bra for after surgery?

chessiegirl

I am having my lumpectomy this coming Monday.  (That will be another post, as I am extremely emotional right now, almost to the point of being paralyzed.)  The nurse told me that I need to find a sturdy sports bra, one that opens in the front, as I will need support to help with the pain after surgery.  I was surprised, as I didn't think that I would be able to tolerate a bra after surgery.  (Mine is in the 9:00 position, I think.)  Any comments or suggestions?

mommy_mia

Hi Chessiegirl,

I had a lumpectomy in October.  Didn't wear a bra for the first week after surgery.  My lump was in the 2:00 position.  All of the bra's I had before all of this were underwire, so I went out and got a sports bra.  It helped a lot with the pain, since any movement seemed to cause pain in the incision without it.

I'd highly recommend it...get it before your surgery so you have it when you need it.

Good luck on Monday!

lvtwoqlt

I came home from my lumpectomies with surgical bras on, really heavy duty sports bras (nicknamed iron maiden) that zip up the front and velcro over the shoulders. I was told to wear it the first 48 hours then I could change to a sports bra.

Sheila

yellowrose

If you are large breasted, jog bras that fit and close in front are pretty hard to find.  I found mine at Penneys thru special order.  After surgery I found a local lingerie store who also carries up to size I front clasp jog bras. I don't know about other folks here but for me, the support provided by the jog bra was extremely important for my comfort while healing.

My lump was at 10:00.

Beesie

chessiegirl, the nurse is right.  A sports bra is important to have and will be your best friend for the next while after surgery.  

After my excisional biopsy (same thing as a lumpectomy), I wore a sports bra day and night for several weeks.  It kept my breast from moving, which reduced pain and any strain on the incision.  While a front opening sports bra is probably best, a back opening one will do fine too.  These are easier to find.  The key is that it should be easy to put on without straining yourself or stretching.  An over-the-head sports bra won't do.  The other thing to look for is a sports bra that's seamless.  You don't want hard seams pressing into the incision.   And be sure to get one that isn't too tight around the band.  I'm usually a 34 but I got a 36 - it was still firm enough but didn't squeeze my ribcage. 

As mommy mia suggested, it's a good idea to buy one or two before your surgery. 

Good luck on Monday.

Fireweed

I bought some front-zipped sports bras as advised and took one to the hospital. I woke up with a gigantic ace bandages around my breasts. That was surprisingly comfortable, but I switched to the sports bra when I went back to work three days later.

roseg

Take thine self to Walmart!

Their hook-eye front closing "bestform" bras are cheap and servicable. You can buy several and have a clean one to wear every day.  Medical sports bras can be $40, which makes owning several more expensive.

I found, as Bessie mentioned, that the next larger size was most comfortable. 

PSK07

I, too had the 40-foot long ace bandage wrapped around me. That stayed on for 3 days, then I moved on to the sports bra. I just used the ones that I wear to the gym - all stretchy w/o clasps.  They were stretchy enough to pull up and then I didn't have to deal with hooks and so forth.  Champion brand from costco and target. 

Almost as important were a few warm, oversized, front-opening shirts and some yoga pants. Comfy and not restrictive, I wore them for the week I was off work. 

take care.

labhusky

Chessiegirl,

I bought sports bras and never used them.  For me it felt more comfortable without but I was at the 3:00 position and maybe thats why, or Im just weird.

I just want to wish you well Monday.  I will be thinking of you and hopefully you will post something afterward real soon.  I felt good enough that afternoon to be driven thru Starbucks for an iced frap.  May you feel as good!!!  I dont know that I would like it scheduled so close to Thanksgiving BUT thats one thing more to be thankful for on Thanksgiving too.  I hope and pray for great margins for you.

Towanda2

My surgeon recommended wearing a bra 24/7 after surgery.  I went to a local lingerie store and got a "sleep bra" - supersoft cotton, front closing, supportive enough (unless you're planning on actually jogging!), and EXTREMELY comfortable.  Click here for an example:

http://www.barenecessities.com/product.asp?pf_id=LeadingLady110&source=nextag&term=LeadingLady110&cm_mmc=NXTG-_-Bra-_-LeadingLady110-_-NA

pants

I recently came upon a website that has many styles of bras for cheaper than I would ever imagine! Check out www.HosieryStreet.com and let me know what you think.

SEB

I found the surgery bra worked really well, especially when I went to bed at night. To prevent the itchy feeling and scratching from the velcro, I put a very light tee shirt on and then the surgery bra on top. I also inserted a sterile gauze pad under the teel shirt to keep the incision clean. Worked for me.