post op bras

Can anyone please offer me advice about size of post op bra to get and sports bra too . Unfortunately I went two sizes up from my 30E with two bras from M&S . In hospital my Consultant said I would need a different size bra because he said he could see there was not enough support . So on his advice about getting a sports bra instead my friend went into M&s and got me a sports bra 32 F or G as advised . when she brought it to me it was miles too small .  I had experienced an internal bleed and had internal oedema post op and required a second op so I could have been more swollen then but I still have not been able to sort anything out . I called into my local Asda on way home from hospital thinking Id maybe be better trying one on , but they had no sports bras at all on display and unfortunately it was too much for me going straight into supermarket straight from hospital . Iv had mastectomy and recon ( diep , using both sides ) hence I could hardly walk at all after first five mins . I was totally exhausted . I have been informed the complications I had post  op were not common and I had been given four units of blood because my HB was so low , hence poor levels of energy at moment . I am stuck now having to order on line and would appreciate any tips on bras , whether sizes differ if post op bra or maternity or sports . Many thanks xx

Hi Steph,

I am sorry to hear your energy levels are low at the moment. I am sure users will be along to share their advice on post-op bras soon. I have moved your post to our ‘Living with Breast cancer’ board in order to give users more of a chance to see it and respond.

In the meantime you can always use our Ask the Nurse service or call our helpline on 0808 800 6000, who will be able to talk you through any questions you have and offer a friendly ear. The opening hours are below.

Monday - Friday, 9am-7pm

Late opening Wednesday, 9am-7pm

Saturday, 9am-1pm

All the best,

Bonita

Hi Steph,

I’m having a reduction and uplift on my good side on Monday.  I had therapeutic mamoplasty & SNB this time last year. I have 2 zip-fronted sports bras from Asda which I used last year (and still do with my prosthesis) but as I’ll be going down in size I was out today looking for new zip front sports bras.  Asda had none like my old ones. Found one in Matalan and have ordered another online from Amazon.  The rule of thumb seems to be go up a back size and maybe down a cup size or stay the same!  The zip fronted bras from Asda were 36F while my normal bras were 34G.  My left breast (were the tumour was) is now around a D/DD cup size so the bra I got from Matalan is a 36DD, I’ve also ordered a 36DD from Amazon tonight. Reading the reviews for the bra from Amazon most seemed to agree with going up a back size to your normal bra gives the best fit.

Matalan also do some comfy pull on crop tops which are ideal for sleeping in.

In terms of normal bras I found the Debenhams post surgery & mastectomy bras to be really good and closest to my normal bra size with pockets for my prosthesis. 

Hope this helps.  Good luck on the bra search!

Luv Vik xx

Hi Steph,

Thank you :slight_smile: and apologies for the delay in getting back to you, been dashing around getting my Christmas shopping finished and presents all wrapped because after tomorrow’s surgery I don’t intend to do much except recover.

I would imagine the swelling you’re experiencing will go down but I would definitely check with your breast care nurse and confirm it all looks ok for 2 weeks post surgery.  I’m expecting to wear my sports bra for about 4-5 weeks after my operation maybe longer if the scarring is tender. The front fastening sports bras are easiest to manage straight after your operation so you are not reaching around to fasten your bra at the back.

SNB is a sentinel node biopsy,  the sentinel nodes are the first few lymph nodes which a tumour might spread to. They remove these and test them to check if the cancer has spread. I was very lucky and my lymph nodes were clear.  Good luck for your histology results and with your recovery.

There are so many threads on this site and so many people to offer support, it really is a life line for all us in similar situations.

All the best, luv Vik x

Hi Steph,  

 

Sorry to hear you have been having difficulties.

 

Like you I have had a bit of a trial trying to track down any suitable bras.  Most suppliers seem to stop at D or DD cup!  

 

I did manage to get a reasonable soft bra with a pocket for the softie from Asda but online.  I also tried the M&S post op sports bra but it was far too small and I haven’t bothered to try the bigger size.  My nurse suggested taking the wires out of one of my existing bras.  I went to John Lewis for a proper fitting but their stock didn’t do my cup size in post-op bras.

 

I was told bra extenders would be useful to make existing bras looser and give some size flexibility.  You have to check with these that the spacing between the hooks are the same as your bra - the extenders vary.  Bra shops and haberdashers sell them and I spotted them in Waitrose too.  

 

I have been using an “Ooh La bra” that I bought online from Easy Life Group.  It’s like a stretchy crop top with a bit of shaping for the breast.  The side where I had the mastectomy just stays unstretched and close to the skin.  It has been great and I have been using it when I go for scans too.  I tried to get some more before my op but they are out of stock in my size at the moment.  These are soft enough to wear at night too.  They also do other similar soft bras.

 

Two weeks after surgery I am tender under the bustline so haven’t yet succeeded with the other bras I have.  I expected to need more support for my remaining breast being F cup, but the seroma I have on the site of the op keeps refilling with fluid and as I move the fluid sloshes about under my skin so once I can tolerate a firmer bra I think it will help with the “tidal” movement!

 

A friend has suggested amoena.com/uk-en/accessories/post-surgery-recovery-care.  Again it is online ordering but may be worth a look.

 

Good luck and speedy recovery!

Hello dear . I am trying to find a bra that supports my post op breast , now a smallish D, and my "normal " breast a fairly full E, I will be seeing my surgeon on Thursday to see if he could reduce my normal side to Mach up with the smaller one, 

although a prosthetic has been suggested to even me up . 

I don’t want to undergo another anaesthetic unless there’s no other option. Meanwhile I feel very aware of my lopsided front so I am wearing billowing cloths and cardigans 

Ruth

Hi Ruth, I bought my post op bra in M&S, it’s non wired and had hidden pockets to insert any padding to equal out the breasts if required.  Not too expensive either.