I bought two Sainsburys front zip ones for night time wear and two front fastening from Cancer Research UK (own brand). Can recommend them! The M&S ones were uncomfortable under the bust and rolled into sausage and dug in - horrible!! I hope this helps. Xx
I’m still wearing my M+S ones though some are now the worse for wear as I’ve had them for so long but went to a shop that stocks Anita and got another bra which fits well and is comfy for half price. It’s surprising how one style of bra will fit some people but not others.
I am quite broad in the back - even more so since I’ve been swimming regularly and nothing in most high street stores fits me and M+S were a godsend for me after surgery because they go up to 42+ 44 back. I’ve given all my wired ones away - they gave a good silhouette but were never comfy and every single one I owned M+S or otherwise had straps that slipped off the shoulder and left me with no support . Since my op that’s a no no - 2 years on still most uncomfortable without proper support.
I guess I’m past the age where a glamorous bra is the most important thing and though I do have some pretty ones and matching knickers as well in some cases , comfort and practicality are now my priorities . Wow that sounds sad doesn’t it 
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Not sad at all … comfort is everything but you want to feel like you too!
Generally a tweak in size and style combined with a fitting from a trained professional should help you find comfort, combined with your style 
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I have found modesty panels (which you attach to bra straps) really useful. This has allowed me to wear my v-neck tops to work without being self-conscious after radiotherapy. Also avoids risk of sunburn. Delighted to have found a sewing pattern online. Really easy to make. Have also just made myself a bra liner (thanks Tamoxifen for the hot flushes…).Let’s see if that works. Both modesty panel and bra liner straight forward to sew. I have a sewing machine but think could be handsewn.
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Thank you @Vibby for a great topic! I ordered two of the Sainsbury’s zip front bras after reading all the replies… amazing quality and great value!! Can I ask if you remove the padding please? Thank you xx
Hiya,
I left the padding in, but found I needed to sort it out after each wash !!
I’ve not graduated to Sainsbury’s lacy bralette styles. Very pretty with matching knickers.
I could probably try my wired styles again now (4 months post lumpectomy), but weirdly enough I’m not really rushing too.
Maybe I’m giving my poor old boob a break from wires and padding after it’s had such a rough time 
Hi @Vibby I think I will be scared to go back to my pre BC wired bras. Mine were push up too, so not the most comfortable. I also need to lose some weight after all this, I have gained over a stone since my diagnosis in December xx
I’m worried about buying bras I’m a 34g and can’t find many on the market my size 
M+S post surgery bras go up to H cup and are reasonably priced. If you order online they automatically deduct VAT at the checkout . I would really recommend them . I don’t know what surgery you are having - I had lumpectomy and could theoretically go back to ordinary bras but have stuck with my comfortable post surgery bras and have managed to find a couple of attractive looking ones . The other company I like is Anita / Nicola Jane. For the first 48 hours I wore a cheap crop top from Amazon with a 10 year old M+S secret support vest over the top . For the first couple of weeks don’t try to wear anything too pretty or white in case you get any wound leakage ( though I didn’t have any ) go for comfort and support just buy one or maximum two in advance so you have something to go into for support . Then you can work out what style will work best for you and go from there xx
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Thank you I’m having an MRI on Tuesday as I have lobular breast cancer so still unsure if it will be a full mastectomy or lumpectomy
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you xx
You will be ok. I am 36G and had surgery in October and radiotherapy Jan/Feb. I agree with @JoanneN that M&S post-surgery bras are good. You can also find them on ebay in lingerie outlet. I found Primark XL surgery bra did not give enough support but was useful when I realised other bra cutting into scar below underarm. A variety is what you need. After radiotherapy, I found looser less supportive bras comfortable, including one from Poundland! A few months down the track, I still wear some of the bras and also now like M&S wild bloom non-wired bras. Also Triumph Doreen. Thinking of you @springtime1
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I’m confused about the Sainsburys bra… is it a normal bra? I presume for post op (right side masectomy) that I need one that can hold the softie they give me?
I think it’s the one I bought from Sainsburys. The front zip one. There are thin pads inside a pocket. The pads should be removed from the pockets before washing the bra. There is a slit of 2 or 3 cm to remove the thin pad. In order to get my softie in and out of the pocket I carefully unpicked some of the stitches to make the opening double the size. Obviously you’d need to secure the end of the extended opening.
Six months on from my mastectomy I still find the £10 Sainsburys front zip bra really the most comfortable.
The sizing is s/m/l/xl. I’m usually a 36C, and the large fits me perfectly.
I hope this has been of use for you x
Black white or grey.
Ps That’s not me in the picture!
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Hi, I have just seen your post. Struggling to get bras and not even had surgery yet! Please could you explain what you mean by a ‘boost’ prosthesis ? I have seen several types advertised. Lynne
I’m on 8! Three of them are too small, a couple are too uncomfortable. I’m 3 months post DIEP surgery and I am struggling to find the most comfortable bra for everyday wear, I’m still wearing the best fitting one from Nicola Jane. I wore an underwired bra yesterday because I was wearing a dress with a deep V neckline and the NJ zip showed above it…definitely not a good look! I’ve gone braless a couple of times when wearing a closer fitting (thick fabric!) jumpsuit. Just one more thing we have to think about…
Ive used these bras from Amazon and they are cotton - so soft. they also do some with pockets now https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gemm-Front-Fastening-Surgery-Cotton/dp/B09RX3GWFV/ref=sr_1_7?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BnXKfkIVhEiRP5XWyiRZOxNwetvYtco3emcW7TLTk9IrHBCN7FnDaFwd_AtcTUj8qFhY_eoTT1ZopVMrFq6vSk7E65FLGHoJOFRftNipSZlfJ59BT-32mw0immQvPRSyIojISymNKH28tbxui9nb-0_K8dyZL6WHZMJrBnEXzX7b5ZXMLNeh0rmC62MXMObCbWibVJhb2mE_Vpi1DbKR7-sl9ZTkMdr2hrt_NkPg9QevSSpP6Onf0dDqys_42iOd8CBtlgQb5MDb0H4tibY9W3PfZFZI-xdxDUTijaycFec.7_9R7RI47lmSakLPPWB60D9y86Fnkl0EQDzCmxLVdto&dib_tag=se&keywords=gemm+bras+gem&qid=1721987976&sr=8-7
Woohoo! Thank god I’ve found this thread! Expecting mastectomy in about 2 months and I’m opening for a double to hopefully reduce risk of recurrence in the other breast. I’ve been looking high and wide for bras for post surgery as even though I won’t have anything that needs covering or supporting so to speak but I want to still wear something like a bandeau with straps and something sexy like a lace piece to cover the scars when I’m cough cough intimate cough cough with my partner. He has assured me many MANY times that the lack of breasts will absolutely not put a strain on our intimacy in the bedroom but I still want to do something for me to keep my confidence, femininity and security. I’m oh so incredibly precious of all that now since the pesky diagnosis.
Can I find sexy lace bandeaus anywhere… nope! I’ve even considered making them myself 
Anyway, I’ll be right back - gonna go take notes from the suggestions in this thread and do some more internet searching 
Hope you ladies are all doing ok and are in good spirits. Sending lots of love
Some of the Bralette bras I’ve seen on M+S and elsewhere don’t seem to have much if any depth of cup to them but are lacy and pretty - maybe worth a look ? Xx
Ah really? Thanks for the tip. I’ll definitely go for a look. I actually found one today in my next outlet for £3 a little underwired bralette with a little depth and a lot of fabric, I thought I could gather it in the middle and make it look a little more structured. Hoping the underwire will keep in in place on my chest so I don’t end up with a collarbone decoration