Forum Discussion

TannieT's avatar
TannieT
Member
3 months ago

Best Bra's post surgery

Hi.

So I had a Left Mastectomy 3 weeks ago now.  My breasts are DD. So it's hard to not wear a bra as my remaining boob is too big.  So I have to wear something. 

It's been difficult as under my arm is SO sore. I didn't have lymph nodes removed. But it's just really sore right around to my back. So I've been experimenting with all the different bra's I have to see what's most comfortable. 

The Berlei Post mastectomy bra is okay with the pad in it...but I don't actually like wearing the pad. It feels weird and is different shape to my ordinary boob anyway. I feel self conscious.  The bra without the pad in it rides up all the time on the operation side. Really annoying. And the sides are NOT wide enough. Too narrow and it cuts into where my wound is. So hurts. It probably will be better in a few months. 

Then I have the Amoena Frances bra. It's pretty good. But it's not really good fit. Too big on the actual boob size, but I'm sure the size smaller would be too small. But it is okay.

The best seems to be plain ole Bonds Seamless Crop top. Looks similar to Amoena Becky bra. I like the the sides are wide. Cause I need to be able to pull it down and have it cover the entire scar area - not cut me on my wound line. 

So it's funny cause I have half a dozen Bonds Seamless crop tops anyway! I've worn them around home for years. Comfy. 

So this is what I have found. Anyone else found different bras that are good?

post surgery

9 Replies

  • kittykatster's avatar
    kittykatster
    Member
    1 month ago

    Hi there. I have H cups so was nightmare BUT I finally found something that worked - can recommend Elomi Bralettes. The band and for the back, is very very strong and held up my breast day and night. Very comfy to sleep in too.

    Trying to get the word out to this network for any more busty ladies as my size has hindered my recovery.

    Debra's in Sydney have them, as do Brava and Storm in a D Cup for online depending where you are.

     https://www.debras.com.au/collections/elomi/products/elomi-downtime-non-wired-bralette-ash-rose?_pos=3&_fid=40f0d5d54&_ss=c&filter.v.availability=1

    It was the only soft cup, wireless bra I could find with big enough options. They have them in black, grey and a new lovely pale pink colour. After a few weeks I then went to the Elomi sports bras as their cup designs have bigger wiring around the breast and under the armpit so doesn't cut into any sensitive flesh.

  • Em2042's avatar
    Em2042
    Member
    1 month ago

    I previously had a GG/H cup but following my double mastectomy and reconstruction, while the aim was to get me to a B/C cup, my right breast is significantly larger...... I used a soft form support bra initially following my second mastectomy and reconstruction of both (via a DIEP), however it did not provide the support I needed.

    Months later (following complications - long story), I went to "Leila O'Toole" in Sydney CBD and purchased a post-surgery mastectomy bra. This helped with the support and the compression and was fitted expertly there.

     The bra I have are "Anita - Lisa". It has space for prosthesis inserts to go, even those I don't specifically need that component, while keeping the bra in place and applying light compression. (Medicare provides a reimbursement of up to $400 per breast for a prothesis, if indeed one is required, and these can also be purchased here and used within the specialist bras.) I also purchased lymph drainage pads from them. It took me a long time to find a suitable underwear provider in the weeks and months following my surgeries and I'm so glad I eventually came across them. Worth the visit. 

     

  • TannieT's avatar
    TannieT
    Member
    2 months ago

    More weeks now. I have given up on the inserts. I have several different types and they all ride up and look bizarre. I can't be bothered with them anymore. They are different shape to my normal breast anyway. So no point.

    • cranky_granny's avatar
      cranky_granny
      Member
      2 months ago

      HiTannieT​   I had breast conserving surgery on my left breast but this has left me with a C cup one side and squished into a DD, E is actually perfect fit on the right. I’m not into having surgery fir a reduction done on my untouched breast)  I hope to find shortly (im in Penrith Nsw ) about a lymphoedema supply shop that I can  get a bra that had 2 different size cups. Or a comfortable insert. About the only good thing to come out of getting lymphoedema in my L breast is it can swell to nearly matching my untouched breast  
       We had a Lymphoedema physio come talk at our local mets group meeting but I wasn’t quick enough to get the address as soon as I find out I can let you know re Bras ir inserts  available. I believe they deal with all those things.   I have taken to wearing the ahh bras and leaving the padding out of my larger side and doubling or tripling it up on the smaller side for the time being in hopes to ease the swelling. Seems  to be working slightly and its a more matching  look. 
      I don't blame you for giving up on the prosthetic inserts besides them being sweaty/ slippery in the heat they dont stay where you put them 

  • Shay's avatar
    Shay
    Member
    3 months ago

    Thanks for this information as i am having a l left side mastectomy in a few week and bras was my question

  • kimhangodi's avatar
    kimhangodi
    Member
    3 months ago

    I found the best and less bras and kmart bras as just as good as the really expensive ones but if you are looking for compression then expensive ones are better at that.

    • TannieT's avatar
      TannieT
      Member
      3 months ago

      I haven't tried them. I never get to K-Mart! 

  • TannieT's avatar
    TannieT
    Member
    3 months ago

    Oh. I've also found the soft inserts a bit weird. Can't seem to get it to stay low enough. It rides up and looks odd. And even though my boob size it says I should wear large? It seems way too big.