That Bra question again

kcshreve · January 2012

I need to find some bras which work with truncal LE, any ideas? I have what I thought to be a workable brand, but when I wore that bra a couple days ago it was more constricting than I remembered. I cannot tolerate any constriction at all across my chest, or the result it is a big puffball armpit. If you have brands or models, I'd appreciate knowing about that.

Anonymous · January 2012

I am curious to see responses to this question. I have truncal LE and none of the compression bras I tried worked for me. Can't seem to find any that fit without pressing on the underarm and back areas. The one that felt comfy in the store and I walked out wearing (the Anita), triggered a lot of swelling after a few hours. That had cups and I gave it away before I had my implants removed. I would love to find just a stretchy thing. 3Jays swears by the Rhonda Shear bras, such as the Ahh bras, which I have been meaning to try. Don't know if you are looking for a regular compression bra or something more elastic. Do you want something with cups for a prosthetic?

sisterinspirit · January 2012

I stuggle with this one too. I go back and forth between a sports bra or cami by Wear Ease. With the cami, I slip a kimbe swell spot into the axila area which helps alot with the truncal LE. Hopefully others will chime in.

kcshreve · April 2012

I saw an infomercial awhile back on a sports-type bra that had extra shaping to it.......does anyone know of this one? Or one which is similar? My current bra is causing too much swelling.

kcshreve · April 2012

Hoping someone can help me figure this out - there was a special offer of buying two. They are sportsy/shaper bras with no hooks, just one full piece with a full back. Anyone?

kcshreve · April 2012

It was the Genie bra I was hunting for.......or maybe it was the Ahh bra. I think the Genie looks like it has wider straps and wider back supports, which may work for truncal LE......any opinions?

cookiegal · April 2012

Honestly I got one of those bras....Genie I think it was. I bought it at one of those "As Seen On TV" stores.

It was pretty disapointing to me. The bras I get at sears (sort of casual soft seamless) cover and support better and cost less than half.

Don't get me wrong, it is ok for lying around or sleeping, but nothing special and (in the store) ridiculously overpriced.

Sorry to be a wet blanket....It may work better for someone with smaller breasts.

olearca · April 2012

I'm struggling with this too and I waiver between a sports bra (the champion front zipper one works well for me) and a cami with swell spot or occasionally a real bra for a few hours even with wires (amazing how a wired bra makes my foobs feel so much better but awful for the LE).

I got a genie bra on recommendation from a friend with mild LE and foobs, but I don't find it that supportive. I do like it for sleeping and the wide straps and high arm bands are comfortable (sort of a sports bra "lite") but it's not really supportive enough for me to wear for long periods.

The bra search is one of the most frustrating parts of this journey for me. It seems to be a lot of trial and error and what works one day doesn't work the next. Honestly, I don't think we can ever stop asking for advice on this subject. I'm always looking for new ideas.

olearca · April 2012

PS: Forgot to just mention that target has genie bras 2/19.99 in their clearance section. Might be worth a try for that price. They run small so may need to size up.

sisterinspirit · April 2012

My fitter recently recommended the Jodee surgical mastectomy bra style 810. It has nice wide padded straps and wide support around the sides and back. This is the most comfortable bra I've worn in four years. No trouble with it blocking lymph flow. It took a little time to transition from a sports bra to this more substantial bra, but I love the support it gives my breasts and my LE breast feels better too. I also ordered the Wear Ease compression bra, but the fit isn't quite right. Will order a different size and see if that works.

sheri56 · April 2012

I've been wearing a Wear Ease compression bra for about 4 months now. It isn't pretty and not perfect but far better than the many other mastectomy bras I tried. I'm not sure why the other bras bothered me so much. After a few hours, I couldn't wait to get them off. I can wear the Wear Ease all day. I had a unilateral mastectomy (left side) so the bra likes to "shift" toward the right side.....but I can handle that!

Good luck...I really hope you find something comfortable!!!!

NatsFan · April 2012

I like the Genie bra with it's higher back, but I also reconstructed smaller down to little B cups. The Genie would definitely have NOT worked with my old DD girls.

kcshreve · April 2012

I went from a D to a small C/full B, which I've really liked. I've been wearing compression shirts, but I really do need a bra at times. My LE therapist showed me a Belisse, which I think is too high in front, but it looks very comfortable.

theBCavenger · April 2012

This is an interesting thread to me... I have so much swelling on my torso, where my drain was, all the way up into my armpit. Everything I wear cuts into that side and leaves deep marks. Could that be LE?

I have a TE on the good side, and lost the TE on the cancer due to necrosis, which is getting replaced on the 17th.

I actually wear the Ahh Bra - The Genie Bra is the exact same bra, just a different target audience. I like it because it has a molded cup, and an opening where I can place some stuffing... lol.

The bra's wide strap covers and holds the swollen area where a normal strap would cut in.

kcshreve · April 2012

I have a lot of swelling under my armpit and in my back. My arm also swells, but I can manage that better. The truncal part is tricky. Your swelling sounds familiar but the only way you can really know if this is LE is to get a referral to eval and treat from your doc, and have a LANA certified LE therapist get a look at it. You may need to get more than one opinion, as LE therapists can have differing viewpoints. Do ask a few more questions here, as it is very important that you understand what is happening for you.

kcshreve · May 2012

Adding a comment now that I've found and purchased a Genie bra. I normally wear a size 14/16, but I purchased the next size up, which is a 2x. I'm pretty surprised that I think they are too tight and constricting for me, and I may try a 3x. I like their general shape, since it has a full back. Not thrilled with the 2x at all. Might not be thrilled with the 3x, either. We'll see, I guess.

carol57 · May 2012

I bought the Genie bra a while back, in my normal size. Too constricting. Went up a size, and the band was more comfortable, but I found that there was too much 'bridging' --no separator between the breasts, or if it has one, it lifts too much. I need some pressure on the inside portions of both breasts or I find that fluid accumulates there. A little bit of pressure does the trick, but the Genie bra provides none in that spot. KC, I'm not surprised you find the bra too tight. For me, the fit is very uneven, never mind that they market these bras as 'conforming to your shape.'

KS1 · May 2012

A year ago I posted on the board my impressions of some bras.

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/64/topic/769165?page=1#post_2403150

While searching for the above thread, I also found this thread:

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/64/topic/769135?page=1#post_2403036

My truncal issues are minimal, and I've put on hold the bra/cami quest while I have been working on hand LE, but I am very interested in what people find.

KS1

Galsal · May 2012

it's great to read through the comments on the bra topic. most though don't seem to include larger chests. suggestion?

That Bra question again

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