Lumpectomy scheduled; how to find the bra?

percy4

Sorry to put this here, but I can't find much on the pre/post surgery help section, and am having a lumpectomy for DCIS.  Surgeon says I need a front-closing, supportive bra.  Suggests a sport store, though I've never seen one that fastens in the front in a sports store.  Have enough trouble finding bras that fit at all, and I usually don't wear them.  I'm small-breasted.  Any suggestions as to brand or place, and is it really so hard to use a back-fastening bra (you can't fasten it in the front and then rotate it to the back?) or pull things on over your head after just a lumpectomy?  Can you really not raise your arms above your head or fasten something behind you?  Does it mess with the incision, healing right for appearence, what is the reasoning?  Do undertand about the support for the breast, but the rest?  I'm confused.

RMlulu

Percy - join us in the lumpectomy lounge...much good info... So just read thru and ask...great encouragement...we will be in your pocket!

Walmart carries a danskin now front zip sports bra @$10 go 2X larger for comfort. Lived in mine than after healed switched to a genie bra also at Walmart 2X larger. I pull my bra up over my hips ha!

You will do great brave warrior! There is this big relief after lx&snd ...the haze goes away...you have a plan, the cancer is out! It will surprise you how good you feel so dont over do and watch the arm. Ask your BS about arm and self care after...many of your questions answered in lx lounge

Until your date...breathe...blow some bubbles...surround yourself with family friends that make your heart smile . Sending calm confident thoughts and prayers.

(((Hugs)))

Cindy

ballet12

Hi Percy, I've had the equivalent of six lumpectomies (four wide excision biopsies--the last over 4 cm) as well as two lumpectomies. The 4 cm was called an excisional biopsy rather than a lumpectomy because I hadn't yet received the DCIS diagnosis (got the diagnosis from that surgery). I used back fastening sports bras, for the last three procedures, and regular bras for the earlier procedures. I didn't have any difficulty fastening them. I had a compression bandage on for the first couple of days, until I was allowed to shower. I didn't have trouble lifting my arms and, in fact, I took dance classes five to six days after each of the surgeries (with modification, of course). You could, as you stated, fasten the bra in front and turn it around. I don't recall needing to do that. I think a tight sports bra that has to be pulled over your head would definitely be difficult. My bras were from a company called Moving Comfort, and I used them for weeks after the surgeries, especially since three surgeries were one right after the other. If you can get a front-closing bra, I guess that would be the best, but I don't think it would be terrible to get a back-closing sports bra.

Best of luck!

Moderators

percy here's the link to the Lumpectomy Lounge that Cindy recommends - you'll find lots of great advice and support there!

On the main Breastcancer.org site, there's a section on Lumpectomy that includes the article Lumpectomy: What to Expect that briefly discusses the reason for the bra recommendation, "Wear a good sports or support bra. You’ll want a supportive bra to wear both day and night for a while to minimize any movement that could cause pain."

• The Mods

percy4

Thanks, all.  It's every little thing, isn't it, to make it easier, rather than harder. xx

Annette47

My surgeon gave me one, but I prefer the support of the Champion brand one that I found at a Champion outlet store - then got another one off of Amazon. I went back to running a week later, and wore one of those, and my regular sports bra (which was loose because I had lost some weight since being diagnosed) over top of that for extra support.

Claire_in_Seattle

I spent money on mine and got fitted at Nordstrom. I ended up with soft cup with some support, and I don't get the "front closure" stuff at all. I have always hooked my bras in front and then turned around. Once past the surgery/drains part, I repurposed as sports bras.

I went cheap, sexy, and fun with camisoles. $13 at Nordstrom Rack. So great that a friend got the same thing as Christmas presents for her SIL. They held the drain and were super-comfy.

I was elated to have full range of motion following surgery. So I never had to compromise on anything. I will say it was harder raising my bicycle over my head for a time, but I did it. I did not do weights until the drains were out, but I did do all the range of motion exercises which included raising my arms fully extended over my head. I started those the day after surgery as per the instructions. I was told to "work up to things" but I had nothing to work up to. So did everything they recommended and more. Then, because my lumpectomy side was the only one getting any action, I did both sides.

