Mastectomy & Post Surgery bras & swimwear

[Alison_46]

Thanks Beryl for the knitted knockers!!
I have to admit places like ASDA & debenhams are not very good once you get your proper prosthesis as the pockets aren't big enough. I've stuck with Nicola Jane and they have been great, I'm finding the weight of the prosthesis quite heavy at the moment and as I'm suffering with indigestion ( first cycle of chemo done!) it just feels a bit tight. Today have gone back to my softie and have requested a knitted knocker. 😀

[Matty2]

There's always these  well cheered me up loads (have posted it on another thread as well)

http://www.knittedknockersuk.com/

beryl x

[somerset]

When I was looking for post surgery bras/prostheses I wanted some advice and the opportunity to try different types. I found the BCC publication on Prostheses, Bras and Clothes (BCC 123 in the publications section) useful because it lists some of the specialists with shops and fitting services as well as online sites.  I used Nicola Jane and found them really helpful. Knowledgeable staff, good selection from different suppliers and invaluable to be able to try different things - I find it impossible to guess whether something which looks good online will work for me. They also know all about the VAT exemption - High St chains, as noted earlier on this thread, are not great in the stores anyway but the one I tried was also clueless on the VAT. I did look at Asda online a few times as they seem good value but they never had my size - as someone said earlier most sizes seem permanently sold out.

[rosie14]

Hi I had a double mx last July and as I live in Cyprus I used Nicola Jane onlin. To begin with I used the front opening bras but after a while decided they were unflattering and ordered some from M@S online. They are very pretty and have pockets in them and are also very we'll padded to give you a good figure. I had tissue expanders in, but even after inflations didn't fill the bra but it didn't collapse! I had to guess the size. I used to be 38dd and I purchased 36 c which are really too big. I fill the extra space a little bit by filling the pocket with some of the softie material I had from Nicloa Jane. Last week I had to have on e of the expanders removed so have just added more softie material to the insert. Nicola Jane provides a bag full of stuffing for the inserts and you can adjust the amount!
As for swim ware I ordered a swim suit for M@S online haven't been able to use it yet I do hope I will his year!!!

[Matty2]

My 'keep fit' thing was swimming. Have been told not to for 6 months as I had an implant but am also wondering about cossies. I am very much (now swelling is going down) lopsided and it will really show in cossie.

A friend uses her softy she was given immediately after mastectomy as her swimming boob, 

Oh yes and now she can has discovered a 'fetish' for super pretty bras

I've a long way to go!

Beryl x

[sherrifh]

HI there.  My name is Helene.  I am currently recovering from breast cancer for the second time, both reconstructions done using hip/bum area and tummy!  I bought an asda mastectomy bra and wore in the hospital and I was left with a horrible big red rub mark that removed some skin and was very sore.

I have a safina Anita bra and its wonderful.  I also bought Royce range as well as ensure you buy bra expanders they have been brilliant.

Helene

[drdspg]

Immediately post mastectomy I used Royce post surgery front fastening bras. They were very comfortable.

[Alison_46]

Hi Rachel
Think ASDA may only be online, most shops seem to have very little stock of mastectomy bras in store so always check out online. Also some are very frumpy 😥 my pink asda bra helps me to feel normalish! Lol
Xx

[rachel.collins99@talktalk.net]

Thankyou Alison😊...I'll take a look in Asdas next time I'm in and also look at Nicola Jane.Im very surprised that M&S didn't have more for you 😕Xx

[Alison_46]

Rachel - I was told 6 weeks post op. Do try asda, it will depend on the size that you want but they had a couple in larger sizes. My problem with being a G cup size is places like m & s only have 1 option & it's not very pretty.😞
Jillybee - At least at specialist shops like Nicola Jane they are used to seeing ladies like us. I hadn't even thought of that!! As I said m& s no good for me but good luck in your search 😀
Xx

[rachel.collins99@talktalk.net]

Hi ladies....thought id join this thread,as also been having difficulty deciding what to wear since my single masectomy 2 weeks ago....I use my softie at the mo,with a sports bra,but sometimes feel a bit odd,as my other boob needs support!Was going to try Asdas,but not sure if they will have any in stock by the sounds of it,my sister is getting me M and S vouchers for my birthday next week,so may treat myself to a support bra thats pretty:)

when do you get given a proper gel type prothesis?

