Post-surgery temp bra before breast form fitting

Chrisesta67

Hello; I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations about a soft yet strong, flexible bra that would be useful between the time when my JP Drain is removed and when the surgical site (unilateral mastectomy, right side) is healed enough to accommodate a permanent breast form prosthetic. I'm currently wearing an "industrial strength" cotton bra that opens and closes in the front with a wide velcro strip. This bra, which fits very tightly and has gauze stuffed into the right side (covering and protecting the incision stitches and also giving me symmetry), is probably best for now while the drain is still with me.



But, can anyone suggest good options for after the drain is removed but before the scar is healed sufficiently to safely accommodate permanent breast form measurement and use. I'm hoping to find a "sports bra" type of product that will be comfortable and secure/stable enough to place gauze or any kind of soft/foam-material to fill the right side cup to achieve comfort and symmetry until I can be fitted for the permanent breast form.



I really appreciate the helpful messages on this site and look forward to some ideas.

crystalphm

Welcome! I hope you are healing well...we do have a discussion thread here called all things bra and prosthesis and there is lots of information there. I will bump it up for you so you see it.

You also have to check with your doctor, my doctor did not allow a bra for 6 weeks, and by then I was healed enough to do what I wanted.

Chrisesta67

Thank ypu, Crystalphm. I had perused the "all thigs bras..." discussion area. But, I couldn't seem to post my own question there without having to respond to someone else's post. If you think it's best, I will go back to that dicussion area and see if I can slip my question in somehow.

Ariom

Hi Chrisesta!

I am a recent right side UMx too. I wore an Ahh Bra type bra when my drain was removed, with a little dacron filled "pouffy" in the pocket that is in some of these bras for a modestypad.

I know things are a bit different here in Australia, so check with your Doctor first. It also depends on how tender you are. I was lucky, lots of numbness, very little pain. 

I took myself along to the lingerie shop that does the fitting for bras and prosthesis a week after my surgery. They asked me if I was going to have a Mx, when I said I'd had it a week ago, they sent me home telling me I couldn't be fitted for at least six weeks.

I went back six weeks to the day after my surgery and was fitted for a prosthesis, 3 mastectomy bras, and a camisole with a fitted bra inside.

I hve been on the hunt for the perfect every day bra, and have found that Amoena seems to cover most types, and they are great quality. I have a couple of sport types that they make, and also some really pretty lacy ones.

It really is a trial and error thing. I am a bit of an obsessive, who wants to cover all bases, so I also have great sleeveless tanks that you can wear over the knit bra for a more casual look. There are some really good microbead breast forms, silicone swim forms and my favorite of the moment is the Contact that attaches to the chest, but unfortunately can't be worn till 6 months after surgery. 

I hope this may help you, take care!  

Chrisesta67

Thank you for sharing your experience, Ariom. Your message is just what I'd hoped to read. I've heard of Amoena as a particularly strong and widely popular brand. I feel reassured by your "trial and error" comment. It's comforting to know that my expectations of needing to look around and experiment with different breast form options are consistent with what other people have done. Just today, I had my post-sugical drain removed. So, the next step for me will be to find the right temporary foam-based form to wear while the incision continues to heal. Like you, I've been told to wait 6 to 8 weeks from the surgery date to be measured and fitted for the permanent, silicone form.



Having this discussion site is a terrific supplement to the resources and sevices I'm connecting with on a day to day basis. Thanks again, Ariom, for your helpful words.