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otto1234's avatar
otto1234
Member
6 years ago

Trouble with reconstruction

Hello
I have had a mascetomy last August and reconstruction nov and again August 
having huge problems with tightness hardness uncomfortable to wear a bra gets very sore my whole breast just doesn't feel right
have expressed this with surgeon and breast nurse say they can see it but don't really give me a answer 
have been to support groups but don't seem to find anyone that can relate to me
The last support group suggested  I try online for some answers 
is there anyone who can relate to some of things that are happening to me?
  • What type of reconstruction did you have.?
    I personally hated the berlei bra...it rolled up and was just too tight.
    I was fitted post op with an amoena bra...very comfy. I have bought quite a few since and slept in it for 6 weeks. I still wear them now 3 years  on occasion and prefer them to most sports bras. They also come in black and colours. I wore them well over a year and on occasion a aaah bra.

    https://erilan.com.au/collections/mastectomy-bras/products/copy-of-amoena-frances-mastectomy-bra-nude

    Target also sell one...this is new and looks similar.

    https://www.target.com.au/p/post-surgery-wirefree-bra-style-cn2189cw/60381866

    I quite like the previous one but this looks good.

    I can now wear a tshirt wire bra but it took me probably a year to feel okay. When I gain weight now I have more fat on the side and as I have an implant recon it doesn't drop forward like a natural breast. I have found I need to physically pull this side boob into the cup now.
    You could remove the wires if you need.
    My breasts felt very hard for over a year. My breast surgeon showed me to basically squeeze the breast gently to help the muscle soften and relax. They become tight when I exercise and I need to remember to drop my shoulders and relax my chest wall. 

    Also I wear a D cup even though I'm probably a C cup. I fill tbe D cup but it gives me a tiny bit more width with no pressure on reconstruction area.

    Target also sell a non wired Tshirt bra. Plus lots of other wire free bras.

    https://www.target.com.au/p/soft-comfort-wirefree-bra-style-cn4-7gv/59259299

    I actually started with a non wire maternity bra initially (after the post op bra then proceeded to a normal one. I sort if thought them as training bras again.

    I hope this helps.
  • Hello
    thankyou for answering have been fitted by someone who says she specialises in mascetomy and the bras I bought are murder 
    have tried all sorts and have just bought from berlei a post surgery one and still find it uncomfortable 
    my breast gets very firm through the day and becomes very sore 
    have been doing exercises that I have been told to do but isn't helping at all
    it feels terrible and don't seem to find someone similar or get a answer
  • Hi Otto  I found that many bras even special mastectomy ones have plastic stays in side seams that aggravated side of chest wall and where I know I get lymphoedema issues. So I remove any stays that rub
    Also very important to get a bra fitted by expert . 
    I have not had recon 
    Bra fitting is always affected  by changes to manufacturing style and weight gain.
    So important to find a specialist mastectomy fitter
    Others here will perhaps discuss internal scarring due to recon 
    All the best
    Bright in hope