Post Op Bra ?

Hi @Cathy S I have been a front opening bra from Target post lumpectomy - it's only $20 each and makes applying cream 3 times daily after radiotherapy easier. What I found most useful earlier was a little underarm bag that provided a barrier between my arm and my breast esp at night time - it was given to me in hospital as a gift from a local craft group

Admittedly my post op Berlei Bra in 2015 was fabulous and even post mastectomy/diep flap recon in Feb this year, the double bra crop tops at kmart for $15 have been brilliant...but I had to go back into normal bras when I healed. After having my revision surgery 3 weeks ago I now need to be fitted, crops are fine for bed but with the right breast lift now to match the reconstruction it will be good to get this sorted. I have an appt with this lady next week, she has an array of bras specifically for Women been through Breast Cancer, she has her own studio at home. :) 

Hi, i find wearing a cropv9top bra very comfy, i just remove the padding  in it and place the padding  provided from the hosp with post surgery bra. I wear it 24/7.
I have brought my prostheses and two bras, ive yet to wear it. I had my mastectomy  of left breast on 14/6, after a lumpectomy and removal of 13 lymp notes on 31/5. Radiation now happening.
I must say the bras are cheaper at myer thanvthose specialised shops for it. 

I had a lumpectomy but got the berlei post op bra before surgery as i had a rather large haematoma from the biopsies and have found it extremely comfortable after surgery as well. I just went up a cup size. The other brand i also got was Amoena. It's a wire-free sports type bra, still has the pockets in it for a mastectomy. It does have soft plastic structure for the sides, is still really comfy but it only does up the back though i thought i did see one of the same brand in David Jones that did up the front. And yes the sentinel node site is the most awkward and touchy so extra padding does help. Best wishes for your mum xo Cath

With my lumpectomy and right axillary clearance I tried the cotton front opening bras with the hooks and eyes first. They were okay at night. I bought one from Target that was labelled as the softest non underwire and it's okay but tight at the back ... I probably need an extender piece. The most comfy is a maternity bra I got made from a soft lycra. I got it a while back as a new item in an op shop as it looked nice but didn't realise it was a maternity bra till now!

The Amoena website has some on special right at the moment.
The only problem is that not every style is the right fit, even in the same brand.
I spent over an hour with the lovely fitter in David Jones yesterday trying on many Amoena bras and would take a different size or cup size in practically every style. She did warn me that would be the case.
She has written down the ones that did fit the best for me to try when my soft form prostheses comes. They tended to pull sideways and hurt without one so I couldn't tell if they were comfortable.
Some had a band across the cup that rubbed on the portacath, others came too high under the arm and I had to go down a cup or band size. It was very confusing.
I can see I am going to have to try them on before buying every time.

@nikkid yes amongst it all yesterday I forgot to mention it until I saw you post here LOL. I think she is a little pricey too, but am interested as she fits you. Right now am wearing the Amoena bra which is great, I actually like it, but she has nicer versions apparently, plus I want one for post 6 weeks, but I cannot wear underwire so hope I can get the support!!! Definitely let you know when I get an appt. xx 

Let us know how it goes @melclarity - sounds brilliant!

I also have a contact for a lady in Port Melbourne, my Wounds Plastic Nurse gave me her number. She specializes in all sorts of bras I think, from post surgery to post reconstruction, mastectomy, I'm going to make an appt to see her and will report back. :) x

After my mastectomy,I couldn't wear a bra for about 6 weeks because of seroma and discomfort. I wore singlets/stretchy cami and loose shirts that buttoned up front. Maybe a scarf for good measure so as to disguise lopsided look.After that I wore the Berlei post surgery bra with a fitted prosthesis.