Mastectomy bras

Orange12

Hi everyone,  I am really struggling to find a decent bra.  I am a 38AA and have one prostheses.  I like the padded bra type as it hides the difference in sizes of my boob and prostheses.  I really need something very soft as my skin is still sensitive and i live in a hot humid environment so cooler fabrics like cotton would be nice.I find the arm straps can hurt my chest so really need something very soft and smooth.  I find the Nicola Jane T shirt bras rub my chest and the elastic is very hard and rough, the ABC t- shirt bra is not a good fit.  I had extensive lymph node surgery so fnd a lot of bras gape under the arm.  Anybody got any bra tips to help me feel comfortable again?!!! 

On a separate note, my scar is very high on my chest, does anyone know of any camisole type garment i could use to cover the scar area ?

CatbirdC

Hi Orange,

With the situations you mention, it would be difficult to attempt buying any bras on line.  You'd have to have a store where you could be fitted.  I'm sure the right bra is there and that a professional could find it for you.

As for your scar showing, there are now some camisoles with built in "dickies"  that little lace panel.

Hope you find something soon.

Catbird

scrapmom40

Hi Orange - unfortunately, I don't really have any help for you, but I just wanted to say I think it is impossible to find a mastectomy bra that is padded.  The manufacturer makes them so the prostheses can go in either side.  I had a prostheses and was also an A cup.  Before BC I wore padded bras (not crazy padded, but padded).  I hated that I could not get a mastectomy bra that had some padding for my natural breast.  It would be nice if some bra company would make them so they catered to either the left or the right side so you could get some padding on your natural breast.  I don't think it exists.  I looked and was never able to find anything.  Plus, I found the mastectomy bras to have too much material.  I have since had my other breast removed and had reconstruction surgery so I can wear regular bras again.  Good luck in your search.  I hope you are able to find something that is comfortable and makes you feel pretty!

Take care,

Karen

lovemygarden

Just an off-the cuff idea for "padding" a mastectomy bra on the 'normal' side: Have you tried buying one of those inexpensive fiberfill leisure foobs (they're less than $10 each) and then removing enough of the fiberfill from it to create only as much padding as you need to fill out that side?

Logically, it seems as if it should work...

Orange12

Hi Girls,  I tried being fitted for a bra, but very limited selection here in Hong Kong, and ended up with a bra that is much too small for me the ABC t-shirt bra.... on line is my only choice really.  but all of my current bras seem to rub my scar and are causing redness on my chest which is sore.  I really don't want to give up on wearing a bra all together, but am running out of ideas. 

Scrapmom40,  Have you tried the t-shirt bras from Nicola Jane? or ABC they are padded.  They would be good for me, if they weren't irritating my scar..... Does anyone use any material or something over their scar to stop a bra rubbing it? I wonder if this would work if I could find a way to fasten it securely. 

BoobsinaBox

I have found that camisoles with a shelf bra or light sports bras work for me.  I never found a truly comfortable bra for me, but these options work well, especially for small-cup-size women.  I wondered if any of the partial-prosthesis options or a smaller microbead form could help your remaining side. Good luck.  Have you checked Barbara's website BreastFree.org?  She offers lots of great suggestions.

Dawn 

CatbirdC

Hi Orange,

I have one mastectomy bra that is padded and it is the ABC Style 106.

You may have to talk with your doctor and see why these scars are giving you such problems.  Maybe there is some sort of prescription cream you could try.  That is sad that you have to put up with everything hurting that touches the surgery area.

I thought I saw something on here once where someone used memory foam next to their incisions to pad it before the bra touches.

Catbird

Lunakin

I've used the silicone scar gel over a sensitive scar. They are self-sticking, but I found I needed to use tape to make sure it stayed in place all day at work.