Rachelxxx

[jillybee]

When I asked about post op bras following mastectomy,in Marks and Spencer was informed that no one was specially trained and"we think they know what we want"......did make a complaint,and got sorted.It is not just the fitting it is what they may be faced with and it's emotional as well.

[keepmumsane]

Im still uncomfortable in a shelf camisole thingy, that elastic catches just the wrong bit,.but after I took most of the stuffing out if my softie, put a suitably weighted pebble in there.(age 45 Im a DDlong ..) ..it looked disturbingly like nothing had ever happened. actually hated it, although the one boob look is not glamorous either 😉

However...to swim I would cheerfully wear it ..

I threw away my underwire bras after the first biopsy..actually used the hooks on them for costume sewing 🙂

[Alison_46]

Sandie - I had single mastectomy, when I wear my soft post op (vest like) bra I look very lopsided with my natural boob somewhat droopy. Have always worn underwired bras for support, with asda bra I can hoist it up and look pretty perky (at least for a 46 year old!! Lol) xx
Sarah - yes Nicola Jane do swimwear, I had a 15% off voucher given to me by the hospital, if you don't hVe one I'll see if I can send you one. Try online sales though as they are much cheaper (the tankini I bought should have been £65! Xx
Linzz - agree they don't have great stock, that was why I gave up on swimming costume from there xx
Debenhams also have good value & bigger sizes. Had a bad experience in store though, I asked if they had any post surgery bras, the assistant looked me up & down & asked what I meant. Mastectomy bras I said, mastectomy? she repeated really loudly so the WHOLE department heard!! Then showed me the measley two options. Hence I prefer online shopping.
Keep smiling!!😍xx

[keepmumsane]

Hilarious! Thats classic!

Desperate to be healed enough to swim, but need a new costume anyway... I was told most costumes have pockets,  or its easy to stitch one in.was wondering what to do about shape.. Mwahahaha

[JETS]

Laughed out loud jillybee!!! thx

[jillybee]

I used softies in my swimming cozzie.....a normal one,not mastectomy one....however,word of warning.Dont swim then decide to squeeze the water out of them.....Like I did,and realised it must have looked a bit odd.....happy swimming,the best feeling,going into the water and stretching.

[Linzz]

I had my L Mx in Sep 14 and have found M&S bras to be very comfy, affordable and look good too.

Of note, the Asda range, whilst very well priced, has been "out of stock" in an awful lot of sizes for as long as I've been looking. According to their web site the range was developed alongside BCC, and the web site also offers some advice. BUT, whilst the range is no doubt good PR for Asda it is very disappointing that they do not seem too interested in re-stocking, meaning it's almost impossible to buy one

[JETS]

Hi Alison - this is a great thread - I am having double mx and delay reconstruction and found john lewis really helpful ( turns out I was wearing wrong size so many years!!) However, I want to be able to swim again (eventually) and understand there may be suitable prosthetics for this ? Don't know if anyone has tried any? I'll look at the online u suggest - did Nicola Jane do swim wear also? - i came get into london x

[keepmumsane]

Awesomeness! Was wondering how to sort stuff out. As to the flashing.... lol... I was given a knitted boob and I reckon every visitor has picked it up and asked about it..obviously I wasnt wearing it at the time! Did you change size much? And did you have a double or single, seems so odd to be bra shopping 😉 Thanks Sandie

[Alison_46]

Hi All,
Following my mastectomy in December I have trawled the Internet for suitable bras & swimwear. As a size 34G it has been a bit of a mission!
I just wanted to share a few thing I have discovered.
1. Nicola Jane shop in London very helpful and lovely staff where post op soft bra purchased. Thoroughly recommend if your in or near London.
2. George at ASDA do a range of mastectomy bras and swimwear at reasonable prices, a great pink bra only £8.
3. Amoena currently have some swinwear in their sale, black tankini purchased only £15!!!
Hopefully this might be helpful to some, it has definitely helped me post op to feel normal again.
Not sure how many people have had a flash of my lovely pink 'going out' bra!
Alison 😀xx