aaahhhhh bra or genie bra

the aaa braaa is pretty comfy.. not so sexy but o well, i don't have cleavage anyway.  I can stick a foamy prosthesis in and it stays put.

Apple- can I ask what size you are. I had a umx and was a 36 to 38D. Does it have good support??

Here's my review: I ran out and got a couple of Genie bras after reading this thread. I'm 5 ft. 10 in. and have a 38-in. bust. I bought an Extra Large/1X, and it's a bit snug on me, though it looks nice with foam foobs and it stays more or less in place (I've had to give it a few tugs). I hate constriction, so I'm ordering 2X to see if that's more comfortable and perhaps a bit longer. If I can get the sizing right, this bra, which is marketed to women with big boobs, may be just right for a boobless woman!

I found the genie bra at Bed Bath and Beyond, comes two per package (nude and black) for $19.99.  I just checked on the pull-it-up question and yes, quite easily I can pull it up like a swimsuit.  Can remove the foam cups, and without them, the bra still does a nice job of supporting the girls. 

My only complaint is that although the band is knit into the whole bra, and it's about an inch and a half wide, I find it's pretty snug.  I tried a large and an extra large--both work fine for cup size and support. My regular bra size is 38 B, so the large should have been fine. 

And it is, except I'm experiencing midriff swelling that's intermittent (maybe truncal LE--having that checked out next week)--and the swelling is much less likely if I wear a camisole with cups knit in--no bra band. The genie bra band, despite being soft and wide, is still snug enough to prompt the swelling.  If that's not an issue for you, this bra might work well for you during recon healing.

Thank you, ladies, for the responses. 

First, Tappy, it is a relief to me to hear that you cannot wear a bra for 8 hours yet.  I am sorry you cannot, but it is a relief because I thought I should be able to do that by now and was becoming very frustrated.  I need to go back to work very soon and will have to find a solution (I had a umx without recon...I need support for my lone breast), but at least your experience lets me know that I am not just being a wimp...  Thank you.

Carol, thank you for going and trying yours on-for going the extra mile.  It is good to know I will be able to do that.  I don't think I am experiencing swelling at the chest.  (Oddly enough, I have been experiencing some intermittent swelling at the hips and waist, but I haven't found anywhere that this could be LE related to breast surgery and none of the doctors know why).  But, I am having issues with the drain sites.  They (along with the snb site) are more sore than the umx site, itself.  So the band may be an issue.  If I buy the genie, I will go larger on your advice, so thank you tons.  Also, I will give B, B and Beyond a shot (along with Kohl's that, online, advertises the same price).

Thank you both.  Your are both very helpful!

Thanks, nagem.  I wear a 34 or 36D, but I wear a medium shirt.  I was thinking of getting a large in the genie bra.  You think I need to go up to an extra large?   I will look at them carefully in the store.  Hopefully, I will be able to take them out of the package and get a good look at them.  Thank you for your input.  I will definitely take a closer look because of it...:)

Tappy...  I understand the flat thing.  I am so glad you are gaining comfort with it/acceptance of it.   If I'd had a bmx I might be one to go flat...but I had a umx and am a D cup...  Also, I am a teacher...of teenagers...  I don't think I can do flat on one side...  I have been going flat on one side on my outings... to doctors offices and stores and have been very comfortable with it, but not to work.  Also, I need support for the remaining side...

And thank you for the confirmation that I should go way up...I will remember that when I am indecisive about the size in the store.

Claire

The larger sizes make them fit more like a snug undershirt and less like a vise ...

I wanted to let you all know what happened.  According to the box, I should wear a medium genie bra.  The XL/1X fits really well...It is not painful to wear, I can put it on by stepping into it, I can put the lightweight foam in the pocket (with a little cramming and persuasion).  Thank you all for your feedback and advice.  I will be able to wear this one to work all day, I think (though with the foob, it is a little tender on the chest...I may have to reduce the size of the foob a bit.

 Thank you all, again...

Claire

like we know how to knit..

wish i did.  I;ve tried on both bras and find them similar.. i think i will buy one.  I borrowed my 12 yr. old daughter's (yes she is developing early.. she's already in a B cup) and still tiny everywhere else (size 12 pants).  I bought a poofy boob shape at a garage sale and it actually is the perfect size.  I wish i knew where she had gotten it... and it stays in place beautifully without securement.

I found 2 X at BBB - lots of them.   Nude and Black in the same package.   Being in a hurry to get dressed the next day, I wore the nude one and thought it had a bit too much padding, but I would go with it.    When I took it off, I realized the pads or liners were removable....     Old age, chemo brain, whatever...     And I am a 38 D, got the 2X and it is very comfortable for me.

I tried on a Genie Bra which was in the "As Seen On TV" section of a SuperTarget.  I am a large 36 or small size 38 in bras and I found the Large to be a medieval torture device.  Wayyyyyy too tight around and I found the straps wayyy too short which meant they dug into my shoulders and the bra rides right up if you raise your arms.  I have a BMX. My avatar is a current pic. They didn't have an X-Large at that store.  I saw a local Walgreens that carried both the Genie and the Ahhh Bras though in extremely limited sizes and no way to try them on.  The Genie has a built in pocket though I think the opening would likely have to be enlarged to accomodate prosthesis.   The Ahhh bra does not have the pocket.  The Ahhh bra impressed me as rather high in the front so that it will likely show like a cami if you wear any kind of v-necks.

Barbara