Post surgical bra question

gb2115

hello... looks like I'm getting a mastectomy due to recently diagnosed second cancer on the previously radiated side. I'm not getting reconstruction and am pretty small chested.

After unilateral mastectomy, do they put you in a bra or binder after surgery? I'm trying to figure out how a post surgical bra works for compression or support if your breast is gone. With the other breast there, wouldn't it make the other side (of the bra) not be flat? Or do they just pop some gauze over your staples (or whatever) and send you on your way?

I just keep reading about post mastectomy surgical bras and find it all confusing, but I know many women get reconstruction, so the tissue is different.

saltmarsh

I had a UMX with immediate (partial) reconstruction. I know in my case the compression bra is partly to keep the TE in place, but it's also meant to reduce risk of lymphedema. Hopefully folks who have opted not to reconstruct will weigh in!

Carlsoda

I just had a unilateral mastectomy last Wednesday and I have a tight ace bandage wound around and around and around and with insurance I got 2 camisoles with drainage tube holders. So I am wearing both for now. The cami’s came with a “puff” I can use to stuff my one side when I am ready 😂

I have opted to not have reconstruction as this is a recurrence and already had radiation. Sounded way too painful!! I did order a free knitted knocker to use after 4 weeks post surgery and insurance will cover prosthetic.

Good luck!!!

Shutterbug73

Hello. I had a unilateral mastectomy in April, and they don't want to fit me for an “official" (covered by insurance) prosthetic until August because they said the area will probably change. They did give me a binder for right after surgery and a camisole which was laughably too large in the cups. My remaining breast is an A cup on a good day, and I'm lucky to work from home so most days I just go braless. I ordered some sports bras online from a nice company called Handful. They are nice but hot and I've never been the sports bra type. I did find that for short trips to the store my old underwire does fine. I don't even need to stuff it. As long as no one hugs me it just keeps its shape.

I've considered trying knitted knockers, but they seem awfully hard. I'm curious how others feel about them. I've also looked at prosthetic breasts on Amazon, but the sizing is so confusing!

By the way, I had my unilateral mastectomy as an out patient.I had a nerve block and had almost no pain. If they offer a nerve block I'd say take it. I was nervous about it and almost turned it down, but it wasn't bad at all and I think it really helped my recovery. Good luck to you!

Jetcat

Hi- I found that it was most comfortable to not wear a bra after unilateral mastectomy. The tube top thing they gave me was very itchy and I didn’t need it. I usually just safety pinned the drain inside my shirt. Since healing, so far I’ve liked a mastectomy bra made by Wacoal. I got a couple of them at Nordstrom’s. They are styled like a sports bra with a front closure. Unlike others, I prefer the weighted prosthetic I got online at a site called Nearly Me. The weight keeps my bra on the flat side from sliding up under my arm and pinching. I tried foam first but they slid around too much and I looked very lopsided. Around the house or under jackets or loose shirts, I usually just wear a soft sports bra without the prosthetic—I’m not very large either