Morning everyone
I am having a double MX on Tuesday 24th August, with immediate reconstruction (which includes expander implants)
I have not been given any advice about what sort of bras (if any) to take with me? I have been told that the expander implant should be injected with about 50mls of saline following the op so I shall still be fairly flat. I wondered what sort of bras would be most comfortable?
Thank you
Shenagh xx
Hi Shenagh
I had a MX done 13 of last month with a saline expander put in. The day after sugery they came and fitted me with a bra. Very sexy sports bra holds everything in. The size was my normal size, due to the good breast. Before going in I bought some bras from M&S with no wires ( not allowed wires) They only have a small range , buy in sets of two. Comes in colours grey/white, white/black and pink very nice and BCN said they where ok. Could not stand wearing sports bra day and night.
As for the expander I have been topped up now 3 times. twice in hospital and then again last week. After surgery they put enough fluid in to look ok but not so the skin is pulled, then gradually put more in to the amount of breast the took out. I am so pleased with it. It looks amazing. I have a 10yr old Daughter and a partner (relationship only two yrs old) and have felt so comfortable letting them see my breast.
Hope this helps you.
Margaret xx
Amoena.co.uk has a good range of post of bras, I had a front fastening one which was great. I still use it now when going to appointments as it is so easy to wear. Good Luck. Tina
Hi Shenagh,
I had LD recon with expander implants nearly 4 weeks ago, and was told to bring in a sports bra one complete size bigger than usual and it would be put on after the surgery. This didnt happen, and it has only been in the last week that I have managed to wear a non-wired very soft bra. I think all hospital vary, do you have a BCN that could advise you? Good luck for the 24th.
Margaret, what does it feel like when the saline is injected in, is it very uncomfortable, I am having my first top up in two weeks time, and cant say that im looking forward to it!
Jacky
Hi
I only had a single mastectomy with a saline implant fitted. I brought 2 bras specifically for mastectomy’s that had little pockets for an implant. However immediately after the operation I couldn’t wear a bra as everything was tender. It took about a month before I could. Now I only wear a bra to ‘perk up’ the other side so I’m even, with a double you’ll be evenly perky so might not need one. I do use the bras I brought specially but I also took the underwire out of my usual bras (just one side) and they are fine.
Just one thing about what you look like as I was a bit shocked. It looks a bit like a cornish pasty to start with, a bit puckered but when it has been expanded it all evens out, so don’t be freaked out by it. Also filling with saline…the needle doesn’t hurt as the skin area is numb, but it does feel like you have a baby elephant on your chest!
Sue x
Hi Shenagh
I had a double mastectomy in March this year and then my tissue expanders were put in in April. I am currently having them filled with 50ml saline at a time, usually fortnightly and have been told it will take about 8 times. As far as wearing a bra goes - I don’t. I still find it too uncomfortable to wear one as I have swelling around my sides, but also do not need to wear one as the exanders support themselves! I do, however, occasionally wear a bra when I go out in the evening if I want to pad my bust out with some ‘chicken fillets’!!
Obviously everyone is different, but when I got over the initial thoughts of people thinking I looked weird (which i don’t think I did really), I found that I preferred not to wear a bra.
Hope this info is of some help to you and hope your op goes well.
Take care, Samm xx
Hi sue. Just read your post about saline filling and baby elephants! And just wondered how long it takes for the heavy feeling to wear off. And can you carry on as normal or do you need to rest. Sorry for all the questions.
Take care jacky
Hey Jacky, the feeling lasted 24 hours and I took good pain relief. Also when they were putting the saline in they were checking my discomfort level and stopped when it felt too tight
Sue x