Ripped off

PT6, are you sure the post-surgery bras you were sold are exactly the same as the leisure bras you found on the web?  (DId the ones you saw on the web have pockets for a prosthesis?)

I had a similar experience when shopping for a mastectomy bra last year. It was really too early for me to be wearing a prosthesis and mast bra then, but I wanted to see what was available. The bra-fitter at the mastectomy supply store showed me a really nice front-hook bra, but then she told me I could find almost the same bra, labeled as a "leisure bra," at WalMart for way less money. No kidding.  She said lots of women liked that bra, but it was so expensive; so they ended up buying the one from WalMart and sewing in the pocket themselves.  She said she just wanted me to know there were other options.

I don't think she works for that mast supply store anymore.

I did buy a couple of the front-hook leisure bras from WalMart, but it turned out I can't wear them. My chest is really flat (always has been), and the placket for the front hooks presses against my breastbone... which hurts and irritates after the first few minutes. I went back to the mast supply store a few months ago, and a different fitter showed me that same-style bra (as a true mast bra with a pocket).  She tried to convince me to buy it, but I declined because it, too, pressed against my breastbone too much.  It was better-made than the one from WalMart--it was made of softer material, the seams were finished more smoothly, the straps were wider and maybe even were padded (I don't remember for sure), and overall it was of better quality.

Still, though, it wasn't that much better!

otter