what type of a bra did you wear after your lumpectomy?

Options
aris
aris Member Posts: 124

I had my lumpectomy this past Tuesday and am really feeling better, ,but I can't find a comfortable bra to wear. I am not really comfortable going braless, but the side of the bra really rubs the incision from the snb.  Does anyone have any bra suggestions for me?

Thanks, Pam

«1

Comments

  • jdeking
    jdeking Member Posts: 408
    edited February 2009

    Try a loose sports bra. I lived in them for a few weeks after each lumpectomy! Also put a little cotton or gauze pad between the bra and your skin for extra comfort.

  • Roberta77
    Roberta77 Member Posts: 45
    edited February 2009

    If you can get a nice cotton knit tube bra, I find them fantastic. They are hard to find, though. I am thinking of getting someone to sew me up a few. I find them the best.

  • Seabee
    Seabee Member Posts: 557
    edited February 2009

    I've been wearing soft cotton sports or leisure bras, preferably front closers. They don't do much for lift and separation, but they do provide some support.

  • snowyday
    snowyday Member Posts: 1,478
    edited February 2009

    I'm small breasted and I found a training bra and wore it, all cotton soft no wires etc.  I still wear it it's so comfortable. I also found the cami and bra in one from Joe fresh I bought a large and it's really comfy, I don't like tight at all anymore.  And to think all I used to wear were pretty wired and lace, that's all done now.

  • dmh2418
    dmh2418 Member Posts: 64
    edited February 2009

    I loved my sports bra but bought one just a little bigger and it was so comfortable.  I also put a gauze pad on my incision and the bra.  I learned the hard way what happens when you don't.  OUCH!

  • snowyday
    snowyday Member Posts: 1,478
    edited February 2009

    dmh2418 is so right about the gauze, it makes a big difference. 

  • koshka1
    koshka1 Member Posts: 678
    edited March 2009

    Hi there...

    I wore a really "elasticy" sports bar that gave great support and was comfy....for the area with the lymph nodes..i went to the drug store and bought those tiny gauze cushions and placed it in that area.....

    It helped....

    Gentle Hugs...

    Kosh

  • KarenFtoo
    KarenFtoo Member Posts: 59
    edited March 2009

    Hi,

     go to Walmart, get "Bestform" sports bra, I got front closure.  They are in sports bra section.

    $6.00 and wonderful!!

  • ShellyJo
    ShellyJo Member Posts: 132
    edited March 2009

    I wore and am still wearing those cotton stretchy tank tops with a soft shelf bra inside. Its been 5 months since my surgery and I do wear traditional bras when I have to. But I find the cavity in my breast and my nipple are still very sensitive and I get lines from the bra on that breast if worn for too long. New york company sells them up to size XL and they have thicker straps that are adjustable.

  • mags
    mags Member Posts: 233
    edited March 2009

    Hi Pam, I wore bikini tops for a while. Nice and soft and you can tie them as tight as you want.

    Hugs

    Mags

  • baburabe
    baburabe Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2009

    right after my 2 surgeries i started putting big fluffy old-fashioned kotex (without wings) inside my lane bryant cacique bras. no underwire and very comfy. after the scar healed a bit, i used 2 pantyliners  horizontally and they work great to keep the seams from rubbing. my last surgery was 2 and a half weeks ago and and i'm still putting the pantyliners in. 

  • Triciaski
    Triciaski Member Posts: 145
    edited March 2009

    Even though I wear a 38C, I was able to find a nice comfy non-underwire bra made by Warner's. I started wearing it a couple of days after surgery (lumpectomy), and it really helped me get through Mammosite treatment, too, by providing just enough support but no pressure. I only wish I could have found more than one in my size -- will never go back to an underwire bra again.

