buying bras post lumpectomy

dragongal

buying bras post lumpectomy

dragongal

What is out there for women who have had a lumpectomy, and now have unequally sized boobs and nipples that just don't line up any more?  I found getting bras a royal pain even before BC, and now I am more frustrated.  Hoisting the larger breast up by its bra strap, and leaving the remnant breast drooping in its now baggy bra cup in a vain attempt to achieve a semblance of symmetry is not really working!

susan_CNY

Go to your nearest mastectomy shop. The word lumpectomy (I call it a comfort word) is deceiving, is actually a partial mastectomy that you had. An experienced fitter can hook you up with a prosthesis that fits into a special bra made for this purpose. You can be symetrical again and clothes will fit and you can be more comfortable to boot! I had an awful painful time following my surgery, I was only told to get a tight fitting sports bra, ended up with affected side being so much smaller than the other that the bra put no pressure on the breast but slid up and creased right into the incision. Good luck hon. PS most insurance covers part, mine pays for a prosthesis every 2 years and 2 bras per year

ethel

THANK YOU! You took the words and frustration right out of my mouth! I'am sorry you too had to go thru this, but your advice really helped.I 've tried every bra, falses, the giant foam filled, all look bad.One side looks like an idaho potatoe and the other is a b size red! hard to fit that combo. Thanks again.

konakat

Depending on where your lumpectomy is, this might work.  Mine is on the outer, lower area.  So I get those bras that have the extra padding that you can remove from pockets in the cup.  So I take the one from the "good" boob cup and put it in the "bad" boob cup to double the padding there.  It helps compensate when I wear something a bit close fitting.  It's not perfect, but I can still use my old bras.

Edited:  for spelling.  For some reason my chemo brain has problems with homonyms (sp?) -- where, wear...

susan_CNY

you are very welcome Ethel, good luck, feeling comfortable is half the battle and is good for the ego to have your clothes fit properly, hugs,  Susie