Clothing advice for masking single mastectomy

Sopho

I am returning to work in a week (fingers crossed) and was hoping to get some advice on masking my single mastectomy when you have a very large still intact breast. Per my doctor...No Bras, no prosthesis until fully healed, so the first couple weeks I will just be wearing a binder.

We have a strict dress code and my office tends to be warm. Scarves are okay, but most superfluous items of clothing are not. I have been searching for a solution that will work and am not finding much...

Not only is it obvious that there is a large difference between the two but it is also very obvious, even under layers, that the other boob is unsupported.

While in my day to day life I am likely just to go flat on one side, I don't want to do this at work. I am actually not allowed to talk about my personal health matters with my clients at work and I would really like to just return to work and resume my day to day life without having to say "I am not going to talk to you about my breasts" all the time.

Any ideas?

Wildplaces

I would look at gym wear for some ideas

I found the sports bras by Sweet Romeo very supportive without being a bra in the strict sense - no thin straps, no underwire, solid crossed back - more like a binder really.

I know you said no prostheses - assuming you mean silicon - could you fashion a soft cotton one filled with cotton wool for some symmetry??

Loose tops with stripes. Vests with an asymmetrical lapel.

Shellsatthebeach

You may want to talk with HR person and explain you would like to wear clothes that will flatter you. That sounds like a reasonable accommodation. By law, work places need to provide them. The dress code can be changed to accommodate your short term needs. One thing I would suggest is to wear loose tops with patterns. It tricks the eye. I had to do the same thing for awhile. Button up shirts with layers also worked well. I would wear oversized flannels over a cami type shirt. super comfy and hides things well.

Lula73

lightweight “blanket scarves" are all the rage and looped very loosely could help camouflage the entire chest area without being too hot. Can you have a mini-fan at your desk just in case?

cse70

Same here...strict dress code. Knitted knockers saved me! I wore it daily until I was able to get the silicone prosthesis. Now I wear the prosthesis for "dressing up" and wear knitted knocker for casual wear.

Sopho

I will ask about a knitted knocker but I am not sure how to secure it? I asked about a sports bra and they said they didn't want me to wear anything that was bralike.

I work in a secure environment so changing the dress code is a no go. Hi

cse70

Sopho,

Just google knitted knockers and they may have a local branch near you. I emailed a request and they sent me 2 free! I was so relieved, I made a donation

Wildplaces

Sopho,

At the risk of me sounding obtuse/hard of hearing - did you ask the surgeon specifically Face to Face - or the nurses assisting him...??

I work in a theatre environment and while we strongly discourage anything constricting - wires and thin straps - an appropriately balance thin stretch sports bra is no different from the " medically prescribed bras" we use after recon or sometimes mastopexy. I put in that class singlets that have a boob tube support.😊

Worth a call/email if you can reach the surgeon directly.

Momine

Amoena makes post-op camisoles with pockets. You could stuff the flat side with something light, to even things out a bit.

chronicpain

womanwithin.com offers a variety of very big, very loose, and often patterned tops.

Consider layering two of them (cotton) over each other, bought in very big sizes to mask the absence of a breast

buttonsmachine

I had a single mastectomy, and I am large on my natural side, and I have a very small tissue expander on my mastectomy side. I wear a stretchy cotton front closing post-surgical bra, a loose top, and a scarf. The stretchy cotton supports my natural boob and gives it a little lift, and it doesn't bother the mastectomy side. I also feel like my mastectomy side is too tender for a prosthesis right now, but knitted knockers might be worth a try. Hope you can find something that works for you!

Hanging_in_there

https://www.damozelle.com/p-amoena-hannah-camisole...

some ideas, the amoena hannah camisole (I wore for months)

a genie bra in a much bigger size than you are. I am L, I have XL and just ordered 1X and 2x to see if they give less pressure. I put a bandana with some fiberfill wrapped in it. Look up genie bra classic, website was slow right now.

*** updated ** the first XL genie bras said "XL" but you could order ...XL, 1X, 2X ... well the second bras I ordered the size was XL/1X . same size and the 2 X is huge on me, so I can't wear it.

a camisole which has a little breast support (shelf bra) and then sew in slots for some fiberfill

I have all three along with prosthesis and mastectomy bras, but too much pain as nerves are coming back. I'm wearing genie bra but just ordered the next 2 sizes

Cprindable

I'm having the same trouble. I'm so tired of wearing the compression bra with a prosthesis that I've decided to get my mum to make some topswith a frill so I can comfortably go braless.

I can’t seem to add a picture. Maybe google frilled tops. Might not be your style but worth a look.