    Tricia

  • Missy1960
    Missy1960 Member Posts: 26
    edited March 2009

    Hi, I had lumpectomy and radiation therapy in 2008.  I found night time sleeping uncomfortable.  As I have larger breasts I had trouble finding a solution.  Finally found a sleep bra that I ordered from Junonia.  It is one piece without hooks/clasps or metal parts.  It has made sleeping so much more comfortable.  Thought I would share this since I have spent a long time searching for a night time bra sleep solution.

  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited March 2009

    I was wrapped very tightly with a large Ace type bandage for two days after my lumpectomy on the 25th of this month.  I just took all the wrapping off and put on a very soft sports bra that clips in the front that I found at Walmart.  I bought it two sizes larger and it doesn't support too well but it clears my sentinel incision (which actually hurts more than my breast!) and feels very comfy.  The make is Bestform. Good luck.

    Linda

  • sakura73
    sakura73 Member Posts: 467
    edited March 2009

    I continued to wear my ordinary underwire bras, with some gauze padding to protect the nipple and (after the second node removal) over the node scar. I think I was lucky - my surgeon told me she always takes care to leave the scars in places which don't prevent girls from wearing underwire bras afterwards!

  • flfish
    flfish Member Posts: 423
    edited March 2009

    Pam--for months after my lumpectomy I wore a cotton sports bra (that snapped in the front).  I went to Wal-Mart and bought 5 cheap ones.  I found them to be very helpful while going through radiation as well, and since they are so easy to wash, I didn't mind getting some of the lotion and medicine on them.  Best of luck to you!

    Ellie

  • terrikoala
    terrikoala Member Posts: 150
    edited July 2012

    I am 65,  tall and not too heavy and wear 40 DDD. I wear very comfortable but industrial strength underwire bras by Lane Bryant that do not rub or irritate and keep me 'up and all in'. Took me many years to find the right ones to support perfectly and not cost a fortune.  Having DCIS lumpectomy soon and reading all I can on this forum about what kind of bra to wear while healing. I wore my regular bra day and night after the biopsy but only had to do that for a few days and I don't even know how long I will be wearing one at night after the surgery (?). If I can avoid it I sure would rather not wear a loose fitting bra nor can I afford a new bra wardrobe while I go thru this process.  I  never go without a bra except to sleep and always put my bra on in front and then turn it around so stretching my arms behind me is not an issue.  Although I have breast cancer I want to keep my diginity intact  and look as nice as possible while going thru the healing and radiation process.

    suggestions?

    Terri

  • DocBabs
    DocBabs Member Posts: 775
    edited July 2012

    I continue to reccommend the Genie Bra from BB&B. 3/$20. Very soft and supportive. I wear a 36DD and they tend to run small so I went up a size, XL/1X instead of my usual L.Machine wash/ dry with little to no shrinkage.

  • terrikoala
    terrikoala Member Posts: 150
    edited July 2012

    Thank you for that info. I will go to BB&B and check it out. I am so used to strong construction and industrial strength bras  with heavy but comfortable underwires to keep the girls up and looking good and in a normal situation the Genie would never work for me but this is NOT normal so thanks again.

    I see that I would need a 3X  Genie by their chart for my bra size.   I wear a 14/16 (XL) shirt and the 3X is for 20-22W shirt. Hmmm?

    PS..darn it...they don't carry 3X in the stores near me. I was afraid of that. I am not sure I can get them delivered in the mail by next Monday when I need them but i may try.

  • anastasia31
    anastasia31 Member Posts: 45
    edited July 2012

    Ok, granted I am small (34 C), but I did find a bra at Macy's - back clasp, no underwire, made by Warners.  Can't believe how hard it is to find a bra these days that isn't underwire or that you don't have to pull over your head.  Have to wear this bra first 3 days after surgery and so far it is very comfy.

  • anastasia31
    anastasia31 Member Posts: 45
    edited July 2012

    Ok, granted I am small (34 C), but I did find a bra at Macy's - back clasp, no underwire, made by Warners.  Can't believe how hard it is to find a bra these days that isn't underwire or that you don't have to pull over your head.  Have to wear this bra first 3 days after surgery and so far it is very comfy.

