap!!! X

1 Like

I had a (left side) mastectomy in March last year. Since then , I’ve found my underwired bras very uncomfortable. I’ve designated most to the charity shop (after crying over some which were particularly pretty and/or expensive. )
Like many others, since then I have been on the hunt for a comfortable and supportive bra. I was told by the hospital “bra fitter” that Asda have a very good reputation although I haven’t yet tried them myself.
My latest purchase was at M&S called a Flexi fit crop top - cost £22 and sizes according to your dress size
Having not had good results in the past with this type of bra, I was dubious that this one would be any better, but I had seen some reviews saying this bra is very comfortable.
I’m a 42 D and in the past, found that crop top styles don’t give me enough support nor are they comfortable.
However…I have been delighted with this bra; it doesn’t ride up, its comfortable and supportive, it has pockets for my prosthesis - I bought one of these at M&S too, it’s a foam one and even has a nipple!. It comes with removable padded cups too - I removed these as I didn’t want to add to my bust!

3 Likes

Good idea re bra swap. I have loads of bras I need to get rid of.

1 Like

M&S do fantastic wirefree bra…beautifuly comfortable.
Large rum&cokes…so loved by the BC!