Good luck. You should expect to be just fine. I am saying this as someone who had incision, port placement, and axillary dissection (21 nodes removed) and was just fine the next day. The people who saw me weren't as thought they were seeing a ghost!!! It took them a bit of time to get over the shock of seeing me running around. I needed no more meds than horse pill ibuprofen. - Claire

sam63

I just stopped wearing a bra and I am not small, 34 e. You don't want anything to rub on your skin after surgery. I found that a basic crop/ sportsy thing worked the best. Put your bad arm through first. There was no one here to help or provide info. I am in new zealand so the selection is fairly minimal as compared to the u.s of a.

What ever is comfortable for you. We are all different yet the same.

gtgirl

I bought two bali comfort support bras which fastened in the back. They worked wonderful! I did wear my binder "toob top" for 10 days.

StayingFocus

Hello,

After my lumpectomy in July 2013, I woke up in the recovery room with a feeling that I was "bound up" with something around my chest. It wasn't until I felt under my gown that I was wearing a bra! My surgeon provided me with a wonderful front-closing bra that I was able to sleep in for the next few days. The bra can be found at sleepbra.com. I told my surgeon that it was the best bra that I have ever wore. I thought it was very thoughtful of her to provide her patients with the bra and I thanked her for doing so during my follow-up visit to her office.

percy4

Thanks for all the answers.  As Dr. told me to get the bra, clearly it's not being provided.  How can I get one online (are they supposed to be a litle bigger than usual?) when finding any bra for me has always been hard; size depends on brand, etc., has to be tried on.  Also, some women here love the bra, and some say couldn't bear to have ANTHING touching their incision at first.  How do you do both (soft cloth under the bra, or what)?  Thanks . - P.

Mgster

I had a mastectomy, not a lumpectomy, but I got fitted before my surgery at a "boutique" right at the Hospital. My surgeon recommended it and I left with two great bras with pockets for my drains, etc. The good thing was insurance paid for all of it. Does your hospital have a shop like that for breast cancer patient supplies?

StayingFocus

Hi,

Perhaps you should try a going to a speciality store that deals with post breast surgery issues. Sometimes your health insurer will provide you with the names and addresses of stores that deals specifically with ordering the right type of bra. Good luck.

sarahjane7374

For my PBMX, the PS gave me a bra. For my exchange, they told me to get a Fruit of the Loom front clasping bra (sold @ Walmart). They didn't have my size at the store, so I got it online - a 2 pack for about $15. They are actually pretty comfy and I still wear them sometimes!

MsPharoah

Hi Percy. How are you, hun?

Target sells a Playtex brand bra that looks like the Genie bra, but has back closure, not over the head. I normally wear a 36G and ordered a lot of front closure bras on line...nothing worked for me like the back closure Target bras that come in SMLXL....They are soft, stretchy and even though they are back closure, they are easy to put on. (Sometimes I had my husband help me with the bra). So all that said, I have a couple of other suggestions for what they are worth.

Once I was able to shower, I wore my bra in the shower for several weeks. It just made it easier to take my time washing and having the support while I was enjoying the warm water and a good wash. I took it off after the shower, dried myself and slipped into a fresh bra. Wonderful...but you will need a lot of bras if you do this....at least 2. LOL

I also used a damp washcloth in a zip lock bag as an ice pack. I made several of them and would put them in the freezer and keep swapping them out. It doesn't take long for the washcloth to become soft and pliable and then you can slip it inside your pj's or bra. I iced 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for several days after my lumpectiomy and it really helped to keep down the swelling.

As it turned out, I didn't need a drain for my incision, and my recovery was very easy. I only needed the pain medication the first 2 days. I was surprised actually how easy the recovery was for me.

I hope you have someone to stay with you after your surgery and help you so you can rest. Surgical recovery usually includes fatigue and I definitely had to slow down and went to bed super early.

Love to you, Percy. Let us know how you are doing.

MsP