  • christina0001
    christina0001 Member Posts: 1,491
    edited July 2012

    I just wore my regular bras. Only had about 3 that were comfortable. They needed to fit snug but not tight. Good luck finding a comfortable one and I hope everyone heals up fast.

  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited July 2012

    Don't wear a  bra!

    Yep, that my advice UNLESS you are large busted.  Get shelf tank tops ( KMart) Or MAYBE  a ' larger'  sports bra.

    I used  a regular, but nOT underwire  bra and did not realize the AMT of swelling.  I SWEAR it kind of " squished" the bottom half ( NO surgery there ) or my breast a  little.

    I have not worn a bra since !
    Soft shelf tank tops under all my clothes . I have every color under the sun.

    Good luck to all of you

  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited July 2012

    I tried a genie but with SNB I found it too difficult to put off and on that first week.

  • ro-berta
    ro-berta Member Posts: 134
    edited July 2012

    AHHHHH Bra,s I kept mine on right after lumps for support 36C now because of swelling and pain i thought I would try without so see if it would make a difference ( for me) Now I don,t think I will go back to wearing one! just cammies and loose top besides there is nothing much left of rty anyways and it looks flatter and my bra cup crinckles when i wear a t-shirt now hahaha, The bonus, is i am not as warm i was, and I just wear bigger earings.

  • terrikoala
    terrikoala Member Posts: 150
    edited August 2012

    Had surgery 7/30 and have been sleeping in  the stretchiest soft cup bras I had . For every day wear I am wearing my molded cup bras......NOT padded. I have found with my DDD girls the molded ones I discovered a few months ago when I got fitted and  went up a cup size make me look so much better in my clothes and support me like no other .Oh so comfortable and come in colors and prints galore.  They are Lane Bryant Cacique brand - FYI). I am not a Lane Bryant size for clothes but their bras are absolutely the best for large busts and I have tried so many brands. They come underwire or not. In my case I have never worn a non unwire. Its all about personal choice and underwires are NOT like they used to be. They are wider and padded and they have not bothered me one bit since the surgery. My incision is not far above the nipple and slants down towards the outside so the underwire is not bothering it and I have had no swelling.

  • Shayne
    Shayne Member Posts: 1,500
    edited August 2012

    I got a pack of 3 cotton sports bras and basically wore them 24/7 after surgery and after rads.  Found them at Walmart for 10 bucks. Got them a size bigger for comfort, but really, didnt need to do that in hindsight.  I had one front closure sports bra - but it wasnt v comfortable and only used it after rads.  I needed something I could sleep in, and i cant sleep in a regular bra.  Find them totally uncomfortable even during the day.  Now im back to my camies and light bras.  Tho I still wear the sports bras under my stretchy workout wear just for added support when jumping around at gym or cycling. 

  • Cottontail
    Cottontail Member Posts: 374
    edited February 2013

    Hmmmm, does anyone other than Walmart sell bras that will be suitable for me to wear after lumpectomy and SNB?  I DON'T shop at Walmart, period.  

    Even in healthier times, I've never been comfortable in regular sport bras, I can't get the darned things on over my head, so I'm thinking these will be a definite no! after surgery, as well.  I'm normally too big for tanks with shelf bras (the only ones that provide support are, again, way too tight to get on).  Anything I can comfortably get on doesn't have any support.

    I'm 36C right now, so going without support is uncomfortable normally.  

    I'm getting a reduction after I'm through with radiation, tired of carrying these things around.

  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited August 2012

    Fruit of the loom were the most comfortable to start...I worked up to more supportive ones.... Kohl's has a good selection of sports bras and casual bras, sears too.

    I love a nice independent store, but for inexpensive sports bras the chains seem easier.

    You could probably order online too. 

  • quiggy
    quiggy Member Posts: 315
    edited December 2014

    Been wearing shelf tanks but looking for other options tomorrow because of discomfort due to no support. Thanks for the great  ideas ladies! 

Categories