I also came back from surgery with a front closing bra - actually more like a straight jacket with lots of hooks and eyes. I had a
mastectomy with immediate implant and was told to wear the bra day and night for 6 weeks. I also ordered a Berlei which wasn't quite as comfortable. I basically just wore the Berlei bra while my surgical bra was being washed and dried. Once I was able to wear a "normal" bra I found a K-Mart home brand, $10 soft with a nice wide band at the bottom which reduced the rub on my mastectomy scar under the breast.
10 months on I'm still wearing these bras during the day and a crop top for sleeping.
Wishing you all the best, Jane xx