Forum Discussion
Post Op Bra ?
Hi All,
My friends mother has just gone through a mastectomy and i received the below text asking for help. Nb, I had a lumpectomy so told my friend i would ask the online community.
"Mum is up to 11 days after surgery. Her arm is still quite sore, which is one reason why her basic post op bra is painful. She thinks no one can fix it (the bra fitting/pain) and has to wait till 6 weeks post op to get the fitting done etc. Any ideas What she can do?"
So I guess the questions are; what have other women done for support of one breast whilst the other side is still painful. and What are the types of post opp bras (i had a very soft cotton one - no underwire, from Myers that did up the front with about 10 hook and eyes)
Any suggestions would be very welcome, Thanks
34 Replies
- I've got a couple of their bras @Rapunzel and love them. I'll get more once I have my final tweaking op....the cotton is so soft and they really are appealing.
- Exciting update!!! My lovely sister has found a website called Bras Without Wires dot com. They got started due to the founding lady creating her own bra during her cancer diagnosis, she got the hump because she couldn't find a wire free bra that was really, really comfortable and appealing. They are expensive but I've just finished devouring the website, reading about their soft cotton lining, fitting guides, etc. etc. They look lovely too. I'm saving my pennies and getting myself a decent, sexy, comfortable bra g@dammit!!!
- Ah, my poor underwires lol they ere giving me a lift! I will do as you say unicornkisses and keep getting them professionally fitted. Will contact the breast nurse as never even crossed my mind re lymph nodes!Zoffiel it is funny as they said this ductal cell carcinoma is higher in women who didn't breastfeed ... I have no bubs tho I would have liked them! So at least I can experience the maternity bra!!!
- I was a little sad, but also happy, to discover that my local BigW had a whole rack of Post Operative bras. Nice wide straps, four pockets inside each cup for padding depending on where you need it. I've found it really works for me, I bought 'up' a cup and size and have used some small padding to help the breast that wasn't operated on to fit. My other breast is starting to reduce in size so I'm about to go back to my usual.
- Check out maternity bras--yes I know it's sort of shitty ironic, but they are soft and there are heaps of front opening ones, including sports versions that you won't have to pull over your head.
- I was told no under wires for at least a month after lumpectomy surgery.
Not that I would have wanted to wear them anyway, too hard on the stitch lines.
I also understand that if you are having lymph nodes out, it becomes important to have your bras professionally fitted to help prevent lymph oedema.
Your surgeons office may have a brochure for the breast care nurse contact, otherwise you can find them yourself and contact them. McGrath Foundation breast care nurse. They should have a listing for one in your area, otherwise ring your surgeons office and ask the receptionist.
They will usually come and visit you in hospital after surgery and as mentioned, will organise the care kit. - Hey @viking1, I was told by my surgeon not to wear underwires as I had mastectomy with implant and she told me it can lead to encapsulation issues (where tissue grows around implant and causes pain and problems) another very knowledgeable lady (bows to @primek) has cleared this up for me by advising it is in fact due to bacteria. Unfortunately I had already given my gorgeous underwires to my sister. If you are worried about the underwires you could always be a smarty like Jane @Hopes_and_Dreams who removed the underwire from her mastectomy side - too clever !!! Xx
- Hi ladies, no I don't have a breast care nurse yet. I didn't know what a bra extender was...I'm learning!☺ Yes the extra dressings would be good to cushion. I wonder if I will have to stop wearing underwire bras in the future? All mine are except for the genii bra that's in one piece that you step into. Very comfy but if you're sweating it's hissy fit time! ☺
- 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 - Hi @viking1, yes the berlei mastectomy bra does up at the front. Also make sure you take along a bra extender (spotlight sell them) as it's good to have that little bit of extra space in the banding (under the breast). Also ask your breast care nurse for some thick dressings to use as a buffer between bra line and breast (particularly if having sentinel node biopsy) can make a huge difference pain wise. Xx Cath
